Patents by Inventor Brendan B. Braniff

Brendan B. Braniff has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240173869
    Abstract: A system for performing operations on a work center disposed on a drill rig floor includes a robotic system having a base disposed on a track for movement thereon, a robot arm supported on the base, and one or more end effector tools selectively attachable to an end of the robot arm. A control system has a robot controller in communication with the robotic system. The robot controller is configured to command the robotic system to enter a mode for performing a selected operation, command the robot arm to engage one of the one or more end effector tools related to the selected operation from a tool storage, command the robotic system to move along the track to a position adjacent to the work center, and command the robotic system to perform the selected operation at the work center using the robot arm and the engaged end effector tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Craig MCCORMICK, Scott MCKAIG, Brendan B. BRANIFF, Kevin JANDER, Keith BOUGHTON, Travis MCGUIRE, John MARTIN, James LIPPOLD
  • Patent number: 10253572
    Abstract: A derrick structure may include a plurality of drilling rotating/hoisting/circulation (RHC) traveling block/top drive like systems that can move between and are fully functional on multiple well centers. With such a configuration, one RHC can be disconnected from the drill lines and suspended in the drilling derrick allowing two hoisting systems with separate motors to function simultaneously on a single well center, thus doubling the lifting capability on that well center. For example, one traveling block may be suspended and its associated drill line and winch coupled to another traveling block on a different well center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Transocean Sedco Forex Ventures Limited
    Inventor: Brendan B. Braniff
  • Publication number: 20180044995
    Abstract: A derrick structure may include a plurality of drilling rotating/hoisting/circulation (RHC) traveling block/top drive like systems that can move between and are fully functional on multiple well centers. With such a configuration, one RHC can be disconnected from the drill lines and suspended in the drilling derrick allowing two hoisting systems with separate motors to function simultaneously on a single well center, thus doubling the lifting capability on that well center. For example, one traveling block may be suspended and its associated drill line and winch coupled to another traveling block on a different well center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Transocean Sedco Forex Ventures Limited
    Inventor: Brendan B. Braniff