Patents by Inventor Christopher Alan Major

Christopher Alan Major 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: 20240392635
    Abstract: A drilling rig assembly and methods of assembling a drilling rig are described. The drilling rig assembly can include a mast, a traveling assembly coupled to the mast, and a racking board configured to be removably coupled to the traveling assembly and removably coupled to the mast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew Rose, Michael Brzezniak, Patrick L. Gustafson, Todd Ryan Woods, Rick E. Barrett, Christopher Alan Major, Dean Boyaci
  • Publication number: 20240392637
    Abstract: A method assembling a drilling rig is described. The method includes providing a mast of a drilling rig. The mast can include a racking board attached at a first height above a rig floor. The method further includes providing a detachable diving board; aligning the diving board with a traveling assembly of the rig, with one or more rails of the mast, or with a dolly removably coupled to the traveling assembly; removably coupling the diving board to the traveling assembly or the dolly; raising the diving board to the first height, The diving board can be located in a middle portion of the racking board in the first height. Further, the diving board can b removably coupled to the racking board; and decoupled from the traveling assembly or the dolly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew Rose, Michael Brzezniak, Patrick L. Gustafson, Todd Ryan Woods, Rick E. Barrett, Christopher Alan Major, Dean Boyaci
  • Publication number: 20240301757
    Abstract: A method for connecting drill pipe to a drillstring in a wellbore includes positioning a lower section of drill pipe within a rotary slips and setting the rotary slips. The method includes positioning an upper section of drill pipe over a lower section of drill pipe and signaling an iron roughneck to extend toward a joint of the lower section of drill pipe and upper section of drill pipe. The method includes raising the iron roughneck to a height such that opposing tongs are positioned above and below the joint between the upper section of drill pipe and the lower section of drill pipe, spinning the upper section of drill pipe into the lower section of drill pipe, clamping onto the lower section of drill pipe with the tongs of the iron roughneck, and spinning the upper section of drill pipe into the lower section of drill pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Applicant: Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Gustafson, Rick E. Barrett, Trevor Hall, Christopher Alan Major, Zachary L. Newton, Andrew Rose, William Chase Stogner, Brandon D. Valentine, Todd Ryan Woods
  • Publication number: 20240191580
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Ray PRESCOTT, JR., Joel Ferland, Natthew Wyatt Macdaniels, Christopher Alan Major, Patrick L. Gustafson, Robert Lee Stauder, Bernard L/ Cook, DeWayne Speer
  • Patent number: 11939820
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Ray Prescott, Joel Ferland, Matthew Wyatt MacDaniels, Christopher Alan Major, Patrick L. Gustafson, Robert Lee Stauder, Bernard L. Cook, DeWayne Speer
  • Publication number: 20210340824
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Jerry Ray PRESCOTT, Joel FERLAND, Matthew Wyatt MACDANIELS, Christopher Alan MAJOR, Patrick L. GUSTAFSON, Robert Lee STAUDER, Bernard L. COOK, DeWayne SPEER
  • Patent number: 11098535
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: HELMERICH & PAYNE, INC.
    Inventors: Jerry Ray Prescott, Jr., Joel Ferland, Matthew Wyatt MacDaniels, Christopher Alan Major, Patrick L. Gustafson, Robert Lee Stauder, Bernard Cook, DeWayne Speer
  • Publication number: 20200024914
    Abstract: A system and method for transferring tubular elements may include a first structure having a first horizontal platform attached to the first structure on a bottom side and a monorail attached to the first structure on a top side, a second structure having a second horizontal platform attached to the second structure. The first structure and the second structure may be located proximate to each other, while the monorail can extend from the first structure to the second structure. The monorail can have a motion controlled assembly to move a tubular element or assembly of tubular elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Jerry Ray Prescott, JR., Joel Ferland, Matthew Wyatt MacDaniels, Christopher Alan Major, Patrick L. Gustafson, Robert Lee Stauder, Bernard Cook, DeWayne Speer
  • Patent number: 7624831
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to move a modular drilling rig in formation wherein the drilling rig includes a plurality of self-propelled modules to facilitate the movement of the rig while all systems are intact and fully operational. The apparatus includes a plurality of wheel assemblies which are steerable to guide the modules during movement. The apparatus also includes a propulsion system for each of the modules to drive each of the modules during movement. A steering control and position feedback system is also provided for determining the relative position of each module with respect to the master module. This control and feedback system provides feedback to the steering control and feedback systems of other modules in order to move the modules in a formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin Alan Orr, Mark Trevithick, Christopher Alan Major, Robert Lee Stauder
  • Publication number: 20090008112
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to move a modular drilling rig in formation wherein the drilling rig includes a plurality of self-propelled modules to facilitate the movement of the rig while all systems are intact and fully operational. The apparatus includes a plurality of wheel assemblies which are steerable to guide the modules during movement. The apparatus also includes a propulsion system for each of the modules to drive each of the modules during movement. A steering control and position feedback system is also provided for determining the relative position of each module with respect to the master module. This control and feedback system provides feedback to the steering control and feedback systems of other modules in order to move the modules in a formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Melvin Alan Orr, Mark Trevithick, Christopher Alan Major, Robert Lee Stauder