Method and apparatus for controlling an orientable connection in a drilling assembly

Abstract

In an apparatus of the type comprising a first assembly, a second assembly, an orientable rotatable connection between the first assembly and the second assembly, and a control device associated with the orientable rotatable connection, a method for controlling the actuation of the control device. Particular embodiments of the method include comparing an actual orientation of the second assembly with a target orientation, actuating the control device to perform a control device actuation cycle if the actual orientation is not acceptable, determining an updated actual orientation of the second assembly, comparing the updated actual orientation with the target orientation, and repeating the control device actuation cycle if the updated target orientation is not acceptable. A first exemplary embodiment of the method represents a target approach to achieving the target orientation. A second exemplary embodiment of the method represents an incremental approach to achieving the target orientation.