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

  • US 9,388,635 B2
  • Filed: 05/10/2010
  • Issued: 07/12/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2008
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. 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, the method comprising:

  • (a) providing a force tending to cause rotation of the first assembly and the second assembly relative to each other;

    (b) determining an actual orientation of the second assembly with the control device actuated to prevent rotation of the second assembly relative to the first assembly;

    (c) comparing the actual orientation of the second assembly with a target orientation of the second assembly in order to determine if the actual orientation of the second assembly is acceptable;

    (d) if the actual orientation of the second assembly is not acceptable, actuating the control device to perform a control device actuation cycle, wherein the control device actuation cycle comprises first actuating the control device to allow rotation of the second assembly relative to the first assembly and second actuating the control device to prevent rotation of the second assembly relative to the first assembly;

    (e) determining an updated actual orientation of the second assembly;

    (f) comparing the updated actual orientation of the second assembly with the target orientation of the second assembly in order to determine if the updated actual orientation of the second assembly is acceptable;

    (g) if the updated actual orientation of the second assembly is not acceptable, repeating (d) through (f), using the updated actual orientation of the second assembly as the actual orientation of the second assembly; and

    (h) if the updated actual orientation of the second assembly is acceptable, maintaining the control device actuated to prevent rotation of the second assembly relative to the first assembly.

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