Electrical connectors – Self aligning contact – Contact mounted in floating nonconductive holder
Patent
1992-08-19
1994-03-22
Desmond, Eugene F.
Electrical connectors
Self aligning contact
Contact mounted in floating nonconductive holder
439191, H01R 1364
Patent
active
052958485
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to systems for effecting electrical and/or hydraulic connections underwater.
In particular, the invention relates to systems for establishing such connections between a submerged installation and equipment which has been lowered down to it from the surface, for example, between subsea pumping equipment and a module which is lowered down to the equipment for establishing power and hydraulic fluid supplies to it and communication between it and surface equipment. Serious problems can arise in effecting the desired connections in such circumstances, due to misalignment of the parts to be connected, and the need to ensure integrity of the connections once they have been made.
The invention accordingly provides a connection system for effecting electric and/or hydraulic connection under water, the system comprising a connection unit and a receptacle which can be juxtaposed to permit a member carrying one or more connecting elements to be moved outwardly of the unit into the receptacle for mating the connecting elements with co-operating elements in the receptacle. The invention provides for the member and the receptacle to be self-aligning during the stroking of the member into the receptacle and for flexible mounting of the unit and the receptacle to accommodate any adjustment needed to correct misalignment. Thus the mounting of both the connection unit and the receptacle on the respective equipment items to be electrically and/or hydraulically connected can be effected by joints providing universal movement, for example, ball joints or universal couplings. The desired connection or connections are thus made without the use of external tooling, and alignment of the connection unit and the receptacle is effected and accommodated automatically during the advance of the connecting member into the receptacle.
To facilitate the orientation of the connection unit and the receptacle necessary for a satisfactory connection, the stroking of the connecting member can be divided into a first phase, during which the member and the receptacle interengage in such a way that alignment is achieved, and a second phase during which the actual electrical and/or hydraulic connections are established The connecting member can then comprise two parts capable of relative movement during stroking, of which an outer part has guide surfaces which act upon co-operating guide surfaces of the receptacle to effect alignment and an inner part carrying one or more connector elements which is advanced beyond the outer part to effect connection after alignment has been achieved.
A plurality of connector elements, which may comprise all electric connector elements, or all hydraulic connector elements, or more usually a mixture of the two, are mounted together on the connecting member, with appropriate co-operating connector elements received within the receptacle. Thus, the movement of the member to its final position within the receptacle effects a plurality of connections simultaneously. The connecting elements may comprise standard connector elements spaced across the member and the floor of the receptacle, in which event angular orientation means, for example a key receivable in a keybed, is provided to ensure correct positioning of the member and receptacle around the common axis. Instead, electrical connection can be established by way of one or more contact elements extending at least partially around the member, for engagement with cooperating contact elements set in the side wall of the receptacle.
However the connector elements are arranged, 5 provision is made for flushing out seawater from the receptacle and for subsequently filling the region occupied by the connected contact elements with protective oil.
The invention can in particular be embodied in a power/control pod or module which can be lowered to a subsea installation for connection to the installation, and to an electrically driven pump unit supported thereby, of electrical power supplies, fluid supplies, and for the establishment of communication cha
REFERENCES:
patent: 4188050 (1980-02-01), Lochte
patent: 47070411 (1987-11-01), Kovit et al.
Desmond Eugene F.
Framo Development (UK) Limited
LandOfFree
Releasable hydraulic and/or electric connection for subsea equip does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Releasable hydraulic and/or electric connection for subsea equip, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Releasable hydraulic and/or electric connection for subsea equip will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-432622