GB2144274A - Inductive coupler system - Google Patents

Abstract

An inductive coupler system includes a first part in which is defined a socket region (5) and a second part including a plug member. A first frame member (7) carrying first magnetic half-cores (15a, b) constituting one half of an inductive coupler is supported by the first part, whilst the second part carries second magnetic half-cores (31a, b) constituting the other half of the inductive coupler.The first part includes actuation means (9, 11) responsive to the insertion of the plug member in the socket region (5) to move the first frame member (7) towards the second part to a position where mating surfaces of the half-cores are in surface-to- surface alignment with each other. Second actuation means (37) connected to the second part drives the aligned mating surfaces into intimate contact or, on disengagement moves the first frame member (7) away from the second part. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Inductive coupler systems This invention relates to inductive coupler systems, and has particular application to inductive coupler systems for use in undersea applications.

Such inductive coupler systems frequently consist of two parts, the first part being connected to a moveable surface vessel, and the second part being located on the seabee. It is then desirableto be able to connect, and disconnect, the two parts on the sea bed under remote control from the surface vessel.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide such an inductive coupler system.

According to the present invention an inductive coupler system comprises: a first part in which is defined a socket region, said first part supporting a first frame memberwhich carries a first magnetic half-core constituting one half of an inductive coupler; a second part comprising a plug memberadaptedto be received by the socket region, said second part incorporating a second frame memberwhich carries a second magnetic half-core constituting the other half ofthe inductive coupler; first actuation means connected to said first part; and second actuation means connected to said second part, said first actuation means being operable by the insertion of said plug member into said socket region to move said first frame membertowards said secondframe memberto a position where a mating surface of each of said half-cores are in surface - to surface alignment with each other, said second actuation means being operative in a first sense to drive the aligned mating surfaces into intimate contact, and operable in a second sense to cause said first actuation means to move said firstframe member awayfrom said second frame member.

In one particular inductive coupler system in accordancewith the invention said first part includes a furtherframe member which carries a third magnetic half-core constituting one half of a further inductive coupler, said first and furtherframe members being positioned on opposing sides of said socket region; a fourth magnetic half core constituting the other half of said further inductive coupler is carried by said second frame memberwith its mating surface on the opposite side of said second frame memberto that of the second magnetic half-core; and a further said first actuation means is connected to said mount, said furtherfirstactuation means being operable by the insertion of said plug member into said socket region to move said furtherframe member to a position where a mating surface of said third and fourth half-cores are in surface -to - surface alignment with each other, operation of said second actuation means in said firstsense being effective to drive the aligned mating surfaces of said third and fourth magnetic half-cores into intimate contact, and operation of said second actuation means in said second sense being effective to cause said furtherfirst actuation means to move said further frame member away from said second frame member.

Preferably the or each of said first actuation means comprises a parallel motion linkage connecting said first orfurtherframe member to said first part, said linkage having a lever arm extending into the path of movement of said plug member into said socket region.

Preferably said second actuation means comprises a hydraulic jack.

One inductive coupler system in accordance with the invention will now be described, bywayof example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa perspective view of a first part of the system; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second part of the system; Figure 3 is a schematic end elevation ofthe system in a non-operative condition; and Figure 4 is a view corresponding to that of Figure 3 ofthe system in an operative condition.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 the inductive coupler system includes a first part including a mount 1 secured to a sub-sea oil production system production template (not shown) on the sea bed (not shown). The mount 1 has extending from it eight pairs of flanges 3 arranged in a parallel, spaced configuration in two rows along the mount such that a socket region 5 is defined betweenthetwo rows. In respect of each pair offlanges3there is provided a pairofframe members 7 arranged side by side, each pair of frame members 7 being moveably connected to the pair offlanges by a parallel motion linkage consisting of two parallel lever arms 9, 11 each pivoted both to the pair offlanges 3 and each pair of frame members 7.The sets of lever arms 9,11 connected to the flanges 3 in the two rows are setatan angle to each other such that an extension 11 a on one 11 of each pair of lever arms extends into the socket region 5, and the front faces 13 of the frame members 7 connected to each rowofflanges3face towards the socket regionS. The end regions 11 b of the extensions 11 awithin the socket region 5 are of cylindrical formation, in each ofwhich is a channel 11 C as best seen in Figure 1.Each frame member7 supports two magnetic half cores 1 5a, b wh ich each constitutes a first ha If of a respective inductive coupler,onesuch coupler being provided in respectof eachwellhead (notshown) present on the template.

Each frame member7 also supports a furtherfour magnetic half-cores 1 7a, b, c dwhich each constitute a first half of a respective signal coupler. Each magnetic half-core 15a, b, 17a, bc, dis spring loaded for movement away from the front face 13 ofthe respective frame member7 bya preloaded spring (not shown). Projecting from the front face of each of the frame members 7 are upper and lower dowel pins 19a, 19b.

Referring now also to Figure 2, the inductive coupler system further includes a second part including a plug member 21 designed to be received bythesocket region 5 defined in the mount 1 .The end ofthe second part remote from the plug member21 is suspended by a support cable 23 attached to a controlling surface vessel (not shown) such as a semi-submerged floating platform above the mount 1 as shown in Figure 3. An umbilical cable 25 containing an electrical cable or cables, and a hydraulic conduit is also connected between the plug member21 and the surfacevessel.

Incorporated along each ofthe two opposing long surfaces 27, 29 ofthe second partabovethe plug member 21 are two rows of eight magnetic half-cores 31 a, beach half-core constituting a second half of a respective inductive coupler, and four rows of eight magnetic half-cores 33a, b, c, deach constituting a second half of a respective signal coupler. Each magnetic half-core 19a, b, 33a, b, c, dis spring loaded for movement away from the respective surface 27 or 29 by a preloaded spring (not shown). Each surface 27, 29 is also provided with upperand lower rows of indentations 35a, b.

Towards the end of the plug member 21 remote from the support cable 23 and umbilical cable 25 are provided four hydraulic jacks 37, each capable of expansion in directions away from the surfaces 27 and 29. At each side of each jack 37 is provided an appendage intheform of a knob 37a, b.

In use of the inductive coupler system the second part is suspended above the first part such that the plug member 21 lies above the socket region 5 defined in the mount 1 as shown in Figure 3. When it is required to effectthe coupling of the two halves ofthe respective inductive couplers and signal couplers, the plug member 21 is lowered into the socket region, the knobs, 37a, b on each of the jacks 37 entering a respective channel 11 cin one of the cylindrical regions 11 b ofthe extensions 11 a ofthe lever arms 11. As the plug member 21 moves further downwards within the socket region 5 towards the position shown in Figure 4, displacement of the extensions 11 a by the plug member 21 causes the frame members 7 to swing towards the surfaces 27,29 of the second part 20.The knobs 37a, bfinally each reach a shoulder 11 din the channels 11 c, at which pointthe plug member 21 is prevented from moving further down in the socket region 5. With the plug member 21 in this position, the front surfaces of the half-cores 1 5a, b, 1 7a, bc, d carried by each oftheframe members7 are in face-to-face alignment with half-cores 31 a, b,33a, b, c carried by the second part 20. The dowel pins 19a, b extending from the surfaces 13 ofthe frame members are then in a position to engage the complementary indentations 35a, bin the surfaces 27,29 of the second part 20, thus assuring the alignment of the respective halves of the inductive couplers and signal couplers.

Following this alignmentthe hydraulicjacks 37 are actuated by hydraulic fluid passing through the umbilical cable 25 so as to drive the aligned mating surfaces ofthe half-cores 19a, 31 a; 1 9b, 31 b; 17a, 33a; 17b, 33b;; 17c, 33cand 17d, 33dinto intimate contact with each otheragainstthe bias ofthe spring loading of each ofthe half-cores the lever arms 9,11, then lying in a substantially vertical position The spring loading ofthe half-cores ensures the intimate contact of each of the pairs of half-cores within each inductive or signal coupler, even ifthe mating surfaces of each of the half-cores along each of the surfaces 13 ofthe two rows of frame members 7, and the two surfaces 27,29 of the second part 20 do not precisely lie in the same plane.

In orderto disconnectthetwo parts ofthe coupler system such that for example the surface vessel supporting the second part 20may move away from the template, the hydraulic jacks 37 are caused to contract, the knobs 37a, bby pulling the leverarm extensions 11 a in with them by virtue of their being trapped in the lower ends of the channels 11 a. The front surfaces 13, together with the respective magnetic half-cores are thus disengaged from the surfaces 27,29 of the second part 20, the positive pulling action ofthe jacks 37 overcoming any reluctance of the frames7to move dueto forexample corrosion of any of the dowel pegs 19a, bin the complementary indentations 35a, b or corrosion of any of the bearings.

The plug member 21 may then be lifted out ofthe socket region 5, the knobs 37a, b, sliding out of their respectivechannels 11a.Asthe plug member21 is removed from the socket region 5, theweight of the frame members 7 causes them to swing back on the lever arms 9,11 to the position shown in Figures 1 and 3.

Claims (7)

1. A inductive coupler system comprising: a first part in which is defined a socket region, said first part supportingafirstframe memberwhich carries a first magnetic half-core constituting one half of an inductive coupler; a second part comprising a plug member adapted to be received bythesocket region, said second part incorporating a second frame member which carries a second magnetic half-core constituting the other half ofthe inductive coupler; first actuation means connected to said first part; and second actuation means connected to said second part, said first actuation means being operable by the insertion of said plug member into said socket region to move said first frame membertowards said second frame memberto a position where a mating surface of each of said half-cores are in surface-to-surface alignment with each other, said second actuation means being operative in a first sense to drive the aligned mating surfaces into intimate contact, and operable in a second sense to cause said first actuation means to move said first frame member away from said second frame member.

2. An inductivecouplersystem in accordance with Claim 1 in which said first part includes a further frame memberwhich carries athird magnetic half-core constituting one half of a further inductive coupler, said first and furtherframe members being positioned on opposing sides of said socket region; a fourth magnetic half-core constituting the other half of said further inductive coupler is carried by said second frame member with its mating surface on the opposite side of said second frame membertothatofthe second magnetic half-core; and a further said first actuation means is connected to said first part; said furtherfirstactuation means being operable by the insertion of said plug member into said socket region to move said furtherframe memberto a position where a mating surface of said third and fourth half-cores are in surface-to-surface alignmentwith each other, operation of said second actuation means in said first sense being effective to drive the aligned mating surfaces of said third and fourth magnetic half-cores into intimate contact, and operation of said second actuation means in said second sense being effective to cause said furtherfirst actuation means to move said further frame member away from said second frame member.

3. An inductivecouplersystem in accordance with either one of the preceding claims in which the or each of said actuation means comprises a parallel motion linkage connecting said first orfurtherframe member to said first part, said linkage having a lever arm extending into the path of movement of said plug member into said socket region.

4. An inductive coupler system in accordance with any one ofthe preceding claims in which said second actuation means comprises a hydraulic jack.

5. An inductive couplersystem in accordance with Claim 4when dependent on Claim 3 in which said jack exerts a positive pulling action on said lever arm on operation of said jack in said second sense.

6. An inductive coupler system in accordance with any one ofthe preceding claims in which at least one of said magnetic half-cores is spring loaded for movement away from its associated frame member.

7. An inductive coupler system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.