GB2190969A - Hydraulic connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A hydraulic connector for use in conducting hydraulic fluid between a source and an undersea hydraulically operable device includes a body B fixed on the undersea device and having a through bore 30 to receive a stinger 5 which may be carried by a diver or a remotely operated vehicle. The stinger comprises a tapering noze portion and cylindrical body portions 34 and 35 separated by a reduced diameter portion affording an annular recess 38 connected with the hydraulic fluid source. The portions 34 and 35 are sized to fit closely in the bore 30 and carry sealing rings 37. A conduit 33 connects with the bore 30 in the region which coincides with the recess 38 when the stinger is fully inserted in the bore. The connection utilising the connector described is easily and reliably made and broken but is not liable to come adrift unintentionally as a result of the pressure of the pressure of the hydraulic fluid, since hydraulic forces on the connector are balanced. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hydraulic connector This invention relates generally to a hydraulic connector, and, more particularly, to an improved hydraulic connector for use at or near a subsea wellhead or other underwater location.

Due to the depths of such locations, at least one of the connector halves must be delivered and connected to, and, in some cases, disconnected and recovered from, the other half by a diver or a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) having a manipulator for simulating a diver's arms. Thus, for example, in a typical installation, the other half of the connector may be mounted on and connected to a coupling of the wellhead which is operable upon the supply and/or exhaust of hydraulic fluid from and/or to a source at the water surface or on the ROV to which the one half is connected by a suitable conduit. Alternatively, the other half may be mounted on a clamp or other work piece and operable to manipulate a device of some type on the wellhead upon the supply and/or exhaust of hydraulic fluid from or to such source.In each case, it is necessary to disconnect the one half from the other half to permit its recovery with the diver or ROV.

Conventional hydraulic connectors are unsuited for use in this type of environment, not only because they have a large number of parts, but also because the parts require complex manipulations which may be difficult for a diver to perform and difficult if not impossible for an ROV. This is particularly true if the parts require precise axial and/or rotational alignment during connection or disconnection.

Still further, they may be of a construction which contains seals or other replaceable parts on the other half which cannot be replaced or repaired until the subsea wellhead is retrieved to the surface.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a hydraulic connector having only two relatively movable parts which are connected and disconnected without complex manipulation, which is unaffected by the high pressures encountered at such depths, and wherein all replaceable seal parts are retrievable with the ROV or the diver with which they are lowered into and raised from the subsea location.

According to the invention there is provided an hydraulic connector, comprising a body adapted to be mounted near an hydraulically operable device at an underwater location and having a bore therethrough and a port therein connecting the exterior of the body with the bore intermediate longitudinally spaced, cylindrical portions thereof which are of equal cross sectional area, an elongate stinger adapted to be lowered into and raised from a piston axially aligned with the bore to permit one end to be passed through one end of the bore into and out of a predetermined longitudinal position with respect thereto, said stinger having longitudinally spaced, outer cylindrical portions each adapted to fit closely within a cylindrical portion of the bore, seal rings surrounding said portions each for sealably engaging a cylindrical portion of the bore of the body, when the stinger is in its predetermined longitudinal position therein, an annular recess thereabout intermediate said cylindrical portions, a bore having one end connected with the exterior thereof and its other end closed, and a lateral port connecting the bore with the annular recess, whereby, upon connection of the one end of the stinger bore with a source of hydraulic fluid and connection of the port in the body with the hydraulically operable device, hydraulic fluid may be conducted therebetween.

Preferably the two parts of the connector are self-aligning, and so related as to provide the diver or ROV with a simple, visually observable indication of whether they are or are not connected, and the sealing surfaces of said parts may readily be protected against the corrosive effects of the subsea environment.

In its preferred forms, the connector which is especially well adapted to permit hydraulic connections selectively with two or more hydraulically operable devices.

A preferred connector embodying the invention enables hydraulic fluid to be simultaneously supplied to and exhausted from respective parts of a device such as a double acting hydraulic operator.

A device embodying the invention may be so constructed as to each of a plurality of devices to be hydraulically connected with selected sources of hydraulic fluid.

Inasmuch as the seal rings engage cylindrical portions of equal cross sectional area, the stinger is pressure balanced so that there are no forces due to the pressure of the hydraulic fluid which urge it either into or out of connected relation with the body. Hence, the connector requires no added parts for this purpose, and may be made up or broken out merely in response to its axial longitudinal movement of the stinger into and out of the bore of the body. More particularly, the seal rings, which are its only expendible wear parts, are retrieved with the stinger for replacement or repair. Preferably, the one end of the bore of the body is outwardly flared, and the one end of the stinger is inwardly convergent to guide them into precise axial alignment.

In one illustrated embodiment of the invention, the device is a coupling for connecting portions of a wellhead to one another. Thus, for example, the coupling may be moved to coupling position by means of a spring, and moved to uncoupling position by the supply of hydraulic fluid to the operating device. In accordance with another illustrated embodiment of the invention, the device is mounted on a clamp adapted to fit and operate a part on the wellhead, and having a releasable connection to the manipulator of the ROV whereby the stinger may be retrieved with the manipulator in the event, for example, it is impossible to disconnect the clamp from the part on the wellhead to be manipulated.

In the preferred and illustrated embodiments of the invention, the one end of the bore in the body is flared outwardly, and the one end of the stinger is inwardly convergent so that it is guided into the bore. Also, the stinger and body have externally observable shoulders thereon which engage with one another to locate the stinger in its predetermined longitudinal position as its one end is passed through one end of the bore of the body, thereby assuring that the seal rings are properly located in sealing engagement with the cylindrical portions of the bore of the body on opposite sides of the port therein.

In its preferred embodiment, the connector also includes a second stinger which is adapted to be lowered into and raised from a position axially aligned with the bore of the body, so that, when the first mentioned stinger is removed from the bore, one end of the second stinger may be passed through an end of the bore into and out of a predetermined longitudinal position with respect thereto. The second stinger has an outer cylindrical portion which fits closely within the cylindrical portions of the body, and seal rings which surround the stinger for sealably engaging the bore of the body near its ends, and thus protect the sealing surfaces of the bore of the body when the connecting stinger is not in place.More particularly, the flared outer end of the one end of the bore is a conical shoulder, and the second stinger has a conical shoulder of similar configuration for seating upon the shoulder of the bore so as to not only guide into the bore, but also locate it in its predetermined longitudinal position in the bore.

In one modification of the invention, the body has a second bore therethrough and a second port therein which connects the exterior of the body with the bore intermediate longitudinally spaced, cylindrical portions of equal cross sectional area. Thus, the aforementioned or another stinger may be raised from or lowered into a position axially aligned with the second bore to permit one end to be passed therethrough through one end of the second bore into and out of a predetermined longitudinal position in which its seal rings are sealably engageable with the cylindrical portions of the second bore. Thus, it is possible to conduct hydraulic fluid between a source and alternate hydraulically operable devices.

More particularly, the body comprises a pair of identical sections each having one of the bores and lateral ports therein, thereby enabling alternative connector constructions with a minimum stockpile of parts.

in another modification of the invention, the connector includes a second body from which the stinger extends and having a bore therethrough and a lateral port therein connecting the exterior of the second body with the bore intermediate longitudinally spaced cylindrical portions of the bore of equal cross sectional area as well as a second elongate stinger which extends from the first mentioned body and has one end thereof adapted, upon positioning of the first mentioned stinger in axial alignment with the bore of the first body, to be axially aligned with the bore of the second body so that said stinger may be passed into and out of a predetermined longitudinal position with respect to the bore of the second stinger as the first mentioned stinger is passed into and out of a predetermined position with respect to the bore of the first body.The second stinger is similar to the first mentioned stinger in that it has longitudinally spaced, outer cylindrical portions each adapted to fit closely within a cylindrical portion of the second body, a seal ring which surrounds such portion for sealably engaging a cylindrical portion of the bore of the second body, an annular recess thereabout intermediate the cylindrical portions, a bore having one end connected with the exterior thereof and its outer end closed, and a lateral port connecting the bore with the annular recess. Thus, the one end of the first stinger and one end of the second body may be connected with the same source of control fluid, and the port in the first body and second stinger may be connected with opposite sides of a double acting hydraulically operable devices.Also, the connector may be disposed between a clamp releasably connected to the ROV by its manipulator and the source of hydraulic fluid to permit retrieval of the second body and first stinger in the event of the clamp cannot be released from the port it is to be manipulated.

Preferably, the second body and second stinger are identical to the first body and first stinger, thereby again permitting the manufacture of the connectors with a minimum number of parts. Also, the first and second bodies have externally observable shoulders which are engageable with one another to locate the stingers and bodies in their predetermined longitudinal position.

In accordance with another modification of the connector, the bore of the body has three or more longitudinally spaced cylindrical portions, and a pair of ports each connecting the bore intermediate adjacent pair of cylindrical portions with the exterior of the body, and the stinger has a corresponding number of longitudinally spaced, outer cylindrical portions each adapted to fit closely within a cylindrical por tion of the bore, and a seal ring surrounding each cylindrical portions of the stinger each for sealably engaging a cylindrical portion of the bore of the body when the stinger is in its predetermined longitudinally position therein.

More particularly, the stinger has an annular recess thereabout intermediate adjacent cylindrical portions, two bores each having one end connected with the exterior thereof and its other end closed, and a pair of lateral ports each connecting one bore with an annular recess. Thus, upon connection of the one end of port in the stinger with a source of hydraulic fluid and connection of its inner connected port in the body with a fluidly operable device, hydraulic fluid may be conducted between each for operating each device at the same or different times. Obviously, this modification enables connection to be made between three or even a larger number of sources of control fluid and fluidly operable devices.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a subsea wellhead having a connector body thereon and a stinger mounted on the manipulator of an ROV to permit the stinger to be located adjacent the subsea wellhead upon lowering of the ROV in a cage from a vessel at water level and deployment therefrom by a tether; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the body and stinger of the connector, on an enlarged scale, and with the stinger arranged with its one end in longitudinal alignment with the bore of the body; Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector and stinger, with the stinger shown in solid lines in its predetermined longitudinal position with respect to the body so as to form a hydraulic connection between them, and in broken lines removed from but longitudinally aligned with the bore of the body;; Figure 4 is another longitudinal sectional view of the body and stinger, in connected positions, as seen along broken lines 4-4 of the solid line illustration of Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the body and another stinger for protecting the bore of the body when the stinger of Figs. 1 to 4 is removed therefrom, with the protective stinger shown in connected position in the bore of the body in solid lines and in a position removed therefrom but axially aligned therewith by broken lines in Fig. 5; Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of adjacent ends of the body and stinger of Fig. 6, as seen along broken lines 6-6 of Fig. 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the first described modification of the connector wherein the body is comprised of two identical sections each having a bore and port therein for fluid connection with a stinger;; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the next described modification of the connector, wherein there are two bodies, each having a stinger extending therefrom for passage into a predetermined longitudinal position in the bore of one of the bodies, Figures 9 and 10 are diagrammatic views of the disposal of the connector of Fig. 8 wherein conduits connect one body and stinger a hydraulically operable clamp for manipulating a part on the subsea wellhead, and the other body and stinger with conduits leading to a source of hydraulic fluid, the connector body being shown in connected position in Fig. 9, and in disconnected position in Fig. 10 to permit one body of the connector to be removed with the ROV and manipulator;; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the last described modification of the invention which comprises a body having a bore with three ports each connecting the exterior of the body therewith, and a stinger having three seal rings carried about cylindrical portions each closely fittable within adjacent cylindrical bore portions of the body and bores therein each connecting with a lateral port leading to an annular recess between adjacent seal rings; Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view, as seen along broken lines 12-12 of Fig. 13, on an enlarged scale, of the stinger in connecting position within the bore of the body; and Figure 13 is a cross-sectional, of the connector of Figs. 11 and 12, as seen along broken lines 13-13 of Fig. 12.

With reference now to the details of the above described drawings, the subsea wellhead shown in Fig. 1 comprises a Christmas Tree 20 releasably connected to the upper end of a conductor casing 21 mounted on a platform 22 on the ocean floor by means of a releasable coupling of suitable construction.

An ROV has been lowered into a position near the subsea wellhead by means of a cage 23 suspended by a line 24 from a vessel V at the water surface WS. In a manner well known in the art, the ROV is connected to the cage by means of a tether T which permits it to move out of the cage when it is to peform work at the subsea location. As well known in the art, the ROV includes one or more manipulators whose movements may simulate the arms of a diver in order to position and manipulate parts to which the ends of the maniplator arms are connected. As also well known in the art, the line 24 and tether T include electrical conduits in order to permit remote operation of the ROV in the performance of its designated tasks.

As previously described, the connector of the present invention, which is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 in its most basic form, includes a body B mounted on the platform 22 adjacent the wellhead, and a stinger S which is mounted on the manipulator of the ROV to permit it to be raised and lowered from the water surface for disposal in position for connection and disconnection with respect to the body of the connector. As previously mentioned, it is contemplated that the stinger may instead be lowered into and raised from connected position by means of a diver, depending on the depths at which the connection is located. Also, and again as previously described, the body is mounted near the releasable coupling of the subsea wellhead to permit the tree 20 to be connected to or released from the conductor casing 21.Obviously, however, and as illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the body B may be mounted in other subsea locations to permit the connector to make hydraulic connections between a source of hydraulic fluid and another hydraulically operable device at the subsea location. The stinger S on the other hand, is connected with a source of hydraulic fluid which may be on the ROV, or which may be on the vessel V and connected to the stinger through a hydraulic hose, the stinger being carried in the ROV's manipulator As shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the body B of the connector has a bore 30 therethrough and a port 31 which connects the bore intermediate its ends with the exterior of the body. As shown, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the bore is of a constant diameter which extends all the way through the body with the excepton of an outwardly flared guiding surface 32 on its left end.A conduit 33 threadly connected to the outer end of the port leads to the hydraulically operable coupling 21 as previously advised, which may be operable in one direction in response to the supply of hydraulic fluid and in the other direction in response to spring pressure upon exhaustion of the hydraulic fluid. Hence, only the single hydraulic conduit 33 is required for moving the coupling from one position to another-i.e., either supplying hydraulic fluid to or exhausting hydraulic fluid from the device.

The elongate stinger S has outer cylindrical portions 34 and 35 which fit closely within the bore 30 as it is passed through the left end thereof into or out of the predetermined longitudinal position therein shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The right hand end of the stinger has a nose 36 of relatively soft material which is inwardly convergent to cooperate the flared shoulder 32 on the left end of the bore 30 of the body in precising aligning the axis of the stinger with the axis of the bore as the stinger is moved into the connected position of Figs. 2 and 4.

A pair of seal rings 37 are carried about each of the outer cylindrical portions 34 and 35 of the stinger for sealably engaging longitudinally spaced portions of the bore 30 in the body on opposite sides of port 31 therein when the stinger in its predetermined longitudinal position within the bore. Although only one seal ring of the pair is required for establishing the necessary sealing engagement with the bore of the body, a pair of seal rings are preferred for purposes of redundancy in the event one seal ring should fail. The stinger has an annular recess 38 thereabout intermediate cylindrical portions 34 and 35, and a bore 39 therein which is open at its outer, left end to the exterior of the stinger. The opposite end of the bore is closed and connects with lateral ports 40 leading to the recess 38.

Thus, upon connection of one end of a hydraulic conduit 41 to the outer end of the bore 31 and its opposite end to the source of hydraulic fluid, the connector enables hydraulic fluid to be conducted between the device to which the conduit 33 is connected and the source of hydraulic fluid.

The left hand end 42 of the stinger is radially enlarged at its opposite sides so as to form shoulders 43 thereon which are engageable with shoulders 44 on the left end of the body on opposite sides of the bore 30 through the body, so as to thereby locate the stinger in its predetermined longitudinal, connecting position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

As will be understood, a television camera on the ROV will be able to observe the engagement of the shoulders 43 and 44 with one another, and thereby know that the connector is properly connected. Enlarged end 42 to the connector carries a bracket 45 which is mounted on an arm of the manipulator M, which, as previously advised, is able articulate and thus simulate a diver's arm in order to at least substantially align the stinger with the stinger of the bore of the body as indicated by broken lines in Fig. 3, and then move the stinger into connected to position within the bore of the body.

When the stinger is removed from the bore of the body of the connector, the sealing surfaces of the bore are protected by the disposal therein of a protective stinger PS. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the elongate stinger has an outer cylindrical surface which fits closely within the bore 30 of the body and seal rings 50 and 51 carried thereabout for sealably engaging the bore 30 of the body near its opposite ends. As shown in Fig. 5, one such seal ring 51 is carried about the stinger near its right hand end and adjacent its convergent nose 36, and the other seal ring 50 is carried about a conical shoulder 52 adjacent the left end 42 of the stinger PS which is connected to bracket 45, as in the case of stinger S. Thus, upon passage of the inner end of the protective stinger into predetermined longitudinal position within the bore of the body, seal ring 51 sealably engages therewith outwardly of the cylindrical portion sealably engaged by rings 37 of stinger S, and seal ring 50 tightly engages the conical shoulder 32 on the left hand end of the body bore.

In this case, the longitudinal position of the stinger PS is observed due to the disposal of its shoulder in engagement with or close prox imity to the shoulder 32. Obviously, the stinger PS is moved into and out of the bore of the body in same manner described above with respect to the stinger S.

In the modification of the connector shown in Fig. 7, the body thereof is made up of a pair of body sections B', each having a bore 30 therethrough and a port 31 therein identical to the body B of the connector of Figs. 1 to 6. More particularly, each of the body sections B' may be identical to one another, and, preferably to the body B of the form of the connector shown in Figs. 1 to 6, and connected to one another in side by side relation so that, as shown in Fig. 7, their bores are parallel and their ports 31 connect with the top side of the body. Thus, as previously described, it is possible to insert the stinger S into the bore of one of the body sections to selectively connect the source of hydraulic fluid with either of two hydraulically operable devices to which the ports are connected by a conduit.Alternatively, of course, two stingers may be provided to permit hydraulic fluid to be supplied or exhausted to or from each of the hydraulically operable devices, either simultaneously or at different times.

The modification of the connector shown in Fig. 8 includes there a pair of bodies B" each having a bore 30 therethrough and a port 31 connecting the bore with the exterior of the body. In this modification of the connector, however, there are also a pair of elongate stingers S" each extending from a face of a body B" to one side of the flared end 32 of the bore 30 in the body. More particularly, and as will be described in more detail to follow, the bore and stinger of each body B" extend parallel to one another and are laterally spaced apart equal distances, so that when the stinger of one body is longitudinally aligned with the bore of the other body, the stinger of the other body is longitudinally aligned with the bore of the one body.

In other respects, each stinger S" is of the same construction as the stinger S of the connector of Figs. 1 to 6 in that it has longitudinally spaced, cylindrical portions 34 and 35 and seal rings 37 thereabout sealably engageable with longitudinally spaced cylindrical portions of the bore which are on opposite side of the intersection of the ports 31 therewith.

Also each stinger has an annular recess 38 thereabout, a bore therein connecting at one with the exterior of the stinger and being closed at the other end, and ports 4 connscting the bore with the annular recess about the stinger. More particularly, the stingers and bores of the bodies B" are the same size and length so that the stingers are disposed in their predetermined longitudinal positions with respect to the bores of the bodies as the faces of the bodies which the stingers extend are brought into engagement with one another, thereby providing an externally observable indication that the stinger are in properly connected position within the bores of the bodies.Thus, the connector provides hydraulic connections between a source of hydraulic fluid with which the port 31 and open end of the stinger bore on the left hand body B" are connected, and a hydraulically operable device with which the exterior end of the bore of the stinger and the port 31 of the right hand body are connected.

As shown in Fig. 8, each body B" also has a port 60 formed therein which is closed at one end and which opens at its other end to form a continuation of the outer end of the bore of each stinger S", and a port 61 in each body connects the bore 60 and thus the stinger bore with its exterior for connection with a source of hydraulic fluid or a hydraulically operable device. As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, and as previously described, the ports 31 and 61 extending respectively from the bores 30 and 60 of the right hand body may be connected by conduits 62 and 63 to the opposite sides of a double acting hydraulically operable device D of a clamp C mounted on the other end of the manipulator M of the ROV indicated diagrammatically in Figs. 9 and 10.The left hand body B" is mounted on the ROV, and the conduits 64 and 65 leading respectively from the bores 30 and 60 of the left hand body B" are in turn connected with hydraulic conduits which extend to a source of hydraulic fluid either on the ROV or at water level. Furthermore, and as also previously described, in this particular environment, the manipulator has a releasable joint intermediate the hydraulically operable device and the ROV.

Thus, in the event the clamp is not releasable from the part P on the subsea wellhead with which it is engaged, the ROV may be retrieved with one part of the manipulator by axial withdrawal of the left hand body B" and its stinger from the right hand body B" and its stinger, as illustrated by Figs. 9 and 10. Alternatively, of course, the connection may be made between the bodies B" and the stingers upon lowering of the left hand body B" and stinger S" into axial alignment with the bore 30 and stinger S" of the right hand body. The mounting of stingers S" on different bodies insures that the connections properly made-i.e., that hydraulic fluid is supplied to and exhausted from desired sides of the hydraulically operable device.

The body B"' of the modification of the connector shown in Figs. 11 to 13 is similar to the body of each of the previously described embodiments in that it includes a bore 30 therethrough of constant diameter and a conical shoulder 32 on its left hand end. The elongate stinger S"' of this modification of the connector is also similar to the elongate stingers of the previously described connectors in that it has seal rings 37 carried about outer cylindrical portions thereof which fit closely with the bore 30 each for sealably engaging a cylindrical portion of the bore 30 when the stinger is in a predetermined longitudinal position with respect to the bore, as shown in Fig. 12.Also, the right hand end of the stinger S"' has an inwardly convergent nose 36 for cooperation with the conical shoulder on the left hand end of the bore in the body to guide it into precise longitudinal alignment with the bore.

As compared with the bodies of the previously described embodiments, however, body B"' has three ports 31A, 31B and 31C formed therein to connect the exterior of the body with the bore 30 thereof intermediate adjacent, longitudinally spaced, cylindrical portions of the bore. In similar fashion, the stinger S"' differs from the stingers of the previously described connectors in that it has four longitu dinaliy spaced, cylindrical portions, each for fitting closely within a cylindrical portion of the bore 30 of the body, so that, when the stinger is in its predetermined longitudinal position within the bore, as shown in Fig. 12, the seal rings 37 sealably engage adjacent portions of the bore of the body intermediate adjacent ports 31A and 31B and 31B and 31C and on the inner and outer sides of the ports 31A and 31C.

As best shown in Fig. 13, the stinger has three bores 39A, 39B and 39C formed therein, each having one end opening to the exterior of the stinger, and another end which is closed and which connects with an annular recess about the stinger intermediate adjacent sets of seal rings 37. More particularly, ports 40A connect the bore 39A with a recess 38A, ports 40B connect the bore 39B with a recess 39B, and the bore 39C the bore with a recess 38C, and thus with body ports 31A, 31B and 31 C, respectively. As shown, the enlarged left hand end 42 of the stinger provides shoulders which are engageable with the face of the left hand end of body B"' so as to locate the stinger in its predetermined longitudinal position within the body. Each of the ports 31A, 31B and 31C in the body B"' is connected with a conduit leading hydraulically operable device, while the outer ends of each of the bores 39A, 39B and 39C is connected to a conduit for connection with a source of hydraulic fluid. As previously described, this modification of the connector permits hydraulic fluid to be selectively conducted between independent sources of hydraulic fluid and hydraulically operable devices, either simultaneously or at different times.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the apparatus.

Claims (15)

1. A hydraulic connector, comprising a body adapted to be mounted near an hydraulically operable device at an underwater location and having a bore therethrough and a port therein connecting the exterior of the body with the bore intermediate longitudinally spaced, cylindrical portions thereof which are of equal cross sectional area, an elongate stinger adapted to be lowered into and raised from a position axially aligned with the bore to permit one end to be passed through one end of the bore into and out of a predetermined longitudinal position with respect thereto, said stinger having longitudinally spaced, outer cylindrical portions each adapted to fit closely within a cylindrical portion of the bore, seal rings surrounding said portions each for sealably engaging a cylindrical portion of the bore of the body, when the stinger is in its predetermined longitudinal position therein, an annular recess thereabout intermediate said cylindrical portions, a bore having one end connected with the exterior thereof and its other end closed, and a lateral port connecting the bore with the annular recess, whereby, upon connection of the one end of the stinger bore with a source of hydraulic fluid and connection of the port in the body with the hydraulically operable device, hydraulic fluid may be conducted therebetween.

2. A connector of the character defined in Claim 1, wherein the one end of the bore in the body is flared outwardly, and the one end of the stinger is inwardly convergent so that it is guided into the bore.

3. A connector of the character defined in Claim 1, wherein the stinger and body have externally observable shoulders thereon engageable with one another to locate the stinger in its predetermined longitudinal position as its one end is passed through the one end of the bore of the body.

4. A connector of the character defined in Claim 1, including a second stinger adapted to be lowered into and raised from a position axially aligned with the bore of the body so that, when the first mentioned stinger is removed from the bore of the body, one end of the second stinger may be passed through an end of the bore of the body into and out of a predetermined longitudinal position with respect thereto, said second stinger having an imperforate cylindrical portion fitting closely within the cylindrical portions of the bore of the body, and seal rings which surround the stinger for sealably engaging the bore of the body near its opposite ends.

5. A connector of the character defined in Claim 4, wherein the one end of the bore of the body has a conical shoulder therabout, and the second stinger has a conical shoulder of similar configuration for seating upon the shoulder of the bore to locate the second stinger in its predetermined longitudinal position in the bore.

6. A connector of the character defined in Claim 1, wherein the body has a second bore therethrough and a second port therein connecting the exterior of the body with the bore intermediate longitudinally spaced, cylindrical portions thereof of equal cross sectional area, and the aforementioned or another stinger may be raised from or lowered into a position axially aligned with the second bore to permit one end to be passed through one end of the second bore into and out of a predetermined longitudinal position in the bore in which its seal rings are sealably engageable with the cylindrical portions of the second bore.

7. A connector of the character defined in Claim 6, wherein the body comprises a pair of identical sections each having one of the bore and lateral ports therein.

8. A connector of the character defined in Claim 1, including a second body from which the stinger extends and having a bore therethrough and a port therein connecting the exterior to the second body with the second bore intermediate longitudinally spaced cylindrical portions of the bore of equal cross sectional area, a second elongate stinger extending from the first mentioned body and having one end adapted, upon positioning of the first mentioned stinger in axial alignment with the bore of the first body, to be axially aligned with the bore of the second body so that the second stinger may be passed into and out of a predetermined longitudinal position with respect to the bore of said second body as the first mentioned stinger is passed into and out of a predetermined axial position with respect to the bore of the first body, said second stinger having longitudinally spaced, outer cylindrical portions each adapted to fit closely within a cylindrical portion of the bore of the second body, seal rings surrounding said portions each for sealably engaging a cylindrical portion of the bore of the second body when the second stinger is in its predetermined longitudinal position therein, an annular recess thereabout intermediate said cylindrical portions, a bore having one end connecting with the exterior thereof and its other end closed, and a lateral port connecting the bore with the annular recess, whereby, upon connection of the one end of the second stinger with a source of hydraulic fluid and connection of the port in the second body with a hydraulically operable device, hydraulic fluid may be conducted therebetween.

9. A connector of the character defined in Claim 8, wherein the second body and second stinger are identical to the first body and first stinger.

10. A connector of the character defined in Claim 8, wherein the first and second bodies have externally observable shoulders which are engageable with one another to locate the stingers and bodies in their predetermined longitudinal positions.

11. A connector of the character defined in Claim 1, wherein the bore of the body has three longitudinally spaced, cylindrical portions of equal cross sectional area and a pair of ports each connecting the exterior of the body with the bore intermediate an adjacent pair of cylindrical portions and the stinger has three longitudinally spaced, outer cylindrical portions each adapted to fit closely within a cylindrical portion of the bore, three seal rings each surrounding a cylindrical portion of the stinger for sealably engaging a cylindrical portion of the bore of the body when the stinger is in its predetermined longitudinal position therein, an annular recess thereabout intermediate adjacent cylindrical portions, two bores each having one end connected with the exterior thereof and its other end closed, and a pair of lateral ports each connecting one bore with an annular recess, whereby, upon connection of the one end of each bore with a source of hydraulic fluid and connection of each port in the body with the hydraulically operable device, hydraulic fluid may be conducted therebetween.

12. A hydraulic connector, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, as shown in, Figs. 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A hydraulic connector, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figs. 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A hydraulic connector, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figs. 11 to 13 of the accompanying drawings.

15. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.