GB2218577A

GB2218577A - A releasable electrical connector

Info

Publication number: GB2218577A
Application number: GB8903993A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Penny
Original assignee: UK Secretary of State for Defence
Current assignee: UK Secretary of State for Defence
Priority date: 1988-03-08
Filing date: 1989-02-22
Publication date: 1989-11-15
Anticipated expiration: 2009-02-22
Also published as: GB8903993D0; GB2218577B

Abstract

A device for breaking apart an electrical connection underwater comprises a pressurised gas container with a differential pressure gas valve connected to provide an output pressure equal to the gas container pressure plus the ambient pressure. A two-part electrical connector 11,12 is provided having a first part 11 supported within a first sleeve 26 carrying a plurality of paws 24 and a second part 12 having means 22 engageable by the pawls 24 to lock together the two parts. A pneumatic jack 30 is connected to the gas valve, the piston 29 being connected to the first sleeve 26 and the jack cylinder 31 being connected to an outer second sleeve 33 within which the first sleeve 26 is a sliding fit. The arrangement is such that the outer sleeve 33 is provided with an inner tapered portion 35 which engages the pawls 24 such that on connecting compressed air to the jack the sleeves 26,33 move relative to each other to enable the pawls 24 to move from a locked to an unlocked position and on further movement the two parts 11,12 of the connector are urged apart. <IMAGE>

Description

ss RB sable Connector The e invention relates to electrical connectors and in particular to releasable connectors for operation underwater at pressure depths up to 800900 psi (2000 ft of water).

There is a need for an electrical connector for underwater use which can be disconnected remotely over a range of pressure depths up toabout800-900-psi.

In one particular application a remote vehicle is electrically controlled via an urilical to a depth of perhaps 2000 feet. The umbilical is then disconnected and the vehicle is allowed to ascend to the surface under its own buoyancy and during ascent measurements of the sea state are taken.

The object of the invention is to provide a reliable break-apart connector for underwater use.

The e invention provides: a pressurised gas container; a differential pressure gas valve connected to the gas container and effective to provide an output pressure equal to the gas container pressure plus the ambient pressure; a two-part electrical connector having a first part supported within a first sleeve carrying a plurality of pawls and a second part having means provided engageable by the pawls to lock together the two parts; a pneumatic jack to which the gas valve is connected, the jack being connected between the first sleeve and an outer second sleeve within which the first sleeve is a sliding fit; the arrangement being such that the outer sleeve is provided with an inner tapered portion which engages the pawls such that on connecting compressed air to the jack the sleeves move relative to each other to enable the pawls to move fran a locked to an unlocked position and on further movement the two parts of the connector are urged apart.

Advantageously there is provided a base-plate having means connected to the second part of the connector whereby the second connector part is moveable axially between two stop positions and a cradle for supporting the first connector part in engaging relationship with the second connector part.

Preferably the cradle is a "U"-shaped member with spaced apart legs forming guidance surfaces engageable by guides provided on the surface of the outer second sleeve.

In an advantageous arrangement a resetting device is provided whereby the uncoupling movement may be reversed. Preferably the resetting device is a hanboperable plunger connected to the piston of the jack.

In the preferred arrangement the pawls are resiliently urged towards the locked position.

Preferably the fluid is a gas and the jack is a pneumatic jack.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying Drawings of which: Figures 1 and 2 show part cut-away elevation views of the connector in the closed and open conditions respectively.

A two-part electrical connector11,12 for connecting cables13,14 is provided with a pneumatic release device. In the arrangement shown a remotely controlled underwater vehicle is controlled electrically by means of signals through the cable 13 and connector to the cable 14 attached to the vehicle. A base-plate 15 for supporting the connector and release device is attached to the vehicle and has at one end 16 upstanding angled supports17.18 for a cradle 19 within which the second connector part 12 can slide. Sliding movement of the part 12 is limited by means of bolts 20 which engage holes in the supports 17,18 and holes in a plate 21 connected to the connector part 12.The connector part 12 has a raised annular end portion 22 provided on its outer edge with a taper 23 for sliding engagement by two opposed pawls 24 on the first connector part 11 and on its inner edge with radially extending surfaces 25 for locking engagement by the pawls. The first part 11 of the connector is supported in a sleeve 26 to which the pawls 24 are pivotally attached (27) and urged to a closed or locked condition by means of coil springs 28. The sleeve 26 is attached to the piston 29 of a pneumatic jack 30. The cylinder 31 of the jack is provided with a compressed air nipple 32 and is connected to a further cylinder 33 within which the first cylindrical sleeve 26 is a sliding fit.A U-shaped block 34 is provided on the base plate 15 and has upper surfaces located to guide the cylinder 33 with its contained connector part 11 into position such that the two electrical connector parts 11,12 mate.

Compressed air at a pressure of about 500 psi above the ambient pressure is provided by connecting a divers air bottle pressurised to 500 psi to a differential pressure valve (not shown). A gas pipe is then connected to the jack 30. On application of pressure to the jack 30, the piston 29 extends to the left from the position as shown in Figure 1 towards the Figure 2 position.

This results in the two connector parts 11,12 being drawn together away from the supports 17,18 on the base plate 15 as the sleeve 26 and pawls 24 are drawn inside the outer cylinder 33. The e inner surface 35 of the outer edge of the cylinder 33 is tapered such that the pawls 24 are opened as the sleeve 26 moves inside the cylinder 33. On further movement of the piston 29 the bolts 20 prevent further movement of the second connector part 12 and the pins of the first connector part 11 are then withdrawn from the part 12. After disconnection, the cable 13, cylinder 33 and contents, together with the pneumatic jack 30 fall away from the base plate 15 and are then free from the vehicle. A buoy (not shown) is connected to the gas bottle and these released parts.

At the end of the piston 29 there is provided a knbb 36 for M connecting together the two parts of the electrical connector. In operation the procedural sequence for connecting together the electrical cables is the reverse of the opening sequence. Beginning with the Figure 2 position, operation of the piston 29 forces the sleeve 26 and the pawls 24 to the right and the tapered portion 35 of the outer cylinder releases the pawls such that they ride over the annular portion 22 of the second connector part 12 and then lock in position as the two parts llr12 of the electrical connector mate.

Claims

1. A break-apart connector for underwater use comprising: a pressurised fluid container; a differential pressure fluid valve connected to the fluid container and effective to provide an output pressure equal to the connector release pressure plus the ambient pressure; a apart electrical connector 11,12 having a first part 11 supported within a first sleeve 26 carrying a plurality of pawls 24 and a second part 12 having means 22 provided engageable by the pawls 24 to lock together the two parts; and a jack 30 to which the fluid valve is connected, the jack 30 being connected between the first sleeve 26 and an outer second sleeve 33 within which the first sleeve 26 is a sliding fit; the arrangement being such that the outer sleeve 33 is provided with an inner tapered portion 35 which engages the pawls -24 such that on connecting pressurised fluid to the jack the sleeves26.33 move relative to each other to enable the pawls 24 to move fram a locked to an unlocked position and on further movement the two parts 11,12 of the connector are urged apart.

2. A break-apart connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is provided a base-plate 15 having: means (17-19) connected to the second part 12 of the connector whereby the second connector part 12 is moveable axially between two stop positions (20); and a cradle 34 for supporting the first connector part 11 in engaging relationship with the second connector part 12.

3. A break-apart connector as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cradle is a "U"shaped member 34 with the spaced apart legs forming guidance surfaces engageable by guides provided on the surface of the outer second sleeve 33.

4. A break-apart connector as claimed in any one preceding claim wherein a resetting device 36 is provided whereby the uncoupling movements may be reversed.

5. A break-apart connector as claimed in claim 4 wherein the resetting device is a hand-operable plunger 36 connected to the piston 29 of the jack 30.

6. A break-apart connector as claimed in any one preceding claim wherein the pawls 24 are resiliently urged (28) towards the locked position.

7. A break-apart connector as claimed in any one preceding claim wherein the fluid is a gas and the jack is a pneumatic jack.