GB2389466A - Underwater reciprocatable electrical connector - Google Patents
Underwater reciprocatable electrical connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2389466A GB2389466A GB0212905A GB0212905A GB2389466A GB 2389466 A GB2389466 A GB 2389466A GB 0212905 A GB0212905 A GB 0212905A GB 0212905 A GB0212905 A GB 0212905A GB 2389466 A GB2389466 A GB 2389466A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- pin
- connector
- bore
- reciprocatable
- chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 79
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 241000282326 Felis catus Species 0.000 claims 1
- 101100400378 Mus musculus Marveld2 gene Proteins 0.000 claims 1
- 101150055484 cer1 gene Proteins 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003129 oil well Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003989 dielectric material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000499 gel Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012777 electrically insulating material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000011664 signaling Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B33/00—Sealing or packing boreholes or wells
- E21B33/02—Surface sealing or packing
- E21B33/03—Well heads; Setting-up thereof
- E21B33/035—Well heads; Setting-up thereof specially adapted for underwater installations
- E21B33/038—Connectors used on well heads, e.g. for connecting blow-out preventer and riser
- E21B33/0385—Connectors used on well heads, e.g. for connecting blow-out preventer and riser electrical connectors
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
- H01R13/5216—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
- H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
- H01R13/523—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases for use under water
Abstract
An electrical penetrator connector suitable for for underwater use, with a well head; includes a fixed pin unit (2) incorporating a fixed pin (33), part of the exterior of the pin forming an electrical contact (34). A reciprocatable assembly (20) defines a bore which receives a resiliently biased slideable shuffle pin (60). A dielectric fluid chamber (41) receives part of the pin. A piston (45) applies pressure to the hydraulic fluid. Non return valves (43 fig 2, and 96 fig 3) prevent flow of dielectric fluid back to reservoir during assembly. Circuit being completed when ring (52) is adjacent with contact (34). In an alternative embodiment a screw thread and lost motion device is used to being the two halves of the connector together. The connector may contain a plurality of contacts.
Description
1I)ESCRIPTTON OI; INVENTION
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO AN ELECTRICAL
COl\NECTOR" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to an electrical penetrator connector, and more particularly relates to an electrical connector which is a "weL maLc" connector. Wet mate connectors are used in many underwater applications.
For example, reference may be made to underwater vessels such as submarines, and also to underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
It is envisaged that connectors in accordance with the present invention may be suitable for use in any underwater application, but may be, in particular, suitable for use in an underwater housing assembly of an oil or gas well. It is to be appreciated that electrical connections are often provided in housing assemblies of well-heads to provide high power circuits, which may be used to supply power to items of equipment such as pumps, and also for control and sensor signalling circuits.
Electrical connectors intended for use in an underwater situation, such as in a submarine, ROV or well-head, must be capable of withstanding the harsh environment to which they will be subjected. Often connections have to be made or un-made whilst parts of the connector are exposed to sea water or well
fluid. It is important that a connector that forms part of an oil or gas well should be reliable, since very substantial expense is incurred in retrieving a connector of this type should a repair be necessary.
the present invention seeks to provide an improved electrical pcnetrator connector. According to the invention there is provided an electrical penetrator connector, the electrical penetrator connector comprising of fixed pin unit and a reciprocatable assembly, the fixed pin unit including at least one fixed pin, at least part of the exterior of the pin being of electrically conductive material, the pin having a predetermined diameter, the reciprocatable assembly comprising of body, the body dclining of dielectric fluid chamber, there being a dielectric fluid reservoir connected to the dielectric fluid chamber through a non- return valve, and a piston for applying hydraulic pressure to fluid within the reservoir, the chamber being associated with the bore extended from one end of the chamber to one end of the body, the bore containing a retractable pin having substantially the same diameter as the fixed pin, the bore being provided with a seal substantially sealing the pin, part of the wall of the bore between the seal and the dielectric fluid chamber being of electrically conductive material, resilient means being provided to bias a retractable pin to an initial position in which one end of the pin extends through the seal, the retractable pin being moveable, against the bias, upon movement of the reciprocatable assembly such that the end of the fixed pin is brought into engagement with the end of the retractable pin to drive the retractable pin against the resilient bias, to bring the conductive part of the exterior of the fiend into engagement with the conductive part of the bore to establish an electrical connection.
In this Specification the term dielectric fluid includes dielectric fluids
which take the form of dielectric gels. The dielectric fluid used in a practicable embodiment of the invention may be any fluid that is an electric insulator, and which does not support the flow of an electric current.
Preferably a mechanism is provided to move the reciprocatable assembly, the mechanism being configured to apply pressure to the piston such that the piston will increase the hydraulic pressure of fluid within the reservoir.
In one embodiment the drive mechanism applies pressure directly to the piston. Alternatively the drive mechanism comprises a component having a lost motion connection with the said body, there being a resilient element between the component and the piston such that the resilient element may be compressed to apply pressure to the piston during a lost motion movement of the component relative to the body.
Conveniently the body is provided with a locking dog adapted to lock the body to a fixed member whilst still permitting movement of said component. Preferably the resilient element is a spring contained within the dielectric fluid chamber.
Advantageously the retractable pin is provided with an extension, the extension extending through a seal provided at the other end of the dielectric fluid chamber so as to extend beyond the chamber upon retraction of the pin
such that, on retraction of the pin the effective volume of the chamber is not substantially altered.
Conveniently a pressure relief valve is provided connecting the chamber and the reservoir, the pressure relief valve being configured to open when a predetermined high pressure exists within the chamber.
In one embodiment the fixed pin is provided with a plurality of spaced-
apart elements of electrically conductive material each in communication with a respective core of a cable, and the bore is provided with a corresponding plurality of spaced-apart elements of electrically conductive material, also each in communication with a respective core of a cable.
Preferably the fixed pin unit is provided with a plurality of said pins and the rcciprocatable assembly is provided with a plurality of said retractable pins.
Conveniently the reciprocatable body is reciprocatable by a reciprocating mechanism accessible Tom the exterior of the well.
Advantageously the reciprocatable element is connected to a coupler yoke, the coupler yoke having a threaded portion which matingly engages with a corresponding threaded portion provided on a rotatable element, the rotatable element having part thereof accessible to effect rotation thereof from the exterior of the well.
in order that the invention may be more readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
s FIGURE 1 is a part sectional schematic view of part of a well-head illustrating a penetrator that incorporates a connector in accordance with the invention, FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic sectional view o l components of a connector in accordance with the invention in an initial un-connected condition, FIGURE 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 illustrating the components of the connector in the connected condition, FIGURE 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 illustrating the components of a second embodiment of the invention in the connected condition, FIGURE 5 is a view illustrating part of a modified connector, and FIGURE 6 is an end view of part of a further modified connector.
The invention will be described, with reference to embodiments designed for use with components of a well-head for an oil or gas well, although the described embodiments may be used in other contexts.
Referring initially to Figure I of the accompanying drawings, a first component in the form of a hanger body l forming part of a well-head is provided with a fixed coupler pin unity, which forms part of a releasable electric penetrator connector which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The fixed couple pin unit 2 is received within a recess 3 which opens into a side-wall of the hanger body 1. The fixed coupler pin unit 2 is
electrically connected, by means of a connecting arrangement 4, to a coupler 5 provided within the hanger body which may be coupled to electrical components within a well, such as a motor or sensor or the like.
Part of a second component 6 is shown located adjacent the illustrated portion of the hanger body 1. The second component could, in various applications of the invention, be a well-head, a tubing head which engages directly or indirectly with a well-head, or with a tree, which may be a horizontal tree. In the following description the second component 6 will be identified as
being a tree 6.
A small space 7 exists between the tree 6 and the hanger body 2. The space 7 may contain well fluid, for example. Whilst seals may be provided which seal the space 7 in the region of the electrical connector that is to be described, those seals may not be perfect and thus, even with the provision of seals' a hostile environment may exist in the region of the connector.
A bore 8 is formed within the tree 6, with the bore 8 being illustrated in alignment with the recess 3 which receives the fixed coupler pin unit 2. The bore has a narrow diameter portion adjacent the space 7 and a wider diameter portion located away from the space 7.
Secured to the tree 6 in alignment with the bore 8 is an actuator bonnet housing 9. The housing bonnet 9 is a hollow cylindrical housing having, at one end, an outwardly directed flange 10 which abuts against an exterior face on the tree 6. A seal I 1 is provided between the flanged end 10 of the actuator bonnet housing 9 and the exterior part of the tree 6. The end of the bonnet housing 9 remote from the flanges 10 supports a rotatable element 12 which has an externally accessible drive shaft 13. lathe rotatable element 12 is rotatably
supported by bearings 14, 15, and is associated with a seal 16, so that the rotatable element may be rotated, by means of the externally accessible shaft 13. The rotatable element 12 has, within the actuator bonnet assembly housing 9 a threaded end portion 17.
The threaded end portion 17 is received within a threaded socket 18 formed on a coupling yoke l9. Rotation of the rotatable element 12 may thus move the coupling yoke 19 axially within the actuator bonnet housing 9. The coupling yoke 19 is connected to a reciprocatable assembly 20 which will be described in greater details below. The assembly 20 has an end part thereof which extends through the bore 8.
Extending from a side-wall ol- the actuator bonnet housing 9 is an external dry coupler 21, adapted to be connected to an external electric cable.
A conductive inner cable 22 extends from the coupler 21 to the reciprocatable assembly 20. The cable 22 is arranged to minimise or eliminate the potential for the cable to kink during movement of the reciprocatable assembly 20.
As will become clear from the following description, in use of the
arrangement illustrated in Figure 1, a diver or remotely operated vehicle may access the external drive shalt 13 and the rotate the drive shaft to cause the rcciprocatable assembly 20 to move from an initial disconnected position as shown in Figure 1, towards the lelt as shown in Figure 1, so that the rcciprocatable assembly 20 extends from the bore 8 across the gap 7 and establishes connection with the fixed coupler pin unit 2. Of course, the reciprocatable assembly 20 may subsequently be retracted back to the initial position as shown in Figure 1, thus disconnecting the connector.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the principal components of one form of connector, thus showing parts of the fixed coupler pin unit 2 and the reciprocatable assembly 20.
the fixed coupler pin unit 2 comprises a housing 30 which defines a generally cylindrical bore or passage 31 extending into the housing from one face 32 thereof. The face 32 of the housing is directed towards the gap 7 between the hanger body 1 and the tree 6. Extending from the base of the bore is a fixed cylindrical pin 33 which extends axially of the bore. The pin 33 is formed primarily of an electrically resistive material but, at a point intermediate the ends of the pin, an electrically conductive ring 34 is provided which is flush with the outer surface of the pin 33. The electrically conductive ring 34 is connected to the connecting arrangement 4 provided within the hanger body 1.
The reciprocatable assembly 20 comprises a body 40. The body 40 is of cylindrical form and has an outer diameter slightly less than that of the bore 31 formed in the body 30 of the fixed coupler pin unit 2. The body 40 is aligned with the bore 31 formed in the fixed coupler pin unit 2.
Provided within the body 40, at the end thereof remote from the coupler unit 2, is a relatively large diameter dielectric fluid chamber 41. The chamber41, which may be termed the main chamber 41, is provided with a fluid flow duct 42 to supply dielectric fluid to the main chamber 41. The dielectric fluid flow duct 4 extends through a non-return valve 43 which communicates with a reservoir chamber 44 for dielectric fluid. The reservoir chamber is associated with a piston 45, and part of the piston 45 extends beyond an end wall 46 of the housing where it is engaged by part 47 of the coupling yoke 19.
The reservoir chamber 44 is located adjacent one end wall 48 of the main chamber 41.
A bore 49 extends from the other end of the dielectric fluid chamber 41 to the other end 50 of the body 40, that being the end adjacent to the fixed pin connector unit 2. A terminal part of the bore 49 is provided with an enlarged seal chamber 51. Part of the wall of the bore between the seal chamber 51 and dielectric fluid chamber 41 is formed of conductive material, in the form of a conductive ring 52. Ring 52 is connected electric cable 22.
Contained within the bore 49 is part of a retractable pin 60 which has the same diameter as the Axed pin 33. The retractable pin 60 extends into the dielectric fluid chamber 41 where the pin 60 carries radially outward extending flange 61. The flange 61 has a flow port 62 therethrough, or is not a sealing fit in the chamber 41 so that the flange 61 does not act as a piston. A portion 63 of the retractable pin 60 extends across the dielectric fluid chamber 41 and passes through the end wall 48 thereof. A seal 64 may be provided between the end wall 48 and the portion 63 of the retractable pin 60.
A spring 65 is provided within the dielectric fluid chamber 41 engaging the flange 61 on the retractable pin 60 and engaging end wall 48 of the chamber 41 and tending to bias the retractable pin 60 towards the left as shown in Figure 2.
A seal 66 is provided within the sealing chamber 51, the seal 60 being associated with a washer 67 and a compressing spring 68 so that the seal effects sealing engagement with the exterior of the retractable pin 60. The seal is designed to prevent the ingress of fluid or liquid past the seal into the dielectric
fluid chamber 41, whilst allowing fluid to escape from the dielectric fluid chamber 41 if the fluid within the main chamber 41 is suf't'iciently pressurized.
A dielectric fluid may fill the dielectric fluid chamber 41, and further fluid may be supplied to the main chamber 41 through the flow duct 42. The dielectric fluid may be any fluid that is an electric insulator, that is to say a fluid that does not support the flow of an electric current. The fluid may be in the fond of a gel.
As the reciprocatable assembly 20 is moved towards the left from the position as shown in Figure 2 the end of the fixed pin 33 of the fixed pin connector unit 2 engages the end of the retractable pin 60. The retractable pin60 will be driven into the body 40 against the bias provided by the spring65. The extension 63 of the pin 60 will pass across the reservoir chamber 44 and into a recess provided within (or through a hollow core of) the piston 45 as shown in phantom. Thus the components will move to the condition illustrated in Figure 3 in which the electrically conductive ring 34 on the fixed pin 33 has been brought into engagement with the electrically conductive ring 52 provided in the wall of the bore 49. Thus electrical contact is established between the cable 22 and the connector 5 in the hanger body 1.
The seal 66 now seals against the fixed pin 33.
It is to be appreciated that the movement of the reciprocatable body 20 is effected by a force supplied by the connecting yoke 19 to the piston 45. The piston 45 thus applies pressure to the dielectric fluid within the reservoir 44.
The pressure of this fluid will rise and, if the pressure of the fluid exceeds the pressure of the fluid within the dielectric chamber 41, fluid will be forced through the non-return valve 43 and through the dielectric fluid supply duct 42 into the dielectric fluid chamber 41. The high pressure fluid may flow along
the bore 49 past the electric contacts 34 and 52 and may weep through the seal 51 if the pressure within the main chamber 41 is sufficiently high, so that the pressure within the main chamber 41 exceeds the pressure in the gap 7 by a predetermined threshold. This will effect a cleaning of the contacts and the removal of any debris that may have entered the bore 49.
Figure 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention which operates on the same principle as that of Figures 2 and 3. In the embodiment of Figure 4 there is again a fixed pin unit 2 comprising a body 70 defining a bore 71 open at one end 72 of the body, there being an axially extending pin 73, the pin 73 being formed of electrically insulating material but having a ring 74 of electrically conducting material positioned between the ends thereof.
The fixed pin unit 2 is to co-operate with a reciprocatable assembly 80.
The reciprocatable assembly 80 comprises a body 81 of generally cylindrical form having an end region 82 dimensioned to be received within the bore 71 defined by the body 70. The exterior of the body defiers a first recess 83 to receive a dog and a second elongate recess 84 to form part of a lost motion connection. The main part of the body 81 is received within a cylindrical sleeve 85 which forms part of a connecting yoke. An end wall of the sleeve 85 is provided with an internal threaded axial extension 87, the extension 87 engaging the threaded portion 17 of the rotatable element 12. The sleeve 85 is provided with an opening 88 which receives a locking dog 89 which can move radially outwardly to engage (in a position shown in Figure 4) a locking recess 90 which is formed in the inner wall of the bonnet housing 9 and thus coupling the body 81 to the bonnet housing 9.
The sleeve 63 is provided with a double detent element forming an upper detent 91 and a lower detent 92. The upper detent is received in an axial groove 93 formed in the bonnet housing 9 and thus axial movement of the sleeve 85 is permitted while rotation is prevented. The lower detent is received in the elongate recess 84 in the body 81.
Defined within the body 81 is a dielectric fluid chamber 94. The dielectric fluid chamber 94 is connected, by means of a dielectric fluid supply duct 95, which incorporates a non-return valve 96, to a dielectric fluid reservoir 97 of annular form which is defined in at the end part of the body 81 remote from the first end part 82 described above. A further dielectric fluid flow duct 98 associated with a further non-rerurn valve 99 also connects the dielectric fluid chamber 92 and the annular reservoir 95, but the non-return valve 99 has the opposite orientation to the non-return valve 94 and serves as a high pressure relieve valve.
An annular piston l OO is provided which extends into the open mouth of the annular reservoir 95, being sealed by seals 101, 102. An annular spring washer 103 is provided located betwocn the piston and the end wall 86 of the cylindrical sleeve 85.
A bore 103 extends frown the dielectric chamber 94 to the end wall of the body at the described first end 82. The bore 103 is provided with a seal chamber 104. Located between the seal chamber 104 and dielectric chamber 94 part of the wall of the bore 103 is provided with a conductive ring 105. The ring 105 is connected to the cable 22.
At the other end of the dielectric chamber 94 a bore 106 is provided which extends through the centre of the annular reservoir 97. The bore 103 and the bore 106 are of the same diameter and receive portions of a slideable retractable pin 120 which has the same diameter as the fixed pin 53. The slideable pin 120 has a first portion 121 dimensioned to be a sliding substantially sealing ill within the bore 103. The portion 121 extends into the dielectric chamber 94 where the pin is provided with a radially outwardly extending flange 122. The flange 122 should not be a sealing fit within the chamber 94 or should be provided with a fluid flow passage 123 extending through the flange so that the flange may move within the dielectric fluid chamber 94 without exerting a "piston" effect. The flange 122 provides an abutment surface which is engaged by a compression spring 124, the other end of which abuts the encl of the dieleclric fluid chanber 94 adjacent the flow passages 95 and 98. The retractable pin 120 carries a stop flange 126 at a position spaced from the flange 122, the stop flange 126 being adapted to engage the end of the bore 106 which passes through the annular reservoir 97 when the retractable pin is in the fully retracted position as shown in Figure 4.
A seal 127 is provided in the seal chamber 104 to engage the retractable pin 120 or the fixed pin 73. Again the seal is designed to prevent the ingress of liquid or fluid into the bore 103 or dielectric fluid chamber 94.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of Figure 4 will operate in generally the same manner as that described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.
In an initial condition the retractable pin 120 will be in a fully-left hand most position with the flange 122 driven filly to the left by the spring 124 with the portion 121 of the pin 120 extending through the bore 103 and through the seal 127 provided within the seal cavity 104.
Initially the threaded extension 17 at the rotatable element 12will rotate, thus driving the yoke sleeve 85 towards the left. The yoke sleeve 85 can move axially but cannot rotate due to engagement of the upper detent 92 with the groove 93 in the bonnet housing 8. The entire assembly will move leftwards.
The free end of the retractable pin 120 will engage the free end of the fixed pin 73 and a retractable pin will retract within the body 81, thus effectively moving rightwards relative to the body 81, compressing the spring 124 and forcing the portion of the pin that is to the right of the stop flange 126 into the bore 106. The volume of the retractable pin 120 within the chamber 94 does not effectively change during this motion of the pin.
As the dog 89 becomes aligned with the recess 90 the dog, 89 is 'solved radially outwardly thus engaging the recess 90 and also engaging the body 81.
Thus the body 81 cannot move further relative to the bonnet housing 9.
However, the cylindrically yoke sleeve 85 may still move axially because the dog extends through the elongate slot 88 in the cylindrical yoke sleeve 85. As the cylindrical yoke sleeve 85 moves further to the left, so a force is applied, through the spring washer 103, to the piston 100, thus increasing the hydraulic pressure applied to the dielectric fluid within the reservoir 97. The lower detent 91 at this stage moves along the groove 84. When a sufficient pressure level is reached within the reservoir 97 the non-return valve 96 opens permitting fluid to enter the dielectric fluid chamber 97 through the flow duct 95. If the pressure within the chamber is sufficiently high the fluid may flow through the bore 103, past the aligned electric contacts 74 and 105, weeping out past the seal 127 provided in the seal cavity 74, thus flushing away undesirable well fluid or sea water and flushing out any debris whilst simultaneously cleaning the contacts. Of course, the seal 127 is designed to permit a minimum of weepage, and also to prevent the ingress of fluid or liquid.
When the connection is to be broken, the threaded extension 17 is rotated to move the yoke 85 towards the right. At this stage the dog 89 is disengaged from the recess 90. As the yoke housing 85 moves towards the right the lower detent 91 on the cylindrical housing 85 moves along the groove 84 fonned in the exterior of the body 81, which forms a lost motion connection, until the lower abutment engages the end of the groove 84, and then the body 81 begins to move towards the right. As the body 81 begins to move towards the right, as shown in Figure 4, the retractable pin 120 moves towards the left (relative to the body) under the influence of the biasing spring 124 so that the end of the retractable pin 120 is maintained in firm contact with the end of the fixed pin 73, until the retractable pin has returned to its initial condition.
The non-return valve 99 is to open only at a very high pressure and is provided to act as an "emergency" pressure relief valve should the pressure of dielectric fluid within the chamber 94 reach an unacceptably high level. Should the pressure relieve valve 99 open fluid will be reintroduced to the reservoir 97.
When the electrical connector is used as a subsea connector the reservoir 97 will be filled with sufficient fluid to last until it is expected that the connector will be brought again to the surface, at which time the reservoir may be recharged with a fresh supply of fluid.
Figure 5 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention in which a fixed pin unit 130 is provided having a connector pin 13 1 with two spaced apart conductive areas 132, 133. The pin co-operates with a reciprocatable assembly having a body 134 which defines a bore 135 which initially receives a retractable pin 136, the bore 135 being provided with two spaced apart
electrically conductive elements 137, 138, which are positioned to be co-
aligned with the conductive areas 132, 133. Each of the conductive areas 132, 133 is in communication with a respective core of a cable which forms part of the connecting arrangement 4, and each of the conductive elements 137, 138 in the bore is in communication with a respective core of cable 22 which extends from the coupler I to the reciprocatable assembly 20. This modification may be applied to any of the described embodiments of the invention. Also, it is to be understood that more than two conductive rings may be provided on the fixed pin and in the bore that receives the retractable pin. Al bus, there may be a plurality of three, four, or even more conductive rings on the pin to co-operate with an equivalent plurality of rings in the bore. It is thus to he appreciated that a single connecting pin may be provided with a plurality of conducting elements to enable a plurality of conductive parts to be established.
Figure 6 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention wherein a single reciprocatablc unit is provided with a plurality of bores 140, 141, 142 each bore containing its own retractable pin 143, 144, 145. It is to be understood that the reciprocatable assembly of Figure 6 is to cooperate with a fixed pin unit having three fixed pins. Thus a single electrical connector may include multiple pairs of connecting pins and each pair of connecting pins may have multiple electrical contacts thereon.
In the present Specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of"
and 'comprising" means "including or consisting of,'.
The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following
Claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in
terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any
combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.
Claims (17)
1. An electrical penetrator connector, the electrical penetrator connector comprising of fixed pin unit and a reciprocatable assembly, the fixed pin unit including at least one fixed pin, at least part of the exterior of the pin being of electrically conductive material, the pin having a predetermined diameter, the reciprocatable assembly comprising of body, the body defining of dielectric fluid chamber, there being a dielectric fluid reservoir connected to the dielectric fluid chamber through a non-return valve, and a piston for applying hydraulic pressure to fluid within the reservoir, the chamber being associated with the bore XtUnLId from one end of the chamber to one end of the body, the bore containing a retractable pin having substantially the same diameter as the fixed pin, the bore being provided with a seal substantially sealing the pin, part of the wall of the bore between the seal and the dielectric fluid chamber being of electrically conductive material, resilient means being provided to bias a retractable pin to an initial position in which one end of the pin extends through the seal, the retractable pin being moveable, against the bias, upon movement of the reciprocatable assembly such that the end of the [fixed pin is brought into engagement with the end of the retractable pin to drive the retractable pin against the resilient bias, to bring the conductive part of the exterior of the fixed into engagement with the conductive part of the bore to establish an electrical connection.
2. A connector according to Claim I wherein a mechanism is provided to move the reciprocatable assembly, the mechanism being configured to apply pressure to the piston such that the piston will increase the hydraulic pressure of fluid within the reservoir.
3. A connector according to C laim 2 wherein the drive mechanism applies pressure directly to the piston.
4. A connector according to Claim 2 wherein the drive mechanism comprises a component having a lost motion connection with the said body, there being a resilient element between the component and the piston such that the resilient element may be compressed to apply pressure to the piston during a lost motion movement of the component relative to the body.
5. A connector according to Claim 5 wherein the body is provided with a locking dog adapted to lock the body to a fixed member whilst still permitting movement of said component.
6. A connector according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the resilient element is a spring contained within the dielectric fluid chamber.
7. A connector according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the retractable pin is provided with art extension, the extension extending through a seal provided at the other end of the dielectric fluid chamber so as to extend beyond the chamber upon retraction of the pin such that, on retraction of the pin the effective volume of the chamber is not substantially altered.
8. A connector according to any ol the preceding Claims wherein a pressure relief valve is provided connecting the chamber and the reservoir, the pressure relief valve being configured to open when a predetermined high pressure exists within the chamber.
9. A connector according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the fixed pin is p-o-vided with a plurality of spaced-apart elements of electrically conductive material each in communication with a respective core of a cable, and the bore is provided with a corresponding plurality of spaced-apart elements of electrically conductive material, also each in communication with a respective core of a cable.
10. A connector according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the fixed pin unit is provided with a plurality of said pins and the reciprocatable assembly is provided with a plurality of said retractable pins.
11. A connector according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the fixed pin unit is mounted in a component of a gas or oil well, and the reciprocatable assembly is mounted on a co-operating component of the well.
12. A connector according to Claim 11 wherein the reciprocatable body is reciprocatable by a reciprocating mechanism accessible from the exterior of the well.
13. A connector according to Claim 12 wherein the reciprocatable element is connected to a coupler yoke, the coupler yoke having a threaded portion which matingly engages with a corresponding threaded portion provided on a rotatable element, the rotatable element having part thereof accessible to effect rotation thereof from the exterior of the well.
14. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures I to 3 of the accompanying drawings.
15. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in I igures I to 3 as modified by Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
16. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures I to 4 as modified by Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
17. A cone: ctcr substciitill> as ili re n dcscr,hed vvith rel rcnce tQ lid as c hown in Fiurc.s I o.S.s i:,ifed by li>uie 6 ot the accoml anyig dras in s
17. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in 1; igures 1 to 5 as modified by Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.
18. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.
Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows (1,NIMS:
1. An electrical penetrator onnector, the cl Lyrical j?cnctrator ccTnector cot?lpriC,i?r,t fixed pi ? u"il and:,cipic'catci,ic.sscr?lbi>. tile fix À1 pin unit i!?cludir?g at least o:ie fixed iffily, at lent loot Clothe cxtcior ci ARC' ilil? being of Iccticali CtM?CtU''tiNO' 'l?] tCrittl, tllC J?ii? l?avilg T T1rcdetc-id ditti)?ó.OT, T]?;' ccii?rc;,!c ssi???lv:i??i,ii?-, c)f l-,ó>d>;. À?e tc'd; u. ttti?g diecctric Plid cl nber. th. rc boin, a dicler tric fluid rc;e. oir co?rct..d tr.1?c dielectric f Lui 1 C]lctI?ibCr tlOLIg\? t Ilon-Ic;rI? va]Ne anc! liston Jor ?ilyilig hNlr-cl1Lic ?:-Ut;: t:' iluiCi Vxitl:;? tl?c' ie.cr\'ir, t!' llIr?1hr bCit?óy Lid.Cd ssitl. l:>re C>;tC'Ndiil_ 't(>n1 cle r,i o! th ch. .hcr tu 'rle.-,,d::I nc boci>, tic bore c;:ntairTir.T a retractaitle pin lc:ing substantially the s..:ne dianletcr.s the l-ixed pin, thc borc being pro;ided ith a seal.sbstantialTy sealiTC tle pin, pa-t ol tlc s>11 ol the bore lct:cer1 thc scc-l an(i tlTe dielectric fluid chaTnber bcing o e]cctrically eonducie rnaterial, resilient;eans bcing,r(\idcd t<> bias a i tr ia '.,'e pi to ar, initial;oi'i()n in \hich)llc cu ol:'le pin exil; ;nc1s 1?rcu l1 tl?c.s<al, thc retra:,ablv pin tcino movible, aainst t>C 11i.ts. upon iH()N'CTIleLt ol the rocproc:tablc ascmbl\ su h that hc cnd ol thc li>;cd pi!? brou'h: ir;Lo na<>cnent itl lhc cnc3 oi thc retractchle pin lo dri;: che r:.ract.blc pin agtinst the resilient kias, to hrin;, the condctive part of thc exterior of- the fixed into cng., cment ith the conductive part of l-c bore to csLahlish a eleciricc c..> rnection. 2.:\ connector accorlin-, to (:laim 1 wherein a ncchanism is provided to novc the reciprocatahle assenbly, the mechanism keing confrurcd to apply pressure to the piston such that thc piston will increase the hv:lraulic pressure oI fluid with)!? the reservoir.
:,3 7. connector substantiall,N as herein descriLcd With reference to and as cho'3 A, i!' ';i:,'res 1 Do his i'diied b>' fire 4 lit the accompanying draN;diis.
16. A connector sr!bstantialiy cats herein described Faith efcrencc Kit and as :Ns'n in Eli u-cis tc' 4 as n>cTified by 1:ior!re:t the CCc'Il my iris> iris.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0212905A GB2389466B (en) | 2002-06-05 | 2002-06-05 | Improvements in or relating to an electrical penetrator connector |
| AU2003241031A AU2003241031A1 (en) | 2002-06-05 | 2003-06-05 | An electrical connector |
| PCT/GB2003/002433 WO2003105282A1 (en) | 2002-06-05 | 2003-06-05 | An electrical connector |
| NO20050033A NO328862B1 (en) | 2002-06-05 | 2005-01-04 | Electrical connector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0212905A GB2389466B (en) | 2002-06-05 | 2002-06-05 | Improvements in or relating to an electrical penetrator connector |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0212905D0 GB0212905D0 (en) | 2002-07-17 |
| GB2389466A true GB2389466A (en) | 2003-12-10 |
| GB2389466B GB2389466B (en) | 2005-06-22 |
Family
ID=9938012
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0212905A Expired - Fee Related GB2389466B (en) | 2002-06-05 | 2002-06-05 | Improvements in or relating to an electrical penetrator connector |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2003241031A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2389466B (en) |
| NO (1) | NO328862B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2003105282A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2396167B (en) * | 2002-11-15 | 2005-06-08 | Kvaerner Oilfield Products Ltd | Connector assembly |
| EP2853680A1 (en) * | 2013-09-30 | 2015-04-01 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Flushing arrangement |
| CN106785659A (en) * | 2016-12-19 | 2017-05-31 | 东南大学 | A kind of double-deck oil sac formula deep-sea pluggable electric connector |
| NO20160959A1 (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2017-12-04 | Benestad Solutions As | High voltage subsea connection assembly |
| NO343199B1 (en) * | 2017-06-16 | 2018-11-26 | Benestad Solutions As | High voltage wet-mate connection assembly |
| CN111463624A (en) * | 2020-04-02 | 2020-07-28 | 中国船舶科学研究中心（中国船舶重工集团公司第七0二研究所） | Underwater wet-type electric connector capable of being plugged and unplugged with electricity |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN104538789B (en) * | 2014-12-18 | 2017-01-18 | 中航光电科技股份有限公司 | Underwater wet-mate connector component |
| GB2598394A (en) * | 2020-09-01 | 2022-03-02 | Aegir Tech Limited | Two-part and terminal connectors with improved connector socket sealing and durability |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4142770A (en) * | 1977-12-27 | 1979-03-06 | Exxon Production Research Company | Subsea electrical connector |
| GB2180107A (en) * | 1985-09-14 | 1987-03-18 | British Petroleum Co Plc | Underwater electrically conductive coupling |
| US4767349A (en) * | 1983-12-27 | 1988-08-30 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Wet electrical connector |
| US5171158A (en) * | 1990-04-11 | 1992-12-15 | Cairns James L | Underwater multiple contact electrical connector |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3508188A (en) * | 1968-08-27 | 1970-04-21 | Jon R Buck | Underwater electrical quick disconnect |
| US4589492A (en) * | 1984-10-10 | 1986-05-20 | Hughes Tool Company | Subsea well submersible pump installation |
| FR2618613B1 (en) * | 1987-07-23 | 1989-11-10 | Total Petroles | UNDERWATERABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR |
| US5645442A (en) * | 1995-01-19 | 1997-07-08 | Ocean Design, Inc. | Sealed, Fluid-filled electrical connector |
| US6332787B1 (en) * | 2000-08-18 | 2001-12-25 | Ocean Design, Inc. | Wet-mateable electro-optical connector |
-
2002
- 2002-06-05 GB GB0212905A patent/GB2389466B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2003
- 2003-06-05 WO PCT/GB2003/002433 patent/WO2003105282A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-06-05 AU AU2003241031A patent/AU2003241031A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2005
- 2005-01-04 NO NO20050033A patent/NO328862B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4142770A (en) * | 1977-12-27 | 1979-03-06 | Exxon Production Research Company | Subsea electrical connector |
| US4767349A (en) * | 1983-12-27 | 1988-08-30 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Wet electrical connector |
| GB2180107A (en) * | 1985-09-14 | 1987-03-18 | British Petroleum Co Plc | Underwater electrically conductive coupling |
| US5171158A (en) * | 1990-04-11 | 1992-12-15 | Cairns James L | Underwater multiple contact electrical connector |
Cited By (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2396167B (en) * | 2002-11-15 | 2005-06-08 | Kvaerner Oilfield Products Ltd | Connector assembly |
| US9843129B2 (en) | 2013-09-30 | 2017-12-12 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Flushing arrangement |
| EP2853680A1 (en) * | 2013-09-30 | 2015-04-01 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Flushing arrangement |
| WO2015044208A3 (en) * | 2013-09-30 | 2015-06-25 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Flushing arrangement |
| GB2576586A (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2020-02-26 | Benestad Solutions As | High voltage subsea connection assembly |
| WO2017207766A1 (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2017-12-07 | Benestad Solutions As | High voltage subsea connection assembly |
| NO20160959A1 (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2017-12-04 | Benestad Solutions As | High voltage subsea connection assembly |
| NO342320B1 (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2018-05-07 | Benestad Solutions As | High voltage subsea connection assembly |
| CN109196730A (en) * | 2016-06-03 | 2019-01-11 | 本尼斯泰德解决方案股份公司 | The underwater connection component of high voltage |
| US10833449B2 (en) | 2016-06-03 | 2020-11-10 | Benestad Solutions As | High voltage subsea connection assembly |
| CN106785659B (en) * | 2016-12-19 | 2019-03-19 | 东南大学 | A kind of bilayer oil sac formula deep-sea pluggable electric connector |
| CN106785659A (en) * | 2016-12-19 | 2017-05-31 | 东南大学 | A kind of double-deck oil sac formula deep-sea pluggable electric connector |
| NO343199B1 (en) * | 2017-06-16 | 2018-11-26 | Benestad Solutions As | High voltage wet-mate connection assembly |
| NO20170997A1 (en) * | 2017-06-16 | 2018-11-26 | Benestad Solutions As | High voltage wet-mate connection assembly |
| US10916881B2 (en) | 2017-06-16 | 2021-02-09 | Benestad Solutions As | High voltage wet-mate connection assembly |
| CN111463624A (en) * | 2020-04-02 | 2020-07-28 | 中国船舶科学研究中心（中国船舶重工集团公司第七0二研究所） | Underwater wet-type electric connector capable of being plugged and unplugged with electricity |
| CN111463624B (en) * | 2020-04-02 | 2021-03-09 | 中国船舶科学研究中心（中国船舶重工集团公司第七0二研究所） | Underwater wet-type electric connector capable of being plugged and unplugged with electricity |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU2003241031A1 (en) | 2003-12-22 |
| GB0212905D0 (en) | 2002-07-17 |
| GB2389466B (en) | 2005-06-22 |
| NO20050033L (en) | 2005-03-04 |
| NO328862B1 (en) | 2010-05-31 |
| WO2003105282A1 (en) | 2003-12-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20120605 |