GB2619320A

GB2619320A - Termination assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2619320A
Application number: GB2208056.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Turner Kelly
Original assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2022-05-31
Filing date: 2022-05-31
Publication date: 2023-12-06
Also published as: GB202208056D0

Abstract

A termination assembly suitable for a cable, hose or umbilical comprises a connector interface, or termination unit, and a coupler. The connector interface, or termination unit, is adapted to receive the coupler. The cable, hose or umbilical has a nominal diameter in a range between a minimum value and a maximum value. The coupler comprises a customised hollow cylinder 45 chosen to match the nominal diameter of the cable, hose or umbilical and an optional adaptor 70 to match the cylinder 45 diameter to the maximum value of the range. The connector interface, or termination unit, is sized to match the maximum diameter of the range, and a securing element 81 is sized to match the maximum value of the range.

Description

TERMINATION ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to a termination assembly, in particular, for a subsea, or underwater, hose, cable or umbilical Subsea, or underwater, connectors are designed to operate beneath the surface of the water. Typically, a subsea connector comprises two parts, generally known as plug and receptacle. The receptacle may include one or more conductor pins and the plug may include corresponding plug sockets for the receptacle conductor pins. The connection may be made topside (dry-mate), or subsea (wet-mate) and the specific design is adapted according to whether the connector is a wet-mate or dry-mate connector. Subsea connectors have various applications including power connectors which supply power to subsea equipment, or control and instrumentation connectors which exchange data between different pieces of subsea equipment, or between subsea equipment and topside devices. The connectors need to fit to equipment, cables, or hoses, but different applications require different termination assemblies, making manufacture costly.

An improved termination assembly is desirable.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a termination assembly for a cable, hose or umbilical, the assembly comprising a connector interface, or termination unit, and a coupler; wherein the connector interface, or termination unit, is adapted to receive the coupler; the cable, hose or umbilical having a nominal diameter in a range between a minimum value and a maximum value; the coupler comprising a customised hollow cylinder chosen to match the nominal diameter of the cable, hose or umbilical and an optional adaptor to match the cylinder diameter to the maximum value of the range; the connector interface, or termination unit, being sized to match the maximum diameter of the range; and a securing element sized to match the maximum value of the range.

The nominal diameter may comprise one of an external diameter of a cable, a nominal bore of a hose, an external diameter of a cable, or a nominal bore of an 30 umbilical.

The connector interface may comprise one of a connector backshell, or a cable gland, or the termination unit may comprise an umbilical end fitting.

The connector interface may further comprise a hollow cylinder sized to match the maximum value of the range, one end of the cylinder being adapted to seal at the interface to an end of the coupler cylinder remote from the cable, or hose or umbilical.

The optional adaptor may comprise a chamfer applied to the end of the hollow cylinder of the coupler, the chamfer forming a hollow cone having a first end having a diameter matching the diameter of the coupler cylinder and a second end having a diameter matching the connector interface.

The securing element may comprise a nut, bal spring, or circlip.

The connector interface may comprise an external thread, or an internal thread, adapted to match a corresponding internal thread, or external thread on the coupler.

The coupler cylinder may comprise a metal, in particular, superduplex stainless steel, or titanium.

The connector interface may comprise machined superduplex stainless steel, or titanium.

The connector interface may comprise one of an inline connector interface or an angled connector interface, in particular, a 90° adaptor.

Using a 90° angle adaptor with an inline adaptor creates a 90° angle connector. This avoids the need for a JIC and a proprietary 90° adaptor, so that a universal interface may be used at both ends, one male and one female, effectively meaning that only a single 90° component is required for all variations.

In one embodiment, the minimum value of the range may comprise 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) and the maximum value of the range may comprise 3.5 inches (88.9 mm).

In another embodiment, the minimum value of the range may comprise 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) and the maximum value of the range may comprise 1 inch (25.4 mm).

In a further embodiment, the minimum value of the range may comprise 1 inch (25.4 mm) and the maximum value of the range may comprise 2 inches (50.8 mm).

An example of a termination assembly in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures la to lc illustrate a variety of conventional hose assemblies; Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a variety of inline hose fittings for the hose assemblies of Figs.la to 1 c; Figures 3a and 3b illustrate a variety of conventional angled backshells for the hose assemblies of Figs la to 1c; Figures 4a and 4b illustrate examples of assembled conventional hose assemblies; Figure 5 illustrates an example of a termination assembly, for an inline connection of parts from Figs.la to lc and 2a to 2b; Figures 6a and 6b illustrate examples of termination assemblies according to the present invention, for inline connection; Figures 7a and 7b illustrate conventional inline adaptors, for comparison; Figures 8a and 8b illustrate further examples of termination assemblies according to the present invention, for angled backshells; Figure 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of assembling a subsea termination assembly according to the invention and fitting it to a connector body; and, Fig.10 illustrates a cable gland, with which a termination assembly according to the invention may be used.

The drive to reduce overall lifecycle costs, both capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX), associated with new deep-water oil and gas developments means that improvements to existing designs, manufacturing processes and operation are desirable. Subsea connector systems are desired that have a lower cost, can be relatively quickly and easily installed and that have reduced maintenance requirements, or need for intervention which affects the systems to which they are connected throughout their working life. Thus, improvements to connector systems and the components with which they connect are desirable. One way to reduce connector cost, is to reduce material cost of each component, in some cases by using alternative materials, but more generally by reducing size of each component. Another way is to simplify the manufacturing process, to make component parts quicker or simpler to manufacture, or to standardise the manufacture or material, so that higher numbers of components may be manufactured at a time, bringing down unit costs.

There is demand for suppliers of subsea connector systems to produce connectors which deliver the same, or better operational abilities, while simultaneously reducing the cost of each product. Many variants of connectors are available and these may use various different mating methods, such as ROV mates, diver mates and stab mates. Keeping overheads to a minimum means that manufacturer stock levels are kept relatively low for connector bodies and ancillary components, but low order quantities drive up the connector cost, as price breaks are not met for each part.

One aspect of subsea connector systems is the termination of a hose into a connector backshell, or a cable into a cable gland, which will be described in more detail, hereinafter. Subsea termination assemblies must operate in harsh conditions and remain reliable for many years. For termination of umbilicals, typically a termination unit is used, rather than coupling into a connector. For back end connector assemblies, the machining complexity is predominantly in the backshells or cable glands, as they have multiple interfaces. Due to the number of machining operations, in particular for backshells, these parts are also often the most expensive. To reduce assembly cost, it is desirable to reduce the machining complexity of these components. Increasing the order size for any one component part may be used to further reduce unit costs. To facilitate this, it is desirable that any one umbilical, hose or cable assembly comprises as few unique parts as possible.

For existing termination assembly products, for example, hoses, each hose size also determines the sizing of its associated parts, such as backshells. For example, backshells may be designed for specific applications, each having a different interface for use with a specific hose size, or connector size, or orientation of the termination.

For example, for hose sizes of inch nominal bore 50NB (1.27cm) or 3/5 inch (1.524 cm), there are two flying backshells (angled backshells, suitable for manipulation by an ROV), one for each diameter of hose, used to terminate the hose to a particular size of connector, as well as two inline backshells, again one for each diameter of hose. Other sizes of hose diameter, or connector size, would require yet more backshells to be manufactured and stocked making it difficult to keep the manufacturing costs down as each is only manufactured for a small number of specific assemblies. The size of the hose may be related to the voltage of the cables that it is intended to carry, and hence the number of cables that can fit within the space available in the hose, referring to the inside diameter, or nominal bore. Typically, this may vary from 50NB (nominal bore), i.e., 1/2" hose, (12.70mm) to 200NB, i.e., 2" hose (50.80mm), although up to 3.5" (88.9 mm) may be used for some applications. For cable glands, each cable size requires its own size of cable gland, similarly meaning that it is difficult to avoid either keeping large amounts of stock available, or manufacturing batches only involving small numbers of cable glands and hence each being relatively costly. For cables and cable glands, size references are typically to outside diameter.

It is desirable to provide design termination assemblies that are further standardised and by standardising the design, the overall cost of the connector systems are reduced. By providing a universal interface for a range of hose or cable sizes, i.e., at least two different hose or cable sizes using the same termination elements, sometimes more, some of the termination assembly components can be purchased in significantly larger quantities than before, so that the overall connector cost is reduced. The invention provides, for hoses, a single flying, or angled backshell and a single inline backshell over a particular range of hose sizes, rather than needing one each for each different hose diameter. For cables, the invention provides a single cable gland for a range of cable sizes. Example hose ranges are typically over the full range of 50NB to 350NB, but typically in sub-sets of this range to avoid large changes in diameter, for example, the hose ranges may include 75NB to 50NB, 100NB to 50NB, 200NB to 100NB, or 350NB to 200NB. Cable sizes within these hose ranges are smaller, as typically a hose will contain more than one cable, so for high voltage applications, large cables are used and hence the larger ranges of hose (e.g. 200NB to 100NB, or 350NB to 200NB). For lower voltage applications, the smaller ranges of hose and correspondingly smaller diameter cable are sufficient. By standardizing on a single backshell, or cable gland, or umbilical, for each range and transferring the complexity into the less expensive components, the overall assembly cost is reduced. The example shown hereinafter relate to hose terminations, but as indicated, the invention is equally applicable to cable glands or umbilical terminations, in particular for subsea use. Figs.l a to lc illustrate examples of different sizes of conventional joint industry committee (JIC) fitting hose assemblies, which are industry standard. For convenience, the parts of the hose assembly are all referenced to a single component, e.g. the nut size, or the hose size, without actually matching the true diameter or bore of all the components. For example, a hose assembly may comprise a 75NB hose tail with a 75NB ferrule and 75NB nut on the end fitting, within a 75NB bend restrictor, where the actual sizing of the backshell relates to a 3/1" (19.05mm) nut and the sizing of the bend restrictor, ferrule and swage are for the hose. The example of Fig.4b is for a 50NB hose, fitted with a 50NB angled backshell, the 50NB hose assembly comprising a 50NB hose tail with a 50NB ferrule and 50NB nut on the end fitting, within a 50NB bend restrictor. Furthermore, although all of the examples herein show a bend restrictor, this is not essential. The swage is slotted over the hose. The ferrule is inserted into the hose, with the nut already fitted and then the swage is swaged or crimped onto the hose.

Fig. la shows a J1C hose assembly 10 of 75NB, referencing the thread of the nut being inch (19.05 mm), having a 1 1/16 inch (26.99 mm) outside diameter. In this example, a bend restrictor 14 is provided, extending from a termination end 18 of a hose (not shown) to an opening remote from the termination end. Broadening of the termination end 18 receives an end fitting 11, one end 12 of which is designed to match the nominal bore of the hose (not shown) and the other end 13 of which is machined such that it matches both a 1 1/16" inline hose adaptor, shown in Fig.2a or a 1 1/16" angled backshell, shown in Fig.3a. The bend restrictor 14, typically made of a flexible material, such as a rubber or elastomer, extends over the end fitting components. The hose 18 is adapted to be fitted over a hose tail 15 and anchored on teeth 16 protruding radially outwardly from a central cylinder of the hose tail. A ferrule 17 is applied outside the hose 18 and teeth 16 and compresses the hose onto the teeth to hold the hose on the hose tail 15. The bend restrictor 14 fits tightly onto a transition element 19 by which the hose tail central cylinder couples to an adaptor 23.

The hose tail broadens out to an opening 20, beyond the adaptor 23, for an inline hose adaptor 24 to be joined to the hose tail via the opening 20. Fig. lb shows a 50NB (1/2 inch or 12.70 mm) 1 1/16 outside diameter JIC hose assembly 40 for which a different end fitting 22 is needed, although the same 1 1/16" inline hose adaptor 23 or a 1 1/6" angled backshell 30 as for Fig.la may be used, shown in Figs.2a and 3a respectively. The inline hose adaptor 24 of Fig.2a comprises a thread 25 on an outer surface of an end fitting 26 which is adapted to be threaded into a corresponding thread 27 on an inner surface of the opening 20 of the adaptor 23 of the hose tail 15. In the orientation illustrated in Fig.2a, an oil filler hole 28 is shown on a body 29 of the inline hose adaptor -this is not visible in the orientation of Fig.2b.

Fig. lc illustrates a 50NB, 3/4" inside diameter, SIC hose assembly 39, which requires both a different end fitting 36, designed to match the 1/2" nominal bore and also a different inline hose fitting 34, shown in Fig.2b, or different angled backshell 50, shown in Fig.3b, to match the %" inside diameter of the hose. A different size of bend restrictor 44 is fitted over teeth 16 and held in place by ferrule 17. The hose tail 15 needs a different transition element 37 and has a smaller opening 41 than the opening of Fig.2a. As before, there is a thread 42 on an inner surface of the opening 41 which is adapted to cooperate with a thread 35 on an outer surface of a suitably sized end fitting 39 of an inline hose adaptor 34, or of an angled backshell 50. Both parts have an oil filling hole 28, although in the orientation of Fig.2b, that hole is not visible. These are limited examples of the different size combinations and other combinations are possible. Hoses in subsea applications typically range from 50NB up to 350NB for higher voltage, 3/4 inch to 112.5mm outside diameter, so far more combinations are typically manufactured, as needed.

Examples of complete hose assemblies 60, 61 are shown in Figs.4a and 4b. In the example of Fig.4a, a 75NB hose is fitted with a corresponding angled backshell 30. The hose parts 10, 40 are equivalent to those of Figs. la and lb and labelled accordingly.

An example of a conventional hose assembly is shown in Fig. S, for a MC hose fitting of the types shown in Figs. la to 1 c, having a standard 1 1/16" thread on both the hose assembly and backshell. The hose tail 15 needs to transition from a smaller nominal bore, e.g. 50NB to a standard thread, more usually used for 75NB fittings. The hose tail is brought into contact with an interface on the in line backshell 56 and at the point of contact, a seal is formed. For metal cylinders in the backshell and hose tail, the seal is a metal to metal seal. A 1 1/16" nut fixes the backshell and hosetail together.

Fig.6a illustrates an inline hose assembly according to the present invention. In this example, the assembly comprises a 75NB hose into which an end fitting 80 is fitted around a hosetail. The end fitting is held in place by a nut 81 inside a bend limiter 71 outside the hose. The hosetail comprises fastenings 16 mounted radially outwardly of a central cylinder 45 and a ferrule fitted between the fastening layer 16 and the hose itself, so as to hold the end of the hose onto the hosetail. The nut 81 tightens onto a mid-section of the end fitting 80 with the inner surface of the end of the bend restrictor 71 in contact with the outer surface of the nut. A thread 82 on the end section of the end fitting, away from the hose 18, matches a corresponding thread on the inner diameter of the inline hose adaptor 70.

The inner diameter of the backshell and nut is chosen to fit to the largest diameter of hose over a range, in this example the range is from 75NB to 50NB, but other ranges are possible, for example 350NB to 300NB, 200NB to 100NB, or 100NB to 50NB or variations on these ranges. The hosetail includes the adaptor in the end fitting 80 to make the transition from the hose nominal bore 75NB, or internal diameter to the common diameter for fitting the inline hose termination 70, so there is no need for special machining of the backshells for different sizes of nominal bore, just an adaptor on the hosetail. The 75NB adaptor can be seen in Fig.6a. Fig.6b shows an example for a 50NB inline hose termination, which uses a 50NB adaptor fitted within the end fitting 79, shown in Fig.6b. Both adaptors have the same diameter at their end remote from the hose and for the 75NB example, this can be a single cylindrical piece in the hosetail 45, but the 50NB adaptor has a smaller diameter than the 75 NB adaptor at the end connected to the hose.

The actual size of the parts may be the same, for example both 75NB hose assembly and 50NB hose assembly can use an M32 nut 81, although the hose tail in the case of the 75NB does not need a chamfer 76, whereas the hose tail for the 50NB assembly does. The backshell has a standard form with section 72 being exactly the same, whether fitting to a 75NB or 50NB hose because the hose tail 75 makes the transition 76, where necessary. For convenience, the chamfer 76 may transition from the smaller hosetail diameter to a section 77 with the same diameter as the section 72 in the backshell, which is more robust than simply relying on the final cross section of the conical section 76 being the same as the cross section of backshell section 72.

Figs.7a and 7b illustrate the different sizes and complex machining that is needed with conventional in line hose fittings to cope with the 75NB of Fig.7a, or the 50NB of Fig.7b. Even when the same diameter opening 90 is used for coupling to the connector, the housing 93 of the 75NB example 91 has a different shape and wall thickness to the housing 94 of the 50 NB example 92. Similarly, the bore transitions 95, 96 and threads 97, 98 differ and the machining requirement must take account of these differences in the conventional design.

Fig.8a illustrates a 75NB angled backshell 101 coupled by a hosetail 45 to a hose and Fig.8b illustrates a 50NB angled backshell 101, coupled by a hosetail 75 to a hose. The angled backshell 101 and nut 81 are identical for both. The chamfer 76 can be seen in Fig.8b, making the transition from the relatively small diameter 99 of the hosetail cylinder to the standardised diameter backshell 104, with corresponding section 77 after the chamfer has broadened the hose tail diameter out to a suitable size. In Fig.8a, it can be seen that the hollow cylinder 45 of the hose tail matches the end fitting section 104 of the angled backshell 101, so no transition is required between different diameters, hence no chamfer. The backshell has a large flange 100, compared with the design of the conventional backshell of Figs.4a and 4b.

For all of the examples of Figs.6a, 6b, 8a, 8b, 9 and 10 there are a number of metal components, which advantageously are made from the same metal, rather than from different metals, as has been the norm in conventional assemblies. Conventionally, different metals have been used for different parts, for example stainless steel in some parts and other metals in other parts. By using only a single metal and standardising on that, further cost reduction can be achieved in terms of the manufacturing processes. The metal is chosen for its application, so Super Duplex stainless steel or titanium are particularly suitable. As mentioned with respect to Figs.8a and 8b above, the backshell has a large flange. It has been found that this reduces the number of machining steps required to create the backshell from a single metal, without any detrimental effect. The connection to a connector is via a receptacle 102 which tapers 103 towards the end of the backshell where the section 104 joins the hose tail 45, 77. The termination between the hose 18 and the backshell is made in a factory setting, allowing a choice of dry mate or wet mate connector part to be fitted to the backshell 101. A gap 105 is formed to reduce conflict between the hose and connector, when fitted.

In a subsea hose assembly comprising a connector backshell or cable gland and a hosetail, the backshell or cable gland is adapted to receive the hosetail of a hose at an interface in the backshell or cable gland. The hosetail is designed to fit to a hose having a nominal bore of a diameter that is in a range from the maximum nominal bore of the hose to the minimum nominal bore of the hose, for that particular range. Where the hose has a smaller nominal bore, then an adaptor, or interface, is used to match the hosetail cylinder diameter to the backshell or cable gland interface. The hosetail comprises a bespoke hollow cylinder chosen to match the nominal bore of the hose, i.e. that hollow cylinder may have a diameter of bore which varies between a maximum and a minimum, across the range. A securing element of a size that matches the maximum value of the range is used to hold the hosetail and backshell together.

The backshell may also comprise a hollow cylinder sized having a diameter at the maximum value of the bore range, so that one end of the cylinder can seal at the interface to one end of the hosetail cylinder. Where the cylinders are metal, this seal is a metal to metal seal, for example parts made from superduplex stainless steel may be tightened together to provide the seal.

In the case where the hosetail is for a hose with a nominal bore which is less than the maximum bore value in the range, then an adaptor is used, the adaptor comprising a chamfer applied to the end of the hosetail hollow cylinder. Effectively, the chamfer forms a hollow cone which has a diameter to match the diameter of the hosetail cylinder at one end and a diameter to match the backshell interface, more specifically its cylinder, at the other end.

For further security, the hosetail and backshell may be secured by a securing element, for example a nut, bal spring, i.e. one where the spring rotates and slots into a groove, so that the new profile of the spring increases the force required to disassemble the parts, or a circlip and that nut, bal spring, or circlip, has a standard size, suitable for the maximum nominal diameter of the range. For example, where the range is between 75NB and 50NB, then an M32 nut may be used for any nominal bore hose size in that range. The connection between the interface and the hosetail is typically by means of a threaded connection, with one part having an external thread, and the other part, an internal thread. Advantageously, the backshell has a female interface with an internal thread, as this allows it to be machined from a smaller billet, than the JIC design, with its threaded protrusion and to have an overall smaller size. The shape of the backshell is chosen for its application. In some uses, the bulk of the hose may get in the way of the connector and its cables, so an angled backshell is preferred, in particular for flying ROVs, where the ROV handle is on axis with the connector. In other cases, an inline connection may be used, for example for a STAB connector, where there is no handle so the interface can be inline, or for an ROV connector, fixed on a compliant mount, again with no handle. In these cases, the backshell may comprise an inline backshell.

An inline backshell is not inevitable where there is no handle because if space on a structure is limited, then angled, or even right angled, adaptors are used to divert the hose away from other connectors.

However, in both cases, with the design of the present invention, it is only necessary to manufacture a single type of inline or angled backshell to use with the full range of hose sizes, unlike the conventional examples of Figs.l a to 2b. Example ranges include the minimum value of the range comprising 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) and the maximum value of the range comprises 2 inches (50.8 mm), or 3.5" (88.9mm); or the minimum value of the range comprising 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) and the maximum value of the range comprises 1 inch (25.4 mm); or the minimum value of the range comprising 1 inch (25.4 mm) and the maximum value of the range comprising 2 inches (50.8 mm), or 3.5" (88.9mm). As indicated earlier, these examples are not limiting and variations on these may be chosen for certain applications, to give either smaller or large ranges.

In addition, standardising the rear interface for all front ends allows sizes suitable for 4-way or 12-way connectors to be provided, without the need for a step-down adaptor from one size to the other. Conventionally, parts in the connector and hose assembly have been made from different materials for different applications, but further reduction in the number of variants is possible by making all parts from the same material, for example superduplex stainless steel.

Fig.9 is a flow diagram of a method of assembly a hose assembly including components according to the invention. A manufactured hose, for example, comprising an external cover made of nitrile rubber (NBR) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a layer of aramid yarns which act as strain relief, a polyester reinforcement layer, and an inner styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) layer, is provided 140 with a hosetail. The hosetail comprises a hollow cylinder having an internal diameter less than the nominal bore of the hose and radially outward of the cylinder, an array of friction fastenings, hooks, or teeth provide an anchor for the hose to be slide over and fixed to. A fixing, typically a cylindrical ferrule, is slid 141 over the hose and fasteners on the hose tail, then compressed over the end of the hose to hold the hose onto the teeth. In some cases, a bend limiter may be fitted 142 outside an end section of the hose and hose tail, bridging the join where the hose fits over the hosetail. The bend limiter typically comprises NBR of a suitable length for the application. The bend limiter internal diameter is substantially equal to the hose external diameter. The bend limiter may be held in place by a lip slotting into a groove on the outside of the hose tail. Friction from the bend limiter and hose materials also helps to prevent the bend limiter from slipping down the hose. A connector backshell is fitted 143 to the hosetail and secured 144 in place with a suitable securing element. The backshell may then be fitted 144 with a connector body.

Fig.10 illustrates a cable gland termination comprising a gland 112 and seal 113 around a termination end of a cable 116. A seal 114 seals the cable 116 to a housing 118 in which oil fill adaptors 117 are provided. A collet or retainer 115 on the cable side of the seal 114 holds the cable in place, in combination with a nut 119. Wires 111 from the cable 116 pass through the gland 113 into the oil filled space 120. The connector backshell interfaces 110 with the cable gland at the end of the housing 118, remote from the nut 119.

The present invention addresses the large number of separate components by providing an improved subsea hose termination, in which the inline hose fittings or angled backshells are made in a single universal dimension for a particular range of hose sizes and fitted by a universal nut to a custom hosetail which is enables the transition from the maximum nominal bore of the nut and backshell or inline hose fitting to the specific hose bore to be carried out, where the hose nominal bore is less than the maximum for the range. As the hosetail and bend restrictor are relatively easy parts to fabricate compared to the backshell or inline hose fitting, the overall manufacturing costs are reduced because the time spent on complex manufacturing steps is reduced. The hosetail fastenings and ferrules are chosen based on the hose nominal bore. The design is both standardised and simplified compared with the conventional design of Figs 4a or 4b, for example. As only a single seal is required, the the secondary seal interface can be removed. As only a single metal is used for all parts, the thread length has been reduced and optimised, resulting in a smaller hose termination and a smaller backshell, which is also easier to machine and costs less.

These changes and benefits all combine to provide an improved product.

While the present invention has been described above by reference to various embodiments, it should be understood that many changes and modifications can be made to the described embodiments. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments are intended to be included in this description.

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention disclosed herein. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention in its aspects.

It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A termination assembly for a cable, hose or umbilical, the assembly comprising a connector interface, or termination unit, and a coupler; wherein the connector interface, or termination unit, is adapted to receive the coupler; the cable, hose or umbilical having a nominal diameter in a range between a minimum value and a maximum value; the coupler comprising a customised hollow cylinder chosen to match the nominal diameter of the cable, hose or umbilical and an optional adaptor to match the cylinder diameter to the maximum value of the range; the connector interface, or termination unit, being sized to match the maximum diameter of the range; and a securing element sized to match the maximum value of the range.
2. A termination assembly according to claim 1, wherein the nominal diameter comprises one of an external diameter of a cable, a nominal bore of a hose, or a nominal bore of an umbilical.
3. A termination assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connector interface comprises a connector backshell, or a cable gland, or wherein the termination unit comprises an umbilical end fitting.
4. A termination assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector interface further comprises a hollow cylinder sized to match the maximum value of the range, one end of the cylinder being adapted to seal at the interface to an end of the coupler cylinder remote from the cable, or hose.
5. A termination assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the optional adaptor comprises a chamfer applied to the end of the hollow cylinder of the coupler, the chamfer forming a hollow cone having a first end having a diameter matching the diameter of the coupler cylinder and a second end having a diameter matching the connector interface.
6. A termination assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the securing element comprises a nut, bal spring, or circlip.
7. A termination assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector interface comprises an external thread, or an internal thread, adapted to match a corresponding internal thread, or external thread on the coupler.
8. A termination assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupler cylinder comprises a metal, in particular superduplex stainless steel, or titanium.
9. A termination assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector interface comprises machined superduplex stainless steel, or titanium.
10. A termination assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector interface comprises one of an inline connector interface and an angled connector interface, in particular, a 90° adaptor.
11. A termination assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the minimum value of the range comprises 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) and the maximum value of the range comprises 3.5 inches (88.9 mm).
12. A termination assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the minimum value of the range comprises 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) and the maximum value of the range comprises 1 inch (25.4 mm).
13. A termination assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the minimum value of the range comprises 1 inch (25.4 mm) and the maximum value of the range comprises 2 inches (50.8 mm).