NO20210844A1 - A connector system for subsea equipment - Google Patents

Description

A CONNECTOR SYSTEM FOR SUBSEA EQUIPMENT

The invention concerns a connector system for subsea equipment. More specifically, the invention concerns a connector system comprising a receptacle and a plug assembly, wherein the receptacle is integrated in, connected to, or constitutes part of a subsea equipment and the plug assembly is arranged for connecting to the receptacle.

The invention further concerns a suction foundation comprising the connector system.

Background

Connector systems for subsea equipment are used for many different purposes, for instance for establishing connection for a pump, for connecting conductors for electrical or fluid media, or for plugging a vent hole.

For the purpose of plugging a vent hole, there are many different types of vent hatches and plugs, typically used for suction anchors, which are known from prior art. Patent publication US 93231532 B2 discloses a vent cap system that comprises a top plate connected by a central, threaded stem to a bottom plate containing radial seals. The central stem has a handle which allows it to be rotated by the operator, for example a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or a diver, and thus lower the bottom plate into a closed position. A guide stem protrudes down into the vent hole where a guide plate ensures proper alignment. These are widely used in the industry. This kind of system has the disadvantage that it is expensive to manufacture. Also, the total height of this system is a drawback, since it may conflict with other equipment, like valve tree, flowlines, and umbilical. There is little or no reduction in height between the fully opened and the closed position.

Hinged vent hatches are widely used in the subsea industry. A variety of this is described in US Patent Publication No.20130320206A1. This publication discloses a large lid hinged to a support frame which ensures correct positioning with respect to the vent opening. Commercial varieties of the hinged vent hatch typically include an ROV operated, screwdriven locking mechanism. All hinged vent hatches rely on face seals, which are more prone to leakage than radial seals.

The vent plug type, sometimes referred to as a stab on small bore diameters, is also commonly seen. The plug body contains radial seals and fits into a receptacle. The receptacle is provided with J-lock grooves, and locking bolts extending from the plug body fit into said grooves. During installation, the plug is secured by rotating the plug body until the locking bolts are at the end of the grooves. The grooves may be angled to gain leverage during installation and recovery of the plug. One disadvantage of this kind of plug, is that the torque required in order to lock or unlock the plug may be so large, that it is difficult for an operator to install the plug. Large bore vent plugs typically have heavy steel bodies and rely on cranes for subsea installation.

The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art.

The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

The invention is defined by the independent patent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

In a first aspect the invention relates more particularly to a connector system for subsea equipment, the connector system comprising:

- a receptacle;

- a plug assembly comprising:

- a plug body for being placed in the receptacle; and

- a locking device rotatably connected to the plug body and provided with at least one protruding portion;

wherein the receptacle is provided with at least one groove arranged to receive the protruding portion of the locking device; and

wherein the groove comprises a sloped groove portion so that, upon rotation of the locking device, the protruding portion is guided by the groove forcing the plug body further into the receptacle and securing the plug body in the receptacle.

The rotatable locking device has the effect that less torque is required in order to install the plug body properly in the receptacle. In prior art, the locking device is either part of, or fixedly connected to, the plug body. This means that in order for the locking device to be rotated into the grooves, for instance J-lock grooves, known from prior art, the entire plug body needs to be rotated. Furthermore, the torque required to install the plug, and also to uninstall it, needs to overcome the friction between the plug body and the receptacle. This added friction torque increases rapidly for large plug diameters, as both friction force and lever arm increase. The combined weight and installation torque make it difficult for the operator to install the plug body into the receptacle. According to the first aspect of the invention, the plug body may be placed into the receptacle without being rotated, as rotation of the locking device will force the plug body further into the receptacle as the at least one protruding portion of the locking device travels along the sloped groove portion of the at least one groove.

The protruding portion may herein also be named locking bolt.

The connector system may comprise a securing element connected to the plug body for securing the locking device.

The locking device is, as mentioned hereinabove, rotatably connected to the plug body. In order to keep the locking device from moving back out of the receptacle, if exposed to any forces pushing in that direction, the securing element may be fixedly connected to the plug body and in some way trap the locking device between the plug body and the securing element. In one embodiment the securing element may be a ring fixed to the plug body for example by means of bolting, welding, gluing or other known fastening method.

The receptacle may comprise an inner wall having a sealing surface, and the plug body may be provided with at least one sealing means for sealing against the sealing surface.

The at least one sealing means, for instance in the form of a radial seal, arranged in the circumference of the plug body, will provide a sealed connection between the plug body and the receptacle as the locking device is rotated and the plug body is pushed further into the receptacle. The sealing means may comprise two sealing devices, like for instance two O-rings, spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the plug body. In another embodiment, the sealing means may comprise more than two sealing devices. Multiple sealings means have the advantage that a back-pressure test may be performed.

Furthermore, also the shape of the plug body and the receptacle may add to the sealing effect, in that for instance a portion of the plug body may be provided with a sloped surface corresponding to a sloped surface provided in the inner wall of the receptacle.

The plug assembly and the receptacle may be shaped such that during installation of the plug assembly into the receptacle, the at least one protruding portion engages in the sloped groove portion of the groove before the at least one sealing means engages with the sealing surface.

The plug assembly may be provided with a handle for rotating the locking device.

The handle provides better grip and makes it easier to rotate the locking device. Also, depending on how the handle is shaped and placed, it may provide increased leverage and thus lowering the required force to rotate the locking device.

The plug body may be provided with a through bore. The through bore may be a central through bore.

The effect of the through bore is to establish access from one side of the plug body to the other. The purpose of this is that the plug system may be used for different subsea equipment, as different equipment, connections or devices may be arranged in connection with the through bore. Different utilizations of the through bore will be further elaborated in the following. In one embodiment of the connector system, the securing element may be a stem or connection bolt extending from one side of the plug body, through the through bore and being secured on the other side of the plug body, for example by means of a locking disk and a locking nut.

The connector system may further comprise a connection element for connecting the plug body to a pump, a tank, or at least one conduit for drainage or supply of a fluid.

The connector system may further be provided with at least one conduit for being inserted into the through bore, and the receptacle may be provided with a socket base for receiving the at least one conduit, for creating at least one circuit. Resistance of making up the connection between the at least one conduit and the socket base is handled by the above disclosed locking or securing of the plug body in the receptacle.

The at least one conduit may comprise one or more of an electrical cable, a data cable, and/or a tubing. It must be understood that the term “conduit” also includes hoses, pipes and the similar. As already mentioned hereinabove, one example of a conduit may be a high flow connection for instance for pumping of a fluid. In another embodiment, the at least one conduit may comprise different connections for electricity, hydraulic oil, chemicals, and the like. This is similar to the function of an umbilical which, as is well known in the art, may contain electric cables as well as pipes for supply of chemicals and oil.

As mentioned hereinabove, the securing element may be a stem or connection bolt extending through the through bore of the plug body. The connector system may thus be provided with a stem extending through the through bore, and whether or not this is also the securing element it may have other functions. The stem may for instance be provided with means for pressure testing.

The stem may be provided with a channel or bore which allows for pressure testing. It is preferable that also the plug body is provided with a channel or bore which is in fluid connection with the channel in the stem, so that pressure testing of the plug body in the receptacle is possible. The channel in the plug body preferably opens towards the inner wall of the receptacle between two sealing rings arranged on the plug body.

The at least one groove may comprise at least three grooves, and the at least one protruding portion may comprise at least three protruding portions each for engaging with one of the at least three grooves. This is a preferred embodiment of the connector system. Three grooves and three corresponding protruding portions provide a stable connection. When the locking device comprises a plurality of protruding portions, they are preferably evenly distributed around the circumference of the locking device.

At least one of the at least one protruding portions or locking bolts may be extendable for constituting a lever arm protruding to the outside of the receptacle through the corresponding groove.

The protruding portion may be provided with bearings for reducing friction between the at least one protruding portion and the receptacle when the locking device is rotated, and the protruding portion moves in the at least one groove.

The connector system may further be provided with a handling interface or handle for being operated by an ROV.

The plug body may comprise thermoplastics. The use of thermoplastics makes the plug body light and easier to handle.

In a second aspect the invention relates more particularly to a suction foundation comprising a connector system according to the first aspect of the invention.

In the following are described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig.1a shows a connector system in perspective view, wherein the plug assembly is about to be installed in the receptacle;

Fig.1b shows the connector system of Fig.1a in cross-sectional view along the line A-A in Fig.1a, when the plug assembly has been installed and secured in the receptacle;

Fig.1c shows in perspective view, the connector system of Fig.1a when the plug assembly has been installed and secured in the receptacle;

Figs. 1d-1f show a variant of the connector system of Fig.1a, in an unlocked position, and provided with an extension arm, wherein Fig.1f shows the crosssection B-B marked in Fig.1d;

Figs. 1g-1h show a further variant of the connector system of Fig.1a, in a locked position.

Figs. 2a-2d show a second embodiment of the connector system, before rotation of the locking device on Figs.2a and 2c, and after rotation of the locking device on Figs.2b and 2d, wherein Figs.2a and 2b are central cross-sectional views of Figs.2c and 2d, respectively;

Figs. 3a-3d show a third embodiment of the connector system, before rotation of the locking device on Figs.3a and 3c, and after rotation of the locking device on Figs.3b and 3d, wherein Figs.3a and 3b are central cross-sectional views of Figs.3c and 3d, respectively;

Figs. 4a-4d show a fourth embodiment of the connector system, before rotation of the locking device on Figs.4a and 4c, and after rotation of the locking device on Figs.4b and 4d, wherein Figs.4a and 4b are central cross-sectional views of Figs.4c and 4d, respectively;

Figs. 5a-5d show a fifth embodiment of the connector system, wherein Figs.5a and 5c show the embodiment with a handle and locking device, and Figs.5b and 5d show the same embodiment without a handle and locking device, wherein Figs.5a and 5b are central cross-sectional views of Figs.5c and 5d, respectively; and

Figs. 6a-6d show a sixth embodiment of the connector system before rotation of the locking device on Figs.6a and 6c, and after rotation of the locking device on Figs.6b and 6d, wherein Figs.6a and 6b are central cross-sectional views of Figs.6c and 6d, respectively.

The figures are shown in a simplified and schematic manner, and details that are not important in order to highlight what is new about the invention may have been omitted from the figures. The various elements in the figures are not necessarily shown to scale relative to each other. Like or corresponding elements will be indicated by the same reference numeral in the figures. For simplicity, not all reference numerals will be repeated in all of the Figures.

Reference is first made to Fig.1a which shows a connector system 1. The connector system 1 comprises a receptacle 2 and a plug assembly 3. The plug assembly 3 comprises a plug body 31. The plug body 31 is here shown before it is placed in the receptacle 2. The plug assembly 3 further comprises a locking device 32. The locking device 32 is shown comprising a locking ring 320 and at least one, here shown having four, protruding portion 321. The protruding portions 321 may also be named locking bolts herein, and they are for engaging with at least one groove 21 provided in the receptacle 2. The locking device 32 is rotatably connected to the plug body 31. When the plug body 31 is inserted into the receptacle 2, the protruding portions 321 slide along straight groove portions 211, which in the shown orientation of the connector system 1 are mainly vertical. Upon rotating the locking device 32, the protruding portions 321 will slide along the grooves 21, from the straight groove portions 211 and further along sloped groove portions 212, consequently assisting in pushing the plug body 31 further into the receptacle 2.

One of the protruding portions 321 of the locking device 32 is here further shown connected to an extension bolt 33. The extension bolt 33 is for providing better grip and/or leverage when rotating the locking device 32 into or out of the receptacle 2. Additionally, the extension bolt 33 also allows easy connection of an extension arm 331 (shown in Figs.

1d and 1e) to further increase the torque to lock or unlock the locking device 32. Further, the extension bolt 33, or eventually the extension arm 331, may be provided with a grip 332 for easier access. The grip 332 may be a knot like a monkey’s fist at the end of a flexible element 333 like a rope. It may be easier for an ROV to get a good grip around such flexible element 333 than to get hold of a more rigid element.

The locking device 32 is here further shown provided with eye bolts 323 as safety pins for the protruding portions 321. The protruding portions 321 may be released from the security device 32 after removal of the eye bolts 323.

The plug assembly 3 is further provided with an ROV handling interface 34 for connection with a lifting tool for lifting or lowering of the plug assembly 3 out of or into the receptacle 2. The handling interface 34 is here shown as a handle 34. The purpose of the handle 34 is to provide proper grip for the operator who is to rotate the locking device 32. The extension bolt 33 may be used by the operator to lock and unlock the locking device 32 if the available torque applied to the handling interface 34 is not enough to overcome the present friction. The extension arm 331 may be manufactured to any desirable length to increase the available torque to operate the locking device 32.

To prevent that the plug body 31 is pushed out of the receptacle 2, for example by inside pressure, an innermost end of the sloped groove portion 212 may be equipped with a recess 213, i.e., the grooves 21 may culminate in recesses 213, best visible on Fig.1c, to trap the protruding portions 321 of the locking device 32. To further assist in this, the receptacle 2 may be provided with a locking flap 22 for locking the protruding portion 321 in place when the locking device 32 has been fully rotated and the plug body 31 is engaged in the receptacle 2. The locking flap 22 is in this embodiment shown as a hooked element rotatably arranged on the receptacle 2.

This particular embodiment of the plug body 31 is provided with seals 311 for sealing against an inner wall of the receptacle 2. The seals 311 are radial seals, and the seals 311 are for pressure containment. The seals 311 that seal between the plug body 31 and the receptacle 2 will cause substantial friction. In separating the locking device 32 from the plug body 31 this friction is not hindering an operator (e.g. ROV, diver, etc.) in rotating the locking device 32.

Figs. 1b and 1c show the connector system 1 of Fig.1a after insertion of the plug assembly 3 into the receptacle 2, and subsequent rotation of the locking device 32. Fig.1b, which is a cross-sectional view of the connector system 1 of Fig.1a, shows further features of the plug assembly 3 and the receptacle 2. A sloped contact surface 25 provided in the receptacle 2 corresponds with a sloped contact surface 313 of the plug body 31. The sloped contact surface 313 may be arranged above or below the seals 311. The sloped contact surfaces 25, 313 are for increasing resistance against outside over-pressure, or inside under-pressure. These sloped contact surfaces 25, 313 ensure proper force transfer between the plug body 31 and the receptacle 2.

The seals 311 arranged on the plug body 31 are only engaging a sealing surface 24 of the receptacle 2 after the engagement of the protruding portions 321 in the sloped groove portions 212 of the grooves 21. No friction is therefore present upon insertion of the plug body 31 into the receptacle 2. In the process of inserting the plug body 31 into the receptacle 2, the locking bolts, i.e., the protruding portions 321, slide along the vertical, or straight, groove portions 211 until they reach the end of the straight groove portions 211. The plug body 31 can only progress further into the receptacle 2 by rotating the locking device 32. By doing so, the seals 311 eventually engage the sealing surface 24 of the receptacle 2. The sloped groove portions 212 provide increased force to push the plug body 31 into the receptacle 2. The lower the angle of the sloped groove portions 212 are, the stronger the pushing force. This force can therefore be increased by decreasing the angle of the grooves 21 while still using the same torque on the handle or pulling/pushing force on the extension bolt 33.

The connector system 1 is shown mounted on a base 4. This base 4 might be a portion of a suction anchor (not shown) or any other device submerged in water, especially submerged in seawater. Also, it is in particular the receptacle 2 of the connector system 1 which is mounted on the base 4. Mounting of the receptacle 2 on the base 4 may be done by welding, gluing, bolting, or any other method known in the trade. In an alternative embodiment of the connector system 1, the receptacle 2 may be integrated in the submerged device, such as the suction anchor.

The receptacle 2 is provided with an inner wall 23, and part of the inner wall 23 constitutes the sealing surface 24 for sealing contact with the plug body 31. In this embodiment, as mentioned hereinabove, the seals 311 are not engaging the sealing surface 24 when the plug body 31 is lowered into the receptacle 2. Therefore, no friction is present and the process of inserting the plug body 31 is not limited by available forces of the operator. Figs.1b and 1c show the connector system 1 in fully closed, or sealed, condition.

To further reduce the friction between the protruding portions 321 and the grooves 21 the grooves 21 may be coated with a low-friction coating. Another way to reduce this friction is to construct the protruding portions 321 in the form of a bearing or low-friction bushing 324. Alternatively, to reduce the friction between the seals 311 and the sealing surface 24 a low-friction coating may be applied to the sealing surface 24. Yet another way to reduce this friction is to choose soft materials for the seals 311, and/or to lubricate the seals 311 with grease or similar friction-reducing agents. To further reduce the friction the seals 311 may have a flexible geometry, like for example bi-directional lip seals or U-cup seals, that yields considerable deformation with low compression forces.

When removing the plug body 31 from the receptacle 2 the sloped groove portion 212 will provide an increased force to remove the plug body 31 from the receptacle 2 in a similar, but reverse, manner as described above for insertion of the plug body 31. During this process, the seals 311 are disengaging the sealing surface 24 before the protruding portions 321 are at the upper end of the sloped groove portions 212, where the sloped groove portions 212 of the grooves 21 meet the straight groove portions 211 which are coaxial with the receptacle 2. The increased force from the sloped groove portion 212 assists the operator in pulling the plug until the seals 311 are completely disengaged from the sealing surface 24, while the friction is at its maximum.

The locking device 32 may be connected to the plug body 31 by means of a securing element 5. The securing element may in some embodiments, like the one on Figs.1a-1h, comprise a stem, also named a connection bolt 51, that extends through the plug body 31 and is secured at the bottom end for instance by means of a locking disk 52 and a locking nut 53. This is especially helpful if the plug body 31 is made of a light, low strength material like thermoplastics. In order to seal the gap between the plug body 31 and the connection bolt 51 at least one seal 513 is positioned between the two elements. Two seals 513 may be provided, for enabling a pressure test of the seals 513.

The connection bolt 51 may be provided with a test port 512 which allows connection between a plug body bore 314 and a connection bolt bore 511, as shown in Fig.1b. By applying pressure (e.g., by air, water, oil, or the like) to the test port 512 a pressure test can be performed for testing the seals 311 between the receptacle 2 and the plug body 31, as well as the seals 513 between the connection bolt 51 and the plug body 31 in connected position.

The protruding portions 321 and the extension bolt 33 may be removable from the locking device 32. This enables the removal of the plug body 31 in case the locking device 32 should fail, for example due to marine growth over an extended period of time.

Figs. 1d-1h show variants of the embodiment shown on Figs.1a-1c. One of the protruding portions 321 is shown connected to the extension bolt 33 and also the extension arm 331 as mentioned hereinabove. Further, Figs.1d-1f show the connector system 1 when the plug body 31 has been inserted in the receptacle 2 and the protruding portions 321 have reached the bottom of the straight groove portion 211, but before rotation of the locking device 32. Figs.1g and 1h show a top view and a side view, respectively, of the locked and sealed condition as also shown on Figs.1b and 1c. The locking device 32 has been rotated, and the protruding portions 321 have reached the recesses 213 at the end of the sloped groove portions 212.

Figs. 2a-2d show a different embodiment wherein the securing element 5 is a ring 54 which is fixed to the plug body 31 by means known in the trade, for example bolting, welding, or gluing. The handle 34 in this embodiment is directly hinged onto the protruding portions 321. The protruding portions 321 may have an end cap 322 that prevents the handle 34 from disengaging.

The securing element 5 may be a closed ring over the whole circumference, or alternatively it may consist of multiple sections. Establishing the securing element 5 in multiple sections may allow the handle 34 to be mounted on the inside of the receptacle 2, depending on the spacing between the securing element sections and the length of the groove 21.

Figs. 3a-3d show yet another embodiment. The plug body 31 is here formed as a connection plug, for example to connect a pump. In this embodiment a connection element 55, also named a pump connection 55, is located on top of the plug body 31. The plug body 31 is provided with an axial through bore 312. The pump connection 55 may be mounted on the plug body 31, for example by bolting, welding, or gluing, herein illustrated by securing bolts 56. The securing ring 54 as shown in Figs.2a-2d may in this embodiment be directly integrated into pump connection 55, i.e. the pump connection 55 also functions as the securing element 5. As an alternative to the handle 34 of Figs.2a-2d this embodiment may use extension bolt 33 as primary means of locking and unlocking the plug body 31. Fig.3b shows the embodiment of Fig.3a in locked condition.

Figs. 4a-4d show yet another embodiment. The plug body 31 is here formed as a connection plug for multiple conduits 60. The conduits 60 have their counterparts, called sockets 61, in a receiving part, called socket base 62. In order to match the rotational orientation of the plug body 31 relative to the socket base 62, an indexing mechanism (not shown) is recommended. Figs.4b and 4d show the embodiment of Figs.4a and 4c in locked condition. Figure 4b illustrates how the conduits 60 have engaged into their respective sockets 61. In this embodiment, the securing element 5 is shown comprising securing bolts 56 for securing the connection 55 to the plug body 31.

Figs. 5a-5d show an alternative embodiment for the locking device 32. In this embodiment the locking device 32 comprises a locking ring 320. This locking ring 320 may be manufactured out of two half-parts that are bolted together. This way the securing element 5 becomes superfluous, or rather, as shown on the Figures, the plug body 31 itself constitutes the securing element 5, in that the locking ring 320 of the locking device 32 is positioned in a groove in the plug body 31. The protruding portions 321 and the extension bolt 33 may or may not be detachable from the locking device 32. However, the possibility to have the protruding portions 321 and the extension bolt 33 detachable provides a contingency for the removal of the plug body 31 in case the locking device 32 is not able to provide enough upwards force to remove the plug body 31. This is especially desired for long term applications for usage of the connector system 1. A lifting point 315 may be provided on the plug body 31 to allow the operator and/or a crane or winch wire to connect to the plug body 31 to lift the plug assembly 3 out of the receptacle 2. Figures 5a and 5c illustrate this embodiment with the handle 34 installed and the protruding portions 321 in place, whereas Figures 5b and 5d illustrate the same embodiment having the handle and protruding portions removed and the plug body 31 being prepared for removal.

Figs. 6a-6d show a further embodiment of the connecting system 1. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown on Figs.5a-5d, in that the locking device 32 comprises a locking ring 320. However, instead of the plug body 31 also functioning as the securing element 5, the locking ring is herein held in place by means of for instance securing bolts 56 or screws.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

Claims (15)

C l a i m s

1. A connector system (1) for subsea equipment, the connector system (1) comprising:

- a receptacle (2);

- a plug assembly (3) comprising:

- a plug body (31) for being placed in the receptacle (2); and - a locking device (32) rotatably connected to the plug body (31) and provided with at least one protruding portion (321);

wherein the receptacle (2) is provided with at least one groove (21) arranged to receive the protruding portion (321) of the locking device; and

wherein the groove (21) comprises a sloped groove portion (212) so that, upon rotation of the locking device (32), the protruding portion (321) is guided by the groove (21) forcing the plug body (31) further into the receptacle (2) and securing the plug body (31) in the receptacle (2).

2. The connector system (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a securing element (5) connected to the plug body (31) for securing the locking device (32).

3. The connector system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receptacle (2) comprises an inner wall (23) having a sealing surface (24) and the plug body (31) is provided with at least one sealing means (311) for sealing against the sealing surface (24).

4. The connector system (1) according to claim 3, wherein, during installation of the plug assembly (3) into the receptacle (2), the at least one protruding portion (321) engages in the sloped groove portion (212) of the groove (21) before the at least one sealing means (311) engages with the sealing surface (24).

5. The connector system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug assembly (3) is further provided with a handle (34) for rotating the locking device (32).

6. The connector system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug body (31) is provided with a through bore (312).

7. The connector system (1) according to claim 6, further comprising a connection element (55) for connecting the plug body (31) to a pump, a tank, or at least one conduit for drainage or supply of a fluid.

8. The connector system (1) according to claim 6 or 7, further provided with at least one conduit (60) for being inserted into the through bore (312), and wherein the receptacle (2) is provided with a socket base (62) for receiving the at least one conduit (60), for creating at least one circuit.

9. The connector system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one conduit (60) comprises one or more of an electrical cable, a data cable, and/or a tubing.

10. The connector system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the plug assembly (3) is further provided with a connection bolt (51) extending through the through bore (312) of the plug body (31).

11. The connector system (1) according to claim 10, wherein the connection bolt (51) is provided with means for pressure testing.

12. The connector system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the at least one protruding portion (321) is extendable for constituting a lever arm protruding to the outside of the receptacle through the corresponding groove.

13. The connector system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one protruding portion (321) is provided with bearings for reducing friction between the at least one protruding portion (321) and the receptacle (2) when the locking device (32) is rotated, and the protruding portion (321) moves in the at least one groove (21).

14. The connector system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug body (31) comprises thermoplastics.

15. A suction foundation comprising a connector system (1) according to any of claims 1-14.