NO329847B1 - Connection to make an optical connection underwater - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an optical coupling for making an optical connection under water or in a wet environment.

Optical fibers are often used for communication purposes and it is also necessary to make an optical connection between the ends of such fibers. This generally involves connecting two connecting components that each contain respective fibers and making an end-to-end contact between the fibers. In the case of underwater connections, it is known to provide the connecting components with end seals, so that the optical fiber ends are protected from the environment when the components are in the disconnected state, the end seals opening during connection to allow a passage of one of the optical fiber ends through it to establish the optical connection.

It has been proposed e.g. in US-A-4 887 883 to provide the two connecting components in an underwater optical fiber connector with end seals each comprising a relatively thick (in the axial direction) sealing element with an axial opening formed therethrough. The axial openings are kept closed by the elasticity of the sealing elements when the components are disconnected from each other and during connection a rod construction with optical fibers is pushed through the adapted sealing elements for the two components. The axially directed optical end face of the optical fibers then establishes contact with the end face of the optical fibers in the second connection component. However, there is a risk with such an arrangement that damage occurs to the optical end surfaces of the optical fibers caused by particles of sand, silt or the like that have settled on the sealing elements. Such particles can be transferred to the end surface of the rod-drilled optical fibers when this is forced forward through the sealing elements and can be carried forward and clamped between this end surface and the end surface of the other optical fibers.

Another arrangement using sealed chambers that open during alignment to establish an optical connection between axially aligned end faces of optical fibers is described in WO-A-9 622 554. During coupling, the end of a rod carrying an optical fiber leaves a coupling component , a chamber for this component and arrives at a chamber in the other component. Instead of having elastic sealing members, in this arrangement, with axial openings that must be forced open by the rod, each connecting component has a laterally movable port to open the respective chamber during the fit. During the connection, the movable gate opens in the chamber with the rod end first and the rod end passes through an area containing ambient water and the movable gate in the second chamber opens for the rod to enter. The rod is then guided axially along an oil-filled tube of approximately the same diameter as the rod and forces oil out of the tube via a side valve until end-to-end engagement is performed between the respective optical fibers. With such an arrangement there would again be a risk that particles of waste would settle on the end face of the rod carried by the optical fiber and then be carried forward along the oil-filled tube to be sandwiched between the end face and the end face of the other optical fiber with a such arrangement, if the surrounding water contains waste, e.g. sand, herring or similar. Furthermore, the mechanism and the sealing arrangement are complicated, which is not desirable in underwater operations.

Alternative optical couplings for underwater use have been proposed in WO-A-8 500 899 and GB-A-2 166 261, with laterally opposed optical end faces rather than axially aligned end faces. In these arrangements, a probe in a male connector component is used to push back a stop piston in a female connector component so that a lateral optical end surface of the probe forms an optical coupling with a laterally opposed optical end surface in the female connector component. In the disconnected position, the optical end surface of the probe is covered by a sleeve. During connection, the sleeve slides back axially along the probe at the same time as a wiper passes over the optical end face to coat it. Likewise, a wiper on the stop piston will smooth the optical end surface in the female connection component when the stop piston is pushed back. Although these known proposals avoid the problem of debris being left on an axial end face of an optical element as it leaves the housing, they must rely on the efficiency of the wiper, and if the wipers are checked after a period of time, the optical interconnect may become contaminated. In the connected state of the connection, the area where the optical connection is made is not sealed to the outside and can therefore be exposed to contamination.

Another optical coupling has been proposed in WO 98/45899, where the use of axially directed end faces of the optical components to be coupled is avoided. In this arrangement, a female connector component has a plurality of optical contacts arranged in an annular chamber in a housing, with peripheral spaces around the outside of a retractable cover sleeve pointing inwardly toward the cover sleeve. A male coupling component has an axially centered thrust member which is also provided with a retractable cover sleeve. Multiple flexible tubes holding optical fibers are carried at peripheral intervals around the outside of the back of the pusher and project forward in a cantilevered fashion. The flexible tubes extend radially outwards and also forwards, so that their own elasticity forces them against the inside of the tire sleeve. When the male and female coupling components are to be matched, a sealing ring on the push element grips the cover sleeve of the female connection component, while a sealing ring on the housing of the female connection component grips the cover sleeve of the male connection component. During the further axial engagement, the thrust member pushes the female cover sleeve rearward to retract it and the female housing pushes the male cover sleeve rearward to retract that sleeve. Finally, the annular chamber where the optical contacts of the female connecting component are the space is joined with the area where the cantilevered flexible tubes of the male connecting component are carried. The flexible tubes are released from being held down by the male cover sleeve and distributed outwards into internal guide grooves in the female housing. Optical contacts at the end of the flexible tubes then complete the optical circuits together with the optical contacts in the female component.

From the known technique, further reference should be made to US 4756595.

According to the invention, a connector is provided for making an optical connection under water or in a wet environment, comprising first and second connection parts that can be put together, the first connection part having a first optical element for establishing an optical connection with a second optical element in a second connecting part when the connecting parts are put together, the first connecting part having a probe and the second connecting part having a chamber containing a fluid medium and which is provided with a seal defining an opening thereto, the probe having a front part for penetrating into the chamber in the second part containing fluid medium during assembly of the connecting parts, so that when the connecting parts are assembled, the probe provides an optical path between the first connecting part and the chamber for the second connecting part, thereby establishing optical connection between the first and second optical elements , the optical path extending from the first coupling part along zone it and into the chamber of the second connecting part obliquely in relation to the axial direction, characterized in that the probe during the assembly of the connecting parts slides axially through the opening in a sliding engagement with the seal and continues to do so as the forward part of the probe moves into the chamber containing the fluid medium.

The probe in the first connection part thus gains access to the chamber in the second connection part and provides an optical path between the connection parts to establish the optical connection. When the connection parts are brought together, the probe extends through the opening to the chamber in the second connection part in a sealing relationship together with the seal, and thus achieves tight communication between the two connection parts, in a simple way.

The connection can be arranged so that the second optical element, after the probe has entered the chamber for the second connection part, moves forward via the probe into the first connection part where the optical connection between the first and second optical elements is established. Preferably, however, the first optical element arrives in the chamber for the second connection part and the optical connection between the first and second optical elements is established therein.

In preferred arrangements, the first optical element is placed inside the probe, at least while guiding the probe through the seal at the opening of the chamber in the second connecting part. This ensures protection of the first optical element during the fitting, e.g. against waste that has settled on the non-adapted components.

The first optical element can be uncovered by a side opening of the probe, ready for connection to the second optical element. Preferably, however, the probe comprises relatively movable parts which are arranged to be able to enclose the first optical element when the first and second connection parts are not assembled and open after the probe has entered the chamber in the second connection part to enable optical connection between the first and second optical elements. As the probe in this way slides axially through the opening of the second connecting part's chamber in a sliding engagement with the seal during the connection, the probe can essentially maintain the seal with the seal and thus keep the chamber tight against the ingress of dirt. One of the respectively movable parts of the probe can take the form of a cover that can swing sideways outwards to achieve the desired opening, or it can be a cover that can retract in relation to the rest of the probe. In a preferred arrangement, the coupling comprises a first spring which can be deformed during a first coupling phase of the coupling parts, until the front part of the probe is placed in the chamber of the second coupling part containing the fluid medium and a second spring which can be deformed during a second phase during the coupling of the connection parts so that the front part of the probe can move forward in relation to the rear part and thereby enable the optical connection between the first and second optical elements.

The optical elements to be connected do not need to be in physical contact with each other, e.g. if they include extended connections for the beam, e.g. a planoconvex rod lens, a graduated index rod lens (GRIN), or a spherical lens. It is currently preferred to use fittings that are brought into physical contact to achieve the optical coupling. It is generally useful to use an arrangement where one of the optical elements can help with this. After the probe has arrived in the chamber in the second connecting part, at least one of either the first or second optical element is arranged to be able to move from a retracted position to a connecting position. The optical element can be held in the retracted position during the initial mating and kept protected from dirt. It can then move forward to the connection method to establish the optical connection after the probe is connected to the two connection parts.

In preferred embodiments, it is the first optical element that is arranged to be able to move relative to the probe from the retracted position to the coupling position, the first optical element projecting laterally from one side of the probe when it is in the coupling position.

It is particularly preferred that the first optical element is arranged to be able to move in relation to a guide part of the probe during the coupling of the coupling parts, the guide part being able to force the first optical element laterally outwards in relation to the probe from a retracted position to a coupling position during the coupling . Thus, the first optical element is forced into its coupling position during the coupling and preferably also forced into its retracted position during the disconnection of the guide part. This provides a controlled movement and ensures reliable establishment of the optical connection.

By not making use of the elasticity of a flexible tube to be able to move the first optical element to its coupling position, the possibility of a permanent locking or release in such a flexible tube is eliminated if the coupling is left unaligned for a period of time and thus prevents proper function . Preferably, the probe has a surface which is inclined in relation to the axial direction and which leads the first optical element to the coupling position. Although the first optical element may be carried on a flexible carrier, it is preferably carried on a fixed carrier to aid in alignment accuracy during the establishment of the optical link. The first carrier can be held at a fixed angle in relation to the axial direction and must be able to move laterally to establish the optical coupling, e.g. using a cam arrangement.

It is further preferred that the first optical element is carried by the probe at or near an area where the optical connection to the second optical element is to be established. If, on the other hand, the first optical element was carried by the probe at a great distance from where it is connected to the second optical element, there would be a certain risk of misalignment of the optical elements. Such a risk of misalignment can be significantly minimized with the preferred arrangement.

The seal at the chamber opening of the second connection part can be of the type that is self-closing, e.g. by means of the elasticity of the material from which it is made and which can be forced open by the probe during the coupling of the coupling parts. However, it is preferred that the second connector is provided with a piston which is elastically biased to a forward position where it grips a radially inwardly facing surface of the seal to close the opening thereby formed when the connectors are disconnected, the piston being able to be gripped by the probe and forced rearwardly during mating of the coupling parts, after which the probe grips the radially inwardly facing surface of the seal to close the opening thereby formed. With such an arrangement, the piston blocks the chamber opening when the coupling parts are disconnected and the probe can block the chamber entrance when the coupling parts are connected.

The invention will now be described with reference to examples of embodiments, and with reference to the attached drawings, where: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of a first connecting part along lines I-1 in fig. 3; fig. 2 is a longitudinal view of the first connecting part along lines II-II in fig. 3; fig. 3 is an end view of the first coupling part; fig. 4 is a top view of a probe in the first connecting part; fig. 5 is a longitudinal section along the center line of fig. 4, showing the probe with the optical contact in a retracted position; fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the center line of FIG. 3 showing the probe in a coupling position; fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a second connecting part along the lines VII-VII in fig. 9; fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the second connecting part along lines VIII-VIII in fig. 9; fig. 9 is an end view of the second coupling part; fig. 10 is a perspective view of the inside of the second coupling part, with the parts removed for clarity; fig. 11 is an end view of the inside of the second coupling part; fig. 12 is a longitudinal section of first and second coupling parts before coupling; fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of first and second coupling parts in a first step of the coupling; fig. 14 is a longitudinal section of first and second coupling parts after coupling; fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the construction of the probe for the first connector; fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the probe construction; fig. 17 is a top view of another embodiment of the probe, fig. 18 is a longitudinal section along the center line of fig. 17 showing the optical element in a retracted position; fig. 19 is a view similar to fig. 18, but shows the optical element in a switching position; fig. 20a-20d are schematic longitudinal views, partly in section and partly in elevation, of another embodiment showing first and second coupling parts at various times during the coupling; fig. 21a-21d are longitudinal views, partly in section and partly in elevation, of another embodiment showing first and second coupling parts at various times during coupling; fig. 22 is a longitudinal view of an outer sleeve of the first coupling part of fig. 21a-21b; fig. 23 is a longitudinal view of an internal body of the first connecting part of fig. 21a-21d; and fig. 24a-24d are longitudinal views, partly in section and partly in elevation, of first and second connecting parts in another embodiment at different stages during the connection.

The embodiment in fig. 1-14 will now be described. Fig. 1-3 show a first connecting part 2 with a contact 4 to receive a plug 6 in a second connecting part 8, shown in fig. 7-9. An axially arranged probe 10 projects forwards from a rear carrier 12. An optical fiber 16 extends into the probe 10 via a rear opening 11 which is plugged by an epoxy water block and along a passage 18 in the probe to an optical connector 20 spaced in an inclined passage 22 of the probe. An optical pin 21 is provided on the front of the optical connector 20. A front opening 21 is provided at the front end of the inclined passage 22 where a seal 216 is also provided.

The construction of the probe 10 is best seen in fig. 4-6 and 15. At its front end the probe has a nose 200. Behind it is an electrical probe contact 202. The probe contact part 202 is carried at the front end by a pair of axially extending conductive arms 204 which extend into a sliding sleeve 206 made of an insulating material. At its rear end, the sliding sleeve has a rear shoulder 207 which engages the front end of a spring 208, the rear end of which engages a shoulder 210 provided at the rear of the guide arms 204. The nose piece 200, the probe contact piece 202 and the guide arms 204 are all fixed in position in contact 4, as the sliding sleeve can be pushed backwards in relation to it.

The optical contact 20 is carried in a fixed, optical contact support tube 212, the front end of which grips the inclined passage 22 which is arranged in the sliding sleeve 206. The optical contact 20 is thus carried at an angle in relation to the axial direction. A pair of outwardly directed tabs 214 are provided at the rear of the carrier tube 212 and engage in respective transverse slots 216 arranged in the guiding arms 204. On the front of the sliding sleeve 206 is the seal 216.

As can be seen from fig. 15, the conductive arms 204 are provided as two separate members to which the pin contact end 202 is attached by a press fit pin 218 in an electrically conductive manner. The sliding sleeve 206 is provided with a pair of axial passages 220 to receive the respective conductive arms 204. The optical contact carrier tube 212 and the arms 204 pass through respective openings in the seal 216 in a tight manner.

In the version in fig. 16, a single, partially circular arm 205 is provided, in place of the leading arms 204, and a single passage 220 of similar shape is provided in the sliding sleeve 206. A corresponding opening is provided in the seal 216 to receive the single arm 205 in a tight way. The rear end of the arm 205 is conductively connected to a rear shoulder element 211.

The optical contact 20 is the space in the periphery of the probe, seen in the axial direction, when the connecting parts are disconnected, as shown in fig. 1, 2 and 4. It therefore does not protrude from the probe. An electrical wire extends rearward from the conductive arms 204 to a solder point at the rear of the first connector.

A shuttle 24 is slidably carried in the contact 4 in the first coupling part 2. The shuttle 24 is forward biased by a spring 26 which rests against the support 12 but at the rear. The spring 26 forces the shuttle 24 forwards, so that a pair of radially inward and projecting wedges 28 of the contact 4 grip the rear ends of the respective wedge grooves 29 in the outer wall of the shuttle 24 to thereby form the forward position of the shuttle 24. The wedge and the wedge track arrangement also prevent the shuttle from rotating in the contact, while at the same time it can move further.

The shuttle 24 has a rear wall 30 to which the probe 10 is slidably sealed by means of a pair of O-rings 32. The shuttle forms a chamber 34 around the front of the probe 10 (the "probe chamber"). The probe chamber 34 is formed in a bladder 36 filled with fluid medium. The bladder 36 has a thick front wall 38 provided with an opening 40 which is tightly gripped by the front end of the probe. The bladder has a thin side wall 42 which extends to a rear flange 44 between the rear wall 30 and a sleeve holding bladder 46. The sleeve holding bladder is carried by an outer sleeve 48 of the shuttle 24 and is provided with radial ports (not shown ) which is in connection with radial ports (not shown) in the outer sleeve 48 between the sleeves 46 and 48. The outer sleeve 48 is exposed to the ambient water in the contact 4 via radial ports 53. The outside of the bladder's side wall 42 is therefore effectively exposed to external pressure and thus volume changes in the probe chamber 34 to equalize the pressure therein with the external pressure in order to minimize a tendency for water or other contaminants from the outside to enter the probe chamber 34.

The probe chamber 34 comprises an external sub-chamber 56 and four internal sub-chambers 58. Each internal sub-chamber is formed by an internal bladder 60 which rests on a rear wall 30 and which projects forwards therefrom. The internal bladder 60 has a thick front wall 62 provided with an opening 64 through which the probe 10 passes in a sliding and tight manner. The inner bladder 60 has a thinner side wall 66 which is carried on an inner bladder sleeve 68 which is provided with radial ports (not shown) to connect the side wall 66 to the inside of the sub-chamber 58. The outside of the bladder side wall 66 is exposed to the pressure in the outer sub-chamber 56, so that the inner partial chamber 58 can equalize its pressure in relation to the outer partial chamber 56. The outer partial chamber 56 can equalize the pressure in relation to the outside by exposing the bladder side wall 42 to the external pressure via the previously described, radial ports.

Both the front opening 27 for the optical fiber passage 22 and the electrical contact 25 are placed in an internal sub-chamber 58 when the coupling parts are disconnected as shown in fig. 1, 2 and 4.

The second connecting part 8 will now be described. The plug 6 has an alignment groove 126 which engages a corresponding wedge 128 in the connector 4. A fiber optic 76 extends forwards from an epoxy water block 300 into a chamber 78 at the front of the plug 6. At its front end, the fiber optic 76 is provided with an optical connector 80 arranged at an angle in relation to the axial direction. The optical connector comprises a spring 82 which enables a backward elastic movement of a connector 84 in front of the optical connector. This is a known optical contact arrangement. The optical connector 80 and its mounting arrangement are carried on an optical connector carrier 81.

The chamber 78 with the fluid medium is formed in a bladder 86 with a thick front wall 88 provided with an opening 90, in which a shuttle piston 92 is tightly gripped. An electrical contact ring 130 is connected to a solder point 132 on the back of the plug 6. The bladder 86 has a peripherally extending, thin side wall 94 which terminates on the back in a flange 96 caught between a rear wall 98 and a bladder holder sleeve 100. The holder sleeve 100 is provided with radial ports 102 and the plug 6 are provided with radial ports 104. The outside of the side wall 94 of the bladder is thus connected to the outside via radial ports 102, a radial space 106 between the bladder holding sleeve 100 and the inside of the plug 6, and the radial ports 104 through the plug . The connection between the outside of the bladder 86 and the external environment allows the bladder to change its volume in response to external pressure changes and displacements due to probe 10 penetration. The pressure in the chamber 78 can thus be equalized with the external pressure to minimize the possibility that water or contaminants can penetrate into the chamber from the outside.

The chamber 78 in the second connecting part 8 is divided into an external sub-chamber 108 and four internal sub-chambers 110. Each internal sub-chamber 110 is formed in an internal bladder 112 which extends forwards from the rear wall 98. The internal bladder 112 has a thick, front wall 114 provided with an opening 116 through which the shuttle piston 92 passes in a tight manner. The inner bladder 112 has a peripherally extending, thin side wall 118, the outside of which is exposed to the pressure in the outer sub-chamber 108 to thereby enable pressure equalization between the inner sub-chamber 110 and the outer sub-chamber 108. The inner bladder 112 is carried at its front end on a sleeve 120 around the shuttle piston 92. The sleeve 120 is provided with a slotted opening 122 to allow the optical connector 84 to be placed close to the shuttle piston and, as will be described later, to allow the optical contact pin 21 on the first connector part to access the optical connector 84. The interior 112 comprises a tube side part 121 which receives the optical connector 84.

The shuttle piston 92 is biased forward by a spring 124, so that the shuttle piston, in the non-adapted position of the second coupling part 8 shown in fig. 7, blocks and closes the opening 90 which forms the entrance to the fluid-filled chamber 78 and the opening 116 which forms the entrance to the internal sub-chamber 110 of the chamber 78.

The connection procedure between the first and second connection parts will now be described. The coupling parts are brought into axial engagement by moving the two axially towards each other. The plug 6 for the second connecting part arrives at the contact 4 for the first connecting part, so that the front wall 88 of the bladder 86 makes contact with the front wall 38 of the bladder 36. During continued connection, the plug 36 pushes the shuttle 24 backwards (to the left, as shown in the drawings) against the bias from the spring 26. At this time, the sliding sleeve 206 of the probe 10 holds its position in relation to the contact 4 under the influence of the spring 208. The probe 10 pushes the shuttle piston 92 backwards from the plug 6 against the bias from the spring 124. The spring 208 has therefore a larger spring constant than the spring 124, preferably a substantial one.

With continuous coupling, the coupling parts reach an intermediate position as shown in fig. 13. At this point, the springs 26 and 124 have been substantially compressed, but the spring has not been compressed and is held in the sliding sleeve 206 for the probe 10 in its initial overturning.

Upon further coupling of the coupling parts, the plug 6 forces the shuttle 24 further backwards in the contact 4 and presses the spring 26 further together. The shuttle 24 pushes on the rear shoulder 207 of the sliding sleeve 206 to force it rearward into the contact and compress the spring 208. The shuttle piston 92 is pushed rearward by the probe 10 to further compress the spring 124. After these actions are completed the coupling parts are fully connected as shown in fig. 14.

At the intermediate stage, shown in fig. 13, the contact pin 21 of the optical connector 20 is fully seated inside the inclined passage 22 of the probe 10 and will not protrude therefrom. Up to this point, therefore, during the fitting procedure, the probe 10 will pass through the openings 64 and 40 in the front walls 62 and 38 of the bladders 60 and 36, respectively, and through the openings 90 and 106 in the front walls 88 and 114 of the bladders 86 and 112 , without the optical contact pin 21 interfering with the introduction of the probe through these openings. The probe 10 slides axially through these openings in sliding engagement with the respective seals as the nose portion 200 and the probe contact portion 202 move into the chamber 78 of the second connection portion 8.

As the sliding sleeve 206 of the probe 10 is eventually forced backwards from the position shown in fig. 13, to that shown in fig. 14, the inclined passage 22 in the slide sleeve 206 moves backwards along the optical contact carrier tube 212. The rear part of this tube is prevented from moving axially relative to the container by the tabs 214 in the transverse slots 216 in the guide arms 204, while transverse movement is permitted. Thus, the rearward movement of the sliding sleeve 206, by camming action, causes the optical contact carrier tube to move laterally.

Rearward movement of the sliding sleeve 206 also causes it to separate from the probe contact portion 202 and expose the forward opening 27 of the passage 22. Contact pins 21 project from the forward opening 27 of the passage 22 and slide into the contact 84 to establish the optical coupling laterally outward from the probe. The contact pin is thus first "carried" by the probe from the first connection part to the second connection part, after which the optical connection is established in the second connection part.

When it comes to making an electrical connection, this is not done at the intermediate step shown in fig. 13, but is established when the shuttle piston 92 has been forced further back to the locked position shown in fig. 14. At this point, the electrical probe contact portion 202 engages the electrical contact 130 of the plug 6. The above-described embodiment is a four-probe connection allowing four optical connections and four electrical connections. However, the same operating principles may apply to a single probe connection or connections of different numbers or probes.

Fig. 17-19 show another embodiment where the same reference number is used to name the same parts as in the embodiment in fig. 1-15. This embodiment differs, however, in that the optical contact 20 is carried by a fixed tube 250 which itself is carried on the front side of a flexible tube 252. The sliding sleeve 206's backward movement relative to the rest of the probe 10 causes the flexible tube 252 to bend as needed for the optical contact pin 21 so that this can emerge from the front opening 27 in the passage 22 to establish the optical connection.

The mode of operation in the embodiment in fig. 17-19 is otherwise substantially similar to that shown in fig. 1-15.

Figures 20a-20d schematically show the mode of operation in another embodiment. In this case, the probe 10 comprises an inner body 142 and an outer sleeve arranged to slide axially relative to the inner body. A spring 146 biases the outer sleeve 144 to a forward displacement relative to the inner body 142 when the coupling parts are not adapted, as shown in fig. 20a. At this point, the front side opening 27 of the probe 10 is closed by the outer sleeve 144.

The connection procedure is shown in fig. 20a-20d. As can be seen from fig. 20b, the front walls 38 and 88 of the respective chambers 34 and 78 are brought together and the front side of the probe 10 grips the front part of the shuttle piston 92. During the further axial coupling, the spring 124, which biases the shuttle 92, is pressed together so that the probe 10 gets pass through the opening 90 into the chamber 78. As can be seen from fig. 20c, the outer sleeve 144 of the probe is held in its forward, closed position as the probe moves forward through the opening 40 in the chamber 34 and through the opening 90 in the chamber 78. Thus, a good seal is maintained between the probe and the front walls 38 and 88 during the coupling .

After the opening 27 in the front side has entered the chamber 78, during the continued axial coupling, the outer sleeve 10 is forced rearward relative to the inner body 142 of the sleeve against the bias of the spring 146 and the outer sleeve 144 is withdrawn to uncover and open the front side opening 27. This is shown in fig. 20d. The movement of the optical fiber 16 out of the side opening takes place by the compression of a spring 18 and forward movement of the optical contact 20.

In a modification of the embodiment in fig. 20a-20d, a seal can be placed between the outer sleeve 10 and the inner body to provide an additional barrier against seawater. E.g. an O-ring seal may be provided on the inner body 142 to seal with the forward portion of the outer sleeve 144 when in its closed position.

The embodiment in fig. 21a-21d, 22 and 23 are similar to that shown in fig. 20a-20d with the exception that the inner body 142 can rotate in the outer sleeve 144 to uncover and open the front side opening 27. As can be seen from fig. 22, which shows the outer sleeve 144 alone, this includes an angled profile 146 at its front end, and as can be seen from fig. 23, which shows the probe's internal body 142 alone, this has a rearward-facing, correspondingly angled profile 148. As can be seen, e.g. of fig. 21a, the sleeve 150 housing the spring 124 for the shuttle piston 92 is a keyway 152 extending rearwardly, first axially and then axially, with a peripheral component. The shuttle piston 92 is provided with a radially outwardly projecting wedge 153 which engages in the wedge groove. The face of the shuttle piston 92 is provided with an elongated slot 154 which receives a corresponding elongated projection 156 at the front end of the probe 10. The projection and the slot engage together so that the probe and the shuttle piston are connected together in a non-rotatable manner.

The connection sequence is shown in fig. 21a-21d. When the front walls 38 and 88 of the respective chambers 34 and 78 come together, the projection 156 is placed in the slot 154, as shown in fig. 21b. At this time, the front side opening 27 of the probe 10 faces downwards (as shown in the drawing) and the outer sleeve 146 moves through the openings 40 and 90 in the chambers 34 and 78, while maintaining the closed position. There will be no rotation of the shuttle piston 92 and therefore the inner body 142 of the probe at this time, as the key 153 is held in the axially extending portion of the keyway 152.

With continued axial engagement, the wedge begins to move along the peripherally extending portion of the keyway, causing the shuttle piston 92 to rotate and in turn causing the inner body 142 of the probe 10 to rotate. The backward-facing, angled profile 148 of the inner body 142 acts on the forward-facing, angled profile 146 of the outer sleeve 144, so that the inner body is moved forwards in relation to the outer sleeve against the bias from the spring 146. The front side opening 27 in the passage 18 undergoes a half turn to face upwards. Due to the angled profile 146 of the outer sleeve 144, when the inner body rotates to this position, the front side opening 27 is no longer covered by the outer sleeve and consequently the optical pin 21 can emerge from the passage 18 to establish the optical coupling.

As with the embodiment in fig. 20a-20d, the embodiment of fig. 21 a-21 d, 22 and 23 the two front walls 38 and 78 to act on a completely cylindrical probe, all the while to improve the sealing properties of the coupling during the mating procedure.

Fig. 24a-d schematically shows another embodiment of the steps during the connection procedure.

In this embodiment, the probe 10 has a hinged portion 160 which is biased by a spring (not shown) to an open position. As can be seen from fig. 24a, the hinged part 160 is kept closed by means of an edge of the opening 40 in the front wall 38 of the bladder. After the hinged part 160 has passed through the opening 40 and further through the opening 90 in the front wall 88 of the second connecting part 8, it will open so that the optical contact 21 can emerge from the front side opening 27 in the probe and establish optical contact with the optical contact side 84.

In the preferred embodiments, an optical connection generally takes place between a first optical element, in the form of an optical contact 20, and a second optical element, in the form of an optical contact 80. The connection is made possible by the probe 10 penetrating into the chamber 78, whereby the probe provides an optical path between the connecting parts. After this path is provided, the exact location of the optical coupler is not critical. Although it is shown in the preferred embodiments that must take place in the chamber 78, the optical coupling can alternatively take place in e.g. the passage 22 for the probe and/or in the chamber 34.

The inclination of the optical path relative to the axial direction where it passes through the side of the probe will generally be less than 90°. This avoids that the optical fibers 16 and 76 leading to the optical contacts 20 and 80 must turn through a significant angle relative to the axial direction in the direction of the optical path where it passes through the side of the probe. There will usually be a maximum curvature that the optical fibers can be subjected to without signal attenuation or other problems, so that if an optical fiber is turned and a larger angle thereby adds to the requirements for space in the lateral direction. For this reason, smaller angles are advantageous as the width of the coupling can be kept to a minimum.

In the preferred embodiments, a small angle in relation to the axial direction also helps with the placement of the optical contact pin 21 in the optical contact 84 during the connection. It will be seen that the position of the contact pin and the contact holder can be reversed as the pin can be placed on the plug 6 and the contact on the container 4.

The slant angle in relation to the axial direction is preferably less than 60°, more preferably less than 45° and most preferably less than 30°.

There are various advantageous features of the embodiments described here. It will be apparent that features from different designs can be combined in combinations that are not shown in the drawings. E.g. introduction of a device to cover the optical contact in the probe before it has arrived at the second coupling part can be used in the embodiments with external and internal partial chambers in the first coupling part and/or the second coupling part. The coverage can also be combined with the use of a probe that provides both an optical and an electrical connection. Many other combinations are of course possible and the embodiments are only to be considered for illustration purposes and not limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims (18)

1. Coupling for making an optical connection under water or in a wet environment, comprising first (2) and second (8) coupling parts which can be assembled, the first coupling part (2) having a first optical element (20) to establish an optical connection to a second optical element (80) in the second connection part (8) when the connection parts are put together, the first connection part (2) having a probe (10) and the second connection part having a chamber (78) containing fluid medium and which is provided with a seal (88) delimiting an opening (90) thereto, the probe (10) having a front part (200) for penetrating the chamber (78) in the second part (8) containing fluid medium during assembly of the coupling parts, so that when the coupling parts are assembled the probe (10) provides an optical path between the first coupling part (2) and the chamber (78) for the second coupling part (8) and thereby establishes the optical coupling between the first (20) and other (80) optical elements, the optical path extending therefrom first coupling part along the probe (2) and into the chamber (78) in the second coupling part (8) at an angle in relation to the axial direction, characterized in that the probe (10) during the assembly of the coupling parts slides axially through the opening (90) in a sliding engagement with the seal (88) and continues with this as the front part (200) of the probe (10) moves into the chamber (78) containing the fluid medium. 2. Coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the first optical element (20) is placed inside the probe (10) at least during the movement of the front part (200) of the probe through the seal (88) in the second coupling part (8). 3. Coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the probe (10) comprises relatively movable parts arranged to enclose the first optical element (20) when the first (2) and second (8) coupling parts are not assembled and arranged to open after the probe (10) has penetrated the chamber (78) in the second connection part (8) so that the optical connection between the first (20) and second (80) optical elements can be established. 4. Coupling according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a first spring (26) which can be deformed during a first phase of the assembly of the coupling parts until the front part (200) of the probe (10) is placed in the chamber (78) ) in the second coupling part containing fluid medium, and a second spring (208) which can be deformed during a second phase of the assembly of the coupling parts so that the front part (20) of the probe (10) can move forward in relation to the rear part (210) thereby allowing optical coupling between first (20) and second (80) optical elements. 5. Connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the first (20) and second (80) optical element, after the probe (10) has penetrated into the chamber (78) in the second connection part, is arranged for to move from a withdrawn position to a coupling position. 6. Coupling according to claim 5, characterized in that the first optical element (20) can move in relation to a guide part (206) of the probe during the assembly of the coupling parts, the guide part (206) can force the first optical element (20) laterally outwards from the probe (10) from a retracted position to a coupling style during assembly. 7. Coupling according to claim 6, characterized in that the probe (10) has a surface which is inclined in relation to the axial direction which leads the first optical element (20) to the coupling position. 8. Coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second coupling part (8) comprises a pressure balancing device (86) to balance the pressure in the chamber in relation to the external pressure. 9. Coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber (78) in the second coupling part (8) comprises an external partial chamber (108) and an internal partial chamber (110). 10. Coupling according to claim 9, characterized in that the external partial chamber (108) is provided with the seal (88) which delimits the chamber opening (90), and the internal partial chamber (110) is provided with a seal (114) which delimits the internal partial chamber opening ( 116) and where the probe (10), during the assembly of the coupling parts, slides axially through the outer (90) and inner (116) partial chamber openings and in sliding engagement with their respective seals, while the front part (200) of the probe (10) moves into the inner sub-chamber (110). 11. Coupling according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the second coupling part (8) comprises several internal sub-chambers (110) each of which is provided with a respective seal (114) which delimits a respective internal sub-chamber opening (116), and where the first coupling parts (2) comprises several probes (10) which can move during the assembly of the coupling parts into a respective internal sub-chamber (110) in the second coupling part in order to establish several optical couplings. 12. Coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first coupling part (2) comprises a probe chamber (34) where the first optical element (20) is placed when the coupling parts are not assembled, the probe chamber (34) and the probe (10 ) are relatively axially movable so that the probe (10) can come from the probe chamber (34) during the assembly of the coupling parts, and the probe chamber (34) contains fluid medium. 13. Coupling according to claim 10, characterized in that the first coupling part (2) further comprises a pressure balancing device (36) to balance the pressure in the probe chamber in relation to the external pressure. 14. Coupling according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the probe chamber (34) comprises an external partial chamber (56) and an internal partial chamber (58). 15. Coupling according to claim 14, characterized in that the outer (56) and inner (58) sub-chambers of the probe chamber (34) are provided with respective seals (38,62) which delimit respective openings (40,64) thereto and where the probe (10) ), during the assembly of the coupling parts, slides axially through the inner (58) and outer (56) probe part chamber opening (40, 64) in sliding engagement with their respective seals (38, 62). 16. A coupling according to one of the preceding claims 12-15, characterized in that the chamber (78) in the second coupling part (8) and the probe chamber (34) in the first coupling part (2) are sealed from each other when the first (2) and second ( 8) connecting parts are assembled. 17. A coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the probe (10) is provided with a first electrical contact part, and the second coupling part (8) has a second electrical contact part, the first and second electrical contact parts being able to make an electrical contact when the coupling parts are assembled. 18. Coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second coupling part (8) is provided with a shuttle piston (92) which is elastically biased to a forward position where it engages a radially inward facing surface of the seal (88) to close the opening ( 90) bounded thereby when the coupling parts are disconnected, the shuttle piston (92) being able to be engaged by the probe (10) and forced backwards during the assembly of the coupling parts, the probe (10) then engaging the radially inward facing surface of the seal (88) to close the opening ( 90) thereby formed.