US3602873A

US3602873A - Underwater electrical connection station

Info

Publication number: US3602873A
Application number: US798937A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas W Childers
Original assignee: Exxon Production Research Co
Current assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
Priority date: 1969-02-13
Filing date: 1969-02-13
Publication date: 1971-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 1988-08-31

Abstract

Apparatus and method for protectively making, breaking and housing ''''live'''' electrical connections underwater. An underwater container in communication with environmental water encloses a hydrophobic dielectric fluid of lower specific gravity than environmental water above an opening permitting access to the dielectric fluid for manipulating electrical connectors admitted into said container. Holders may be provided within the container to retain the electrical connectors in the fluid. The opening may be closed by a nonsealing cap. A method of making an underwater connection includes securing a first electrical connector in an underwater container above an opening in a lower portion of the container before or after establishing a body of hydrophobic dielectric fluid of lower specific gravity than water in said container sufficient for immersion of the first electrical connector. A second electrical connector connectable with the first electrical connector is then introduced into the container and elevated into the dielectric fluid. The connectable electrical connectors are than connected while immersed in the dielectric. To break the connection, the container is entered by the opening and the connected electrical connectors are disconnected while immersed in the dielectric fluid.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Thomas W. Childers Woodland Hills, Calif. [21] Appl. No. 798,937 [22] Filed Feb. 13, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 31, 1971 [73] Assignee Esso Production Research Company [54] UNDERWATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION STATION 12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

(52] US. Cl 339/117, 61/69 [51] Int. Cl. ..II0lr 13/60, a l-10lr 19/16 [50] Field of Search 339/94, l 111, 117; 200/150; 166l.5,.6;61/69; 174/1706, l 17.08, 8,31,37, 39,38

(56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,100,721 11/1937 Parsons 247/4 3,211,223 10/1965 Hoch 166/.6 3,324,449 6/1967 McLoad.... 339/1 17 FOREIGN PATEN 441,995 3/1927 Germany 174/ 17.06

TO S-ERVICE Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore AttorneysThomas B. McCulloch, Melvin F. F incke, John S.

Schneider, Sylvester W. Brock, .lr., Kurt S. Myers and Timothy L. Burgess ABSTRACT: Apparatus and method for protectively making, breaking and housing live" electrical connections underwater. An underwater container in communication with environmental water encloses a hydrophobic dielectric fluid of lower specific gravity than environmental water above an opening permitting access to the dielectric fluid for manipulating electrical connectors admitted into said container. Holders may be provided within the container to retain the electrical connectors in the fluid. The opening may be closed by a nonsealing cap.

A method of making an underwater connection includes securing a first electrical connector in an underwater container above an opening in a lower portion of the container before or after establishing a body of hydrophobic dielectric fluid of lower specific gravity than water in said container sufficient for immersion of the firstv electrical connector. A second electrical connector connectable with the first electrical connector is then introduced into the container and elevated into the dielectric fluid. The connectable electrical connectors are than connected while immersed in the dielectric. To break the connection, the container is entered by the opening and the connected electrical connectors are disconnected while immersed in the dielectric fluid.

PATENTEUAUBBI um 3,602,873

4- FROM POWERSOURCE -|6 27;

INVENTOR. THOMAS W- CHILDERS,

2 POWEZ SUPPLY -"Jnn BY f SERVICE LINES 5 ATTOR EY.

' UNDERWATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION STATION t BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION electrical connection to one or more service lines of such apparatus. When it is necessary to repair or replace such electrical apparatus underwater, it is highly desirable to be able to protectively make and break live" connections (i.e., with the power on) underwater so that it is not necessary to disrupt service to other parts of a limited system. This the present state of the art does not permit. (Representative of the art in US. Pat. No. 3,324,499

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore one purpose of the present invention to provide apparatus and method for making and breaking electrical connections oflive" underwater conductors.

It is another purpose or object to provide apparatus in which broken live electrical connectors can be housed underwater.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus containing water in communication with environmental water, but in which live" electrical connections may be protectably housed, made and unmade.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus which may be fabricated of virtually any transparent material to permit diver observation underwater of actions conducted within the apparatus.

Briefly, these and other objects of the invention are accomplished by enclosing a hydrophobic insulator fluid of lower specific gravity than environmental waters above an accessway in a container which is in communication with environ- 1 mental waters that form an interface in the container with the fluid. The fluid serves as a nonconductive medium in which electrical connectors may be protectably housed, connected and disconnected by manipulations made through the accessway. Holders may be provided to retain one or more of the connectors above the interface. Means may be provided in the container below the interface to admit electrical connectors iiito the container. In one aspect of the invention, means are provided in the container for sealingly admitting insulated lead lines of the electrical connectors into the container above the interface. In another aspect of the invention, means are provided for nonsealingly closing the accessway.

' A method of making an underwater connection with this apparatus includes the step of securing a first electrical connector in a container above an accessway in the container either before or after establishing a body of hydrophobic insulating fluid having a specific gravity lower than water in the con tainer and of quantity sufficient to allow immersion therein of said first electrical connector. Thereafter a second electrical connector connectable with the first electrical connector is introduced into the container and immersed in the insulating fluid, after which the two electrical connectors are connected in the insulating fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Forms in which the invention may be embodied are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an underwater station of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment an underwater station of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The forms shown in the drawings will now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating how the general principles of the invention may be carried out. v

Referring now to the drawings, in which identical numbers refer to corresponding or like parts, reference numeral 10 generally indicates an underwater station constructed in accordance with the present invention. Located beneath the surface of sea or other waters 1 1, station 10 is typically placed at or near underwater wellhead production facilities which have parts, such as valves, controls, and telemetry equipment, that are operated, directly or indirectly, by electrical power supplied to that site. In the forms illustrated in FIG. 1 and 2, station 10 embodies a container 12 formed of a roof l3 unitary with sidewalls 14 terminating in a lip 15, which defines an accessway or opening 16 in the base of the container. As shown for the station of FIG. 2, ridges 17 on the exterior surface of the lip 15 of the sidewalls 14 are shaped to engage spring detent members 18 located on the inside of upstanding flange 19 of a snap-on cap 20, which is used to nonsealingly close the opening 16 of the container. In the form which the station 10 takes in FIG. 2, opening 16 is nonsealingly closed by a like snap latch on a hinged trapdoor 20A.

- Enclosed within container 12 above opening 16 is a body of hydrophobic insulator or nonconductive dielectric fluid 12 of specific gravity lower than that of the environmental water 11. A suitable-such fluid is an oil, advantageously clear or transparent, which is essentially free of electrically conductive qualities. Fluid 21 may be introduced into container 12 by means of a fluid fill line 22 in a sidewall 14 of the container, or through opening 16 of the container when cap 20 is removed or door 20A is opened. Sufficient of fluid 2l is let in to displace environmental water 11 from the container 12 until the body of fluid 21 is large enough to permit insulative manipulation of electrical connectors immersed therein. An interface 23 formed between fluid 21 and water 11 defines the lowermost level of the body of fluid 21. The closure of opening 16 by cap 20 ro door 20A reduces the loss of fluid 21 from the container as a result of turbulence or current action of environmental water 11, and serves to exclude crabs, fish and other sea life from the container.

Electrical connections within the container 12 are accomplished with a plurality of mateable electrical connectors, or contacts, in insulated electrical communication with insulated electrically conductive underwater power and service lines. These lines may be admitted into container 12, and positioned in insulating fluid 21 above interface 23, in a number of ways.

Nonsealing admission into container 12 below the body of insulating fluid 21 is illustrated in the drawings; Service and power supply lines, terminating, respectively, in

electrical connectors

24 and 25, pass through inferiorly disposed holes 26 in the sidewalls 14 (FIGS. 1, 2) or floor 33 (FIG. 3) of the container. The holes are closed to most marine life by nonsealing grommets 27. A nonsealing entrance (not illustrated) may be through opening 16 in stations omitting closure of opening 16, or, if closure is provided, by holes in nonsealing closures such as cap 20 or door 20A. Alternatively, or in combination with nonsealing admission below fluid 21, one or more of the power and/or supply lines may be sealingly introduced into container 12 above interface 23. This is, however, less desirable, since provision of sealed entrance entails greater expense and risks loss of fluid 21 should the seal about such entrance be lost.

In side container 12, electrical connectors 24 may be supported within the fluid 21 above the interface 23 when connected or disconnected. Power line connector 25 is preferably permanently secured to the container, superiorly, so as to be above interface 23, by a suitable fastener 28. However, power line connector 25 may be removably held above interface 23 by means of a holder, such as the holder 29 provided for retention of service line connector 24 when connector 24 is disconnected from power line connector 25. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, holder 29 is a hook, secured to wall 14, which may catch a loop attached tothe insulative housing of connector 24. In FIG. 3, holder 29 is a chain fixed at one end to the insulator housing of socket board 30, and at the other end to insulative material on service line connector 24 (and also to the housing of a lead-in power line connector Brackets and other holder means may be suitably employed. If desired, the holder for the service line may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 3, where for clarity of illustration, fluid 21 and waters 1] are not shown, container 12 is provided with a socket board anchored to roof 13. A battery of sockets 25 are adapted to connect with a plurality of plugs 24. Each plug may be specifically indexed so that it will insert only in a companionally indexed socket. The container is closed except for an opening 16A provided in the inferior portion ofa sidewall 14. Slideways 31 and 32 secured to the upper and lower borders, respectively, of opening 16A slidably mount therein a slide door 208 for nonsealing closure of opening 16A.

Because of the nonsealing closure of opening 16 and the nonsealing entrances below the level of interface 23, hydrostatic pressure is essentially equal across the walls of container 12. Consequently, container 12 may be fabricated in whole or part from virtually any material which can be used in surface level waters, Thus, the smaller containers, such as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, may be made of clear plastic or glass. Larger battery-type containers, as illustrated in FIG. 3, may have clear glass or plastic windows 34. In either case, communication of the container with environmental water permits use of relatively inexpensive clear materials which enables divers to view their manipulation of the electrical connectors in the container.

The height of container 12 relative to its diameter should be sufficient, at least, to enclose a volume of fluid 21 above interface 23 permitting immersion by fluid 21 of electrical connections, as well as the making and breaking of electrical connections. Advantageously, the level of interface 23 will permit making and breaking of electrical connections without displacement of fluid 21 from the container by the entrance ofinserted arms and hands of divers, or inserted and remotely manipulated tools.

In a method of making an electrical connection underwater according to the present invention, a diver secures a first electrical connector (such as power line connector 25) to a superior portion of one of containers 12, either before or after the diver or another has established a body ofinsulating fluid 21 in the container sufficient for immersion of electrical connectors posited therein, which may be to a level above access opening 16 or 16A, and desirably, above nonsealing opening 26. To establish the body of fluid 21 in the container, the diver discharges a hydrophobic insulating fluid having a specific gravity lower than water into the container, as by pouring it into fluid fill line 22 or into container 12 through access opening 16, to displace adequate amounts of environmental water in the container. Means heretofore disclosed may be used to secure the first electrical connector in the upper portion of the container. Admission of the first electrical connector to the container may be through nonsealed holes 26 in the container, or through opening 16 or 16A, or through a sealed hole in the container, as described hereinbefore.

After establishment of the body fluid 21 in the container and after securing the first electrical connector in the upper portion of the container for insulative immersion by the fluid 21. the diver then inserts a second electrical connector matingly connectable with the first electrical connector (for example, a service line electrical connector 24) through a hole 26in wall 14 (FIGS. 1, 2) or floor 33 (FIG. 3). With the cap 20 off the container (FIG. 1), or the trapdoor 20A swung open (FIG. 2), or the slide door 208 slid open, the diver then inserts one hand through the opening 16 or 16A and grasps the second electrical connector, which he elevates in container 12 through interface 23 into fluid 21 until it is juxtaposed to the first electrical connector with which it is matingly connectable. (Or he can simply carry the second electrical connector through opening 16 or 16A to juxtaposition with the first electrical connector). He then inserts the contact prongs of one of the connectors into the contact receptacles of the other connector to make electrical connection therebetween; for example, he may plug service line connector 24 into power line socket connector 25 to make an electrical connection. Instead of using his hand to manipulate the electrical connectors, the diver may employ an appropriate tool or a remote manipulator, particularly if the size of the opening 16 is too small to permit satisfactory handling of the connectors.

To break any of the electrical connections made in the underwater stations 10 the diver removes the snapoff cap 20 or swings open trapdoor 20A, or slides open slide door 20B to gain access to opening 16 or 16A of containers 12. He then passes his hand and arm, or a manipulating tool, or a remote manipulator, into the opening, and, observing his actions through the clear plastic or glass walls 14 (FIGS. 1, 2) or window 34 (FIG. 3), he elevates his hand, or a remote manipulator, up through interface 23 into insulator fluid 21, where he grasps the unsecured electrical connector (for example, service line plug 24) and disconnects the connected electrical connectors in the insulating fluid.

To retain the disconnected electrical connector within the insulating fluid in the container, the diver removably fastens the disconnected electrical connector to a holder, such as hook 29, by suitable means as hereinbefore described. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the disconnected plug connectors 24 are held above interface 23 by chain holders 29.

Thus, it is apparent that the objects of the invention are accomplished. By providing a sufficient quantity of a nonconductive fluid of specific gravity lower than water in a container in communication with environmental water, an insulating medium is established underwater for making, breaking, and housing electrical connections of live underwater conductors. The communication of water inside the container below the nonconductive medium with water outside the container equilibrates the pressure across the container walls and allows the container to be fabricated of transparent materials such as glass or plastic, thereby permitting diver observation of underwater actions conducted within the apparatus. While specific embodiments showing means by which these objects can be obtained have been depicted herein, it is manifest that other embodiments or improvements may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined in the subsequent claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of making an underwater electrical connection comprising the steps of:

a. securing first electrical connection means within an underwater container above an accessway in the container;

b. displacing water in the container with a hydrophobic insulating fluid having a specific gravity lower than water sufficiently to immerse said first electrical connection means in said insulating fluid;

c. introducing into said container and positioning in said fluid second electrical connector means engageable with said first electrical connector means; and

d. connecting said first and second electrical conductor means in said fluid.

2. A method of making an underwater electrical connection comprising the steps of:

a. securing first electrical connection means within a body of hydrophobic insulating fluid having a specific gravity lower than water and enclosed within an underwater container above an accessway in the container, said container being in communication with environmental water whereby an interface is established in said container between said body of fluid and said water;

b. introducing said container and positioning above said interface second electrical connector means engageable with said first electrical connection means; and

c. connecting said first and second electrical conductor means above said interface.

7 3. The method of claim 2 further comprised of the step of first displacing water in said underwater container with a hydrophobic insulating fluid having a specific gravity lower than water, before said step (a), to establish said body of fluid.

4. A method of breaking underwater an electrical connection of electrical connectors where said connectors are housed in a nonconductive fluid above an opening in an underwater container, said container being in communication with environmental water, comprising:

entering the container through said opening with manipulative means and,

disconnecting the electrical connectors in the nonconductive fluid.

5. The method of claim 4 in which the disconnected electrical connectors are retained in the nonconductive fluid by holders within said container.

6. An underwater apparatus for protectively connecting, disconnecting and housing live,- current-carrying electrical leads, comprising:

enclosure means underwater defining a chamber in fluid communication with environmental water for enclosing above said water a body of hydrophobic insulating fluid having a lower specific gravity than said water, said insulating fluid and water defining an interface,

a body of said insulating fluid in said chamber,

electrical connector means in said insulating fluid for connecting and disconnecting leads of insulated electrically conductive lines, and

inlet'means to said chamber below said interface providing access to said electrical connector means whereby electrical connections can be safely made or broken underwater while a current is supplied to one of said leads.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of means for nonsealingly closing said inlet means.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of means apart from said inlet means for admitting at least one of said electrical connector means into said enclosure means below said interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of means within said enclosure means for holding at least one of said electrical connector means above said interface.

10 The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of means for sealingly admitting at least one of said electrical connector means into said apparatus above said interface.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said insulator fluid is a clear oil.

12. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said enclosure means includes a fluid impermeable transparent window above said inlet means sufficiently large to permit observation of manipu lations conducted upon said electrical connector means to make and break electrical connections between leads of insulated electrically conductive lines.

Claims

1. A method of making an underwater electrical connection comprising the steps of: a. securing first electrical connection means within an underwater container above an accessway in the container; b. displacing water in the container with a hydrophobic insulating fluid having a specific gravity lower than water sufficiently to immerse said first electrical connection means in said insulating fluid; c. introducing into said container and positioning in said fluid second electrical connector means engageable with said first electrical connector means; and d. connecting said first and second electrical conductor means in said fluid.

2. A method of making an underwater electrical connection comprising the steps of: a. securing first electrical connection means within a body of hydrophobic insulating fluid having a specific gravity lower than water and enclosed within an underwater container above an accessway in the container, said container being in communication with environmental water whereby an interface is established in said container between said body of fluid and said water; b. introducing said container and positioning above said interface second electrical connector means engageable with said first electrical connection means; and c. connecting said first and second electrical conductor means above said interface.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprised of the step of first displacing water in said underwater container with a hydrophobic insulating fluid having a specific gravity lower than water, before said step (a), to establish said body of fluid.

4. A method of breaking underwater an electrical connection of electrical connectors where said connectors are housed in a nonconductive fluid above an opening in an underwater container, said container being in communication with environmental water, comprising: entering the container through said opening with manipulative means and, disconnecting the electrical connectors in the nonconductive fluid.

6. An underwater apparatus for protectively connecting, disconnecting and housing live, current-carrying electrical leads, comprising: enclosure means underwater defining a chamber in fluid communication with environmental water for enclosing above said water a body of hydrophobic insulating fluid having a lower specific gravity than said water, said insulating fluid and water defining an interface, a body of said insulating fluid in said chamber, electrical connector means in said insulating fluid for connecting and disconnecting leads of insulated electrically conductIve lines, and inlet means to said chamber below said interface providing access to said electrical connector means, whereby electrical connections can be safely made or broken underwater while a current is supplied to one of said leads.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of means for sealingly admitting at least one of said electrical connector means into said apparatus above said interface.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said insulator fluid is a clear oil.

12. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said enclosure means includes a fluid impermeable transparent window above said inlet means sufficiently large to permit observation of manipulations conducted upon said electrical connector means to make and break electrical connections between leads of insulated electrically conductive lines.