WO2021122063A1

WO2021122063A1 - Connector assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2021122063A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/084666
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wesley Barrett
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2019-12-18
Filing date: 2020-12-04
Publication date: 2021-06-24
Also published as: GB201918749D0; GB2590452A

Abstract

A connector assembly (10) comprising a plug (12) and an axis (18). The plug (12) comprising a housing (20), a carriage (22), a ball valve (16) and a socket contact (24). The housing (20) extends along the axis (18) and having a rack (26) that extends in the axial direction. The carriage (22) defining a passage (30) and having a seat (32) for holding the ball valve (16) in the passage (30). The carriage (22) being axially translatable within the housing (20). The ball valve (16) comprises an aperture (42) therethrough and a pinion (44), the pinion (44) drivingly engages the rack (26) such that translating the carriage (22) in an axial direction rotates the ball valve (16). In first axial position of the carriage (22) within the housing (20) the ball valve (16) is closed and in a second axial position of the carriage (22) within the housing (20), the ball valve (16) is open. Additionally, the connector assembly (10) comprises a receptacle (14) for mating with the plug (12) and for forming a connection therebetween. The receptacle (14) comprising a connector pin (17), the connector pin (17) extending along the axis (18) and a second resilient member (27), the second resilient member (27) extends in the axial direction.

Description

CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to a connector assembly, in particular but not exclusively an electrical connector assembly for subsea, or underwater, operation and a method of operating the connector assembly.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Connections, such as electrical and/or optical connections, are required to be made under water. For example, a subsea installation for the production of hydrocarbons from a subsea well in which different components of the subsea installation require connecting for power and/or data communication. Such connections may comprise a connection from a topside installation, such as a floating or fixed platform or from an onshore site, to a subsea component via an umbilical or subsea cable. Other connections include electrical connections between different type of subsea equipment, such as a connection between a subsea transformer and subsea switchgear for the transfer of electrical power.

Conventional connectors are disclosed in EP 3 148 009 Al, EP 2 854234 A1 and EP 2 854235 Al and which use a shuttle pin design. In EP 3 148009 Al, these connectors comprise a female connector part and a male connector part. The male connector part has a pin for engagement with the female part which has a connector body, with a front portion having an opening for receiving the pin and a chamber inside the connector body. The chamber is filled with a dielectric liquid and houses a shuttle pin. The shuttle pin is configured to seal the opening in the front portion when the female connector part is in an unmated state. The shuttle pin slides inside the connector body during mating of the female connector part with the male connector part. A first latching mechanism latches the shuttle pin to the pin of the male connector part during mating. A second latching mechanism latches the shuttle pin or the pin inside the connector body in the mated state. Whereas these shuttle pin designs provide good connections there is always a desire to improve sealing, operational performance, ease of connection and longevity.

Other known connectors are disclosed in W09733348 (Al), WO9931540 (Al) and W003048827(A1).

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect a connector assembly comprises a plug and an axis. The plug comprises a housing, a carriage, a ball valve and a socket contact. The housing extends along the axis and having a rack that extends in the axial direction.

The carriage defines a passage and has a seat for holding the ball valve in the passage. The carriage is axially translatable within the housing. The ball valve comprises an aperture therethrough and a pinion, the pinion drivingly engages the rack such that translating the carriage in an axial direction rotates the ball valve. In a first axial position of the carriage within the housing the ball valve is closed and in a second axial position of the carriage within the housing, the ball valve is open.

The connector assembly may comprise a receptacle for mating with the plug and for forming a connection therebetween, the receptacle comprises a connector pin, the connector pin extending along the axis and a second resilient member, the second resilient member extends in the axial direction.

The connector assembly may comprise an unmated condition, an initial engagement condition, a part-mated condition and a mated condition, wherein in the unmated condition the plug and receptacle are not in contact with each other. In the initial engagement condition the second resilient member may be in contact with the carriage and the carriage is in the first axial position where the ball valve is closed. In the part- mated condition the second resilient member may be in contact with the carriage and the carriage is in the second axial position where the ball valve is open. In the mated condition the connector pin may extend through the aperture of the ball valve, the carriage is in the second axial position and the connector pin connects to the socket contact.

The plug may comprise a first resilient member. The first resilient member may be disposed between the housing and carriage to bias the carriage towards the first axial position with a first biasing force.

The receptacle may comprise a body and a second resilient member. The second resilient member may extend from the body in the axial direction and in the part-mated condition or the mated condition the carriage may be biased in an axial direction with a second biasing force such that the carriage is in the second axial position.

The second bias force may be greater than the first biasing force such that the carriage is maintained in the second axial position by the second resilient member. Preferably the second biasing force may be at least 1.5 times greater than the first biasing force.

The plug may comprise a volume and a reservoir. The reservoir may be fluidly connected to the volume. The volume may be defined at least partly by the housing and the ball valve. The volume and reservoir may be filled with a dielectric fluid, for example oil.

The reservoir may be elastically expandable. Preferably, the reservoir may comprise a bellows.

The seat may comprise any polymeric material such as Nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly ether ether ketone or a metal.

The seat may comprise a forward angled surface and a rearward angled surface. The angled surfaces may be facing each other. The ball valve seals against both angled surfaces to form forward and rearward ball seals.

In first axial position of the carriage the aperture may be between the forward and rearward ball seals and the ball valve is closed. In a second axial position of the carriage the aperture may be not between the forward and rearward ball seals and the ball valve is open.

The pinion has a rotational axis. The rotational axis may be perpendicular to the axis and between the first axial position and the second axial position the ball valve may be rotated between 45° and 135⁰ about the rotational axis. Preferably the ball valve is rotated approximately 90° about the rotational axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example of a connector assembly and associated method of operation in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a part cross-section of a connector assembly of the present invention and shows a plug and a receptacle in an unmated condition and not in contact with each other and where a ball valve is closed;

Figure 2 is a view on Arrow A shown in Figure 1 and shows the ball valve and a rack and pinion mechanism capable of rotating the ball valve; in this figure the ball valve has been rotated relative to Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a part cross-section of the connector assembly of the present invention and shows the plug and the receptacle in an initial engagement condition where a second resilient member of the receptacle is in contact with a carriage that holds the ball valve of the plug;

Figure 4 is a part cross-section of a connector assembly comprising the plug and the receptacle in an intermediate engagement or part-mated condition where the ball valve is open and is in accordance with the present invention; Figure 5 is a part cross-section of a connector assembly comprising the plug and the receptacle in a fully mated condition where, in this example, an electrical contact is formed and in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a part cross-section of a connector assembly 10 comprising a plug 12 and a receptacle 14 in an unmated condition and where a ball valve 16 is closed. The connector assembly 10 comprises an axis 18 which is common to both the plug 12 and the receptacle 14 when in a mated condition. Figure 2 is a view on Arrow A shown in Figure 1 and shows the ball valve and a rack 26 and pinion 44 mechanism capable of rotating the ball valve 16.

The connector assembly 10, which in this exemplary embodiment, is an electrical connector assembly and which is intended for use in a subsea location. In the subsea location, the environment is exceptionally harsh having very high pressures. The connector assembly 10 may be used in other environments which are more or less harsh than subsea.

The receptacle 14 comprises a body 15 and a pin contact 17 which are generally arranged around the axis 18. The body 15 has a base portion 19 and a cylindrical portion 21. The cylindrical portion 21 extends in the axial direction from the base portion 19, where the base portion 19 effectively closes a first end 25 of the cylindrical portion 21. The cylindrical portion 21 is open at its second end 23. A pin contact 17 is mounted to the base portion 19 and extends along the central axis 18 and towards the second end 23. The receptacle 14 comprises a second resilient member 27 that extends from the base portion 19 along the axial direction and around the pin connector 17. A ring 29 is connected to the opposite end of the second resilient member 27 to the base portion 19. The ring 29 is slidably mounted around the pin contact 17 such that an axial force against the ring in the direction towards the base portion 19 will compress the resilient member 27 and move the ring 29 towards the base portion 19; release of the force will allow the second resilient member 27 to urge the ring 29 away from the base portion 19 and to the position shown in Figure 1. The second resilient member 19 is a single spring that surrounds the pin connector 17, but in other examples the second resilient member 19 may be an array of springs or other spring-like devices such that the ring 29 is forced towards the unmated condition as shown in Figure 1. The ring 29 is optional in other embodiments and the second resilient member 19 may abut a carriage 22 of the plug 12 directly and as will be described below. Alternatively, the ring 29 may be integral to the second resilient member 27.

The plug 12 comprises a housing 20, the carriage 22, the ball valve 16 and a socket contact 24. The housing 20 is elongate along the axis 18 and has a rack 26 that extends in the axial direction. The housing 20 is generally tubular about the axis 18 and defines a volume 28 within which the carriage 22 is located.

The carriage 22 is generally tubular and its radially outer surface fits closely with the radially inner surface of the housing 20. The carriage 22 defines a passage 30 generally extending along the axis 18. The carriage 22 comprises a seat 32 for holding the ball valve 16 in the passage 30. The carriage 22 is axially translatable within the housing 20 and, in particular, the carriage 22 is slidably mounted within the housing 20.

The passage 30 has an inlet 46, that in the second axial position a forward end 48 of the plug 12. At the rearward end 49 of the plug 12and of the passage 30 there is a socket contact 24. The socket contact 24 is arranged for connection to the pin connector 17. The socket contact 24 is generally arranged about the axis 18.

The seat 32 is formed by two opposing seat members 34, 36. Each seat member 34, 36 is annular and has angled surfaces 38, 40 respectively. The angled surfaces 38, 40 are angled a with respect to the axis 18 and such that the surfaces 38, 40 are facing toward each other. The angled surface 38 faces partly rearwardly and radially inwardly and the angled surface 40 faces forwardly and radially inwardly. An angle a is defined as the angle from the axis 18 to the tangent on the surface 38, 40 at the point of contact with the ball valve 16. The angle a is approximately 45° but can be an angle between 15° and 75° and preferably between 30° and 60°. The ball valve 16 sits against both angled surface 38, 40 in continuous contact around their circumferences to form two seals while holding the ball valve 16 in axial and radial position.

The ball valve 16 comprises an aperture 42 therethrough and which is preferably the same shape, e.g. circular, and size, e.g. diameter, in cross-section as the passage 30 of the carriage 22. Preferably, the aperture 42 and passage 30 have a circular cross section. The ball valve 16 comprises a pinion 44. The pinion 44 extends in a radial direction along axis 80 which is perpendicular to the axis 18 and drivingly engages the rack 26 such that translation of the carriage 22 causes pinion 44 to rotate as it travels along the rack 26 thereby causing the ball valve 16 to rotate as shown by arrow 82.

On the opposite side of the ball valve 16 to the inlet 46, the volume 28 is filled with oil 90, although other dielectric liquids 90 may be used. The oil 90 is in a sealed part of the volume 28 which is rearward of the ball valve 16. A reservoir 50 is fluidly connected to the volume 28 via a passageway 84 in the housing 20. As the carriage 22 is translated rearwardly the oil passes through the passageway 84 and into the reservoir 50. The reservoir 50 has a variable capacity and so accepts the oil moving from the volume 28 and its volume increases. Similarly, when the carriage 22 is translated forwardly the oil 90 is forced to flow from the reservoir 50 into the volume 28. The forcing can be as a result of the negative pressure caused by the carriage 22 increasing the volume 28 and by the positive pressure from the elastic nature of the reservoir 50 returning to its nominal size and because of external ambient pressure.

In one example, the reservoir 50 may be formed from an elastic material or arrangement and expands and contracts to accommodate the oil 90 from the volume 28. In another example, the reservoir 50 may be in the form of a bellows as shown in Figure 1. In yet another example, the reservoir 50 may be a cylinder having a moving piston head which is biased via a spring to maintain some pressure in the oil 90. In these and other examples of the reservoir 50, the reservoir 50 may be passive, that is freely allow the ingress and egress of oil 90 or the reservoir 50 may be biased against the in-flow of oil 90. In this latter case, the increase in pressure within the reservoir 50 and its biasing can help to bias the carriage 22 towards its first axial position as shown in Figure 1. The reservoir 50 is a single device as shown in Figure 1 but may be a plurality of devices 50. The reservoir 50 may be annular or an annular array of devices arranged about the axis 18.

The plug 12 further comprises a first resilient member 52. The first resilient member 52 is disposed within the volume 28 and between the housing 20 and carriage 22 to bias the carriage 22 towards the first axial position, i.e. towards the forward end 48 of the plug 12, with a first biasing force. The first resilient member 52 is a single spring as shown in Figure 1 or may be a number of individual springs or other form of biasing device as known.

The plug 12 further comprises a socket contact 24 at a rearward region 54 of the plug 12. The socket contact 24 is generally formed about the axis 18. The socket contact 24 is at the end 56 of the volume 28. The socket contact 24 is an electrical contact and when mated to the pin connector 17 may transmit electricity or data or other electronic signals.

The plug 12 comprises a number of O-ring seals to prevent undesirable fluid movement or ingress of fluids. The O-ring seals are located in generally annular trenches, with a part of the O-ring seal proud of its trench when not sealing against another body. A first seal 58 is located in a radially inward surface of a forward part of the seat 32. A second seal 60 and a third seal 62 are located in a radially inward surface of a rearward part of the seat 32 and carriage 22 respectively. A fourth seal 64 and a fifth seal 66 are located between the seat 32 and the carriage 22. A sixth seal 68 is located between the housing 20 and the carriage 22. A seventh seal 70 is mounted between the housing 20 and the socket contact 24. An eighth seal 72 is mounted between the carriage and the pinion 44. These O-ring seals 60-72 are fabricated from elastomeric material such that the seals 60-72 display rubber-like elasticity and are flexible enough to form good surface contact between components and while being virtually impermeable.

In addition to these seals 60-72, the ball valve 16 and seats 38 and 40 advantageously form two ball seals 39, 41, one at a forward part of the ball valve 16 and another at a rearward part of the ball valve 16 to yet further seal against fluid movement within the connector assembly 10. As will be appreciated the ball seals 39, 41 between the ball valve 16 and seats 38 and 40 are annular about the ball valve 16. In an unmated condition, as described with reference to Figure 1, the ball seals 39, 41 seal around their entire annular extent and similarly in a fully mated condition as described with reference to Figure 5 the ball seals 39, 41 seal around their entire annular extent. That is the sealing contacts between the ball valve 16 and seats 38 and 40 are not interrupted by the aperture 42. However, during rotation of the ball valve 16 the aperture 42 will cross the annular contacts of the ball seals 39, 41 and the seal will be temporarily lost, although for this very short time the other seals 60-72 seal against fluid movement.

This double sealing against the ball valve 16 is advantageous because it removes the necessity to flush out any undesirable ingress of fluids that the known shuttle pin designs can require.

One advantage of the present connector assembly 10 and in particular the ball valve 16 is that the assembly 10 is relatively short when compared to the conventional shuttle pin and spring arrangements as described in the preamble. This shorter connector assembly 10 is useful because the size, weight and cost of the connector are reduced. Also, a shorter connector assembly 10 makes subsea manipulation by a diver or remotely operated vehicle and the mating operations simpler.

Another advantage is that the ball valve 16 does not trap or hinder the removal or insertion of the pin contact 17 because the ball valve 16 is arranged only to rotate before the pin contact 17 enters the aperture 42 and after the pin contact 17 exits the aperture 42. Thus, the ball valve 16 cannot rotate when the pin contact 17 is at least partly inserted into the aperture 42.

In the described prior art devices typical high-voltage subsea connectors use semi- conductive rubber diaphragms (dual or triple layer mouldings) to control the electric field and prevent high electrical stresses. These are typically complex mouldings which can be susceptible to degradation in oils or other fluids due to permeation. The present invention allows for the electric field to be controlled by applying a metallic layer 31 to the outside of the polymeric pin 17 and a metallic layer 33 to the outside of the socket contact 24 thereby fully controlling the field with solid insulators.

The mating sequence for the connector assembly 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 1, 3-5.

Figure 1 shows the receptacle 14 and the plug 12 aligned along the axis 18 and in an unmated condition. Here, the carriage 22 is in a first axial position in the housing 20 and the ball valve 16 is closed, that is, no fluid can pass through the aperture 42. Fluid is also prevented from passing around the ball valve 16 by virtue of the seat 32 sealing against the ball valve 16. The first axial position is where the carriage 22 is at a forward position, preferably the forward most position, in the housing 20. The aperture 42 or more precisely the two open ends of the aperture 42 are in a position between the two ball seals 39, 41 and therefore the ball valve 16 is closed. As shown, the aperture 42 is orientated perpendicularly to the axis 18 which is preferable, but the aperture may be angled such that the openings are anywhere between the two ball seals 39, 42.

Figure 3 shows the receptacle 14 and the plug 12 relatively closer together than in Figure 1 and where the ring 29 contacts the carriage 22. Here the pin contact 17 does not touch the ball valve 16 surface, but the two are very close. The seal 58 now contacts and effectively seals between the pin contact 17 and the seat 32. The ring 29 is also shown as contacting the forward surface of the seat 32, but in other examples could contact the carriage 22. In this condition, the carriage 22 has not yet been translated rearwardly in the housing 20. The cylindrical portion 21 of the receptacle 14 has partly surrounded the housing 20. A clearance between cylindrical portion 21 and the housing 20 is provided to allow ambient fluid out of the cylindrical portion 21 of the receptacle 14.

Figure 4 shows the receptacle 14 further inserted into the plug 12 than in Figure 3 and where the ball valve 16 is rotated such that the aperture 42 is aligned with the axis 18 and the passage 30 i.e. the ball valve 16 is in the open position. The carriage 22 has been slid rearwardly in the plug 12 by the contact and force exerted by the second resilient member 27 via the ring 29. The force exerted via the second resilient member 27 is sufficient to overcome and compress the first resilient member 52. As the carriage 22 slides rearwardly the pinion 44 travels along the rack 26 causing the pinion 44 to rotate and thereby the ball valve 16 is rotated. The oil in the volume 28 is forced into the bellows 50, via the passageway 76, which expands to accommodate the volume of the oil 90 displaced by the movement of the carriage 22. The second resilient member 27 remains substantially uncompressed as its second biasing force is greater than the first biasing force of the first resilient means 52. In this example, the second resilient member 27 is approximately 1.5 times stiffer than the first resilient member

52. In other applications the second resilient member 27 is at least 1.5 times stiffer than the first resilient member 52, for example in the range 1.5 to 3 times stiffer. The carriage 22 has reached is axially rearward-most position and is prevented from further rearward movement by complete compression of the first resilient member 52. Alternatively, further rearward movement of the carriage 22 is prevented by the carriage 22 abutting a rigid stop member 53 that extends axially forward from the housing 20 and within the chamber 28. The stop member 53 is positioned such that the carriage 22 can translate axially rearwardly a sufficient amount to align the aperture 42 and the passage 30 but no more.

Figure 5 shows the receptacle 14 fully inserted into the plug 12 where the pin contact 17 has connected to the socket contact 24 for electrical contact. The pin contact 17 extends completely through the ball valve 16 now and has engaged the two seals 60 and 62. The second resilient member 27 has compressed the ring 29 against the seat 32 and/or carriage 22 because the carriage 22 has been prevented from further rearward movement by the fully compressed first resilient member 52 and/or the stop member

53. Further oil from the volume 28 has been forced into the bellows 50 which has expanded further as shown by the dashed lines.

The axial distance travelled by the carriage 22 and the gearing of the rack 26 and pinion 44 is selected to ensure the required rotation of the ball valve 16 is achieved. In the forward most or first axial position the carriage 22 abuts a forward facing surface of a stop member 53 which is secured to the housing 20. An external securing mechanism (not shown) is engaged to secure the receptacle 14 and plug 12 together to prevent unintended un-mating. On release of the securing mechanism, the second resilient member 27 forces the receptacle 14 and plug 12 apart in the axial direction and into or towards the relative positions indicated with reference to Figure 4. An external force may be applied between the plug 12 and receptacle 14 to assist in separating or de-mating them. During or after the second resilient member 27 forces the receptacle 14 and plug 12 apart, the first resilient member 52 forces the carriage 22 forwardly, relative to the housing 20, and the receptacle 14 and plug apart in the axial direction and into or towards the relative positions indicated with reference to Figure 3. Further, the pressure in the oil 90, by virtue of the resilient reservoir 50, may assist in returning the carriage 22 to the first axial position. Finally, an external force fully disassembles or de-mates the plug 12 and receptacle 14 as seen in Figure 1.

Advantageously, de-mated the connector assembly 10 is made more reliable and easier because the pin contact 17 cannot get stuck in the ball valve 16. The ball valve 16 does not try to rotate until the pin contact 17 exits the aperture 42 in the ball valve 16 and therefore the ball valve 16 does not trap against the pin contact 17.

Advantageously, the seat 32 comprises Nylon, but the seat 32 may be manufactured from any polymeric material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or the seat 32 may be a metal. These materials for the seat 32 offer negligible permeation rates and have relatively high temperature capabilities and have an overall broad temperature range. The bellows 50 is manufactured from a metal or metal alloy, although the bellows 50 may also be fabricated from other resilient materials such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Thus, the presently described connector assembly 10 can be used in relatively high temperature applications.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a rack and pinion mechanism, a roller and pinion mechanism, as known in the art, may be readily substituted and is hereby included in the scope of the term ‘rack and pinion’.

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

It should be noted that the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Although the invention is illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the examples disclosed, and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A connector assembly (10) comprises a plug (12) and an axis (18), the plug (12) comprises a housing (20), a carriage (22), a ball valve (16) and a socket contact (24), the housing (20) extends along the axis (18) and having a rack (26) that extends in the axial direction, the carriage (22) defines a passage (30) and has a seat (32) for holding the ball valve (16) in the passage (30), the carriage (22) is axially translatable within the housing (20), the ball valve (16) comprises an aperture (42) therethrough and a pinion (44), the pinion (44) drivingly engages the rack (26) such that translating the carriage (22) in an axial direction rotates the ball valve (16), in a first axial position of the carriage (22) within the housing (20) the ball valve (16) is closed and in a second axial position of the carriage (22) within the housing (20), the ball valve (16) is open.

2. A connector assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, the connector assembly (10) comprising a receptacle (14) for mating with the plug (12) and for forming a connection therebetween, the receptacle (14) comprises a connector pin (17), the connector pin (17) extending along the axis (18) and a second resilient member (27), the second resilient member (27) extends in the axial direction.

3. A connector assembly (10) as claimed in claim 2, the connector assembly (10) comprises an unmated condition, an initial engagement condition, a part-mated condition and a mated condition, wherein in the unmated condition the plug (12) and receptacle (14) are not in contact with each other, in the initial engagement condition the second resilient member (27) is in contact with the carriage (22) and the carriage (22) is in the first axial position where the ball valve (16) is closed, in the part-mated condition the second resilient member (27) is in contact with the carriage (22) and the carriage (22) is in the second axial position where the ball valve (16) is open, in the mated condition the connector pin (17) extends through the aperture (42) of the ball valve (16), the carriage (22) is in the second axial position and the connector pin (17) connects to the socket contact (24).

4. A connector assembly (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 wherein the plug (12) comprises a first resilient member (52), the first resilient member (52) being disposed between the housing (20) and carriage (22) to bias the carriage (22) towards the first axial position with a first biasing force.

5. A connector assembly (10) as claimed in claim 2 and claims 3-4 when dependent on claim 2 wherein the receptacle (14) comprises a body (19) and a second resilient member (27), the second resilient member (27) extends from the body (19) in the axial direction and in the part-mated condition or the mated condition the carriage (22) is biased in an axial direction with a second biasing force such that the carriage (22) is in the second axial position.

6. A connector assembly (10) as claimed in claims 5 wherein the second bias force is greater than the first biasing force such that the carriage (22) is maintained in the second axial position by the second resilient member, preferably the second biasing force is at least 1.5 times greater than the first biasing force.

7. A connector assembly (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1-6 wherein the plug (12) comprises a volume (28) and a reservoir (50), the reservoir (50) is fluidly connected to the volume (28), the volume (28) is defined at least partly by the housing (20) and the ball valve (16), wherein the volume (28) and reservoir (50) is filled with a dielectric fluid.

8. A connector assembly (10) as claimed in claim 7 wherein the reservoir (50) is elastically expandable, preferably the reservoir (50) comprises a bellows.

9. A connector assembly (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1-8 wherein the seat (32) comprises any polymeric material such as Nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly ether ether ketone or a metal.

10. A connector assembly (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1-9 wherein the seat (32) comprises a forward angled surface (38) and a rearward angled surface (40), the angled surfaces (38, 40) facing each other, the ball valve (16) seals against both angled surface (38, 40) to form forward and rearward ball seals (39, 41).

11. A connector assembly (10) as claimed in claim 10 wherein in first axial position of the carriage (22) the aperture (42) is between the forward and rearward ball seals (39, 41) and the ball valve (16) is closed and in the second axial position of the carriage (22) the aperture (42) is not between the forward and rearward ball seals (39, 41) and the ball valve (16) is open.

12. A connector assembly (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1-11 wherein the pinion (44) has a rotational axis (80), the rotational axis (80) is perpendicular to the axis (18) and between the first axial position and the second axial position the ball valve (16) is rotated between 45° and 135⁰ about the rotational axis (80), preferably the ball valve (16) is rotated approximately 90° about the rotational axis (80).