GB2250071A - Communication line connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A first connector 17 is coupled to a fluid supply conduit 13 containing an electrical or other communication line. This connector contains a valve element 22 which is biassed to a closed position by a spring 23. The second connector 117 contains an element 31 forming part of the communication line and which is surrounded by a duct 30a. When the connectors are being mutually engaged the conductor 31 displaces the valve element 22 to permit flow from the conduit 13 through the connectors, purging the coupling between the respective sections of the communication line. Initially this flow purges contaminants from within the connectors to the environment through passages provided, but flow to these purging passages is blocked when the connection is fully made. A restricted purging flow-path from the conduit 13 may be provided through the valve element 22. A purging outlet may be provided in the connector 117, preferably valve controlled. To ensure uncontaminated fluid flow to its normal supply destination, fluid flow to that normal destination from the second connector is blocked by the valve 35a until the purging operation is completed. <IMAGE>

Description

CONNECTORS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to connectors which are suitable for use in hostile environments.

BACKGROUND By way of example, the control of a sub-sea well head from an offshore platform is normally effected through an umbilical. Such an umbilical may carry hydraulic power supply conduits for remotely operating apparatus at the well head from the platform, as well as a number of electrical supply lines and cables for supplying electrical power to the well head. The umbilical may also carry electrical, fibre optic and other communication lines for the transmission of signals between the platform and the well head.

Umbilicals are very expensive, and the connections at the sub-sea locations are generally difficult to make. In addition, since they remain surrounded by sea water, such connections are subject to deterioration and/or pollution by sea water which remains trapped in the connection or which later seeps into the connection. The connections can therefore rapidly become unreliable.

The present invention seeks to provide a form of connector which can be easily made and disconnected, and which is capable of a high degree of protection from sea water or other hostile environments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a connection device comprising first and second mutually engageable connectors containing respective sections of a communication line which, in use, are coupled by the connectors, in which the first connector includes a supply path for pressure fluid and a displaceable valve element which, in a closure position, closes the fluid supply path, the arrangement being such that initial mutual engagement of the connectors causes the valve element to be displaced from its closure position to open the fluid supply path.

The term "communication line" as used herein is intended to embrace electrical and optic lines, fine bore hydraulic signalling, and other forms of communication, singly or in plurality.

Although the communication line may be separate from the valve element the sections of the communication line are preferably coupled via the valve element.

The two connectors preferably include mutually abutting sealing faces surrounding the communication line and the valve element, and the arrangement is such that as the sealing faces are brought towards sealable abutment the valve element is displaced to provide a purging flow of fluid to the environment, which purges the coupling between the respective sections of the communication line. When the sealing faces are finally in contact to make a sealed joint, the purging fluid flow path is blocked by the sealing faces. The sealing faces prevent ingress from the environment into the connector should pressure within the connector become less than that outside.

The second connector preferably includes a fluid flow path containing the communication line and which, when the connectors are mutually engaged, communicates with the supply path.

The flow path through the second connector may have a separate outlet to the environment with outlet flow controlled by valve or flow restrictor.

The flow path from the second connector to the normal supply destination may be controlled by a valve, so that flow to normal supply destination may be blocked until the internal areas and surfaces of the connectors are purged, and opened on completion of purging, so ensuring uncontaminated delivery to supply destination.

The valve element will usually be resiliently biassed into its closure position.

A restricted flow path may be provided through the valve element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1A is a diagrammatic sectional view of a control location at one end of an umbilical.

Fig. lb is an axial section through a pair of connectors of the invention at the opposite end of the umbilical, and Fig. 2 is section A-A of Fig. lb.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of Fig. lb to show an optic fibre in the communication line, and a purging facility through the valve element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a control location 11, which may for example be on an offshore platform or an attendant vessel. The location 11 includes a reservoir 12 for pressure fluid such as nitrogen or other dielectric fluid. The reservoir 12 is in open communication with a fluid conduit 13 which travels to a remote location 14 such as a sub-sea well head or a remote operated sub-sea vehicle (ROV) for example.

At the control location 11, an electrical conductor 15 is connected to electrical devices W and X. The conductor 15 travels within an electrically insulating sleeve 16 through the reservoir 12 and within the conduit 13 to a first connector 17 at the remote location 14 for connection with a second connector 117.

The connector 17 includes a generally cylindrical component 18, formed of electrical insulation material, and having, at one end, a radially extending flange 19 adjacent to a part-spherical end face 20. The opposite end of the component 18 is secured within the conduit 13. The component 18 contains an axial bore 21 which is stepped such that the bore portion 21a within the conduit 13 has a relatively large diameter and the opposite portion 21b adjacent to end face 20 has a relatively small diameter. A radial face 21c is defined between the larger and smaller diameter portions 21a and 21b.

The smaller diameter bore portion 21b includes three radially inwardly directed axial ribs 21d, 21e and 21f (see Fig. 2) which slideably guide a check valve element 22. This element 22 is formed of an electrically conductive material and includes a tapered head 22a constituting a closure element. The head 22a is located within the larger bore portion 21a to seat against the radial face 21c under the action of a helical compression spring 23 acting between the head 22a and a circlip 24 located within the larger bore portion 21a.

The electrical conductor 15 is secured to the head 22a to make a good electrical connection therewith, and the sleeve 16 abuts the head 22a.

The first connector 17 also includes an internally threaded tubular element 25 having an inwardly directed flange 25a at one end which is entrapped between the end of the conduit 13 and the flange 19 of the component 18. The element 25 includes apertures 25b and 25c adjacent to the flange 25a.

At the remote location there is also a second connector 117 having a cylindrical body 26, conveniently of an electrically insulating material, one end of which is secured to a housing 27 containing electrical equipment Y and Z. The opposite end of the body 26 is provided with an externally screw-threaded boss 26b with which the element 25 can be threadedly engaged. Element 26 has a through bore 30 which is counter-bored to form a large diameter bore portion 30a and a smaller diameter bore portion 30b adjacent to the housing 27. The large bore portion 30a terminates, at the end remote from the housing 27, in a part-spherical terminal recess 30c, for receiving the part-spherical end face 20 of component 18. An electrical conductor 31, of smaller diameter than the bore 30a, includes an axial extension 31a of reduced diameter, which locates in and is supported by an# insulating bush 32. This bush 32 is stepped to locate partly within the larger bore portion 30a and partly within the smaller bore portion 30b. The free end of the extension 31a is electrically connected to a conductor 33 which enters the housing 27 to connect with the devices Y and Z.

The body 26 contains a radial bore 34 which extends from the larger bore portion 30a to a valve 35a, from which a duct 35 extends to fluid actuated apparatus (not shown). Prior to making the connection the valve 35a is closed to prevent entry of contaminant into the supply path duct 35.

A second radial bore 36, extends from the larger bore portion 30a to the valve 37, from which a duct 38 extends into the environment.

Thus the conduit 13 connects the pressure fluid reservoir 12 with the fluid actuated apparatus via the connectors 17 and 117.

When the first and second connectors 17, 117 are disconnected the spring 23 urges the check valve element 22 into engagement with the radial face 21c thus effectively sealing the bore of the conduit 13 from the surrounding environment, and maintaining fluid pressure in the conduit 13 which at the time of connection is set somewhat higher than that of the environment. (eg. above the hydrostatic pressure of the submerged installation) At this time the valve 35a remains closed to isolate the duct 35 from the surrounding environment.

When the first and second connectors are coupled together by screw threading the element 25 onto the boss 26b, the conductor 31 first displaces the check valve 22 so that its head 22a moves out of sealing engagement with the radial face 21c. The fluid pressure in the conduit 13, which is at a higher pressure than the surrounding water environment, flows through bore portions 21a and 21b of the first connector 17, so that the first rush of fluid displaces sea water between the faces 20 and 30c to exit via the apertures 25b and 25c, so purging the respective sections 22 and 31 of the coupling of the communication line (ie. from the electrical conductor 15 to the conductor 31).

Purging between the coupling faces of the communication line, ie.

at the abutment of element 22 with element 31, is ensured by unstable oscillatory conditions at first contact such that the inrushing fluid generates a shock pressure in the space within the connectors which acts on the element 22 to urge it away from contact with the element 31 a number of times to ensure purging between the contact faces by fluid flow from the conduit 13.

As the first and second connectors are screwed more closely together the conditions causing oscillatory movement of the element 22 are removed and the abutting faces of the elements 22 and 31 remain firmly and continuously in contact.

When the threaded member 25 has been tightened sufficiently for the faces 20 and 30c to engage each other in a sealing relationship, fluid flow through apertures 25b and 25c will cease, and the sealing faces prevent ingress of water into the connector should pressure within the connector become less than that outside.

To ensure purging of the bore 30a, so purging the respective sections of the communication line, the radial duct 36 connecting downstream with this bore is provided with the outlet valve 37, connecting to the venting duct 38, which is opened to complete the purging operation. When purging is complete this valve is closed and the valve 35a which was closed so that fluid could not travel along the radial duct 34, is opened to allow clean, uncontaminated pressure liquid to flow through the duct 35 to the fluid apparatus.

Should a continuous purging flow path be required the valve 37 may be replaced by a flow restrictor (to limit continuous purging flow), and in series a non-return valve to prevent return flow into the duct 36 should pressure within the connection fall below that of its environment.

The electrical apparatus X and W may, by way of example, comprise a coder W and a decoder X. The apparatus Y and Z may comprise a coder Y and a decoder Z. The conductor 15 thus connects the coder W and decoder X with the decoder Z and coder Y via the valve element 22 and the conductor 31 which are in electrically conducting contact.

The coder W is arranged to receive command signals from the control location and to transmit such signals to the decoder Z, which in turn transmits the command signals to apparatus such as valves at the remote location 14. Coder Y receives signals from the remote location 14, which may comprise the output of monitoring apparatus and feed-back information for example, and transmits the received information via the same conductor 15 to the decoder X, which in turn transmits the signals to electrical reading/monitoring/display apparatus at the control location. Digital or frequency coding may be used to enable decoders X or Z to recognize to which apparatus the incoming signal applies. Earth return for the remote location may be via an electrical conductor travelling within or alongside the conduit 13, or surrounding sea water can be used.

An electrical supply at the well head 14 may be provided by a rechargeable battery which is recharged via the conductor 15.

A number of similar conduits 13, each provided with similar connectors 17, 117, may be contained within an umbilical. Also the duct 35 may open to a manifold at the well head 14 which is in turn connected to a number of first connectors 17 which are each purged as the respective check valve element 22 is displaced. In such a case, the sheath 16 may contain a number of mutually insulated conductors.

Apart from screw connectors the present invention is equally applicable to other forms of connector such as stab-in type connectors for example.

It will also be appreciated that the conduit 13 could carry other forms of communication line instead of or in addition to the electrical conductors. Examples of such lines include optical fibres and hydraulic signalling tubing. These additional lines may also be connected via the check valve element 22 and the component 31. In order to ensure that the terminal eyes or lenses of the various lines register correctly the abutting ends of the two components 22 and 31 may include mating portions such as a pins and sockets.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of Fig. lb in which the communication line comprises an optic fibre 115 in addition to the electrical conductor 15.

The electrical conductor 15 and the optic fibre 115 are contained in the sheath 16 within the conduit 13 attaching to the first connector 17 at the remote location.

At the connector 17, the optic fibre 115 and the electrical conductor 15 separate from the sheath 16 for separate attachments to the valve element 22.

The optic fibre 115 is located in the valve element 22 as described later.

The electrical conductor 15, as previously described, is secured to the head 22a to make a good electrical connection therewith so that the electrical connection from the equipments W and X at the control location to the equipments Y and Z at the remote location is through electrical conductor 15, the valve element 22, the conductor 31, and the conductor 33.

The equipments W and X also communicate with the equipments Y and Z through the optic fibre 115.

The optic fibre 115, when no longer encased by the sleeve 16 on entry into the connector 17, enters an axial, but off-centre, bore in the element 22 and passes through that bore to terminate in the transmission lens 116 in the end face of the valve element 22 remote from its head 22a.

When valve element 22 abuts element 31 transmission of fibre optic signals is between the transmission lens 116 in element 22 and transmission lens 118 at the abutment end of element 31, from which the optic fibre 133 runs axially (but off-centre) through element 31 and 31a to enter the housing 27 to connect with devices Y and Z.

For operational reasons it is preferred that on abutment of the element 22 and the element 31 a small gap is maintained between the lenses 116 and 118, which accordingly are fitted slightly recessed.

To ensure that the lenses 116 and 118, and the recesses in which they lie, are completely purged on connection, alternative purging action of the abutment area between the respective sections of the communicating line (22 & 31) by the pressure fluid is required.

For that purpose a fine bore drilling, shown by the dotted lines 119, through the centre of the element 22, is provided to pass a restricted purging flow of fluid from the tube 13, fluid pressure in which is maintained above environment pressure, as described previously.

As the abutment faces of the elements 22 and 31 move towards contact, and on initial contact, the purging flow fans out radially across the abutment faces to purge these faces clean from contaminant which is expelled to the environment through apertures 25b and 25c, and/or radial bore 36.

The design features described above with reference to Figs. 1 & 2 are retained, ensuring that the surfaces of the communicating line are purged by the pressure fluid and remain free from contamination by the external environment.

When the connections are completed, the purging flow through the fine-bore drilling 119 is blocked by contact of the abutment faces which remain firmly in contact under the influence of the compression spring 23.

Claims (15)

1. A connection device comprising first and second mutually engageable connectors containing respective sections of a communication line which, in use, are coupled by the connectors, in which the first connector includes, in addition to the communication line, a supply path for pressure fluid and a displaceable valve element which, in a closure position, closes the fluid supply path, the arrangement being such that mutual engagement of the connectors causes the valve element to be displaced from its closure position to open the fluid supply path and provide a flow of pressure fluid between the connectors for purging the coupling between the respective sections of the communication line.

2. A connection device according to Claim 1, in which the sections of the communication line are coupled via the valve element.

3. A connection device according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the two connectors include mutually abutting sealing faces surrounding the communication line and the valve element, and the arrangement is such that as the sealing faces are brought towards sealable abutment the valve element is displaced to provide a flow of fluid to the spaces between the sealing faces.

4. A connection device according to Claim 3, in which the purging fluid flow path is closed when the sealing faces are brought into sealing abutment.

5. A connection device according to any preceding claim, in which a restricted flow path is provided through the valve element.

6. A connection device according to any preceding claim, in which the second connector includes a fluid flow path containing the communication line and which, when the connectors are mutually engaged, communicates with the supply path.

7. A connection device according to Claim 6, in which the flow path through the second connector has an outlet to the external environment.

8. A connection device according to Claim 7, in which the flow through the outlet to the external environment is controlled by a valve.

9. A connection device according to Claim 8, in which the flow path through the second connector to the environment includes a flow restrictor.

10. A connection device according to Claim 8 or 9, in which the flow path includes a non-return valve arranged to prevent reverse flow from the exterior of the second connector to the flow path containing the communication line.

11. A connection device according to Claim 6, in which the flow path from the second connector to its normal supply destination is controlled by a valve.

12. A connection device according to any preceding claim, in which the valve element is resiliently biased into its closure position.

13. A connection device substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A connection device arranged for simultaneous connection of sections of a fluid flow path and sections of a communication line comprising first and second mutually engageable connectors containing respective sections of a communication line which, in use, are coupled by the connectors, in which the first connector includes, in addition to the communication line, a supply path for pressure fluid and a displaceable valve element which, in a closure position, closes the fluid supply path, the arrangement being such that mutual engagement of the connectors causes the valve element to be displaced from its closure position to open the fluid supply path and provide a flow of pressure fluid between the connectors for purging the coupling between the respective sections of the communication line.

2. A connection device according to Claim 1 in which the valve element is integral with the section of the communication line in the first element.

3. A connection device according to any of Claim 1 and 2 in which the second connector includes a fluid flow path containing a section of the communication line, and which, when the connectors are mutually engaged, communicates with the fluid supply path.

4. A connection device according to any of the foregoing Claims in which the two connectors include mutually abutting sealing faces surrounding the communication line and the valve element and the arrangement is such that as the sealing faces are brought towards sealing abutment the valve element is displaced to provide a flow of fluid to the spaces between the sealing faces.

5. A connection device according to any of the foregoing Claims in which the section of the communication line in the second connector effects displacement of the valve element from the closure position.

6. A connection device according to any of the foregoing Claims in which a supply path for the pressure fluid in the first connector supplies a supply path through the second connector.

7. A connection device according to any of Claims 1-6 in which the flow path has an outlet to the external environment.

8. A connection device according to Claim 7 in which the outlet to the external environment is closed when the sealing faces are brought into sealing abutment.

9. A connection device according to any of Claims 7 and 8 in which the flow through the outlet to the external environment is controlled by a valve.

10. A connection device according to any of Claims 7, 8 and 9 in which the outlet to the external environment includes a restrictor.

11. A connection device according to any of Claims 7-10 in which the flow path through the outlet to the external environment includes a non-return valve arranged to prevent reverse flow from the exterior environment.

12. A connection device according to any of the foregoing Claims in which the pressure fluid flow path from the second chamber to the normal supply destination is controlled by a valve.

13. A connection device according to any of the foregoing Claims in which a restricted fluid flow path is provided through a section of the communication line.

14. A connection device according to any of the preceding Claims in which the valve element is resiliently biased towards its closure position.

15. A connection device substantially as described with reference to the drawings.