NON-PRESSURE COMPENSATED, WET-MATEABLE PLUG FOR FEEDTHROUGH AND OTHER SUBSEA SYSTEMS

摘要

The invention provides a submersible or harsh environment connector for use with electrical, optical or electro-optical cables having first and second connector units which are releasably mateable and that are not pressure compensated. The invention provides a wet-mate without pressure balancing system for making a subsea wet-mate connection. The invention uses a reservoir of fluid and a mechanism energized by mating, such as by a spring, to push that fluid into a small mated connection, discharging an equivalent volume of seawater and creating electrical and/or optical continuity. One-way or back-flow prevent valves ensure there is no return flow of seawater. Typical fluids would be dielectric oil or optical gel.

主权项

1. A connector, comprising:
a first connector unit having a first contact chamber and a first contact assembly within the first contact chamber; a second connector unit having a second contact chamber and a second contact assembly within the second contact chamber; each contact chamber having a forward end and a forward end opening configured to be opposingly brought together during a mating process; each connector unit having a central longitudinal axis, the connector units being movable between an unmated condition and a releasably mated condition in which:
the first and second contact assemblies are in communication;a forward end wall of the first connector unit is in sealing engagement with an opposing portion of the second connector unit and forms a sealed cavity defining a volume between the forward end wall of the first connector and the opposing portion of the second connector unit; and at least one of the first and second connector units having a reservoir containing an insulating fluid and a means for releasing the insulating fluid from the reservoir during a mating process thereby expelling ambient fluid from the cavity, wherein in a mated condition the cavity is filled with insulating fluid.