Undersea hydraulic coupling with axial preloading

摘要

A hydraulic coupling for use in undersea drilling and production operations is disclosed, having a male member with radially extending projections or fins configured to be received in a female member having corresponding grooves in its receiving chamber. Relative rotation of the members urges the male member inwardly and preferably compresses axially a metal seal between the leading face of the male member and an internal shoulder. This preloads the seal before the coupling is pressured up with hydraulic fluid. The rotation of the male member may be done manually or by remote actuation.