Underwater cable connector

Abstract

The present invention discloses an underwater cable connector, including a protective shell, a main line cable connector and a branch line cable connector, the protective shell is set as a watertight structure; the protective shell is installed with a plunger type equalizing pressure valve; the plunger type equalizing pressure valve includes a valve body and a plunger valve core, a cylindrical channel is provided in the valve body, the two ends of the cylindrical channel are opened, and the two ports of the cylindrical channel are respectively arranged inside and outside the protective shell to serve as the inner port and outer port of the cylindrical channel, the plunger valve core is installed in the cylindrical channel, and the plunger valve core and the inner wall of the cylindrical channel are slidably sealed, the cylindrical channel is provided with a limit component to prevent the plunger valve core from falling out of the cylindrical channel, the protective shell and the cylindrical channel are filled with electronic fluoride liquid, and the plunger valve core abuts against the limit component near the outer port under the action of the electronic fluoride liquid. The underwater cable connector can solve the problem of waterproofing of electrical equipment in deep water operations, reduce the risk of pressure rupture of the protective shell, and at the same time improve the anti-corrosion performance and live working insulation characteristics of the electrical equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of waterproof electrical equipment, and in particular relates to an underwater cable connector. Background Art

[0002] The underwater cable connector has the function of gathering the various signals of the underwater sensor (i.e. the branch cable and the signal) together and transmitting them to the surface through a multi-core wire (i.e. the main line cable). In order to adapt to the working conditions of underwater use, its electrical equipment needs to be installed in a protective shell. The protective shells of traditional underwater cable connectors are divided into two types: dry tank and oil-filled. Among them, the dry tank method is only suitable for use in shallow water. When used in deep water areas, the dry tank underwater cable connector cannot meet the pressure resistance requirements of underwater cable connectors in deep water areas. Currently, most underwater cable connectors used in deep water areas are oil-filled underwater cable connectors.

[0003] However, there are risks in using oil-filled underwater cable connectors when used in deep water areas. When this type of connector is subjected to high water pressure, its shell is prone to rupture. Once a rupture occurs, oil will flow out. At the same time, water that penetrates into the protective shell will also damage the electrical equipment inside. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention proposes an underwater cable connector to solve the waterproofing problem of electrical equipment of underwater cable connectors for deep-water operations, reduce the risk of rupture of protective shells under pressure, and at the same time improve the corrosion resistance and live working insulation characteristics of electrical equipment.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] An underwater cable connector, comprising a protective shell, on which a main line cable connector adapted to a main line cable and a branch line cable connector adapted to a branch line cable are installed, and the protective shell is set as a watertight structure; the protective shell is also installed with a plunger type equalizing pressure valve, and the protective shell is provided with a mounting hole for installing the plunger type equalizing pressure valve; the plunger type equalizing pressure valve comprises a valve body and a plunger valve core, a columnar channel is provided in the valve body, and openings are set at both ends of the columnar channel, and two ports of the columnar channel are respectively arranged inside and outside the protective shell, so as to serve as The inner port and the outer port of the cylindrical channel, the plunger valve core is installed in the cylindrical channel, and the plunger valve core is slidably sealed with the inner wall of the cylindrical channel, the cylindrical channel is provided with a limit assembly to prevent the plunger valve core from escaping from the cylindrical channel, the outer wall of the valve body, the main line cable connector and the branch line cable connector are all watertightly connected to the protective shell, the protective shell and the cylindrical channel are filled with electronic fluoride liquid, and before the underwater cable connector is launched into the water, the plunger valve core abuts against the limit assembly close to the outer port under the action of the electronic fluoride liquid.

[0007] Preferably, the limiting assembly includes a first limiting component arranged near the inner port of the cylindrical channel to prevent the plunger valve core from escaping from the inner port, and a second limiting component arranged near the outer port of the cylindrical channel to prevent the plunger valve core from escaping from the outer port.

[0008] Preferably, the first limiting component includes the retaining ring fixedly mounted on the inner wall of the cylindrical channel, and the second limiting component includes a valve cover fixedly mounted on the outer port of the cylindrical channel, and the valve cover is provided with a connecting hole connecting the cylindrical channel and the external water environment.

[0009] Preferably, a first sealing member is fixedly mounted on the outer side wall of the plunger valve core, and the first sealing member is used to seal the gap between the plunger valve core and the inner wall of the cylindrical channel.

[0010] Preferably, the number of the first sealing members is plural.

[0011] Preferably, the protective shell includes an intermediate shell, and the two oppositely arranged end surfaces of the intermediate shell are both open, and the two open end surfaces of the intermediate shell are respectively fixedly installed with a front cover and a rear cover, and the front cover and the rear cover are both watertightly connected to the intermediate shell, the plunger type equalizing pressure valve and the main line cable connector are installed on the front cover, and the branch line cable connector is installed on the rear cover.

[0012] Preferably, the two open end faces of the intermediate shell are provided with flange rings, the front end cover and the rear end cover are flange-connected to the flange rings, and the flange ring is connected to the front end cover or the rear end cover by fixing bolts; a second sealing member for sealing the gap between the flange ring and the front end cover or the rear end cover is provided between the flange ring and the front end cover or the rear end cover.

[0013] Preferably, the front end cover is provided with a main line cable connector installation hole for installing the main line cable connector, the main line cable connector is configured as a special underwater quick connector, the main line cable connector adopts a sealing nut to watertightly connect the main line cable connector installation hole, and a third sealing member is installed between the sealing nut and the main line cable connector installation hole to close the gap therebetween; the rear end cover is provided with a branch cable connector installation hole for installing the branch cable connector, the branch cable connector is configured as a special underwater quick connector, the branch cable connector adopts a sealing nut to watertightly connect the branch cable connector installation hole, and a fourth sealing member is installed between the sealing nut and the branch cable connector installation hole to close the gap therebetween.

[0014] Preferably, the outer wall of the valve body and the mounting hole are provided with matching threaded structures, the valve body is threadedly connected to the mounting hole, the fixed sleeve of the valve body wall is provided with a retaining ring that can abut the outer wall of the protective shell, and a fifth sealing member is provided between the retaining ring and the outer wall of the protective shell to seal the gap between the two.

[0015] Preferably, the branch cable connectors are provided in plurality, and the electronic fluoride liquid is 3M fluoride liquid.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: an underwater cable connector is proposed to solve the waterproofing problem of electrical equipment of underwater cable connectors for deep-water operations, reduce the risk of pressure rupture of the protective shell, and at the same time improve the corrosion resistance and live working insulation characteristics of electrical equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the underwater cable connector of this embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2 is a side view of the underwater cable connector of this embodiment;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 2 AA section view;

[0020] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the protective housing of this embodiment;

[0021] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the plunger type pressure equalizing valve of this embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention is described in detail below by way of exemplary embodiments. However, it should be understood that elements, structures, and features in one embodiment may also be beneficially combined in other embodiments without further description.

[0023] It should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, the directions or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “inside”, “outside”, “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front” and “back” are based on the positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, an underwater cable connector includes a protective shell 1, on which a main line cable connector 3 adapted to the main line cable and a branch line cable connector 2 adapted to the branch line cable are installed, and the protective shell 1 is set to be a watertight structure; the protective shell 1 is also installed with a plunger type equalizing pressure valve 4, and the protective shell 1 is provided with a mounting hole for installing the plunger type equalizing pressure valve 4; the plunger type equalizing pressure valve 4 includes a valve body 41 and a plunger valve core 45, and a columnar channel is provided in the valve body 41, and the two ends of the columnar channel are opened, and the two ports of the columnar channel are respectively arranged inside and outside the protective shell 1, so as to It is the inner port and the outer port of the cylindrical channel, the plunger valve core 45 is installed in the cylindrical channel, and the plunger valve core 45 is slidably sealed with the inner wall of the cylindrical channel, the cylindrical channel is provided with a limit assembly to prevent the plunger valve core 45 from escaping from the cylindrical channel, the outer wall of the valve body 41, the main line cable connector 3 and the branch line cable connector 2 are all watertightly connected to the protective shell 1, the protective shell 1 and the cylindrical channel are filled with electronic fluoride liquid, before the underwater cable connector is launched into water, the plunger valve core 45 abuts against the limit assembly close to the outer port under the action of the electronic fluoride liquid 5.

[0025] The underwater cable connector adopts the above structure, which can not only realize the parallel connection of underwater sensor signals, but also solve the waterproof problem of electrical equipment of underwater cable connectors for deep-water operations, improve the corrosion resistance and live working insulation characteristics of electrical equipment, and reduce the risk of damage to the protective shell 1 during underwater operations. The electrical equipment in the protective shell 1 (conventional design is not shown in the attached drawings) is immersed in the electronic fluorine liquid 5, and the electronic fluorine liquid 5 can cooperate with the protective shell 1 to provide waterproof protection for the electrical equipment immersed therein and improve its corrosion resistance and live working insulation characteristics. Moreover, the underwater cable connector is used in a deep-water environment, and the plunger valve core 45 of the plunger-type equalizing pressure valve 4 will move toward the inner port direction close to the cylindrical channel under the action of water pressure to compress the volume of the electronic fluoride liquid 5 in the protective shell 1, increase the internal pressure of the protective shell 1, and achieve the pressure balance between the inside and outside of the protective shell 1 or reduce the pressure difference between the inside and outside, thereby reducing the risk of the waterproof shell 1 rupturing under the action of external water pressure. Even if the waterproof shell 1 ruptures and the electronic fluoride liquid leaks slightly, due to the high density of the electronic fluoride liquid in the waterproof shell 1, seawater will not flow into the waterproof shell 1, and the device can still achieve the waterproof, anti-corrosion and insulation effects of electrical equipment, thereby increasing the stability of the system.

[0026] Specifically, the limiting assembly includes a first limiting component arranged near the inner port of the cylindrical channel to prevent the plunger valve core 45 from escaping from the inner port, and a second limiting component arranged near the outer port of the cylindrical channel to prevent the plunger valve core 45 from escaping from the outer port.

[0027] Specifically, the first limiting component includes the retaining ring 42 fixedly mounted on the inner wall of the cylindrical channel, and the second limiting component includes a valve cover 46 fixedly mounted on the outer port of the cylindrical channel, and the valve cover 46 is provided with a connecting hole connecting the cylindrical channel and the external water environment.

[0028] Specifically, a first sealing member 44 is fixedly mounted on the outer side wall of the plunger valve core 45, and the first sealing member 44 is used to seal the gap between the plunger valve core and the inner wall of the cylindrical channel. The first sealing member 44 can ensure the sealing effect of the plunger valve core 45, prevent the external water of the protective housing 1 from penetrating into the protective housing 1, and also prevent the electronic fluoride liquid 5 in the protective housing 1 from leaking out.

[0029] Specifically, the first sealing member is provided in a plurality, for example, Figure 5 The first sealing member can be a sealing ring structure.

[0030] Specifically, Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the protective housing 1 includes an intermediate housing 11, and the two oppositely disposed end surfaces of the intermediate housing 11 are both open, and the two open end surfaces of the intermediate housing 11 are respectively fixedly mounted with a front cover 13 and a rear cover 12, and the front cover 13 and the rear cover 12 are both watertightly connected to the intermediate housing 11, the plunger type equalizing pressure valve 4 and the main line cable connector 3 are mounted on the front cover 13, and the branch line cable connector 2 is mounted on the rear cover 12. The protective housing 1 is set to the above structure, which is convenient for the assembly, maintenance and debugging of the equipment.

[0031] Specifically, Figure 4 As shown, the two open end surfaces of the intermediate housing 11 are both provided with flange rings, the front cover 13 and the rear cover 12 are both flange-connected to the flange rings, and the flange rings are connected to the front cover 13 or the rear cover 12 by fixing bolts 14; a second sealing member 15 for sealing the gap between the flange ring and the front cover 13 or the rear cover 12 is provided. The second sealing member 15 can be a sealing ring structure.

[0032] Specifically, the front cover 13 is provided with a main line cable connector installation hole for installing the main line cable connector 3. The main line cable connector 3 is provided as a special underwater quick connector. The main line cable connector 3 is watertightly connected to the main line cable connector installation hole by a sealing nut. A third sealing member is installed between the sealing nut and the main line cable connector installation hole to close the gap between the two. The third sealing member can be provided as a sealing ring structure.

[0033] Specifically, the rear end cover 12 is provided with a branch cable connector installation hole for installing the branch cable connector 2. The branch cable connector 2 is provided as a special underwater quick connector. The branch cable connector 2 is watertightly connected to the branch cable connector installation hole by a sealing nut. A fourth sealing member is installed between the sealing nut and the branch cable connector installation hole to close the gap between the two. The fourth sealing member can be provided as a sealing ring structure.

[0034] Specifically, the outer wall of the valve body 41 and the mounting hole are provided with matching thread structures, the valve body 41 is threadedly connected to the mounting hole, the outer wall of the valve body 41 is fixedly sleeved with a retaining ring that can abut against the outer wall of the protective housing 1, and a fifth sealing member 43 is provided between the retaining ring and the outer wall of the protective housing 1 to seal the gap between the two. The fifth sealing member 43 can be a sealing ring structure.

[0035] Specifically, the number of the branch cable connectors 2 is multiple.

[0036] Specifically, the electronic fluoride liquid 5 is 3M fluoride liquid. 3M fluoride liquid has the characteristics of insulation, high density, low boiling point, etc. Applying it to the device can achieve waterproof, anti-corrosion and insulation effects for electrical equipment and increase the stability of the system.

[0037] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in other forms. Any technician familiar with the profession may use the technical content disclosed above to change or modify it into an equivalent embodiment with equivalent changes and apply it to other fields. However, any simple modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiment based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still falls within the protection scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. An underwater cable connector, comprising a protective shell, on which a main line cable connector adapted to a main line cable and a branch line cable connector adapted to a branch line cable are installed, characterized in that: The protective shell is set as a watertight structure; the protective shell is also equipped with a plunger type equalizing pressure valve, and the protective shell is provided with a mounting hole for installing the plunger type equalizing pressure valve; the plunger type equalizing pressure valve includes a valve body and a plunger valve core, a cylindrical channel is provided in the valve body, and openings are set at both ends of the cylindrical channel, and two ports of the cylindrical channel are respectively arranged inside and outside the protective shell to serve as the inner port and outer port of the cylindrical channel, the plunger valve core is installed in the cylindrical channel, and the plunger valve core is slidingly sealed with the inner wall of the cylindrical channel, and the cylindrical channel is provided with a limiting component to prevent the plunger valve core from escaping from the cylindrical channel, the outer wall of the valve body, the main line cable connector and the branch line cable connector are all watertightly connected to the protective shell, the protective shell and the cylindrical channel are filled with electronic fluoride liquid, and before the underwater cable connector is launched into the water, the plunger valve core abuts against the limiting component close to the outer port under the action of the electronic fluoride liquid; The limiting assembly includes a first limiting component arranged near the inner port of the cylindrical channel to prevent the plunger valve core from escaping from the inner port, and a second limiting component arranged near the outer port of the cylindrical channel to prevent the plunger valve core from escaping from the outer port; The protective shell includes an intermediate shell, and the two oppositely arranged end surfaces of the intermediate shell are both open, and the two open end surfaces of the intermediate shell are respectively fixedly installed with a front cover and a rear cover, and the front cover and the rear cover are both watertightly connected to the intermediate shell, the plunger type equalizing pressure valve and the main line cable connector are installed on the front cover, and the branch line cable connector is installed on the rear cover.

2. The underwater cable connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first limiting component includes a retaining ring fixedly mounted on the inner wall of the cylindrical channel, and the second limiting component includes a valve cover fixedly mounted on the outer port of the cylindrical channel, wherein the valve cover is provided with a connecting hole connecting the cylindrical channel and the external water environment.

3. The underwater cable connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first sealing member is fixedly mounted on the outer side wall of the plunger valve core, and the first sealing member is used to seal the gap between the plunger valve core and the inner wall of the cylindrical channel.

4. The underwater cable connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first sealing member is provided in plurality.

5. The underwater cable connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two open end faces of the intermediate shell are both provided with flange rings, the front end cover and the rear end cover are flange-connected to the flange rings, and the flange ring is connected to the front end cover or the rear end cover by fixing bolts; a second sealing member for sealing the gap between the flange ring and the front end cover or the rear end cover is provided between the flange ring and the front end cover or the rear end cover.

6. The underwater cable connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front end cover is provided with a main line cable connector installation hole for installing the main line cable connector, the main line cable connector is configured as a special underwater quick connector, the main line cable connector adopts a sealing nut to watertightly connect the main line cable connector installation hole, and a third sealing member is installed between the sealing nut and the main line cable connector installation hole to close the gap therebetween; the rear end cover is provided with a branch cable connector installation hole for installing the branch cable connector, the branch cable connector is configured as a special underwater quick connector, the branch cable connector adopts a sealing nut to watertightly connect the branch cable connector installation hole, and a fourth sealing member is installed between the sealing nut and the branch cable connector installation hole to close the gap therebetween.

7. The underwater cable connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer wall of the valve body and the mounting hole are provided with matching threaded structures, the valve body is threadedly connected to the mounting hole, the outer wall fixing sleeve of the valve body is provided with a retaining ring that can abut the outer wall of the protective shell, and a fifth sealing member is provided between the retaining ring and the outer wall of the protective shell to seal the gap between the two.

8. The underwater cable connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The branch cable connectors are provided in plurality, and the electronic fluoride liquid is 3M fluoride liquid.

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