A sealed quick-connect fitting

Abstract

The present invention discloses a sealed quick-connect joint, belonging to the technical field of pipeline connection joints, which includes a female joint and a male joint capable of self-rotation; a flow passage is provided in the female joint, and the flow passage includes a plugging section and a connection section for connecting with a slurry discharge pipe. A limiting convex ring and a sealing cover plate are provided between the plugging section and the connection section. The sealing cover plate is hinged on the water-facing surface of the limiting convex ring and is kept in a closed state by an elastic reset mechanism. A lock catch is provided at the end of the plugging section, and an anti-disengagement groove is provided on the lock catch; the male joint includes a connecting head and a plugging head for sealingly plugging into the plugging section. The connecting head is used for connecting with a slurry suction pipe and is communicated with the plugging head. A closing cover plate is provided between the plugging head and the connecting head, and a locking block is provided on the closing cover plate. The locking block can be caught in the anti-disengagement groove on its rotation path. A push rod is provided at the end of the plugging head. When the locking block is caught in the anti-disengagement groove of the lock catch, the male joint and the female joint can be axially locked, avoiding the problem that the male joint disengages from the female joint during slurry suction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of pipeline connection joints, and particularly to a sealed quick-insert joint. Background Art

[0002] The subsea drilling wellhead module needs to return mud. Before returning the mud, the wellhead module needs to be lowered to the seabed separately, and after the wellhead module is installed, a slurry discharge pipeline needs to be installed on the wellhead module. The inner diameter of the slurry discharge pipeline is a large diameter of φ150mm. When returning the mud, a slurry extraction pipeline needs to be docked with the slurry discharge pipeline to extract the mud in the wellhead module from the seabed. At the same time, because the mud cannot be directly discharged to the seabed, it is necessary to ensure that the slurry discharge pipeline of the bottom module is in a closed state before the slurry extraction pipeline is connected. Therefore, currently, a female joint is usually set on the slurry discharge pipeline, and a male joint is set on the slurry extraction pipeline. The male joint and the female joint form a quick joint that can be docked to realize the docking of the slurry extraction pipeline and the slurry discharge pipeline. At the same time, the female joint can maintain a closed state before docking with the male joint, so as to realize the closure of the slurry discharge pipeline before connection. For example, a sealed quick-insert joint disclosed in an invention patent with the patent number "202111314039.7" and the patent name "Reverse gravel throwing device and method" includes a male joint and a female joint. The outer surface of the female joint is provided with an external thread for connecting with the slurry discharge pipeline. One end of the female joint connected to the slurry discharge pipeline is hinged with a check cover plate. Before being connected to the male joint, the check cover plate closes the female joint under the action of a reset element. The male joint is installed on the slurry extraction pipeline, and a push rod is provided at its end. After the male joint is inserted into the female joint, the push rod will push open the check cover plate to open the female joint, so that the mud in the slurry discharge pipeline can be extracted. However, in the above patent, since the male joint and the female joint are docked by plugging, once the mud pressure is relatively large during liquid discharge, the male joint is easily pushed out by the mud and separated from the female joint. Therefore, the quick joint in the above patent can only be applied to pipelines with a small diameter and relatively low pressure, and cannot be applied to large-diameter pipelines. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to solve the above technical problems and provide a sealed quick-insert joint, which is composed of a male joint and a female joint. A unidirectionally opening sealing cover plate is provided inside the female joint, which can maintain a closed state before the male joint and the female joint are docked, thus avoiding the problem of mud leaking to the seabed. At the same time, by rotating the male joint and engaging the locking block into the anti-disengagement groove of the locking buckle on the female joint, the male joint and the female joint can be locked axially, avoiding the problem that the male joint is separated from the female joint due to the impact of the slurry during slurry extraction. Therefore, the present sealed quick-insert joint can be applied to large-diameter slurry discharge pipelines.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solution: The present invention discloses a sealed quick-insert joint, including a female joint and a male joint that can rotate self-axially;

[0005] The female joint is provided with a circulation channel, which includes a plug-in section and a connection section for connecting with a slurry discharge pipe. A limiting convex ring and a sealing cover plate capable of closing the limiting convex ring are arranged between the plug-in section and the connection section. The sealing cover plate is hinged on the water-facing surface of the limiting convex ring and is kept in a closed state by an elastic reset mechanism. A lock catch is arranged at the end of the plug-in section, and an anti-disengagement groove is arranged on the lock catch;

[0006] The male joint includes a connection head and a plug-in head for sealing plug-in in the plug-in section. The connection head is used for connecting with a slurry suction pipe and is communicated with the plug-in head. A closing cover plate capable of closing the plug-in section is arranged between the plug-in head and the connection head. A locking block is arranged on the closing cover plate, and the locking block can be caught in the anti-disengagement groove on its rotation path. A push rod capable of extending into the connection section is arranged at the end of the plug-in head.

[0007] Preferably, the number of the lock catches, the push rods and the locking blocks is the same, and the positions of the push rods correspond to those of the locking blocks. At least one of the lock catches corresponds to the position of the hinged end of the sealing cover plate.

[0008] Preferably, the end of the locking block is an arc head.

[0009] Preferably, the sealing cover plate is hinged on the water-facing surface of the limiting convex ring through a hinge shaft.

[0010] Preferably, the water-facing surface of the sealing cover plate is an arc surface.

[0011] Preferably, the elastic reset mechanism includes a reset torsion spring sleeved on the hinge shaft. Torsion spring installation grooves for installing the torsion arms of the reset torsion spring are arranged on both the water-facing surface of the sealing cover plate and the outer surface of the limiting convex ring.

[0012] Preferably, the female joint includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve; the plug-in section is located inside the inner sleeve, the limiting convex ring is coaxially fixed at one end of the inner sleeve, and an external thread is arranged on the outer surface of the other end of the inner sleeve; the connection section is located at one end of the outer sleeve, an internal thread matched with the external thread is arranged at the other end of the outer sleeve, and the lock catch is located at the end of the outer sleeve provided with the internal thread.

[0013] Preferably, the diameter of the connection section is larger than that of the plug-in section.

[0014] Preferably, a sealing groove is arranged on the outer surface of the plug-in head, and a sealing ring is arranged in the sealing groove.

[0015] Preferably, a rectangular frame handrail convenient for the operation of an ROV manipulator is arranged on the outer surface of the connection head.

[0016] The present invention has achieved the following technical effects compared with the prior art:

[0017] 1. In the sealed quick-connect joint of the present invention, it consists of a male joint and a female joint. The female joint has a sealing cover plate that remains closed and opens unidirectionally, thus ensuring that there is no mud leakage problem before the male joint and the female joint are butted. Then, a push rod is provided at the end of the male joint. When the male joint is inserted, the push rod will lift the sealing cover plate, thereby opening the flow passage, allowing the mud to flow from the female joint to the male joint and then be discharged from the subsea through the slurry suction pipeline. At the same time, in the present invention, a locking buckle is provided on the female joint, and a closed baffle with a locking block is provided on the male joint. When the male joint rotates, the locking block will snap into the anti-disengagement groove on the locking buckle, thereby realizing the locking of the male joint and the female joint and avoiding the problem of disengagement during slurry suction, so that this sealed quick-connect joint can be applied to large-diameter slurry discharge pipelines.

[0018] 2. In the present invention, at least one locking buckle corresponds to the hinge end position of the closed cover plate, and the locking block position corresponds to the push rod position. When the locking buckle and the locking block are locked, one of the push rods will lift the sealing cover plate at the hinge end of the sealing cover plate, thereby achieving the maximum opening angle of the sealing cover plate and improving the slurry suction efficiency.

[0019] 3. In the present invention, the female joint is divided into two parts: an outer sleeve body and an inner sleeve body. On the one hand, because it is not easy to set the sealing cover plate on the overall female joint, by dividing the female joint, the sealing cover plate can be set on the inner sleeve body, and the inner sleeve body can be threadedly connected to the outer sleeve body to form the overall female joint, which is convenient for manufacturing. On the other hand, the hinge of the sealing cover plate is the most easily damaged part of the female joint. If the female joint is set as a whole, it is not easy to repair and can only be replaced as a whole. However, by dividing the female joint into an inner sleeve body and an outer sleeve body, it is easier to disassemble the inner sleeve body to repair the hinge of the sealing cover plate. Moreover, even if the repair is not good, only the new inner sleeve body needs to be replaced, and there is no need to replace the outer sleeve body. Similarly, when the outer sleeve body has problems, only the outer sleeve body needs to be replaced, and there is no need to replace the inner sleeve body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a sealed quick-connect joint after assembly;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a planar structural schematic diagram of a sealed quick-connect joint after assembly;

[0023] Figure 3 It is an exploded view of a sealed quick-connect fitting before assembly;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram from the perspective of the liquid outlet end of the male connector;

[0025] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram from the perspective of the liquid inlet end of the male connector;

[0026] Figure 6 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram from the perspective of the liquid outlet end of the inner sleeve body;

[0027] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram from the perspective of the liquid inlet end of the inner sleeve body;

[0028] Figure 8 It is a top view of the inner sleeve body;

[0029] Figure 9 It is a top view of the outer sleeve body.

[0030] Explanation of reference numerals: 1. Male connector; 2. Inner sleeve body; 3. Outer sleeve body; 4. Sealing cover plate; 5. Lock; 6. Anti-disengagement groove; 7. Closed cover plate; 8. Locking block; 9. Thumb rod; 10. Return torsion spring; 11. Torsion arm; 12. Torsion spring installation groove; 13. Hinge shaft; 14. Sealing groove; 15. External thread; 16. Rectangular frame handrail; 17. Torsion spring installation post; 18. Internal thread. Detailed implementation manners

[0031] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0032] This embodiment provides a sealed quick-connect fitting, as Figures 1 to 9As shown in the figure, it includes a female joint and a male joint 1 that can rotate. There is a flow passage inside the female joint. The flow passage includes an insertion section and a connection section. The connection section is used to connect with the slurry discharge pipe. Preferably, the connection section is welded to the slurry discharge pipe. A limiting collar and a sealing cover plate 4 capable of closing the limiting collar are provided between the insertion section and the connection section. The sealing cover plate 4 is hinged on the water-facing surface of the limiting collar and remains in a closed state on the limiting collar under the elastic force of the elastic reset mechanism. The sealing cover plate 4 is hinged on the water-facing surface of the limiting collar, so that the sealing cover plate 4 can only be opened unidirectionally, that is, it can only be opened against the direction of slurry flow. Therefore, when the slurry in the discharge pipe flows towards the insertion section of the female joint, the slurry will tightly press the sealing cover plate 4 on the limiting collar, preventing the slurry from discharging from the female joint. A locking buckle 5 is provided at the end of the insertion section, and an anti-disengagement groove 6 is provided on the locking buckle 5. The male joint 1 includes a connection head and an insertion head that are interconnected. The connection head is used to connect with the slurry suction pipe. Preferably, the connection head is welded to the slurry suction pipe. The insertion head is used for sealing insertion with the insertion section of the female joint. A closing cover plate 7 is provided between the insertion head and the connection head. After the insertion head is inserted into the insertion section, the closing cover plate 7 can close the insertion section. A locking block 8 is provided on the closing cover plate 7. After the insertion head is inserted into the insertion section, rotate the male joint 1, and the locking block 8 can be engaged in the anti-disengagement groove 6 on its rotation path to complete the locking of the male joint 1 and the female joint. Under the limitation of the locking buckle 5, the male joint 1 can be prevented from disengaging from the female joint. A push rod 9 is provided at the end of the insertion head. After the insertion head of the male joint 1 is inserted into the insertion section of the female joint, the push rod 9 will push up the sealing cover plate 4 and extend into the connection section of the female joint. The opened sealing cover plate 4 is blocked by the push rod 9 and cannot close the limiting collar, so that the slurry can flow through the flow passage into the male joint 1 and then flow into the slurry suction pipe through the male joint 1 and be discharged from the seabed.

[0033] The usage process is as follows:

[0034] Control the male joint 1 to approach the female joint through the ROV manipulator, then insert the insertion head into the insertion section. At this time, the push rod 9 pushes up the sealing cover plate 4. Finally, rotate the male joint 1 through the ROV manipulator until the locking block 8 is screwed into the anti-disengagement groove 6 to complete the quick insertion of the male joint 1 and the female joint. Under the action of the locking buckle 5 and the locking block 8, it can effectively resist the impact force brought by the slurry and prevent the male joint 1 from disengaging from the female joint. When the male joint 1 and the female joint are inserted, the slurry can flow through the discharge pipeline through the flow passage and then flow into the suction pipeline through the insertion head and the connection head of the male joint 1 and be discharged from the seabed. If you want to separate the male joint 1 and the female joint, just use the ROV manipulator to continue rotating or turning the male joint 1 to make the locking block 8 disengage from the anti-disengagement groove 6, and then pull out the male joint 1 from the female joint.

[0035] In this embodiment, as Figures 1 to 9As shown, the number of the latches 5, the ejector rods 9 and the locking blocks 8 is the same, and the positions of the ejector rods 9 correspond to those of the locking blocks 8. At least one of the latches 5 corresponds to the hinged end of the sealing cover plate 4. The purpose of such a setting is that when the locking block 8 is screwed into the anti-disengagement groove 6 of the latch 5, one of the ejector rods 9 just jacks up the sealing cover plate 4 from the hinged end of the sealing cover plate 4, so that the sealing cover plate 4 has the maximum opening angle, ensuring the smoothness of the mud. The latch 5 can be one, that is, both the ejector rod 9 and the locking block 8 are one. However, preferably, there are at least two latches 5, and they are evenly arranged on the female connector. Refer to Figure 9 and Figure 5 . When there are two latches 5, the latches 5 are symmetrically arranged, and the locking blocks 8 are also symmetrically arranged. One of the latches 5 corresponds to the position of the hinged end of the sealing cover plate 4. When there are three latches 5, the three latches 5 are distributed in an equilateral triangle shape on the female connector. Similarly, the locking blocks 8 are also distributed in an equilateral triangle shape. When there are more than three latches 5, the situation is roughly the same as above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0036] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 9 , the end of the locking block 8 is an arc-shaped head, and the arc-shaped head facilitates its smooth screwing into the anti-disengagement groove 6.

[0037] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 9 , the sealing cover plate 4 is hinged on the water-facing surface of the limiting convex ring through a hinge shaft 13. Preferably, two hinge arms protrude from the water-facing surface of the limiting convex ring, and hinge holes for the hinge shaft 13 to be hinged are provided on the hinge arms.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 9 , the water-facing surface of the sealing cover plate 4 is an arc-shaped surface, and the arc-shaped surface can prevent the mud pressure from concentrating in the middle of the sealing cover plate 4, resulting in the deformation of the sealing cover plate 4. At the same time, the arc-shaped surface can reduce the mud resistance when it is opened.

[0039] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 9 , the elastic reset mechanism includes a reset torsion spring 10, and the reset torsion spring 10 is sleeved on the hinge shaft 13. Torsion spring installation grooves 12 are provided on both the water-facing surface of the sealing cover plate 4 and the outer surface of the limiting convex ring. The two torsion arms 11 of the reset torsion spring 10 are respectively installed in the torsion spring installation grooves 12 on the sealing cover plate 4 and the limiting convex ring. Preferably, refer to Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 , torsion spring installation posts 17 can be arranged in the torsion spring installation grooves 12, and installation rings are arranged at the ends of the torsion arms 11. The reset torsion spring 10 is fixed by sleeving the installation rings on the torsion spring installation posts 17.

[0040] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 9As shown in the figure, the female connector includes an inner sleeve body 2 and an outer sleeve body 3; the insertion section is located inside the inner sleeve body 2, the limiting convex ring is coaxially fixed at one end of the inner sleeve body 2, and an external thread 15 is provided on the outer surface of the other end of the inner sleeve body 2. Preferably, the limiting convex ring and the inner sleeve body 2 are integrally formed. The connection section is located at one end of the outer sleeve body 3, and an internal thread 18 that cooperates with the external thread 15 is provided at the other end of the outer sleeve body 3. The inner sleeve body 2 can be threadedly connected inside the outer sleeve body 3 through the internal thread 18 and the external thread 15. The lock catch 5 is located at the end of the outer sleeve body 3 where the internal thread 18 is provided.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as Figures 1 to 9 shown, the diameter of the connection section is larger than that of the insertion section, such that the diameter of the inner sleeve body 2 is smaller than that of the outer sleeve body 3, and the outer sleeve body 3 is a stepped structure with one end small and the other end large.

[0042] In this embodiment, as Figures 1 to 9 shown, a sealing groove 14 is provided on the outer surface of the insertion head of the male connector 1. A sealing ring is pre-installed in the sealing groove 14, thereby improving the sealing performance between the male connector 1 and the inner sleeve body 2. Preferably, a sealing groove 14 is also provided inside the inner sleeve body 2, and a sealing ring is pre-installed in the sealing groove 14.

[0043] In this embodiment, as Figures 1 to 9 shown, a rectangular frame handrail 16 is provided on the outer surface of the connection head of the male connector 1. The rectangular frame handrail 16 facilitates the operation of the ROV manipulator on the male connector 1, such as driving the male connector 1 to move and driving the male connector 1 to rotate.

[0044] Specific examples are used in the invention to illustrate the principle and implementation manner of the invention. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and its core idea of the invention; at the same time, for those of ordinary skill in the art, according to the idea of the invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation manner and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation to the invention.

Claims

1. A sealed quick-connect fitting, characterized in that, it includes a female fitting and a male fitting capable of self-rotation; a flow passage is provided in the female fitting, the flow passage includes a plugging section and a connecting section for connecting with a slurry discharge pipe, a limiting convex ring and a sealing cover plate capable of closing the limiting convex ring are provided between the plugging section and the connecting section, the sealing cover plate is hinged on the water-facing surface of the limiting convex ring and is kept in a closed state by an elastic reset mechanism, a locking buckle is provided at the end of the plugging section, and an anti-disengagement groove is provided on the locking buckle; the male fitting includes a connecting head and a plugging head for sealingly plugging into the plugging section, the connecting head is used for connecting with a slurry suction pipe and communicating with the plugging head, a closing cover plate capable of closing the plugging section is provided between the plugging head and the connecting head, a locking block is provided on the closing cover plate, the locking block can be engaged into the anti-disengagement groove on its rotation path, and a push rod capable of extending into the connecting section is provided at the end of the plugging head.

2. A sealed quick-connect fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that, the number of the locking buckle, the push rod and the locking block is the same, and the position of the push rod corresponds to that of the locking block, and at least one of the locking buckles corresponds to the hinged end of the sealing cover plate.

3. A sealed quick-connect fitting according to claim 2, characterized in that, the end of the locking block is an arc head.

4. A sealed quick-connect fitting according to claim 2, characterized in that, the sealing cover plate is hinged on the water-facing surface of the limiting convex ring through a hinge shaft.

5. A sealed quick-connect fitting according to claim 4, characterized in that, the water-facing surface of the sealing cover plate is an arc surface.

6. A sealed quick-connect fitting according to claim 4, characterized in that, the elastic reset mechanism includes a reset torsion spring sleeved on the hinge shaft, and torsion spring mounting grooves for mounting the torsion arms of the reset torsion spring are provided on both the water-facing surface of the sealing cover plate and the outer surface of the limiting convex ring.

7. A sealed quick-connect fitting according to claim 6, characterized in that, the female fitting includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve; the plugging section is located in the inner sleeve, the limiting convex ring is coaxially fixed at one end of the inner sleeve, and an external thread is provided on the outer surface of the other end of the inner sleeve; the connecting section is located at one end of the outer sleeve, an internal thread matching with the external thread is provided at the other end of the outer sleeve, and the locking buckle is located at the end of the outer sleeve provided with the internal thread.

8. A sealed quick-connect fitting according to claim 3, characterized in that, the diameter of the connecting section is larger than that of the plugging section.

9. A sealed quick-connect fitting according to claim 2, characterized in that, a sealing groove is provided on the outer surface of the plugging head, and a sealing ring is provided in the sealing groove.

10. A sealed quick-connect fitting according to claim 5, characterized in that, a rectangular frame handrail convenient for ROV manipulator operation is provided on the outer surface of the connecting head.

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