Pressure-resistant compensation type underwater wet-plug connector socket protection device

Abstract

The application relates to a pressure-resistant compensation type underwater wet-plug electrical connector socket protection device, which comprises a front shell, an outer oil bag and an insulator arranged in the front shell, the outer periphery of the insulator is sealed with the front shell, the front end of the insulator is sealed with the rear end of the outer oil bag, a filling oil pressure balance type socket is arranged in the insulator and is adapted to be inserted with the pin of a protected socket, the front end of the filling oil pressure balance type socket is located in the outer oil bag, and the rear end of the filling oil pressure balance type socket is extended from the tail of the insulator; a straight sleeve is open at the front end and is closed at the tail; the front end of the straight sleeve is sealed with the tail of the front shell, and balance oil is injected into the cavity; an inclined sleeve is open at both ends and is sealed with the straight sleeve at the front end; a piston is arranged in the inclined sleeve in a sealed mode, and the piston can reciprocate under the action of the balance oil in the straight sleeve and external water pressure. The pressure-resistant compensation type underwater wet-plug electrical connector socket protection device can not only protect the pin of the wet-plug electrical connector socket, but also meet the pressure requirement brought by the deep sea environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of wet-plug connector technology, specifically relating to a pressure-compensated underwater wet-plug electrical connector socket protection device. Background Technology

[0002] Wet-plug electrical connectors are mainly used in underwater production control systems, observation networks, and FPSO well intervention riser systems, and are key connection components for deep-sea equipment. During operation, the connector plug and socket are inserted to transmit power. When disconnected, the connector pins are directly exposed to seawater. Without protection, they face challenges such as seawater corrosion, sediment intrusion, and marine organism attachment, leading to pin corrosion and consequently affecting the connector's insertion and extraction force and electrical performance. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides a pressure-compensated underwater wet-plug electrical connector socket protection device. This device not only adapts to wet-plug electrical connector sockets, providing reliable protection for the connector sockets, but also maintains internal and external pressure balance in both the front and rear cavities by providing an oil filling chamber at the tail and a device for maintaining pressure balance in the chamber.

[0004] The objective of this invention and the technical problem it solves are achieved by the following technical solution. The pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device proposed according to this invention includes a front housing 1, the front end of which is adapted to be inserted into the protected socket, and the front housing 1 has several through holes communicating with the inside and outside around its circumference; an outer oil bladder 2 is provided inside the front housing 1, and the outer oil bladder 2 is filled with balancing oil; an insulator 7 is also provided inside the front housing 1, the outer periphery of which is sealed with the front housing 1, and the front end of which is sealed with the outer oil bladder 2; an oil-filled pressure-balanced socket 12 is used to be adapted to be inserted into the pins of the protected socket; it is positioned and assembled inside the insulator 7, with its front end located inside the outer oil bladder 2, and its rear end extending from the tail of the insulator 7; a straight sleeve 3, the front end of which is open, and the tail end of which is closed; the front end of the straight sleeve 3 is sealed to the tail of the front housing 1; the cavity formed by the straight sleeve 3, the insulator 7, and the front housing 1 is filled with balancing oil; The inclined sleeve 4 is open at both ends, and its front end is sealed to the straight sleeve 3 and communicates with the inner cavity of the straight sleeve 3. The inclined sleeve 4 is sealed with a piston 6, which can reciprocate under the action of balancing oil and external water pressure inside the straight sleeve 3.

[0005] The objectives of this invention and the technical problems it addresses can be further achieved by the following technical measures.

[0006] The aforementioned pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device also includes an end cap 5 at the tail of the inclined sleeve 4, which prevents the piston 6 from being pressed out of the inclined sleeve 4; the end cap 5 is provided with several small holes for fluid to enter and exit.

[0007] The aforementioned pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device also includes an inner step 41 on the inner side of the front end of the inclined sleeve 4 to prevent the piston 6 from being squeezed into the straight sleeve 3.

[0008] In the aforementioned pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device, the piston 6 maintains a seal with the inner wall of the inclined sleeve 4 within its sliding stroke through at least one raised rib on its outer periphery or at least one sealing ring in its outer periphery groove.

[0009] In the aforementioned pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device, the inclined sleeve 4 and the straight sleeve 3 are welded, threaded, or integrally formed by machining. In the aforementioned pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device, the straight sleeve 3 is provided with an oil injection hole for injecting oil into its cavity, and this oil injection hole is sealed by a sealing screw 31.

[0010] The aforementioned pressure-compensated underwater wet-plug electrical connector socket protection device also has at least two axially extending locking arms 15 on the outer periphery of the front housing 1, which are locked in place by locking hooks on the locking arms 15 in conjunction with the protected socket.

[0011] The aforementioned pressure-compensated underwater wet-plug electrical connector socket protection device also includes a housing 17, which is fitted around the outer periphery of the front housing 1 and can drive the front housing 1 to move axially; the housing 17 has an opening in the circumference that connects the inside and outside of the cavity; the front end of the housing 17 has a guide structure for guiding the protected socket into the cavity; and the rear end of the housing 17 has a handle 19 for easy application of force.

[0012] The aforementioned pressure-compensated underwater wet-plug electrical connector socket protection device has a guiding structure that is a mating guide sleeve 18 fixed to the front end of the housing 17. The inner circumference of the mating guide sleeve is a tapered surface with the radial dimension gradually decreasing from front to back.

[0013] In the aforementioned pressure-compensated underwater wet-plug electrical connector socket protection device, the portion of the oil-filled pressure-balanced socket 12 extending out of the insulator 7 is protected by an insulating cap 1241 or shorted by a shorting wire 16. When shorted by the shorting wire, the protection device can be used as a test head.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has significant advantages and beneficial effects. Through the above technical solution, this invention achieves considerable technological advancement and practicality, and has broad industrial application value, possessing at least the following advantages: The pressure-compensated underwater wet-plug electrical connector socket protection device of the present invention can not only protect the pins of the wet-plug electrical connector socket, but also meet the pressure requirements of the deep-sea environment.

[0015] The present invention relates to a pressure-compensated underwater wet-plug electrical connector socket protection device. The front cavity of the device achieves internal and external pressure balance through an oil bladder, and the rear cavity achieves internal and external pressure balance by adding an inclined sleeve and piston after filling with oil. This also compensates for the expansion and contraction of silicone oil volume caused by temperature changes, so that both the front and rear cavities of the device can maintain internal and external pressure balance. This ensures that both the front and rear ends of the oil-filled pressure-balanced socket are located in the internal and external pressure-balanced cavity, guaranteeing the reliability of the protection device under high-pressure environments. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the piston structure of the pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another piston structure of the pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another piston structure of the pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the end cap structure of the pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device of the present invention when used as a test head.

[0017] [Explanation of Key Component Symbols] 1: Front housing; 2: Outer oil bladder; 3: Straight sleeve; 4: Slanted sleeve; 5: End cap; 6: Piston; 7: Insulator; 8: Bushing; 9: Inner oil bladder; 10: First sealing ring; 11: Fastening screw; 12: Oil-filled pressure balanced insertion hole; 13: Insulating pressure plate; 14: Retaining ring; 15: Locking arm; 16: Shorting wire; 17: Outer housing; 18: Insertion guide sleeve; 19: Handle. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve the intended purpose, the following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, details the specific implementation, structure, features, and effects of the pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device proposed according to the present invention.

[0019] Please see Figure 1-4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of various parts of the pressure-compensated underwater wet-plug electrical connector socket protection device of the present invention. The protection device includes a front housing 1, the front end of which is adapted to fit and insert with the front end of the protected socket. The front housing 1 is provided with several through holes communicating with the inside and outside, so that external seawater can enter the front housing 1 through the through holes. The front housing 1 has a cavity extending axially and open at both ends. A straight sleeve 3 is connected and fixed to the rear end of the front housing 1. The straight sleeve 3 is closed at the rear end and open at the front end, and the straight sleeve 3 and the front housing 1 are sealed by a first sealing ring 10. Preferably, there are multiple first sealing rings 10, and each first sealing ring 10 is positioned and assembled in an annular groove on the outer periphery of the front housing 1.

[0020] In this embodiment, the straight sleeve 3 is connected and fixed to the outer periphery of the tail of the front housing 1 by fastening screws 11. Specifically, the outer periphery of the front end of the straight sleeve 3 is provided with a plurality of radially extending through holes along the circumferential direction, and the outer periphery of the front housing 1 is provided with corresponding screw holes, and the screw holes are blind holes.

[0021] An insulator 7 is installed in the rear cavity of the outer casing 1, which seals against the outer casing 1 and separates the front cavity of the outer casing 1 from the cavity of the straight sleeve 3. An outer oil bladder 2 is provided in the front cavity of the outer casing 1, forming an oil-filled cavity. The protective device also includes an oil-filled pressure-balanced socket 12, the front end of which is located within the oil-filled cavity formed by the outer oil bladder 2, and the rear end passes through a corresponding hole on the insulator 7 and enters the front cavity of the straight sleeve 3. The outer periphery of the oil-filled pressure-balanced socket 12 is also sealed to the insulator 7 by a sealing element.

[0022] The closed cavity formed between the straight sleeve 3, the outer shell 1, and the insulator 7 is filled with oil to prevent air from being compressed within the cavity, causing a pressure imbalance inside and outside the cavity, which could lead to the failure of the protective device. The straight sleeve 3 is provided with an oil injection hole for injecting oil into its cavity. Preferably, the oil injection hole is a threaded hole located on the tail end face of the straight sleeve 3 and extending through the tail end face. A sealing screw 31, threaded and locked within the oil injection hole, is used to seal the oil injection hole. A sealing element further seals the sealing screw 31 and the oil injection hole.

[0023] A slanted sleeve 4 is also connected to one side of the straight sleeve 3. The slanted sleeve 4 is open at both ends, and its front end communicates with the inner cavity of the straight sleeve 3. A piston 6 is also provided inside the slanted sleeve 4. The outer circumference of the piston 6 is sealed to the inner wall of the slanted sleeve 4, and it can reciprocate within the slanted sleeve 4 to maintain the oil pressure inside the straight sleeve 3 and the external water pressure in balance. Preferably, the straight sleeve 3 and the slanted sleeve 4 are welded together as a whole. However, in other embodiments, the straight sleeve 3 and the slanted sleeve 4 can also be joined together as a whole by means of threaded connection or other methods, and sealed with a sealing element. The straight sleeve 3 and the slanted sleeve 4 can also be machined into a single piece.

[0024] In this embodiment, the oil inside the straight sleeve 3 is silicone oil. Compared to pressure, silicone oil is more sensitive to temperature changes. Temperature changes affect the volume of silicone oil. When the temperature rises, the silicone oil expands, thus pushing the piston 6 backward (away from the straight sleeve). When the temperature drops, the silicone oil contracts, and the piston 6 moves forward (closer to the straight sleeve). Under the action of external seawater pressure, the cavity inside the straight sleeve 3 is always in a state of pressure balance.

[0025] Please see Figure 4 In this embodiment, the piston 6 achieves sliding sealing by interference fit between its outer circumferential rib structure and the inner wall of the inclined sleeve 4. The piston 6 has a number of ribs 61 that are spaced apart along the axial direction and extend along the circumferential direction on its outer periphery.

[0026] Please see Figure 5 In another embodiment of the present invention, the piston 6 is provided with an annular groove 62 on its outer periphery, and a sealing ring 63 is provided in the annular groove 62, so as to achieve the sealing between the piston 6 and the inclined sleeve 4.

[0027] Please see Figure 6 In another embodiment of the present invention, the piston 6 is provided with a plurality of annular grooves 62 spaced axially along its outer periphery, and each annular groove 62 is provided with a sealing ring 63, thereby achieving sealing between the piston 6 and the inclined sleeve 4 at multiple positions through the sealing rings. Preferably, the sealing ring 63 is an O-ring, but it is not limited to this.

[0028] The piston 6 of this invention can be made of metal or rubber.

[0029] In this embodiment of the invention, the inclined sleeve 4 is further provided with a stop and limiting structure for restricting the reciprocating stroke of the piston 6, preventing the piston 6 from moving excessively forward into the cavity of the straight sleeve 3, or moving excessively backward out of the inclined sleeve 4. In this embodiment, the front end of the inclined sleeve 4 is provided with an inner step 41, which stops and limits the piston 6 forward, preventing it from being squeezed into the cavity of the straight sleeve 3. The rear end of the inclined sleeve 4 is provided with an end cap 5, which stops the piston 6 backward, preventing it from being pressed out of the inclined sleeve 4, and the end cap 5 is also provided with an inlet / outlet hole 51 for external liquid to enter and exit the inclined sleeve 4. Preferably, the end cap 5 is locked by a thread that is adapted to the thread on the inner circumference of the rear end of the inclined sleeve 4.

[0030] Please see Figure 7 In this embodiment, the end cap 5 has several small holes on its end face, each hole being a water inlet / outlet hole 51. These water inlet / outlet holes 51 filter the water entering the inclined sleeve 4, allowing only seawater to enter while preventing larger sediment particles from entering. In deep water environments, seawater enters the inclined sleeve 7 through the water inlet / outlet holes 5 on the end cap 5, thus applying water pressure directly to the outer end face of the piston 6. Preferably, the end cap 5 also has a slot 52 on its tail end face for easy installation, disassembly, and force application.

[0031] A bushing 8 is provided in the annular groove on the outer periphery of the front end of the outer oil bladder 2. The front end face of the bushing 8 is axially stopped and limited by the retaining ring 1 on the inner wall of the front housing 1, and the outer periphery of the bushing 8 is radially limited by the inner wall of the front housing 1. An insulating pressure plate 13 is also provided on the inner side of the front end of the outer oil bladder 2, which provides radial support for the outer oil bladder 2. A plurality of first holes 21 are provided on the front end face of the outer oil bladder 2, and the insulating pressure plate 13 is provided with second holes 131 that are adapted to the first holes 21. The front end of the oil filling pressure balancing insertion hole 12 passes through the second hole 131 and the first hole 21 sequentially from back to front, and maintains contact and sealing with the first hole 21 and / or the second hole 131. In this embodiment, at least one rib is provided on the inner periphery of the first hole 21 and the second hole 131, and the rib achieves a sealing fit with the oil filling pressure balancing insertion hole 12.

[0032] In this embodiment, the front end of the first hole 21 has a flared structure with a radial dimension that gradually increases from back to front, so as to guide the pin of the protected socket into the oil-filled pressure-balanced socket 12 for insertion.

[0033] In this embodiment, the front end of the insulating pressure plate 13 is provided with a protrusion 132 at each second hole 131. Preferably, there are multiple protrusions 132 at each second contact hole 131, and the multiple protrusions are distributed circumferentially / in a ring array around the second contact hole 131. The outer oil bladder 2 has a groove on the surface facing the front end of the insulating pressure plate 13 that matches the protrusion 132. The insulating pressure plate 13 and the outer oil bladder 2 are reliably positioned through the cooperation of the protrusion and the groove, ensuring that the corresponding first hole 21 and second hole 131 can remain coaxial and preventing radial offset between them.

[0034] The oil-filled pressure-balanced socket 12 includes a sleeve 121, an inner oil bladder 122, a movable push rod 123, a connecting rod 124, and an elastic element 125. The inner oil bladder 122 is fitted over the sleeve 121, and its front end is inserted into a groove at the rear end of the insulating pressure plate 13, where it is axially and radially limited by the groove, which communicates with the corresponding second hole 131. The gap 1222 between the inner oil bladder 122 and the sleeve 121 is filled with pressure-balancing oil. The side wall of the sleeve 121 also has a groove 1211, which connects the gap 1222 with the internal space of the sleeve 121, allowing the flow of oil between the two spaces.

[0035] The movable push rod 123 is slidably disposed within the sleeve 121 in the front-to-back direction. A connecting rod 124 is connected to the rear end of the sleeve 121 and is positioned within the insulator 7, with its tail end passing through the insulator 7 and entering the cavity of the straight sleeve 3. An elastic element 125 is also provided between the movable push rod 123 and the connecting rod 124. This elastic element 125 provides a forward pushing force to the movable push rod 123, so that when the protective device is not inserted into the socket to be protected, the movable push rod 123 seals the first hole 21 and the second hole 131, preventing external liquid from entering the inner oil bladder. The outer wall of the movable push rod 123 is provided with a circumferentially extending flange 1231, which is used to axially stop and cooperate with a limiting platform provided on the inner wall of the sleeve 121, preventing the movable push rod 123 from dislodging forward from the sleeve 121.

[0036] The rear end of the outer oil bladder 2 is sealed to the outer wall of the front end of the insulator 7. Specifically, the inner side of the rear end of the outer oil bladder 2 has a sealing boss, and the outer periphery of the insulator 7 is provided with a sealing ring groove. The sealing boss is embedded in the sealing ring groove to form an interference seal.

[0037] In this embodiment, both the sleeve 121 and the connecting rod 124 are conductors, and the tail of the connecting rod 124 is fitted with an insulating cap 1241. An elastic inner sleeve 126 is also provided inside the front end of the sleeve 121. This elastic inner sleeve 126 has an elastic contact element for elastic contact and conduction with the pin of the socket to be protected. The elastic contact element can be a wire spring hole, a crown spring, etc., to improve the contact stability between the pin and the sleeve 121. Preferably, the front end of the sleeve 121 also has an outer sleeve 127 fitted onto the elastic contact element. The outer sleeve 127 is used to radially support the inner oil bladder 122, maintaining the shape of the front opening of the inner oil bladder 122, preventing the diameter of the front opening of the inner oil bladder from becoming smaller, and ensuring a sealing sliding fit between the front opening of the inner oil bladder 122 and the movable push rod 123. At this time, the protective device of the present invention can also short-circuit the tails of different connecting rods 124 by short-circuiting wire 16. After the short-circuited socket is inserted into the socket pin, a circuit can be formed. At this time, the protective device can be used as a test head to test the performance of the socket. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 8 In other embodiments of the present invention, the oil-filled pressure-balanced socket 12 may be made of a non-conductive material, in which case the protective device is used only for protection.

[0038] In this embodiment of the invention, at least two locking arms 15 are also fixedly provided on the outer periphery of the front housing 1. The locking arms 15 can be locked to the socket to be protected by the hooks on the inner side of the front end.

[0039] In this embodiment of the invention, the insulator 7 is further provided with an oil injection hole that connects the outer oil bladder and the inner cavity of the straight sleeve. Oil can be injected into the outer oil bladder through the oil injection hole, and a sealing plug is provided inside the oil injection hole.

[0040] The front housing 1 of this invention is further fitted with an outer shell 17, which has an elongated hole for connecting the internal cavity to the outside. A handle 19 is fixed to the rear of the outer shell 17, and an insertion guide sleeve 18 is provided at the front. The inner diameter of the insertion guide sleeve 18 is a tapered structure that gradually narrows from front to back, used to guide the socket to be protected into the outer shell 17. In this embodiment, the insertion guide sleeve 18 is made of plastic material and also provides anti-collision protection when the protective device is inserted into the socket to be protected.

[0041] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device, characterized in that: include The front housing has a front end for mating with the protected socket. The front housing has several through holes connecting the inside and outside around its circumference. The front housing has an outer oil bladder and an insulator inside. The outer periphery of the insulator is sealed with the front housing, and the front end is sealed with the rear end of the outer oil bladder. The outer oil bladder is filled with balancing oil. The oil-filled pressure-balanced socket is used to mate with the pins of the protected socket; its positioning assembly is inside the insulator, with the front end located inside the outer oil bladder and the rear end extending from the tail of the insulator. A straight sleeve with an open front end and a closed rear end; the front end of the straight sleeve is sealed to the rear end of the front housing; the cavity formed by the straight sleeve, the insulator, and the front housing is filled with balancing oil. The inclined sleeve is open at both ends, and its front end is sealed to the straight sleeve and communicates with the inner cavity of the straight sleeve. A piston is sealed inside the inclined sleeve, which can reciprocate under the action of balancing oil and external water pressure inside the straight sleeve.

2. The pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tail end of the inclined sleeve is also provided with an end cap, which can prevent the piston from being pressed out of the inclined sleeve; the end cap is provided with several small holes for fluid to enter and exit.

3. The pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The inner side of the front end of the inclined sleeve is also provided with an inner step to prevent the piston from being squeezed into the straight sleeve.

4. The withstand voltage compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: During its sliding stroke, the piston maintains a seal with the inner wall of the inclined sleeve through at least one raised rib on its outer periphery or at least one sealing ring in its outer periphery groove.

5. The pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The oblique sleeve and the straight sleeve are fixed by welding, threaded connection, or integral machining.

6. The pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The straight sleeve is provided with an oil injection hole for injecting oil into its cavity, and the oil injection hole is sealed by a sealing screw.

7. The pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer periphery of the front housing is also provided with at least two axially extending locking arms, which engage with the protected socket through locking hooks on the locking arms.

8. The withstand voltage compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5-7, characterized in that: It also includes an outer shell that fits around the periphery of the front housing and can drive the front housing to move axially; the outer shell has an opening in the circumference that connects the inside and outside of the cavity; the front end of the outer shell has a guide structure for guiding the protected socket into place; and the rear end of the outer shell has a handle for easy application of force.

9. The pressure-compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The guiding structure is an insertion guide sleeve fixed to the front end of the outer shell. The inner circumference of the insertion guide sleeve is a tapered surface that gradually narrows radially from front to back.

10. The withstand voltage compensated underwater wet-plugging electrical connector socket protection device according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-7, and 9, characterized in that: The portion of the oil-filled pressure-balanced socket extending beyond the insulator is protected by an insulating cap or shorted by a shorting wire. When shorted by the shorting wire, the protective device can be used as a test head.

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