Flexible connector for linear array and array forming method

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible connector for a linear array and an arraying method, and the flexible connector comprises a flexible connector housing, and two axial sides of the flexible connector housing are respectively provided with a rope threading hole and a wire threading hole; the force bearing piece is fixedly connected with the flexible connector shell through a screw; the flexible connection strong rope penetrates through the rope penetrating hole of the force bearing piece, and flexible connection of the parts on the two sides is achieved. Through the design of the flexible connector, the bending radius of the array is shortened, extrusion and pulling caused by bending of the contact position of the rigid structure and the flexible structure are relieved, stress concentration is dispersed, local fatigue is reduced, and the acoustic performance of the array is maintained while the water tightness of the array is protected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of linear array connector technology, specifically relating to a flexible watertight connector for linear arrays and an arraying method. Background Technology

[0002] Underwater horizontal or vertical linear arrays used in marine exploration, submersible equipment, submarine cables, oil and gas extraction, military communications, and other fields often face challenges in harsh environments during deployment and retrieval, such as limited deployment space within UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) platforms and complex sea conditions. Therefore, they must meet the requirements for rapid deployment and compact storage. Furthermore, the arrays themselves must possess characteristics such as watertightness, resistance to hydrostatic pressure, resistance to mechanical shock, resistance to seawater corrosion, and resistance to plastic bending. Array connectors, as boundary devices between arrays or between an array and a dry terminal, must also meet these requirements for the arrays.

[0003] Therefore, array connectors must possess characteristics such as watertightness, small rigidity, small bending radius, resistance to plastic deformation, physical resistance, and chemical resistance, while ensuring signal transmission or energy exchange at both ends. Traditional linear arrays mostly use rigid connectors to connect array segments. Although rigid connectors are structurally stable, they have the following problems: large bending radius, making it difficult to adapt to compact storage and deployment requirements; plastic deformation easily occurs at the interface between the connector and the flexible sheath during winch operation, affecting the array's acoustic performance; rigid structures have poor impact resistance and are prone to local fatigue damage under dynamic loads such as turbulence and pulsating pressure.

[0004] While existing technologies employ modular or segmented designs to improve the bending performance of connectors, such as the bendable watertight connector proposed in patent publication number CN106291840B, these connectors still suffer from problems like complex structure, inconvenient assembly, and susceptibility to wire twisting. Furthermore, traditional pluggable connectors are prone to failure due to their pluggable structure.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a connector solution that is compact, flexible, easy to assemble, and adaptable to the entire ocean depth environment. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a flexible connector for linear arrays and an arraying method to solve the problems of large bending radius, easy plastic deformation and poor impact resistance of traditional rigid connectors, and to avoid the failure risk of plug-in connectors caused by plugging and unplugging.

[0007] The technical solution of this invention is to provide a flexible connector for linear arrays, suitable for underwater towed linear arrays or vertical arrays, comprising:

[0008] The flexible connector housing has a rope hole and a wire hole on both sides of its axial end face;

[0009] The load-bearing component is fixedly connected to the flexible connector housing by screws;

[0010] A flexible connecting rope passes through the rope hole of the load-bearing component to achieve a flexible connection between the two components.

[0011] A glass sintered sealing body is disposed inside the flexible connector housing and is provided with wiring conductors;

[0012] A flexible polyurethane sheath covers the outside of the load-bearing component and the flexible connecting high-strength rope.

[0013] An oil-filled screw, provided on the flexible connector housing, is used to inject an oily liquid;

[0014] A conformal ring is installed outside the flexible connector housing, and its outer diameter is consistent with the outer diameter of the linear array.

[0015] The connector between the two ends of the linear array employs a flexible connection method using a strong rope, unlike the rigid connector mating method. This solves the problem of plastic deformation of the flexible connection polyurethane sheath during the deployment and storage of the linear array when the bending radius is too small, avoiding the consequence of additional vibration affecting the overall acoustic performance. The distributed design of the rigid part of the connector (distributed in the flexible connector shells at both ends) and the arrangement of its middle flexible area (the area inside the flexible connection polyurethane sheath) allow the array to absorb and disperse local stress when encountering impacts such as turbulence and pulsating pressure underwater, reducing the risk of local fatigue or damage. The addition of a fitting ring to the outside of the flexible connector solves the problem of excessive flow noise caused by uneven surfaces during towing of the linear array.

[0016] This invention shortens the array bending radius through flexible connector design, alleviates the compression and tension caused by bending at the contact point of rigid and flexible structures, disperses stress concentration, and reduces local fatigue, in order to protect the array's watertightness while maintaining its acoustic performance.

[0017] Preferably, the top of the oil-filled screw is arc-shaped and tangent to the inner circle of the matching ring. The arc-shaped design of the top of the oil-filled screw allows it to be tangent to the inner circle of the matching ring after installation, thus solving the problem of screw loosening due to vibration during the use of the linear array.

[0018] Preferably, the flexible connector housing has a corrugated structure on the outside for pressing and engaging with the flexible connection polyurethane sheath.

[0019] Preferably, the load-bearing component is provided with symmetrical crescent-shaped wire holes for threading wires.

[0020] Preferably, the flexible connection polyurethane sheath is filled with an oily liquid to achieve full-ocean-depth pressure compensation. The oily liquid can be a light wax oil, silicone oil, etc.

[0021] Preferably, the load-bearing component is fixedly connected to the flexible connector housing by a circumferential screw. This facilitates installation and prevents the internal wires from becoming spirally twisted. (Currently, most solutions use a spiral screw-in method, which causes the wires on the housing to twist as the screw is screwed in).

[0022] The present invention also provides a method for assembling the above-mentioned flexible watertight connectors, comprising the following steps:

[0023] The wires of one side of the linear array are soldered to the terminal conductor and passed through the wire hole of the load-bearing component;

[0024] The load-bearing component is fixedly connected to the flexible connector housing;

[0025] Insert the flexible connection polyurethane sheath and the clamping ring into the flexible connection high-strength rope;

[0026] Weld the wires of the other side of the linear array to the corresponding wiring conductors;

[0027] Secure the load-bearing component on the other side;

[0028] Move the flexible polyurethane sheath to the middle position and tighten it with the clamping ring;

[0029] Inject the oily liquid through the oil-filled screw;

[0030] Install the matching ring.

[0031] Preferably, the inner diameter of the flexible connection polyurethane sheath is not less than the maximum outer diameter of the load-bearing component; the outer diameter of the clamping ring after clamping is consistent with the outer diameter of the matching ring.

[0032] Preferably, the total length of the flexible connecting high-strength rope and the load-bearing component after assembly is less than the length of the flexible connecting polyurethane sheath.

[0033] Preferably, the mounting space of the fitting ring allows the flexible connection polyurethane sheath to move axially during assembly.

[0034] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0035] 1) Structurally, flexible connectors replace traditional rigid connectors that are longer in length, thereby effectively reducing the bending radius and enabling compact storage, reducing the difficulty of deployment and recycling and the risk of bending.

[0036] 2) The fluid-filled area of ​​the flexible connection in the middle of the connector separates the rigid structures on both sides (flexible connector housing, load-bearing components, etc.). This design disperses and buffers underwater impacts such as turbulence and pulsating pressure, reducing the risk of local fatigue or damage.

[0037] 3) The connection between the array segments is made of flexible connection components. When the winch is loading and unloading for storage, the deformation of the flexible connection polyurethane sheath is very small and negligible because the length of the connecting connector (rigid part) is short. It will not affect the performance of the linear array in subsequent use.

[0038] 4) The flexible connection part is filled with oily liquid, and the internal pressure compensation allows the connector to work under full ocean depth conditions.

[0039] 5) The load-bearing components in the flexible connection assembly are fixed to the connector housing in the circumferential direction with screws. This facilitates the assembly of the flexible connection polyurethane sheath when the length requirement prevents end-face installation and fastening. At the same time, it also avoids the phenomenon of spiral twisting of internal wires caused by threaded connections.

[0040] 6) The top of the oil-filled screw adopts an arc design, which can be tangent to the inner circle of the matching ring after installation, thus solving the problem of screw loosening due to vibration during the use of the linear array.

[0041] 7) The conformal ring, assembled outside the connector housing after the flexible connection assembly is connected, is designed with the same outer diameter as the PU sheath of the linear array. This conformal design can solve the problem of excessive flow noise caused by uneven surfaces during the dragging process of the linear array. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible connector of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the flexible connection method of the linear array according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible connector housing, load-bearing component, and flexible connecting strong rope structure of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the oil-filled screw of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the fit between the oil-filled screw of the present invention and the flexible connector housing and the mating ring.

[0047] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible connector housing structure of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the load-bearing structure of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible connection component structure of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the first assembly process of the flexible connection method for linear arrays according to the present invention.

[0051] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the second assembly process of the flexible connection method for linear arrays according to the present invention.

[0052] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the third assembly process of the flexible connection method for linear arrays according to the present invention.

[0053] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the fourth assembly process of the flexible connection method for linear arrays according to the present invention.

[0054] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the oil filling hole of the present invention.

[0055] The components include: 1. Linear array high-strength rope; 2. Linear array PU sheath; 3. PU sheath compression ring; 4. Flexible connector housing; 5. Oil-filled screw; 6. Oil-filled screw O-ring; 7. Sealing body; 8. Sealing body O-ring; 9. Compression ring; 10. Wiring conductor; 11. First countersunk screw; 12. Flexible connection polyurethane sheath; 13. Load-bearing component; 14. Flexible connection high-strength rope; 15. Matching ring; 16. Second countersunk screw. Detailed Implementation

[0056] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0057] The flexible connector for linear arrays of the present invention is suitable for underwater towed linear arrays or vertical arrays. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the flexible connector is located in the middle of two cylindrical linear arrays, and the connector as a whole is symmetrical about the cross-section of the array. The axial direction is defined with the plane of symmetry as the inside and the two sides as the outside. The outermost side of the axial direction is the strong rope 1 of the linear array outside the connector, which passes through the rope hole on the flexible connector housing 4. The outer end face of the flexible connector housing 4 has a crescent-shaped wire hole at the top and bottom for passing the wires in the array.

[0058] In this embodiment, the outer linear array of the connector is covered by a linear array PU sheath 2, and is sealed with a PU sheath clamping ring 3 on the corrugated structure of the outer cylindrical surface of the flexible connector housing 4.

[0059] The flexible connector is internally covered by a flexible polyurethane sheath 12, and sealed with a compression ring 9 made of flexible PU on the corrugated structure of the inner cylindrical surface of the flexible connector housing 4.

[0060] The inner side of the flexible connector housing 4 is fixedly connected to the load-bearing member 13 by the first countersunk screw 11. The closed flexible connection strong rope 14 passes through the rope hole on the inner side of the load-bearing member 13 on both sides, realizing the flexible connection of the components at both ends of the symmetrical plane.

[0061] The glass-sintered sealing body 7 is sealed to the cavity inside the flexible connector housing 4 via a glass-sintered sealing body O-ring 8. The wiring conductor 10 passes through both axial end faces of the sealing body 7 and is used to connect the wires at both ends.

[0062] An oil-filled screw 5 is mounted on the cylindrical surface of the flexible connector housing 4. After the screw is unscrewed, an oily liquid can be injected into the array through the screw hole. In this embodiment, the oily liquid is silicone oil. As one implementation, the top of the oil-filled screw 5 adopts an arc design, which conforms to the arc shape of the cylindrical surface of the housing after installation. An oil-filled screw O-ring 6 is provided on the contact surface between the bottom of the screw head and the flexible connector housing 4 to achieve a seal.

[0063] like Figure 2 As shown, a conformal ring 15 is mounted on the outer side of the oil-filled screw 5, with a screw hole on it, and is connected to the flexible connector housing 4 by a second countersunk screw 16. Its outer diameter is the same as the outer diameter of the array, and the conformal design avoids aggravating eddies and vibrations due to uneven surfaces during dragging. The inner ring curvature of the conformal ring 15 is consistent with the outer edge curvature of the flexible connector housing 4 and the oil-filled screw 5. This mating mode can solve the problem of screw loosening due to vibration during the use of the linear array.

[0064] Figure 3 The fit relationship between the rigid body parts of the flexible connector and its connection relationship with the central flexible connecting strong rope 14 are described.

[0065] A conformal ring 15 is fitted on the cylindrical surface of the flexible connector housing 4. The ring has a screw hole and is fixedly connected to the flexible connector housing 4 by screws. The conformal ring 15 ensures that the array is the same as the outer diameter of the connector, thus avoiding the aggravation of eddies and vibrations due to uneven surfaces during dragging.

[0066] The load-bearing component 13 is equipped with screw holes and is fixedly connected to the flexible connector housing 4 by Phillips head screws. The closed flexible connection strong rope 14 passes through the rope holes on the inner side of the load-bearing components 13 on both sides, flexibly connecting the components at both ends of the symmetrical plane.

[0067] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the oil-filled screw 5 is described. Figure 5The description describes that when the oil-filled screw 5 is tightened and fixed in the flexible connector housing 4, an oil-filled screw O-ring 6 is provided on the contact surface between the screw head of the oil-filled screw 5 and the flexible connector housing 4 to ensure the sealing of this surface. The oil-filled screw 5 is designed with a rounded top, so that the rounded top of the oil-filled screw 5 is tangent to the inner side of the matching ring 15, which can prevent the oil-filled screw 5 from loosening due to vibration caused by the dragging state of the linear array.

[0068] Figure 6 The flexible connector housing 4 is described as having a linear array of tethering holes on its axially outer protruding portion, which can be used to pass through the linear array of strong ropes 1. On the axially inner side of the tethering holes, the outer end face of the flexible connector housing 4 has two crescent-shaped wire-passing holes, one at the top and one at the bottom, for passing through the wires responsible for transmitting signals in the array. A screw hole is provided in the middle of the cylindrical surface, through which an oil-filled screw 5 is screwed to the flexible connector housing 4 for fastening. A screw hole is provided on the outer edge of the cylindrical surface, through which the load-bearing member 13 is fastened to the flexible connector housing 4 by screws.

[0069] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the load-bearing component 13 is described. The edge step of the load-bearing component 13 is equipped with screw holes, which are fastened to the flexible connector housing 4 by screws. The inner protruding part of the load-bearing component 13 is equipped with a rope-passing hole for threading the flexible connection strong rope 14, and the outer side of the protruding part is equipped with a crescent-shaped wire-passing hole on each side.

[0070] The following describes the arraying method of the aforementioned flexible connectors.

[0071] The arraying method for flexible watertight connector arrays provided by this invention includes the following assembly steps:

[0072] The central flexible component consists of a flexible connecting high-strength rope 14 and load-bearing members 13 at both ends, such as... Figure 8 As shown.

[0073] like Figure 9 As shown, after the right-side array connector wires are soldered, they pass through the wire hole in the load-bearing member 13 of the central flexible component. The load-bearing member 13 is then fitted with the right-side flexible connector housing 4 and tightened with the first countersunk screw 11. The flexible connection polyurethane sheath 12 and the clamping ring 9 pass through the central flexible component.

[0074] like Figure 10 As shown, after the flexible connection polyurethane sheath 12 is moved to the right side, the wires that pass through the left load-bearing member 13 are welded to the left flexible connector housing 4.

[0075] like Figure 11 As shown, the load-bearing component 13 is fitted with the left flexible connector housing 4 and fastened with the first countersunk screw 11.

[0076] like Figure 12As shown, the flexible connection polyurethane sheath 12 is moved back to the middle position, and the two flexible connection clamping rings 9 are pressed against the corrugated structure of the flexible connector housing 4.

[0077] like Figure 13 As shown, after filling with oil via the oil-filling screw 5, the matching ring 15 is installed to complete the assembly.

[0078] In one implementation, the inner diameter of the flexible connection polyurethane sheath 12 is not less than the maximum outer diameter of the load-bearing member 13; the outer diameter of the clamping ring 9 after clamping is consistent with the outer diameter of the matching ring 15.

[0079] In one implementation, the total length of the flexible connecting high-strength rope 14 and the load-bearing component 13 after assembly is less than the length of the flexible connecting polyurethane sheath 12.

[0080] As one implementation method, the mounting location for the conformal ring 15 is designed in the arraying method. Before the final installation of the conformal ring 15, a reserved space is provided to allow for the relocation of the flexible connection polyurethane sleeve during the assembly process.

[0081] This invention shortens the array bending radius through flexible connector design, alleviates the compression and tension caused by bending at the contact point of rigid and flexible structures, disperses stress concentration, and reduces local fatigue, in order to protect the array's watertightness while maintaining its acoustic performance.

[0082] The above description only illustrates preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Any equivalent procedural modifications made using this specification are included within the patent protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A flexible connector for linear arrays, suitable for underwater towed linear arrays or vertical arrays, characterized in that, include: The flexible connector housing (4) has a rope hole and a wire hole on its two axial sides respectively; The load-bearing component (13) is fixedly connected to the flexible connector housing (4); A flexible connecting strong rope (14) passes through the rope hole of the load-bearing member (13) to achieve a flexible connection between the two parts; A glass sintered seal (7) is disposed inside the flexible connector housing (4) and is provided with a wiring conductor (10). A flexible polyurethane sheath (12) is used to cover the outside of the load-bearing member (13) and the flexible connecting high-strength rope (14); An oil-filled screw (5) is provided on the flexible connector housing (4) for injecting oily liquid; A fitting ring (15) is installed outside the flexible connector housing (4), and its outer diameter is consistent with the outer diameter of the linear array.

2. The flexible connector for linear arrays according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the oil-filled screw (5) is arc-shaped and tangent to the inner circle of the matching ring (15) to prevent loosening caused by vibration.

3. The flexible connector for linear arrays according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible connector housing (4) has a corrugated structure on the outside for pressing and fitting with the flexible connection polyurethane sheath (12).

4. The flexible connector for linear arrays according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load-bearing component (13) is provided with symmetrical crescent-shaped wire holes for threading wires.

5. The flexible connector for linear arrays according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible polyurethane sheath (12) is filled with an oily liquid to achieve full ocean depth pressure compensation.

6. The flexible connector for linear arrays according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load-bearing component (13) is fixedly connected to the flexible connector housing (4) by a circumferential screw.

7. A method for assembling flexible connectors according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The wires of one side of the line array are soldered to the wiring conductor (10) and passed through the wire hole of the load-bearing member (13); The load-bearing component (13) is fixedly connected to the flexible connector housing (4); Insert the flexible connection polyurethane sheath (12) and the clamping ring (9) into the flexible connection strong rope (14). Weld the wires of the other side of the linear array to the corresponding wiring conductor (10); Fix the load-bearing component on the other side (13); Move the flexible polyurethane sheath (12) to the middle position and press it with the clamping ring (9); Inject the oily liquid through the oil-filling screw (5); Install the fitting ring (15).

8. The array formation method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the flexible connection polyurethane sheath (12) is not less than the maximum outer diameter of the load-bearing component (13); the outer diameter of the clamping ring (9) after clamping is consistent with the outer diameter of the matching ring (15).

9. The array formation method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The total length of the flexible connecting high-strength rope (14) and the load-bearing component (13) after assembly is less than the length of the flexible connecting polyurethane sheath (12).

10. The array formation method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The mounting space of the fitting ring (15) allows the flexible connection polyurethane sleeve (12) to move axially during assembly.

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