A jawed underwater hydraulic connector

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of pipeline connecting device, specifically to a claw type underwater hydraulic connector, including upper flange and lower flange, shell, hydraulic system and secondary sealing assembly, the inner hole of upper flange and lower flange is matched to form sealed cavity, sealing ring one is arranged in sealed cavity, and elastic pre-tightening structure is arranged in upper flange; Secondary sealing screw is threadedly connected to upper flange, and secondary sealing screw is pressed on upper pressing frame; Secondary sealing assembly includes upper pressing frame, upper support frame and lower support frame, lower support block is arranged on lower support frame, inclined pressing block is slidably arranged on lower support block, inclined pressing block is pressed on sealing ring one, and upper driving part corresponding to inclined pressing block is arranged on upper pressing frame. Through the arrangement of secondary sealing assembly, sealing ring one is pressed by elastic pre-tightening structure at the same time, and secondary sealing screw is matched with inclined pressing block and upper driving part to press sealing ring one, so that the sealing effect between sealing ring one and upper sealing cavity and lower sealing cavity is ensured when elastic pre-tightening structure fails.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pipe connection devices, and more specifically to a claw-type underwater hydraulic connector. Background Technology

[0002] Subsea connectors are crucial connection devices between subsea production facilities, used in rigid and flexible pipeline connections such as subsea wellheads, subsea manifolds, PLEM & PLET systems, and jumpers, to control the flow and export of oil and gas. The principle of the claw-type connector is that multiple identical claws interlock the two ends of the upper and lower flanges to be connected. A hydraulically driven ring slides down the outside of the claws, clamping all the claws in a circle to achieve a locking mechanism, as disclosed in utility model patent CN220687280U. Claw-type subsea connectors have a simple and compact structure, good practicality, and convenient connection during operation. Compared to mechanical sleeve-type subsea connectors, they do not require additional specialized installation tools.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned claw-type underwater connector has the following problems: a sealing ring is usually set between the two ends of the upper and lower flanges that need to be connected for sealing. However, the sealing between the sealing ring and the upper and lower flanges mainly relies on the compression of the elastic pre-tightening structure set on the sealing ring. If the elastic pre-tightening structure is damaged and fails, the sealing effect is easily affected. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: to provide a claw-type underwater hydraulic connector, comprising;

[0005] The upper flange and the lower flange cooperate to form a sealed cavity. A sealing ring is provided in the sealed cavity. An elastic pre-tightening structure for pre-tightening the sealing ring is provided in the upper flange.

[0006] The housing, wherein both the upper and lower flanges are located inside the housing, and a clamping assembly is provided inside the housing;

[0007] A hydraulic system is used to drive the clamping assembly to clamp the upper and lower flanges;

[0008] Its features are:

[0009] It also includes a secondary sealing assembly, which includes an upper pressure frame, an upper support frame and a lower support frame. A secondary sealing screw is threaded onto the upper flange and presses against the upper pressure frame.

[0010] The lower support frame is provided with a lower support block spaced apart from the claw. An inclined pressure block is slidably provided on the lower support block. The inclined pressure block passes through the upper flange and presses against the sealing ring. The upper pressure frame is provided with an upper driving member corresponding to the inclined pressure block. During sealing, the secondary sealing screw pushes the upper pressure frame to slide, and the upper pressure frame drives the upper driving member to push the inclined pressure block to slide, thus pressing the sealing ring against the sealing cavity.

[0011] Furthermore, the inner hole of the upper flange is provided with an upper sealing cavity, and the inner hole of the lower flange is provided with a lower sealing cavity. The upper sealing cavity and the lower sealing cavity cooperate to form the sealing cavity body. The sealing ring is provided with a compression ring groove corresponding to the elastic pre-tightening structure and forms two sealing pressure edges. During pre-tightening, the elastic pre-tightening structure is pressed into the compression ring groove, so that the two sealing pressure edges form a seal with the inner walls of the upper sealing cavity and the lower sealing cavity, respectively.

[0012] Furthermore, the inner wall of the upper sealing cavity is also provided with a pre-tightening cavity and a limiting groove corresponding to the elastic pre-tightening structure. The pre-tightening cavity and the corresponding limiting groove are connected, and the aperture of the pre-tightening cavity is smaller than the aperture of the limiting groove. The pre-tightening cavity is farther away from the central axis of the upper flange than the corresponding limiting groove. The elastic pre-tightening structure includes a pre-tightening spring, a positioning pin, a positioning cover, and a spring retaining ring. The two ends of the pre-tightening spring are in contact with the pre-tightening cavity and the positioning pin, respectively. The positioning cover is sleeved on the positioning pin. The spring retaining ring is set in the limiting groove and limits the positioning cover to the pre-tightening cavity. During pre-tightening, the pre-tightening spring is compressed and pushes the positioning pin to press against the pressing ring groove, so that the two sealing edges form a seal with the inner walls of the upper sealing cavity and the lower sealing cavity, respectively.

[0013] Furthermore, the cross-section of the clamping ring groove is a V-shaped structure, the opening of the clamping ring groove is oriented towards the chuck, and the central axis of the V-shaped structure and the plane containing the diameter of the sealing ring are parallel to each other.

[0014] Furthermore, the inclined pressure block and the elastic pre-tightening structure are staggered. One end of the inclined pressure block, which penetrates into the upper sealing cavity, is pressed into the compression ring groove. The end of the inclined pressure block pressed into the compression ring groove is provided with a V-shaped block corresponding to the compression ring groove. The included angle of the V-shaped block is greater than the included angle formed by the compression ring groove. During sealing, the inclined pressure block slides along the diameter direction of the first sealing ring towards the central axis of the first sealing ring, and pushes the two sealing edges to press against the inner walls of the upper and lower sealing cavities respectively through the V-shaped block to form a seal. The pressure applied by the inclined pressure block to the two sealing edges is the same.

[0015] Furthermore, the upper flange is provided with a first mounting protrusion, and the lower flange is provided with a second mounting protrusion. The upper sealing cavity and the lower sealing cavity correspond to the first mounting protrusion and the second mounting protrusion, respectively. When the upper flange and the lower flange are installed into the housing, the first mounting protrusion and the second mounting protrusion press against each other.

[0016] Furthermore, the inner wall of the housing is provided with a sealing protrusion, and the clamping assembly includes a drive ring and multiple claws disposed inside the drive ring. Both the drive ring and the claws are located inside the housing. The claws are provided with engagement grooves corresponding to the first mounting protrusion and the second mounting protrusion. The drive ring is provided with an upper protrusion, which is sealed to the sealing protrusion. An upper drive cavity is formed between the upper protrusion and the sealing protrusion. A piston ring is connected to the drive ring, and a lower drive cavity is formed between the piston ring, the sealing protrusion, and the inner wall of the housing. Both the upper drive cavity and the lower drive cavity are connected to the hydraulic system. When locking, the hydraulic system drives the drive ring to slide by inputting hydraulic oil into the lower drive cavity.

[0017] Furthermore, the drive ring is provided with an upper ring groove, and the pawl is provided with an upper limit protrusion that matches the upper ring groove. When unlocking, the drive ring drives the pawl to rotate through the cooperation of the upper ring groove and the upper limit protrusion.

[0018] Furthermore, the chuck is provided with a locking ramp, and the inner wall of the drive ring is provided with an inner conical surface that matches the locking ramp. When locked, the drive ring drives the chuck to rotate through the cooperation of the inner conical surface and the locking ramp.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a secondary locking screw. The upper flange is provided with a secondary locking hole. The secondary locking screw passes through the secondary locking hole and into the upper flange. The secondary locking screw is locked by a locking nut. When the drive ring drives the pawl to rotate and grip the upper flange and the lower flange, the locking nut rotates and causes the secondary locking screw to press against the drive ring.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: by setting the secondary sealing component, the sealing ring one is pre-tightened by the elastic pre-tightening structure, so that the sealing ring one and the inner walls of the upper sealing cavity and the lower sealing cavity are sealed. At the same time, the sealing ring two is pressed and sealed again by the secondary sealing screw in conjunction with the inclined pressure block and the upper driving component, thereby improving the sealing effect. Moreover, it can ensure the sealing effect between the sealing ring one and the upper sealing cavity and the lower sealing cavity when the elastic pre-tightening structure fails. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0022] In the picture: Figure 1 An overall structural diagram of a claw-type underwater hydraulic connector provided by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A top view of the claw-type underwater hydraulic connector shown;

[0024] Figure 3 for Figure 2 CC-direction sectional view;

[0025] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0026] Figure 5 for Figure 3 Enlarged view at point B in the middle;

[0027] Figure 6 for Figure 3 Enlarged view at point C;

[0028] Figure 7 for Figure 3 Enlarged view at point D;

[0029] Figure 8 for Figure 3 A three-dimensional sectional view of a portion of the secondary sealing assembly shown;

[0030] Figure 9 for Figure 3 A sectional view of the middle section of the structure;

[0031] Figure 10 for Figure 1 A top view of a portion of the claw-type underwater hydraulic connector structure;

[0032] Figure 11 for Figure 3 Exploded view of the partial structure shown;

[0033] Figure 12 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the part shown;

[0034] Figure 13 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the part shown;

[0035] Figure 14 for Figure 13 A sectional view of the middle section of the structure;

[0036] Figure 15 for Figure 13 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the middle section;

[0037] Figure 16 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the aforementioned part.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 10, upper flange; 12, first mounting protrusion; 121, engaging protrusion; 13, upper sealing cavity; 132, sealing ring one; 1321, clamping ring groove; 1322, sealing edge;

[0039] 1323, Sealing Ring II; 1324, Central Shaft; 133, Pre-tightening Chamber; 134, Limiting Groove; 141, Pre-tightening Spring; 142, Positioning Pin; 143, Positioning Gland; 144, Spring Retaining Ring; 15, Secondary Sealing Screw; 16, Secondary Locking Screw; 161, Locking Spring; 162, First Pressing Block; 163, Locking Nut; 17, Sealing Plug; 18, Guide Shell; 19, Secondary Locking Hole; 20, Lower Flange; 21, Second Mounting Protrusion; 211, Engaging Groove; 22, Lower Sealing Chamber; 23, Base; 30, Housing; 31, Sealing Protrusion; 32, Upper Drive Chamber; 33, Lower Drive Chamber; 41, Four-Way Ball Valve; 42, Oil Pump; 51, Upper Pressure frame; 511, Upper drive component; 5111, Transmission ramp one; 52, Upper support frame; 521, Upper support block; 522, Spacing groove; 53, Lower support frame; 531, Lower support block; 5311, Anti-detachment pin; 532, Inclined pressure block; 5321, V-block; 5322, Sliding groove; 5323, Transmission ramp two; 61, Drive ring; 611, Upper protrusion; 612, Piston ring; 613, Upper ring groove; 614, Inner conical surface; 62, Claw; 621, Engaging groove; 622, Upper limit protrusion; 623, Locking ramp; 71, Mounting bracket; 711, Torque wrench one; 712, Torque wrench two; 72, Pressure gauge; 81, Two-way ball valve; 82, Pressure pump. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To make the technical problem to be solved, the technical solution, and the beneficial effects of this invention clearer, the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This drawing is a simplified schematic diagram, illustrating only the basic aspects of the invention, and therefore only shows the components relevant to the invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3This invention provides a claw-type underwater hydraulic connector, including an upper flange 10 and a lower flange 20, a housing 30, a hydraulic system, and a secondary sealing assembly. Both the upper flange 10 and the lower flange 20 are located within the housing 30. Both the upper flange 10 and the lower flange 20 have an inner hole 11 for accommodating pipes. The upper flange 10 and the lower flange 20 are respectively provided with a first mounting protrusion 12 and a second mounting protrusion 21. When the upper flange 10 and the lower flange 20 are installed into the housing 30, the first mounting protrusion 12 and the second mounting protrusion 21 press against each other. Specifically, the first mounting protrusion 12 and the second mounting protrusion 21 are respectively provided with mutually cooperating engaging protrusions 121 and engaging grooves 211.

[0042] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 The inner wall of the housing 30 is provided with a sealing protrusion 31, and a clamping assembly is provided inside the housing 30. The clamping assembly includes a drive ring 61 and multiple claws 62 disposed inside the drive ring 61. The claws 62 are provided with engagement grooves 621 corresponding to the first mounting protrusion 12 and the second mounting protrusion 21. The drive ring 61 is provided with an upper protrusion 611, which is sealed to the sealing protrusion 31. An upper drive cavity 32 is formed between the upper protrusion 611 and the sealing protrusion 31. A piston ring 612 is connected to the drive ring 61. A lower drive cavity 33 is formed between the piston ring 612, the sealing protrusion 31, and the inner wall of the housing 30. Both the upper drive cavity 32 and the lower drive cavity 33 are connected to the hydraulic system. When locking, the hydraulic system drives the drive ring 61 to slide by inputting hydraulic oil into the lower drive cavity 33.

[0043] For details, please refer to Figure 6 Both the upper protrusion 611 and the piston ring 612 are provided with an upper sealing ring groove. A wear-resistant ring and a sealing ring 3 are sleeved inside the upper sealing ring groove. The upper protrusion 611 and the piston ring 612 are sealed together with the inner wall of the housing 30 through the sealing ring 3.

[0044] For details, please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 6 The drive ring 61 is provided with an upper ring groove 613, and the pawl 62 is provided with an upper limit protrusion 622 that matches the upper ring groove 613. When unlocking, the drive ring 61 pushes the pawl 62 to rotate through the cooperation of the upper ring groove 613 and the upper limit protrusion 622.

[0045] Specifically, in order to prevent relative movement between the pawl 62 and the drive ring 61 after locking, which would affect the clamping effect, the pawl 62 is provided with a locking ramp 623, and the inner wall of the drive ring 61 is provided with an inner conical surface 614 that matches the locking ramp 623. When locking, the drive ring 61 drives the pawl 62 to rotate through the cooperation of the inner conical surface 614 and the locking ramp 623.

[0046] The hydraulic system is used to drive the clamping assembly to clamp the upper flange 10 and the lower flange 20. The hydraulic system includes a four-way ball valve 41 that is connected to the upper drive chamber 32 and the lower drive chamber 33 respectively, and an oil pump 42 for docking with the ROV. The oil pump 42 is connected to the four-way ball valve 41. The mounting bracket 71 is equipped with a torque wrench 711 for controlling the opening and closing of the four-way ball valve 41. When supplying oil, the ROV opens the four-way ball valve 41 through the torque wrench 711. The oil pump 42 is connected to the ROV. The ROV controls the oil pump 42 to supply oil to the upper drive chamber 32 or the lower drive chamber 33 through the four-way ball valve 41.

[0047] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 16 The claw-type underwater hydraulic connector also includes a pressure testing assembly, which includes a mounting bracket 71 connected to the upper flange 10 and a pressure gauge 72 mounted on the mounting bracket 71, as well as a pipeline system connected to the pressure gauge 72. The upper flange 10 is provided with a test chamber (not shown in the figure) connected to the upper sealing cavity 13. The test chamber is connected to the pipeline system, and the pressure gauge 72 performs a water pressure test on the sealing cavity through the test chamber.

[0048] Specifically, the piping system includes a two-way ball valve 81 for controlling the gas flow and a pressurization pump 82 for docking with the ROV. The two-way ball valve 81 is connected to the test chamber through a pipeline. The mounting bracket 71 is equipped with a torque wrench 712 for controlling the opening and closing of the two-way ball valve 81. During testing, the ROV opens the two-way ball valve 81 through the torque wrench 712. The pressurization pump 82 is connected to the ROV, and the ROV drives the pressurization pump 82 to pressurize the sealed chamber through the two-way ball valve 81.

[0049] Specifically, in this embodiment, the pressurizing pump 82, the oil pump 42, the two-way ball valve 81, and the four-way ball valve 41 are all existing technologies, and their specific structures and working principles will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0050] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The inner hole 11 of the upper flange 10 is provided with an upper sealing cavity 13, and the inner hole 11 of the lower flange 20 is provided with a lower sealing cavity 22. The upper sealing cavity 13 and the lower sealing cavity 22 correspond to the first mounting protrusion 12 and the second mounting protrusion 21, respectively. When the upper flange 10 and the lower flange 20 are installed in the housing 30, the upper sealing cavity 13 and the lower sealing cavity 22 cooperate to form a sealing cavity. A sealing ring 132 is provided in the sealing cavity. An elastic pre-tightening structure for pre-tightening the sealing ring 132 is provided in the upper sealing cavity 13.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5The inner wall of the upper sealing cavity 13 is provided with a pre-tightening cavity 133 and a limiting groove 134 corresponding to the elastic pre-tightening structure. The pre-tightening cavity 133 and the corresponding limiting groove 134 are connected, and the diameter of the pre-tightening cavity 133 is smaller than the diameter of the limiting groove 134. The pre-tightening cavity 133 is farther away from the central axis of the upper flange 10 relative to the corresponding limiting groove 134. The elastic pre-tightening structure includes a pre-tightening spring 141, a positioning pin 142, a positioning gland 143, and a spring retaining ring 144. The two ends of the pre-tightening spring 141 are respectively connected to the pre-tightening cavity 133 and the positioning pin 144. The positioning cap 143 is fitted onto the positioning pin 142, and the spring retainer 144 is positioned in the limiting groove 134, limiting the positioning cap 143 within the pre-tightening cavity 133. The sealing ring 132 has a clamping ring groove 1321 corresponding to the positioning pin 142, forming two sealing edges 1322. During pre-tightening, the pre-tightening spring 141 compresses and pushes the positioning pin 142 to press against the clamping ring groove 1321, so that the two sealing edges 1322 form a seal with the inner walls of the upper sealing cavity 13 and the lower sealing cavity 22, respectively. Specifically, multiple pre-tightening cavities 133 are evenly distributed circumferentially along the outer periphery of the sealing ring 132.

[0052] Specifically, to enhance the sealing effect, a second sealing ring 1323 is provided between the first sealing ring 132 and the upper sealing cavity 13 and the lower sealing cavity 22. The second sealing ring 1323 works in conjunction with the first sealing ring 132 to achieve further sealing. The cross-section of the clamping ring groove 1321 is V-shaped, and the opening of the clamping ring groove 1321 faces the claw 62. Figure 5 As shown, the plane containing the central axis 1324 of the V-shaped structure and the diameter of the sealing ring 132 is parallel to each other. Figure 5 From the perspective shown, the two sealing edges 1322 are symmetrically distributed about the central axis 1324 of the included angle of the V-shaped structure.

[0053] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 8 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 The secondary sealing assembly includes an upper pressure frame 51, an upper support frame 52, and a lower support frame 53. A secondary sealing screw 15 is threaded onto the upper flange 10, and the secondary sealing screw 15 presses against the upper pressure frame 51. The lower support frame 53 has a lower support block 531 spaced apart from the claw 62. An inclined pressure block 532 is slidably mounted on the lower support block 531. The inclined pressure block 532 passes through the upper sealing cavity 13 and presses against the sealing ring 132. The upper pressure frame 51 has an upper driving member 511 corresponding to the inclined pressure block 532. During sealing, the secondary sealing screw 15 pushes the upper pressure frame 51 to slide, and the upper pressure frame 51 drives the upper driving member 511 to push the inclined pressure block 532 to slide, thus pressing the sealing ring 132 tightly against the sealing cavity. For details, please refer to... Figure 14 and Figure 15To circumferentially limit the inclined pressure block 532 and prevent it from detaching from the lower support block 531 during sliding, the lower support block 531 is provided with an anti-detachment pin 5311, and the inclined pressure block 532 is provided with a sliding groove 5322 corresponding to the anti-detachment pin 5311. When the inclined pressure block 532 slides, the anti-detachment pin 5311 passes through the sliding groove 5322 along the central axis of the upper flange 10 and limits the inclined pressure block 532.

[0054] By setting up a secondary sealing component, the sealing ring 132 is pre-tightened by the elastic pre-tightening structure, so that the sealing ring 132 and the inner walls of the upper sealing cavity 13 and the lower sealing cavity 22 are sealed. At the same time, the sealing ring 132 is further pressed and sealed by the secondary sealing screw 15 in conjunction with the inclined pressure block 532 and the upper driving component 511, thereby improving the sealing effect and ensuring the sealing effect between the sealing ring 132 and the upper sealing cavity 13 and the lower sealing cavity 22 when the elastic pre-tightening structure fails.

[0055] During assembly, the entire elastic pre-tightening structure is inclined relative to the compression ring groove 1321. When the sealing ring 132 is compressed, the force applied by the positioning pin 142 to the compression ring groove 1321 is inclined relative to the compression ring groove 1321, which makes the force on the two sealing edges 1322 different. As a result, the deformation of the two sealing edges 1322 is different, and there is a possibility that the sealing effect of one of the sealing edges 1322 is poor, which in turn affects the sealing effect of the sealing ring 132 on the entire sealing cavity.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 10 The inclined pressure block 532 and the elastic pre-tightening structure are staggered. One end of the inclined pressure block 532, which penetrates into the upper sealing cavity 13, is pressed into the pressing ring groove 1321. The end of the inclined pressure block 532 that is pressed into the pressing ring groove 1321 is provided with a V-shaped block 5321 corresponding to the pressing ring groove 1321. The central axis of the V-shaped structure formed by the V-shaped block 5321 and the central axis of the V-shaped structure formed by the pressing ring groove 1321 are aligned with each other, and the included angle of the V-shaped block 5321 is greater than the included angle of the pressing ring groove 1321. When sealing, the inclined pressure block 532 slides along the diameter direction of the sealing ring 132 towards the central axis of the sealing ring 132, and pushes the two sealing edges 1322 to press against the inner walls of the upper sealing cavity 13 and the lower sealing cavity 22 respectively through the V-shaped block 5321 to form a seal.

[0057] By using the V-shaped blocks 5321 on the inclined pressure block 532 corresponding to the clamping ring groove 1321, and with the included angle formed by the V-shaped blocks 5321 being greater than the included angle formed by the clamping ring groove 1321, when the inclined pressure block 532 slides along the diameter direction of the sealing ring 132 towards the central axis of the sealing ring 132, the two sealing edges 1322 are deformed to both sides by the force applied by the two inclined surfaces of the V-shaped blocks 5321, that is, deformed towards the upper sealing cavity 13 and the lower sealing cavity 22 respectively, thereby forming a seal. Compared with the pressure applied to the two sealing edges 1322 by the elastic pre-tightening structure, the pressure applied to the two sealing edges 1322 by the inclined pressure block 532 is more uniform, reducing the possibility that the deformation degree of one of the sealing edges 1322 is insufficient due to uneven force on the two sealing edges 1322, thus affecting the overall sealing effect.

[0058] Please refer to Figure 8 The upper drive member 511 is provided with a first transmission inclined surface 5111, and the inclined pressure block 532 is provided with a second transmission inclined surface 5323 corresponding to the first transmission inclined surface 5111. During sealing, the upper drive member 511 drives the inclined pressure block 532 to press the sealing ring 132 through the cooperation of the first transmission inclined surface 5111 and the second transmission inclined surface 5323.

[0059] Please refer to Figure 8 and Figure 11 The upper support frame 52 is provided with multiple upper support blocks 521, which correspond to the lower support blocks 531. An interval groove 522 corresponding to the claw 62 is formed between two adjacent upper support blocks 521. A pin is connected to the upper support block 521, and the claw 62 is rotatably connected to the adjacent upper support block 521 through the pin.

[0060] Specifically, the interval between two adjacent upper support blocks 521 is slightly larger than the width of the chuck 62, thus facilitating the insertion of the chuck 62 onto the corresponding pin. By setting the pin on the upper support block 521 and rotatably connecting it to the chuck 62, the chuck 62 is less prone to circumferential movement during assembly, and it is convenient to circumferentially position the chuck 62 during assembly.

[0061] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 9 The claw-type underwater hydraulic connector also includes a secondary locking screw 16. A secondary locking hole 19 is provided on the upper flange 10. The secondary locking screw 16 passes through the secondary locking hole 19 and into the upper flange 10. The secondary locking screw 16 is locked by a locking nut 163. When the drive ring 61 drives the claw 62 to rotate and grip the upper flange 10 and lower flange 20, the locking nut 163 rotates to press the secondary locking screw 16 against the drive ring 61. The secondary locking screw 16 limits the movement of the drive ring 61, ensuring that the gripping effect is not easily affected by displacement of the drive ring 61 after the claw 62 grips the upper flange 10 and lower flange 20.

[0062] Specifically, to limit the locking force of the secondary locking screw 16, a locking spring 161 is fitted onto the secondary locking screw 16, and a first pressing block 162 is provided on the secondary locking screw 16. The two ends of the locking spring 161 are in contact with the first pressing block 162 and the locking nut 163, respectively. The locking spring 161, the first pressing block 162, and the locking nut 163 cooperate with each other, and the elastic force of the locking spring 161 and the locking force of the locking nut 163 cancel each other out, so that the pressure of the secondary locking screw 16 on the drive ring 61 is not too large, thereby reducing the possibility that the drive ring 61 will continue to move downward after moving to the lowest position due to excessive locking force, which would affect the clamping of the claw 62.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 2 The upper flange 10 is provided with a drain hole, and a sealing plug 17 is installed in the drain hole. After the upper flange 10 and the lower flange 20 are assembled, the seawater in the inner hole 11 of the upper flange 10 and the lower flange 20 is drained through the drain hole. The lower flange 20 is also connected to the base 23 by bolts and a meniscus.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The housing 30 is provided with a guide shell 18, which has a frustum-shaped structure and is coaxially arranged with the upper flange 10. The guide shell 18 facilitates the placement of the upper flange 10 and housing 30 into the water and provides guidance during the assembly of the lower flange 20. In actual assembly, the assembly processes of the lower flange 20 and base 23, the upper flange 10, housing 30, drive ring 61, claw 62, sealing ring 132, and elastic pre-tightening structure are performed separately.

Claims

1. A claw-type underwater hydraulic connector, comprising: Upper flange (10) and lower flange (20) are provided together to form a sealed cavity. A sealing ring (132) is provided in the sealed cavity. An elastic pre-tightening structure for pre-tightening the sealing ring (132) is provided in the upper flange (10). The housing (30) has the upper flange (10) and lower flange (20) located inside the housing (30). The housing (30) is provided with a clamping assembly (60), which includes a drive ring (61) and multiple claws (62) disposed inside the drive ring (61). A hydraulic system for driving the clamping assembly (60) to clamp the upper flange (10) and the lower flange (20); Its features are: It also includes a secondary sealing assembly, which includes an upper pressure frame (51), an upper support frame (52) and a lower support frame (53). The upper flange (10) is threaded with a secondary sealing screw (15), which presses against the upper pressure frame (51). The lower support frame (53) is provided with a lower support block (531) spaced apart from the claw (62). The upper support frame (52) is provided with a plurality of upper support blocks (521). The upper support blocks (521) and the lower support blocks (531) correspond to each other. An interval groove (522) corresponding to the claw (62) is formed between two adjacent upper support blocks (521). An inclined pressure block (532) is slidably provided on the lower support block (531). The inclined pressure block (532) passes through the upper flange (10) and presses on the sealing ring (132). The upper pressure frame (51) is provided with an upper driving member (511) corresponding to the inclined pressure block (532). When sealing, the secondary sealing screw (15) pushes the upper pressure frame (51) to slide. The upper pressure frame (51) drives the upper driving member (511) to push the inclined pressure block (532) to slide and press the sealing ring (132) on the sealing cavity. The inner hole (11) of the upper flange (10) is provided with an upper sealing cavity (13), and the inner hole (11) of the lower flange (20) is provided with a lower sealing cavity (22). The upper sealing cavity (13) and the lower sealing cavity (22) cooperate to form the sealing cavity. The sealing ring (132) is provided with a pressing ring groove (1321) corresponding to the elastic pre-tightening structure and forms two sealing pressing edges (1322). When pre-tightened, the elastic pre-tightening structure is pressed into the pressing ring groove (1321), so that the two sealing pressing edges (1322) respectively form a seal with the inner wall of the upper sealing cavity (13) and the lower sealing cavity (22). The inclined pressure block (532) and the elastic pre-tightening structure are staggered. One end of the inclined pressure block (532) that penetrates into the upper sealing cavity (13) is pressed into the pressing ring groove (1321). The end of the inclined pressure block (532) that is pressed into the pressing ring groove (1321) is provided with a V-shaped block (5321) corresponding to the pressing ring groove (1321). The included angle of the V-shaped block (5321) is greater than the included angle formed by the pressing ring groove (1321). When sealing, the inclined pressure block (532) slides along the diameter direction of the sealing ring (132) towards the central axis of the sealing ring (132), and pushes the two sealing edges (1322) to press against the inner walls of the upper sealing cavity (13) and the lower sealing cavity (22) respectively through the V-shaped block (5321) to form a seal. The pressure applied by the inclined pressure block (532) to the two sealing edges (1322) is the same.

2. The claw-type underwater hydraulic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the upper sealing cavity (13) is also provided with a pre-tightening cavity (133) and a limiting groove (134) corresponding to the elastic pre-tightening structure. The pre-tightening cavity (133) and the corresponding limiting groove (134) are connected, and the aperture of the pre-tightening cavity (133) is smaller than the aperture of the limiting groove (134). The pre-tightening cavity (133) is farther away from the central axis of the upper flange (10) than the corresponding limiting groove (134). The elastic pre-tightening structure includes a pre-tightening spring (141), a positioning pin (142), a positioning cover (143), and a spring retaining ring (144). The two ends of the spring (141) are in contact with the pre-tightening cavity (133) and the positioning pin (142) respectively. The positioning cover (143) is sleeved on the positioning pin (142). The spring retaining ring (144) is set in the limiting groove (134) and limits the positioning cover (143) in the pre-tightening cavity (133). When pre-tightening, the pre-tightening spring (141) is compressed and pushes the positioning pin (142) to press in the pressing ring groove (1321), so that the two sealing edges (1322) form a seal with the inner walls of the upper sealing cavity (13) and the lower sealing cavity (22) respectively.

3. The claw-type underwater hydraulic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cross-section of the clamping ring groove (1321) is a V-shaped structure, and the opening of the clamping ring groove (1321) is set towards the claw (62). The central axis of the V-shaped structure and the plane containing the diameter of the sealing ring (132) are parallel to each other.

4. The claw-type underwater hydraulic connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper flange (10) is provided with a first mounting protrusion (12), and the lower flange (20) is provided with a second mounting protrusion (21). The upper sealing cavity (13) and the lower sealing cavity (22) correspond to the first mounting protrusion (12) and the second mounting protrusion (21) respectively. When the upper flange (10) and the lower flange (20) are installed in the housing (30), the first mounting protrusion (12) and the second mounting protrusion (21) press against each other.

5. The claw-type underwater hydraulic connector according to claim 4, characterized in that: The inner wall of the housing (30) is provided with a sealing protrusion (31). The drive ring (61) and the claw (62) are both located inside the housing (30). The claw (62) is provided with a locking groove (621) corresponding to the first mounting protrusion (12) and the second mounting protrusion (21). The drive ring (61) is provided with an upper protrusion (611). The upper protrusion (611) and the sealing protrusion (31) are sealed together. An upper drive cavity (32) is formed between the upper protrusion (611) and the sealing protrusion (31). A piston ring (612) is connected to the drive ring (61). A lower drive cavity (33) is formed between the piston ring (612), the sealing protrusion (31), and the inner wall of the housing (30). The upper drive cavity (32) and the lower drive cavity (33) are both connected to the hydraulic system. When locked, the hydraulic system drives the drive ring (61) to slide by inputting hydraulic oil into the lower drive cavity (33).

6. The claw-type underwater hydraulic connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The drive ring (61) is provided with an upper ring groove (613), and the pawl (62) is provided with an upper limit protrusion (622) that matches the upper ring groove (613). When unlocking, the drive ring (61) pushes the pawl (62) to rotate through the cooperation of the upper ring groove (613) and the upper limit protrusion (622).

7. The claw-type underwater hydraulic connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The pawl (62) is provided with a locking ramp (623), and the inner wall of the drive ring (61) is provided with an inner conical surface (614) that matches the locking ramp (623). When locked, the drive ring (61) drives the pawl (62) to rotate through the cooperation of the inner conical surface (614) and the locking ramp (623).

8. The claw-type underwater hydraulic connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a secondary locking screw (16). The upper flange (10) is provided with a secondary locking hole (19). The secondary locking screw (16) passes through the secondary locking hole (19) and into the upper flange (10). The secondary locking screw (16) is locked by a locking nut (163). When the drive ring (61) drives the pawl (62) to rotate and clamp the upper flange (10) and the lower flange (20), the locking nut (163) rotates and causes the secondary locking screw (16) to press against the drive ring (61).

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