A submarine cable docking device for underwater equipment

Abstract

This invention discloses an underwater equipment cable docking device, belonging to the technical field of cable equipment. It includes a first connector and a second connector, both with matching cables horizontally fitted inside. The left side of the first connector has multiple self-locking mechanisms, each including a sleeve, a connector, a push rod, a first piston, and two sets of locking assemblies. Multiple insertion holes are horizontally formed inside both the first and second connectors, with the self-locking mechanisms corresponding to these holes. The locking assemblies include a locking plate and a connecting plate. The locking plate is horizontally positioned outside the push rod, and its end is rotatably connected to the push rod via a pin. A mounting cavity is formed inside the push rod, and the connecting plate is fixedly installed on the side of the locking plate near the mounting cavity. A spring rod is installed in the mounting cavity, with both ends of the spring rod hinged to the two connecting plates via pins. A limiting mechanism is provided at the left end of the first connector. This invention effectively solves the problems of difficult and cumbersome installation and docking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of submarine cable docking technology, specifically to a submarine cable docking device for underwater equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Subsea production systems are widely used in deep-sea marine engineering development. Various marine engineering facilities, such as fixed platforms, floating platforms, and land terminals, can be equipped with subsea production systems to achieve a more efficient and flexible deep-sea development model. Subsea production systems and supporting facilities are connected by various hydraulic pipelines, cables, and optical fibers. These media are independently connected to underwater equipment, which is messy and increases the difficulty of construction. Submarine cables, such as underwater umbilical cable terminals, are responsible for underwater distribution of the light, electricity, and liquids transported in the umbilical cable and have a shell to protect these distribution functions, so that the underwater umbilical cable terminal is protected from damage caused by external impacts. After underwater distribution, underwater robots can connect the umbilical cable terminal and underwater oil and gas production equipment through optical fly wires, electrical fly wires, and liquid fly wires.

[0003] Existing docking devices are typically difficult to install and connect, requiring multiple sets of fasteners for connection, making the installation process cumbersome and further increasing the difficulty of underwater operations. Summary of the Invention

[0004] 1. The technical problem to be solved by the present invention The purpose of this invention is to provide an underwater equipment submarine cable docking device to solve the problems mentioned in the background art above: Existing docking devices are typically difficult to install and connect, requiring multiple sets of fasteners for connection, making the installation process cumbersome and further increasing the difficulty of underwater operations.

[0005] 2. Technical Solution To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A submarine cable docking device for underwater equipment includes a first connector and a second connector, wherein a matching cable is horizontally sleeved in both the first connector and the second connector. The first connector has multiple self-locking mechanisms on its left side. Each self-locking mechanism includes a sleeve, a connector, a push rod, a first piston, and two sets of locking components. The first and second connectors have multiple horizontally opened insertion holes. The multiple self-locking mechanisms correspond to the multiple insertion holes. The sleeve is horizontally fixedly installed on the right end of the first connector and aligned with the insertion hole. The push rod is horizontally slidably sleeved inside the sleeve. The first piston is slidably sleeved inside the sleeve and fixedly sleeved on the push rod. The two sets of locking components are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the right end of the push rod. The connector is vertically fixedly installed on the outer side of the right end of the sleeve and communicates with the inside of the sleeve. The locking assembly includes a locking plate and a connecting plate. The locking plate is horizontally disposed on the outside of the push rod, and its end is rotatably connected to the push rod via a pin. The push rod has a mounting cavity. The connecting plate is fixedly installed on the side of the locking plate near the mounting cavity. A spring rod is disposed in the mounting cavity. Both ends of the spring rod are hinged to the two connecting plates respectively via pins. The left end of the first connector is provided with a limiting mechanism for limiting multiple sets of self-locking mechanisms.

[0006] Preferably, the limiting mechanism includes a ring body, multiple insert plates, and a rotating assembly. The ring body is rotatably sleeved on the left end of the first connector. A locking block is fixedly installed on the side of the push rod tail end. A locking hole is opened in the locking block. Multiple insert plates are fixedly installed on the outside of the ring body and are evenly distributed in a ring. The multiple insert plates correspond to multiple locking holes and are slidably sleeved in the locking holes. The rotating assembly is used to drive the ring body to deflect.

[0007] Preferably, the rotating assembly includes two brackets, a rotating shaft, a handwheel, a worm head, and a worm wheel plate. The two brackets are symmetrically and vertically fixedly installed on the left end of the first connector. The rotating shaft is horizontally rotatably sleeved within the two brackets. The worm head is fixedly sleeved on the rotating shaft. The worm wheel plate is fixedly installed on the left end of the ring body and meshes with the worm head. The handwheel is fixedly sleeved on the end of the rotating shaft.

[0008] Preferably, a sealing ring is fixedly fitted at the end of the first connector and the second connector that are close to each other. The first connector and the second connector have symmetrical slots at their upper and lower centers at their respective ends. A pair of magnets are fixedly installed on the upper and lower sides of the end of the first connector and the second connector that are close to each other. The two magnets are fixedly embedded in the two slots respectively, and the other two magnets are protruding and fixedly installed at the ends of the first connector and the second connector respectively.

[0009] Preferably, the first connector is provided with a pushing mechanism, which includes a second piston, a push block, a compression spring and a baffle. A sliding cavity is horizontally opened in the first connector. The push block is horizontally slidably sleeved in the sliding cavity. The second piston is fixedly sleeved on the push block and makes sealing sliding contact with the inner wall of the sliding cavity. The top of the baffle is rotatably installed at the output end of the sliding cavity through a pin shaft, and a torsion spring is embedded at the junction. A plurality of guide holes are horizontally opened at the left end of the first connector. The plurality of guide holes are evenly distributed in a ring, and the right ends of all of them are connected to the sliding cavity.

[0010] Preferably, multiple square tubes are horizontally fixedly installed in the push block. The left end of each square tube is connected to the end of a sub-wire harness in the cable via a flexible hose. The flexible hose is used for the sub-wire harness to pass through. Multiple sockets are horizontally fixedly installed on the left end of the second connector. Each socket corresponds to one of the multiple square tubes. A sealing plate is rotatably installed on the left end of each socket via a pin and a torsion spring. The terminal of the sub-wire harness is fixedly installed inside each socket.

[0011] Preferably, the first connector is horizontally fixedly embedded with multiple conduits, the upper and lower ports of which are respectively connected to the left end of the sleeve and the inside of the first connector, and a back pressure valve is fixedly installed inside the upper side of the conduit.

[0012] 3. Beneficial effects (1) The limiting mechanism works in conjunction with multiple self-locking mechanisms. Under the action of pressure difference, the push rod can slide out and pass through the insertion holes of the first and second connectors. Then the locking component is released, which automatically locks the first and second connectors, making the docking and installation operation faster and simpler, and reducing the difficulty of underwater operation. (2) When the multiple self-locking mechanisms are locking, the areas inside the first and second joints are evacuated to a vacuum state to ensure that the cable will not be affected by water when it is connected. Under the vacuum negative pressure environment, the pushing mechanism can push the end of the cable to achieve automatic connection of the cable. (3) After the cable device is connected, the first connector and the second connector are in a vacuum state and there is a pressure difference with the outside, which makes the connection between the first connector and the second connector more secure and improves the stability of the device. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an underwater equipment submarine cable docking device proposed in this invention; Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the underwater equipment cable docking device proposed in this invention. Figure 3 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of the structure at point A in the image; Figure 4 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of the structure at point B in the image; Figure 5 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of the structure at point C.

[0014] In the diagram: 1. First connector; 2. Second connector; 3. Sleeve; 4. Connector; 5. Push rod; 6. First piston; 7. Insertion hole; 8. Clamping plate; 9. Connecting plate; 10. Reservoir cavity; 11. Spring rod; 12. Ring body; 13. Inserting plate; 14. Clamping bracket; 15. Rotating shaft; 16. Handwheel; 17. Worm head; 18. Worm wheel plate; 19. Sealing ring; 20. Slot; 21. Magnet; 22. Second piston; 23. Push block; 24. Compression spring; 25. Baffle; 26. Slide cavity; 27. Square tube; 28. Insertion sleeve; 29. ​​Sealing plate; 30. Guide tube; 31. Back pressure valve; 32. Guide hole; 33. Clamping block; 34. Hose. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0016] See Figure 1-5 A submarine cable docking device for underwater equipment includes a first connector 1 and a second connector 2, both of which are horizontally fitted with matching cables. Multiple self-locking mechanisms are provided on the left side of the first connector 1. The self-locking mechanism includes a sleeve 3, a connector 4, a push rod 5, a first piston 6, and two sets of locking components. Multiple insertion holes 7 are horizontally opened in the first connector 1 and the second connector 2. The multiple sets of self-locking mechanisms correspond to the multiple insertion holes 7. The sleeve 3 is horizontally fixedly installed on the right end of the first connector 1 and aligned with the insertion hole 7. The push rod 5 is horizontally slidably sleeved in the sleeve 3. The first piston 6 is slidably sleeved in the sleeve 3 and fixedly sleeved on the push rod 5. The two sets of locking components are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the right end of the push rod 5. The connector 4 is vertically fixedly installed on the outer side of the right end of the sleeve 3 and is in communication with the inside of the sleeve 3. The locking assembly includes a locking plate 8 and a connecting plate 9. The locking plate 8 is horizontally arranged outside the push rod 5, and its end is rotatably connected to the push rod 5 via a pin. The push rod 5 has a mounting cavity 10. The connecting plate 9 is fixedly installed on the side of the locking plate 8 near the mounting cavity 10. A spring rod 11 is provided in the mounting cavity 10. Both ends of the spring rod 11 are hinged to the two connecting plates 9 via pins. The left end of the first connector 1 is equipped with a limiting mechanism for limiting multiple self-locking mechanisms.

[0017] The limiting mechanism includes a ring body 12, multiple insert plates 13, and a rotating assembly. The ring body 12 is rotatably sleeved on the left end of the first connector 1. A locking block 33 is fixedly installed on the side of the tail end of the push rod 5. A locking hole is opened in the locking block 33. Multiple insert plates 13 are fixedly installed on the outside of the ring body 12 and are evenly distributed in a ring. The multiple insert plates 13 correspond to multiple locking holes respectively and are slidably sleeved in the locking holes. The rotating assembly is used to drive the ring body 12 to deflect.

[0018] When the ring 12 is driven to rotate by the rotating assembly, multiple insert plates 13 rotate synchronously with the ring 12 and are inserted into the corresponding locking holes of the push rod 5. The matching relationship between the locking hole depth and the length of the insert plate 13 ensures that the insertion depth reaches the effective limit requirement. The reduction ratio setting of the worm gear structure allows for precise control of the ring rotation angle when operating the handwheel, ensuring that all insert plates complete the insertion action simultaneously. The insert plate 13 and the locking hole adopt a clearance fit, which ensures smooth sliding and avoids excessive looseness. The rotation angle of the ring is limited to a certain angle range, ensuring that the insert plate 13 can switch between two states: fully withdrawn from the locking hole or fully inserted. The rotating assembly includes two brackets 14, a rotating shaft 15, a handwheel 16, a worm head 17, and a worm wheel plate 18. The two brackets 14 are symmetrically and vertically fixedly installed on the left end of the first connector 1. The rotating shaft 15 is horizontally rotatably sleeved in the two brackets 14. The worm head 17 is fixedly sleeved on the rotating shaft 15. The worm wheel plate 18 is fixedly installed on the left end of the ring body 12 and meshes with the worm head 17. The handwheel 16 is fixedly sleeved on the end of the rotating shaft 15.

[0019] Sealing rings 19 are fixedly fitted at the ends of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 that are close to each other. The upper and lower centers of the ends of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 that are close to each other are symmetrically provided with slots 20. A pair of magnets 21 are fixedly installed on the upper and lower sides of the ends of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 that are close to each other. The two magnets 21 are fixedly embedded in the two slots 20 respectively, and the other two are protruding and fixedly installed at the ends of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 respectively.

[0020] The first connector 1 is provided with a pushing mechanism, which includes a second piston 22, a push block 23, a compression spring 24 and a baffle 25. A sliding cavity 26 is horizontally opened in the first connector 1. The push block 23 is horizontally slidably sleeved in the sliding cavity 26. The second piston 22 is fixedly sleeved on the push block 23 and makes sealing sliding contact with the inner wall of the sliding cavity 26. The top of the baffle 25 is rotatably installed at the output end of the sliding cavity 26 through a pin shaft, and a torsion spring is embedded at the junction. Multiple guide holes 32 are horizontally opened at the left end of the first connector 1. The multiple guide holes 32 are evenly distributed in a ring, and their right ends are all connected to the sliding cavity 26.

[0021] Multiple square tubes 27 are horizontally fixedly installed in the push block 23. The left end of the square tube 27 is connected to the end of the sub-wire harness in the cable through the flexible hose 34. The flexible hose 34 is used for the sub-wire harness to pass through. Multiple plug sleeves 28 are horizontally fixedly installed on the left end of the second connector 2. The multiple plug sleeves 28 correspond to the multiple square tubes 27 respectively. The left end is rotatably installed with a sealing plate 29 through a pin and a torsion spring. The connector end of the sub-wire harness is fixedly installed inside the plug sleeve 28.

[0022] When the device is lowered underwater, external water pressure enters the left side of the sliding cavity through the guide holes, pushing the second piston 22 to move the push block 23. At this time, the compression spring 24 is compressed and stores energy. During the movement of the push block 23, the square tube 27 is inserted into the socket of the second connector 2 to complete the wiring harness connection. The baffle is opened by the push force of the push block 23 rotating around the pin shaft, allowing the square tube to pass through. After the connection is completed, if the device needs to be disassembled, the compression spring releases energy when the external water pressure is removed, pushing the push block 23 to reset. The baffle 25 automatically closes under the action of the torsion spring, preventing external impurities from entering the sliding cavity 26 in the reverse direction. The annular distribution design of the guide holes ensures that the water pressure is evenly applied to the second piston 22, avoiding the push block 23 from being misaligned and causing jamming. The first connector 1 is horizontally fixedly embedded with multiple conduits 30. The upper and lower ends of the conduits 30 are respectively connected to the left end of the sleeve 3 and the inside of the first connector 1. A back pressure valve 31 is fixedly installed inside the upper side of the conduits 30.

[0023] In the initial state, multiple insert plates 13 are inserted into the slots of multiple clips 33 respectively. Through an external air pump device connected to the connector 4, the space inside the sleeve 3 located to the right of the first piston 6 is evacuated to a vacuum state, and then the connector 4 is closed.

[0024] When using this device to connect the cables on both sides, bring the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 close together. After the magnets 21 are paired, they will generate an attraction force, which will cause the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 to initially combine. Since the two magnets 21 are located in the slots 20 respectively, the other two magnets 21 that protrude from the outer ends of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 will be inserted into the slots 20 respectively, thus achieving the alignment of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2.

[0025] After alignment, the insertion holes 7 of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are aligned. Then, the rotating shaft 15 is turned by the handwheel 16. The rotating shaft 15 drives the worm wheel plate 18 to rotate through the worm head 17. The worm wheel plate 18 drives the ring body 12 to rotate. The ring body 12 drives multiple insertion plates 13 to disengage from the corresponding locking holes, releasing the push rod 5.

[0026] After the insert plate 13 disengages from the locking block 33, the push rod 5 is in a released state. Since the left side of the first piston 6 is in a vacuum state, under the action of the pressure difference, the push rod 5 is pushed to the right, so that the right end of the push rod 5 passes through the insertion hole 7 of the second connector 2, and finally the right end of the push rod 5 passes out of the insertion hole 7 of the second connector 2, so that both sets of locking components are located on the right side of the second connector 2. After disengaging from the area of ​​the insertion hole 7 of the second connector 2, the spring rod 11 releases its elastic force, and pushes the two locking plates 8 to deflect through the two connecting plates 9, so that the two locking plates 8 deflect to contact the right side of the second connector 2, locking the second connector 2, thereby achieving a tight connection between the first connector 1 and the second connector 2.

[0027] The limiting mechanism works in conjunction with multiple self-locking mechanisms. Under the action of pressure difference, the push rod 5 can slide out and pass through the insertion hole 7 of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2. Then the locking component is released, which automatically locks the first connector 1 and the second connector 2, making the docking and installation operation faster and simpler, and reducing the difficulty of underwater operations.

[0028] When the first piston 6 moves to the right, the pressure in the space on its left side decreases, generating a negative pressure. Under the action of the negative pressure, the back pressure valve 31 is opened, which makes the conduit 30 open. The water inside the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 is drawn out through the conduit 30, flows into and is sealed in the sleeve 3. The inside of the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 is in a vacuum state. Under the action of the pressure difference, the water flows through the guide hole 32 into the area on the left side of the second piston 22, pushing the second piston 22. The second piston 22 drives the push block 23 to move, compressing the compression spring 24, which causes the square tube 27 to drive the sub-wire harness end to move to the right, pushing open the baffle 25. Finally, the sub-wire harness end at the right end of the square tube 27 pushes open the sealing plate 29 at the left end of the plug sleeve 28 and connects with the terminal, realizing the connection of the cable.

[0029] When locking, the multiple self-locking mechanisms create a vacuum inside the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 to ensure that the cable is not affected by water during connection. Under vacuum negative pressure, the pushing mechanism can push the cable end forward to achieve automatic cable connection.

[0030] After the device is connected, the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 are in a vacuum state, and there is a pressure difference with the outside, which makes the connection between the first connector 1 and the second connector 2 more secure and improves the stability of the device.

[0031] This application achieves synchronous and rapid locking of multiple self-locking mechanisms, simplifying the operation from multiple independent fastening actions to a single rotational action. The linkage design between the ring and the insert plate transforms spatially distributed multi-point limiting into circular motion control, significantly reducing the complexity of underwater operations. The worm gear transmission mechanism achieves precise angle control while possessing self-locking characteristics, ensuring stable and reliable insertion of the insert plate. The mating structure between the locking hole and the insert plate provides reliable mechanical limiting while allowing for rapid unlocking for repeated docking operations.

[0032] It should be noted that the term "comprising" or any other variation thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0033] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A submarine cable docking device for underwater equipment, comprising a first connector (1) and a second connector (2), wherein a matching cable is horizontally sleeved in both the first connector (1) and the second connector (2); Its features are: The first connector (1) is provided with multiple self-locking mechanisms on the left side. The self-locking mechanism includes a sleeve (3), a connector (4), a push rod (5), a first piston (6), and two sets of locking components. Multiple insertion holes (7) are horizontally opened in the first connector (1) and the second connector (2). The multiple self-locking mechanisms correspond to the multiple insertion holes (7). The sleeve (3) is horizontally fixedly installed on the right end of the first connector (1) and aligned with the insertion holes (7). The push rod (5) is horizontally slidably sleeved in the sleeve (3). The first piston (6) is slidably sleeved in the sleeve (3) and fixedly sleeved on the push rod (5). The two sets of locking components are symmetrically arranged on the upper and lower sides of the right end of the push rod (5). The connector (4) is vertically fixedly installed on the outside of the right end of the sleeve (3) and communicates with the inside of the sleeve (3). The locking assembly includes a locking plate (8) and a connecting plate (9). The locking plate (8) is horizontally arranged outside the push rod (5), and its end is rotatably connected to the push rod (5) through a pin. The push rod (5) has a mounting cavity (10). The connecting plate (9) is fixedly installed on the side of the locking plate (8) near the mounting cavity (10). A spring rod (11) is provided in the mounting cavity (10). Both ends of the spring rod (11) are hinged to the two connecting plates (9) respectively through pins. The first connector (1) has a limiting mechanism on its left end, which is used to limit the multiple self-locking mechanisms.

2. The underwater equipment submarine cable docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The limiting mechanism includes a ring (12), multiple insert plates (13) and a rotating assembly. The ring (12) is rotatably sleeved on the left end of the first connector (1). A locking block (33) is fixedly installed on the side of the tail end of the push rod (5). A locking hole is opened in the locking block (33). Multiple insert plates (13) are fixedly installed on the outside of the ring (12) and are evenly distributed in a ring. Multiple insert plates (13) correspond to multiple locking holes respectively and are slidably sleeved in the locking holes. The rotating assembly is used to drive the ring (12) to deflect.

3. The underwater equipment submarine cable docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating assembly includes two brackets (14), a rotating shaft (15), a handwheel (16), a worm head (17), and a worm wheel plate (18). The two brackets (14) are symmetrically and vertically fixedly installed on the left end of the first connector (1). The rotating shaft (15) is horizontally rotated and sleeved in the two brackets (14). The worm head (17) is fixedly sleeved on the rotating shaft (15). The worm wheel plate (18) is fixedly installed on the left end of the ring body (12) and meshes with the worm head (17). The handwheel (16) is fixedly sleeved on the end of the rotating shaft (15).

4. The underwater equipment submarine cable docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sealing ring (19) is fixedly fitted on one end of the first connector (1) and the second connector (2) that are close to each other. A slot (20) is symmetrically opened at the upper and lower center of the one end of the first connector (1) and the second connector (2) that are close to each other. A pair of magnets (21) are fixedly installed on the upper and lower sides of the one end of the first connector (1) and the second connector (2) that are close to each other. The two magnets (21) are fixedly embedded in the two slots (20) respectively, and the other two are protruding and fixedly installed at the ends of the first connector (1) and the second connector (2).

5. The underwater equipment submarine cable docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first connector (1) is provided with a pushing mechanism, which includes a second piston (22), a push block (23), a compression spring (24) and a baffle (25). A sliding cavity (26) is horizontally opened in the first connector (1). The push block (23) is horizontally slidably sleeved in the sliding cavity (26). The second piston (22) is fixedly sleeved on the push block (23) and makes a sealed sliding contact with the inner wall of the sliding cavity (26). The top of the baffle (25) is rotatably installed at the output end of the sliding cavity (26) through a pin shaft, and a torsion spring is embedded at the junction. A plurality of guide holes (32) are horizontally opened at the left end of the first connector (1). The plurality of guide holes (32) are evenly distributed in a ring, and the right end of each hole is connected to the sliding cavity (26).

6. The underwater equipment submarine cable docking device according to claim 5, characterized in that: Multiple square tubes (27) are horizontally fixedly installed in the push block (23). The left end of the square tube (27) is connected to the end of the sub-wire harness in the cable through a flexible hose (34). The flexible hose (34) is used for the sub-wire harness to pass through. Multiple plug sleeves (28) are horizontally fixedly installed on the left end of the second connector (2). The multiple plug sleeves (28) correspond to the multiple square tubes (27) respectively. A sealing plate (29) is rotatably installed on the left end through a pin and a torsion spring. The connector end of the sub-wire harness is fixedly installed inside the plug sleeve (28).

7. The underwater equipment submarine cable docking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first connector (1) is horizontally fixedly embedded with multiple conduits (30). The upper and lower ports of the conduits (30) are respectively connected to the left end of the sleeve (3) and the inside of the first connector (1). A back pressure valve (31) is fixedly installed inside the upper side of the conduits (30).

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