connector

Abstract

To provide a connector which can release connection without using a diver or without breaking a device.SOLUTION: An elongated connector 201 for connecting a cable or the like to a wind power generator in water comprises a plurality of locking elements held in a plurality of cages 213a, 213b on the connector and arranged on a plurality of ramp surfaces 216. The plurality of cages are movable so as to move the plurality of locking elements along the plurality of ramp surfaces between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and the plurality of cages independently move with respect to each other. The plurality of cages are elastically biased independently of each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to connectors, in particular subsea connectors, especially for connecting cables to power generating equipment such as offshore wind turbines. The present invention also relates to methods for connecting and disconnecting such connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Electric power is collected from an offshore wind turbine generator by an electric cable. The cable is connected at one end to a support pillar of the generator and is configured to pass through an opening or "pile" in the wall of the support pillar to reach the seabed. The cable tends to pass through the (substantially vertical) wall of the pile at an oblique angle. WO 2010 / 038056 discloses an exemplary connector for connecting a cable to a wind turbine. In this example, it has a series of wedge-shaped latches that penetrate the support pillar and latch onto the oblique inner edge of the aperture. In the WO 2010 / 038056 configuration, the latches are resiliently biased outwardly towards an engaged position. The latches are wedge shaped and properly oriented so that when the connector is pushed or pulled through the holes, the latches pivot inward and then, once each latch is fully past the hole, the resilient bias causes them to pivot outward toward the engaged position, thereby creating a strong bond. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2010 / 038056 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although the device described in WO 2010 / 038056 is easy to install, there is no mechanism to remove the connected device, which is required for disassembly or maintenance. Disconnection requires divers (with associated costs and risks) and destruction of the equipment.

[0005] The present invention aims to improve upon the device described in WO 2010 / 038056. However, it will be appreciated that the connector of the present invention is also suitable for connecting other subsea elements, in particular but not exclusively umbilicals and risers, where the connection has an oblique angle. The present invention can also be applied outside of the subsea environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elongated connector having a longitudinal axis, the connector having a plurality of ramp surfaces and a plurality of locking elements held within a plurality of cages on the connector and disposed on the plurality of ramp surfaces, the plurality of cages being movable to move the plurality of locking elements along the plurality of ramp surfaces between engaged and disengaged positions, the plurality of cages being adapted to move independently relative to one another.

[0007] By providing a locking element that moves between an engaged and disengaged position based on movement of the cage, the cage can be manipulated to move the locking element between the locked and unlocked positions, such that retracting the cage can move the locking element to the disengaged position, thereby allowing the connector to be disconnected without the use of a diver or destruction of the device.

[0008] The ramp surface may have a transition surface from a lower region, where the locking elements are in the disengaged position, to an upper region, where the locking elements are in the engaged position. The upper region and / or the lower region may be inclined. The upper region and / or the lower region may be in a plane parallel to the cages. Furthermore, the upper region and / or the lower region may be formed as depressions. Forming the upper region, in particular as a flat surface or in particular as a depression, reduces the possibility of accidental movement from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0009] The multiple cages may be axially movable.

[0010] The ramp face may be axially inclined so that the rear is deeper than the front.

[0011] The multiple ramp surfaces may be provided by a single ramp portion extending circumferentially around the connector.

[0012] The locking elements may be rolling elements, such as balls. Alternatively, for example, rollers may be used as the rolling elements.

[0013] The plurality of locking elements may move radially outwardly from a disengaged position towards an engaged position. The plurality of locking elements may move axially up a ramp as they move radially. The connector may be a male member that, in use, is inserted into a female member. The female member may be in the form of a hole with the plurality of locking elements engaging an edge of the hole.

[0014] Alternatively, the connector may be a female member and the plurality of locking elements may move inwardly from a disengaged position toward an engaged position.

[0015] The plurality of cages may be resiliently biased towards the engaged position.

[0016] The elastic bias may be provided by a spring, such as a helical spring or a rubber spring, or by a gas strut, such as a nitrogen gas strut.

[0017] Each of the multiple cages may be independently resiliently biased.

[0018] The plurality of locking elements may be at least three locking elements and the at least one cage may be at least three cages, at least two of the cages operatively connected to move simultaneously but adapted to move independently of the other at least one cage.

[0019] The plurality of locking elements may be at least four locking elements and the at least one cage may be at least four cages, at least two of the cages operatively connected to move simultaneously but independently of the at least two other cages, and the at least two other cages may be independently movable relative to each other and to the cage to which they are operatively connected.

[0020] The plurality of locking elements may be at least six locking elements and the at least one cage may be at least six cages, where at least three of the cages are operatively connected to move simultaneously but independently of the at least three other cages, and where the at least three other cages are independently movable relative to each other and to the cage to which they are operatively connected.

[0021] The plurality of locking elements may be at least eight locking elements and the at least one cage may be at least eight cages, at least four of the cages operatively connected to move simultaneously but independently of the at least four other cages, and the at least four other cages may be independently movable relative to each other and to the cage to which they are operatively connected.

[0022] Operatively connected cages and independent cages may alternate around the connector.

[0023] The plurality of locking elements may be arranged in at least one circumferentially spaced row about the connector.

[0024] The connector may have a front and a rear. The plurality of locking elements may be arranged in a forward row and a rearward row. The plurality of cages may extend forward and rearward and be axially movable.

[0025] The locking elements in a row may be circumferentially offset such that a locking element in a rear row is between a locking element in a front row and a next locking element in the same row.

[0026] A resilient bias may bias the plurality of cages in a forward direction.

[0027] The operatively connected cages and the independent cages may alternate around the connector such that the locking elements carried by the operatively connected cages form a front row and the locking elements carried by the independent cages form a rear row.

[0028] When entering the hole at an oblique angle, one or more of the locking elements in the rear row may be positioned to abut the inner surface of the hole (i.e., not outside the outer edge or beyond the inner edge). A locking element that is trapped against the inner surface of the hole remains in a disengaged position without moving along the ramp face to an engaged position. Therefore, the independence of the cage that holds the locking elements is paramount for the rear row that is more likely to be locked against the inner surface.

[0029] The connector may comprise release means operatively connected to the plurality of cages and adapted to move the plurality of cages from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0030] The release means may be a release collar. The release collar may be connected to the cages by pins. The release collar may be provided at the rear of the cage and the pins may extend from the rear of the release collar. The pins may have extensions, such as flanges, such that rearward movement of the release collar causes the pins to move rearward and the cage to move rearward, which moves the locking elements to a disengaged position, but rearward movement of the cage simply moves the pins through the release collar without moving the release collar.

[0031] The release means may be adapted to be operated by an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle). Alternatively, the connector may include a mechanism for remotely operating the release means, such as a hydraulically operated ram, a horseshoe clamp, or an actuator such as a screw and thread that can be rotated by an ROV or diver to move the collar rearward.

[0032] The operably connected cages may be operably connected to the release means by a fixed attachment. As a result, a visual indication of movement of the operably connected cages may be determined from outside the connector by observing movement of the release means. The pins of the operably connected cages may be provided with additional flanges. The additional flanges interact with a front of the release means to move the release means in unison with the operably connected cages.

[0033] Instead of multiple cages being operatively connected to one another by being connected to a release means, at least one may be fixedly connected to the release means while the other cages move independently, such that a particular cage can move back and forth to present the same visual indication.

[0034] The connector may include a hollow body in which the cages and the locking elements are mounted. A collar, pin, and / or resilient biasing means may also be mounted to the hollow body. A plurality of ramp surfaces may be formed in the hollow body.

[0035] The connector may include a nose section with means for connecting to an elongated member, such as a bend stiffener or bend restrictor, to prevent excessive bending of the cable as it passes through and exits the hollow body.

[0036] The connector may include an elongated member, such as a bend stiffener or bend limiter, connected to the nose.

[0037] The connector may include a tail section having means for connecting to a bend stiffener to prevent excessive bending of the cable entering from the rear and passing through the hollow body.

[0038] The connector may include a housing having a frustoconical stop face arranged to abut the support pillar. The housing may contain a resilient biasing means. The cage may be slidable into and out of the housing. A plurality of pins may extend through a rear of the housing.

[0039] The connector may be a subsea connector.

[0040] The connector may be a subsea connector for connecting a subsea cable to a power generation device, such as a wind turbine.

[0041] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elongated connector having a plurality of locking elements held within at least one cage on the connector and arranged on a plurality of ramp surfaces, the at least one cage being movable to move the plurality of locking elements along the plurality of ramp surfaces between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the at least one cage having a sleeve arranged radially of the cage and having a plurality of slots therein, the plurality of locking elements moving radially through the plurality of slots from the disengaged position towards the engaged position.

[0042] By providing a sleeve that covers the movable cage, resistance between the cage and the hole or the like with which the connector engages is prevented from acting on the movement of the cage to the engaged position.

[0043] The plurality of slots may extend axially and the plurality of locking elements may move axially as they move radially within the plurality of slots.

[0044] A plurality of slots may be formed to retain a plurality of locking elements within the connector.

[0045] At least a portion of the slots (e.g., radially outer regions) may have a width dimension less than a width dimension of the locking elements, such an arrangement separating the radial motion limiting function from the cage's function in determining axial movement of the locking elements.

[0046] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an elongated connector having a plurality of locking elements retained within at least one cage on the connector and arranged on a plurality of ramp surfaces, the at least one cage being movable to move the plurality of locking elements along the plurality of ramp surfaces from a disengaged position towards an engaged position, and the plurality of locking elements being movable within the at least one cage to a further, detached position.

[0047] Providing an additional "detach" position allows for permanent decoupling without rearward movement to the disengaged position, which can be easily accomplished, for example, by using a pull-in and / or retraction head rather than an ROV.

[0048] The multiple locking elements may move in the same radial direction from the engaged position to the disengaged position and from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0049] The plurality of locking elements may move radially inwardly from an engaged position toward a disengaged position and from the engaged position toward a disengaged position.

[0050] The multiple locking elements may move in the same axial direction from the engaged position to the disengaged position and from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0051] At least one cage is operably connected to a portion of the connector to restrict movement of the plurality of locking elements to engaged and disengaged positions to form an operable connection, which may be breakable to allow movement to a disconnected position.

[0052] At least one cage may be operatively connected to a release collar.

[0053] The operable connection may be frangible. A predetermined force may be required to break the operable connection. The predetermined force may be at least 50,000N, or 100,000N.

[0054] The operable connection may be provided by a tension bolt, tension pin, shear bolt or shear pin.

[0055] It will be apparent that embodiments may include features of the first and second, first and third, second and third or first to third aspects of the invention, including any combination of any features.

[0056] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of connecting a subsea cable to a power generation device comprising attaching the cable to a connector according to the first aspect of the present invention and pulling the cable through a hole in a support pillar or into a female connector having a ridge behind which a number of locking elements can engage, such that a number of locking elements in a number of cages move from a disengaged position to an engaged position.

[0057] In this connection method, the female connector may be a guide cone in a J-tube having an edge with at least one internal flange that provides a "false edge" that matches the edge of the hole behind which the locking element engages.

[0058] In this method, the holes may have an oblique angle.

[0059] The plurality of locking elements may be arranged such that at least one locking element in a front row and at least one locking element in a rear row engage an edge of a hole at an oblique angle in the support pillar.

[0060] The locking elements may be arranged such that any two locking elements in the front row and one locking element in the rear row engage the edge of the hole, or any two locking elements in the rear row and one locking element in the front row engage the edge of the hole. This arrangement, where there are always three contact points on the inside edge of the hole, creates a stable connection.

[0061] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of disconnecting an underwater cable connected to a generator set by a connector according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising moving one or more cages to move a plurality of locking elements from an engaged position to a disengaged position.

[0062] Preferably, the connector includes a release collar and the method of disconnection includes moving the release collar to move the plurality of locking elements from an engaged position to a disengaged position to move the cage.

[0063] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for disconnecting an underwater cable connected to a power generation device by a connector according to the third aspect of the present invention, comprising applying a predetermined force to push the connector out of a hole, thereby moving a plurality of locking elements from an engaged position to a disengaged position.

[0064] In order that the invention may be clearly understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0065] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a rear perspective view of the connector shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a rear perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inserted into a hole in a support pillar, with the support pillar partially cut away; FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a front perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inserted into a hole in a support pillar, with the support pillar partially cut away; FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 having a bend limiting member attached to the front and a bend reinforcing member attached to the rear and inserted into a hole in a support pillar, with the support pillar partially cut away. [Figure 7]FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 having a bend limiting member attached to the front and a bend reinforcing member attached to the rear, and inserted into a hole in a support pillar, with the support pillar partially cut away. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1-3 with some locking elements in a disengaged position. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1-3 with some locking elements in a disengaged position. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with all locking elements in a disengaged position. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with all locking elements in a disengaged position. [Figure 12] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1 at a different angle. [Figure 13] 18 is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the second embodiment of the present invention taken along line AA in FIG. 17 so that the upper half of the figure is at an angle of 45° to the lower half of the figure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIG. 13 along the same angle with the locking element in a disengaged position. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 taken along the same angle with some locking elements in an engaged position and other locking elements in a disengaged position. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the connector shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 taken along the same angle, with the locking element in the disengaged position. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 with the locking element in an engaged position. [Figure 18] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 with the locking element in an engaged position. [Figure 19]FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the connector of FIGS. 13-16 inserted into a hole in a support pillar, with the support pillar shown partially cut away; [Figure 20] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the connector of FIGS. 13-16 inserted into a hole in a support pillar, with the support pillar shown partially cut away; [Figure 21] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 having a bend limiting member attached to the front and a bend reinforcing member attached to the rear and inserted into a hole in a support pillar, with the support pillar partially cut away. [Figure 22] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 having a bend limiting member attached to the front and a bend reinforcing member attached to the rear and inserted into a hole in a support pillar, with the support pillar partially cut away. [Diagram 23] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 13-16 with all locking elements in a disengaged position. [Figure 24] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 13-16 with some locking elements in a disengaged position and other locking elements in an engaged position. [Diagram 25] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 with the locking element in the disengaged position. [Figure 26] FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the connector shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 with the sleeve omitted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0066] 1 to 12 show a first embodiment of a subsea connector 1. The subsea connector 1 is used to connect a cable (not shown) to a support pillar 3 of a wind turbine generator (shown in Figs. 4 to 7).

[0067] The connector 1 is a male member arranged to be inserted into a female member in the form of a hole 4 extending at an oblique angle within the support pillar 3. Alternatively, the connector may extend into a specially adapted J-tube with a flange formed behind (inside) the guide cone which acts as the hole.

[0068] The connector 1 comprises a hollow load-bearing mandrel 5. Within the mandrel 5 extends an axially extending cylindrical bore 6 along a first (longitudinal) axis X of the connector 1. The bore 6 is intended to receive a cable, not shown, so that the connector 1 can connect the cable to the support pillar 3. A person skilled in the art will understand that by varying the size of the bore 6, the same type of connector 1 can be used to connect other subsea elements, such as risers and umbilicals.

[0069] The mandrel 5 has a front and a rear. At the rear, connection means 11 are provided for connection to a bend stiffener 12 or the like. At the front of the mandrel 6, a nose cone 7 is attached. The nose cone 7 is continuous with the bore 6 and extends forward of the mandrel 5, through which, in use, a cable (not shown) extends. A pair of slots 8 are formed on the outside of the forward extending portion of the nose cone. In the pair of slots 8, forward extending bend limiters 9 (shown in Figures 6 and 7) are attached which guide the cable within the support pillar 3.

[0070] The rear of the nose cone 7 includes a concentric, forwardly directed sleeve 10 spaced radially outward from the mandrel 5. This provides an annular gap between the sleeve 10 of the nose cone 7 and the outer cylindrical surface of the mandrel 5. The annular gap provides a guide into which the forward ends of the cages (or ball cage segments) 13 extend. The cages 13 are arranged side by side around the mandrel 5, each formed as a section of a cylindrical tube extending along the longitudinal axis.

[0071] The front end of the cage 13 is stepped and has a protrusion 2 formed thereon. The protrusion 2 extends into the annular gap and, as a whole, the array of cages 13 has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the mandrel, the outer diameter of the array of cages 13 being thinner than the body of the cage so as to correspond to the outer diameter of the sleeve 10 of the nose cone 7. On the other hand, the protrusion 2 at the front end of the cage has an inner diameter the same as the body, but an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the sleeve. This allows the array of cages 13 to slide freely in the forward and backward directions, restricted by the sleeve 10. In this embodiment, eight cages 13 are provided, each having one hole 14. Each hole 14 is sized and shaped to capture a locking element in the form of a locking ball 15, with a portion of the ball 15 extending radially outward from the hole 14 but not completely out of the hole 14. This is achieved by a slight reduction in the radial dimension of the bore 14 in its radially outer region.

[0072] The cages 13 are divided into two types. The first type 13a (shown in FIG. 12) has a hole 14 at the front of the cage 13a. The second type 13b (shown in FIG. 1) has a hole 14 at the rear of the cage 13b. When one ball 15 is inserted in the front hole 14 of the cage 13a, the adjacent ball is inserted in the rear hole 14 of the cage 13b, and so on. The types of cages 13a and 13b are arranged alternately around the connector 1. This forms two circumferential rows of balls 15, i.e., a row of balls 15a at the front and a row of balls 15b at the rear.

[0073] In addition to the rows of balls 15a being spaced apart longitudinally from the rows of balls 15b, the cage 13a types alternate with the cage 13b types so that the balls 15a in the front row are longitudinally offset from the balls 15b in the rear row.

[0074] To allow the balls 15a, 15b to extend radially out of the holes 14 into an engaged / deployed position and retract into a disengaged / stowed position, the mandrel on which the cage 13 is mounted is provided with a number of ramps 16 formed in grooves 17 on the outer surface of the mandrel. The ramps 16 have axially inclined surfaces along which the balls 15 roll. In this embodiment, an individual groove 17 is provided for each ball 15. However, a pair of circumferentially extending grooves 17 may alternatively be formed around the entire circumference of the mandrel 5, one groove corresponding to the rear set of balls 15b and the other groove corresponding to the front set of balls 15a.

[0075] The groove 17 is formed with ramps 16 in the form of a transition surface from a lower region 18 (of smaller diameter), where the locking element is in the disengaged position, to an upper region 19 (of larger diameter), where the locking element is in the engaged position. The upper region 19 of the groove 17 is formed as a plane parallel to the cage 13, but may take the form of depressions to help maintain the positioned balls 15 in the engaged position.

[0076] The rear of the cages 13 are held in a tubular housing 20 having a frustoconical forward end or "stop" 32. A series of cavities 21 are formed around the connector 1 between the tubular housing 20 and the mandrel 5, one cavity 21 aligned with each cage 15. The cavities 21 are formed by recesses in the tubular housing 20 and corresponding recesses / grooves in the mandrel 5. Each cage is slidable rearwardly into a corresponding cavity 21. At the rear of each cavity 21 is formed a hole 22 through which extends a rod / pin 23 which is connected to the rear of each corresponding cage 15. Connected around the rod 23 near its forward end is a spring element in the form of a helical compression spring 24. A stop surface 25 is provided by a radially outwardly extending flange 26 formed on the mandrel 5 and forming part of the rear wall of the cavity 21. A helical spring 24 is held in place at its rear by a connection to the tubular housing 20.

[0077] Each spring element 24 resiliently biases the corresponding rod 23 (and therefore the corresponding cage 13) forwards, so that the ball 15 is forced up the ramp surface 16 by a bias to an engagement position in the upper region 19 of the groove 17. Behind the flange 26, a release means in the form of a release collar 27 is slidably mounted relative to the mandrel 5. The release collar 27 is provided with holes / bores 28 corresponding to the holes 22 through which the rods 23 pass. The holes 28 through the release collar 27 are counterbored / countersunk at the rear, and the rods 23 are provided with a rearward extension in the form of a flare which extends into the countersink / counterbore 30. In this embodiment, the rearward flare is provided by mounting a countersink screw / bolt 29 on the rods 23.

[0078] This arrangement means that if the elastic bias of the spring elements 24 is overcome and each cage 13 is allowed to move rearward independently of the others, and this does occur, the rod 23 of the moved cage 13 will slide out from behind the release collar 27.

[0079] As shown in Figure 12, the connection of the rod / pin 23a at the rear of the first type cage 13a is slightly different. Similarly, a spring element 24 is provided on the corresponding rod 23a to bias it forward, and a hole / bore 28 is provided through the release collar corresponding to the hole 22 through which the rod 23a passes. Similarly, the hole 28 through the release collar 27 is counterbored at the rear and the rod 23a is fitted with a countersink screw / bolt 29 so that rearward movement of the release collar causes rearward movement of the rod 23a (and therefore the cage 13a). However, the forward end of the hole 28 through the release collar 27 is also provided with a counterbore 34, and the rod 23a is provided with an integral flange 35 which engages the counterbore 34. Thus, the release collar 27 is effectively sandwiched between the flange 35 and the flare of the countersink / countersink screw / bolt 29 such that the release collar 27 and cage 13a move in unison. Rearward movement of the cage 13a moves the release collar rearward and similarly, rearward movement of the release collar moves the cages 13a, 13b rearward.

[0080] In the operative position, the release collar 27 is mounted adjacent the rear of the flange 26 and is held in the operative position by the resilient bias of the spring 24. However, as mentioned above, the release collar 27 is slidably mounted relative to the mandrel 5. The release collar 27 is provided with gripping means 31 in the form of a circumferential groove and similarly the over-tube housing 20 is provided with gripping means 33 in the form of a circumferential groove to allow connection of a hydraulic horseshoe clamp (not shown) or similar actuator attached to the gripping means by an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle). This enables the actuator to pull the release collar 27 rearwards against the resilient bias to the released position. Pulling the release collar 27 rearwards pulls the pin / rod 23 rearwards (as a result of the flared end of the screw / bolt 29), pulling the cage 13 rearwards and allowing the ball 15 to move to the disengaged / stowed position.

[0081] In use, a cable, not shown, is passed through bore 6 in mandrel 5 and attached to connector 1 by conventional means. A bend limiting member 9 is then attached to the nose cone and a bend stiffener 12 is connected to the rear of connector 1.

[0082] The front of the cable (not shown) coming out of the front of the connector is then pulled into the support pillar 3 of the wind turbine generator or the like through the hole 4 which runs at an oblique angle (e.g. 60°) in the support pillar 3. As the cable is pulled, the elastic spring element 25 pushes the cage 13 forward, which pushes the balls 15 into the engaged position (radially outwards), as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5. Once the nose cone 7 starts to enter the hole, one or two of the balls 15a in the front row will contact the outer edge of the hole 4 due to the hole's oblique angle. Typically, the hole 4 is angled downwards, so the lowest balls 15a will contact the outer edge of the hole 4 first.

[0083] As the cable (not shown) is subsequently pulled into the support pillar 3 and the connector 1 is pulled inward, the ball 15a abutting the edge is pushed rearward, pushing the cage 13a to which it is attached rearward against the elastic bias of the corresponding spring 24. Because the cages 13a are operatively interconnected by release collars, the ball 15a moving within the hole 4 must move rearward and inward down the ramp 16, overcoming the bias of the springs of all the cages at once, in order to move the release collar rearward.

[0084] As the connector 1 continues to move through the hole, the balls 15a in the upper region of the front row come into contact with the outer edge of the hole 4 and move inward. Once all of the balls in the front row have passed through the hole 4, the elastic bias of the helical spring 24 urges the cage 13a forward, moving the balls 15a forward, up the ramp 16 and outward, towards the engaged position as shown in Figures 8 and 9. The forward movement of all of the cages 13a and the front row of balls 15a also moves the release collar forward, providing a visual indication from the outside of the support pillar 3 that all of the first row of balls 15a have passed the inner edge of the hole.

[0085] 8 and 9 show the connector with all of the front row balls 15a passing through the holes 4 in the engaged position, while the rear row balls 15b appear in the disengaged position. This is the case when the rear row balls 15b pass through the holes after the front row balls 15a have passed the inner edge of the holes 4, but are being pushed backwards (and inwards) by the outer edge of the holes 4. Depending on the angle of the holes 4, even when the connector 1 is pulled in as far as possible, some of the rear row balls 15b may remain in the holes 4 (between the inner and outer edges) as the tubular housing 20 (specifically its frusto-conical front face 32) abuts the wall of the support pillar 3, preventing over-insertion.

[0086] With the support pillars 3 at the right angle and with the right thickness, and with the rows of balls 15 spaced properly, when the connector 1 is fully inserted, the balls 15 will be split into three balls 15 that are in the hole and in an engaged position engaging the inner edge, ball 15a that is in the connector and not engaging the edge, and ball 15b that is outside the hole 4 and not involved in the engagement. Depending on the direction the connector 1 is pulled, the three balls 15 will be two of the balls 15a in the front row and one of the balls 15b in the rear row, or two of the balls 15b in the rear row and one of the balls 15a in the front row. This creates a three-point contact on the inner edge of the hole, providing a strong and stable connection, as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

[0087] Once the ball 15 engages the inner edge of the hole 4, the connector cannot be pulled out because pulling on the connector would pull the ball against the inner edge, creating a force on the ball downwards (i.e. radially inwards) and longitudinally forwards. However, the groove 17 is sloped so that the transition surface of the ramp 16 reduces in diameter as it progresses longitudinally rearward. Therefore, the ball 15 cannot be pushed down along the ramp 16 and the connector is firmly connected to the support pillar 3.

[0088] Connector 1 may be connected to other female components, such as the J-tube (not shown) mentioned above, with appropriate modifications, for example with a flange replicating hole 4. Connector 1 may also be connected to a J-tube that does not have the appropriate angle, but instead has a flange that stands perpendicular to the row of balls 15. Either or both of the front and rear rows of balls 15 may engage behind the flange.

[0089] To remove the connector 1 from the hole 4 of the support pillar 3 (or other female member), the release collar 27 is pulled rearward (using an actuator such as a horseshoe clamp) as shown in Figures 10 and 11. This pulling rearward overcomes the elastic bias of all of the springs 24 and pulls all of the rods 23 and cages 13a, 13b rearward. This in turn pushes the ball 15 rearward and radially inward, down the ramp 16 towards the lower region 18 of the groove 17. With the ball 15 in this disengaged / stowed position, it is no longer being pushed radially outward and the connector 1 can be pulled out of engagement with the hole 4 for maintenance, replacement, etc. When the release collar is no longer pulled away from the tubular housing 20, the elastic bias of the springs 24 will return the release collar to its operating position adjacent the flange 26.

[0090] Figures 13 to 25 show a second embodiment of a subsea connector 201. The subsea connector 201 is used to connect a cable (not shown) to a support pillar 203 of a wind turbine generator set (shown in Figures 19 to 22).

[0091] The subsea connector 201 is a male member arranged to insert into a female member in the form of a hole 204 extending at an oblique angle within the support pillar 203. Alternatively, the connector may extend into a specially adapted J-tube with a flange formed behind (inside) the guide cone which acts as the hole.

[0092] The connector 201 comprises a hollow, load-bearing mandrel 205. Within the mandrel 205 extends an axially extending cylindrical bore 206 along a first (longitudinal) axis X of the connector 201. The bore 206 is intended to receive a cable, not shown, so that the connector 201 can connect the cable to the support pillar 203. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that by varying the size of the bore 206, the same type of connector 201 can be used to connect other subsea elements, such as risers and umbilicals.

[0093] The mandrel 205 has a front and a rear. At the rear, connection means 211 are provided for connection to a bend stiffener 212 or the like. At the front of the mandrel 206, a nose cone 207 is attached. The nose cone 207 is continuous with the bore 206 and extends forward of the mandrel 205, through which, in use, a cable (not shown) extends. A pair of slots 208 are formed on the outside of the forward extending portion of the nose cone. In the pair of slots 208, forward extending bend limiting members 209 (shown in Figures 21 and 22) are attached which guide the cable within the support pillars 203.

[0094] The rear of the nose cone 207 is defined by a radially outwardly extending annular locking surface 250. A sleeve 210 is provided concentric with and spaced radially outwardly of the mandrel 205 and extends rearwardly from the annular locking surface. An annular gap is provided between the sleeve 210 and the outer cylindrical surface of the mandrel 205. The annular gap provides a guide for the forward end of the cage (or ball cage portion) 213 to extend into. As shown in FIG. 26, the front cage 13a, located towards the front of the connector 201, is provided as a cylindrical tube, and the rear cage 213b is formed as a portion of a cylindrical tube arranged side by side around the mandrel 205 and extending along the longitudinal axis.

[0095] The array of cages 213 has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the mandrel, and the outer diameter of the array of cages 213 corresponds to the inner diameter of the sleeve 210 so that the array of cages 213 can slide within the annular gap between the mandrel 205 and the sleeve 210. In this embodiment, there is one front cage 213a containing four circumferentially spaced holes 214, and four rear cages 213. Each rear cage 213 has one hole 214 therethrough. The holes are equally spaced around the front cage 213a, while the rear cages 213b are similarly equally spaced, but the holes 214 are offset 45° relative to the front cage 213a. As a result, for every ball 215 in the front hole 214 of the connector 201, its two neighbors are in the rear holes 214 of the connector 201. Thus, two circumferential rows of balls 215 are formed, a front row of balls and a rear row of balls. Of course, one skilled in the art could conceive of additional rows at other angles as well as other angles for the balls.

[0096] In addition to the rows of longitudinally spaced balls 215a, 215b, the balls 215a in the front row are longitudinally offset relative to the balls 215b in the rear row.

[0097] Each hole 214 is sized and shaped to capture a locking element in the form of a locking ball 215 such that a portion of the ball 215 extends radially outward from the hole 214 and is free to move radially inward and outward, but is restricted in the axial (front-to-back) direction. The sleeve 210 includes a number of slots 251 corresponding to the locations of the areas through which the balls extend. The slots 251 extend axially to allow the balls to move freely axially (back-to-back) simultaneously with the cages 213a, 213b. However, the slots are shaped and sized to restrict the balls 215 from moving completely out of the sleeve 210, restricting their radial movement. This is achieved by a slight reduction in the width dimension of the slots 251 in their radially outer areas.

[0098] As described above, the cages 213 are divided into two types. The first type 213a has a hole 214 in the front of the cage 213a. The second type 213b has a hole 214 in the rear of the cage 213b. A plurality of second type cages 213b are arranged around the connector 1 at intervals, with the first type cages located in front of them.

[0099] In addition to the rows of balls 215 being longitudinally spaced apart, the balls 215a in the front row are longitudinally offset relative to the balls 215b in the rear row. The balls in the front cage 213a are constrained from axial movement by the same component and therefore move simultaneously when the cage 213a moves forward or backward, respectively, whereas the balls in the second type of cage 213b are able to move independently.

[0100] To allow the balls 215a and 215b to extend radially out of the holes 214 and slots 251 to an engaged / deployed position and retract to a disengaged / retracted position where they do not extend out of the slots 251, the mandrel 205 to which the cage 213 is attached is provided with ramps 216 formed in grooves 217 on the outer surface of the mandrel. The ramps 216 have axially inclined surfaces along which the balls 215 roll. In this embodiment, an individual groove 217 is provided for each ball 215. However, a pair of circumferentially extending grooves 217 may alternatively be formed around the entire circumference of the mandrel 205, one groove corresponding to the rear set of balls 215b and the other groove corresponding to the front set of balls 215a.

[0101] The groove 217 is formed with a ramp 216 in the form of a transition surface from a lower region 218 (of smaller diameter), where the locking element is in the disengaged position, to an upper region 219 (of larger diameter), where the locking element is in the engaged position. The upper region 219 of the groove 217 is formed as a flat surface parallel to the cage 213, but may take the form of a recess to help maintain the positioned ball 215 in the engaged position.

[0102] In contrast to the first embodiment, each of the grooves 217 in the second embodiment has a second lower region 252 that has a smaller diameter than the upper region 219 and is located forward of the upper region 219. The ball 215 can move into the second lower region 252 to a "disengaged" position, shown in FIG.

[0103] The rear of the cages 213 are attached to rods / pins 223. Each rear cage 213b is connected to one rod / pin 223, and the front cages are connected by a series of rods / pins 223 that each extend into the tubular housing 20 having a frustoconical forward end or "stop" 32.

[0104] Again, for simplicity's sake, a series of cavities 21 are formed around the connector 201 between the tubular housing 220 and the mandrel 205, one cavity 221 aligned with each cage rod / pin 223. Each rod / pin 223 is slidable rearward into a corresponding cavity. At the rear of each cavity 221 is formed a hole 222 through which the rod / pin 223 extends, connecting with the rear of each corresponding cage 213.

[0105] As in the first embodiment, a spring element (not shown) in the form of a helical compression spring is connected around rod 223 near its forward end. A stop surface (not shown) is provided by a radially outwardly extending flange 226 formed on mandrel 205 and forming part of the rear wall of cavity 221. The helical spring (not shown) is held in place at its rear by a connection to tubular housing 220.

[0106] Each spring element (not shown) resiliently biases the corresponding rod 223 (and hence the corresponding cage 213) forward so that the ball 215 is forced up the ramp surface 216 by a bias to an engaged position in the upper region 219 of the groove 217. A release means in the form of a release collar 227 is slidably mounted on the mandrel 205 rearwardly of the flange 226. The release collar 227 is provided with a hole / bore 228 corresponding to the hole 222 through which the rod 223 passes. The hole 228 through the release collar 227 is counterbored / countersinked rearwardly and the rod 223 is attached to the release collar 227 by a countersink screw / bolt 229 having an extension in the form of a rear flare that extends into the countersink / counterbore 30.

[0107] The rod / pin 223 connected to the forward cage 213a is connected via a countersink screw / bolt, one of which has a head connected to the other bolt, the head of which is located in a countersink / counterbore 253 in the front of the release collar 227, which constrains the release collar relative to the forward cage such that, under normal conditions, as the ball 215 of the forward cage 213a moves between engaged and disengaged positions, they move simultaneously.

[0108] On the other hand, the rods 223 connected to the rear cages 213b are adapted to allow each cage 213b to move rearward individually when the elastic bias of the spring elements is exceeded, and when this movement occurs, the rods 223 of the moved cages 213 slide out from behind the release collars 227.

[0109] In the engaged position, the release collar 227 is mounted adjacent the rear of the flange 226 and is held in the actuated position by a resilient bias provided by the spring. However, as described above, the release collar 227 is slidably mounted relative to the mandrel 205. The release collar 227 is provided with gripping means 231 in the form of a circumferential groove and similarly the over-tube housing 220 is provided with gripping means 233 in the form of a circumferential groove. This allows connection of a hydraulic horseshoe clamp (not shown) or similar actuator attached to the gripping means by an ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle). This allows the actuator to pull the release collar 227 rearward against the resilient bias to the released position. Pulling the release collar 227 rearward pulls the pin / rod 223 rearward (as a result of the flared end of the screw / bolt 229), pulling the cage 213 rearward and allowing the ball 215 to move to the disengaged / stowed position.

[0110] This allows for non-destructive removal. However, to allow removal without the use of an ROV, the bolts 229 connecting the rods to the release collars are tension bolts that break under a pre-determined load (e.g. 10 tons). As a result, a pull-in head can be used to pull / push the connector 201 out of the support pillar 203. When sufficient force is applied that exceeds the tension limit of the bolts, the balls 215 move forward and radially inwards to the "disconnected" position shown in Figures 16 and 25.

[0111] In use, a cable, not shown, is passed through bore 206 in mandrel 205 and attached by conventional means to connector 201. A bend limiting member 209 is then attached to the nose cone and a bend stiffener 212 is connected to the rear of connector 201.

[0112] The front of the cable (not shown) coming out of the front of the connector is then pulled into the support pillar 203 of the wind turbine generator or the like through the hole 204 which runs at an oblique angle (e.g. 60°) in the support pillar 203. As the cable is pulled, the elastic spring element pushes the cage 213 forward, which pushes the balls 15 to the engaged position (radially outward) but not beyond the engaged position, as shown in Figures 13, 17, 18 and 19. Once the nose cone 7 starts to enter the hole, one or two of the balls 215a in the front row will contact the outer edge of the hole 204 due to the hole's oblique angle. Typically, the hole 204 is angled downwards so that the lowest balls 215a will contact the outer edge of the hole 204 first.

[0113] Subsequently, when the cable (not shown) is pulled into the support pillar 203 and the connector 201 is pulled inward, the ball 215a abutting against the edge is pushed rearward, and the ball 215a moving within the hole 204 moves rearward and inward down the ramp portion 216, thereby pushing the cage 213a to which the ball is attached rearward against the elastic bias of a corresponding spring (not shown) to move the release collar 227 rearward.

[0114] As the connector 201 continues to move through the hole, the balls 215a in the upper region of the front row come into contact with the outer edge of the hole 204 and move inward. Once all of the balls 215 in the front row have passed through the holes 204, the elastic bias of the helical spring urges the cage 213a forward, moving the balls 215a forward, up the ramp 216 and outward, towards the engaged position. The forward movement of the cage 213a and the front row of balls 215a also moves the release collar forward, providing a visual indication from the outside of the support pillar 3 that all of the first row of balls 215a have passed the inner edge of the hole.

[0115] 15 shows the connector passing through the hole 204 with the front row of balls 215a in the engaged position and the rear row of balls 215b in the disengaged position. This is the case when the rear row of balls 215b pass through the hole after the front row of balls 215a have passed the inner edge of the hole 204, but are being pushed backwards (and inwards) by the outer edge of the hole 204. Depending on the angle of the hole 204, even when the connector 201 is fully retracted, some of the rear row of balls 215b may remain in the hole 204 (between the inner and outer edges) as the tubular housing 220 (specifically its frusto-conical front face 232) abuts the wall of the support pillar 203, preventing over-insertion.

[0116] With the support pillars 203 at the proper angle and with the proper thickness, and with the rows of balls 215 properly spaced, when the connector 201 is fully inserted, the balls 215 will be separated into three balls 215 that are in the hole and in an engaged position engaging the inner edge, ball 215a that is in the connector and not engaging the edge, and ball 215b that is outside the hole 204 and not participating in the engagement. Depending on the direction the connector 201 is pulled, the three balls 215 will be two of the balls 215a in the front row and one of the balls 215b in the rear row, or two of the balls 215b in the rear row and one of the balls 215a in the front row. This creates three points of contact on the inner edge of the hole, providing a strong and stable connection.

[0117] Once the ball 215 engages the inner edge of the hole 204, the connector cannot be pulled out because pulling on the connector would pull the ball against the inner edge, creating a force on the ball downward (i.e., radially inward) and longitudinally forward. However, the ball 215 is located on a flat surface 219 and cannot move into the groove 217, where the transition surface of the ramp 216 is tapered to a smaller radial dimension as it progresses longitudinally aft. Therefore, the ball 215 cannot be pushed down along the ramp 216, and the connector is firmly connected to the support pillar 203.

[0118] Under normal conditions of relatively low outward forces on connector 201 (including relatively extreme subsea conditions), ball 215 cannot move forward into lower region 252 (disconnected position) because the cage is operatively connected to release collar 227 such that it cannot move beyond a predetermined forward position (where the flare of bolt 229 abuts the counterbore / countersink of the release collar).

[0119] However, as mentioned above, if it is desired to permanently remove the connector 201, a pulling head (not shown) may be connected to the connector and the connector may be pulled / pushed out of the support pillars with a very large force (e.g., greater than 50,000 N, such as 10 tons) to break the connection between the cage 213 and the release collar 227 and allow the balls 215a, 215b to move forward and radially inward towards the decoupling position.

[0120] Connector 201 may connect to other female components, such as the J-tube (not shown) mentioned above, with appropriate modifications, such as, for example, a flange replicating holes 204. Connector 201 can also connect to a J-tube that does not have the appropriate angle, but instead has a flange that stands upright against the row of balls 215. One or both of the front and rear rows of balls 215 can engage behind the flange.

[0121] To temporarily remove the connector 201 from the hole 204 in the support pillar 203 (or other female member), the release collar 27 is pulled rearward (using an actuator such as a horseshoe clamp) as shown in Figures 14 and 23. This pulling rearward overcomes the elastic bias of all of the springs and pulls all of the rods 223 and cages 213a, 213b rearward. This in turn pushes the ball 215 rearward and radially inward, down the ramp 216 toward the lower region 218 of the groove 217. With the ball 215 in this disengaged / stowed position, it is no longer being pushed radially outward and the connector 201 can be pulled out of engagement with the hole 204 for maintenance, replacement, etc. When the release collar is no longer pulled away from the tubular housing 220, the elastic bias of the spring (not shown) returns the release collar to its operating position adjacent the flange 226.

[0122] The above embodiments have been described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An elongated connector for positioning a cable on a mounting part having an opening, comprising: a mandrel through which the cable is threaded; a plurality of cages disposed about the mandrel; a plurality of locking elements held within the plurality of cages on the connector and disposed on a plurality of ramp surfaces formed on an outer surface of the mandrel; the plurality of cages are movable to move the plurality of locking elements along the plurality of ramp surfaces between engaged and disengaged positions; A connector wherein the plurality of cages are adapted to move independently relative to one another, and wherein each of the plurality of cages is independently resiliently biased.

2. 2. The elongated connector of claim 1, wherein the ramp surfaces have transition surfaces from a lower region where the locking elements are in the disengaged position to an upper region where the locking elements are in the engaged position.

3. 3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the upper region and / or the lower region are inclined, in a plane parallel to the cages, or formed as a recess.

4. 4. The connector of claim 2 or 3, wherein the ramp surfaces are axially inclined such that the lower region faces toward the rear of the connector and the upper region faces toward the front of the connector.

5. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cages are axially movable.

6. 6. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein multiple ramp surfaces are provided by a single ramp portion extending circumferentially around the connector.

7. the plurality of locking elements being a plurality of balls; 7. The connector of claim 1, wherein the locking elements are arranged to move radially outward from the disengaged position toward the engaged position and to move axially up the ramp surface as they move radially.

8. 8. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, which is a male member which, in use, is inserted into a female member in the form of a hole, with the plurality of locking elements engaging edges of the hole.

9. 9. A connector according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each said cage is resiliently biased towards said engaged position.

10. 10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the resilient bias is provided by a spring or a gas strut.

11. the plurality of locking elements is at least three locking elements; the at least one cage is at least three cages; 11. The connector of claim 1, wherein at least two of the cages are operatively connected to move simultaneously but independently of at least one other of the cages.

12. the plurality of locking elements being at least four locking elements; the at least one cage is at least four cages; at least two of the cages are operatively connected to move simultaneously but independently of at least two other of the cages; 12. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least two other cages may be independently operable with respect to each other and with respect to the operatively connected cage.

13. the plurality of locking elements is at least six locking elements; the at least one cage is at least six cages; at least three of the cages are operatively connected to move simultaneously but independently of at least three other of the cages; 13. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least three other cages may be independently operable with respect to each other and with respect to the operatively connected cage.

14. the plurality of locking elements is at least eight locking elements; the at least one cage is at least eight cages; at least four of the cages are operatively connected to move simultaneously but independently of at least four other of the cages; 14. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least four other cages are optionally independently operable with respect to each other and with respect to the operatively connected cage.

15. some of the plurality of locking elements are operatively connected by one or more cages and others of the plurality of locking elements are arranged for independent movement; 15. The connector of claim 1, wherein the independent locking elements and the operatively connected locking elements alternate about the connector.

16. the plurality of locking elements are arranged in at least one circumferentially spaced row about the connector; the connector has a front and a rear; 16. The connector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of locking elements are arranged in a front row and a rear row.

17. the connector has a front and a rear; a plurality of locking elements are arranged such that a front row of locking elements are operatively connected to move simultaneously and a rear row of locking elements are independently operable; a release means operatively connected to the plurality of cages and adapted to move the plurality of cages from the engaged position to the disengaged position; the release means being a release collar; the release collar is provided at the rear of the cages and is connected by a plurality of pins; 17. The connector of claim 1, wherein the pins extend through the rear of the release collar and have extensions such that rearward movement of the release collar causes the pins to move rearward and the cage to move rearward, thereby moving the locking elements to the disengaged position, but rearward movement of the cage simply moves the pins to move through the release collar without moving the release collar.

18. 18. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a housing having a frusto-conical stop surface arranged to abut against the support pillar.

19. 19. A connector according to any one of claims 1 to 18, which is a subsea connector for connecting a subsea cable to a wind power generating device.

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