Poppet Coupling Alignment Structure for Seal Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Poppet couplings used in subsea applications face challenges with misalignment of male and female members, leading to potential leaks and damage to seals, while also needing to withstand high pressures and temperatures, and comply with environmental regulations.

Innovation Solution

The poppet coupling design includes a male member with a cylindrical body and a cylindrical nose part, and a female member with a cone-shaped opening and a cylindrical opening, featuring a metal primary seal and polymer secondary and environmental seals, allowing for alignment and secure connection despite misalignment, and capable of withstanding high pressures and temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the male member and female member are connected directly without alignment features, then the connection process is simple, but the misalignment causes seal damage and leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidcoupling structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cylindrical nose part and cylindrical opening are designed to perform preliminary alignment action before the primary seal engages. The nose part enters the cylindrical opening first, establishing concentric alignment between the male and female members, ensuring that subsequent seal engagement occurs under aligned conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical nose part acts as an intermediary alignment feature between the male member body and the female member. It mediates the connection process by providing a guiding interface that establishes proper alignment before the primary seal makes contact, preventing misalignment-related seal damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a metal primary seal is used to withstand high pressure and temperature, then the coupling can handle subsea conditions, but the seal is vulnerable to damage from misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidseal durability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment features (cylindrical nose part and cylindrical opening) perform preliminary alignment before the metal primary seal engages. This ensures that when the seal contacts the mating surface, the members are already aligned, preventing damage to the heat-resistant but alignment-sensitive metal seal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design provides beforehand protection for the primary seal by using the cylindrical nose part and opening to establish alignment prior to seal engagement. This cushioning effect prevents misalignment forces from reaching the seal, preserving its durability under high temperature and pressure conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Duration of action of moving object

If the coupling is designed for repeated connection and disconnection, then it meets operational requirements, but wear and misalignment accumulate over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection cyclesVSAvoidseal performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cylindrical nose part and opening provide preliminary alignment at the start of each connection cycle, ensuring that seals engage under optimal aligned conditions every time. This repeated preliminary alignment action prevents cumulative wear and misalignment effects over multiple connection cycles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment features are self-aligning, requiring no external adjustment or intervention. Each connection cycle automatically re-establishes proper alignment through the cylindrical nose part and opening interface, allowing the coupling to maintain reliability over repeated operations without degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Manufacturing precision

If the cylindrical nose part enters the cylindrical opening before seal engagement, then alignment is achieved, but the insertion process requires precise sequencing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidinsertion process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cylindrical nose part and cylindrical opening provide a curved, tapered interface that naturally guides insertion. The cylindrical geometry creates a self-centering effect that tolerates minor misalignments during approach, making the precise sequencing requirement less critical while still achieving high alignment precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20250198553A1Poppet coupling

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 FMC KONGSBERG SUBSEA AS

AI summary

A poppet coupling comprising a male member comprising a cylindrical body part comprising a first outer diameter, and a cylindrical nose part having a second outer diameter, at an end which is to be inserted into a female member first; and the female member comprising an end opening for receiving the male member first, a primary seal for engaging the cylindrical body part, a cone-shaped opening, and a cylindrical opening, the cylindrical opening having a first inner diameter for receiving the cylindrical nose part.