Single-Line Quick Connector With Axial Collet Locking Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single line connectors for subsea and topside fluid connections are prone to user-errors and failures due to incorrect rotation sequences, leading to potential breakage or malfunction, especially in subsea environments.
Innovation Solution
A single line quick connector design featuring a screw element and collet sleeve arrangement that allows for axial movement upon rotational input, with collet fingers that snap onto or unlock from the fluid connection interface, reducing the risk of user-errors and providing a reliable override function for stuck or malfunctioning connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotational sequences are used to connect and disconnect the connector, then the connection can be established, but user-errors may occur leading to failure or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional rotational connection mechanism by using axial movement instead. The connector element moves axially along the receptacle to establish connection, and axial retraction establishes disconnection. This inversion eliminates the need for complex rotational sequences and reduces user-error risk while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from rotational motion to axial linear motion. By modifying the movement type from rotation to translation, the system achieves simpler operation with reduced risk of user-error, while the threaded engagement maintains secure connection reliability.
2Reliability
If the connector gets stuck or malfunctions, then connection is maintained, but the connector cannot be released
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a breakaway feature that allows the threaded connection to be intentionally broken if the connector becomes stuck. This preliminary design consideration enables operators to break the threaded engagement and retrieve the connector element, providing a recovery mechanism for malfunctioning connectors while maintaining normal connection stability during operation.
3Measurement precision
If complex rotation sequences are required, then precise control is achieved, but the operation becomes difficult and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex rotational sequences with simple axial movement. The connector element moves linearly along the receptacle axis to establish connection, eliminating the need for precise rotational sequencing. This inversion maintains connection precision through controlled axial positioning while dramatically reducing operational difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the connection operation into distinct axial movement phases: approach, engagement, and locking. This segmentation of the continuous axial movement into discrete stages provides precise control over the connection process while keeping the overall operation simple and intuitive, avoiding the complexity of rotational sequences.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design minimizes user-errors through standardized rotational directions for connection and disconnection, offers a reliable override mechanism, and ensures secure fluid connections with reduced risk of complications from calcareous deposits, while maintaining compatibility with existing ROV and subsea components without requiring modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a screw element which is rotationally movable and axially fixed relative the outer housing, wherein the screw element extends in a longitudinal direction of the connector and comprises external threads along a part of its axial length
Implementation Method 2
a collet sleeve which is rotationally fixed and axially movable relative the outer housing, wherein the collet sleeve further comprises internal threads for cooperation with the external threads on the screw element, and wherein the collet sleeve comprises a plurality of collet fingers in a first axial end thereof for connection to the fluid connection interface
Data Source
AI summary
A single line quick connector includes an outer housing, a screw element, a collet sleeve having a plurality of collet fingers, and a fluid line insert. The fluid line insert is connectable to a fluid line and has a groove for a coupler. The outer housing, the screw element and the collet sleeve are arranged such that rotation of the screw element results in an axial movement of the outer housing relative the collet sleeve, and thus the collet fingers. The outer housing has a radial through-going opening, and the collet sleeve has at least one recess between neighboring collet fingers. The through-going opening and the recess are configured such that, when connected, the fluid line insert extends radially through the through-going opening and the at least one recess.