Subsea Actuator Connecting Element with Conical Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater actuators for deep-sea applications face challenges in establishing reliable connections with tools, leading to energy inefficiency, increased wear, and difficulty in disengagement due to angle offsets and misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The actuator features a connecting element with a conical and cylindrical area, incorporating torque studs and spreader elements that facilitate a form-fitting connection, ensuring precise alignment and secure engagement without play, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional actuators are used with simple connection structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the connection reliability deteriorates due to angular misalignment and play in rotational adjustment angle
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element incorporates a conical region that enables self-aligning insertion into the tool holder. The conical geometry allows angular misalignment to be compensated during the insertion process, ensuring reliable connection without requiring high precision alignment between the actuator and tool holder axes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with a simpler conical-cylindrical connecting element design. The conical region performs the alignment function that would otherwise require complex mechanical guidance systems, while the cylindrical region with torque supports provides the rigid torque transmission path.
2Ease of operation
If conventional actuators are used without securing means, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to lack of secure engagement and possibility of accidental disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element incorporates a release mechanism that transitions the connection from a permanently secured state to a releasable state. The torque supports engage positively with the tool holder to provide secure engagement during operation, while the release mechanism allows controlled disengagement when needed, achieving both secure engagement and ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional actuators are used with simple connecting elements, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the energy efficiency deteriorates due to play in the connection and increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The conical region of the connecting element compensates for tolerance variations in the connection area. During insertion, the conical geometry guides the connecting element into proper alignment, eliminating play between the actuator and tool holder. This ensures efficient torque transmission without energy loss due to misalignment or connection play.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an actuator (1) for a tool for submarine use, comprising a connecting region (2) configured for positive connection to a receptacle (11) of a tool, the connecting region (2) comprising a connecting element (27) with a conical region (3) and a cylindrical region (4), wherein at least one torque support (5) projects from a lateral surface (29) of the cylindrical region (4) and is configured to engage positively in at least one cutout (28) of the receptacle (11). The actuator (1) can enable a simplified connection to a receptacle (11) of a tool, free of play and angular offset.