Subsea Connector Unit With Shuttle Piston Reduces Mating Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional subsea connectors require high mating forces and are longer in length due to the use of spring-loaded mechanisms, which increases the risk of water ingress and mechanical failure, especially in harsh environments.
Innovation Solution
A connector unit with a shuttle piston, latching device, and backing latch that minimizes mating forces and prevents water ingress, featuring a reduced length design with a latching mechanism that uses spring-loaded pins and chamfer angles to control engagement and disengagement forces, ensuring a secure and reliable connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-loaded shuttle piston is used to prevent water ingress, then reliability is improved, but the connector length increases and mating force significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component from the shuttle piston mechanism. Instead of using a spring-loaded piston that requires high mating forces and increases connector length, the invention uses a simple piston that is pushed by the male connector during mating. The piston is retained in position by friction and geometric constraints (shoulders and grooves) rather than elastic storage, eliminating the need for spring storage space and reducing overall connector length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the spring-based elastic mechanical system with a friction-based retention system. The shuttle piston is held in place not by spring force but by friction between the piston surface and the female connector interior, combined with geometric features (shoulders and grooves) that prevent water ingress without requiring elastic energy storage.
2Reliability
If a spring-loaded shuttle piston is used to prevent water ingress, then reliability is improved, but mating force significantly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component from the shuttle piston mechanism. Instead of using a spring-loaded piston that requires high mating forces and increases connector length, the invention uses a simple piston that is pushed by the male connector during mating. The piston is retained in position by friction and geometric constraints (shoulders and grooves) rather than elastic storage, eliminating the need for spring storage space and reducing overall connector length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the spring-based elastic mechanical system with a friction-based retention system. The shuttle piston is held in place not by spring force but by friction between the piston surface and the female connector interior, combined with geometric features (shoulders and grooves) that prevent water ingress without requiring elastic energy storage.
3Reliability
If conventional spring mechanisms are used, then water prevention is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component from the shuttle piston mechanism. Instead of using a spring-loaded piston that requires high mating forces and increases connector length, the invention uses a simple piston that is pushed by the male connector during mating. The piston is retained in position by friction and geometric constraints (shoulders and grooves) rather than elastic storage, eliminating the need for spring storage space and reducing overall connector length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the spring-based elastic mechanical system with a friction-based retention system. The shuttle piston is held in place not by spring force but by friction between the piston surface and the female connector interior, combined with geometric features (shoulders and grooves) that prevent water ingress without requiring elastic energy storage.
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 connector unit achieves reliable and error-proof mating and de-mating with reduced risk of water ingress and minimized forces, while being shorter in length compared to conventional connectors, making it suitable for subsea applications.
Implementation Method 1
The latching device (24) includes a plurality of spring-loaded pins (34)
Implementation Method 2
The rounded tip (72) is configured for engaging a planar surface (30, 30') in a force-fitting manner
Data Source
AI summary
A connector unit for connecting at least two cables includes at least a male part, a female part, and a shuttle piston. The shuttle piston includes an opening configured for receiving at least a section of the male part, at least one latching device, and at least one latching structure. The male part includes the section configured for insertion into the opening of the shuttle pin, at least one latching aid, and an interaction area configured for a force-fitting interaction with at least one backing latch of the female part. The female part includes the at least one backing latch.