Universal Subsea Connector Housing for Wet-Mate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and variability of subsea wet-mate connectors, with different designs for ROV, stab, and diver types, lead to high manufacturing and operational costs due to the need for multiple specific components and stock variations, making it difficult to reduce lifecycle costs and simplify the supply chain.
Innovation Solution
A universal interface for subsea connectors is introduced, featuring standardized plug and receptacle housings with common features such as bullnose alignment, keyways, and barrel seals, allowing customization for different mate types, which reduces the number of components and simplifies manufacturing by using a single body design for all types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different specific designs are used for ROV, stab, and diver wet-mate connector types, then operational capabilities are maintained, but manufacturing complexity and supply chain variability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal connector housing design that can accommodate multiple connector types (ROV, stab, and diver wet-mate connectors) through a single standardized interface. The housing includes standardized features such as a bullnose alignment feature, circumferential groove for latch reception, and fine alignment features that are common across all connector types, eliminating the need for type-specific housing designs while maintaining operational capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing is divided into functional sections: a front section with alignment features, a mid-section with the latch groove, and a rear section for mounting. This segmentation allows different connector types to be accommodated by configuring specific features within the standardized housing structure rather than requiring entirely different designs for each connector type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple specific components and stock variations are maintained for different connector types, then operational requirements are met, but manufacturing costs and supply chain complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized housing design serves as a universal platform that can produce all connector types (ROV, stab, and diver) from the same base component. This eliminates the need to maintain separate stock variations for each connector type, allowing manufacturers to produce a single standardized housing that can be configured for different applications, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying the supply chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the previously separate housing designs for different connector types into a single unified housing structure. By combining the common features (alignment features, latch groove, sealing interfaces) into one standardized design, the patent eliminates redundant manufacturing processes and inventory requirements while maintaining the ability to serve multiple operational requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If standardized features are implemented across all connector types, then manufacturing is simplified, but compatibility with specific mate types may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized housing is designed with multi-functionality in mind, incorporating features that work across all connector types. The bullnose alignment feature, circumferential groove, and fine alignment features are configured to be compatible with ROV, stab, and diver wet-mate connectors simultaneously, ensuring that standardization does not compromise compatibility but rather enables universal application.
Solution Approach 2:
While the overall housing structure is standardized, specific local features can be configured or omitted based on the required connector type. For example, the latch groove is included for ROV and diver types but can be omitted for stab types, allowing customization at specific locations within the standardized housing without affecting the overall manufacturing simplification benefits.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An ROV, diver, or stab, wet mateable connector plug front end housing (70) comprises a housing front section (72); a locator mount section (74); and a seal section (89), the sections being axially in series with one another. The housing front section comprises a plug coarse alignment feature (71) on an outer surface of the housing front section (72), adjacent to a front surface (76) of the housing front section and radially outward of a central axis of the housing. There is a circumferential groove (77) on the outer surface of the housing front section, axially displaced from and rearward of the coarse alignment feature (71), the groove being adapted to receive a latch (91) of a wetmateable connector receptacle front end housing (80). The plug coarse alignment feature comprises a bullnose feature. A plug fine alignment feature (78) is formed in the outer surface of the housing front section (72), aligned with and located radially outward of the central axis of the housing.