Subsea Connector Coupler With Self-Latching ROV Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ROV coupling technologies for subsea wet mate connectors are inefficient and require specialized tooling, making it difficult for Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to handle, align, and lock connector parts without causing damage or misalignment.
Innovation Solution
A subsea coupler with a housing, lever arm, and resilient member that biases the lever arm towards a closed position, allowing the latch to secure the connector parts, combined with guide members for coarse and fine alignment, enabling reliable mating and demating by an ROV without additional tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing ROV coupling technologies are used, then connector parts can be coupled subsea, but the operation requires specialized tooling and is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler housing acts as an intermediary device that the ROV manipulator interacts with directly. The manipulator grips the handle on the coupler housing, which then actuates the lever arm and latch mechanism internally. This intermediary structure allows the ROV to perform coupling operations without requiring specialized tooling, as the coupler itself provides the necessary interfaces and mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler incorporates self-contained alignment features (guide piece with tapered surface) and latching mechanisms (lever arm with latch and resilient member) that automatically function during the coupling process. The guide piece automatically aligns the connector parts, and the resilient member automatically biases the lever arm into the latched position, eliminating the need for external specialized tooling or complex ROV operations.
2Reliability
If existing coupling methods are used, then connector parts can be connected, but misalignment and damage risk occur
Solution Approach 1:
The guide piece with its tapered alignment surface performs preliminary alignment of the connector parts before final engagement. As the second connector part is inserted into the housing, the guide piece's tapered surface automatically guides and aligns it with the first connector part, preventing misalignment and potential damage during the coupling process. This preliminary alignment action ensures reliable connection.
3Reliability
If a resilient member biases the lever arm towards closed position, then secure latching is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lever arm and latch are merged into a single integrated component, and the resilient member is integrated directly onto the lever arm. This combination of elements into unified structures simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining secure latching functionality. The lever arm serves both as the actuating lever and as the latch holder, reducing the number of separate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member provides automatic biasing of the lever arm towards the latched (closed) position. This self-service mechanism ensures that once the connector parts are engaged, the latch automatically secures them without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The resilient member's elastic force continuously maintains the latched state.
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
Facilitates secure and reliable connection of subsea wet mate connectors using an ROV, reducing the risk of damage and misalignment while simplifying the operation, and allowing for robust and cost-effective connections in challenging underwater environments.
Implementation Method 1
the lever arm comprises a resilient member on a mount... the resilient member biases the lever arm towards a closed position
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An ROV mateable subsea coupler (30) comprises a housing (31) having a first end and a second end and defining a hollow core. The first end of the housing is adapted to be mounted to a first wet mate connector part (21). The second end (32) of the housing is adapted to receive a second wet mate connector part. The coupler further comprises a lever arm (35) pivotally mounted to the housing, the lever arm comprising a latch (46) adapted to cooperate with a surface of a guide piece (40, 41) of the second connector part (20). The lever arm comprises a resilient member (37, 78), remote from the latch and from the second end (32) of the housing, which biases the lever arm towards a closed position, coaxial with a longitudinal axis (72) of the housing, in which position the latch protrudes through an aperture (66) in the housing.