Subsea Dummy Insert With Dielectric Insulation Against Pin Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea connectors face challenges with corrosion and electrical insulation of gold-plated copper receptacle connector pins, leading to costly downtime and service interruptions due to corrosion and failure.
Innovation Solution
A dummy insert for a connector plug assembly, comprising a monolithic structure with guide tubes, shuttle pin assemblies, and a diaphragm assembly filled with dielectric fluid, providing electrical insulation and protection against corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gold-plated copper receptacle connector pins are exposed subsea without protection, then the connector structure remains simple and accessible, but corrosion and electrical insulation problems occur leading to costly downtime and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dummy insert pins that replicate the form and function of actual connector pins without requiring expensive gold-plated copper materials. These dummy pins provide the necessary electrical insulation and corrosion protection while maintaining compatibility with the connector structure, solving the reliability issue without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy insert pins are designed as cost-effective, replaceable components that protect the expensive gold-plated copper receptacle pins. By using inexpensive dummy pins that can be easily replaced if needed, the system protects the high-value permanent components while avoiding the complexity of making the entire connector assembly protected and permanent
2Productivity
If conventional connector protection methods are used, then manufacturing and installation are straightforward, but corrosion and failure lead to costly downtime and service interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The protection system is segmented into a modular dummy insert assembly that can be manufactured separately and installed independently. The dummy pins are separate components that fit into the connector housing, allowing for simplified manufacturing and easy replacement without overhauling the entire connector system, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving productivity through reduced downtime
3Reliability
If expensive gold-plated copper pins are used without protection, then the electrical connection quality is high, but corrosion leads to attenuation or interruption in power and signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The dummy insert pins replicate the essential function of electrical connection without requiring expensive gold-plated copper materials. They provide sufficient electrical insulation and corrosion protection to maintain transmission continuity, solving the reliability issue while avoiding the high material costs of using actual gold-plated pins in protective applications
Solution Approach 2:
The dummy pins serve as inexpensive sacrificial or protective elements that prevent corrosion of the expensive gold-plated copper receptacle pins. By using cheap dummy pins instead of protecting expensive pins with equally expensive protective measures, the system reduces material loss while maintaining transmission reliability
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 dummy insert offers cost-effective corrosion protection and electrical insulation, reducing the risk of corrosion and failure, thereby minimizing downtime and enhancing the reliability of subsea connections.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm assembly filled with dielectric fluid, providing electrical insulation and protection against corrosion
Implementation Method 2
the insert body, the internal wall and the plurality of guide tubes is a monolithic structure
Data Source
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AI summary
A dummy insert (20) for a plug (12) of a connector assembly (11), the dummy insert (20) comprises a forward end (45) and a rearward end (46), an insert body (22), an array of shuttle pin assemblies (24), a retention plate (26). The insert body (22) has an internal wall (42) and a plurality of guide tubes (36). The plurality of guide tubes (36) extends generally forwardly from the internal wall (42). The retention plate (26) is located rearwardly of the internal wall (42). Each shuttle pin assembly (24) is located at least partly in one guide tube (36) and is retained by the retention plate (26). The insert body (22), the internal wall (42) and the plurality of guide tubes (36) is a monolithic structure.