Subsea Flow Line Connector Assembly with Dynamic Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea flow line connectors often experience accidental disconnections due to vessel position changes, leading to costly fluid losses and environmental risks from hydrocarbon releases.
Innovation Solution
A flow line connector assembly with a plug and socket configuration, featuring a restraining device with lever arms and locking mechanisms that resist disconnection, and latching devices to maintain fluid flow rates, along with an emergency disconnect system triggered by tension thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple plug and socket connection is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental disconnections from vessel position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a dynamic restraining device with lever arms that can pivot between engaged and disengaged positions. The dogs on the lever arms dynamically engage with recesses in the plug to prevent accidental disconnection, while still allowing controlled disconnection when needed. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing automatic protection against accidental separation while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If a restraining device with locking mechanism is added to prevent disconnection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The restraining device is designed to automatically engage and lock when the plug is inserted into the socket. The lever arms with dogs self-engage with the recesses without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. This self-service mechanism provides reliable locking while minimizing device complexity by eliminating the need for external actuation systems.
3Reliability
If the connection is made secure to prevent accidental disconnection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The restraining device with dogs and lever arms provides preliminary protection against accidental disconnection by automatically engaging when connected. However, the system allows for preliminary anti-action in reverse - a controlled disconnection mechanism that can deliberately disengage the dogs from the recesses when needed, enabling easy intentional disconnection while maintaining security against accidental separation.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow line connector assembly has first and second parts respectively comprising a plug, and a socket configured to receive the plug; a restraining device to resist disconnection of the first and second parts when the plug is received in the socket; and flow tubes, wherein each of the plug and the socket has a respective flow tube and the flow tubes are adapted to interconnect to form Ca conduit for fluid to flow between the first and second parts when the plug is received in the socket.