Subsea Optical Connector with Segmented Seals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater connectors face challenges in maintaining effective seals and cleanliness for optical interfaces in harsh subsea environments, particularly due to the limitations of spring/piston concepts which obstruct light paths and are not suitable for repeated mating and de-mating operations, and the degradation of elastomeric materials at high temperatures and pressures.
Innovation Solution
A submersible 'wet-mate' connector system with primary, secondary, and tertiary seals that uses a shuttling optical containment method to maintain a clean environment, featuring a receptacle and plug with aligned optical fiber paths that align only during mating, and a tertiary seal to encapsulate the fiber contact ends, ensuring reliable sealing and debris exclusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring/piston concepts are used for sealing electrical connectors, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but light path obstruction occurs making them unsuitable for optical connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate plug and receptacle components, each with its own sealing mechanism. The seal member is segmented to allow independent movement and sealing action without obstructing the optical path, resolving the contradiction between effective sealing and light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated seal member acts as an intermediary between the plug and receptacle, providing the sealing function without interfering with the optical components. The seal member is positioned and designed to seal the interface while leaving the light path clear, mediating between the mechanical sealing requirement and the optical transmission requirement.
2Ease of operation
If elastomeric materials are used in subsea connectors, then flexibility and sealing are improved, but material degradation occurs at high temperatures and pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is constructed from composite materials that combine the flexibility and sealing properties of elastomers with the heat and pressure resistance of other materials. This composite construction allows the seal to maintain its sealing effectiveness while withstanding the harsh subsea environment of high temperature and pressure.
3Device complexity
If optical fiber paths are aligned only during mating, then connector complexity is reduced, but alignment precision must be extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design creates equipotential alignment conditions where the optical fiber paths are pre-positioned and maintained in alignment during the mating process. The mechanical interfaces and guide features ensure that when the plug and receptacle mate, the optical fibers automatically align without requiring extreme manufacturing precision, equalizing the alignment conditions across the interface.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides optical connectors and optical feedthrough systems that can be mated and unmated in a harsh environment, such as underwater, and is particularly concerned with a method and apparatus for securing and sealing an optical feedthrough or connector from the surrounding turbid environment.