Configurable Subsea Wet-Mate Connector for Multi-Service Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea wet-mate connectors require separate units for power and communications applications, leading to increased space requirements and inefficiencies due to the need for multiple connectors with different ratings and sizes, which complicates underwater manipulation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A configurable subsea wet-mate connector design that allows for interchangeable inserts such as power, data, optical fiber, pneumatic, and fluid units within a standard connector body, enabling customization for specific applications while maintaining a unified shape and size, and incorporating adaptable shielding to prevent interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate connectors are provided for power and communications applications, then each connector can be optimized for its specific function, but the space required increases and multiple connectors complicate underwater manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate connectors (power connector and communications connector) into a single integrated subsea connector unit. The power connector portion and communications connector portion are merged into one physical connector that can be mated and de-mated as a single unit, reducing the number of separate connectors from two to one while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated subsea connector is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it provides both power transmission and communications capabilities in a single connector unit. The connector body incorporates both power conductor pins and communications conductor pins, allowing one connector to serve multiple purposes that previously required separate connectors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate connectors are provided for power and communications applications, then each connector can be optimized for its specific function, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate connectors (power connector and communications connector) into a single integrated subsea connector unit. The power connector portion and communications connector portion are merged into one physical connector that can be mated and de-mated as a single unit, reducing the number of separate connectors from two to one while maintaining all necessary functions.
3Ease of operation
If each connector has sufficient room for ROV or diver manipulation, then wet-mate operation is enabled, but the connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated subsea connector is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it provides both power transmission and communications capabilities in a single connector unit. The connector body incorporates both power conductor pins and communications conductor pins, allowing one connector to serve multiple purposes that previously required separate connectors.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
A configurable subsea wet-mateable connector comprises a receptacle connector body (36) and a plug connector body (35). The subsea receptacle connector unit comprises at least two receptacle inserts chosen from at least one of a power connector unit (49), a data connector unit (43), an optical fibre connector unit (90, 91), a pneumatic connector unit or a fluid connector unit. The subsea plug connector unit comprises at least two plug inserts comprising the same two of a power connector unit, a data connector unit, an optical fibre connector unit, a pneumatic connector unit or a fluid connector unit.