GB2195731A - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking mechanism 4 includes a plurality of pivoted dogs 5 and a central actuating rod 8. The dogs 5 are pivoted in such manner that, in the unlocked position (Fig. 2) their lower surfaces 7 form a relatively tight conical configuration. In the locked position shown, the lower surfaces 7 open out so that the dogs may engage corresponding lugs or shoulders 12 on the female hub 2 to be connected. The actuating rod 8 comprises an end piece 10 for forcing the lower surfaces to open out. Several such locking mechanisms may be disposed around the hub 1. The connector is suitable for use in circumstances in which multi-bore connections require to be made, for example in connecting pipeline divertors or convertors to subsea flowlines. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Connector This invention relates to a collet-type connector.

Collet-type connectors are known and are frequently used for connecting items of mechanical equipment, particularly subsea equipment, where ease of engagement and disen gagement. is of vital importance. Such connectors generally contain a locking hub attached to one piece of equipment, a circumferential locking ring and pivoted locking segments positioned between the hub and the ring. The locking segments are in the form of dogs which engage lugs on the other piece of equipment to be connected. The dogs are engaged and released by movement of the locking ring.

This arrangement requires the presence of a locking ring outside the confines of the equipment to be connected and therefore adds to the size and weight of the equipment concerned.

We have now devised an improved internal locking system which results in a connector of reduced size and weight when compared with a connector for similar duty having an external locking system.

Thus according to the present invention.

there is provided a connector comprising a male hub and a female hub, the male hub comprising at least one internal locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising a plurality of pivoted dogs and a central actuating rod, the dogs being pivoted in such manner that, in the unlocked position, their lower surfaces form a relatively tight conical configuration, and, in the locked position, their lower surfaces open out so that the dogs may engage corresponding lugs or shoulders on the female hub to be connected, the actuating rod comprising an end piece for forcing the lower surfaces of the dogs to open out.

Preferably the locking mechanism comprises three or four pivoted dogs symmetrically positioned in a stepped cylindrical chamber, the dogs being angled to rest on the step.

The end piece of the actuating rod may be in the form of a conical or frusto-conical wedge to facilitate forcing the ends of the dogs apart.

Preferably the connector comprises a plurality of such locking mechanisms, e.g., three or four, symmetrically spaced near the circumference of the connector.

The connector is very suitable for use in circumstances in which multi-bore connections require to be made, for example, for connecting the pipeline diverter or convertor the subject of our copending British Patent application No. 8622468 to subsea flowlines.

The invention is illustrated with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is an elevation partially in section showing the locking mechanism in the locked position, Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the unlocked position and Fig. 3 is a plan view.

The connector comprises a male hub 1 and a female hub 2. Each hub as five passageways 3 for fluid flow.

The hubs are locked together by four similar locking mechanisms 4. Each locking mechanism comprises four pivoted dogs 5 symmetrically positioned in stepped cylindrical chambers 6 in the male hub. The dogs 5 are angled to rest on the steps and are fitted with projections 7 at their bases.

The locking mechanisms are actuated by rods 8 which are fitted with frusto-conical shoulders 9 and wedges 10.

To lock the hubs together, the actuating rods 8 are raised as shown in Fig. 2 until the shoulder 9 is restrained by the upper surface of the chamber 6. The shoulder 9 thus forces the upper ends of the dogs 5 apart, and, because of the pivoting action, the lower ends together.

This enables the locking mechanism to enter the locking chamber 11 of the female hub 2.

The rods 8 are then lowered, thus forcing the lower ends of the dogs 5 outwards and the upper ends inwards. The projections 7 on the lower ends of the dogs 5 latch onto shoulders 12 in the chambers 11 and thus lock the two hubs together.

To unlock the hubs, the above procedure is reversed.

1. A connector comprising a male hub and a female hub, the male hub comprising at least one internal locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising a plurality of pivoted dogs and a central actuating rod, the dogs being pivoted in such a manner that, in the unlocked position, their lower surfaces form a relatively tight conical configuration, and, in the locked position, their lower surfaces open out so that the dogs may engage corresponding lugs or shoulders on the female hub to be connected, the actuating rod comprising an end piece for forcing the lower surfaces to open out.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism comprises three or four pivoted dogs symmetrically positioned.

3. A connector according to claim 2 wherein the dogs are positioned in a stepped cylindrical chamber, the dogs being angled to rest on the step.

4. A connector according to any of the preceding claims wherein the end piece of the actuating rod is in the form of a conical or frusto-conical wedge.

5. A connector comprising a plurality of locking mechanisms as hereinbefore defined

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Connector This invention relates to a collet-type connector. Collet-type connectors are known and are frequently used for connecting items of mechanical equipment, particularly subsea equipment, where ease of engagement and disen gagement. is of vital importance. Such connectors generally contain a locking hub attached to one piece of equipment, a circumferential locking ring and pivoted locking segments positioned between the hub and the ring. The locking segments are in the form of dogs which engage lugs on the other piece of equipment to be connected. The dogs are engaged and released by movement of the locking ring. This arrangement requires the presence of a locking ring outside the confines of the equipment to be connected and therefore adds to the size and weight of the equipment concerned. We have now devised an improved internal locking system which results in a connector of reduced size and weight when compared with a connector for similar duty having an external locking system. Thus according to the present invention. there is provided a connector comprising a male hub and a female hub, the male hub comprising at least one internal locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising a plurality of pivoted dogs and a central actuating rod, the dogs being pivoted in such manner that, in the unlocked position, their lower surfaces form a relatively tight conical configuration, and, in the locked position, their lower surfaces open out so that the dogs may engage corresponding lugs or shoulders on the female hub to be connected, the actuating rod comprising an end piece for forcing the lower surfaces of the dogs to open out. Preferably the locking mechanism comprises three or four pivoted dogs symmetrically positioned in a stepped cylindrical chamber, the dogs being angled to rest on the step. The end piece of the actuating rod may be in the form of a conical or frusto-conical wedge to facilitate forcing the ends of the dogs apart. Preferably the connector comprises a plurality of such locking mechanisms, e.g., three or four, symmetrically spaced near the circumference of the connector. The connector is very suitable for use in circumstances in which multi-bore connections require to be made, for example, for connecting the pipeline diverter or convertor the subject of our copending British Patent application No. 8622468 to subsea flowlines. The invention is illustrated with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. 1 is an elevation partially in section showing the locking mechanism in the locked position, Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the unlocked position and Fig. 3 is a plan view. The connector comprises a male hub 1 and a female hub 2. Each hub as five passageways 3 for fluid flow. The hubs are locked together by four similar locking mechanisms 4. Each locking mechanism comprises four pivoted dogs 5 symmetrically positioned in stepped cylindrical chambers 6 in the male hub. The dogs 5 are angled to rest on the steps and are fitted with projections 7 at their bases. The locking mechanisms are actuated by rods 8 which are fitted with frusto-conical shoulders 9 and wedges 10. To lock the hubs together, the actuating rods 8 are raised as shown in Fig. 2 until the shoulder 9 is restrained by the upper surface of the chamber 6. The shoulder 9 thus forces the upper ends of the dogs 5 apart, and, because of the pivoting action, the lower ends together. This enables the locking mechanism to enter the locking chamber 11 of the female hub 2. The rods 8 are then lowered, thus forcing the lower ends of the dogs 5 outwards and the upper ends inwards. The projections 7 on the lower ends of the dogs 5 latch onto shoulders 12 in the chambers 11 and thus lock the two hubs together. To unlock the hubs, the above procedure is reversed. CLAIMS

1. A connector comprising a male hub and a female hub, the male hub comprising at least one internal locking mechanism, the locking mechanism comprising a plurality of pivoted dogs and a central actuating rod, the dogs being pivoted in such a manner that, in the unlocked position, their lower surfaces form a relatively tight conical configuration, and, in the locked position, their lower surfaces open out so that the dogs may engage corresponding lugs or shoulders on the female hub to be connected, the actuating rod comprising an end piece for forcing the lower surfaces to open out.

2. A connector according to claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism comprises three or four pivoted dogs symmetrically positioned.

3. A connector according to claim 2 wherein the dogs are positioned in a stepped cylindrical chamber, the dogs being angled to rest on the step.

4. A connector according to any of the preceding claims wherein the end piece of the actuating rod is in the form of a conical or frusto-conical wedge.

5. A connector comprising a plurality of locking mechanisms as hereinbefore defined symmetrically spaced near the circumference of the connector.

6. A connector as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.