Current stab couplers rely on additional tooling to allow a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to externally mate the stab coupler connectors. The connectors are typically housed in junction plates which may need to be deployed via downline.
Various figures are included herein which illustrate aspects of embodiments of the disclosed inventions.
Referring to
In a first embodiment, receptacle 10 is substantially tubular and comprises receptacle housing 19, back plate 18 disposed proximate connector end 16, and one or more hydraulic couplers 11 disposed proximate connector end 16. Hydraulic couplers 11 typically are one-half inch couplers but may be of any appropriate size.
Receptacle housing 12 comprises receiving end 15 and connector end 16 disposed opposite receiving end 15.
Receiving end 15 comprises open end 19, typically conically shaped, which comprises mating slot 14 through a portion of receptacle housing 12. Mating slot 14 defines key receiver 18 (
In preferred embodiments, connector end 16 is configured to connect to subsea equipment.
Back plate 13 further comprises one or more collet receivers 17 configured to receive a complimentary set of grab sleeve collets 33 (
One or more hydraulic couplers 11 is typically configured to be received at least partially into and through back plate 13. In certain embodiments, each of the ends of hydraulic couplers 11 comprises a medium pressure union fitting configured to be connected to a high collapse resistant (HCR) hose for stabs 20 (
Referring now to
Locking rod 30 is slidingly disposed within interior void 36 and extends through grab sleeve collet 33 and sleeve guide 39. Locking rod 30 may further comprise boss 30a configured to prevent grab sleeve collet 33 from over deforming. In certain embodiments, locking rod 30 is threaded.
In certain embodiments, spring 31 is disposed about locking rod 30 intermediate handle end 38 and sleeve guide 39 and configured to keep grab sleeve collet 33 engaged. Spring 33 is configured to provide pre-load tension such that as locking rod 30 progresses within interior void 36 and/or rotates it expands grab sleeve collet 33 first.
Handle 40 may also be present and attached to locking rod 30. Where handle 40 is present, it typically comprises threaded locking rod 42 and locking rod 30 further comprises handle attachment end 41 configured to attach to handle connector 42, typically pivotally. Handle 40 may be configured to be maneuvered by remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 100.
In the operation of exemplary embodiments, referring generally to
Stab 20 is then mated into substantially tubular receptacle 10 by inserting a stab end 37 of a substantially tubular stab housing 34 of the stab 20 into the receiving end 15 of the substantially tubular receptacle 10 and aligning alignment key 32 disposed about a predetermined portion of the substantially tubular stab housing 34 with key receiver 17 configured to cooperatively receive the alignment key 32 when the stab 20 is inserted a predetermined distance into the substantially tubular receptacle 10.
Grab sleeve collet 33 disposed within the interior void proximate the stab end is then allowed to compress and conform to a corresponding feature of substantially tubular receptacle 10 as stab 20 is inserted into the substantially tubular receptacle 10.
Threaded locking rod 30, slidingly disposed within interior void 36 and extending through grab sleeve collet 33 and sleeve guide 39, is pulled back by rotating handle 40 connected to locking rod 30. Pulling locking rod 30 back may further comprise pulling locking rod 30 into grab sleeve collet 33 and temporarily locking pulling rod 30 in place.
Stab 20 and receiver 10 are mated by continuing the rotation of locking rod 30 to advance stab 20 into receiver 10. Advancing stab housing 34 of stab 20 into receiver 10 may allow stab housing 34 to act as a nut on locking rod 30 in view of back plate 18 comprising inner diameter threads.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the inventions are illustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrative construction and/or an illustrative method may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.