Patent Application
20100052309
The invention described herein is directed to a bullet connector for umbilicals, and for a method of disconnecting an umbilical from a bullet connector. The bullet connector described herein comprises a tapered nose cone, a body comprising a cylindrical housing, a cylinder removeably mounted in the cylindrical housing, and a locking plate removeably fastened to the lower region of the cylinder.
Umbilicals are long flexible cables, often is excess of 1000 feet in length. Umbilicals are often used to provide electrical power, hydraulic power, and/or fiber optic connections between a surface vessel and a subsea apparatus, such as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or other equipment located subsea.
Several preferred embodiments of the inventions described herein are directed toward an umbilical connector. A first preferred embodiment of an umbilical connector comprises a tapered nose cone 10 comprising a first tip 12 having a first diameter, a second tip 14 having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, an outer surface, and a first central longitudinal channel 16, as shown in
In another preferred embodiment, the nose cone comprises a first half 10a and a second half 10b opposite and secured to the first half, as shown in
This first preferred embodiment further comprises a body 20 comprising a second central longitudinal channel 22 aligned with the first longitudinal central channel, as shown in
The lower region comprises a tapered second latch region 31 extending radially outward and away from the first latch region and an outer wall, as shown in
This first preferred embodiment further comprises a termination member 38 removeably mounted in the housing, as shown in
This first preferred embodiment further comprises a locking plate 46 removeably fastened to the lower region below and in contact with the termination member, as shown in
In another preferred embodiment, the locking plate comprises at least one fastening member hole 47, and the lower face 41 of the termination member comprises at least one fastening member hole 43 aligned with the locking plate fastening member hole. In another preferred embodiment, the umbilical connector comprises a fastening member 49 extending through the locking plate fastening member hole and the termination member fastening member hole. In another preferred embodiment, the fastening member hole in the lower face of the termination member is threaded and the fastening member is a bolt.
In another preferred embodiment, the locking plate comprises a first half 46a and a second half 46b opposite to the first half, as shown in
In another preferred embodiment, the connector further comprises a universal joint pivotably connected to the lower region. In another preferred embodiment, the connector further comprises an umbilical 50 extending through the first, second and third central longitudinal channels, and sized to snugly fit in said channels, as shown in
A second preferred embodiment of the inventions described herein is directed toward a method of disconnecting an umbilical from an umbilical connector. A preferred embodiment of this method comprises severing an umbilical above the tapered nose cone section of an umbilical connector comprising a locking plate, cylinder housing, and cylinder, as shown in Block 80 of
This preferred method embodiment further comprises disconnecting the locking plate of the umbilical connector from the cylinder of the umbilical connector, as shown in Block 82 of
This preferred method embodiment further comprises removing the cylinder of the umbilical connector from the cylinder housing of the umbilical housing of the umbilical connector, as shown in Block 84 of
This preferred method embodiment further comprises striking the portion of the umbilical extending from the upper face of the cylinder with sufficient force to knock its termination potting loose, as shown in Block 86 of
This preferred method embodiment further comprises separating the umbilical from the cylinder, as shown in Block 88 of
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 a illustrative method may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
