Patent · US Active

Subsea locking connector

US8499838B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
20References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 21, 2010
Grant dateAug 6, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 14, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B33/038
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A connector is lowered onto and secured to a subsea member, effecting a seal between subsea member and the connector. The connector includes an outer body defining a cavity, and an inner body defining a bore, wherein the lower end of the inner body resides within the cavity. The connector also includes an engaging member coupled to the outer body and adapted to engage the subsea device, the engaging member radially movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The connector includes a seal carried by the inner body and adapted to form a seal between the bore and the subsea device. Finally, the connector includes a pre-loading member coupled to the outer body, operable to urge the inner body and seal against the subsea device to exert a pre-loading force on the seal. A differential pressure between the bore and a subsea environment energizes the seal.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.