Patent · US Active

Non-pressure compensated, wet-mateable plug for feedthrough and other subsea systems

US9391392B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
3References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 1, 2015
Grant dateJul 12, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 1, 2035

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R13/5227
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The invention provides a submersible or harsh environment connector for use with electrical, optical or electro-optical cables having first and second connector units which are releasably mateable and that are not pressure compensated. The invention provides a wet-mate without pressure balancing system for making a subsea wet-mate connection. The invention uses a reservoir of fluid and a mechanism energized by mating, such as by a spring, to push that fluid into a small mated connection, discharging an equivalent volume of seawater and creating electrical and/or optical continuity. One-way or back-flow prevent valves ensure there is no return flow of seawater. Typical fluids would be dielectric oil or optical gel.

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