US3918485A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiport subsea connector
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
•
Filing: 1973-09-18
•
Granted: 1975-11-11
•
Expires: 1993-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A multiport subsea connector for use in remotely connecting (and disconnecting) nonretrievable, multiple, hydraulic, control fluid flowlines which are part of a submerged, closed, hydraulic power control system to (and from) retrievable, multiple, hydraulic control fluid flowlines attached to a submerged oil and/or gas well tree without ingestion of sea water or loss of hydraulic control fluid. The flowlines are encased or carried in conduits which are connected together and disconnected from each other by an external, remotely operable tool. Each retrievable flowline contains the female half of a coupling which is engageable with the male half thereof contained in the nonretrievable flowline. Guide means on the connector halves provide final axial alignment and rotational alignment when the halves are brought together to make the coupling and conduit connections. Also, each coupling half is free to float in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the carrier conduit in which it is located to adjust for axial or angular misalignment. Seal means are also provided to prevent extraneous fluid (water) from entering the control fluid flowlines during connection and disconnection of the two halves of the coupling. Additional seal means are provided to seal the connection once the connection has been made up.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald A Weber
- 👤 Zane L Griffin
- 👤 Thomas W Childers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:03
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L37/00; F16L37/08; F16L37/12; F16L37/133; E; E21; E21B; E21B33/00; E21B33/02; E21B33/03; E21B33/035; E21B33/0387; E21B43/00; E21B43/01; E21B43/013; F16L37/28; F16L37/30; F16L37/32; F16L39/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S277/00; Y10S277/91; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87153; Y10T137/87917; Y10T137/87925; Y10T137/87941; Y10T137/87949; Y10T137/87957
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
461 words
A connector for use in connecting a multiplicity of hydraulic subsea flowlines comprising: a first carrier conduit; a plurality of first flowlines arranged in said first conduit; a first flange connected to the end of said first conduit and having a plurality of spaced apart holes therethrough; one half of a coupling arranged in each of said holes in the first flange, said one half comprising: a first sleeve member having one end extending to about the face of said first flange and having the other end connected to one of said first flowlines and having a first valve means arranged therein; said first valve means being normally biased closed to prevent flow of fluids through said first valve means and said first flowline; an annular groove formed on the outer surface of said first sleeve member; said one end of said first sleeve member forming a tapered shouldered seating surface; a second carrier conduit; a plurality of second flowlines arranged in said second conduit; a second flange connected to the end of said second conduit and having a plurality of spaced apart holes therethrough; the other half of said coupling being arranged in each of said holes in said second flange, said other half of said coupling comprising: a second sleeve member having one end extending beyond the face of said second flange and having the other end thereof connected to one of said second flowlines and having a second valve means therein; said second valve means being normally biased closed to prevent flow of fluids through said second valve means and said second flowline connected thereto; each coupling having: an ''''O''''-ring seal arranged on the inner wall of said second sleeve member; a seal ring arranged in said second sleeve member; said one end of said first sleeve member being insertable into said one end of said second sleeve member and said second sleeve member initially containing grease between the end thereof and said second valve means; said outer wall of said end of said first sleeve member engaging said ''''O''''-ring in said second sleeve member during initial entry of said first sleeve member into said second sleeve member to trap grease in said second sleeve member and force said grease upon continued movement of said first sleeve member into said second sleeve member through one or both of said valve means into one or both of said flowlines; said tapered seating shoulder on said first sleeve member engaging said seal ring on said second sleeve member to seal off the interiors of said flowlines from exterior thereof when said coupling is fully made up; said first and second valve means opening when said coupling is fully sealed to permit flow of fluids through said first and second flowlines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
461 words
A connector for use in connecting a multiplicity of hydraulic subsea flowlines comprising: a first carrier conduit; a plurality of first flowlines arranged in said first conduit; a first flange connected to the end of said first conduit and having a plurality of spaced apart holes therethrough; one half of a coupling arranged in each of said holes in the first flange, said one half comprising: a first sleeve member having one end extending to about the face of said first flange and having the other end connected to one of said first flowlines and having a first valve means arranged therein; said first valve means being normally biased closed to prevent flow of fluids through said first valve means and said first flowline; an annular groove formed on the outer surface of said first sleeve member; said one end of said first sleeve member forming a tapered shouldered seating surface; a second carrier conduit; a plurality of second flowlines arranged in said second conduit; a second flange connected to the end of said second conduit and having a plurality of spaced apart holes therethrough; the other half of said coupling being arranged in each of said holes in said second flange, said other half of said coupling comprising: a second sleeve member having one end extending beyond the face of said second flange and having the other end thereof connected to one of said second flowlines and having a second valve means therein; said second valve means being normally biased closed to prevent flow of fluids through said second valve means and said second flowline connected thereto; each coupling having: an ''''O''''-ring seal arranged on the inner wall of said second sleeve member; a seal ring arranged in said second sleeve member; said one end of said first sleeve member being insertable into said one end of said second sleeve member and said second sleeve member initially containing grease between the end thereof and said second valve means; said outer wall of said end of said first sleeve member engaging said ''''O''''-ring in said second sleeve member during initial entry of said first sleeve member into said second sleeve member to trap grease in said second sleeve member and force said grease upon continued movement of said first sleeve member into said second sleeve member through one or both of said valve means into one or both of said flowlines; said tapered seating shoulder on said first sleeve member engaging said seal ring on said second sleeve member to seal off the interiors of said flowlines from exterior thereof when said coupling is fully made up; said first and second valve means opening when said coupling is fully sealed to permit flow of fluids through said first and second flowlines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A connector as recited in claim 1 including a shoulder formed on the inner wall of said second sleeve member between said ''''O''''-ring and said seal ring for preventing movement of said seal ring therepast when disconnecting said coupling and removing said first sleeve member from said second sleeve member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A connector as recited in claim 2 including first and second recesses formed on the outer walls of said first and second sleeve members, respectively; first and second recesses formed on the inner walls of said first and second flanges, respectively; a first keeper ring arranged in said first recesseS; and a second keeper ring arranged in said second recesses, said second keeper ring being deformable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A connector as recited in claim 3 including guide means arranged on said first and second flanges to provide axial and rotational alignment for said connector and coupling.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A connector as recited in claim 4 including means for bringing said conduits and coupler halves toward each other and locking said conduits together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
320 words
A connector for use in connecting a multiplicity of hydraulic subsea flowlines comprising: a first carrier conduit containing a plurality of first flowlines; a second carrier conduit containing a plurality of second flowlines; a coupling connecting each of said first flowlines to each of said second flowlines, each coupling comprising: a first sleeve member connected to the end of said first flowline; a second sleeve member connected to the end of said second flowline; said first sleeve member being insertable within said second sleeve member; first and second valve means arranged within first and second sleeve members, respectively, closing off flow through said valve means and said first and second flowlines when in one position and permitting flow through said valve means and said first and second flowlines when in another position; sealing means spaced from the end of and arranged on the inner wall of said second sleeve member for engaging the outer wall of said first sleeve member when said first sleeve member has been inserted into said second sleeve member; a radially extending sealing shoulder formed by increasing the outside diameter of said first sleeve member from the outside diameter of the end of said first sleeve member; a radially extending retainer shoulder formed by reducing the inside diameter of said second sleeve member from that of the end of said second sleeve member, said retainer shoulder being spaced a greater distance from the end of said second sleeve member than said sealing means; a sealing ring arranged in said second sleeve member adjacent said retainer shoulder for engaging said sealing shoulder on said first sleeve member to prevent, when said sealing ring and said sealing shoulder are engaged, flow of fluids to and from the interiors of said flowlines; said valve means opening after said sealing means and the outer wall of said first sleeve member engage but before said sealing shoulder and sealing ring engage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
320 words
A connector for use in connecting a multiplicity of hydraulic subsea flowlines comprising: a first carrier conduit containing a plurality of first flowlines; a second carrier conduit containing a plurality of second flowlines; a coupling connecting each of said first flowlines to each of said second flowlines, each coupling comprising: a first sleeve member connected to the end of said first flowline; a second sleeve member connected to the end of said second flowline; said first sleeve member being insertable within said second sleeve member; first and second valve means arranged within first and second sleeve members, respectively, closing off flow through said valve means and said first and second flowlines when in one position and permitting flow through said valve means and said first and second flowlines when in another position; sealing means spaced from the end of and arranged on the inner wall of said second sleeve member for engaging the outer wall of said first sleeve member when said first sleeve member has been inserted into said second sleeve member; a radially extending sealing shoulder formed by increasing the outside diameter of said first sleeve member from the outside diameter of the end of said first sleeve member; a radially extending retainer shoulder formed by reducing the inside diameter of said second sleeve member from that of the end of said second sleeve member, said retainer shoulder being spaced a greater distance from the end of said second sleeve member than said sealing means; a sealing ring arranged in said second sleeve member adjacent said retainer shoulder for engaging said sealing shoulder on said first sleeve member to prevent, when said sealing ring and said sealing shoulder are engaged, flow of fluids to and from the interiors of said flowlines; said valve means opening after said sealing means and the outer wall of said first sleeve member engage but before said sealing shoulder and sealing ring engage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A connector as recited in claim 6 including a first flange providing an opening and having said first sleeve members arranged in said opening; and a second flange providing an opening and having said second sleeve members arranged in said opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
A connector as recited in claim 7 including means arranged between each of said first sleeve members and said first flange for maintaining said first sleeve members in said first flange; and means arranged between each of said second sleeve members and said second flange for maintaining said second sleeve members in said second flange.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A connector as recited in claim 8 in which said means for retaining said first and second sleeve members in said first and second flanges, respectively, comprise ring members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector as recited in claim 9 wherein said ring members arranged between said second sleeve members and said second flange are deformable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A connector as recited in claim 10 including guide means arranged on said first and second flanges to provide axial and rotational alignment for said connector and couplings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
358 words
A connector for use in connecting a multiplicity of hydraulic subsea flowlines comprising: a first carrier conduit containing a plurality of first flowlines; a second carrier conduit containing a plurality of second flowlines; a coupling connecting each of said first flowlines to each of said second flowlines, each coupling comprising: a first sleeve member connected to the end of said first flowline; a second sleeve member connected to the end of said second flowline; said first sleeve member being insertable within said second sleeve member; first and second valve means arranged within said first and second sleeve members, respectively, closing off flow through said valve means and said first and second flowlines when in one position and permitting flow through said valve means and said first and second flowlines when in another position; sealing means arranged on the inner wall of said second sleeve member engaging the outer wall of said first sleeve member when said first sleeve member has been inserted into said second sleeve member; a sealing shoulder formed on the end of said first sleeve member; a sealing ring arranged in said second sleeve member for engaging said sealing shoulder on said first sleeve member to prevent, when engaged, flow of fluids to and from the interiors of said flowlines; said valve means opening after said sealing means and the outer wall of said first sleeve member engage but before said sealing shoulder and sealing ring are engaged; a first flange; said first sleeve members being arranged in said first flange; a second flange; said second sleeve members being arranged in said second flange; a ring member arranged between each of said first sleeve members and said first flange for maintaining said first sleeve members in said first flange; a deformable ring member arranged between each of said second sleeve members and said second flange for maintaining said second sleeve members in said second flange; guide means arranged on said first and second flanges to provide axial and rotational alignment for said connector and couplings; and grease arranged in said second sleeve members to exclude water therefrom prior to full makeup of said coupling halves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
358 words
A connector for use in connecting a multiplicity of hydraulic subsea flowlines comprising: a first carrier conduit containing a plurality of first flowlines; a second carrier conduit containing a plurality of second flowlines; a coupling connecting each of said first flowlines to each of said second flowlines, each coupling comprising: a first sleeve member connected to the end of said first flowline; a second sleeve member connected to the end of said second flowline; said first sleeve member being insertable within said second sleeve member; first and second valve means arranged within said first and second sleeve members, respectively, closing off flow through said valve means and said first and second flowlines when in one position and permitting flow through said valve means and said first and second flowlines when in another position; sealing means arranged on the inner wall of said second sleeve member engaging the outer wall of said first sleeve member when said first sleeve member has been inserted into said second sleeve member; a sealing shoulder formed on the end of said first sleeve member; a sealing ring arranged in said second sleeve member for engaging said sealing shoulder on said first sleeve member to prevent, when engaged, flow of fluids to and from the interiors of said flowlines; said valve means opening after said sealing means and the outer wall of said first sleeve member engage but before said sealing shoulder and sealing ring are engaged; a first flange; said first sleeve members being arranged in said first flange; a second flange; said second sleeve members being arranged in said second flange; a ring member arranged between each of said first sleeve members and said first flange for maintaining said first sleeve members in said first flange; a deformable ring member arranged between each of said second sleeve members and said second flange for maintaining said second sleeve members in said second flange; guide means arranged on said first and second flanges to provide axial and rotational alignment for said connector and couplings; and grease arranged in said second sleeve members to exclude water therefrom prior to full makeup of said coupling halves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A connector as recited in claim 12 including arranging each coupling half in its respective flange in a manner and being provided with means so as to permit said coupling halves to float in a plane perpendicular to the axis of said conduits to adjust for axial and angular misalignment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
A connector as recited in claim 13 in which said means to permit said coupling halves to float includes a difference in the diameter of each coupler half and the diameter of said opening in the flange in which said coupler half is arranged.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A connector as recited in claim 14 in which said sealing ring comprises a tapered metallic gasket capable of providing axial tolerance in making a seal with said sealing shoulder on said first sleeve member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A connector as recited in claim 15 including means for bringing said conduits towards each other and locking said conduits together.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector as recited in claim 16 in which said first coupling halves are fixed undersea and nonretrievable and said second coupling halves are retrievable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
A connector as recited in claim 17 in which each valve means comprises a poppet valve, said poppet valves being normally closed and engaging to open and permit flow of fluids through said flowlines.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
220 words
A connector for use in connecting a multiplicity of flowlines comprising: a first carrier conduit containing a plurality of first flowlines; a first carrier conduit containing a plurality of second flowlines; a coupling connecting each of said first flowlines to each of said second flowlines, each coupling comprising: a first sleeve member connected to the end of said first flowline; a second sleeve member connected to the end of said second flowline; said first sleeve member being insertable within said second sleeve member; sealing means arranged on the inner wall of said second sleeve member engaging the outer wall of said first sleeve member when said first sleeve member has been inserted into said second sleeve member; a radially extending sealing shoulder formed on said first sleeve member; a metallic sealing ring arranGed in said second sleeve member for engaging said sealing shoulder on said first sleeve member to prevent, when engaged, flow of fluids to and from the interiors of said flowlines; and a radially extending retainer shoulder formed by reducing the inside diameter of said second sleeve member from that of the end of said second sleeve member for retaining said sealing ring in said second sleeve member, said retainer shoulder being spaced a greater distance from the end of said second sleeve member than said sealing means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
220 words
A connector for use in connecting a multiplicity of flowlines comprising: a first carrier conduit containing a plurality of first flowlines; a first carrier conduit containing a plurality of second flowlines; a coupling connecting each of said first flowlines to each of said second flowlines, each coupling comprising: a first sleeve member connected to the end of said first flowline; a second sleeve member connected to the end of said second flowline; said first sleeve member being insertable within said second sleeve member; sealing means arranged on the inner wall of said second sleeve member engaging the outer wall of said first sleeve member when said first sleeve member has been inserted into said second sleeve member; a radially extending sealing shoulder formed on said first sleeve member; a metallic sealing ring arranGed in said second sleeve member for engaging said sealing shoulder on said first sleeve member to prevent, when engaged, flow of fluids to and from the interiors of said flowlines; and a radially extending retainer shoulder formed by reducing the inside diameter of said second sleeve member from that of the end of said second sleeve member for retaining said sealing ring in said second sleeve member, said retainer shoulder being spaced a greater distance from the end of said second sleeve member than said sealing means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
A connector as recited in claim 19 in which said ring retainer means comprises a tapered shoulder formed on the inner wall of said second sleeve member; and said sealing ring comprises a tapered gasket capable of providing axial tolerance in making a seal with said sealing shoulder on said first sleeve member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
78 words
A connector as recited in claim 20 including: first and second valve means arranged within said first and second sleeve members, respectively, closing off flow through said valve means and said first and second flowlines when in one position and permitting flow through said valve means and said first and second flowlines when in another position; each of said valve means being spring-biased to closed position, one of said spring-biasing means being stronger than the other spring-biasing means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
A connector as recited in claim 21 including a shoulder formed on the inner wall of said second sleeve member between said sealing means and said seal ring for preventing movement of said seal ring therepast when disconnecting said coupling and removing said first sleeve member from said second sleeve member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
A connector as recited in claim 22 including an annular groove formed on said first sleeve member, the spacing of said sealing means and seal ring and groove being such that said sealing shoulder engages said sealing ring prior to positioning of said groove adjacent said sealing means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector as recited in claim 3 in which said second keeper ring is S-shaped.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |