Title:
A SUBSEA CONNECTOR
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/097966
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
A connector (1) comprises a plurality of latching fingers (5) arranged around a cylindrical body (9) having a central axis (Xc). Each finger has a first end region (5a) extending beyond an end of the body (9) and comprising a first latching structure (4). Each finger is pivotally supported at an intermediate region (5b) by a portion of the body and being movable between a non-latching position and a latching position in which the first end region (5a) is closer to the central axis (Xc) than in the non-latching position. The connector comprises a first actuating member (14) arranged in contact with the plurality of fingers (5) and operable to move the fingers between the non-latching position and the latching position. An actuating means (17) is operable to force a second end region (5 c) of each finger towards the body (9). The connector (1) may be connected to a hub (2) by bringing a connector face (27) into contact with a hub face (28); moving the latching fingers towards the connector until the first latching structures (4) engage in corresponding second latching structures (3) on the hub, and then holding the latching structures (3, 4) together in a latching engagement; and effecting a pressure in the aft region (5c) of each finger, towards the body, following the completion of step b).
Inventors:
BEKKEVOLD KNUT (NO)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2012/071651
Publication Date:
December 12, 2013
Filing Date:
November 01, 2012
Export Citation:
Assignee:
FMC KONGSBERG SUBSEA AS (NO)
International Classes:
F16L37/00; E21B43/013
Domestic Patent References:
| WO2004104365A1 | 2004-12-02 |
Foreign References:
| US5971076A | 1999-10-26 | |||
| US20030151254A1 | 2003-08-14 | |||
| US8016042B2 | 2011-09-13 |
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
SIMONSEN, Kari (P.O.BOX 1813 Vika, Oslo, NO)
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