Patent ID: 9556686
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: E21B,G02B,H01R

Claim:
1. A connector unit of a wet-mateable connector adapted for use in a subsea gas well, the connector unit comprising: an outer shell having a through bore, an upper end portion and a lower end portion; an upper connector portion in the upper end portion of the shell and a lower connector portion in the lower end portion of the shell; a pressure compensated chamber in the shell through bore and extending between the upper and lower connector portions, the pressure compensated chamber having an upper end, a lower end, and an outer movable wall spaced from the outer shell and exposed to ambient pressure in a space between the pressure compensated chamber and the shell; the shell having at least one opening communicating with the external environment; one or more conductors extending from the upper connector portion through the pressure compensated chamber to the lower connector portion; and at least one pressure relief valve mounted inside the outer shell at a location in communication with the upper end of the chamber and having an inlet exposed to gas at the upper end of the chamber and an outlet in communication with the opening exposed to the external environment; the at least one pressure relief valve having a predetermined cracking pressure lower than a design pressure limit of the pressure compensated chamber and being configured to open and release gas from the upper end of the chamber when the inlet is exposed to pressure exceeding the predetermined cracking pressure.