Patent ID: 6394131
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: F16L,Y10T

Abstract:
A subsea hydraulic coupler for mating with a second coupler containing high pressure hydraulic fluid and having a bore sealed with a second poppet, the subsea hydraulic coupler comprising:a body having a bore containing a first poppet and a bleed port, and a compensator having a chamber in fluid communication with the bore, a piston in the chamber, and means for biasing the piston to one side of the chamber; and wherein the body is adapted to be joined to the second coupler such that sea water is trapped therebetween and forced through the bleed port and the bore, and into the compensator such that the piston is forced to an opposite side of the chamber, thereby preventing fluid lock between the couplers, and allowing the poppets to engage to displace the second poppet, thereby releasing the high pressure hydraulic fluid for containment by the compensator.