Patent Publication Number: US-7906727-B2

Title: Umbilical bullet connector

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention described herein is directed to a bullet connector for umbilicals, and for a method of disconnecting an umbilical from a bullet connector. The bullet connector described herein comprises a tapered nose cone, a body comprising a cylindrical housing, a cylinder removeably mounted in the cylindrical housing, and a locking plate removeably fastened to the lower region of the cylinder. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Umbilicals are long flexible cables, often is excess of 1000 feet in length. Umbilicals are often used to provide electrical power, hydraulic power, and/or fiber optic connections between a surface vessel and a subsea apparatus, such as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) or other equipment located subsea. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of one embodiment of the bullet connector described herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the bullet connector described herein. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the termination member described herein. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a method for using the bullet connector described herein. 
         FIG. 5  is a side cross sectional view of a bullet connector as described herein attached to an umbilical. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a termination potting. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Several preferred embodiments of the inventions described herein are directed toward an umbilical connector. A first preferred embodiment of an umbilical connector comprises a tapered nose cone  10  comprising a first tip  12  having a first diameter, a second tip  14  having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, an outer surface, and a first central longitudinal channel  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The central longitudinal channel comprises an annular lip recess  18 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . 
     In another preferred embodiment, the nose cone comprises a first half  10   a  and a second half  10   b  opposite and secured to the first half, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . In another preferred embodiment, the first half and the second half comprise at least one transverse channel  11  extending from the outer surface of the first half to the outer surface of the second half, and a fastening member  13  mounted in the transverse channel. 
     This first preferred embodiment further comprises a body  20  comprising a second central longitudinal channel  22  aligned with the first longitudinal central channel, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The body comprises a cylindrical lip  24  sized to fit in said lip recess, a throat region  26  attached to the lip and having an outer diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the lip, and a nose cone seating region  28  attached to the throat region and to the nose cone, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The nose cone seating region has a first outer diameter, a first tapered region  27  extending radially outward and away from the nose cone seating region, a cylindrical first latch region  29  attached to the first tapered region and having a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter, and a lower region  30  attached to the first latch region. 
     The lower region comprises a tapered second latch region  31  extending radially outward and away from the first latch region and an outer wall, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The outer wall comprises two fingers  32  extending therefrom and positioned on opposite sides of the wall, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . Each finger comprises an eyelet  34 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The fingers are sized and shaped to define a housing  36 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In a preferred embodiment, the housing is cylindrical. As shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , eyelets  34  and fingers  32  provide a pathway suitable for insertion of a pin may to connect the bullet connector to an ROV. 
     This first preferred embodiment further comprises a termination member  38  removeably mounted in the housing, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The termination member comprises an upper face  40 , a lower face  41  opposite the upper face, and a third central longitudinal channel  44 . In a preferred embodiment, the third central longitudinal channel comprises a conical region whose diameter increases as the distance from the upper face increases. In a preferred embodiment, the termination member is cylindrical. 
     This first preferred embodiment further comprises a locking plate  46  removeably fastened to the lower region below and in contact with the termination member, as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . Locking plate  46  fastens termination member  38  to the body  30 , thereby permitting removal of termination member  38  from the body. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , an enlargement  53  , which may be formed of potting, is provided on the umbilical  50 . 
     In another preferred embodiment, the locking plate comprises at least one fastening member hole  47 , and the lower face  41  of the termination member comprises at least one fastening member hole  43  aligned with the locking plate fastening member hole. In another preferred embodiment, the umbilical connector comprises a fastening member  49  extending through the locking plate fastening member hole and the termination member fastening member hole. In another preferred embodiment, the fastening member hole in the lower face of the termination member is threaded and the fastening member is a bolt. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the locking plate comprises a first half  46   a  and a second half  46   b  opposite to the first half, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the lower face of the termination member comprises at least one fastening member hole aligned with each of the locking plate halves fastening member holes, as shown in  FIG. 3 . In another preferred embodiment, the connector further comprises a fastening member  49  extending through each locking plate half fastening member hole and each termination member fastening member hole, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In another preferred embodiment, each fastening member hole in the lower face of the termination member is threaded and each fastening member is a bolt. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the connector further comprises a universal joint pivotably connected to the lower region. In another preferred embodiment, the connector further comprises an umbilical  50  extending through the first, second and third central longitudinal channels, and sized to snugly fit in said channels, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     A second preferred embodiment of the inventions described herein is directed toward a method of disconnecting an umbilical from an umbilical connector. A preferred embodiment of this method comprises severing an umbilical above the tapered nose cone section of an umbilical connector comprising a locking plate, cylinder housing, and cylinder, as shown in Block  80  of  FIG. 4 . 
     This preferred method embodiment further comprises disconnecting the locking plate of the umbilical connector from the cylinder of the umbilical connector, as shown in Block  82  of  FIG. 4 . 
     This preferred method embodiment further comprises removing the cylinder of the umbilical connector from the cylinder housing of the umbilical housing of the umbilical connector, as shown in Block  84  of  FIG. 4 . 
     This preferred method embodiment further comprises striking the portion of the umbilical extending from the upper face of the cylinder with sufficient force to knock its termination potting loose, as shown in Block  86  of  FIG. 4 . 
     This preferred method embodiment further comprises separating the umbilical from the cylinder, as shown in Block  88  of  FIG. 4 . 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the inventions are illustrative and explanatory. Various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrative construction and/or a illustrative method may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.