Underwater connector with retrievable sealed electrical assembly

Claim 2

In apparatus of the character described, the combination comprising: a fluid pressure control assembly to be presented underwater so as to be actuated for altering fluid pressure application, a cable and an operating assembly including a sealed electrically energizable coil element supported by the cable to be lowered underwater into operative proximity to said control assembly, at least one of said assemblies including structure adapted to be displaced in response to energization of said element for actuating said control assembly; said assemblies extending in operative proximity with one another and being relatively shiftable into and out of operative proximity in response to vertical displacement of the cable.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein said structure comprises a part adapted to be magnetically displaced in response to electrical energization of said coil.

Claim 4

The combination of claim 2 wherein said part comprises a plunger which extends within said coil when said assemblies extend in operative proximity.

Claim 5

The combination of claim 3 wherein said plunger is carried by said control assembly to project for movement into said coil in response to coil energization, with said assemblies extending in operative proximity.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 2 wherein said control assembly includes a valve element having operative connection with said part.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 4 including guide structure presented to guide said part relatively into proximity with said coil in response to underwater lowering of said operating assembly into operative proximity to said control assembly.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 6 wherein said structure includes a socket carried by said operating assembly and presented to receive relative penetration of said control assembly.

Claim 9

The combination of claim 7 wherein said assemblies form tongue and groove elements one of which is on the socket, and located to interfit during said relative penetration.

Claim 10

The combination of claim 1 including an underwater wellhead assembly including a fluid responsive actuator operatively coupled to said fluid pressure control assembly.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 9 wherein said wellhead assembly supports said control assembly to be presented upwardly for downward seating of said operating assembly.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 2 wherein said part is carried for linear displacement in response to coil energization.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 2 wherein said part is carried for rotary displacement in response to coil energization.

Claim 14

The combination of claim 2 wherein said part is carried for said displacement while remaining out of coil-penetrating relation.

Claim 15

In apparatus of the character described, the combination comprising: a fluid pressure control assembly adapted to be presented underwater so as to be actuated for altering fluid pressure application, a cable and an operating assembly including at least two sealed solenoid coils supported by the cable to be lowered into operative proximity to said control assembly, at least one of said assemblies including at least two parts, one adapted to be magnetically displaced in response to energization of one coil and the other adapted to be magnetically displaced in response to energization of the other coil, for actuating said control assembly, said assemblies extending in telescopically interfitting relation and being relative shiftable into and out said relation in response to vertical displacement of the cable.

Claim 16

In apparatus of the character described, the combination comprising: a fluid pressure control assembly adapted to be presented underwater so as to be actuated for altering fluid pressure application, a cable and an operating assembly including at least two sealed solenoid coils supported by the cable to be lowered into operative proximity to said control assembly, at least one of said assemblies including at least two parts, one adapted to be magnetically displaced in response to energization of one coil and the other adapted to be magnetically displaced in response to energization of the other coil, for actuating said control assembly, said assemblies extending in telescopically interfitting relation and being relative shiftable into and out said relation in response to vertical displacement of the cable.

Claim 17

The combination of claim 14 wherein said parts comprise plungers carried by said control assembly to project for reception into hollows formed in said coils.

Claim 18

The combination of claim 15 wherein said control assembly includes valve elements having operative connection with said plungers.

Claim 19

The combination of claim 15 including guide structure presented to guide said plungers relatively into said soils in response to underwater lowering of said operating assembly into operative proximity to said control assembly.

Claim 20

The combination of claim 15 including recessed protectors closely receiving the plungers to block sea water access thereto when said assemblies are spaced apart.

Claim 21

In the method of controlling, from the surface, pressure-operable apparatus installed in a stack of underwater wellhead equipment, the steps that include providing at the stack a valve-actuating element capable of being displaced in response to magnetic force application thereto, displacement of said element acting to control the valve for controlling pressure application to said apparatus, lowering to said actuating element a sealed coil element which is electrically energizable to cooperate magnetically with said actuating element, bringing said elements into underwater alignment, and transmitting electrical current to said electrically energizable element to energize same for effecting displacement of said valve actuating element.

Claim 22

In the method of controlling, from the surface, pressure-operable apparatus installed in a stack of underwater wellhead equipment, the steps that include providing at the stack a valve-actuating element capable of being displaced in response to magnetic force application thereto, displacement of said element acting to control the valve for controlling pressure application to said apparatus, lowering to said actuating element a sealed coil element which is electrically energizable to cooperate magnetically with said actuating element, bringing said elements into underwater alignment, and transmitting electrical current to said electrically energizable element to energize same for effecting displacement of said valve actuating element.

Claim 23

The method of claim 19 including the further step of retrieving said electrically energizable element by elevating same in the sea relative to said valve-actuating element.

Claim 24

The method of claim 19 wherein said lowering step includes effecting intercoupling of said elements.