Single Line Stab And Coupler And Method Of Use

Abstract

A single line stab uses internal threading that allows a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to mechanically mate up the stab and receptacle without the use of additional tooling. The use of a single coupler allows for a compact stab instead of the large junction plates that are currently used. Can be used to hydraulically control valves, inject fluid, or to sample fluids sub sea.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A single line stab coupler, comprising:
 a. a receptacle, comprising:
 i. a receptacle housing comprising:
 1. a receiving end and a mating slot through a predetermined portion of the receptacle housing, the mating slot defining a key receiver; and 
 2. a connector end disposed opposite the receiving end; 
 
 ii. a back plate disposed proximate the connector end; and 
   iii. a hydraulic coupler disposed proximate the connector end and received at least partially into the back plate, the hydraulic coupler configured to operatively interface with a predetermined piece of subsea equipment; and   b. a stab, comprising:   i. a stab housing defining an interior void at least partially therethrough, the stab housing comprising a stab end configured to be cooperatively received into the receptacle and a handle end;
 ii. an alignment key disposed about a predetermined portion of the stab housing, the alignment key configured to be cooperatively received into the mating slot when the stab is inserted a predetermined distance into the receptacle and align the stab into the receptacle; 
 iii. a grab sleeve collet disposed within the interior void proximate the stab end; 
 iv. a sleeve guide disposed within the interior void intermediate the stab end and the handle end; 
 v. a locking rod slidingly disposed within the interior void and extending through the grab sleeve collet and the sleeve guide; and 
 vi. a spring disposed about the locking rod intermediate the handle end and the sleeve guide. 
   
     
     
         2 . The single line stab of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle and the stab housing comprise a set of cooperatively configured substantially tubular shapes. 
     
     
         3 . The single line stab of  claim 1  further comprising a handle attached to the locking rod. 
     
     
         4 . The single line stab of  claim 2 , wherein:
 a. the handle further comprises a threaded locking rod; and   b. the locking rod further comprises a handle attachment end ( 41 ) configured to attach to the handle connector.   
     
     
         5 . The single line stab of  claim 2 , wherein the handle attachment end ( 41 ) is configured to pivotally attach to the handle connector. 
     
     
         6 . The single line stab of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is configured to be maneuvered by a remotely operated vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The single line stab of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle housing comprises a conically shaped open portion proximate the receiving end, the conically shaped portion further comprising the mating slot. 
     
     
         8 . The single line stab of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. the back plate further comprises a collet receiver configured to receive the grab sleeve collet; and   b. the grab sleeve collet is configured to compress and then conform to the collet receiver as the collet receiver is received into the grab sleeve collet.   
     
     
         9 . The single line stab of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is configured to keep the grab sleeve collet engaged. 
     
     
         10 . The single line stab of  claim 1 , wherein the locking rod further comprises a boss ( 30   a ) configured to prevent the grab sleeve collet from over-deforming. 
     
     
         11 . The single line stab of  claim 1 , wherein the connector end is configured to connect to a predetermined subsea equipment connector using a single compact hydraulic coupler. 
     
     
         12 . The single line stab of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. the hydraulic coupler comprises two coupler ends; and   b. each of the coupler ends comprises a medium pressure union fitting configured to be connected to a high collapse resistant (HCR) hose for a male stab.   
     
     
         13 . A method of stab insertion, comprising:
 a. positioning a stab proximate a receiving end of a complementarily shaped receptacle, the stab comprising a stab housing defining an interior void and a sleeve guide disposed within the interior void intermediate a stab end and a handle end;   b. mating the stab into the receptacle by:
 i. inserting a stab end of the stab housing into the receiving end of the receptacle, the stab housing defining an interior void; and 
 ii. inserting an alignment key disposed about a predetermined portion of the stab housing into a key receiver configured to cooperatively receive the alignment key; and 
 iii. using the alignment key to align the stab and the receptacle as the stab is inserted a predetermined distance into the receptacle; 
   c. allowing a grab sleeve collet disposed within the interior void proximate the stab end to compress and then conform to a collet receiver disposed within the receptacle as the stab is inserted into the receptacle;   d. pulling back a threaded locking rod, slidingly disposed within the interior void and extending through the grab sleeve collet and the sleeve guide by rotating a handle connected to the locking rod; and   e. mating the stab and the receiver by continuing the rotation of the locking rod to advance the stab into the receiver until the stab has advanced a predetermined distance into the receiver.   
     
     
         14 . The method of stab insertion of  claim 13 , wherein pulling the locking rod back further comprises pulling the locking rod into grab sleeve collet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of stab insertion of  claim 13 , wherein advancing the stab housing of the stab allows the stab housing to act as a nut on the locking rod. 
     
     
         16 . The method of stab insertion of  claim 13 , further comprising connecting the receiver to a predetermined piece of subsea equipment via a fluid conduit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of stab insertion of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid conduit comprises metal tubing or a high collapse resistant (HCR) hose. 
     
     
         18 . The method of stab insertion of  claim 13 , further comprising using the stab to sample fluid from or inject fluid into a predetermined piece of subsea equipment using a single compact hydraulic coupler, the fluid being injected or sampled further allowed to flow through the system after the stab and receptacle have been mated. 
     
     
         19 . The method of stab insertion of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a. compressing the grab sleeve collet as the stab is advanced into the receptacle;   b. allowing the grab sleeve collet to conform to the corresponding feature of the receptacle;   c. using the spring disposed in the stab housing to keep the grab sleeve collet engaged; and   d. using a boss on the locking rod to prevent the grab sleeve collet from over deforming, preventing damage to the grab sleeve collet.   
     
     
         20 . The method of stab insertion of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a. using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to rotate the handle that is fastened to the threaded locking rod once the stab is in position, thereby pulling the locking rod back into the grab sleeve collet;   b. continuing the rotation of the locking rod to advance the stab housing of the stab, which acts as a nut on the locking rod; and   c. rotating the handle until the tab and receptacle are mated.