Compact retrievable horizontal modular connectorized distribution unit and mounting base frame for subsea applications

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a modular locking and retaining mechanical design solution to reliably secure immersed, unrestrained and un-powered objects in a fluid environment to a fixed support surface such as a mounting frame or panel, with a quick connect/disconnect engagement method by a diver (i.e. manual mate) or remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) mate, into a fixed mounting frame or panel installed at a subsea deployed platform for oil and gas offshore applications. The invention relates particularly to providing an isolation guide or means to prevent dissimilar materials, metals, of a compact retrievable, horizontal or vertical MCDU configuration and a frame from coming into direct contact to avoid corrosive effects, such as galvanic corrosion.

1 . A modular securing device comprising:
 a frame having a mounting surface for mounting the securing device to an intended object;   a frame guide fixed to the frame and having a generally open end configured to receive an MCDU and being configured to secure a received MCDU in a locked position within the frame, the frame having a substantially open front to allow access to input(s)/output(s) on the front face of the MCDU when in a locked position;   an isolation guide received within and affixed to the frame guide and adapted to allow an MCDU to be received within the frame guide, the isolation guide being disposed intermediate the frame guide and the MCDU to substantially isolate the surface of the MCDU from direct contact with the surface of the frame guide and the frame; and   a locking key assembly configured to be received by the frame guide and to be removably locked in place on the frame guide so as to prevent the MCDU from inadvertently becoming displaced from the frame when in the locked position.   
     
     
         2 . The modular securing device of  claim 1 , wherein said locking key assembly
 a locking key comprising:
 an elongated body having a front end, a back end, and an exterior surface; 
 a t-shaped handle attached to said back end; 
 a raised protrusion extending vertically from said exterior surface at said front end; 
   a spring assembly comprising a tension spring disposed on the elongated body intermediate an inner plate and an outer plate, and said spring surrounding said elongated body between said inner plate and said outer plate; and   a set of bushings having a front face and a back face, and a central bore, said back face attached to said frame, said set of bushings adapted to receive said front end of said elongated body and having a guide channel adapted to guide said raised protrusion of said locking key when receiving said front end of said elongated body, and a recess formed therein for receiving the raised protrusion;   whereby with said locking key introduced into said frame said t-shaped handle is adapted to be pushed forward to compress said tension spring between said inner and outer plates and to cause the raised protrusion to extend outward from the guide channel, said locking key adapted to rotate to lock in a fixed position with said raised protrusion engaging the recess, thereby securing a modular connection unit received in the frame central hollow area in place.   
     
     
         3 . The modular securing device of  claim 1 , wherein said frame guide comprises oppositely facing left and right frame guide components and are generally C-shaped in cross-section, said isolation guide comprising left and right isolation guide components generally C-shaped in cross-section and configured to be received, respectively, within said left and right frame guide components. 
     
     
         4 . The modular securing device of  claim 1 , wherein said isolation guide includes a stop adapted to prevent the MCDU from moving beyond a desired point along the frame guide and from coming into direct contact with the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The modular securing device of  claim 1 , wherein the MCDU is received via a top open end of the frame guide and the frame includes a base extending outward away from the mounting surface, and further comprising a stop adapted to prevent the MCDU from moving beyond a desired point along the frame guide and from coming into direct contact with the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The modular securing device of  claim 1 , wherein the frame guide and the isolation guide include locking key receiving means for receiving a locking key component of the locking key assembly and with the locking key component in place within the frame guide the locking key component engaging with a surface of the MCDU to hold the MCDU in place within the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The modular securing device of  claim 1 , wherein said isolation guide is comprised of a material resistant to galvanic corrosion. 
     
     
         8 . The modular securing device of  claim 1 , wherein said locking key assembly is comprised of a material resistant to galvanic corrosion. 
     
     
         9 . The modular securing device of  claim 1 , wherein the intended object to which the securing device and said frame and MCDU are to be mounted is located in a deep sea environment. 
     
     
         10 . A subsea electrical and/or fiber optic interconnect assembly for offshore applications, including oil and gas, defense, oceanographic, and telecommunications applications, the system comprising:
 an MCDU;   a modular securing device adapted to removably receive and secure the MCDU in remote subsea locations and comprising:
 a frame having a mounting surface for mounting the securing device to an intended subsea object; 
 a frame guide fixed to the frame and having a generally open end configured to receive the MCDU and being configured to secure the received MCDU in a locked position within the frame, the frame having a substantially open front to allow access to input(s)/output(s) on the front face of the MCDU when in a locked position; 
 an isolation guide received within and affixed to the frame guide and adapted to allow the MCDU to be received within the frame guide, the isolation guide being disposed intermediate the frame guide and the MCDU to substantially isolate the surface of the MCDU from direct contact with the surface of the frame guide and the frame; and 
 a locking key assembly configured to be received by the frame guide and to be removably locked in place on the frame guide so as to prevent the MCDU from inadvertently becoming displaced from the frame when in the locked position. 
   
     
     
         11 . The subsea electrical and/or fiber optic interconnect assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said locking key assembly
 a locking key comprising:
 an elongated body having a front end, a back end, and an exterior surface; 
 a t-shaped handle attached to said back end; 
 a raised protrusion extending vertically from said exterior surface at said front end; 
   a spring assembly comprising a tension spring disposed on the elongated body intermediate an inner plate and an outer plate, and said spring surrounding said elongated body between said inner plate and said outer plate; and   a set of bushings having a front face and a back face, and a central bore, said back face attached to said frame, said set of bushings adapted to receive said front end of said elongated body and having a guide channel adapted to guide said raised protrusion of said locking key when receiving said front end of said elongated body, and a recess formed therein for receiving the raised protrusion;   whereby with said locking key introduced into said frame said t-shaped handle is adapted to be pushed forward to compress said tension spring between said inner and outer plates and to cause the raised protrusion to extend outward from the guide channel, said locking key adapted to rotate to lock in a fixed position with said raised protrusion engaging the recess, thereby securing a modular connection unit received in the frame central hollow area in place.   
     
     
         12 . The subsea electrical and/or fiber optic interconnect assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said frame guide comprises oppositely facing left and right frame guide components and are generally C-shaped in cross-section, said isolation guide comprising left and right isolation guide components generally C-shaped in cross-section and configured to be received, respectively, within said left and right frame guide components. 
     
     
         13 . The subsea electrical and/or fiber optic interconnect assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said isolation guide includes a stop adapted to prevent the MCDU from moving beyond a desired point along the frame guide and from coming into direct contact with the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The subsea electrical and/or fiber optic interconnect assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the MCDU is received via a top open end of the frame guide and the frame includes a base extending outward away from the mounting surface, and further comprising a stop adapted to prevent the MCDU from moving beyond a desired point along the frame guide and from coming into direct contact with the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The subsea electrical and/or fiber optic interconnect assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the frame guide and the isolation guide include locking key receiving means for receiving a locking key component of the locking key assembly and with the locking key component in place within the frame guide the locking key component engaging with a surface of the MCDU to hold the MCDU in place within the frame. 
     
     
         16 . The subsea electrical and/or fiber optic interconnect assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said isolation guide is comprised of a material resistant to galvanic corrosion. 
     
     
         17 . The subsea electrical and/or fiber optic interconnect assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said locking key assembly is comprised of a material resistant to galvanic corrosion. 
     
     
         18 . The subsea electrical and/or fiber optic interconnect assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the intended object to which the securing device and said frame and MCDU are to be mounted is located in a deep sea environment.