Connector Assemblies and Processes for Using Same

Abstract

Connector assemblies and processes for using same. In some embodiments, a connector assembly can include a stinger and a sleeve assembly. An outer surface of the stinger can define first and second grooves. The sleeve assembly can include a structural ring, a support ring, and first and second retainer rings. The structural ring can define a first shoulder. The support ring can be connected to the structural ring and can define a second shoulder. The first and second retainer rings can be independently movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. When the stinger is positioned within the sleeve assembly, the first retainer ring can maintain a first split ring in a position partially within the first groove and partially on the first shoulder and/or the second retainer ring can maintain a second split ring in a position partially within the second groove and partially on the second shoulder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connector assembly, comprising: 
 a stinger comprising a first end and a second end and configured to be connected to a first body, wherein an outer surface of the stinger defines a first groove and a second groove; and   a sleeve assembly comprising: 
 a structural ring configured to be connected to a second body, wherein an inner surface of the structural ring defines a first shoulder,  
 a support ring configured to be connected to the structural ring toward or at a second end of the structural ring, wherein an inner surface of the support ring defines a second shoulder; 
 a first retainer ring that is selectively movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; and  
 a second retainer ring that is selectively movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein: 
 the first retainer ring and the second retainer ring are independently moveable with respect to one another, 
 when the first retainer ring is in the unlocked position and the second retainer ring is in the unlocked position, the stinger can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve assembly,  
 when the stinger is fully positioned within the sleeve assembly and the first retainer ring is in the locked position, the first retainer ring maintains a first split ring in a position partially within the first groove and partially on the first shoulder, and 
 when the stinger is fully positioned within the sleeve assembly and the second retainer ring is in the locked position, the second retainer ring maintains a second split ring in a position partially within the second groove and partially on the second shoulder. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the connector assembly is configured to transfer a load between the stinger and the sleeve assembly (i) when the first retainer ring is in the unlocked position and the second retainer ring is in the locked position, (ii) when the first retainer ring is in the locked position and the second retainer ring is in the unlocked position, or (iii) when the first retainer ring is in the locked position and the second retainer ring is in the locked position. 
     
     
         3 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first actuator configured to move the first retainer ring between the unlocked position and the locked position and a second actuator configured to move the second retainer ring between the unlocked position and the locked position. 
     
     
         4 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:  
       the first groove and the second groove are substantially dimensionally identical to one another and a longitudinal dimension of the second split ring is less than a longitudinal dimension of the first split ring, or  
       the first split ring and the second split ring are substantially dimensionally identical to one another and a longitudinal dimension of the second groove is greater than a longitudinal dimension of the first groove. 
     
     
         5 . The connector assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first body is a buoy configured to be connected to a plurality of mooring legs that are configured to connect the buoy to the seabed, and wherein the second body is a vessel configured to float on a surface of a body of water. 
     
     
         6 . A connector assembly, comprising: 
 a stinger comprising a first end and a second end and configured to be connected to a first body, wherein an outer surface of the stinger defines a first groove and a second groove; and   a sleeve assembly comprising: 
 a structural ring configured to be connected to a second body, wherein an inner surface of the structural ring defines a load shoulder; 
 a first support ring that is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the structural ring, wherein an inner surface of the first support ring defines a first shoulder;  
 a second support ring configured to be connected to the structural ring toward or at a second end of the structural ring, wherein an inner surface of the second support ring defines a second shoulder; 
 a first retainer ring that is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position; and  
 a second retainer ring that is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein: 
 when the first retainer ring is in the unlocked position and the second retainer ring is in the unlocked position, the stinger can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve assembly,  
 when the stinger is inserted into the sleeve assembly and the first retainer ring is in the locked position, the first retainer ring maintains a first split ring in a position partially within the first groove and partially on the first shoulder,  
 when the stinger is inserted into the sleeve assembly and the second retainer ring is in the locked position, the second retainer ring maintains a second split ring in a position partially within the second groove and partially on the second shoulder,  
 when the first support ring is in the first position, the first support ring abuts against the load shoulder and,  
 when the first support ring is in the second position, the first support ring is located a distance away from the load shoulder. 
 
   
     
     
         7 . The connector assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the connector assembly is configured to transfer a load between the stinger and the sleeve assembly (i) when the first retainer ring is in the unlocked position and the second retainer ring is in the locked position, (ii) when the first retainer ring is in the locked position and the second retainer ring is in the unlocked position, or (iii) when the first retainer ring is in the locked position and the second retainer ring is in the locked position. 
     
     
         8 . The connector assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a first actuator configured to move the first retainer ring between the unlocked position and the locked position and a second actuator configured to move the second retainer ring between the unlocked position and the locked position.  
     
     
         9 . The connector assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a third actuator configured to couple the first support ring to the second support ring and to move the first support ring between the first position and the second position relative to the structural ring.  
     
     
         10 . The connector assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the first actuator, the second actuator, and the third actuator each comprise a plurality of hydraulic cylinders.  
     
     
         11 . The connector assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the third actuator comprises a lockable actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The connector assembly of  claim 6 , wherein, when the connector assembly is subjected to a load and the first support ring is in the first position and the second retainer ring is in the locked position, at least a portion of the load is transferred between the stinger to the structural ring via the second split ring and the second support ring.  
     
     
         13 . The connector assembly of  claim 6 , wherein, when the connector assembly is subjected to a load, the first retainer ring is in the locked position, the second retainer ring is in the locked position, and the first support ring is in the second position, at least a majority of the load is transferred between the stinger and the structural ring via the first split ring, the first support ring, the second support ring, and the third actuator. 
     
     
         14 . The connector assembly of  claim 6 , wherein an outer surface of the stinger has a first material hardness and the second split ring has a second material hardness, and wherein the second material hardness is less than seventy percent of the first material hardness. 
     
     
         15 . The connector assembly of  claim 6 , wherein:  
       the first groove and the second groove are substantially dimensionally identical to one another and a longitudinal dimension of the second split ring is less than a longitudinal dimension of the first split ring, or  
       the first split ring and the second split ring are substantially dimensionally identical to one another and a longitudinal dimension of the second groove is greater than a longitudinal dimension of the first groove. 
     
     
         16 . The connector assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first body is a buoy configured to be connected to a plurality of mooring legs that are configured to connect the buoy to a seabed, and wherein the second body is a vessel configured to float on a surface of a body of water. 
     
     
         17 . A process for connecting the stinger to the sleeve assembly of  claim 6 , comprising: 
 positioning the first retainer ring and the second retainer ring in the unlocked position;   inserting the stinger fully within the sleeve assembly; and   moving at least one of the first retainer ring and the second retainer ring to the locked position.    
     
     
         18 . A process for disconnecting the stinger from the sleeve assembly of  claim 17 , comprising: 
 positioning the first support ring in the second position;   moving at least one of the first retainer ring and the second retainer ring to the unlocked position so that the first retainer ring and the second retainer ring are both in the unlocked position; and   removing the stinger from the sleeve assembly.   
     
     
         19 . A process of removing the second retainer ring from the connector assembly of  claim 6  while a load is transferred between the stinger and the sleeve assembly, comprising: 
 positioning the first support ring in the second position; 
 moving the first retainer ring to the locked position; 
 moving the second retainer ring to the unlocked position; 
 removing the second retainer ring from the sleeve assembly; and  
 removing the second split ring from the connector assembly. 
 
     
     
         20 . A connector assembly, comprising: 
 a stinger comprising a first end and a second end, wherein an outer surface of the stinger defines a first groove and a second groove; and   a sleeve assembly comprising a first end, a second end, a first latching mechanism, and a second latching mechanism, the sleeve assembly configured to receive the stinger and secure the stinger therein via the first latching mechanism and/or the second latching mechanism, wherein: 
 an inner surface of the sleeve assembly defines a first shoulder located toward the first end thereof and a second shoulder located toward the second end thereof,  
 the first latching mechanism and the second latching mechanism are independently moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position with respect to one another,  
 when the first latching mechanism is in the unlocked position and the second latching mechanism is in the unlocked position, the stinger can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve assembly,  
 when the stinger is inserted into the sleeve assembly and the first latching mechanism is in a locked position, the first latching mechanism is configured to maintain a first split ring in a position partially within the first groove and partially on the first shoulder, and 
 when the stinger is inserted into the sleeve assembly and the second latching mechanism is in a locked position, the second latching mechanism is configured to maintain a second split ring in a position partially within the second groove and partially on the second shoulder.