[001] The present invention generally relates to the devices used in detecting inline cracks in the pipeline system. Particularly, the present invention relates to a connector assembly for transferring sensor data and signal between electronic devices within the gas pipeline.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Pipelines for ages have been used for transportation of gases, oil, fuels such as natural gas and biofuels, petrol, water etc. These pipelines while transporting gases, fuels, water etc. are exposed to high temperature and high pressure. Due to this extreme temperature and pressure, the pipelines over time develop cracks and this might result in leakage of oil, gases and water and subsequently result in loss of revenue and also oils, petrol which are getting rare. To overcome this, various pipelines have been manufactured so they develop minimal tracks taking into consideration the temperature and pressure they are exposed to. This way the loss of fluids and revenue due to leakage can be minimized.

[003] The invention disclosed in CN102313100 provides a fast connection unit having a communication function for a flexible liquid transport tube, relates to a connection unit having liquid transport and communication functions, and mainly aims to solve the problems of labor waste and material waste because wire communication lines are required to be independently erected when the conventional flexible liquid transport tube is used for long-distance liquid transport. The connection unit mainly comprises a hose coupler, a communication line for realizing communication signal transmission and an electric connector used for connecting the communication line. Moreover, the connection unit has the advantages of convenience for disassembly and assembly, high applicability, reliable operation, high pressure resistance and the like.

[004] However, the earlier approaches do not disclose a connection device for transferring sensor data and signal between electronic devices within the gas pipeline at high temperature and pressure.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[005] An object of the present invention is to provide a system for transferring data in a pipeline carrying fluids from one electronic device to another within the pipeline.

[006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a connecting assembly for transferring data in a pipeline carrying fluids from one electronic device to another within the pipeline.

[007] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connecting device for transferring leakage data/signal from magnetizer unit to the storage unit within the pipeline carrying fluid at high pressure and temperature.

[008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a connecting device for transferring signal data in a pipeline carrying fluids at a high pressure and temperature.

[009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the appending claims, illustrations and examples to disclose the aspects of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to a connecting assembly for transferring sensor data and signals from one electronic part/assembly to another. Particularly, the present invention relates to a connecting device for transferring sensor data and signal between electronic devices within the gas pipeline. The connecting device has the ability to sustain high pressures of upto 150 bar and high temperatures upto 210o C temperature. The connector assembly comprises of a Central casing, a Male core, a Female core casing, a Female core, a Plurality of nuts, washers and O rings. The connector assembly is cylindrical, coaxial, pull-push type having ‘fixed central casing’ and modular mounts that enables easy removal and assembly of male-female parts. The connecting assembly is leakage proof, having high strength and is able to withstand high temperature and high pressure within the oil and gas pipeline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when taken in conjunction with the detailed description thereof and in which:

[0012] Fig. 1 is diagrammatic representation of a connector assembly.

[0013] Fig. 2 illustrates the exploded view of the connecting device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following presents a simplified description of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of aspects of the invention. This description is not an extensive overview of the present invention. Its sole purpose is to present concepts of the invention in a simplified form.

[0015] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0016] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[0017] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.

[0018] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0019] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. The equations used in the specification are only for computation purpose.

[0020] The present invention relates to a connecting device for transferring sensor data and signals from one electronic part/assembly to another. Particularly, the present invention relates to a connecting device for transferring sensor data and signal between electronic devices within the gas pipeline. The connecting device has the ability to sustain high pressures of upto 150 bar and high temperatures upto 210o C temperature.

[0021] The connecting device of the present invention connects the data detecting assembly and the data storage assembly. The data captured by the sensors of the detecting device has to be transferred at real-time to the data storage assembly inside the pipeline carrying fluids under high temperature and pressure. Therefore, the connecting device should be able to transfer uninterrupted data under extreme conditions of pressure and temperature. The connecting device is configured inside a connector casing and enclosures having high pressure and temperature bearing capability. The connector casing and enclosures are manufactured from a material having high compressive strength from 50 MPA to 300MPA. The materials having high compressive strength are selected from high strength steel (300MPA) and epoxy (50MPA) material.

[0022] The connector device according to the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The connector device is a coaxial pull-push type of connector having ‘fixed central casing’ and modular mounts that enables easy removal and assembly of male-female parts.

[0023] The connector device is an assembly of the following components:
A. Central casing (1)
B. Male core (2)
C. Female core casing (3)
D. Female core (4)
E. Plurality of nuts (top nut (5), Mid nut(7), Bottom nut (8))
F. Plurality of washers (6)
G. Plurality of O rings (Viton “O” Ring 1 (9), Viton “O” Ring 2 (10), Viton “O” Ring 3 (11))

[0024] In accordance with the present invention, Fig. 1 illustrates diagrammatic representation of the connector assembly. The connector assembly comprises of two main sections i.e. a male section and a female section, connected with each other for data and signal transfer.

[0025] The connector is cylindrical, coaxial, pull-push type having ‘fixed central casing’ and modular mounts that enables easy removal and assembly of male-female parts. The connector assembly can therefore be assembled and disassembled quickly.

[0026] Figure 2 represents the exploded view of the connector assembly. The male and female sections of the connector assembly are arranged coaxially.

[0027] The connecting assembly is required to be leak proof and therefore it utilizes a plurality of ‘O’ rings, washer, and nuts. Additional arrangement of grooves to fit two ‘O’ rings that avoid interface of steel core threads with male female casing to cease possible fluid leak into the connector assembly.

[0028] The connector assembly is used under high temperature and high pressure of the fluid running inside the oil and gas pipeline. Therefore, a high strength material is used for part assembly to withstand high temperature and pressure. The material used herein is SS316 for bearing the higher pressure and Temperature conditions. Melting point of SS316 is very high (near about 1300oC) and therefore operating pressure of the connector is very high. This invention can also be used in boilers and High-pressure water applications as well.

[0029] The connector assembly of the present invention has very less area of epoxy exposed to the environment resulting in less force being exerted on it. Since, the force acting on the epoxy is less, and chance of failure is also reduced. VITON “O” ring reduces the chance of leakage. The inner surface of female casing is rough, to prevent the frictional failure. The central casing is fixed in the hole of MFL (magnetic Flux leakage) end plate and remaining parts are easy to assemble and disassemble. This technique also helps to reduce the failure rate of connector assembly.

[0030] The connector assembly of the invention is used in MFL (magnetic Flux leakage) tool which is a pipeline inspection gauge tool and works under high pressure and high temperature, wherein data of the magnetizer section is transferred to CPU (central processing unit) through the connector assembly. However, the connector of the present invention may also be utilized in data transfer between electronic components of the devices being used under conditions of high temperature and pressure.

[0031] This connector assembly has ability to work in offshore pipelines for transferring the data used in feature extraction tools under high fluid pressure. The connector assembly delivers power and signaling at used Voltage of 5v and current flow at 1-1.5 ampere.

[0032] The connector assembly comprises a central casing (1) having an anterior and posterior end. A male core (2) is coaxially arranged on the posterior end of the central casing and is removably fixed to the central casing (1) by means of a Midnut (7), a washer (6) and Viton “O” ring 1 (9). A female core (4) is coaxially arranged on the anterior end of the central casing (1) i.e. on the side opposite to the male core. The female core (4) is encased inside female core casing (3) supporting Viton “O” ring 3 (11). The female casing enclosing the female core (4) is removably attached to the central casing on one side by means of Viton “O” ring 2 (10) and connected to a top nut (5) on the other side. The male core is likewise covered with a bottom nut (8) on its free end. All the components of the connector assembly are thus coaxially arranged with respect to the central casing.

[0033] The present invention also discloses a process of transferring data and signal from a data capturing device to the data storage device and a method of assembly thereof. The connector is connected to the data capturing device and the data storage device by means of insulated cables capable of withstanding high pressures and high temperature. Preferably, Teflon cables with multi-layer insulation are used for connecting the devices. The connector transfers data captured to the data storing device on a real time basis as the detecting device progresses through the pipeline system.

[0034] ADVANTAGES OF THE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY:

The Magnetizer of the present invention when employed in the pipeline offers a number of advantages:
a. The connector assembly of the present invention has the ability to withstand high pressure 150 bar, 210o C temperature for uninterrupted data transfer
b. Connector assembly is leak proof.
c. The modular mounts of the assembly enables easy removal and assembling of male-female parts.

[0035] While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred aspects, which aspects have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such aspects are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention.

WE CLAIM:
1) A connector assembly for transferring data and signals under high temperature and
pressure in an inspection device, comprising:
 a central casing (1) having an anterior and a posterior end;
 a male core (2) arranged coaxially on posterior end of the central casing (1) ;
 a Female core(4) arranged coaxially on anterior end of the central casing (1) ;
 the Female core (4) encased by a Female core casing (3) ;
 A Plurality of nuts (5, 7,8), washers (6) and O rings (9, 10,11) for arranging the
components of the connector assembly coaxially;
wherein, connector assembly is pull-push type having fixed central casing and
modular mounts that enables easy removal and assembly of male and female cores;
and
the connector assembly can withstand high pressure upto 150 Bar and high
temperature upto 210 °C.
2) The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector casing and
enclosures are manufactured from a material having high compressive strength as
high as 300 MPA.
3) The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector casing and
enclosures are manufactured from a material elected from high strength steel and
epoxy material.
4) The connector assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connector is Stainless
Steel -SS316.