Abstract: A connector for use underwater or in a wet or severe environment comprises first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged to establish an electrical connection. The first connector part has at least one pin, and the second connector part has at least one electrical contact for engagement by the pin when the connector parts are interengaged. The pin comprises an axially extending electrically conductive portion and an axially extending electrically insulating sleeve around said conductive portion, and the pin is supported by and projects axially forwardly from a support whereby its insulating sleeve is exposed along a longitudinally extending portion thereof to ambient conditions when the connector parts are disengaged. The connector part has a protective rigid metal sleeve member arranged to extend at least partly along the first portion of the insulating sleeve and at least partly along the second portion thereof.

Abstract: Connector part for making an electrical connection with a complementary connector part while underwater or in a harsh environment, the connector part comprising: first and second axially extending, electrically conductive signal-carrying elements, the connector part being configured such that, on mating with the complementary connector part in normal use, the signal-carrying elements electrically contact with respective signal-carrying elements of the complementary connector part to form signal conduction paths between the connector parts, the signal conduction paths being sealed watertight; and electrically conductive crosstalk suppressing means electrically connected, in use, to earth and being arranged to, in use, extend between and thereby electrically shield the signal conduction paths from each other to suppress signal crosstalk therebetween.

Abstract: A connector for use underwater or in a wet or severe environment comprises first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged to establish an electrical connection. The first connector part has at least one pin, and the second connector part has at least one electrical contact for engagement by the pin when the connector parts are interengaged. The pin comprises an axially extending electrically conductive portion and an axially extending electrically insulating sleeve around said conductive portion, and the pin is supported by and projects axially forwardly from a support whereby its insulating sleeve is exposed along a longitudinally extending portion thereof to ambient conditions when the connector parts are disengaged. The connector part has a protective rigid metal sleeve member arranged to extend at least partly along the first portion of the insulating sleeve and at least partly along the second portion thereof.

Abstract: A connector for use underwater or in a wet or severe environment comprises first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged to establish an electrical connection. The first connector part has at least one pin, and the second connector part has at least one electrical contact for engagement by the pin when the connector parts are interengaged. The pin comprises an axially extending electrically conductive portion and an axially extending electrically insulating sleeve around said conductive portion, and the pin is supported by and projects axially forwardly from a support whereby its insulating sleeve is exposed along a longitudinally extending portion thereof to ambient conditions when the connector parts are disengaged. The connector part has a protective rigid metal sleeve member arranged to extend at least partly along the first portion of the insulating sleeve and at least partly along the second portion thereof.

Abstract: A connector for use underwater or in a wet or severe environment comprises first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged to establish an electrical connection. The first connector part has at least one pin, and the second connector part has at least one electrical contact for engagement by the pin when the connector parts are interengaged. The pin comprises an axially extending electrically conductive portion and an axially extending electrically insulating sleeve around said conductive portion, and the pin is supported by and projects axially forwardly from a support whereby its insulating sleeve is exposed along a longitudinally extending portion thereof to ambient conditions when the connector parts are disengaged. The connector part has a protective rigid metal sleeve member arranged to extend at least partly along the first portion of the insulating sleeve and at least partly along the second portion thereof.

Abstract: A connector for use underwater or in a wet or severe environment comprises first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged to establish an electrical connection. The first connector part has at least one pin, and the second connector part has at least one electrical contact for engagement by the pin when the connector parts are interengaged. The pin comprises an axially extending electrically conductive portion and an axially extending electrically insulating sleeve around said conductive portion, and the pin is supported by and projects axially forwardly from a support whereby its insulating sleeve is exposed along a longitudinally extending portion thereof to ambient conditions when the connector parts are disengaged.

Abstract: A connector for use underwater or in a wet or severe environment comprises first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged to establish an electrical connection. The first connector part has at least one pin, and the second connector part has at least one electrical contact for engagement by the pin when the connector parts are interengaged. The pin comprises an axially extending electrically conductive portion and an axially extending electrically insulating sleeve around said conductive portion, and the pin is supported by and projects axially forwardly from a support whereby its insulating sleeve is exposed along a longitudinally extending portion thereof to ambient conditions when the connector parts are disengaged. The connector part has a protective rigid metal sleeve member arranged to extend at least partly along the first portion of the insulating sleeve and at least partly along the second portion thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing an electrical connection path into equipment in an underwater, wet or conductive environment, the apparatus comprising a connecting pin having a conductive core and an insulating sleeve around the conductive core. The insulating sleeve has a reduced external diameter over part of its length to form an annular recess, and a collar comprising conductive material is received in the recess for axially retaining the connecting pin in the apparatus and to provide an earth shield.

Abstract: A connector for making an optical and/or electrical connection underwater or in a wet or severe environment, comprising first and second connector parts which are axially interengageable to establish the optical or electrical connection, the first connector part having relatively movable portions for relative movement to allow the optical or electrical connection to be established when the first and second connector parts are interengaged, and having latching means to prevent such relative movement. The latching means is preferably releasable by engagement with the second connector part.

Abstract: A connector for making an optical connection underwater or in a wet environment, including first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged, the first connector part having a probe and the second connector part having a chamber containing fluid media. The probe has a forward portion for entry into the chamber of the second part containing fluid media during interengagement of the connector parts, so that when the connector parts are interengaged the probe provides an optical path between the first connector part and the chamber of the second connector part and passing into the chamber of the second connector part at a slant to the axial direction. The probe slides axially through the opening in sliding engagement with a seal and continues to do so as the forward portion of the probe advances into the chamber containing fluid media.

Abstract: A connector for under water or severe environment use, comprising first and second connector parts adapted to be brought together into a mated condition, and an indicator for indicating when the first connector part and the second connector parts are fully mated, the indicator being provided on the first connector part and having at least one radially outwardly extending protrusion, the radial protrusion being movable during mating of the first and second connector parts, from a radially outer position when the connector is in the unmated condition, to a radially inner position indicating that the connector is in the fully mated condition.

Abstract: A connector for making an electrical connection underwater or in a wet environment, comprising first and second connector parts for engagement with each other to establish the electrical connection, the first connector part having a connecting pin provided with an insulating layer around a conductive core leading to a first electrical contact portion, the second connector part having a second electrical contact portion for engagement by the first electrical contact portion, and the second connector part having a seal arranged so that in the mated condition of the connector the connecting pin extends forwardly through an opening in the seal, the first electrical contact portion then making contact with the second electrical contact portion, wherein an earthing conductive layer is provided around the insulating layer for reducing electrical stress at the seal when the connecting pin passes therethrough.

Abstract: An underwater or severe environment electrical connector, in which first and second connector parts are brought together in longitudinal alignment to establish electrical contact between respective contact portions of the first and second connector parts. The connector parts are relatively rotatable about a longitudinal axis when the connector parts are disconnected, and the contact portions are laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis and arranged to make electrical contact when the connector parts are connected, irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the first and second connector parts about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for use at an end of a cable in an underwater or severe environment, comprising a connector part for connection with the cable and adapted to be brought axially into engagement with another connector part, the connector part having a laterally directed fitting for connecting the cable thereto, and the apparatus further comprising a handle secured to the connector part at a location rearwardly of the fitting.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes first and second connector parts. The first connector part has a bearing portion and the second connector part is connectable with the first connector part. A carriage comprises an abutment which is disposed against the first connector part and the carriage is reciprocatable between a forward position for connecting the connector parts and a retracted position for disconnecting the connector parts. A bias is provided for biasing the bearing against the abutment. The bearing portion and the abutment cooperate to permit pivoting of the first connector part in response to a force in any lateral direction on the first connector part. The first connector part may include a weakened portion providing a reduced resistance to shear. The connector assembly may also form part of a wellhead assembly.

Abstract: A hose end assembly comprises an adaptor (30) connected to one end of a cable conduit hose (10) for containing liquid medium. The adaptor comprises a body (32) having a barbed extension (44) and a retaining means such as a sleeve (34). The hose is pushed over the barbed extension, and then the sleeve is forced over the hose by means of a jack (60, FIGS. 2 and 3) to compress the hose between the sleeve and the extension. The body and the sleeve can have axially facing bearing surfaces in the form of recesses (42, 50) for engaging with projections on the jack. The sleeve can have internal projections (46, 48) to further compress the hose, and the sleeve and the hose can be in electrical contact with each other. A bend restrictor (90, FIG. 4) can be provided to limit the bending of the hose.The invention also extends to the use of an assembly to form a termination of a cable conduit hose containing liquid medium.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes first and second connector parts. The first connector part has a bearing portion and the second connector part is connectable with the first connector part. A carriage comprises an abutment which is disposed against the first connector part and the carriage is reciprocatable between a forward position for connecting the connector parts and a retracted position for disconnecting the connector parts. A bias is provided for biasing the bearing against the abutment. The bearing portion and the abutment cooperate to permit pivoting of the first connector part in response to a force in any lateral direction on the first connector part. The first connector part may include a weakened portion providing a reduced resistance to shear. The connector assembly may also form part of a wellhead assembly.

Abstract: A bi-directional portable laser light detection device for receiving and detecting laser light from one or more of a plurality of sources includes a laser light pipe that comprises a solid body of material that has a high index of refraction and has an input end, an output end, and at least one wall member connecting the input end and the output end. A generally planar laser light admitting zone on the exterior of the solid body at the input end thereof is oriented so as to generally face the expected direction of the path of laser light from a source along a first opposed path so that, in use, the laser light enters the solid body by way of the admitting zone so as to become admitted laser light. A generally planar laser light emitting zone on the exterior of the solid body at the output end thereof is oriented so as to generally face outwardly toward a laser light sensor such that laser light emitted from the laser light emitting zone is received by a laser light sensor.

Abstract: A low voltage sensing circuit for a battery powered, micro-processor based circuit is provided. A standard voltage regulator has input voltage from a battery, and output voltage which is fed to a system requiring the same, which includes a micro-processor. A voltage divider is connected through a capacitor to an output port of the micro-processor; and the common point of the voltage divider is connected to the base or emitter of a transistor. Periodically, there is an output pulse from the output port of the micro-processor, which pulse has a predetermined length. During the output pulse from the micro-processor, the transistor may become conductive while the capacitor is recharging. Depending of the configuration, the fact that the transistor is conductive is indicative that the input voltage is either below or above a predetermined value.

Abstract: A mixer is provided having a mixing element, an input signal port for incoming signals at a frequency f.sub.IN, a local oscillator signal port for signals from a local oscillator having a fundamental frequency f.sub.LO, and an output port from which the resultant frequency may be taken. Means are provided to impose a DC component of bias voltage across the mixing element at one of three levels. The mixer is such that it has a pair of conduction threshold voltages which are substantially symmetrical above and below zero volts, beyond which the mixing element will be conductive at least when a signal from the local oscillator is imposed on it. The signal from the local oscillator has substantially sinusoidal voltage waveform, with a peak-to-peak voltage which is greater than the voltage difference between the pair of conduction threshold voltages.