Connector assemblies and processes for using same

1 . A connector assembly, comprising:

a first connector part, comprising:

a first coupler plate having a first side and a second side, wherein:

the first coupler plate defines a plurality of first coupler bores therethrough,

each first coupler bore is configured to receive a coupler first part, and

a collet housing extends from the second side of the first coupler plate and defines a bore having an inner surface at least partially therethrough and an inner groove about at least a portion of the inner surface of the bore; and

a second connector part, comprising:

a second coupler plate having a first side and a second side, wherein:

the second coupler plate defines a plurality of second coupler bores and a collet housing receiving bore therethrough, and

each second coupler bore is configured to receive a coupler second part;

a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein:

the housing defines a bore therethrough,

the first end of the housing is configured to be secured to the second side of the second coupler plate, and

the housing comprises a mandrel retainer;

a mandrel having a first end and a second end, wherein the mandrel defines a first surface toward the first end thereof that extends radially outward from a least a portion of the mandrel;

a collet having a first end and a second end, wherein:

a plurality of fingers is disposed toward or at the first end of the collet,

the collet defines a bore therethrough,

the mandrel is at least partially disposed within the bore defined by the collet,

each finger comprises a shoulder disposed on an external surface thereof, and

the shoulder of each finger is configured to be at least partially disposed within the inner groove defined by the collet housing; and

a drive nut comprising a first end and a second end at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein:

the mandrel is movable relative to the collet along a longitudinal axis of the connector assembly,

the mandrel is rotationally restrained about the longitudinal axis of the connector assembly by the mandrel retainer,

the second end of the mandrel is coupled to the first end of the drive nut,

at least a portion of the mandrel, the collet, the mandrel retainer, and at least a portion of the drive nut are disposed within the bore defined by the housing, and

the first connector part and the second connector part are connected to one another when the first surface of the mandrel is at least partially disposed within the bore defined by the collet and the shoulder of each finger is at least partially disposed within the inner groove defined by the collet housing.

2 . The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first surface of the mandrel is at least partially disposed within the bore defined by the collet by rotating the drive nut about the longitudinal axis of the connector assembly.

3 . The connector assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a spacer configured to maintain a separation distance between the first coupler plate and the second coupler plate when the first connector part and the second connector part are connected to one another.

4 . The connector assembly of claim 3 , further comprising:

a coupler first part disposed within one of the first coupler bores and a coupler second part disposed within a corresponding one of the second coupler bores, wherein:

the coupler first part is a fluid coupler first part and the coupler second part is a fluid coupler second part, and

when the first connector part and the second connector part are connected to one another, the fluid coupler first part and the fluid coupler second part are fluidly coupled to one another.

5 . The connector assembly of claim 4 , wherein, when the first connector part and the second connector part are connected to one another, the connector assembly is configured to react a pressure end load resulting from an internal pressure of the fluid coupler first part and fluid coupler second part.

6 . The connector assembly of claim 4 , wherein:

the inner groove defined by the collet housing is defined by a first shoulder, a cylindrical surface, and a second shoulder,

the mandrel comprises a flange disposed toward the first end thereof, and

when first connector part and the second connector part are connected to one another and the drive nut is rotated relative to the housing, the flange abuts against the first end of the collet and the shoulder of each finger of the collet abuts against the second shoulder of the collet housing to exert a preload force between the fluid coupler first part and the fluid coupler second part and/or between the first coupler plate and the second coupler plate via the spacer.

7 . The connector assembly of claim 6 , wherein:

the first end of the drive nut defines a threaded bore,

the second end of the mandrel comprises an external threaded surface that is threaded into the threaded bore defined by the first end of the drive nut, and

the second end the collet reacts against a first side of the mandrel retainer and the first end of the drive nut reacts against a second side of mandrel retainer to exert the preload force.

8 . The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part,

the first housing part is disposed on the second coupler plate,

an end of the first housing part is connected to an end of the second housing part, and

the mandrel retainer is disposed between the first housing part and the second housing part.

9 . The connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

the mandrel comprises a first mandrel part and a second mandrel part,

the second mandrel part is threadingly connected to the first mandrel part,

the second mandrel part defines a bore therethrough,

the second end of the mandrel is coupled to the first end of the drive nut,

the drive nut defines a bore therethrough; and

the second end of the first mandrel part defines a bore at least partially therethrough that is configured to receive an override tool through the bores defined by the drive nut and the second mandrel part.

10 . The connector assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:

an alignment guide disposed on the second side of the first coupler plate that defines a frusto-conical inner surface; and

an alignment guide disposed on the first side of the second coupler plate that defines a frusto-conical outer surface configured to engage with the frusto-conical inner surface defined by the alignment guide disposed on the second side of the first coupler plate.

11 . The connector assembly of claim 10 , further comprising a clocking guide and a clocking key, wherein:

the clocking guide is disposed on the first coupler plate toward a perimeter thereof and the clocking key is disposed on the second coupler plate toward a perimeter thereof or the clocking guide is disposed on the second coupler plate toward the perimeter thereof and the clocking key disposed on the first coupler plate toward the perimeter thereof, and

the clocking key is configured to engage with the clocking guide to rotate the second connector part relative to the first connector part as the second connector part is moved toward the first connector part to align the first connector part with the second connector part.

12 . The connector assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of fine alignment pins, wherein:

the plurality of fine alignment pins is disposed on and extend from the second side of the first coupler plate,

the second coupler plate defines a plurality of corresponding fine alignment bores, and

when each fine alignment pin is at least partially disposed within a corresponding fine alignment bore, each second coupler bore is aligned with a corresponding first coupler bore.

13 . A process for connecting a first connector part and a second connector part of a connector assembly to one another, comprising:

obtaining the connector assembly, wherein:

the first connector part comprises:

a first coupler plate having a first side and a second side, wherein:

the first coupler plate defines a plurality of first coupler bores therethrough,

each first coupler bore is configured to receive a coupler first part, and

a collet housing extends from the second side of the first coupler plate and defines a bore having an inner surface at least partially therethrough and an inner groove about at least a portion of the inner surface of the bore,

the second connector part comprises:

a second coupler plate having a first side and a second side, wherein:

the second coupler plate defines a plurality of second coupler bores and a collet housing receiving bore therethrough, and

each second coupler bore is configured to receive a coupler second part;

a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein:

the housing defines a bore therethrough,

the first end of the housing is secured to the second side of the second coupler plate, and

the housing comprises a mandrel retainer;

a mandrel having a first end and a second end, wherein the mandrel defines a first surface toward the first end thereof that extends radially outward from at least a portion of the mandrel;

a collet having a first end and a second end, wherein:

a plurality of fingers is disposed toward or at the first end of the collet,

the collet defines a bore therethrough,

the mandrel is at least partially disposed within the bore defined by the collet,

each finger comprises a shoulder disposed on an external surface thereof, and

the shoulder of each finger is configured to be at least partially disposed within the inner groove defined by the collet housing; and

a drive nut comprising a first end and a second end at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein:

the mandrel is movable relative to the collet along a longitudinal axis of the connector assembly,

the mandrel is rotationally restrained about the longitudinal axis of the connector assembly by the mandrel retainer,

the second end of the mandrel is coupled to the first end of the drive nut, and

at least a portion of the mandrel, the collet, the mandrel retainer, and at least a portion of the drive nut are disposed within the bore defined by the housing;

positioning the first connector part and the second connector part at a connectable position with respect to one another; and

radially displacing the plurality of fingers to position the shoulder of each finger at least partially within the inner groove defined by the collet housing.

14 . The process of claim 13 , wherein the first surface of the mandrel is at least partially disposed within the bore defined by the collet by rotating the drive nut about the longitudinal axis of the connector assembly.

15 . The process of claim 14 , wherein:

the connector assembly comprises a coupler first part disposed within one of the first coupler bores and a coupler second part disposed within one of the second coupler bores,

the coupler first part is a fluid coupler first part and the coupler second part is a fluid coupler second part, and

when the first connector part and the second connector part are connected to one another, the fluid coupler first part and the fluid coupler second part are fluidly coupled to one another.

16 . The process of claim 15 , wherein, when the first connector part and the second connector part are connected to one another, the connector assembly reacts a separation force from an internal fluid pressure of the fluid coupler first part and the fluid coupler second part.

17 . The process of claim 16 , wherein:

the connector assembly further comprises a spacer configured to maintain a separation distance between the first coupler plate and the second coupler plate when the first connector part and the second connector part are connected to one another,

the inner groove defined by the collet housing is defined by a first shoulder, an internal cylindrical surface and a second shoulder,

the mandrel comprises a flange disposed toward the first end thereof, and

radially displacing the plurality of fingers comprises rotating the drive nut relative to the housing such that the flange of the mandrel abuts against the first end of the collet and the shoulder of each finger of the collet abuts against the second shoulder of the collet housing to exert a preload force between the fluid coupler first part and the fluid coupler second part, or between the first coupler plate and the second coupler plate via the spacer.

18 . The process of claim 17 , wherein:

the first end of the drive nut defines a threaded bore,

the second end of the mandrel comprises an external threaded surface that is threaded into the threaded bore defined by the first end of the drive nut, and

the second end the collet reacts against a first side of the mandrel retainer and the first end of the drive nut reacts against a second side of the mandrel retainer to exert the preload force.

19 . The process of claim 15 , wherein the connector assembly further comprises an alignment guide disposed on the second side of the first coupler plate and an alignment guide disposed on the first side of the second coupler plate, the first alignment guide comprises a frusto-conical inner surface and the second alignment guide comprises a frusto-conical exterior surface configured to engage with the frusto-conical inner surface of the first alignment guide, the process further comprising disposing at least a portion of the second coupler plate within the first alignment guide disposed on the first coupler plate.

20 . A process for disconnecting a first connector part and a second connector part of a connector assembly from one another, comprising:

obtaining an override tool and the connector assembly, wherein:

the first connector part comprises:

a first coupler plate having a first side and a second side, wherein:

the first coupler plate defines a plurality of first coupler bores therethrough,

each first coupler bore is configured to receive a coupler first part, and

a collet housing that extends from the second side of the first coupler plate and defines a bore having an inner surface at least partially therethrough and an inner groove about at least a portion of the inner surface of the bore;

the second connector part comprises:

a second coupler plate having a first side and a second side, wherein:

the second coupler plate defines a plurality of second coupler bores and a collet housing receiving bore therethrough, and

each second coupler bore is configured to receive a coupler second part;

a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein:

the housing defines a bore therethrough,

the first end of the housing is secured to the second side of the second coupler plate, and

the housing comprises a mandrel retainer;

a mandrel comprising a first mandrel part and a second mandrel part, wherein:

a first end of the second mandrel part is threadingly connected to a second end of the first mandrel part,

the second mandrel part defines a bore therethrough,

the first mandrel part defines a first surface toward a first end thereof that extends radially outward from at least a portion of the first mandrel part, and

the second end of the first mandrel part defines a bore at least partially therethrough that is configured to receive an override tool through the bore defined by the second mandrel part;

a collet having a first end and a second end, wherein:

a plurality of fingers is disposed toward or at the first end of the collet,

the collet defines a bore therethrough,

the mandrel is at least partially disposed within the bore defined by the collet,

each finger comprises a shoulder disposed on an external surface thereof, and

the shoulder of each finger is at least partially disposed within the inner groove defined by the collet housing; and

a drive nut comprising a first end and a second end at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein:

the drive nut defines a bore therethrough,

the mandrel is movable relative to the collet along a longitudinal axis of the connector assembly,

the mandrel is rotationally restrained about the longitudinal axis of the connector assembly by the mandrel retainer,

a second end of the second mandrel part is threadingly coupled to the first end of the drive nut, and

at least a portion of the mandrel, the collet, the mandrel retainer and at least a portion of the drive nut are disposed within the bore defined by the housing;

inserting an end of the override tool through the bore defined by the drive nut, the bore defined by the second mandrel part, and into the bore defined by the second end of the first mandrel part; and

rotating the first mandrel part relative to the second mandrel part by rotating the override tool to disconnect the first connector part from the second connector part.