Importance

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Abstract

An underwater fluid connector for interconnecting a plurality of fluid lines. A first male member or plurality of members are adapted to be positioned underwater including at least one upright position flat side with a plurality of fluid passageways terminating at said side. An inverted U-shaped retrievable female member having first and second flat interior faces and adapted to engage and disengage from the first member wherein the faces are positioned for alignment with but spaced from the first member flat side when engaged for providing a venting space therebetween and having a plurality of passageways terminating at the interior faces for axial alignment with the first member passageways. A metal valve seat is releasably connected to the first member flat sides about each of the first member passageways. A valve is positioned in each of the second member passageways having a movable element, a hydraulic supply port, and a pilot actuator connected to the valve element. In one position the valve element seats on the valve seat and opens the fluid supply port and in a second position closes the fluid supply port and is removed from the valve seat. A resilient seal is connected to the valve element and adapted to seat on the metal valve seat. The seat and seal are circular and the seat includes a circular lip having a width less than the resilient seal for providing higher unit sealing forces.

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First Claim