Connector assemblies and processes for using same

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.

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.