Connector Assemblies and Processes for Using Same

A connector assembly, comprising:

• a stinger comprising a first end and a second end and configured to be connected to a first body, wherein an outer surface of the stinger defines a first groove and a second groove;
• and
• a sleeve assembly comprising:
• a structural ring configured to be connected to a second body, wherein an inner surface of the structural ring defines a load shoulder;
• a first support ring that is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the structural ring, wherein an inner surface of the first support ring defines a first shoulder;
• a second support ring configured to be connected to the structural ring toward or at a second end of the structural ring, wherein an inner surface of the second support ring defines a second shoulder;
• a first retainer ring that is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position;
• and
• a second retainer ring that is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position, wherein:
• when the first retainer ring is in the unlocked position and the second retainer ring is in the unlocked position, the stinger can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve assembly,
• when the stinger is inserted into the sleeve assembly and the first retainer ring is in the locked position, the first retainer ring maintains a first split ring in a position partially within the first groove and partially on the first shoulder,
• when the stinger is inserted into the sleeve assembly and the second retainer ring is in the locked position, the second retainer ring maintains a second split ring in a position partially within the second groove and partially on the second shoulder,
• when the first support ring is in the first position, the first support ring abuts against the load shoulder and,
• when the first support ring is in the second position, the first support ring is located a distance away from the load shoulder.

A connector assembly, comprising:

• a stinger comprising a first end and a second end, wherein an outer surface of the stinger defines a first groove and a second groove;
• and
• a sleeve assembly comprising a first end, a second end, a first latching mechanism, and a second latching mechanism, the sleeve assembly configured to receive the stinger and secure the stinger therein via the first latching mechanism and/or the second latching mechanism, wherein:
• an inner surface of the sleeve assembly defines a first shoulder located toward the first end thereof and a second shoulder located toward the second end thereof,
• the first latching mechanism and the second latching mechanism are independently moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position with respect to one another,
• when the first latching mechanism is in the unlocked position and the second latching mechanism is in the unlocked position, the stinger can be inserted into or removed from the sleeve assembly,
• when the stinger is inserted into the sleeve assembly and the first latching mechanism is in a locked position, the first latching mechanism is configured to maintain a first split ring in a position partially within the first groove and partially on the first shoulder, and
• when the stinger is inserted into the sleeve assembly and the second latching mechanism is in a locked position, the second latching mechanism is configured to maintain a second split ring in a position partially within the second groove and partially on the second shoulder.