Hydraulically operated misalignment connector

In a misalignment connector:

• a body structure having a fluid opening and a first spherical sealing surface circumscribing said opening;
• a connector hub having a fluid opening and a second spherical sealing surface circumscribing said opening;
• an internal metal seal ring having an external spherical surface engaged with said first and second spherical surfaces, with said seal ring circumferentially loaded therebetween;
• locking means carried by said body structure including locking dog members circumferentially spaced about and pivotal on said body structure and having end portions inwardly shiftable towards said connector hub;
• said dogs and said connector hub and body structure having coengaged locking surfaces holding said first and second spherical surface engaged with said seal ring upon inward movement of said end portions;
• and means for actuating said dogs pivotally into locking engagement of said locking surfaces of said connector hub and body structure, said locking surfaces of said dogs and said connector hub being spherical.

In a misalignment connector:

• a body structure having a fluid opening and a first spherical sealing surface circumscribing said opening;
• a connector hub having a fluid opening and a second spherical sealing surface circumscribing said opening;
• an internal metal seal ring having an external spherical surface engaged with said first and second spherical surfaces, with said seal ring circumferentially loaded therebetween;
• said connector hub having a locking ring mounted thereon for angular movement;
• locking dogs spaced circumferentially in said body and supported for inward movement and outward movement relative to said locking rings;
• said locking ring and said dogs having coengaged locking elements holding said connector hub in said body structure responsive to inward movement of said dogs;
• and means for actuating said dogs;
• said connector hub having an external spherical surface;
• said locking ring having an internal spherical surface engaged with the spherical surface of said connector hub.

In a misalignment connector:

• a body structure having a fluid opening and a first spherical sealing surface circumscribing said opening;
• a connector hub having a fluid opening and a second spherical sealing surface circumscribing said opening;
• an internal metal seal ring having an external spherical surface engaged with said first and second spherical sealing surfaces, with said seal ring circumferentially loaded therebetween;
• expansible and inwardly shiftable locking means operable for holding said body structure and said connector hub against separation;
• and remotely operable actuator means for inwardly shifting said locking means and for allowing expansion of said locking means;
• said locking means and said connector hub having coengaged spherical surfaces permitting angular misalignment of said body structure and said connector hub.