Hydraulic connector apparatus and method

A hydraulic connector apparatus, comprising:

• a first cylindrical member having a first fluid supply passage portion disposed therein and having a first fluid return passage portion disposed therein;
• a second cylindrical member adapted to be connected to said first cylindrical member so as to provide fluid communication between a longitudinal bore of said first cylindrical member and a longitudinal bore of said second cylindrical member, said second cylindrical member having a second fluid supply passage portion disposed therein and having a second fluid return passage portion disposed therein;
• and
• connector means for connecting said first supply and return passage portions with said second supply and return passage portions, respectively, and for disconnecting said first supply and return passage portions from said second supply and return passage portions, and for preventing entry of contaminating fluid into any of said supply and return passage portions during the connecting and disconnecting thereof.

A method of connecting a first hydraulic passage disposed in a wall of a first cylindrical tubular member with a second hydraulic passage disposed in a wall of a second cylindrical tubular member, said method comprising the steps of:

• disposing a first cylindrical sliding sleeve valve abut said first tubular member, said first sleeve valve being slidable relative to said first tubular member between open and closed positions wherein said first hydraulic passage is open and closed, respectively;
• disposing a second cylindrical sliding sleeve valve within said second tubular member, said second sleeve valve being slidable relative to said second tubular member between open and closed positions wherein said second hydraulic passage is open and closed, respectively;
• inserting said first tubular member within said second tubular member;
• moving said first and second sleeve valves to their respective open positions;
• and
• communicating said first and second hydraulic passages with each other through said first and second sleeve valves.