Subsea safety check valve system

A double-acting check valve system for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure at the interface between two members adapted to be connected together at an ambient pressure subsea comprising,

• the first member of said two members having a first one-way valve with a spring urging said first valve closed against ambient pressure when said two members are disconnected,
• the second member of said two members having a second one-way valve with a spring urging said second valve closed against ambient pressure when said two members are disconnected,
• means on said valves for opening said valves when said two members are connected together for the flow of fluid under pressure through said two members,
• said valves being operable in opposite directions, and
• means in one of said member for venting directly to said ambient pressure and to the exterior of said one member excess fluid pressure that is greater than ambient pressure that might exist in one of said members as the result of the flow of fluid under pressure through said members when said members become disconnected after having been connected.

In a conical type subsea connector used at an ambient pressure subsea comprising a first bell-shaped connector member with a first conical surface and a second cone-shaped connector member with a second conical surface, both surfaces being adapted to engage in sealing relationship, said first connector member having a plurality of conduit means connectable to a source of fluid under pressure, each said conduit means being transverse said first connector member and defining opening means in said first conical surface, sealing means on the surface of said first conical surface and surrounding said opening means and adapted to prevent leakage between an interface formed by said two conical surfaces when said conical surfaces are brought into engagement, said second connector member having a plurality of conduit means, each said second conduit means being transverse said second connector member, and defining second opening means in said second conical surface, each said second conduit means being connectable to function valve means to perform a hydraulic function subsea, and said second conduit means being in coaxial alignment with said first conduit means when said connector members are brought into engagement,

• the improvement in a valve system for controlling said flow of fluid under pressure between said two connector members comprising,
• a first valve means with a spring urging said first valve means to a position whereby flow through said first connector member is prevented when the two connector members are out of engagement,
• means in one of said two connector members for moving said first valve means to a second position so that the flow of fluid under pressure through said conduit may occur when said two conical surfaces are engaged, and
• a one-way check valve in said conduit for venting excess pressure differential that might result when said connector members are disconnected after having been connected directly to said subsea ambient pressure located outside said connector members.