Quick-disconnect ball and socket joint

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11788576-B2
Application number	US-202016737763-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 8, 2020
Priority date	Jan 8, 2020
Publication date	Oct 17, 2023
Grant date	Oct 17, 2023

Abstract

A quick-disconnect ball and socket joint includes a substantially spherical strain relief node configured to be coupled to an object, such as a cable. The system further comprises an end cap configured to capture the substantially spherical strain relief node, the end cap having a diameter that permits the substantially spherical strain relief node to pass therethrough when the system is in an open position. The system still further comprises a retaining element configured to retain the substantially spherical strain relief node in the end cap. The retaining element is attached to the end cap when the system is in a closed position and the object is prevented from being removed from capture by the end cap. However, in the open position, the retaining element may be removed from capture by the end cap by passing the substantially spherical strain relief node through a diameter of the end cap.

First claim

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States:

1. A ball and socket joint system, comprising:
an end cap comprising a frustoconical sidewall having an inner cavity, wherein the end cap comprises a substantially circular opening at one end thereof having a diameter, wherein the substantially circular opening separates the inner cavity inside the end cap from an exterior outside the end cap, wherein an annular groove is disposed within the inner cavity on an inner surface of the sidewall, and a through hole extends through the side wall and communicates with the annular groove;
a substantially spherical strain relief node coupled to a cable and dimensioned for passage through the substantially circular opening during each transition between an open state and a locked state of the system, wherein the substantially spherical strain relief node is disposed within the inner cavity of the end cap during the locked state of the system, and the substantially spherical strain relief node is disposed in the exterior of the end cap during the open state of the system; and
a retaining ring disposed within the annular groove of the inner cavity of the end cap between the substantially spherical strain relief node and the substantially circular opening during the locked state of the system, wherein the retaining ring prevents passage of the substantially spherical strain relief node through the substantially circular opening in the end cap during the locked state of the system, so that the cable is captured by the end cap;
the retaining ring comprises distal ends that extend out of the through hole, wherein the distal ends of the retaining ring are configured to be pulled apart in opposite directions within the through hole to release the substantially spherical strain relief node from the end cap and transition to the open state of the system;
and wherein the end cap is coupled to a subsea surface of a ship such that the ball and socket joint system allows for natural movement of the cable due to tidal, wind, or wave action.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the retaining ring includes detents.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes electrical wiring.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substantially spherical strain relief node is potted onto the cable.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the substantially spherical strain relief node and the cable are enclosed in a castable urethane or rubber shell.

6. A method of using a ball and socket joint system, comprising:
providing the ball and socket joint system in a closed position underwater, wherein the ball and socket joint system includes:
a substantially spherical strain relief node;
a cable coupled to the substantially spherical strain relief node;
an end cap configured to achieve a captured state of the substantially spherical strain relief node, the end cap comprising a frustoconical sidewall having an inner cavity, the end cap comprising a substantially circular aperture at one end thereof with a diameter that permits the substantially spherical strain relief node to pass therethrough when the ball and socket joint system is in an open position the end cap includes an annular groove within the inner cavity on an inner surface of the sidewall, and a through hole extending through the sidewall of the end cap and communicating with the annular groove; and
a retaining ring configured to retain the substantially spherical strain relief node in the end cap, wherein the retaining ring is attached to the end cap when the ball and socket joint system is in a closed position, the retaining ring disposed within the annular groove of the inner cavity in the end cap between the substantially spherical strain relief node and the substantially circular aperture in the end cap, wherein the retaining ring prevents the substantially spherical strain relief node from being removed from the captured state by the end cap when the ball and socket joint system is in the closed position, wherein distal ends of the retaining ring extend out of the through hole; and
opening the ball and socket joint system underwater by pulling the distal ends of the retaining ring apart in opposite directions within the through hole, thus permitting the substantially spherical strain relief node to be removed from the captured state by passing the substantially spherical strain relief node through the substantially circular aperture of the end cap; and
wherein the end cap is coupled to a subsea surface of a ship such that the ball and socket joint system allows for natural movement of the cable due to tidal, wind, or wave action.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the retaining ring includes detents.

Assignees

• Us Navy
• Us Navy

Inventors

• Brown Michael H

Classifications

• F16C11/069 Primary

  with at least one separate part to retain the ball member in the socket; Quick-release systems · CPC title

• A01K27/003

  Leads, leashes · CPC title

• F16B21/183

  internal, i.e. with spreading action · CPC title

• F16G11/03

  incorporating resiliently-mounted members for attachment of the cable end · CPC title

• F16G11/108

  using a ball or a cylinder · CPC title