Quick Connector Research Articles

High-Efficiency Industrial 130 kW cw Solid-State RF Amplifier for 1.3 GHz

A new 1.3 GHz solid-state high-power RF amplifier (SSA) has been built for the Lighthouse project in close cooperation between Cryoelectra and RI Research Instruments. The amplifier was developed by Cryoelectra as a scalable compact system with an RF-power density of 40kW/m2. Its industrial design is very reliable and easy to maintain. The SSA delivers a continuous RF output power of more than 130 kW with a wall-plug efficiency of 63% and with very low phase noise. The power is generated by 40 patented RF amplifier modules each containing 8 GaN transistor units. Their outputs are combined by a coaxial 8-way combiner in the center of the module. Each module is connected to the 4x9-way cable-free waveguide combiner network and can be exchanged in the event of fault within minutes thanks to quick connectors. A sophisticated control system continuously monitors the state of all components for reliable machine and personnel protection.Despite all the challenges encountered during development and production, the SSA was built and handed over to the client in the shortest possible time. It passed the acceptance test on site exceptionally well.

Bioinspired design of stimuli-responsive artificial muscles with multiple actuation modes

Artificial muscles that can reproduce the functions and biomimetic motions of natural muscles are widely used to construct soft robots with applications in various fields. However, it is still challenging to develop stimuli-responsive artificial muscles with multiple-mode actuation. Inspired by the forearm muscles, we propose a new type of stimuli-responsive artificial muscles with multiple-mode actuation using liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), named FILAMs (forearm muscle-inspired LCE-based artificial muscles). The proposed FILAMs consist of active LCE driving units, a passive silicone rubber flexible skeleton and two quick connectors. By selectively actuating different types of LCE driving units, the FILAMs can achieve multiple-mode actuation, such as twisting, bending, combined twisting and bending. We introduce prototypical designs for the FILAMs and demonstrate that they can be used as ‘building blocks’ to reconfigure different soft robots. Three kinds of soft robots are constructed to show extensive applications through the cooperation of a combination FILAMs, i.e. a soft assembly robot, a soft crawling robot, and a soft flexible wrist.

Modular zonal fluid sampling and pressure testing technology for production well

To accurately obtain development dynamic data such as zonal pressure and fluid parameters of each oil layer in the late development stage of a high water-cut old oilfield, a modular zonal sampling and testing technology with the characteristics of modularization, full electronic control and rapidity was proposed and developed. Lab testing and on-site testing was carried out. The modular zonal sampling and testing system is composed of 10 functional modules, namely ground control system, downhole power supply module, drainage pump, electronically controlled anchor, electronically controlled packer, electronically controlled sampler, magnetic positioning sub, terminal sub, adapter cable, and quick connector. Indoor tests have confirmed that the performance parameters of each module meet the design requirements. The downhole function modules of the system can withstand pressures up to 35 MPa and temperatures up to 85 °C. The rubber cylinder of the electronically controlled packer can withstand a pressure difference of more than 10 MPa. The electronically controlled anchor has an anchoring force of greater than 6.9 t, and can be forcibly detached in the event of an accident. The discharge pump has a displacement of 0.8 m3/d and a head of 500 m. The electronically controlled sampler can meet the requirement of taking 500 mL of sample in each of the 3 chambers. Field tests in Jilin Oilfield show that the system can realize rapid isolation and self-check of isolation of a certain production interval downhole, as well as layer-by layer pressure build-up test. The drainage pump can be used to discharge the mixed liquid between the upper and lower packers and near the wellbore to obtain real fluid samples of the tested formation interval. The data obtained give us better understanding on the pay zones in old oilfields, and provide important basis for development plan adjustment, reservoir stimulation, and EOR measures.

Study on low flow resistance ventilation hose with rapid retraction in space cabin

Aiming at the required of high air tightness, low flow resistance, rapid expansion, easy operation on orbit and hygiene in the space cabin, a low flow resistance ventilation hose which can be retracted quickly in the cabin is proposed. The ventilation hose is composed of metal support ring, air tight composite material, quick connection connector and clamp. After sewing the adhesive tape into a cylindrical tube, it is hot-melt welded with the titanium ring. The pipe body and the quick connection joint are connected and fixed by clamps. After structural design and test verification, a hose with an extension length of 10 meters can shrink to 0.42 meters. the air tightness is 0.96 L/min and the flow resistance is 120Pa. The ventilation hose has the advantages of reliable technology, compact structure, light weight and convenient use in orbit. It provides a new technical way and equipment for the ventilation system in manned spacecraft.

Wellhead Design Enables Offline Cementing and a Shift in Operational Efficiency

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper SPE 202439, “Pushing Malaysia’s Drilling Industry Into a New Frontier: How a Distinctive Wellhead Design Enabled Implementation of a Fully Offline Well Cementing Resulting in a Significant Shift in Operational Efficiency,” by Fauzi Abbas and Azrynizam M. Nor, Vestigo, and Daryl Chang, Cameron, a Schlumberger Company, prepared for the 2020 SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, originally scheduled to be held in Perth, Australia, 20–22 October. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Traditionally, rigs are positioned over a well from the moment the surface casing is drilled until the installation of the wellhead tree. This results in the loss of precious time as the rig idles during online cementing. However, in mature Field A offshore Terengganu, Malaysia, a new approach eliminated such inefficiency dramatically. Operational Planning With oil production in Field A initiated in October 2015, historical data on well lithology, formation pressure, and potential issues during drilling were available and were studied to ensure that wells would not experience lost circulation. This preplanning is crucial to ensure that the offline cementing activity meets the operator’s barrier requirements. Petronas Procedures and Guidelines for Upstream Activities (PPGUA 4.0) was used for the development of five subject wells in Field A. In this standard, two well barriers are required during all well activities, including for suspended wells, to prevent uncontrolled outflow from the well to the external environment. For Field A, two barrier types, mechanical and fluid, allowed by PPGUA 4.0 were selected to complement the field’s geological conditions. As defined in PPGUA 4.0, the fluid barrier is the hydrostatic column pressure, which exceeds the flow zone pore pressure, while the mechanical barrier is an element that achieves sealing in the wellbore, such as plugs. The fluid barrier was used because the wells in Field A were not known to have circulation losses. For the development of Field A, the selected rig featured a light-duty crane to assist with equipment spotting on the platform. Once barriers and rig selection are finalized, planning out the drill sequence for rig skidding is imperative. Space required by drillers, cementers, and equipment are among the considerations that affect rig-skid sequence, as well as the necessity of increased manpower. Offline Cementing Equipment and Application In Field A, the casing program was 9⅝×7×3½ in. with a slimhole well design. The wellhead used was a monobore wellhead system with quick connectors. The standard 11-in. nominal wellhead design was used for the wells with no modifications required. All three sections of the casing program were offline cemented. They were the 9⅝-in. surface casing, 7-in. production casing, and 3½-in. tubing. The 9⅝-in. surface casing is threaded to the wellhead housing and was run and landed with the last casing joint. Subsequent wellhead 7-in. casing hangers and a 3½-in. tubing hanger then were run and landed into the compact housing.

Making Soft Optical Sensors More Wearable

This paper discusses new components and approaches to make stretchable optical fiber sensors better meet the power and washability requirements of wearables. First, an allpolymer quick connector allows the light source and photosensor to be quickly detached for washing. Second, the paper investigates the possibility of driving the sensors using ambient light instead of an onboard light source. While optical strain sensors and touch sensors have advantages over electronic ones in wet environments, and the intrinsic stretchability of the fibers is useful for soft robotics and highly conformal wearables, the typical light-emitting diode (LED) light source consumes more power than an electronic resistive or capacitive strain sensor. In this work, ambient light of uniform but unknown intensity is demonstrated to drive an elastomeric optical touch sensor in a differential configuration.

Irradiation system for production of gaseous radioisotopes used as tracers in industrial process measurements

The use of radioisotopes as radiotracers is considered the most important in diagnosing operation and troubleshooting of industrial process plants in chemical and petrochemical companies. They are used in analytical procedures to obtain qualitative and quantitative data systems, in physical and physicochemical studies transfers. In the production of gaseous radioisotopes used as tracers in industrial process measurements, argon-41 (41Ar) and krypton-79 (79Kr) stand out because each has low reactivity with other chemical elements. 41Ar is a transmitter range with high-energy (1.29 MeV) and a high percentage of this energy transformation (99.1%), resulting in relatively small quantities required in relation to the other, for an efficient detection, even in large thicknesses components. Nowadays, the production of gaseous radioisotopes in nuclear research reactors is performed in small quantities (batches), through quartz ampoules containing natural gas 40Ar or 78Kr. In this sense, the aim of this study is to develop an irradiation system for gaseous radioisotope production in continuous scale, applied in industrial applications of emission tomography and flow measurement. The irradiation system may produce 41Ar with activity of 7.4 × 1011 Bq (20 Ci) per irradiation cycle, through the Reactor IEA-R1 with 4.5 MW and average thermal neutron flux of 4.71 × 1013 ncm−2s−1 to meet an existing demand in NDT and inspections companies, and even needed by the Radiation Technology Centre, at IPEN/CNEN-SP. The irradiation system consists of an aluminium irradiation capsule, transfer lines, needle valves, ringed connections, quick connectors, manometer, vacuum system, dewar, lead shielding, storage and transport cylinders, among other components. The irradiation system was approved in the leakage and stability tests (bubble test, pressurization, evacuation and with leak detector equipment SPECTRON 600 T). In the experimental production obtaining 1.07 × 1011 Bq (2.9 Ci) of 41Ar, alanine dosimeters were distributed into various components of the irradiation system. In addition, exposure rates were determined in the lead shielding wall, in which the liquefied radioactive gas was concentrated, and in the storage and transport cylinders after 41Ar was transferred by the portable radiation meter Teletector® Probe 6150 AD-t/H.

Модернизация соединений трубопроводов в машинах и оборудовании нефтегазовых промыслов

Introduction The problem of tight joint of pipelines and high pressure hoses (HPH) applied in various fields of human livelihood is considered. Special aspects of the high-pressure pipelines operation in the equipment of the oil and gas complex is as follows. At ambient temperatures below minus 50oC, it is needed to transmit thousands of tons of stratum fluids heated up to 200-250oC and containing aggressive media, abrasive and highly mineralized water. Materials and Methods. Various designs of metal seals applied in high pressure pipe connections are considered. Joints widely used for pipelines do not withstand pressures higher than 20-60 MPa. With that, in pipelines of the oil-industry equipment, pressure may exceed 100 MPa. A key feature of applying joints in question is to reduce their strength with increasing the diameter. These detriments confine the scope of use of the above-mentioned sealing schemes. It makes field repair of such joints, for example, during operation of oil and gas equipment, practically impossible. In this case, the use of quick connectors (Q/C) is required, for disassembling of which it is ample to have the keys. Research Results. For the solution to the specified problems, a principally new scheme of connection sealing for pipelines and HPH is developed and patented. The key element of the patented device is a stepped bushing which reliably seals the connection of pipelines and HPH. The stepped bushing (sealant) should be made of high-alloy steel by analogy with the joint in the flange couplings, and it can be hardened which will allow for increasing the strength of the connections in question and using them under low temperature conditions. Discussion and Conclusions. The comparative analysis of the sealing elements designs shows advantages of the proposed sealant. For its practical application, it is needed to optimize the shape and dimensions of the stepped bush in order to provide for leaktightness at given pressures, and, besides, to determine the required thread pull force to ensure safe performance of the unit.

Design of a brazing connector for DEMO in-vessel components

The cost of electricity generated by fusion power will be strongly conditioned by the availability of future reactors. One key issue is the developing of feasible quick pipe connectors for the connection/disconnection of critical in-vessel components during maintenance operations. Brazing is a widely used joining technique which produces leak-proof high strength joints, with excellent stress distribution, little distortion and minimum oxidation. This work presents a design of a self-brazing/debrazing connector to be used with helium, lead–lithium and water pipes in DEMO. The remote handling compatible design includes an induction heating system, a brazing atmosphere supply, an inspection system (leak testing), a bolted/clamped union to provide stiffness against disruptions and thermal loads, and a positioning and alignment system.

Experimental tests of an air-cooling hydrogen fuel cell hybrid electric scooter

A system integration of a novel proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)-powered hybrid scooter was conducted to assess its performance. The fuel cell/lithium ion battery hybrid electric scooter system was composed of an air-cooled and self-humidified 2.3 kW PEMFC stack, a lithium ion battery, a low-pressure metal hydride canister set, a quick connector, a DC–DC converter, a hub motor, and an electronic control unit. PEMFCs have the benefit of a rapid start-up, low operating temperatures, and high power densities, making them ideal power sources for electric vehicles. Most recent fuel cell vehicle designs have used fuel cell hybrids architectures because of their enhanced fuel economy, superior performance at cold starts, ability to capture regenerative braking energy, and reduced system costs. Similarly, this study configured a lithium ion battery as the secondary energy source because of its rapid discharge capability. The PEMFC provided the scooter with a continuous electricity supply, and a 9.2 A h and 48.92–50.05 V lithium ion battery powered the scooter when a sudden burst of electric energy was required for stepping out, speeding up, or climbing. However, the hybrid system presented a unique challenge for the multiple energy sources to work together effectively. A modified ECE40 test and a USABC dynamic stress test were conducted to assess the performance of the hybrid scooter. Besides, in the dyno test, the maximum speed of the scooter was 53.2 km/h, and the distance between refueling was 63.5 km when the scooter's speed was fixed at 30 km/h. In the future, the main objectives are to extend the range, reduce the weight of the scooter, and increase the hydrogen use of the fuel cell.

A Near Miss: A Nitrous Oxide-Carbon Dioxide Mix-up Despite Current Safety Standards

A Near Miss: A Nitrous Oxide-Carbon Dioxide Mix-up Despite Current Safety Standards

Fluid quick connector with multi-shot integral seal carrier

Fluid quick connector with multi-shot integral seal carrier

Making a Case for a New Connector

The emergence of quick lock connectors, particularly quick lock versions of the SMA and N connectors (QMA and QN, respectively), was an inevitable development in the RF connector industry and is of significant importance in that nearly 50% of all practical applications for RF connectors are currently supported by either SMA or N. Once QMA and QN can achieve similarity in cost and performance to the present SMA and N connectors, they will take the place of their predecessors in most applications, creating a huge new market. Our RF team has long been dedicated to research and development of these two connector types in the hopes of creating an optimal design. In this article, we will show some of the results of our research.

Invited commentary

In 1968, Gottlob and Blümel [1] described a method for anastomosing small vessels with a diameter of 2 mm or less with the aid of adhesive rings. Both ends of the vessels were everted over a small plastic ring, fixed with cyanoacrilate glue, and then linked with a “Quick Connector.”

Quick connector

Quick connector

Modular sampling and inlet systems for mobile environmental mass spectrometry

Sampling systems and gas Chromatographic separators based on a modular concept have been developed for a mobile/portable quadrupole mass spectrometer. A special quick connector, designed to easily mount and remove the gas Chromatograph from the mass spectrometer, allows the operator to switch between different GC modules within minutes. A polysiloxane inlet membrane seals the vacuum chamber and prevents it from being vented, even during the exchange of GC modules. Since the GC's injector modules are designed as separate units, diverse injector systems can also be removed and swapped using similar quick interfaces, while the GC module remains connected to the mass spectrometer. Fast GC runs with short-capillary GC modules accelerate measurements dramatically. Using a spray extractor, volatile organic compounds in water can be sampled and trapped in the sorbent tube of the automatic air sampler for GC-MS analysis. A quick analysis can be made using the transfer-line GC with the sniffer probe. Examples are given of applications involving the analysis of polycyclic aromatics and other contaminants in soil samples, and analytical results on volatile organic compounds in air, in indoor atmospheres and in water. The concept of this modular system makes the whole instrumentation flexible, and permits a wide variety of mass spectrometry applications by using the right combination of sampling modules.

A Compact and Noise Free Electrohydraulic Total Artificial Heart

The ABIOMED total artificial heart (TAH) is designed for long-term tether-free use in patients with end-stage heart disease. Blood pumping is achieved through hydraulic fluid motion across flexing diaphragms. The hydraulic power is derived from a miniature centrifugal pump (50% efficiency). Flow directional change needed for alternate left and right filling and ejection is achieved with a rotary valve. With no mechanical contact with the flexing membrane, the wedge angle between the two pumps sandwiching the energy convertor can be easily optimized for anatomic fit. The blood pumps (80 ml strokes) are fitted with trileaflet polyetherurethane valves (24 mm). The TAH is implanted using twist-lock stepless quick connectors to the inflow cuffs and outflow grafts. Left-right flow balance is achieved with an atrial hydraulic shunt placed between the left cuff and inflow valve. Animal studies show that the TAH fits very well in Long Horn calves weighing 90 to 100 kg and can provide cardiac output in excess of 10 L/min. A cadaver (85 kg) study showed the TAH fits within the pericardial region.

Concept of a Soft, Compressible Artificial Ventricle Under Evaluation

This study was designed to compare the relative merits of soft and rigid artificial ventricles. A cascade mock circulation was used to measure cardiac output under different circumstances. The data show that these soft air driven ventricles show a Starling's-like response over a wider range of filling pressures than identical, but rigid, ventricles. Compression of soft ventricles by high intrathoracic pressures was simulated in vitro. Air pressures up to +20 mm Hg did not seriously affect soft ventricles. Cardiac tamponade was simulated by compressing the ventricle in a closed fluid compartment. Tamponade became severe when volume reduction of the ventricle rose to 60 ml. Hemolysis caused by soft and rigid ventricles was tested in a blood bag set-up and was 48-82% higher in the rigid ventricle, depending on the driving conditions. Possibly, this could be explained by the authors' finding that rigid ventricles showed a 20% higher intraventricular dP/dtmax value than soft ventricles. Soft ventricles were implanted in three calves as a total artificial heart (TAH). Implantation without quick connectors was easy because the surgeon could easily fold and compress the ventricles. No physiological complications of softness were observed. Blood damage in the animals was low (less than 5 mg/dl). The authors conclude that soft ventricles show distinct surgical and functional advantages over rigid ventricles.

Quick coupling connector adapted for use at low temperatures

Quick coupling connector adapted for use at low temperatures

A Solid State Control and Logic System for Beam Handling and Ion Optics External to the NRL Isochronous Cyclotron

As the capability of isochronous cyclotrons increases, and the requirements of the experimentalist become more sophisticated, the problems of beam handling and transport become more complex and demanding. At the NRL Isochronous Cyclotron Facility, these problems have been solved by using solid state OR, AND, NOR, and NAND logic wherever possible. Initial beam path selection is through a select-safe circuit which allows only one of 15 beam paths to be energized. After selection, it cannot be accidentally shut down. Diode, diode-transistor, and transistor-resistor logic have been used for all beam handling and transport devices, and for light and readout switching. These circuits use diode matrices to control voltage, resistor matrices to mix currents, and transistors as switches. Defective lamps are determined by a circuit which allows all lights in the control room to be tested simultaneously by pushing one button. Plug in boards and relays, quick change indicators, 90-pin connectors, and miniature terminal strips are used to facilitate trouble shooting and programming. A portable mock-up of the control console was produced for circuit test purposes, for on site operation of a beam handling device, and as a training device for new operators.