Optimisation method for mathematical model of deepwater collet connector locking mechanism

The deepwater collet connector is an important part of the subsea pipeline connection system, the locking mechanism of which is the key component that affects locking performance. It is a challenge to urgently solve that how to use smaller hydraulic force to realise the sealing and how to obtain the optimal values of the corresponding structure parameters. This paper is focussed on the optimisation method for mathematical model of deepwater collet connector locking mechanism, which is of great importance to the sealing reliability and the premise of the hydraulic cylinder selection of the connector installation tools. At first, according to the mechanical analysis of the locking mechanism under various operating conditions, the corresponding mathematical model of force transmission is established in this paper. The optimisation method of the mathematical model considering the mechanical efficiency ratio, the displacement transfer ratio and the bending moment effect of the actuator ring is proposed, and the corresponding finite-element analysis is carried on to further verify the correctness of the optimisation method. Then the optimisation method based on the corresponding mathematical model of cone sealing for a 12 collet connector is put forward, which makes an integrated use of the finite-element method, the orthogonal test method, the back propagation neural network, the genetic algorithm and the Matlab optimising function. The optimisation method proposed which is the premise and basis of manufacturing a deepwater collet connector with reliable performance and compact structure is very forward-looking and has guiding significance for engineering practice.