Underwater connectors are very essential and complex components of deep-sea engineering equipment and their design and manufacture have apparent multidisciplinary characteristics. Wet-mateable connectors (WMCs) represent the highest level of technology in this field, and only a very few countries in the world can produce WMCs. So, WMCs are likely to be a constraining factor to some maritime powers that might try to achieve breakthroughs in this field, constraining the innovation-driven development of deep-sea equipment. This paper gives a detailed overview of underwater connectors, both electrical and optical. First, the background of underwater connectors is introduced, and then the main available commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products are described. Next, the new concept of functional units is proposed by the authors to help readers to have a better understanding of underwater connectors. Then, the basic theories of design are introduced according to different functional units, covering the aspects of electrical/optical connection, pressure-balanced oil-filled (PBOF) technology, penetrable self-sealing, aligning and locking structures. Finally, some discussions and conclusions are presented. This paper aims to reveal the secrets of key technologies used in underwater connectors, especially in WMCs.

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水下连接器概述

水下连接器是深海工程装备中非常重要和复杂的部件，其设计和制造具有明显的多学科特征。湿配合连接器（WMC）代表了该领域的最高技术水平，世界上只有极少数国家能够生产WMC。因此，WMC很可能成为一些海上强国试图在该领域取得突破的制约因素，制约深海装备创新驱动的发展。本文详细介绍了水下连接器，包括电连接器和光学连接器。首先介绍了水下连接器的背景，然后描述了主要可用的商用现货（COTS）产品。下一个，作者提出了功能单元的新概念，以帮助读者更好地了解水下连接器。然后，根据不同的功能单元介绍了设计的基本理论，涵盖了电/光连接、压力平衡充油（PBOF）技术、可穿透自密封、对准和锁定结构等方面。最后，提出了一些讨论和结论。本文旨在揭示水下连接器，尤其是 WMC 中使用的关键技术的秘密。提出了一些讨论和结论。本文旨在揭示水下连接器，尤其是 WMC 中使用的关键技术的秘密。提出了一些讨论和结论。本文旨在揭示水下连接器，尤其是 WMC 中使用的关键技术的秘密。