K-FLS-D Female Locking Sleeve (5-Pin & 6-Pin Female Connector)

K-FLS-D Female Locking Sleeve (5-Pin & 6-Pin Female Connector) — Connector Retention Sleeve for Rubber Moulded Underwater Connectors

The K-FLS-D Female Locking Sleeve (5-Pin & 6-Pin Female Connector) is the purpose-designed locking sleeve for the K-Series rubber moulded female connector series. Once fitted over the mated connector pair, the locking sleeve mechanically prevents the connectors from rotating apart — guarding against accidental disconnection caused by ROV thruster turbulence, cable tension fluctuations, tether drag in currents, and accidental snagging on underwater structures.

The locking sleeve is designed to be installed and removed by hand — finger-tight engagement is sufficient to provide full anti-unmate protection. No tools are required or permitted — over-tightening with a wrench damages the thread and can deform the connector body. The sleeve does not contribute to the face seal compression; its sole function is to prevent rotational unmating.

Key Design Features

• Anti-rotation locking — threaded sleeve engages over the mated connector pair; thread engagement prevents relative rotation between plug and socket that would cause unmating
• Hand-tighten design — sleeve thread and body geometry are designed for finger-tight engagement only; no tools required or permitted; eliminates risk of over-torque damage
• Elastomeric body — flexible neoprene material matches the compliance of the mated connector pair; does not create stress concentrations at the connector mating interface
• Field installation — slides over the female connector before mating; retained on the cable; installed and removed in seconds without tools or special procedures
• Correct series matching — K-Series sleeve fits only the RMK-5-FS, RMK-6-FS and VMK-FS variants; using incorrect sleeve size prevents proper thread engagement
• UV and seawater resistant — neoprene sleeve resists UV degradation during surface storage and operations; chemically resistant to seawater, hydraulic fluid, and cleaning agents

Specifications

Typical Applications

• ROV umbilical in-line connectors — locking sleeve on every mated in-line connector pair on the ROV tether to prevent accidental disconnection during vehicle manoeuvres
• Diver umbilical connectors — safety locking of diver power and communication connectors where accidental disconnection would be a life-safety event
• Subsea lighting connectors — retention of power connector on LED array where tether drag could otherwise unmate the connection
• Hydrophone array nodes — locking sleeve on every array branch connector to prevent gradual unloading under repeated tidal current loading cycles
• Long-term moored instruments — locking of connector pairs on mooring frames where connectors must remain mated for months of unattended deployment

Installation Instructions

Before Mating

Slide the locking sleeve over the female connector body before mating — the sleeve cannot be installed after the connectors are already mated. Position the sleeve on the cable side of the connector so it is free to rotate and advance toward the mating face after connection.

After Mating

Verify the connector pair is fully mated (O-ring faces in full contact). Slide the locking sleeve forward over the mated interface and rotate clockwise by hand until the thread bottoms out with gentle finger pressure. The sleeve should feel snug but must not require tool assistance. If the sleeve will not fully engage, the connectors may not be fully mated — demate, inspect, and remate before reapplying the sleeve.

Removal

Rotate the locking sleeve counter-clockwise by hand until clear of the thread. Slide back on the cable. Do not pull the connector apart until the locking sleeve is fully disengaged — pulling against a locked sleeve damages both the sleeve thread and the connector body.