SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED MOUNTING OF AN AEROSTAT TO A MOUNTING STRUCTURE

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for securing an aerostat to a mobile or fixed receiving structure. It also relates to a securing method implemented in this system.

[0002] The field of the invention is more particularly, but not limited to, that of dirigible balloons. State of the prior art

[0003] The docking of large dirigible aerostats to parking masts has always been a delicate maneuver requiring the intervention of a large number of people on the ground, sometimes more than a hundred, and which proved to be time-consuming and presented risks both for the crews of these aerostats and for the people on the ground. This maneuver also represented significant operational costs.

[0004] Furthermore, piloting these airships when approaching ground-based receiving structures is generally complex due to aerodynamic conditions that are sometimes unfavorable when approaching the ground and the high intrinsic inertia of these aircraft.

[0005] The applicant filed application WO2018099870A1 which describes a mooring system which facilitates the approach of an aerostat to a receiving structure and allows its mooring more easily and more securely than under previous conditions.

[0006] For this purpose, a system has been proposed for securing an aerostat to a receiving structure, comprising an aerial drone controllable for moving between this aerostat and this receiving structure by carrying a first end of a cable whose second end is fixed to the aerostat or to the receiving structure and for fixing this first end to the receiving structure or to the aerostat, so that this cable connects the aerostat to the receiving structure. Document EP 2 218 642 A2 discloses a suitable system for securing an aircraft to a receiving structure.

[0007] The applicant continued its research with the aim of proposing a system which still aims to facilitate the approach of an aerostat to a receiving structure and allows its mooring more easily and more securely than under current conditions, while simplifying the solution previously proposed. Statement of the invention

[0008] One aim of the invention is in particular to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for securing an aerostat to a receiving structure, comprising: a mooring cable arranged to be fixed to the aerostat by one of its ends, a mast arranged to be rotatably mounted on the receiving structure, the mast comprising a winding drum winch comprising a slot arranged to receive a portion of the cable located on the side of the other end of the mooring cable.

[0010] According to the first aspect of the invention, the lashing cable is weighted by a weight at its other end, and the mast further comprises a fork guide device having two branches extending in two divergent directions.

[0011] Advantageously, the mooring cable and the fork guide device are made of electrically conductive materials. This feature allows electrostatic discharge of the aerostat.

[0012] The guide device has a trapping device separating the guide device into a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion comprising the two branches, said trapping device being arranged to prevent a portion of the weighted cable present in the proximal portion from reaching the distal portion. This feature has the effect of preventing an involuntary departure of the cable. It may also be provided to control the trapping device so that it has an unlocked position in which the cable is no longer trapped.

[0013] The system according to the invention comprises a cable passage detector having a detection axis at the level of the imprisonment device. It is thus possible to circumscribe the location of the cable part in the sub-part arranged on the side of the mast.

[0014] For example, the mast may further comprise a device for capturing the lashing cable arranged between the guiding device and the winding drum winch.

[0015] It is also provided that the lashing cable may have distance data written along the lashing cable and that the mast includes a reader for said distance data.

[0016] The system according to the invention can advantageously comprise a motor for rotating the winding drum winch and a controller configured to control the motor from the data read by the reader.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the invention, a kit is provided comprising: a mooring cable arranged to be fixed to the aerostat by one of its ends, a mast arranged to be rotatably mounted on the receiving structure, the mast comprising a winding drum winch comprising a slot arranged to receive a portion of the cable located on the side of the other end of the mooring cable.

[0018] The lashing cable is weighted at its other end, and the mast further comprises a fork-shaped guide device having two branches extending in two divergent directions.

[0019] Of course, the mast may have one or more of the improvements previously mentioned in relation to the first aspect of the invention.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for securing an aerostat to a receiving structure, implemented in a system according to the first aspect of the invention, or one or more of its improvements, comprising the following steps, after release of the mooring cable weighted by the aerostat: guiding the lashing cable by the fork of the system having two branches, placing the lashing cable in the winding drum winch having the slot for winding the cable, and rotating the winding drum winch.

[0021] According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product, downloadable from a communication network and / or stored on a computer-readable medium and / or executable by a microprocessor, and loadable into an internal memory of a computing unit, comprising program code instructions which, when executed by the computing unit, implement the steps of the method according to the third aspect of the invention, or one or more of its improvements. Description of figures

[0022] Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are in no way limiting, with regard to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] schematically illustrates a first example of implementation of a lashing system according to the invention, [ Fig.2] is a side view of a mast of the system shown in the figure 1 , in the aircraft's glide path, [ Fig.3 ] is a top view of the mast shown in the figure 2 , at the level of the guidance device, [ Fig.4 ] includes three side views of the mast shown on the figure 2 , in the aircraft's glide path, in three separate positions of the mast capture device, [ Fig.5 ] includes a side view of the mast shown in the figure 2 , in the aircraft's descent plane, at the level of the storage device. Description of embodiments

[0023] The embodiments described below being in no way limiting, it will be possible in particular to consider variants of the invention comprising only a selection of the characteristics described, subsequently isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one characteristic, preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part only is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art.

[0024] In the figures, an element appearing in several figures retains the same reference.

[0025] In reference to the figure 1, an exemplary embodiment of a mooring system 1, according to the invention, of an aerostat 2 to a receiving structure 3 is described.

[0026] In the example shown, the aerostat 2 comprises propulsion units 21, 22 and a winding drum 23 having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation, the drum 23 being arranged at the front of the aerostat 2.

[0027] The receiving structure 3 comprises a base 31, possibly self-propelled, resting on the ground or a runway 4, and a pylon 32 mounted on the base 31.

[0028] System 1 includes: a lashing cable 5 arranged to be fixed at the level of the winding drum 23 by one of its ends, and ballasted by a weight 51 at its other end, a mast 6 arranged to be fixed in rotation on a vertical axis of the receiving structure 3, and more precisely on the pylon 32.

[0029] In the example shown, the lashing cable 5 is electrically conductive.

[0030] There figure 2 illustrates the different functional zones of the mast 6 according to the invention.

[0031] The mast includes: a masthead area 61 arranged to be mechanically connected to the aerostat 2, then a guide area 62 for the lashing cable 5, then a capture area 63 for the lashing cable 5, then a zone 64 for pulling on the lashing cable 5 and storing it.

[0032] These areas are arranged from top to bottom of mast 6, in the order shown. Description of the guide part 62

[0033] In reference to the figure 3 , the mast 6 is equipped at the level of the guide zone 62 with a fork guide device 621.

[0034] The fork guide device 621 comprises a proximal portion 622 having a U-shaped conformation, and an end portion 623 having two branches 624 and 625, each of the branches extending in two divergent directions from an upper end of a vertical bar of the U of the proximal portion.

[0035] The fork is also electrically conductive to allow electrostatic discharge of the aerostat 2 when the lashing cable 5 comes into contact with one of the two branches 623 and 624.

[0036] Electrical conduction is also provided between the fork 621, the locking device 626 and the ground.

[0037] Along the movement of the airship towards the mast axis, the cable is guided by the fork towards the mast.

[0038] The guide device 621 has a locking device 626 separating the proximal part 622 from the end part 623.

[0039] The fork guide device has two segments, arranged substantially in the same plane as that formed by the two branches 624 and 625, each having an end turned towards the proximal part 622 of the fork 621 and having an end arranged at the end of the branch connected to the vertical end of the U of the fork 621. The device 626 has the primary purpose of preventing the cable from exiting once it has entered the proximal zone 622.

[0040] Of course, the locking device 626 can be retractable, so as to allow release of the lashing cable 5.

[0041] The guide device 621 further comprises a cable passage detector at the locking device 626, arranged so as to functionally separate the proximal portion 622 of the fork from its distal portion 623.

[0042] A fork pulley 628, in the form of a diabolo according to the example shown, is rotatably mounted on the vertical bar of the U of the fork device 61, between the vertical bars of the U.

[0043] More generally, the fork pulley 628 has the function of leading the cable 5 from any point along the width of the proximal portion 622 towards the center of said portion. Description of capture part 63

[0044] In reference to the figure 4 , the mast 6 is equipped at the capture zone 63 with a pulley capture device 631.

[0045] In subfigure a, the pulley capture device 631 is in a free position.

[0046] In sub-figure b, the pulley capture device 631 is in an intermediate capture position.

[0047] In subfigure c, the pulley capture device 631 is in a final capture position.

[0048] A portion of the lashing cable 5 is illustrated in each of the subfigures a, b and c.

[0049] The pulley capture device 631 comprises two pulleys, respectively a fixed pulley 632 and a movable pulley 633.

[0050] The fixed pulley 632 has an axis of rotation perpendicular to the descent plane of the aircraft 2 and is carried by an arm 634, so that its groove is arranged in the descent plane of the aircraft, downwind of the mast at a distance aligned with the slot 644 of the guidance system.

[0051] The 633 mobile pulley is of the diabolo type.

[0052] More generally, the movable pulley 633 has the function of leading the cable 5 from any point along the width of said pulley towards the center of said pulley.

[0053] The axis of the movable pulley 633 is rotatably mounted on an arm 635.

[0054] As illustrated in figure a, the movable pulley 633 can have a first position, called free, in which the axis of rotation of the pulley is inscribed in the descent plane of the aircraft 2, and is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mast 6.

[0055] As illustrated in figure b, the pulley 633 can have a second position, called capture, in which the axis of rotation of the pulley is perpendicular to the descent plane of the aircraft, and is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the mast 6.

[0056] Moving from the free pulley position to the pulley capture position captures the lashing cable 5.

[0057] The arm 635 is rotatably mounted on the mast 6 along an axis of rotation perpendicular to the descent plane of the aircraft.

[0058] The arm 635 may be positioned in an intermediate capture position, preferably orthogonal to the mast 6 and in which the arm 635 is perpendicular to the mast 6 and directed downwind, as illustrated in figure b.

[0059] The arm 635 may be positioned in a final capture position, offsetting its windward throat, upwind of the leeward throat of the fixed pulley 632, as illustrated in Figure c.

[0060] In this final capture position, the lashing cable 5 is guided by the pulley 633 before being guided by the pulley 632. Description of the guide part 64

[0061] In reference to the Figure 5 , the mast 6 is equipped at the capture zone 64 with a device 641 for pulling on the lashing cable 5 and storing it.

[0062] The device 641 comprises a winding drum winch 642 whose axis is driven by a motor 643. The axis of the winding drum is horizontal. The winding drum 642 comprises a slot 644 arranged to receive the weighted end of the lashing cable 5.

[0063] The cable carries distance data between the aerostat and the masthead area 61, as illustrated by the Figure 5 .

[0064] The device 641 further comprises a reader 645 of distance data carried by the mooring cable 5.

[0065] The distance data read by the reader 645 can be used to control the rotational speed of the motor 643. Description of masthead area 61

[0066] The masthead area includes means for mechanically locking the mast 6 with the aerostat 2.

[0067] The masthead area includes maintenance connection facilities for Aerostat 2's integrated systems.

[0068] Docking process implemented in this system.

[0069] When aerostat 2 is approaching receiving structure 3, the pilot initiates a landing procedure.

[0070] The masthead 6, which is rotatably mounted on the pylon 32, is oriented so that the bisector of the angle formed by the two branches 624 and 625 is downwind, in the direction opposite to the wind direction.

[0071] The length and angle between the two branches 624 and 625 are sufficient to allow the pilot to bring the mooring cable 5 between them, taking into account the precision capabilities of the airship.

[0072] The unwinding of the drum 23 is controlled so as to release the unwinding cable and allow the ballast 51 to pull on the cable while limiting the traction forces.

[0073] Before a portion of the cable 5 touches the fork pulley 628, it intersects the detection axis of the trapping device 626 and is thus detected by a control unit (not shown).

[0074] The control unit is configured to start the lashing cable capture process upon detection of the presence of the lashing cable in zone 627.

[0075] The capture portion 63, which is initially in its free position, swings into the intermediate capture position, in which the cable is captured, then into the final capture position in which the cable passes through the movable pulley and then through the fixed pulley.

[0076] Once the cable is correctly positioned inside the slot 644, the slotted drum 642 is rotated by the motor 643 to wind the lashing cable 5 and bring the airship to the mast head area 61. The end of the lashing cable 5 may be equipped with a stop device to prevent any slippage on the drum.

[0077] During the rewinding of the cable 5 by the drum 642, the branches of the fork 621 can be moved in order to move them away from the body of the aerostat 2 and to prevent any contact with the latter.

[0078] At the end of rewinding, the nose of the aerostat 2 is correctly positioned on the head of the mast 61. The connection is then mechanically locked. Means may be provided to automatically ensure maintenance connections for integrated systems.

[0079] Once the connection is locked, the cable can be rewound into the Aerostat 2.

[0080] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention according to the appended claims.

Claims

1. System (1) for securing an aerostat (2) to a receiving structure (3), comprising: - a securing cable (5) arranged to be attached to the aerostat by one of the ends thereof, - a mast (6) arranged to be rotatably mounted on the receiving structure, the mast comprising a winding drum winch (642) comprising a slot (644) which is arranged to receive a portion of the cable located on the side of the other end of the securing cable (5), - the securing cable is weighted by a weight (51) at the other end thereof, - the mast further comprises a fork-type guide device (621) having two branches (624, 625) extending in two diverging directions, characterized in that the guide device (61) has a trapping device (626) separating the guide device into a proximal portion (622) and a distal portion (623), the distal portion comprising the two branches (624, 625), said trapping device being arranged to prevent a portion of the weighted cable present in the proximal portion from reaching the distal portion, and said system (1) further comprising a cable passage detector having a detection axis level with the trapping device (626).

2. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the securing cable (5) and the fork-type guide device (61) are made of electrically conductive materials.

3. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mast further comprises a securing cable capture device (63) arranged between the guide device (621) and the winding drum winch (642).

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the securing cable (5) has distance data inscribed along the securing cable (5) and wherein the mast comprises a reader (645) for said distance data.

5. System according to the preceding claim, further comprising a motor (643) for rotating the winding drum winch (642) and a controller configured to drive the motor on the basis of data read by the reader (645).

6. Method for securing an aerostat (2) to a receiving structure (3), implemented in a system according to any one of the preceding system claims, comprising the following steps, after releasing the securing cable (5) weighted by the aerostat: - guiding of the securing cable by the fork of the system having two branches (624, 625), - positioning the securing cable in the winding drum winch (642) comprising the slot (644) for winding the cable (5), and - rotating the winding drum winch (642).