Device for recovering an underwater vehicle

Abstract

Device for recovering an underwater vehicle The recovery device (4) comprises: a device (8) for receiving the underwater vehicle (6) comprising a receiving tray, a ramp (10), said receiving device (8) being movable in translation on said ramp (10) between a recovery position capable of engaging under the underwater vehicle (6), and an extraction position, the receiving tray being movable in rotation relative to the ramp (10) between an engagement position, in which the receiving tray extends in an engagement direction (E), and a blocking position, in which said receiving tray is folded towards the ramp (10) so as to form with said ramp (10) a cradle for holding the underwater vehicle (6). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for recovering an underwater vehicle

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for recovering an underwater vehicle for bringing said underwater vehicle back on board a naval vessel.

[0002] The invention also relates to a naval vessel comprising such a recovery device.

[0003] The invention applies for example to the recovery of a torpedo, in particular a practice torpedo fired by a naval vessel during a military exercise.

[0004] In this context, it is known to recover fired torpedoes so that they can be reused during subsequent exercises and / or in order to recover information on the behavior of the torpedo if the latter is equipped with sensors and data recording means.

[0005] The recovery operation generally involves several operators responsible for approaching the torpedo on board a small boat, such as a zodiac, in order to hook a cable connected to a crane provided on the naval vessel on board which the torpedo is to be raised. One or more divers may also intervene, particularly if the torpedo is not on the surface. The crane then lifts the torpedo by pulling the cable to a height greater than that of the deck of the naval vessel and brings the torpedo back onto the deck where other operators take charge of it to bring it back to a storage location on board the naval vessel.

[0006] This operation, in addition to involving a large number of operators, cannot be carried out in rough seas. Thus, such an operation is carried out for seas of force less than or equal to 3 on the Douglas scale, corresponding to troughs less than or equal to 1.25 meters, but cannot take place for seas of force 4. Indeed, the recovery operation includes phases in which the torpedo is suspended, rough seas lead to risks of strong swaying of the torpedo likely to damage it and / or the naval vessel on which it is raised, or even to injure a nearby operator.

[0007] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a device for recovering an underwater vehicle which can be used with few personnel involved and which can be used in rough seas, for example force 4 on the Douglas scale.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a device for recovering an underwater vehicle for bringing said underwater vehicle back on board a naval vessel, said recovery device comprising at least: - a device for receiving the underwater vehicle comprising a platform for receiving the underwater vehicle, - a ramp extending in a lifting direction between a lower end, intended to be at least partly submerged, and an upper end, intended to be out of the water, said receiving device being movable in translation on said ramp between a recovery position, in which said receiving device extends in the vicinity of the lower end of the ramp and is capable of engaging under the submerged underwater vehicle, and an extraction position, in which said receiving device extends in the vicinity of the upper end of the ramp,

[0009] the receiving plate being movable in rotation relative to the ramp between an engagement position, in which the receiving plate extends in an engagement direction and releases access to the underwater vehicle towards the ramp in said engagement direction, and a locking position,in which said receiving tray is folded towards the ramp so as to form with said ramp a cradle for holding the underwater vehicle.

[0010] The recovery device according to the invention can be used without requiring the intervention of operators outside the naval vessel on board which the underwater vehicle is to be raised. Furthermore, the lifting of the underwater vehicle does not include a phase in which the underwater vehicle is suspended. Thus, there is no risk of dangerous swinging of the underwater vehicle during its recovery, which makes the use of the recovery device compatible with rough seas, in particular corresponding to a sea state less than or equal to 4 on the Douglas scale, corresponding to troughs less than or equal to 2.5 meters.

[0011] The recovery device according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically conceivable combination: - the receiving plate is formed of a plurality of branches each extending in the engagement direction when the receiving device is in the engagement position, the branches being spaced apart from each other in a direction of extension of the underwater vehicle, said extension direction being substantially perpendicular to the engagement direction and to the lifting direction when said receiving device is in the engagement position; - the receiving device further comprises two stop elements extending on either side of the receiving plate in the direction of extension, each stop element being movable in rotation about an axis extending in the direction of extension between a retracted position, in in which the stop element releases access to the receiving tray in the extension direction, and a deployed position, in which the stop element blocks said access to the receiving tray in the extension direction. - the receiving device further comprises an element for blocking the underwater vehicle in the lifting direction, said blocking element being movable between a retracted position, in which the blocking element is spaced from the receiving tray, and a blocking position, in which the blocking element extends opposite the receiving tray in the lifting direction so that the underwater vehicle extends between the receiving tray and the blocking element. - the recovery device comprises a device for gripping an underwater vehicle, said gripping device extending opposite the upper end of the ramp and being arranged to grip the underwater vehicle arranged in the holding cradle when the receiving device is in the extraction position and to move said underwater vehicle from said holding cradle to a storage space for said underwater vehicle. - the gripping device comprises at least one gripper mounted movable in translation on at least one rail extending between the ramp and the storage space, said gripper being movable on the rail between a gripping position, in which the gripper extends opposite the receiving device in the extraction position to be able to grip an underwater vehicle, and a storage position, in which the gripper extends opposite the storage space to place the underwater vehicle in said storage space. - the recovery device comprises a cutting pliers extending in the vicinity of the lower end of the ramp, said cutting pliers being arranged to cut a guide wire of an underwater vehicle placed on the reception platform in the recovery position. - the ramp is slidably mounted on a frame, intended to be fixed to a hull of the naval building, the ramp moving in the lifting direction to allow the height of the ramp to be adjusted.

[0012] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a naval vessel comprising a hull and a recovery device as described above, in which the ramp of said recovery device is mounted along an external wall of the hull, the lifting direction corresponding to a direction of elevation of said hull, the recovery device being arranged to recover an underwater vehicle in the vicinity of the naval vessel and to raise said underwater vehicle on board said naval vessel.

[0013] According to an optional feature of the naval vessel, the recovery device is removably mounted on the hull of the naval vessel. Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0014] [Fig.l] - [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective representation of a part of a naval vessel comprising a recovery device according to the invention,

[0015] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a schematic representation seen from the front of the device for re recovery of [Fig.l], the receiving device being in a recovery position,

[0016] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a schematic side view of the recovery device operation of [Fig.2], and

[0017] [Fig.4][Fig.5][Fig.6][Fig.7][Fig.8] - Figs. 4 to 8 are schematic representations matics of the recovery device of [Fig.l] during different stages of recovery of an underwater vehicle.

[0018] With reference to [Fig.l], a naval vessel 1 is described comprising a hull 2 ​​and a recovery device 4 for an underwater vehicle 6. The naval vessel 1 is for example a military naval vessel, such as a frigate or the like. The underwater vehicle 6 is for example a torpedo, in particular a training torpedo. It is however understood that the invention can be applied to the recovery of other types of underwater vehicles, such as an underwater drone, a diving thruster or the like. The recovery device 4 is arranged to allow the recovery of the underwater vehicle 6 when it is submerged or floating on the surface and to bring the underwater vehicle 6 back on board the naval vessel 1 by passing it over the hull 2.

[0019] For this purpose, the recovery device 4 comprises at least one receiving device 8 for the underwater vehicle 6, and a ramp 10, on which the recovery device 4 can move in a lifting direction L. The lifting direction L corresponds to the direction of elevation of the hull 2 ​​of the naval vessel 1 and is for example a substantially vertical direction on a calm sea.

[0020] The receiving device 8 is arranged to receive the underwater vehicle 6 in order to transport it from the water in which it is placed on board the naval vessel 1. The receiving device 8 thus comprises a receiving platform capable of supporting the underwater vehicle 6 in the lifting direction L without the latter tipping off the receiving platform during its movement on board the naval vessel 1. The dimensions of the receiving platform are thus adapted so that the entire underwater vehicle 6 rests on the receiving platform when the receiving device 8 is in place to recover the underwater vehicle 6, as will be described in more detail later. Thus, the receiving platform has, in a direction of extension of the underwater vehicle 6, a length greater than or equal to the dimension of the underwater vehicle 6 according to its direction of extension. The direction of extension in the case of a torpedo corresponds for example to the length of the torpedo, as visible in [Fig.2]. The width of the receiving tray is for example several times greater than the diameter of a torpedo in order to ensure good support of the torpedo when it rests on the receiving tray, as visible in [Fig.3]. In addition, such a width allows the receiving tray to receive larger underwater vehicles, such as an underwater drone for example.

[0021] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the receiving tray is formed of a plurality of branches 12 each extending along the width of the receiving tray and spaced apart from each other along the length of the receiving tray. Each branch 12 extends between an end secured to a body 14 and a free end 16 spaced apart from the body 14 along the direction of the width of the receiving tray. Between its ends, each branch 12 has for example a substantially curved shape so as to have a concavity facing the ramp 10. More particularly, the free end 16 is for example straightened relative to the rest of the branch 12, as more particularly visible in [Fig. 3], so that the receiving tray comprises a raised edge capable of retaining an underwater vehicle on the receiving tray along the direction of the width of the receiving tray.Providing a platform formed from several spaced-apart branches 12 facilitates the movement of the platform in the water and the recovery maneuvers of the underwater vehicle 6, as will be described later.

[0022] The body 14 of the receiving tray has an elongated shape along the length of the tray, corresponding to the direction of extension of the underwater vehicle 6. The body 14 defines a stop surface 18 extending opposite the free end 16 of the branches 12 and against which an underwater vehicle 6 can bear when it is received by the receiving tray. According to one embodiment, the body 14 comprises sections of foam forming a padding of the body 14 so that the underwater vehicle 6 is not damaged by coming into contact with the stop surface 18. According to one embodiment, the body 14 is also provided with a plurality of flanges 20 spaced apart from each other along the direction of extension and extending projecting from the stop surface 18 so as to extend the latter.Each flange 20 has, for example, a shape adapted to the type of underwater vehicle 6 to be recovered so that the docking of the underwater vehicle 6 against the abutment surface 18 is done without risk of damaging the underwater vehicle 6 and / or so as to ensure that the underwater vehicle 6 is held on the receiving device 8. Thus, the shape of the flange 20 is, for example, substantially complementary to a part of the underwater vehicle 6 to be recovered in order to match it when the underwater vehicle 6 is placed on the receiving platform.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the receiving device 8 further comprises two stop elements 22 extending on either side of the receiving tray in the direction of the length of the tray, corresponding to the direction of extension of the underwater vehicle 6. The stop elements 22 are arranged to block the movement of the underwater vehicle 6 in the direction of extension when it is received by the receiving tray, as shown in [Fig. 2]. Each stop element 22 is for example formed by a plurality of branches 24 extending in the direction of the width of the tray, from the body 14 to the free end 16 of the branches 12. The branches 24 of each stop element 22 are spaced apart from each other in a direction of elevation corresponding to the lifting direction L when the stop element 22 is in the deployed position, as will now be described.Each stop element 22 is in fact movable between a retracted position, shown in Figs. 4 to 8 for the stop element 22 located on the left in these figures, and a deployed position, shown in Figs. 4 to 8 for the stop element 22 located on the right in these figures. In the retracted position, the stop element 22 frees access to the receiving tray in the extension direction, that is to say that the stop element 22 is moved away from the tray in the extension direction so as not to obstruct the passage of an object on the tray in the extension direction. In the deployed position, the stop element 22 blocks access to the receiving tray in the extension direction, i.e. the stop element 22 extends in the vicinity of the tray in the extension direction and prevents an object extending on the tray from moving beyond this stop element in the extension direction.The stop elements 22 are rotatable between their retracted position and their deployed position about an axis of rotation extending in the direction of extension. More particularly, the stop elements 22 are mounted rotatable on the ends of the body 14 in the direction of extension and the axis of rotation passes through the body 14 in the direction of elongation thereof. According to one embodiment, each stop element 22 comprises a float 26 facilitating the movement of the receiving device 8 when the underwater vehicle 6 is brought back on board the naval vessel 1, as will be described later.

[0024] The body 4 is mounted on a carriage 28 arranged to cooperate with the ramp 10 to allow the movement of the receiving device 8 on the ramp 10, as will be described later.

[0025] The receiving device 8 described above is for example removable in order to allow its various constituent elements to be adapted to the underwater vehicle 6 to be received. Thus, by way of example, the branches 12 of the receiving tray, the flanges 20 and the like can be replaced to change their shape and / or dimensions depending on the underwater vehicle 6 to be recovered.

[0026] The ramp 10 extends in the lifting direction L between a lower end 30 and an upper end 32. When the recovery device 4 is mounted on the hull 2, the ramp 10 extends along an external wall of the hull 2, the lifting direction L corresponding to the elevation direction of the hull 2, as shown in [Fig.l]. In other words, the ramp 10 extends outside the naval building L. The lower end 30 of the ramp 10 then extends opposite a lower part of the hull 2 ​​or under it while being immersed in water. The upper end 32 extends above the upper end of the hull 2, i.e. above the deck of the naval vessel 1, and at the level of a gripping device 34 of the underwater vehicle 6, which will be described in more detail later.

[0027] The ramp 10 is arranged to receive the receiving device 8 in a manner capable of moving in translation along the lifting direction L in order to guide the latter between the lower end 30 and the upper end 32 of the ramp 10. For this purpose, the ramp 10 comprises at least one guide element 35, for example formed by a groove, extending along the lifting direction L between the lower end 30 and the upper end 32 and cooperating with a portion of the receiving device 8 to guide the latter along the lifting direction L when the receiving device 8 is moved. More particularly, according to the embodiment shown in the figures, the guide element 35 cooperates with the carriage 28 of the receiving device 8, a portion of the carriage 28 being received in the groove forming the guide element 36.According to one embodiment, the ramp 10 forms a frame comprising two grooves extending in the lifting direction L, the two grooves being turned towards each other and receiving two lateral edges of the carriage 28 in order to guide the movement of the latter in the lifting direction L.

[0028] The receiving device 8 is thus movable on the ramp 10 in the lifting direction L between a recovery position (Figs. 1 to 5), in which the receiving device 8 extends at the lower end 30 of the ramp 10 and is able to engage under the submerged underwater vehicle 6, and an extraction position ([Fig. 6]), in which said receiving device extends at the upper end 32 of the ramp 10 so that the underwater vehicle 6 can be grasped by the gripping device 34. The movement of the receiving device 8 between the recovery position and the extraction position is actuated by an actuating device 36 connected to the carriage 28 of the receiving device 8 and arranged to move the receiving device 8 along the ramp 10.The actuating device 36 is for example formed by a chain hoist arranged in the vicinity of the upper end 32 of the ramp 10 and whose chain 38 is connected to the carriage 28 in order to lift the carriage 28 and the rest of the receiving device 8 when the chain hoist is actuated. A device for controlling the actuating device 36 and the other actuable elements of the receiving device . Operation 4 is for example planned on board naval vessel 1 so that an operator can control the operations of recovery device 4.

[0029] The receiving plate of the receiving device 8 is furthermore movable in rotation relative to the ramp 10 around an axis of rotation extending in the direction of extension between an engagement position, shown in Figs. 1 to 4, and a locking position, shown in Figs. 5 to 8.

[0030] In the engagement position, the receiving tray of the receiving device 8 extends in an engagement direction, spaced from the ramp 10, so that the receiving device 8 can be engaged under the underwater vehicle 6. In other words, in the engagement position, the receiving tray frees access to the underwater vehicle 6 towards the ramp 10 in the engagement direction. The engagement direction is for example substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction L. By substantially perpendicular, it is meant that the angle between the engagement direction E and the lifting direction L is between 80° and 120°. In the engagement position, the width of the receiving tray extends in the engagement direction E so that an underwater vehicle can engage on the receiving tray from the free ends 16 of the branches 12 of the receiving tray.

[0031] In the locking position, the receiving tray is folded towards the ramp 10 so as to form a cradle with the ramp 10 to receive and lock the underwater vehicle 6 in the receiving device 8, as more particularly visible in Figs. 5 and 6. In this position, a part of the receiving tray extends opposite the ramp 10, substantially parallel to the latter, so that the underwater vehicle 6 is retained in the direction of engagement between the receiving tray 8 and the ramp 10. In this position, the underwater vehicle rests for example on the stop surface 18 of the receiving device 8 in the lifting direction L, in particular on the flanges 20 arranged to receive the underwater vehicle 6. Thus, in the locking position of the receiving tray, the underwater vehicle 6 can be moved in the lifting direction without risk of being extracted from the receiving device 8.This retention is further improved by placing at least one or both of the stop elements 22 in the deployed position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0032] The movement of the rotating receiving tray is for example controlled by a jack 40, more particularly visible in [Fig.2], and controlled by the control device of the recovery device 4. This jack 40 is for example arranged between the carriage 28 and the receiving tray in order to move the rotating receiving tray relative to the carriage 28 and therefore relative to the ramp 10.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the receiving device 8 further comprises at least one locking element 42 of the underwater vehicle 6 in the lifting direction L. The locking element 42 is movable between a retracted position, in which the locking element 42 is spaced from the receiving tray, and a locking position, in which the locking element 42 extends opposite the receiving tray in the lifting direction L so that the underwater vehicle 6 extends in the lifting direction L between the receiving tray and the locking element 42. Such a locking element 42 makes it possible to hold the underwater vehicle 6 on the receiving tray when the underwater vehicle 6 is received on the receiving tray while the receiving tray is in the engagement position before the receiving tray is moved to the locking position. Thus, it is prevented that the underwater vehicle 6 can be extracted from the receiving tray when it has been received on the tray but before the underwater vehicle 6 is blocked in the cradle formed by the receiving tray and the ramp 10.The locking element 42 is for example actuated between its retracted position and its deployed position by a hand pump operated on board the naval vessel 1.

[0034] The gripping device 34 makes it possible to recover the underwater vehicle 6 when it has been removed from the water by the receiving device 8 and when the receiving device 8 is in the extraction position in order to move the underwater vehicle 6 to a storage space 44. For this purpose, the gripping device 34 comprises at least one clamp 46 mounted movably on at least one rail 48 extending between the ramp 10 and the storage space 44. The clamp 46 is movable on the rail 48 and enters a gripping position (Figs. 6 and 7), in which the clamp 46 extends opposite the receiving device 8 in the extraction position in order to be able to grip the underwater vehicle 6 held by the receiving device 8, and a storage position (Figs. 3 to 5 and 8), in which the clamp 46 extends opposite the storage space 44 to place the underwater vehicle 6 in the storage space 44.The direction in which the rail 48 extends is for example substantially perpendicular to the lifting direction L and the rail 48 extends above the hull 2. Indeed, the clamp 46 extends above the water in the gripping position, while the storage space 44 extends above or on the deck of the naval building 1, as shown in [Fig. 1].

[0035] The clamp 46 has a profile adapted to grip a portion of the underwater vehicle 6. Thus, for the case of a torpedo, the clamp 46 has for example a circular arc profile substantially complementary to a portion of the section of the section in a tightened configuration of the clamp 46, in which the clamp 46 grips a portion of the torpedo. The clamp 46 is for example interchangeable in order to allow it to be adapted to the type of underwater vehicle 6 to be recovered. The clamp 46 is movable in a loosened configuration in which the clamp 46 can be placed around a portion of the underwater vehicle 6, before being tightened to grip the underwater vehicle 6, and in which the clamp releases the underwater vehicle 6 once it has been transported into the storage space 44.

[0036] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the gripping device 34 comprises two clamps 46 each mounted on a rail 48 in order to grip the underwater vehicle 6 at different locations thereof, for example in its direction of extension. The rails 48 extend parallel to each other. It is understood that depending on the dimensions of the underwater vehicle 6, more or fewer clamps 46 and corresponding rails 48 may be provided.

[0037] To allow the underwater vehicle 6 to be placed in the clamp(s) 46 when the receiving device 8 is in the extraction position, the height of the ramp 10 can also be adjustable in order to bring the receiving device 8 closer to the gripping device 34 when the latter is in the gripping position, as shown in [Fig. 6]. For this purpose, the ramp 10 is for example slidably mounted on a chassis 50, itself fixed to the hull 2. The ramp 10 is thus movable in the lifting direction L so as to modify the position of the lower 30 and upper 32 ends relative to the hull 2. This embodiment also makes it possible to modify the depth of the lower 30 end, for example if the underwater vehicle 6 must be recovered at a greater depth.

[0038] The storage space 44 may be provided to accommodate and maintain one or more underwater vehicles 6, as visible in Figs. 1 and 8. For this purpose, the storage space 44 is for example provided with means 52 for maintaining and separating the underwater vehicles 6, such as bearings provided on a storage platform and pads for separating adjacent underwater vehicles 6.

[0039] The recovery device 4 described above is for example entirely removable from the hull 2 ​​of the naval vessel 1 and can be installed on the hull 2 ​​only when one or more underwater vehicles 6. In other words, the recovery device 4 is removably mounted on the hull 2 ​​of the naval vessel 1.

[0040] The operation of the recovery device 4 described above will now be described during an operation to recover an underwater vehicle 6. This operation can be carried out without requiring the launching of a small boat and / or divers, which makes it possible in rough seas, for example less than or equal to 4 on the Douglas scale.

[0041] The recovery device 4 is first mounted on the hull 2 ​​of the naval vessel 1. The naval vessel 1 approaches the underwater vehicle 6 in the water which is either completely submerged or on the surface of the water. During this approach, the reception device 8 is moved on the ramp 10 to be in the recovery position at a depth corresponding to that of the underwater vehicle 6. The reception tray is further placed in the engagement position.

[0042] Naval vessel 1 then maneuvers so that underwater vehicle 6 is placed on the receiving tray, for example by moving the naval vessel 1 in the engagement direction E. This movement is for example carried out until the underwater vehicle 6 reaches the stop surface 18 of the body 14 of the receiving device 8. If necessary, the blocking element 42 is then moved into the blocking position. The stop element(s) 22 are further moved into their deployed position, as shown in [Fig.4]. The stop element 22 located opposite the propeller of the underwater vehicle 6, when it comprises one, is particularly moved to the deployed position, while the other stop element 22 can be left in the retracted position so as not to interfere with the propeller. In the case of a wire-guided torpedo, the recovery device 4 may further comprise a cutting pliers (not shown) extending in the vicinity of the lower end 30 of the ramp 10.The cutting pliers are then arranged to cut the guide wire of the torpedo placed on the receiving tray in the recovery position in order to release the torpedo from the naval vessel which fired this torpedo.

[0043] The receiving tray is then moved from the engagement position to the locking position in order to lock the underwater vehicle 6 in the receiving device 8, as shown in [Fig. 5], then the actuating device 36 is actuated to move the receiving device 8 along the ramp 10 to its extraction position, in which the underwater vehicle 6 extends opposite the gripping device 34. If necessary, the ramp 10 is moved relative to the chassis 50 to place the underwater vehicle 6 in the gripping device 34, as shown in [Fig. 6].

[0044] The clamp(s) 46 are then tightened in their tightening configuration to retain the underwater vehicle 6 and release it from the receiving device 8, as shown in [Fig.7]. To effect this release, the ramp 10 is for example lowered relative to the ramp 10, possibly having moved the receiving plate to its engagement position so that it does not interfere with the underwater vehicle 6.

[0045] The clamp(s) 46 are then moved along the rail(s) 48 to move the underwater vehicle 6 to its storage space 44 where the clamp(s) 46 are then loosened to release the underwater vehicle 6, as shown in [Fig.8]. Operators then optionally put holding and separating means 52 in place to ensure that the underwater vehicle 6 is locked in the storage space 44.

[0046] As indicated previously, the use of the recovery device 4 can be done with only operators on board the naval vessel, which simplifies the operations of recovering underwater vehicles 6 and makes them compatible with rough seas.

Claims

1.

2.

3. Claims Recovery device (4) for an underwater vehicle (6) for bringing said underwater vehicle (6) aboard a naval vessel (1), said recovery device comprising at least: - a receiving device (8) for the underwater vehicle (6) comprising a receiving tray for the underwater vehicle (6), - a ramp (10) extending in a lifting direction (L) between a lower end (30), intended to be at least partly submerged, and an upper end (32), intended to be out of the water, said receiving device (8) being movable in translation on said ramp (10) between a recovery position, in which said receiving device (8) extends in the vicinity of the lower end (30) of the ramp (10) and is capable of engaging under the submerged underwater vehicle (6), and an extraction position, in which said receiving device (8) extends in the vicinity of the upper end (32) of the ramp (10), the receiving tray being movable in rotation relative to the ramp (10) between an engagement position, in which the receiving tray extends in an engagement direction (E) and frees access to the underwater vehicle (6) towards the ramp (10) in said engagement direction (E), and a locking position, in which said receiving tray is folded towards the ramp (10) so as to form with said ramp (10) a cradle for holding the underwater vehicle (6). Recovery device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving tray is formed of a plurality of branches (12) each extending in the engagement direction (E) when the receiving device (8) is in the engagement position, the branches (12) being spaced apart from each other in a direction of extension of the underwater vehicle (6), said direction of extension being substantially perpendicular to the engagement direction (E) and to the lifting direction (L) when said receiving device (8) is in the engagement position. A recovery device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving device (8) further comprises two stop elements (22) extending on either side of the receiving tray in the direction of extension, each stop element (22) being movable in rotation about an axis extending in the direction of extension between a retracted position, in which the stop element (22) frees access to the receiving tray in the direction of extension, and a deployed position, in which the stop element (22) blocks said access to the receiving tray in the direction of extension.

4. A recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiving device (8) further comprises a blocking element (42) for blocking the underwater vehicle (6) in the lifting direction (L), said blocking element (42) being movable between a retracted position, in which the blocking element (42) is spaced from the receiving tray, and a blocking position, in which the blocking element (42) extends opposite the receiving tray in the lifting direction (L) so that the underwater vehicle (6) extends between the receiving tray and the blocking element (42).

5. A recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a gripping device (34) for an underwater vehicle (6), said gripping device (34) extending opposite the upper end (32) of the ramp (10) and being arranged to grip the underwater vehicle (6) arranged in the holding cradle when the receiving device (8) is in the extraction position and to move said underwater vehicle from said holding cradle to a storage space (44) of said underwater vehicle (6).

6. A recovery device according to claim 5, wherein the gripping device (34) comprises at least one clamp (46) mounted movable in translation on at least one rail (48) extending between the ramp (10) and the storage space (44), said clamp (46) being movable on the rail (48) between a gripping position, in which the clamp (46) extends opposite the receiving device (8) in the extraction position to be able to grip an underwater vehicle (6), and a storage position, in which the clamp (46) extends opposite the storage space (44) to place the underwater vehicle (6) in said storage space (44).

7. A recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a cutting pliers extending in the vicinity of the lower end (30) of the ramp (10), said cutting pliers being arranged to cut a guide wire of an underwater vehicle (6) placed on the receiving tray in the recovery position.

8. A recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ramp (10) is slidably mounted on a frame (50), intended to be fixed on a hull (2) of the naval vessel (1), the ramp moving in the lifting direction (L) to allow adjustment of the height of the ramp (10).

9. Naval vessel (1) comprising a hull (2) and a recovery device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the ramp (10) of said recovery device (4) is mounted along an external wall of the hull (2), the lifting direction (L) corresponding to a direction of elevation of said hull (2), the recovery device (4) being arranged to recover an underwater vehicle (6) in the vicinity of the naval vessel (1) and to raise said underwater vehicle (6) on board said naval vessel (1).

10. Naval vessel according to claim 9, wherein the recovery device (4) is removably mounted on the hull (2) of the naval vessel (1).

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