Equipment for detecting and geolocating containers that have fallen overboard

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for detecting the fall of a container that has fallen overboard and for geolocating the container, the device comprising: an electronic box (2) and means for removably attaching the electronic box to the external part of the container, the electronic box (2) comprising means for detecting the fall of the container, a control unit (4) arranged to control the removable attachment means and disconnect the electronic box (2) from the external part of the container if the fall of the container is detected, a floating device (10) for making the electronic box float on the water, a geolocation module (6), data communication means (7) and means (2) for supplying power to the control unit (4), the device (1) also comprising a tether for maintaining the electronic box (2) permanently connected to the container (100, 200) when the container is released at the electronic box. Thus, the device makes it possible to detect the fall of a container that has fallen into the sea and to transmit its geolocation in order to tow it.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for detecting and geolocating containers that have fallen overboard while being transported by sea. Background Art

[0002] Currently, shipping goods by sea accounts for more than 80% of world trade. However, a large number of containers are lost at sea, with an estimated 10,000 containers lost each year.

[0003] The causes of such losses vary and are of course proportional to the number of containers transported per container ship, which are increasingly being constructed to increase their transport capacity. Among the causes of these losses, adverse weather conditions are primarily involved. Poor loading and the state of the container ship are also aggravating factors.

[0004] Often referred to as UFOs (Unidentified Floating Objects), the dangers and consequences of these lost containers drifting are always of great concern and can prove to be severe and serious. The most obvious danger is collision between the container and the ship and of course, depending on the toxicity of the material being transported, there can also be contamination of the seabed and coast.

[0005] Today, container geolocation devices are available. In most cases, they are in the form of beacons that are attached to the inside of the container and have means to transmit their location via a terrestrial or satellite network, such as a GPS module and transmitter or antenna. Many are intended to transmit data other than geolocation, such as the temperature inside the containers, their transit time, or precise details of the shipment. Other container geolocation devices are designed to be attached to the outside of the container, in the area of ​​one of the walls.

[0006] The proposed devices are not completely satisfactory in the event of a container falling overboard. This is because, depending on the position of the container in the water, these devices are no longer able to transmit their position, since the transmitter is located underwater and cannot transmit. In addition, in many cases it would be useful to receive geolocation data only when the container has fallen overboard, rather than continuously.

[0007] Finally, the device for detecting and geolocating containers that have been out of the ship should also be capable of being attached to the container without damaging the structure, i.e. without piercing the walls, or interfering with opening or handling. Summary of the invention

[0008] An object of the present invention is to propose a device for detecting and geolocating containers that have fallen overboard while being transported by sea, which device does not have the disadvantages of the devices of the prior art, and in particular enables the effective and reliable detection of the fall of a container while it is being transported, as well as its geolocation, which device is capable of transmitting information, in particular geolocation information, throughout the period of recovering the container, and which device can be installed without damaging the container or interfering with its opening or handling.

[0009] To this end, a device for detecting the fall of a container that has fallen overboard and for geolocating the container is proposed, the device comprising:

[0010] An electronic box and means for removably attaching the electronic box to the external part of the container, the electronic box comprising means for detecting the fall of the container, a control unit designed to control the removable detaching means and disconnect the electronic box from the external part of the container if the fall of the container is detected, a flotation device for floating the electronic box on a body of water, a geolocation module, data communication means and means for supplying power to the control unit, the device also comprising means for maintaining a permanent connection between the electronic box and the container when the electronic box is disconnected from the container.

[0011] The device according to the invention is therefore designed to be attached to a container intended to be transported by sea. Thanks to its removable attachment means, and in the event of a fall of the container, the electronic box is separated from the container and thus floats in the vicinity of the container, to which it remains attached by means of a link. In this floating state, the device can transmit data and therefore geolocation data (latitude; longitude).

[0012] Thus, the device can transmit its coordinates regardless of which side of the container it is initially attached to, and regardless of whether that side is underwater or submerged, unlike prior art devices.

[0013] Advantageously, the connection between the electronics box and the container is in the form of one or more cables of predetermined length.

[0014] According to a first embodiment, the removable attachment device comprises two hooks extending on either side of the electronic box, each hook comprising a portion of a locking rod capable of at least partially surrounding the door of the container so as to hold the device between the two locking rods, at least one of the hooks being alternately controlled by the control unit to retract or extend so as to hold the electronic box between the locking rods or to release the portion of the locking rod.

[0015] According to this embodiment, the cable is attached to one of the locking levers by one end thereof and to the electronic box by the other end.

[0016] According to a second embodiment, the device comprises an electromagnet attached to the electronic box and a base designed to be attached to the wall of the container by adhesion and / or magnetization, the electromagnet being controlled by the control unit to generate attraction between the electronic box and the base or to break said attraction, thereby forming the removable connection means.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the cable is attached to the base by one end thereof and to the electronic box by the other end.

[0018] Advantageously, said means for detecting a fall of said container comprises an accelerometer.

[0019] Preferably, it is a three-axis accelerometer.

[0020] Again preferably, said means for detecting a fall of said container further comprises at least one other parameter sensor, such as a gyroscope, an inertial sensor, a vibration sensor, a velocity sensor, an inclinometer, a pressure sensor, a salinity sensor or a liquid sensor, or a combination of two or more of said sensors.

[0021] Advantageously, said means for detecting a fall of said container comprises an accelerometer and a tilt detector.

[0022] Advantageously, the communication means comprises one or more antennas, which are preferably attached to the floating device.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the flotation device is an inflatable structure, which is accommodated in or on the electronic box in a deflated state, and the inflation of the inflatable structure is controlled by the control unit.

[0024] According to another embodiment, the flotation device is a housing or casing, and the electronic box is housed within the housing or casing.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the device comprises means for detecting tampering of the device, said means preferably consisting of a magnetic alarm or an alarm comprising a magnet.

[0026] The invention also relates to a method for detecting the fall of a container that has fallen overboard and for geolocating said container by means of a device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising the following steps:

[0027] - mounting said device on an external part of a container,

[0028] - monitoring, by said control unit, acceleration data provided by the accelerometer and comparing this data with a predetermined threshold value,

[0029] - determining the falling state of the container by the control unit,

[0030] - when the acceleration value is higher than the predetermined threshold, the control unit controls the electronic box to be disconnected from the external part of the container,

[0031] - deploying a link maintaining a permanent connection between said electronic box of said equipment and said container, and

[0032] - The sending of said geo-positioning data is controlled by said control unit.

[0033] Advantageously, the method further comprises the step of inflating the flotation device after or while the electronics box is disconnected from the external part of the container.

[0034] Advantageously, the method further comprises monitoring, by the control unit, the value of a parameter provided by an inclinometer, a gyroscope, an inertial sensor, a vibration sensor, a velocity sensor, an inclinometer, a pressure sensor, a salinity sensor or a liquid sensor or a combination of two or more of said sensors and comparing such data with predetermined values.

[0035] Advantageously again, the electronic box is controlled by the control unit to be disconnected from the external part of the container when the value of at least one parameter other than the value of the acceleration indicates a fall of the container.

[0036] Advantageously, the method further comprises the step of determining, by the control unit, a breach of the device and the step of controlling, by the control unit, the sending of an alarm message. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The above-mentioned features of the present invention as well as other features will become more apparent upon reading the following description of exemplary embodiments, which description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] Figure 1 is a front view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus being mounted on a container,

[0039] Figure 2 is a front view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus being mounted on a container,

[0040] Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of an electronic box of a device according to the invention,

[0041] Figure 4 is a side view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus being mounted on a container,

[0042] Figure 5 is a side view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention, separated from a container when falling,

[0043] Figure 6 is a plan view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus being mounted on a container,

[0044] Figure 7 is a plan view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, which is detached from a container when it falls,

[0045] Figure 8 is a plan view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention, which is detached from a container when it falls,

[0046] Fig. 9 is a view showing a device floating after a fall according to one or the other of the first and second embodiments, and

[0047] Fig.10 is a view showing the apparatus after the container according to one or the other of the first and second embodiments has once sunk. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Containers 100 and 200 are shown which are intended to be transported by sea on a container ship. An apparatus 1 for detecting and geolocating a container falling overboard according to the present invention is attached to each of the containers 100 and 200.

[0049] Thus, the device 1 is intended to detect a container falling overboard and into the sea and then provide an alert and geolocation information to a person on land or sailing in an area of ​​the sea close to the geolocation of the container.

[0050] Figure 3 Shown is a method for detecting Figure 1 A block diagram of an apparatus 1 for detecting the fall of a container that has fallen overboard and for geolocating the container is shown.

[0051] The device 1 comprises an electronic box 2 including an accelerometer 3 for measuring acceleration, a control unit 4, a battery 5, a geolocation module 6 and communication means 7 for transmitting geolocation data.

[0052] Other sensors may also be provided, such as gyroscopes, inertial sensors, vibration sensors, velocity sensors, inclinometers, pressure sensors, salinity sensors or liquid sensors, or a combination of two or more of these sensors.

[0053] The device 1 further comprises means for removably attaching the device 1 to the container 100, and flotation means arranged to float the electronic box 2 on a body of water.

[0054] The control unit 4 may be a microcontroller or a microprocessor. It receives acceleration data and may detect accelerations that indicate that the container 100, 200 has fallen out of the container door into a body of water.

[0055] The control unit 4 is designed to control the removable attachment means and disconnect the device 1 from the container 100, 200 if a fall of the container 100 is detected. It also controls the flotation means designed to float the electronic box 2 on a body of water, the geolocation system 6 and the geolocation data communication means 7.

[0056] The device 1 may be mounted on any external part of the container 100, 200, for example, on a part of the wall 101 of the container 100 ( Figure 1 ) or between the locking bars 202, 203 of the container 200 ( Figure 2 ). In both cases, the device 1 does not interfere with the rotation of the locking bar and does not prevent the opening of the container 100, 200.

[0057] Thus, the device 1 is attached to the container by means of removable attachment means, Figures 4 to 8 Two variations of the removable attachment means are shown.

[0058] therefore, Figure 4 A device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown, its outline visible, of which the electronic box 2 is attached to the wall 101 of a container 100 by means of an attachment device comprising a base 8 and an electromagnet 9. The base 8 is attached by gluing or by magnetization. If the wall 101 is necessary, it cannot be perforated. The electromagnet 9 controlled by the control unit 4 maintains the attraction between the base 8 and the electronic box 2.

[0059] A flotation device, i.e. an inflatable structure 10 is attached or linked to the apparatus 1. The inflatable structure 10 is in a deflated state and is protected by a cover 11. The inflation of the inflatable structure is controlled by a control unit 4.

[0060] Alternatively, the flotation device may be a housing or casing protecting the electronic box 2 .

[0061] Figure 6A device 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown, viewed from above, whose electronic box 2 is attached between locking bars 202, 203 of a container 200 by means of attachment means comprising hooks 12 and 13. Each hook 12, 13 comprises a portion 121, 131 capable of at least partially surrounding a locking bar 202, 203, respectively, of the door of the container 200, so as to hold the device 1 between the two locking bars. At least one of the hooks 12 is actuated by the control unit 4 to retract, so as to clamp the locking bar 202.

[0062] According to this embodiment, the device 1 also comprises an inflatable structure 10 , here in a deflated state and protected by a cover 11 .

[0063] As long as the container 100 or 200 is on board the container ship, the device 1 is in a so-called "standby" state, in which, in particular, the geolocation module and the communication means are not activated. In this state, the electromagnet 9 also maintains the attachment of the electronic box 2 to the base 8 of the container 100, with the draw hooks 12 and 13 retracted around the locking bars 202 and 203 of the container 200.

[0064] The accelerometer permanently measures any acceleration experienced by the device 1 and transmits the acceleration data to the control unit 4 .

[0065] Preferably, the acceleration is measured according to a plurality of different axes. In this regard, a three-axis accelerometer is preferred.

[0066] The control unit 4 compares the acceleration data it receives with a predetermined reference threshold value. If the acceleration data item is higher than the threshold value, the control unit detects that the container has fallen into the water.

[0067] The device then enters the so-called "startup" state.

[0068] The control unit 4 then requests the electronic box 2 to be disconnected from the container 100 or 200 by means of the removable attachment means.

[0069] To this end, according to Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the first embodiment described, the attraction between the electromagnet 9 and the base 8 is interrupted by a command of the control unit 4 .

[0070] According to about Figures 6 to 8 In the second embodiment described, the hook 12 is extended on command of the control unit 4 in order to release part of the locking lever 202 .

[0071] Then, or with the electronic box 2 disconnected from the container 100 or the container 200, the control unit 4 controls the inflation of the floating device 10 by means of the striker ( Figure 5 and Figure 8).

[0072] Fig. 9 A container, such as container 100, which has fallen overboard and has fallen into the water is shown. Thus, the electronic box 2 floats on the water surface S, close to the container 100.

[0073] In order to maintain a permanent link between the electronic box 2 and the container 100 or 200, a cable 14 of a predetermined length, for example 1 to 20 meters, is provided for connecting the two.

[0074] According to the first embodiment, the cable 14 is attached to the base 8 by one end thereof and to the electronic box 2 ( Figure 5 ).

[0075] According to the second embodiment, the cable 14 is attached to one of the locking levers 202, 203 by one end thereof and to the electronic box 2 ( Figure 8 ).

[0076] The electronic box 2 thus floats on the water surface by means of the floating device 10 and is connected to the container 100 ( Fig. 9 ).

[0077] Then, either concomitantly with the disconnection of the electronic box 2 from the container 100 or 200 and with the inflation of the flotation device 10, the control unit 4 controls the geolocation module 6, receives geolocation data by means of a GPS receiver and transmits this information through the communication means 7 to a land or sea vessel moving substantially in the same geographical area.

[0078] The GPS receiver and the communication means 7 are advantageously one and the same device, for example one or more antennas 7 .

[0079] According to the invention, the antennas 7 are located on the non-submerged part of the device 1. They can be placed on the floatation device 10 or in the part of the electronics box 2 located facing the floatation device.

[0080] The antenna 7 communicates via a cellular network and / or a satellite network 300 , in particular Iridium, GLONASS or Galileo.

[0081] exist Fig. 9 In the embodiment shown in , it will be noted that the base 8 is submerged, so that if the electronic box 2 is not disconnected from the base 8 , it will not be able to transmit its geolocation data, which is itself submerged.

[0082] The transmission of geolocation data occurs continuously or at regular intervals, such as every quarter hour.

[0083] In addition to geolocation information, the communication device may transmit other information, such as the identification of the container by means of a pre-recorded identification code, or the charge level of the battery.

[0084] Other parameter sensors may be provided to reinforce or confirm that the container 100, 200 has fallen into the water ( Figure 3 ). In this case, the data obtained from these sensors, in addition to the data from the accelerometers, can be used by the control unit to detect the state of the container falling into water and to put the device into its so-called "start-up state", in which the device detaches from the container and transmits its position.

[0085] A tilt sensor, such as a gyroscope, can be used in particular to measure the tilt experienced by the device relative to the horizontal when the container falls. In this case, the control unit will detect the state of falling into water based on the values ​​measured by both the accelerometer and the tilt sensor, i.e. the acceleration and one or more angles greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0086] The gyro sensor can also be used to confirm that the container is experiencing a roll or pitch. This embodiment can be used, for example, to distinguish that the container has fallen on land rather than at sea. When a container falls on land during handling, such as on a quay, it is subject to acceleration, but then it is in a stable state and is neither subject to a roll nor a pitch. In this case, the accelerometer will effectively measure an acceleration greater than a predetermined threshold value indicating a fall. However, since the data obtained from the gyroscope does not indicate a roll or a pitch, the control unit will not detect the state of the container falling into the water and will not require the electronic box to be disconnected from the external part of the container, or the inflation of the flotation device, or the geolocation module.

[0087] In addition to the accelerometer, a liquid detector can also be used to confirm that the container is in water. It will be a liquid detector based on a capacitive sensor. This will make it possible to measure the liquid level accurately. In this case, the control unit will detect the state of falling into water based on the values ​​measured by both the accelerometer and the liquid detector, namely the acceleration and the liquid level above a predetermined threshold.

[0088] A speed sensor can also be used to know the speed at which the container is drifting. In this case, the speed data is not taken into account by the control unit for detecting the falling state, but the speed data is sent simultaneously with the geolocation data.

[0089] The device is provided with a rechargeable battery 5 having a life of several days, for example up to 15 days. Photovoltaic cells may be provided on the device 1 in order to recharge the battery 5 .

[0090] The device 1 may additionally comprise a lighting system, in particular a flasher 15, to facilitate its positioning.

[0091] Finally, the device 1 may additionally comprise an automatic identification system (AIS) to transmit to the ship a message comprising the position, identity and status of the container. Once the container is in the water, the system is controlled by the control unit 4. The AIS system comprises a transmitter which will advantageously be positioned near the antenna 7.

[0092] The container 100 may drift and float for weeks. During this time interval, the device 1 will send geolocation data to enable the container to be recovered. After these weeks, the container 100 will sink and be dragged to the seabed with the electronic box, and the electronic box 2 will stop transmitting ( Fig.10 ).

[0093] According to one embodiment of the invention, the device 1 may include means for detecting tampering, in order to detect the situation in which a person forcibly separates the device 1 from the container 100 or 200. This will be a magnetic alarm 19, according to which a magnetic field ( Figure 4 ). If the magnetic field is disrupted, the control unit 4 detects this information, which will require an alarm message to be sent. Alternatively, the alarm can be hardwired or consist of a magnet.

Claims

1. A device (1) for detecting the fall of a container (100, 200) that has fallen overboard and for geolocating the container, the device comprising: An electronic box (2) and a device for removably attaching the electronic box to the outer part of the container, the electronic box (2) comprising a device for detecting the fall of the container, a control unit (4) designed to control the removable attachment device and disconnect the electronic box (2) from the outer part of the container when the fall of the container is detected, a floating device (10) for making the electronic box float on the water surface, a geolocation module (6), a data communication device (7) and a device for supplying power to the control unit (4), the device (1) also comprising a device for maintaining the electronic box when the electronic box is disconnected from the container. A permanently connected link between the electronic box (2) and the container (100, 200), characterized in that the removable attachment device includes two hooks (12, 13) extending on both sides of the electronic box (2), each hook including a portion (121, 131) of a locking rod (202, 203) capable of at least partially surrounding the door of the container so as to hold the device (1) between the two locking rods, and at least one of the hooks (12) is alternately controlled by the control unit (4) to retract or extend so as to hold the electronic box between the two locking rods or release the portion (121, 131) of the locking rod.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The link between the electronic box (2) and the container (100, 200) is in the form of one or more cables (14) of predetermined length.

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that The cable (14) is attached to one of the locking levers (202, 203) via one end thereof and to the electronic box (2) via the other end.

4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The device comprises an electromagnet (9) attached to the electronic box (2) and a base (8) designed to be attached to the wall of the container (100) by adhesion and / or magnetization, the electromagnet (9) being controlled by the control unit (4) to generate an attractive force between the electronic box (2) and the base (8) or to disconnect the attractive force, thereby forming the removable connection device.

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The cable (14) is attached to the base (8) by one end thereof and to the electronic box (2) by the other end.

6. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The means for detecting the fall of the container comprises an accelerometer (3).

7. The device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that The device for detecting the fall of the container further comprises at least one of the following parameter sensors: a gyroscope, an inertial sensor, a vibration sensor, a velocity sensor, an inclinometer, a pressure sensor, a salinity sensor or a liquid sensor, or a combination comprising two or more of said sensors.

8. The device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The device for detecting the fall of the container comprises an accelerometer (3) and a tilt detector.

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The communication device (7) comprises one or more antennas.

10. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The floating device is an inflatable structure, which is accommodated in or on the electronic box (2) in a deflated state, and the inflation of the inflatable structure is controlled by the control unit (4).

11. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The floating device (10) is a shell or a casing, and the electronic box (2) is accommodated in the shell or the casing.

12. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The device comprises means for detecting a tampering of the device.

13. The device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that The one or more antennas are attached to the floating device (10).

14. The device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that The means for detecting tampering with the device consist of a magnetic alarm (19) or an alarm comprising a magnet.

15. A method for detecting the fall of a container (100, 200) that has fallen overboard and for geolocating the container by means of a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the method comprising the following steps: The device (1) is mounted on the outer part of the container, The control unit (4) monitors acceleration data provided by the accelerometer (3) and compares the data with a predetermined threshold value, The control unit (4) determines the falling state of the container, When the acceleration value is higher than the predetermined threshold, the control unit (4) controls the electronic box (2) to be disconnected from the external part of the container, deploying a link for maintaining a permanent connection between the electronic box (2) of the device (1) and the container, and The sending of geolocation data is controlled by the control unit (4).

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises the step of inflating the flotation device (10) after or while the electronics box (2) is disconnected from the exterior portion of the container.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The method further comprises monitoring, by the control unit (4), the value of a parameter provided by an inclinometer, a gyroscope, an inertial sensor, a vibration sensor, a velocity sensor, an inclinometer, a pressure sensor, a salinity sensor or a liquid sensor or a combination of two or more of said sensors and comparing the data with a predetermined value.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that When the value of at least one parameter other than the value of the acceleration indicates a fall of the container, the electronic box (2) is controlled by the control unit to be disconnected from the external part of the container.

19. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The method comprises the steps of determining, by the control unit (4), damage to the device and controlling, by the control unit (4), the sending of an alarm message.

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