Passenger vessel comprising at least one superstructure having structural bulkhead

Abstract

The invention relates to a passenger vessel (1) comprising at least one superstructure (3) formed by a plurality of decks (P0-P5) comprising decks (P1-P4), each deck having at least one channel (5) in the longitudinal direction, the invention relates to a system (1) comprising a plurality of aisles (5), and said aisles serving a first set of facilities (40), such as cabins located on the port side, and a second set of facilities (42), such as cabins located on the starboard side, characterized in that at least one set of facilities (40, 42) of said sets of facilities is provided with structural bulkheads (70) parallel or substantially parallel to said aisles (5), said structural bulkheads (70) being arranged between these facilities (40, 42). 42) in the space occupied by the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a passenger ship comprising at least one superstructure. Background Art

[0002] This type of ship includes a main structure defined by a hull and a first open deck, above which at least one superstructure rises, which superstructure consists in particular of a set of decks as well as longitudinal and transverse bulkheads.

[0003] Some of these longitudinal and transverse bulkheads are called "structural", i.e. they participate in bearing the main loads to which the ship is subjected, and their member dimensions are set accordingly.

[0004] The main loads to which the ship is subjected are the loads caused by the swell and the specific gravity / thrust distribution of the ship. These loads are transmitted in particular by the overall bending of the ship, whose mechanical behavior is similar to that of a composite "I" beam. The parallel flange plates of this "I" are multiple and consist of different decks and bottom plates of the ship.

[0005] In order for this composite beam to function effectively in bending, it is necessary to keep the spacing between the flange plates (or the deck height in the ship) constant, and during the bending process, these flange plates are driven in tension or compression. The function of the web of the "I" beam is to provide these basic functions.

[0006] In a ship, the maintenance of these deck heights is usually ensured by the "plates" of the hull, structural bulkheads (especially longitudinal bulkheads) and a series of pillars. All these elements together act as the web of the ship's "I" beam.

[0007] When considering the "floater" part of the ship, the function of driving the decks is naturally provided by the hull and the structural longitudinal bulkheads.

[0008] On the other hand, for the superstructure, there are two solutions.

[0009] The first is called "superstructure with participating plates (structure)" (because it is considered to participate in the structural performance of the ship's beam).

[0010] In this case, the driving of the decks is substantially provided by the "plates" (bulkheads forming the superstructure shell), which are two longitudinal structural bulkheads at the sides (starboard and / or port), acting as the web of the ship's "I" beam.

[0011] But for the superstructure of a passenger ship, the cabins must have a view and perhaps access to the outside (for example, in the form of a balcony).

[0012] For this reason, the cabin windows are integrated into the plates of the superstructure, thus forming a highly perforated ship girder. The disadvantage of this method is that the window-opening surface is necessarily limited to avoid compromising the structural function of the plates.

[0013] In addition, when the superstructure is too large, the effectiveness of the superstructure plate as the web of the ship girder is limited and insufficient. Generally, when the width of the superstructure is greater than the space of two cabins and one passageway, the solution of "superstructure with participating plates (structure)" must be supported by the presence of partially continuous internal longitudinal structural bulkheads.

[0014] The second solution is defined as "superstructure with a participating central ridge", or, contrary to the first solution, as "superstructure with non-participating plates (structure)".

[0015] Here, the central ridge ensures the driving of the superstructure deck and thus the function of the web of the ship girder.

[0016] This "central ridge" is embodied by the presence of a pair of structural bulkheads that are as continuous as possible, sufficiently spaced apart, and extend along the longitudinal axis of the ship (vertical structural bulkheads from deck to deck that bear the shear loads of the ship girder in the superstructure).

[0017] However, this central ridge creates layout constraints that need to be duly considered, because the longitudinal structural bulkheads that make it up must be as continuous as possible, i.e., have as few cutouts as possible.

[0018] Therefore, in order to limit the number of cutouts in the structural bulkheads forming this central ridge, the longitudinal bulkheads of each of the two longitudinal passageways closest to the ship's axis are usually used to form this central ridge.

[0019] In order to limit the number of openings generated in this central ridge, if necessary, transverse passageways are created to access the cabins or facilities in the central space of the superstructure bounded by the two structural bulkheads forming the central ridge. Stairs and elevators are usually arranged in this central part.

[0020] The superstructure cabins of the ship are assembled in place, bulkhead by bulkhead, or prefabricated, with the latter solution being the more common one. In the latter case, the term "prefabricated cabin" is used.

[0021] Prefabricated cabins usually include four lateral bulkheads, a ceiling, a part of the furniture, one or more internal bulkheads, a sanitary area, and optionally a floor. This prefabricated cabin is located on the deck.

[0022] The peripheral or internal bulkheads of the cabin are not structural, i.e., they do not participate in the resistance of the ship's structure.

[0023] When the prefabricated cabin has no floor, the deck serves this purpose.

[0024] These prefabricated cabins are placed at given points on the deck and then rolled longitudinally and transversely on the deck to their final positions.

[0025] The method of manufacturing and installing prefabricated cabins is well - known and common in shipbuilding because better cabin quality can be obtained and a large amount of time can be saved in manufacturing and installation, especially since these cabins come in a complete form that is sufficient to be placed on the ship's deck and then rolled to their final positions. The dimensions of prefabricated cabins are usually compatible with the "normal" road transportation of each cabin, i.e., there are no restrictions on special fleets.

[0026] These two types of ship architectures known in the prior art (superstructures with participating plates or superstructures with participating central ridges) have the advantage of allowing complete prefabricated cabins to be realized as single elements.

[0027] In fact, in these two types of ship architectures, there are no structural bulkheads within the influence range of the final position of each cabin, only struts that provide the function of transmitting loads downward between decks and maintaining the deck height.

[0028] Therefore, regardless of the solution adopted for the deck driving the superstructure (superstructure with participating plates or superstructure with participating central ridges), the provision of structural functions (participating plate structure, structural central ridge) and furnishing functions (cabins, passageways, technical facilities) remains completely separated.

[0029] The undeniable advantage of being able to dispense with the superstructure with participating plates is that it allows larger outward - looking windows to be provided for the occupants of the cabins and public facilities, in order to provide maximum clarity and transparency, as well as the best possible outward view.

[0030] However, the possibility of dispensing with the superstructure with participating plates depends on the presence of a central ridge in which the structural bulkheads forming it are sufficiently separated to provide the participating structural function. This can be expected when the superstructure is large enough.

[0031] On the other hand, for ships with a narrow superstructure geometry, where a single central passageway (which is usually installed along the axis of the ship) leads to two series of external cabins on both sides (a typical case for small - sized ships or U - shaped ships), due to the insufficient spacing between the two potential structural bulkheads (i.e., the width of the passageway), it is actually impossible to create a sufficiently effective central ridge formed by the bulkheads of the passageway.

[0032] Furthermore, the two bulkheads of the central passageway are cut very strongly to integrate the cabin doors and the technical access to the cabin sanitary areas on both sides. This very high degree of incision and the small spacing between these two passageway bulkheads do not allow the integration of an effective structural bulkhead, making this solution with a superstructure participating in the central ridge inapplicable.

[0033] In other words, this solution cannot be applied to small-sized ships or ships with several narrow superstructures, such as "U"-shaped ships, which include two narrow parallel superstructures separated by a promenade deck.

[0034] A passenger ship is described in document FR3024972A1, which includes at least one superstructure formed by a plurality of decks including decks, each deck having at least one passageway in the longitudinal direction, and said passageway serving a first set of facilities such as cabins located on the port side and a second set of facilities such as cabins located on the starboard side.

[0035] In addition, documents EP1306299B1 and KR2022 / 0120173 constitute the relevant prior art.

[0036] Taking the foregoing into account, the present invention attempts to propose a ship architecture in which the superstructure does not have a structural central ridge and a structural plate structure.

[0037] However, it should be understood that this requires re-creating the ship girder web that can ensure its structural role without damaging and modifying the current layout of the passageways, facilities, and other passenger cabins existing in this type of superstructure. Summary of the Invention

[0038] Accordingly, the present invention relates to a passenger ship including at least one superstructure formed by a plurality of decks including decks, each deck having at least one passageway in the longitudinal direction, and said passageway serving a first set of facilities (e.g., cabins located on the port side) and a second set of facilities (e.g., cabins located on the starboard side),

[0039] characterized in that at least one set of facilities of said set of facilities is provided with a structural bulkhead parallel or substantially parallel to said passageway, said structural bulkhead extending inside the space occupied by these facilities.

[0040] Due to the solution of the present invention, for a so-called narrow superstructure, the web of the ship girder (which could only be composed of perforated structural plates before) is formed by at least one bulkhead separating two different areas of a cabin or facility (usually the sleeping part and the washroom part) and / or one of the bulkheads defining the passageway, which allows large windows to be provided in the cabins or facilities of said superstructure to provide an external view.

[0041] According to other non - restrictive and advantageous features of the present invention:

[0042] - The structural bulkhead is formed by a bulkhead panel, and several structural bulkhead elements parallel or substantially parallel to the said passage are attached below the edge of the bulkhead panel;

[0043] - The length l of each of the said structural bulkhead elements in the longitudinal direction of the superstructure is less than the cumulative width of two adjacent facilities;

[0044] - The superstructure includes a second structural bulkhead parallel or substantially parallel to the said passage, and the second structural bulkhead extends within the facility located on the other side of the passage facing the facility containing the first structural bulkhead;

[0045] - The said structural bulkhead extends within the facility at a certain distance from the passage, thereby defining two spaces within the facility, and the two spaces communicate with each other;

[0046] - A part of the said bulkhead elements is pairwise associated such that they form the same structural bulkhead panel shared by two adjacent facilities in pairs;

[0047] - The structural bulkheads of each deck of the superstructure are vertically aligned;

[0048] - The said facility communicates with the outside of the superstructure through an outer non - structural dividing bulkhead;

[0049] - Each facility is composed of pre - fabricated sub - assemblies located on both sides of the said structural bulkhead, and the two sub - assemblies are formed to be assembled on the ship and form the whole of the said facility. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0051] This description is given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0052] - Figure 1a is a very schematic partial cross - sectional view of a ship in accordance with the present invention, which ship includes a single superstructure;

[0053] - Figure 1b is also a very schematic partial cross - sectional view of a ship in accordance with the present invention, which ship includes two superstructures separated by a space forming a promenade deck;

[0054] - Figure 2a is a schematic front view of a so - called "continuous" longitudinal structural bulkhead;

[0055] - Figure 2b isFigure 2a Schematic front view of a variant of a bulkhead, formed by a lower perforated structural bulkhead and an upper coaming, to jointly reconstruct the so-called "continuous" structural bulkhead;

[0056] - Figure 2c Schematic front view of another variant embodiment of the bulkhead;

[0057] - Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the configuration of the compartments contained in the ship. Detailed description of the invention

[0058] In the appended Figure 1a The ship 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings includes a hull 2 (partially visible), which is formed by a shell called "plates" 21, and its upper part is closed by a main deck 20.

[0059] The plates 21 of the hull 2 are structural and contribute to the resistance of the ship's girder.

[0060] The superstructure 3 rises above this hull. Figure 1a A cross-section of the ship from the rear to the front is shown.

[0061] This conventional structure is known in the relevant art.

[0062] Although the example shown here shows the presence of a single superstructure, as Figure 1b shown, there can be two symmetrical superstructures, separated by a space E located on the axis A of the ship.

[0063] The following description may apply only to Figure 1a the superstructure 3. However, in the case of a ship with two symmetrical superstructures, as Figure 1b shown, what is described about this superstructure 3 also applies to the two superstructures.

[0064] In Figure 1a the embodiment shown, the superstructure 3 includes six decks P0 to P5.

[0065] Among these six decks P0 to P5, each of the decks P1 to P4 is arranged in a similar manner. Thus, referring to the highest deck P4 inside the ship, a longitudinal passage 5 with axis A is identified, which on the one hand can lead to a first group of facilities 40, such as compartments located on the port side of the superstructure 3, and on the other hand can lead to a second group of facilities 42, such as compartments located on the starboard side.

[0066] Hereinafter, the reference numerals 40 and 42 will be used to indiscriminately designate facilities or compartments.

[0067] Each cabin 40, 42 has its associated balcony 41, 43 respectively. Each cabin 40, 42 is separated from the balcony 41, 43 by windows 400, 420 respectively, and the windows 400, 420 form elements of the outer bulkhead of the superstructure.

[0068] Each facility 40, 42 is separated from the longitudinal passage 5 by the bulkheads / walls 500, 510 of the passage respectively.

[0069] In Figure 1a In the illustrated embodiment, there is a structural bulkhead 70 parallel to the axis A inside each facility 40 and 42. The structural bulkhead 70 forms the web of the ship beam in the superstructure 3 without changing the existing structure of the superstructure.

[0070] In this way, a support plate for the windows 400 and 420 can be provided without the structure participating in the structural performance of the ship beam, which allows for larger openings and thus greatly helps to increase the brightness of the view from the inside to the outside of the facilities 40 and 42.

[0071] Returning again Figure 1a , as previously mentioned, the different decks of the superstructure 3 have a similar structure, such that all the structural bulkheads 70 are preferably vertically aligned, which helps to bear the load.

[0072] In addition, as shown in the same figure, the bulkhead 70 is preferably vertically aligned with the longitudinal bulkhead 22 located in the hull 2, which also contributes to the structural effect of the solution.

[0073] Now referring to Figure 2a , Figure 2b and Figure 2c describe different embodiments of the structural bulkhead 70, but not exhaustively.

[0074] For reasons of construction cost and ease of construction, the differences between these embodiments lie substantially in the implementation of the intermediate spare structure (such as the fender H).

[0075] Now returning to Figure 2a , only a part of the structural bulkhead 70 is visualized from the front.

[0076] In this embodiment, the structural bulkhead 70 is a so-called "continuous" structural bulkhead.

[0077] This means that only a single metal plate 6 with a height of h is involved. The metal plate 6 is provided with stiffeners that extend completely along or over a large length, parallel or substantially parallel to the passage 5, and are integrated with both the lower deck P4 and the deck P5 immediately above, with at least several plate portions 6 especially due to the welding lines (such as Figure 2a and Figure 2bjoined along the line S shown. The joining is carried out in such a way that the bulkhead 70 is not interrupted.

[0078] In Figure 2b another preferred embodiment of the structural bulkhead 70 shown, the plate 6 is integral with both the lower deck P4 and the deck P5 immediately above it through a coaming H incorporated into the ship's structure or any other equivalent alternative structure. This integration is done, for example, by welding.

[0079] It should be noted that in Figure 2a , Figure 2b and Figure 2c , the beam B (perpendicular to the coaming H and the longitudinal axis A of the ship) is also part of the ship's structure and is shown in dashed lines (only some of them are visible so as not to make the drawing too large).

[0080] In the example showing the structural bulkhead 70 located inside the facility 40 or 42 Figure 2a and Figure 2b , an opening 60 that connects two spaces 401 and 402 of the same facility (see Figure 1a ) is provided in the plate 6 of the visible part of the structural bulkhead 70.

[0081] These openings 60 are made, for example, by cutting the plate 6 either before or after assembling the plate 6. Referring to Figure 2a and Figure 2b , they extend only over a part of the bulkhead height when the deck height h permits.

[0082] In Figure 2c another preferred embodiment of the structural bulkhead 70 shown, for example, in the case of a lower deck height, the opening 60 extends up to the alternative structure or, in the shown embodiment, up to the coaming H.

[0083] Thus, the structural bulkhead 70 consists of an alternative structure, typically the coaming H, integral with the structural bulkhead elements 7, each of which (i.e., taken separately) has a length l in the longitudinal direction of the superstructure that is less than the cumulative width of two adjacent facilities 40, 42.

[0084] Thus, to some extent, these elements 7 associated with the coaming H (or any other equivalent alternative structure) together reconstruct what is equivalent to the Figure 2a or Figure 2b shown "continuous" structural bulkhead 70.

[0085] These elements 7 are preferably attached to the coaming H by welding or by any other attachment method known to those skilled in the art.

[0086] Passenger cabins that may be installed inside a narrow superstructure such asFigure 3 as shown

[0087] Thus, on either side of the longitudinal channel 5, there are involved a single compartment 40 located on the port side of the superstructure 3 and a compartment 42 on the starboard side, the compartments 40 and 42 having similar widths and lengths.

[0088] This particular arrangement is repeated a certain number of times over the entire surface of the deck of the superstructure 3.

[0089] The structural bulkheads 70 located inside the facilities 40 and 42 respectively are composed of plates 6 conforming to the Figure 2a or Figure 2b embodiment, in which openings 60 are provided in the plates 6 to allow passage between the areas 401 / 421 and 402 / 422 of the compartments 40 / 42.

[0090] However, it is possible to consider manufacturing the structural bulkheads 70 in the manner described with reference to Figure 2c description.

[0091] The walls 500 and 510 of the channel 5 are not structural bulkheads 70, but simple partition bulkheads of the lining type known in the related art.

[0092] Here, the structural bulkheads are applied inside the space occupied by the compartments 40 and 42, parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the ship, at the partition between the washroom part 401 / 421 and the sleeping part 402 / 422.

[0093] If in practice it is structurally advantageous for these two inner bulkheads to be structural and to participate in the overall resistance of the ship, then only one of these inner bulkheads is structural and conforms to the Figure 2a , Figure 2b and Figure 2c shown embodiment for one construction to be sufficient.

[0094] Integrating these structural bulkheads 70 inside the space occupied by the compartments 40 and 42 can a priori be considered a drawback, since this prevents the implementation of the conventional method of loading prefabricated compartments onto the ship as single elements.

[0095] In the Figure 3 [[ID=|42]]embodiment, this method cannot be applied, since the presence of the structural bulkheads 70 prevents the placement of the prefabricated compartments as single elements.

[0096] Under these conditions, the compartments are prefabricated in two different parts, which are placed on either side of the structural bulkheads 70. However, as Figure 3 shown, the arrangement is made such that these structural bulkheads are located in positions where non-structural bulkheads would inevitably already exist, so as not to change the overall arrangement of the compartments.

[0097] In the present case, the structural bulkhead 70 occupies all or part of the non-structural bulkhead which would normally separate the washroom 401 of the cabin from the sleeping part 402.

[0098] Each of the two parts of the cabin can be transported separately; this construction mode of dividing the cabin into two parts allows for prefabricated cabins to be considered, and thus reconstructed, whose final dimensions will exceed those of prefabricated cabins consisting of a single element (usually limited by the dimensions of prefabricated lines, the geometric control of prefabricated cabins of large length during rolling, the rolling constraints inside the ship, or even the gauge limitations of traditional road transport).

[0099] Of course, regardless of how the embodiments of the present invention are considered, for the construction principle of the structural bulkheads 70, these bulkheads can be covered with linings so as to visually give the appearance of non-structural bulkheads.

Claims

1. A passenger ship (1) comprising at least one superstructure (3) formed by a plurality of decks (P0 - P5) including decks (P1 - P4), each deck (P1 - P4) having at least one passageway (5) in the longitudinal direction, said passageway serving a first set of facilities (40) such as cabins located on the port side and a second set of facilities (42) such as cabins located on the starboard side, It is characterized in that, At least one set of the facilities (40, 42) of the set of facilities is provided with a structural bulkhead (70) parallel or substantially parallel to the passageway (5), said structural bulkhead extending inside the space occupied by these facilities (40, 42).

2. The ship (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Said structural bulkhead (70) is constituted by a skirt (H), and several structural bulkhead elements (6, 7) parallel or substantially parallel to the passageway (5) are attached below the edge of the skirt (H).

3. The ship (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The length l in the longitudinal direction of the superstructure (3) of each of said structural bulkhead (70) elements (7) is less than the cumulative width of two adjacent facilities (40, 42).

4. The ship (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Said superstructure (3) includes a second structural bulkhead (70) parallel or substantially parallel to the passageway (5), said second structural bulkhead (70) extending within the facilities (40, 42) on the other side of the passageway (5) facing the facilities (40, 42) containing the first structural bulkhead (70).

5. The ship (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Said structural bulkhead (70) extends within said facilities (40; 42) at a certain distance from the passageway (5), thereby defining two interconnected spaces (401, 402; 421, 422) within said facilities (40, 42).

6. The ship (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The structural bulkheads (70) of each deck (P1 - P4) of the superstructure (3) are vertically aligned.

7. The ship (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, Said facilities (40, 42) communicate with the exterior of the superstructure (3) through outer non - structural dividing bulkheads (400, 420).

8. The ship (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Each facility (40, 42) consists of prefabricated sub - assemblies (401, 402; 421, 422) located on both sides of the structural bulkhead (70), and these two sub - assemblies are formed to be assembled on the ship (1) and form an integral whole of the facilities (40, 42).

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