DEVICE FOR CONNECTING TWO PARTS OF A SHIP'S HULL AND SHIP'S HULL WITH SUCH A DEVICE

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of shipbuilding and more specifically relates to a ship hull comprising a device for connecting two parts of the ship hull. Technological background

[0002] It is known to equip ship hulls with a collision box, commonly referred to by those skilled in the art as a "Crash Box", in order to absorb shocks in the event of a collision and prevent the rest of the hull from suffering damage.

[0003] It is therefore common for the collision box to be totally or partially destroyed in the event of a major impact. While the destruction of the box does not prevent the vessel from sailing, it should nevertheless be replaced in order to anticipate future collisions and restore the vessel's hydrodynamic performance.

[0004] Conventionally, the collision box is incorporated into the hull of the ship, typically in its forward part to form the stem. It comprises a core fixed to the hull, for example by screwing and / or gluing, and is covered with a coating that is common to the box and the rest of the hull. The means of fixing the box to the hull are covered by this coating and are therefore not accessible.

[0005] Replacing the collision box so that it is properly incorporated into the hull again therefore involves partially redoing the hull coating in order to reform the continuity of material between the box and the rest of the hull. In particular, the hull paint must be redone and the repair therefore requires removing the vessel from the water. The operation also requires specialized labor. It is therefore a lengthy step that may require several days of immobilization of the vessel. In certain naval applications, for example scientific applications, vessels are specially equipped or designed for a specific function and the use of a replacement vessel is excluded. In this case, a long-term immobilization of the vessel is particularly disadvantageous.

[0006] Ship hulls and connecting devices are known from US2584685A, US2328693A and US2005148248A1. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to the invention, there is provided a ship hull comprising a first part and a second part, the first part being a collision box, the first part and the second part being mutually connected by a connecting device comprising: a first frame secured to the first part of the hull a second frame secured to the second part of the hull a tenon secured to the first frame, a mortise provided in the second frame and adapted to accommodate the tenon by means of a relative translation of the two frames towards each other in a longitudinal direction of insertion, a dowel which is adapted to be engaged, on the one hand, in a transverse housing provided in the second frame and opening into said mortise and, on the other hand, in a transverse through hole provided in the tenon, so as to retain the tenon in the mortise.

[0008] The ship hull connecting device according to the invention therefore allows easy installation and removal of the two frames, and is particularly suitable for fixing a collision box to a ship hull since the pin extends into the second frame in a manner that is not orthogonal to the second face, and preferably parallel to the second face; the box is therefore not crossed by rigid elements that would hinder its shock absorption function.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the dowel and the hole in the tenon are arranged to generate a ramp effect causing the two frames to tighten towards each other in the longitudinal direction by means of a transverse force for inserting the dowel into said transverse through hole.

[0010] A ramp, otherwise known as a linear cam, which transforms a translational movement into a transverse and particularly orthogonal translational movement, is a particularly suitable means of achieving good control of the clamping. In particular, a linear cam allows for more sensitive and reliable adjustment than a conventional cam, i.e. a cam which transforms a rotational movement into a translational movement.

[0011] According to a variant of this embodiment, the dowel comprises a frustoconical portion contributing to the ramp effect, said transverse through hole and said transverse housing being configured to have distinct axes when the tenon is inserted into the mortise.

[0012] The dowel may comprise a threaded portion adapted to engage in a threaded portion of the transverse housing of the second frame.

[0013] Screwing is a reliable means of fixing the dowel, also allowing good control of the translation of the dowel in the second frame, and therefore good control over tightening.

[0014] According to a variant, the tenon comprises a proximal portion having dimensions adapted for insertion without play in the mortise and a distal portion having dimensions adapted for insertion with play in the mortise.

[0015] The terms "distal" and "proximal" here reflect the positions of the portions relative to the first frame. Thus the proximal portion is the portion closest to the first frame and the distal portion is the portion furthest from the first frame.

[0016] The distal portion thus allows easy insertion of the tenon into the mortise and the proximal portion adjusted to the mortise allows centering of the first frame and the second frame.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the tenon is cylindrical in shape.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the tenon is screwed to the first frame.

[0019] A screw-on attachment is a simple way to make the tenon, which can then be easily replaced.

[0020] According to another aspect, there is provided a ship hull comprising a first part and a second part mutually connected by a connecting device according to the invention.

[0021] According to an embodiment of this aspect, the first part of the shell is a collision box and the first chassis comprises a central zone for fixing a core of said box and a peripheral zone comprising at least one fixing opening opening at a first face of the first chassis and at a rear face of the first chassis opposite the first face.

[0022] The various features, variations and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. Brief description of the figures

[0023] In addition, various other characteristics of the invention emerge from the appended description given with reference to the drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the invention and where: there figure 1 is a perspective view of a ship whose hull comprises a first part and a second part which are connected by a connecting device according to the invention, the figure 2 is a side view of the front of the ship's hull from the figure 1 , the elements of the connecting device being separated, the figure 3 is a sectional view of the connecting device of the figure 1 according to section line II-II, the figure 4is a perspective view of a tenon of the connecting device of the figures 1 to 3 , there Figure 5 is a view of a first face of a first chassis of the connecting device of the figures 1 to 3 , there figure 6 is a view of a second face of a second chassis of the connecting device of the Figure 1 to 3 , there figure 7 is a perspective view of the first chassis on which a core of a crash box is fixed, the figure 8 illustrates a second configuration of the device of the figure 3 in which the elements of the device are assembled.

[0024] It should be noted that in these figures the structural and / or functional elements common to the different variants may have the same references. Detailed description

[0025] There figure 1 is a perspective view of an NV vessel, here an autonomous unmanned vessel, comprising a hull 3, a QL keel equipped with an LS ballast, an SF rudder and an MT mast.

[0026] The hull 3 here comprises a first part 30, here a collision box which constitutes the stem of the hull 3, and a second part 31 which extends from the first part to the rear of the ship, or sternpost.

[0027] The first part 30 and the second part 31 of the shell 3 are connected by a connecting device designated by the reference sign 1 and illustrated in more detail on the figures 2 to 8 .

[0028] As illustrated on the figures 2 And 3 , the connecting device 1 comprises a first frame 2 secured to the first part 30 of the hull 3 of the ship NV.. The fixing of the first part 30 of the hull 3 to the first frame 2 is carried out here by means of screws passing through the first frame 2 and the first part 30 of the hull 3, as well as by mechanical anchoring as will be seen in the rest of the description.

[0029] The connecting device 1 comprises a second frame 4 secured to the second part 31 of the hull 3 of the ship. The fixing of the second frame 4 to the second part 31 of the hull 3 is here carried out by tightening using screw-nut systems VE1, VE2, two of which are shown in the figure 3 .

[0030] A first face 20 of the first frame 2 and a second face 40 of the second frame 4 are configured to establish a contact surface. The contact between the first face 20 and the second face 40 is maintained by two tenon-mortise systems of the connecting device, of which only one tenon-mortise system 10 will be described below for the purposes of simplification.

[0031] Thus, a tenon 5 extends from the first frame 2 so as to project from the first face 20. Here, the tenon 5 is generally cylindrical, has a length of 30 millimeters and a proximal end 50 of the tenon 5 is fixed to the first frame 2. The figure 4 is a perspective view of the tenon 5 isolated from the rest of the device, presented here in order to facilitate understanding of the invention.

[0032] For example, here, the proximal end of the tenon 5 comprises a countersink 51 adapted to receive a countersunk head 70 of a screw 7, and the tenon 5 is fixed to the first chassis 2 by said screw 7, a threaded rod 71 of which cooperates with a nut 72 so as to hold the tenon 5 against the first chassis 2 by tightening. Here, a cavity 41 is provided in the first part 30 of the shell 3 so as to receive the nut 72 and a portion of the threaded rod 71.

[0033] The tenon 5 has a proximal portion 52 extending from the proximal end 50, here over a length of 6 millimeters and having a diameter of 25 millimeters, and a distal portion 53 extending from the proximal portion 52 over a length of 24 millimeters and having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the proximal portion 52, here a diameter of 24.8 millimeters.

[0034] The tenon 5 here comprises a transverse through hole 54 arranged transversely to the tenon 5, here orthogonally to the axis of the tenon, that is to say here parallel to the first face 20. Thus, the tenon 5 comprises two circular orifices 55, 56 sharing the same first axis X1 and arranged on its side wall. A first orifice 55 has a diameter equal to 14.5 millimeters.

[0035] A second orifice 56 has a countersink 57 and has a diameter at the internal surface of the tenon equal to 14.5 millimeters and a maximum dimension at the external surface of the tenon equal to 15 millimeters.

[0036] The transverse through hole 54 is made so as to be closer to the proximal end 50 than to a distal end 58 of the tenon 5 opposite the proximal end 50. Thus, the edge of the transverse through hole 54 is located at a distance of 4.2 millimeters from the proximal end 50 and at a distance of 11.3 millimeters from the distal end 58.

[0037] A mortise 6 is formed in the second frame 4 at the level of the second face 40. Here, the mortise is cylindrical and has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the proximal portion 52 so that, when the first frame 2 and the second frame 4 establish the contact surface, the tenon 5 is inserted into the mortise in a fitted manner. Here, the mortise 6 is through.

[0038] The second frame 4 comprises a transverse housing 21 which extends parallel to the second face 40 crossing the mortise 6 and which opens at a first edge 42 of the second frame 4 and at a second edge 43 of the second frame 4 opposite the first edge 42.

[0039] The transverse housing 21 is here a cylindrical hole extending along a second axis X2 and of which a first part 24 located between the first edge 42 and the mortise 6 has a first diameter and of which a second part 25 located between the second edge 43 and the mortise 6 has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. For example, the first diameter is here equal to 14 millimeters and the second diameter is here equal to 8 millimeters. The second part 25 of the transverse housing 21 is here tapped.

[0040] The connecting device 1 further comprises a pin 8 configured to be inserted into the transverse housing 21. The pin 8 is here of generally cylindrical shape and comprises three portions 80, 81, 82 of distinct diameters.

[0041] A first portion 80 of the cylindrical dowel has a constant diameter slightly smaller than the first diameter of the transverse housing 21, here a diameter of 14.2 millimeters. The first portion 80 comprises a first end 83 of the dowel, in which a screw imprint 84 is made, here a hollow hexagonal imprint (shown transparently in dotted lines on the figure 3 ). Said imprint 84 is configured to cooperate with a screwing tool, for example a hexagonal key.

[0042] A second portion 81 of the dowel 8 has a constant diameter slightly smaller than the second diameter of the second part 25 of the transverse housing 21, here a diameter of 8 millimeters. Furthermore, the second portion 81 is threaded and is configured to cooperate with the second tapped part 25 of the transverse housing 21.

[0043] The dowel 8 further comprises an intermediate portion 82 located between the first portion 80 and the second portion 81. The intermediate portion 82 has a diameter which varies with its length; for example here, the intermediate portion 82 is frustoconical and has a diameter which decreases linearly from the first portion 80 towards the second portion 81. Here, the intermediate portion 82 has a maximum diameter equal to the diameter of the first portion 80 and a minimum diameter equal to the diameter of the second portion 81.

[0044] As illustrated by the Figure 5 , the first chassis 2 is a plate having an outline matching the outline of the first part of the hull, here a fusiform outline, having a length of 745 millimeters, a maximum width of 115 millimeters, a thickness of 18 millimeters and having a first axis of symmetry Ax1 extending along its length.

[0045] The first chassis 2 comprises a central zone ZC configured to receive a core of the crash box, and a peripheral zone ZP configured to receive a coating of the core of the crash box, for example a resin.

[0046] The central zone ZC comprises three recesses 90, 91, 92, here having a depth of 15.5 millimeters. The recesses are configured to strengthen the connection between the chassis 2 and the core of the crash box by means of the resin surrounding the core. This resin, which surrounds the core, also fills the recesses 90, 91 and 92. The chassis 2 is therefore connected to the core by means of the resin. The recesses also make it possible to lighten the first chassis 2.

[0047] The tenon 5 of the tenon-mortise system described above is located between a first recess 90 and a second recess 91. A second tenon 5' of a second tenon-mortise system is located between the second recess 91 and a third recess 92.

[0048] The peripheral zone ZP further comprises fixing openings 93 1 to 93 6 , opening at the level of the first face 20 and at the level of a rear face (not shown in the Figure 5 ) of the first chassis 2 which is opposite the first face 20.

[0049] The fixing openings 93 1 to 93 6 allow, when producing the coating of the crash box, conventionally by pouring a resin into a mold temporarily arranged around the core, that the resin flows to the other side of the first chassis 2 at the rear face. Thus, the resin extends on either side of the first chassis and forms a mechanical anchor with the first chassis 2, improving the fixing of the crash box to the first chassis 2.

[0050] As illustrated by the figure 6 , the second chassis 4 has a contour and dimensions substantially identical to those of the first chassis 2, and also comprises three recesses 41, 42, 43 identical to the recesses 90, 91 and 92 of the first chassis 2 and having the function of lightening the second chassis 4.

[0051] It should be noted here that the second chassis does not have an axis of symmetry since the transverse housing 21 has a different first part 24 and second part 25.

[0052] There figure 7 illustrates the first chassis 2, the central part of which includes a NY core of a collision box, prior to the production of the coating. Thus, the peripheral zone ZP of the chassis is here devoid of coating. It should be noted here that the NY core includes six grooves, of which three grooves RN 1 to RN 3 are visible on the figure 7 , partially matching the contours of the corresponding fixing openings 93 2 , 93 4 and 93 6 . These grooves allow the flow of the coating resin into the fixing openings.

[0053] The connecting device 1 according to the invention can be made of any material, and preferably of a material resistant to corrosion and oxidation. In the example described here and preferably, the first frame 2 and the second frame 4 are made of a titanium alloy and the other elements of the connecting device are made of stainless steel.

[0054] When using the connecting device 1 as described above, the contact surface between the first face 20 and the second face 40 is established by inserting the tenon 5 into the mortise 6. The smaller diameter of the distal portion 53 of the tenon 5 allows for insertion with play of the tenon into the mortise 6, and therefore for easier insertion. The proximal portion 52 allows for insertion without play, i.e. adjusted, of the tenon 5 into the mortise 6 when the contact surface is established.

[0055] Then, in order to maintain the contact surface, the dowel 8 is inserted into the transverse housing 21 so that the truncated intermediate portion 82 is located in the transverse through hole 54.

[0056] In particular, the dowel 8 is first translated by sliding in the first part of the transverse housing through the mortise 6 into the second part 25, then the second portion 81 is screwed into the second part using the imprint 84, so as to translate the dowel 8 in a controlled manner.

[0057] Thus, the intermediate portion 82 of the dowel 8 bears against the countersink 57 of the second orifice 56 and pushes the tenon 5 into the mortise 6. In other words, the intermediate portion 82 here generates a ramp effect, or linear cam, and transforms the translational movement of the dowel 8, which is a movement parallel to the second face 40, into a translational movement of the tenon 5 in the mortise 6, and therefore into a movement of the first frame 2 towards the second frame, that is to say a movement orthogonal to the translational movement of the dowel 8. The force of the clamping of the first face 20 against the second face 40 therefore depends on the position of the dowel 8 in the orifice 21 and is adjustable by screwing. It should be noted that here the first axis X1 and the second axis X2 are distinct, in particular once the contact surface established between the first face 20 and the second face 40 is established.In other words, the transverse through hole 54 and the transverse housing 21 are not coaxial.

[0058] Here, the screw imprint 84 is advantageously accessible from the first edge 42 of the second chassis 4. And, the pin 8 is here configured not to extend outside the second chassis 4 so as not to harm the hydrodynamic performance of the ship.

[0059] It should be noted here that the countersink 57 of the second orifice 56 allows for better intimacy of contact between the frustoconical intermediate portion 82 and the second orifice 56. In particular, the countersink 57 makes it possible to increase the contact surface in order to avoid matting of the contact surface.

[0060] It is thus advantageously possible to adjust the tightening of the first face 20 against the second face 40 by adjusting by screwing the translation of the dowel 8 in the transverse housing 21.

[0061] There figure 8presents a second configuration of the device in which the contact surface is established between the first face 20 and the second face 40 and in which the clamping is ensured by the tenon-mortise system 10.

[0062] Pin 8 of device 1 described previously in connection with the figures 1 to 8 comprises the truncated intermediate portion 82 acting as a cam and advantageously guaranteeing control over the tightening. However, the invention is not limited to a dowel comprising a cam and according to other embodiment variants, the dowel and the transverse housing 21 have constant diameters. According to these variants, the relative position of the transverse housing 21 and the transverse through hole is adjusted so as to ensure the contact surface between the first face 20 and the second face 40.

[0063] The invention further covers certain variants in which the intermediate portion comprises a different linear cam. For example, the diameter of the intermediate portion could decrease non-linearly. According to another variant, the cam is not linear and the pin comprises an eccentric.

[0064] Furthermore, in the example described, the dowel 8 is fixed in the second chassis 4 by screwing its second portion 81 into the second part 25 of the transverse housing, advantageously allowing precise control over the tightening. The invention is however not limited to this method of fixing and is compatible with any fixing means. For example, according to a variant, the dowel can cooperate with the second chassis by any other fixing system, for example of the pin type or of the bayonet type. The invention covers for example a clamping device in which the second portion 81 of the dowel 8 comprises a bayonet type fixing and in which the intermediate portion 82 comprises an eccentric.

[0065] The tenon 5 described above is fixed to the first chassis 2 by means of a screw-nut system. According to alternative embodiments, the tenon 5 can be fixed to the first chassis 2 by any suitable means, in particular by welding.

[0066] Finally, although a connecting device made of stainless steel and titanium has been described here, the device can be made of any material and in particular the device can comprise a single material or more than two different materials.

[0067] Various other modifications may be made to the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A ship hull comprising a first part (30) and a second part (31), characterized in that the first part (30) of the ship hull is a crash box, the first part (30) and the second part (31) being connected to each other by a device (1) comprising: - a first frame (2) integral with the first part (30) of the ship hull (3), - a second frame (4) integral with the second part (31) of the ship hull (3), - a tenon (5) integral with the first frame (2), - a mortise (6) arranged in the second frame (4) and able to receive the tenon (5) as a result of a relative translation of the two frames (2, 4) towards each other in a longitudinal direction of insertion, - a pin (8) which is able to be engaged, into a transverse housing (21) provided in the second frame (4) and opening into said mortise and into a transverse through-hole (54) provided in the tenon (5), so as to hold the tenon (5) in the mortise (6).

2. The ship hull according to claim 1, wherein the pin (8) and the through-hole (54) of the tenon (5) are arranged in such a way as to create a ramp effect causing a clamping of the two frames (2, 4) towards each other in a longitudinal direction as a result of a transverse effort of insertion of the pin (8) into said transverse through-hole (54).

3. The ship hull according to claim 2, wherein the pin (8) includes a tapered portion playing a role in the ramp effect, said transverse through-hole (54) and the transverse housing (21) being configured to have distinct axes when the tenon is inserted into the mortise.

4. The ship hull according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pin (8) includes a threaded portion (81) adapted to engage into a tapped portion (25) of the transverse housing (21) of the second frame (4).

5. The ship hull according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tenon (5) has a proximal portion (52) having a suitable size for insertion without play into the mortise (6) and a distal portion (53) having a suitable size for insertion with play into the mortise.

6. The ship hull according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tenon (5) has a cylindrical shape.

7. The ship hull according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tenon (5) is screwed to the first frame (2).

8. The ship hull according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first frame (2) includes a central area (ZC) for fastening a core (NY) of said crash box and a peripheral area (ZP) comprising at least one fastening aperture opening (931, 932, 933, 934, 935, 936) in a first face (20) of the first frame (2) and in a rear face of the first frame (2) opposite to the first face (20).