TIE-BACK PULL SYSTEM WITH A DEVICE FOR GRIPPING FOLD LINES

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to the field of captive wing traction systems which are adapted to deploy and fold a traction wing relative to a base platform, this traction wing being adapted to generate a traction force under the effect of the wind.

[0002] Such traction systems allow the deployment of a flying traction wing used for the propulsion of a vehicle, in particular a ship (as the main mode of propulsion, or as an assistance), for the production of electricity, or for any application taking advantage of such traction force. PRIOR ART

[0003] French patent application FR3082184 describes a captive wing traction system and a method for deploying and retracting the traction wing. The traction wing has fold lines attached to its leading edge, and the system includes means for pulling at least three fold lines to bring the leading edge against the mast at at least two different heights along the mast.

[0004] Document US7287481 B1 also describes a captive wing traction system according to the state of the art.

[0005] This traction system benefits from a more efficient and safer deployment and retraction process. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention aims to improve the captive wing traction systems of the prior art.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a captive wing traction system, comprising: a traction wing adapted to generate a traction force under the effect of the wind, this traction wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a base platform to which the traction wing is connected via a traction line, the traction wing being adapted to be deployed and folded relative to this base platform; a lashing mast for the traction wing, arranged on the base platform; several folding lines each having one end fixed to the leading edge of the traction wing, being spaced from each other along this leading edge.

[0008] This captive wing traction system also includes: a folding trolley adapted to slide along the lashing mast; a gripping device which is attached to the leading edge of the traction wing and which comprises a hooking arm provided with a hooking rod, one of the folding lines being projecting in the extension of the hooking rod; and the folding trolley comprises a gripping hook which is movable between a retracted position and a gripping position in which the gripping hook surrounds the hooking rod.

[0009] According to another object, the invention relates to a method for deploying or folding the traction wing of such a traction system, this method comprising a step of immobilizing the gripping device relative to the folding carriage, in a position where the hooking rod is opposite the gripping hook.

[0010] Throughout the text, the terms "a" or "an" in the formulations "a carriage", "a hooking arm", "a rod", "a hook", are to be understood as "at least one" or "at least one".

[0011] Such a captive wing traction system benefits from automated capture of the folding lines with a high level of safety, regardless of external conditions such as weather, vehicle or ship movements, etc.

[0012] Such a traction system can therefore be fully automated. Its deployment or retraction then requires no intervention from an operator. The gripping of the folding lines is indeed a critical point in the automation of such a system, because the attachment of these lines, which are by definition flexible and moving, is difficult and generally requires, in the prior art, human intervention to secure the gripping of the folding lines, for example using carabiner-type fasteners, or also requires complex and prominent immobilization devices which require the lines to be tensioned for automatic gripping.

[0013] The invention makes it possible in particular to take advantage of the securing of the leading edge of the traction wing on the lashing mast (during the deployment or retraction phases) to safely implement the gripping and guidance of the folding lines regardless of their position and without constraining them.

[0014] The invention makes it possible to fold the traction wing by arranging the folding lines vertically along the lashing mast, after gripping them using the gripping device, by simply sliding the folding carriage(s).

[0015] The means for capturing fold lines allow several fold lines to be captured simultaneously, while ensuring individual management of these fold lines (or pairs of fold lines) and bringing them back sequentially along the mast following a single capture operation.

[0016] The traction system according to the invention may include the following additional features, alone or in combination: the system comprises a lashing line connecting the gripping device to the base platform; the gripping device is attached to a median zone of the leading edge; the folding lines each extend between the median zone and a lateral portion of the leading edge; the folding line which projects from the hooking rod is connected by its opposite end to one of the lateral portions; the gripping device comprises a body on which the hooking arm is pivotally mounted, between a flight position and a hooking position in which the hooking rod is arranged substantially vertically; the hooking rod comprises a tube crossed by the folding line, this folding line being connected by its end to the hooking arm; the system comprises: a guide line connecting the gripping device to the flight trajectory control device;a shuttle sliding along the guide line, this shuttle comprising a guide means crossed by the lashing line; the gripping device comprises a housing for the shuttle, the shuttle being movable between a sliding configuration in which it slides along the guide line, and a lashing configuration in which the shuttle is arranged in its housing; the gripping device comprises a lever for controlling the pivoting of the hooking arm towards its lashing position, this lever being adapted to be actuated by the shuttle when it reaches its lashing configuration; the system comprises a lashing trolley adapted to slide along the lashing mast, this lashing trolley comprising a fitting interface for the gripping device; the lashing trolley comprises means for immobilizing the gripping device against the fitting interface;the immobilization means comprise an immobilization hook movable between a retracted position and an immobilization position in which the immobilization hook blocks the hooking arm against the nesting interface; the shuttle has a convex shape adapted to be housed in a concave shape of the nesting interface, when the shuttle is in the stowed configuration; the shuttle has an oblong shape; the folding lines are arranged in pairs, the folding lines of a pair connecting the gripping device to points on the leading edge located symmetrically on either side of the gripping device; the gripping device comprises two hooking arms each provided with as many hooking rods as pairs of folding lines; the hooking rods are arranged in a staircase;the system comprises as many folding trolleys as there are pairs of folding lines, each folding trolley comprising a pair of gripping hooks movable between a retracted position and a gripping position in which the gripping hooks of a pair surround the hooking rods of the two hooking arms; the traction wing comprises a furling line adapted to furl the traction wing; the gripping device comprises a furling rod, the furling line projecting in the extension of the furling rod; the traction system comprises a furling trolley adapted to slide along the lashing mast, the furling trolley comprising a furling hook which is movable between a retracted position and a gripping position in which the furling hook surrounds the furling rod;the gripping device comprises a clamping means adapted to occupy a clamping position in which the lashing line is held fixed on the gripping device, and adapted to occupy a release position in which the lashing line slides freely relative to the gripping device; the lashing line is extended beyond the gripping device by an additional portion attached to the traction wing, the lashing line being adapted to perform an additional action on the shape of the traction wing when the clamping means is in the release position; the gripping hook is controlled by a mechanism actuated by another carriage adapted to slide along the lashing mast. ; PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0017] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the non-limiting description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings in which: there figure 1 is a perspective view of a traction system according to the invention; figure 2 illustrates the traction system seen from the side; the figure 3 represents the traction wing of the traction system of the figures 1 et 2 , front view; the figure 4 represents the traction system seen from the side, during a phase of folding of the traction wing; the figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the traction wing being folded; figure 6 represents the traction system seen from the side, during another phase of folding of the traction wing; figure 7 illustrates the traction wing folded along the lashing mast; the figure 8 is an enlarged view of the traction wing showing a gripping device which is connected to the leading edge of the traction wing; figure 9 is a detail view of the figure 8 ; there figure 10 and the figure 11 are perspective views of the input device; the figure 12 is a side view of the input device; the figure 13 is a partial perspective view of the input device figure 14 illustrates a variation for the folding carriage nesting interface; figure 15 is a sectional view of the figure 13 ; there figure 16 represents the gripping device and the trolleys of the traction system during a folding step of the traction wing; the figure 17 represents the gripping device and the trolleys of the traction system during another step of folding the traction wing; figure 18 is a schematic side view of the elements of the figure 17 ; there figure 19 represents the gripping device and the trolleys of the traction system during another step of folding the traction wing; figure 20 is similar to the figure 15 for a second embodiment of the input device; the figure 21 is similar to the figure 18 for the second embodiment of the input device.

[0018] Elements similar and common to the various embodiments bear the same reference numbers in the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] There figure 1 illustrates a captive wing traction system 1, mounted on a vessel 2 which is, in this example, a maritime freight vessel (on the figure 1 , only the front of the ship was shown).

[0020] In the present example, the traction system 1 is mounted at the bow of the vessel 2 and is operated as a supplementary means of propulsion of the vessel allowing fuel savings. In this context, the traction system 1 is sized according to the tonnage of the vessel to be towed and is intended to be deployed and folded automatically.

[0021] Alternatively, this traction system 1 may be used for any other application where such an automatically deployable and foldable traction system is desired, for example as the primary means of propulsion of a ship, for the propulsion of any other vehicle, for the production of electricity, etc.

[0022] The traction system 1 comprises a base platform 3 which is here fixed on the deck of the ship 2 and on which is mounted a mooring mast 4 provided for the automatic deployment and retraction operations of the system.

[0023] The traction system 1 further comprises a traction wing 5 which is adapted to generate a traction force under the effect of the wind. In the present example, the traction wing 5 is a paraglider-type sail. Any other flying equipment adapted to generate a traction force under the effect of the wind may alternatively be used, such as kites, gliding equipment, kite-type sails, etc. The traction wing 5 comprises, in a conventional manner, a leading edge 16 intended to be exposed to the incident wind and an opposite edge, called the trailing edge 17.

[0024] The traction wing 5 is connected by a set of suspension lines 6 to a flight control device 7 which is adapted to act on the suspension lines 6 to control the flight of the traction wing 5.

[0025] The traction system 1 further comprises a traction line 8 connecting the flight control device 7 to the base platform 3. The traction force generated by the traction wing 5 is transmitted by the traction line 8 to the ship 2 for its propulsion, and the traction line is dimensioned accordingly. In the context of the traction of a maritime freight ship, the traction line can be, for example, a textile cable whose diameter can reach several centimeters.

[0026] The flying trajectory control device 7 makes it possible to control the flight of the traction wing 5 in order to orient and position the traction wing and possibly to cause the traction wing 5 to describe flight figures making it possible to increase the traction force on the ship. The control of the trajectory of the traction wing 5 is here obtained by controlling the length of certain movable suspension lines, in a conventional manner in the field of flying wings. The set of suspension lines 6 in fact comprises fixed suspension lines (i.e. which have a fixed length between their attachment to the traction wing 5 and their attachment to the flying trajectory control device 7), and movable suspension lines whose length is variable.The flight control device 7 is thus adapted to pull on certain movable suspension lines and / or to release other movable suspension lines, so that the aerodynamic profile of the traction wing 5 is modified in order to control its lift, its trajectory, etc. The modification of the profile of a traction wing for the control of its trajectory is carried out in a conventional manner and will not be described in more detail here.

[0027] The traction wing 5 further comprises a guide line 9 and several folding lines 10A, 10B, 10C which are all integral with the leading edge 16, by at least one of their ends.

[0028] There figure 2 is a profile view of the traction system 1 in the traction phase of the ship, as in the figure 1 . There figure 2 further schematically illustrates the constituent elements of the traction system 1.

[0029] The traction line 8 is connected to the base platform 3 by means of a winch 11 controlled by a motor, for example electric or hydraulic, adapted to unwind the traction line 8 to allow the traction wing 5 to gain altitude, or on the contrary to wind this traction line 8 to bring the traction wing 5 back to the base platform 3.

[0030] THE figures 1 et 2 illustrate the traction system 1 in a traction configuration, with the traction wing 5 deployed and in flight, and the system participating in the propulsion of the vessel.

[0031] The traction wing 5 has a furling line 13 which is divided into several lines (shown in dotted lines on the figure 2 ) whose ends are connected to the trailing edge 17 of the wing 5. This furling line 13 can be grasped at the trailing edge 16 of the traction wing 5, and traction on this furling line 13 causes the wing 5 to be furled by compression in order to stow it.

[0032] The traction system 1 comprises trolleys 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, which are five in number in the present example. These trolleys are fixed in a sliding manner on the lashing mast 4 and each comprise a motorization so that the position of each trolley along the lashing mast 4 can be controlled. These trolleys are provided to grip and guide the folding lines 10A, 10B, 10C and the furling line 13 during the deployment or retraction phases described later.

[0033] These carts are arranged as follows: the carriage 12A is a furling carriage and is designed to grip the furling line 13; the carriage 12B is a lashing carriage and is designed to secure the leading edge 16 of the traction wing 5; the carriage 12C is a first folding carriage and is designed to grip the first pair of folding lines 10A; the carriage 12D is a second folding carriage and is designed to grip the second pair of folding lines 10B; the carriage 12E is a third folding carriage and is designed to grip the third pair of folding lines 10C.

[0034] Alternatively, the traction system 1 comprises as many trolleys as necessary to grip the folding or furling lines, the number of which may vary from the example described.

[0035] The fold lines 10A, 10B, 10C are arranged in pairs as shown in figure 3 . The leading edge 16 of the traction wing 5 is, in the present description, divided into a median zone 15 and into two lateral edges 19 extending on either side of this median zone 15, between the median zone 15 and each of the lateral ends 18 of the leading edge 16.

[0036] On this figure 3 , the front view of the traction wing 5 illustrates the path of the folding lines 10A, 10B, 10C and their arrangement relative to the leading edge 16: a first pair of fold lines 10A comprises two lines each having a first end connected at the median zone 15 of the leading edge 16, and a second end which is directly connected to the leading edge 16, at a certain distance from the median zone 15, on one of the lateral portions 19 of the leading edge 16; a second pair of fold lines 10B comprises two lines each having a first end connected at the median zone 15, and a second end directly connected to the leading edge 16, on one of the lateral portions 19, and in this example approximately in the middle of each lateral portion 19, that is to say approximately halfway between the lateral zone 15 and the lateral end 18; a third pair of fold lines 10C comprises two lines each connecting the median zone 15 to a portion of the leading edge 16 which is in proximity to the lateral end 18.

[0037] There figure 3 also illustrates the path of the guide line 9 between the central portion 15 and the flight control device 7.

[0038] Referring again to the figure 2 , the traction system 1 comprises a lashing line 20 which is wound onto a lashing winch 21 mounted on the base platform 3. The lashing line 20 starts from the winch 21 and is then guided into the lashing trolley 12B by one or more pulleys (or by low-friction elements, or any other element allowing the lashing line 20 to be slidably routed into the lashing trolley 12B). The lashing line 20 then passes into a shuttle 14 which is slidable along the guide line 9.

[0039] From the traction configuration of the figures 1 et 2 , the traction wing 5 can be folded according to the method described below.

[0040] From the positions of the figures 1 et 2 , the winches 11 and 21 are first commanded to bring back the traction line 8 and the lashing line 20 so that the flying trajectory control device 7 comes to rest on the base platform 3, while the shuttle 14 rises along the guide line 9 as the traction wing 5 descends.

[0041] This operation continues until the position of the figure 4 in which: the flying trajectory control device 7 is placed relative to the base platform 3, for example on a suitable support (not shown); the shuttle 14 has slid upwards, over the entire length of the guide line 9, to its end which is close to the middle zone 15.

[0042] The lashing line 20 passes into the lashing trolley 12B and holds the leading edge 16 by pulling against the lashing trolley 12B. The pulling wing 5 is then locked in this lashed position (as described later), the tension on the lashing line 20 is no longer necessary, and the gripping of the lines can take place.

[0043] To enter the lines (these operations do not necessarily take place in this order): the furling carriage 12A grips the furling line 13; the first folding carriage 12C grips the first pair of folding lines 10A; the second folding carriage 12D grips the second pair of folding lines 10B; the third folding carriage 12E grips the third pair of folding lines 10C.

[0044] Line captures are made using hooks on the carriages, as well as a capture device, as explained later.

[0045] The folding trolleys 12C, 12D, 12E then begin a downward movement along the lashing mast 4 by sliding their hooks along the lines that have been hooked.

[0046] There figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating this operation of lowering the folding trolleys. Each of the folding trolleys 12C, 12D, 12E thus drives each of the folding lines progressively towards a configuration where the lines are stretched vertically from the middle zone 15 (which is secured to the lashing trolley 12B which remains fixed), along the lashing mast 4. This operation makes it possible to bring the lateral portions 19 vertically along the lashing mast 4.

[0047] THE figures 6 (side view) and 7 (perspective view) illustrate the traction wing 5 after this folding operation, that is to say when the folding carriages 12C, 12D, 12E are each in their respective lower position.

[0048] The traction wing 5 is then folded along the lashing mast 4, that is to say that the two lateral portions 19 of the leading edge 16 extend vertically along the lashing mast 4, while the middle zone 15 is kept lashed against the lashing trolley 12B.

[0049] From this position of the figures 6 And 7 , the wing 5 can then be furled. The furling carriage 12A (which has gripped the furling line 13) is then commanded to slide upwards along the lashing mast 4, and thus exerts traction on the furling line 13, which causes the furling of the traction wing 5. In the present example, the furling is done by compression, by bringing the trailing edge 17 closer to the leading edge 16.

[0050] In reference to the figure 6 , the securing of the traction wing 5 relative to the securing trolley 12B is achieved by the cooperation of the securing line 20, the securing trolley 12B, the shuttle 14, and a gripping device 22.

[0051] There figure 8 is a detail view of the figure 3 , illustrating the traction wing 5 seen from the front and showing the middle zone 15, and the attachment of the folding lines 10A, 10B, 10C and the furling line 13 to the middle zone 15 of the leading edge 16, by means of the gripping device 22.

[0052] The gripping device 22 is connected to the leading edge 16 of the traction wing 5, at the level of the median zone 15, by a pylon 23 (visible in particular on the side view of the figure 12 ). The pylon 23 is thus named by analogy with the pylon of an aircraft, that is to say the reactor mast, in aeronautical terms. The pylon 23 is preferably made of a rib of light and resistant material such as a carbon fiber composite material. The pylon 23 is fixed on the gripping device 22 and on a reinforcement sewn on the leading edge 16 of the traction wing 5.

[0053] The gripping device 22 may, alternatively, be connected by any other means, flexible or rigid, to the leading edge 16, such as textile ties or any other element making it possible to ensure that traction on the gripping device 22 causes traction on the leading edge 16.

[0054] The gripping device 22 comprises a body 24 and two hooking arms 25, pivotally mounted on this body 24, each around an axis 26. Each of the hooking arms 25 comprises a first hooking rod 27A, a second hooking rod 27B of greater length, and a third hooking rod 27C of even greater length (the hooking rods 27A, 27B, 27C are seen in section on the figure 8 ). This arrangement in which the juxtaposed hanging rods have an increasing or decreasing length is here called "staircase".

[0055] In the present example, the hooking rods 27A, 27B, 27C are constituted by tubes force-fitted into bores provided for this purpose in the hooking arm 25.

[0056] The attachment arms are movable relative to the body 24, between a flight position (that of the figure 8 ) and a hanging position (that of the figure 13 ) in which the attachment rods 27A, 27B, 27C are arranged substantially vertically (when the traction wing 5 is in its normal lashing position).

[0057] Each hooking arm 25 further comprises a lever 28, that is to say a portion extending beyond the axis 26 and making it possible to act on the hooking arm 25 to fold it.

[0058] Each fold line 10A, 10B, 10D, 10C which joins the middle zone 15 is connected to a hooking rod 27A, 27B, 27C so as to be projecting in the extension of this hooking rod. In other words, the end of the hooking rod is extended by the fold line.

[0059] In the present example, where the hanging rods are made of tubes, the folding line is advantageously inserted into the tube, crosses the entire tube, up to a fixing zone 29 of the hanging arm 25.

[0060] There figure 9 is a detailed view of the fixing zone 29. Each folding line 10A, 10B, 10C passes through the tube of the hanging rod 27A, 27B, 27C to open into the fixing zone 29. The end of each folding line 10A, 10B, 10C is held in place by a through pin 30 passing for example through a spliced ​​eye 31 of the folding line 10A, 10B, 10C.

[0061] The pivot connection between the hooking arms 25 and the body 24 allows the hooking arm 25 to naturally assume the spread position illustrated in figure 8 during the flight of the traction wing 5, the attachment arms 25 thus follow the opening dictated by the folding lines 10A, 10B, 10C which extend towards their other end connected further on the leading edge 16. The gripping device 22 may, in addition, comprise an elastic element (spring or other) urging the attachment arms 25 towards their flight position of the figure 8 .

[0062] This flight position of the hooking arms 25 has the function of further securing the automatic hooking of the lines, by limiting the risks of tangling of the hooking arms 25 and the hooking rods 27A, 27B, 27C with the other lines such as the guide line 9 and the lashing line 20.

[0063] Shuttle 14 is also shown in section on the figure 8 The shuttle 14 has two sliding orifices 32, and is here oblong in shape with two lateral flats 33. The oblong shape of the shuttle 14 allows guidance and angular orientation (around a horizontal axis) of the gripping device 22.

[0064] The guide line 9 here consists of a pair of lines stretched between the body 24 and the flight control device 7. In the present example, the pair of guide lines 9 forms a loop around a stop 34 of the body 24.

[0065] The guide line 9 is thus attached to the middle zone 15 by means of the gripping device 22.

[0066] The lashing line 20 passes through the shuttle 14 and is connected to the body 24. The shuttle 14 comprises a guide means crossed by the lashing line 20 and allowing the free sliding of the lashing line 20. In the present example, this guide means is produced by a sheave 63 (see figure 15 ) and can be alternatively achieved by any type of guiding means, such as pulleys or low-friction elements. The lashing line 20 thus extends from the lashing carriage 12B, crosses the shuttle 14 in a sliding manner, being guided towards the body 24.

[0067] THE figures 10 And 11 illustrate the input device 22 in perspective from two different viewing angles. On the figure 10 , the face of the gripping device 22 which is visible is that which is turned towards the traction wing 5 (the yoke 23 not having been shown).

[0068] On the figure 11 , the visible face of the gripping device 22 is that which is turned towards the lashing trolley 12B.

[0069] The gripping device 22 is shown opposite a nesting interface 35 which is fixed to the lashing trolley 12B (the rest of the lashing trolley 12B has not been shown).

[0070] The position of the figures 10 And 11illustrates an intermediate position of the lashing operation of the traction wing 5 during its folding process. In this position, the traction line 8 has brought the traction wing 5 back so that its leading edge 16 is opposite the lashing trolley 12B, and the lashing line 20 is being wound by its winch 21, a traction then being exerted on the lashing line 20 (illustrated by the arrow of the figure 11 ).

[0071] This operation causes the shuttle 14 to rise along the guide line 9. Doubling the guide line 9 here allows the shuttle 14 to slide without pivoting around a vertical axis. A sliding connection is thus ensured, instead of a sliding pivot connection.

[0072] The gripping device 22 comprises, at the level of the body 24, a housing 36 intended to receive the shuttle 14. The housing 36 is delimited by side walls cooperating with the two flats 33 of the shuttle 14, and by a bottom wall 37 itself cooperating with another flat 38 of the shuttle 14.

[0073] There figure 12 illustrates the pieces of the figures 10 And 11, profile views. The nesting interface 35 comprises elements allowing the gripping device 22 to be secured in a predefined position. In the present example, these elements comprise a recess 39 which is complementary to a recess 40 of the body 24. The shuttle 14 is also part of these positioning elements, since it is designed to engage in an imprint 41 of the nesting interface 35. The recess 40 also has a significant advantage in terms of force absorption, since the cooperation of the recesses 39 and 40 makes it possible to absorb all of the vertical forces which will be exerted on the gripping device 22 during the folding operations, these forces possibly being greater than 15 kN.

[0074] The imprint 41 comprises internal walls for receiving and positioning the shuttle 14. The ovoid shape of the shuttle 14, and its complement in the shape of the imprint 41, guarantee the predefined positioning, when docking the gripping device 22 on the nesting interface 35.

[0075] There figure 12 also illustrates the arrangement of the furling line 13. The gripping device 22 comprises a furling rod 42 projecting vertically from above the body 24. The furling line 13 projects in the extension of the furling rod 24. In the present example, the furling rod 42 is produced by a tube fitted into the body 24, the furling line passing through this tube and its end being fixed to the body 24.

[0076] Between its attachment to the furling rod 42 and its path towards the trailing edge 17, the furling line 13 forms a loop 55 and passes through a ring 43 which is integral with the tube 42. The ring 43 is for example a low-friction ring, or can be made by a tube or a pulley. A pull on the loop 55 thus causes a pull on the furling line 13 and therefore the furling of the traction wing 5.

[0077] Furthermore, the traction on the lashing line 20, during the lashing phase of the traction wing, causes the shuttle 14 to rise and ends with the shuttle 14 entering the housing 36, as illustrated in figure 13 The shuttle 14 is then immobilized in the housing 36, thanks to the dimensional adjustment allowing the plane-on-plane support of the flats 33, 38 against internal surfaces of the housing 36.

[0078] The shuttle 14 is thus movable between a sliding configuration in which it slides along the guide line 9, and a docking configuration in which the shuttle 14 is arranged in its housing 36.

[0079] The entry of the shuttle 14 into the housing 36 further activates the levers 28, which causes the hooking arms 25 to close, i.e. to move them into a vertical position, and to be held in this position by the presence of the shuttle 14.

[0080] When the gripping device 22 and the shuttle 14 are in the position of the figure 13 , the continuation of the traction on the lashing line 20 causes the gripping device 22 to move closer to the nesting interface 35, until these two elements are coupled.

[0081] The coupling of the gripping device 22 and the nesting interface 35 is done in the predetermined position required by the nesting of the recesses 39, 40, and by the nesting of the shuttle 14 in the imprint 41. The ovoid shape of the shuttle 14 allows, during the lashing, to bring the gripping device 22 back to this predetermined position, even in the event of twisting of the lashing line 20, that is to say even in the event of rotation of the gripping device 22 around the lashing line 20. The convex shape of the shuttle 14 is thus adapted to be housed in a concave shape of the nesting interface 35, when the shuttle 14 is in the lashing configuration, the shuttle 14 causing if necessary the rotation of the assembly formed by the gripping device 22 and the shuttle 14, thanks to the shape ovoid of the shuttle 14, under the traction of the mooring line 20.

[0082] There figure 14 illustrates an alternative embodiment for the nesting interface 35 in which the latter comprises a housing 44 complementary to the body 24 as well as inclined walls 45 intended to channel the trajectory of the gripping device 22 towards this housing 44, during the coupling phase of the gripping device 22 and the nesting interface 35.

[0083] There figure 15 is a sectional view of the gripping device 22 (and the shuttle 14) after its coupling with the nesting interface 35. In this position, the leading edge 16 of the traction wing 5 is secured to the lashing trolley 12B by means of the gripping device 22. Maintaining a traction force on the lashing line 20 no longer causes the movement of the gripping device 22 (which is in abutment against the nesting interface) but maintains the lashing.

[0084] There figure 16 illustrates the gripping device 22 thus secured to the lashing trolley 12B. This figure also illustrates the other trolleys 12A, 12C, 12D, 12E. Each of the trolleys can slide along the lashing mast 4, in a controlled manner, using actuators 64A, 64B, 64C, 64D, 64E. In the present example, the actuators 64A, 64B, 64C, 64D, 64E are electric motors each controlling a pinion meshing with a rack fixed to the lashing mast 4 (the pinions and racks are not visible in the figures).

[0085] The tie-down trolley 12B includes an upper immobilizing hook 48 and a pair of lower immobilizing hooks 49, which are movable between a retracted position, in which they are clear of the gripping device 22, and an immobilizing position (that shown in FIG. figure 16 ), in which they respectively block the body 24 and the hooking arms 25 against the nesting interface 35.

[0086] Each of the folding carriages 12C, 12D, 12E comprises a pair of gripping hooks 46A, 46B, 46C, each of these pairs of gripping hooks being intended to hook the pair of folding lines 10A, 10B, 10C which corresponds to it. These hooks 12C, 12D, 12E are in the retracted position on the figure 16 .

[0087] The furling trolley 12A has a gripping hook 47 intended to actuate the furling line 13 by the loop 55. The gripping hook 47 is also retracted on the figure 16 .

[0088] Hooks 46A, 46B, 46C, 47, 48 are pivoting hooks in yokes secured to the corresponding carriage.

[0089] During the folding process of the traction wing 5, as soon as the gripping device 22 is coupled to the nesting interface 35, the immobilizing hooks 48, 49 of the lashing trolley 12B are activated towards their immobilizing position to fix the gripping device 22 on the nesting interface 35, as illustrated in FIG. figure 16 . From this stage, the traction of the lashing line 20 is no longer necessary to maintain the lashing.

[0090] The upper immobilizing hook 48 grips the upper part of the body 24 while the lower immobilizing hooks 49 grip the hooking arms 25, at the level of the fixing zone 29, that is to say above the hooking rods 27A, 27B, 27C.

[0091] The activation of the hooks 48, 49 can be done by any means, such as for example a pivoting controlled by an electric motor, or remotely controlled magnetic actuation means. In the present example, with reference to the figures 17 And 18 , the actuation of the hooks 48, 49 is done thanks to the movement of the furling carriage 12A. The figure 17 represents the carriages in transparency to make the mechanism visible. The hooks 48, 49 are each rotatably mounted on the carriage and can be actuated either by a shaft or by pinions. A control shaft 50 makes it possible to actuate in rotation all three hooks 48, 49, thanks to the arrangement of the pinions.

[0092] There figure 18 is a schematic view showing the operating principle of these elements. The control shaft 50 has at its end a lug 51 adapted to cooperate with a helical cam path 52, integral with the furling carriage 12A, so that the approach of the furling carriage 12A towards the lashing carriage 12B causes the control shaft 50 to rotate, and therefore drives the hooks 48, 49 towards their retracted position, and a move away of the furling carriage 12A from the lashing carriage 12B drives the hooks 48, 49 towards their immobilization position. An elastic element, such as a torsion spring, biases the hooks 48, 49 towards their immobilization position.

[0093] As shown in the figure 18 , the same type of mechanism allows, when the furling carriage 12A continues to move away from the lashing carriage 12B, to also drive the furling hook 47 towards its gripping position, thanks to a control shaft 53 cooperating with a helical cam path 54.

[0094] As before, the gripping hooks 46A, 46B, 46C of the folding carriages 12C, 12D, 12E can also be controlled by any means allowing them to be closed on the hooking rods 27A, 27B, 27C. In the present example, the passage of the gripping hooks 46A, 46B, 46C to their gripping position is preferably controlled by the distance of the corresponding folding carriage from the previous carriage, thanks to the same type of control as before, with control shaft, lug, and helical cam path.

[0095] So, with reference to the figure 19 , the furling trolley 12A is first slightly moved away from the lashing trolley 12B, which causes the immobilizing hooks 48, 49 to close and the gripping device 22 to be immobilized. The furling trolley 12A then remains in this position, the hook 47 being in the retracted position.

[0096] The folding trolleys 12C, 12D, 12E then each begin a downward movement along the lashing mast 4, moving away from each other so that the pairs of hooks 46A, 46B, 46C close on the hooking rods 27A, 27B, 27C, as illustrated in figure 19 .

[0097] Each hook 46A of the first folding carriage 12C closes on the three hooking rods 27A, 27B, 27C, that is to say just above the end of the first hooking rods 27A.

[0098] Each hook 46B of the second folding carriage 12D closes on two hooking rods 27B, 27C, that is to say just above the end of the second hooking rods 27B.

[0099] Each hook 46C of the third folding carriage 12E closes only on a third hooking rod 27C, just above the end of the third hooking rods 27C.

[0100] Each of the pairs of folding hooks 46A, 46B, 46C is therefore in this position of the figure 19 , just above the exit of the fold lines 10A, 10B, 10C which correspond to it.

[0101] From the position of the figure 19 , the downward movement of the folding carriages 12C, 12D, 12E continues so that: the third folding lines 10C are stretched vertically by the gripping hooks 46C which descend along the lashing mast 4 by sliding along these folding lines 10C; the second folding lines 10B are stretched vertically by the gripping hooks 46B which descend along the lashing mast 4 by sliding along these folding lines 10B as well as the folding lines 10C previously set vertically by the gripping hooks 46C; the first folding lines 10A are stretched vertically by the gripping hooks 46A which descend along the lashing mast 4 by sliding along these folding lines 10A as well as the folding lines 10B, 10C previously set vertically by the gripping hooks 46B, 46C.

[0102] During the descent of the trolleys, the hooks 46A, 46B, 46C thus slide on their corresponding folding line, bringing this folding line vertically along the lashing mast 4.

[0103] This downward movement is continued until the folding position of the figures 6 And 7 .

[0104] Once the folding position has been reached, the traction wing 5 can then be furled. This operation is carried out by raising the furling trolley 12A along the lashing mast 4, which first causes the furling hook 47 to close on the furling rod 42 (see figure 19 ). The continued rise of the 12A furling trolley then causes traction on loop 55 (loop 55 is visible at figure 12 , and has not been shown in the other figures).

[0105] The gripping device 22 thus makes it possible to guarantee rapid and secure lashing of the leading edge 16 of the traction wing 5 on the lashing trolley 12B, and also guarantees automatic, failure-free lashing of each of the folding lines 10A, 10B, 10C as well as the furling line 13.

[0106] A second embodiment for arranging the lashing line 20 will now be described with reference to figures 20 et 21 . According to this embodiment, the lashing line 20 is not permanently attached to the body 24 and provides an additional function.

[0107] There figure 20 corresponds to the figure 15 described previously, with the variants of this second embodiment. The lashing line 20 passes through an orifice 56 made in the bottom wall 37 of the body 24 and is extended by an additional portion 62 in the direction of the traction wing 5. At its exit from the orifice 56, the lashing line 20 is fixed by a clamping means which here comprises jaws 57 kept closed by elastic elements.

[0108] The gripping device 22 thus comprises a clamping means adapted to occupy a clamping position in which the lashing line 20 is held fixed on the gripping device 22, and adapted to occupy a release position in which the lashing line 20 slides freely relative to the gripping device 20.

[0109] The extension of the lashing line 20 beyond the jaws 57 allows this additional portion 62 of the lashing line 20 to perform an additional function within the traction wing 5. This function may for example relate to an action on the aerodynamic profile of the traction wing 5, or relate to an action of closing the trailing edge of the traction wing 5.

[0110] This additional function is achieved by controlling the opening of the jaws 57 and by exerting traction on the lashing line 20, which causes traction on this additional portion 62 of the traction line 20 and therefore the achievement of this additional function, for example by traction modifying the shape of the trailing edge 17.

[0111] The jaws 57 are controlled to open after the gripping device 22 has been immobilized by the immobilizing hooks 48, 49, so that the traction on the lashing line 20 is no longer useful for maintaining the lashing.

[0112] There figure 21 illustrates an embodiment of the jaws 57 and their control (according to a schematic view similar to the figure 18 ). The jaws 57 are here associated with an opening lever 58 which allows the jaws 57 to be opened. The opening lever and the jaws 57 are urged by elastic elements towards their position corresponding to the tightening of the lashing line 20.

[0113] The opening lever 58 is actuated by a rod 59 cooperating with a rod 60 having at its end a cam path 61. The rod 60, when pushed downwards by the approach of the furling carriage 12A, is designed to cause a retraction of the rod 59 (and therefore a release of the opening lever 58), which causes a closing of the jaws 57. Conversely, the continued movement away of the furling carriage 12A from the lashing carriage 12B, after having immobilized the gripping device, causes the opening of the jaws 57 and therefore the release of the additional portion 62 of the lashing line 20.

[0114] Alternatively, the jaws 57 may be driven by any other means allowing the lashing line 20 to be detached from the gripping device 22 in order to perform an additional function within the traction wing 5.

[0115] At the end of these operations leading to the folding of the traction wing ( figures 6 And 7 ) and its furling, the process of folding the traction wing 5 is then continued until the traction wing 5 is stored, for example by sliding all of the trolleys along the mast to store the wing in a suitable container.

[0116] The process of folding the traction wing 5 is thus completed.

[0117] The method of deploying the traction wing 5, during the next use, is then carried out according to the same operations as those described previously, executed in reverse order.

[0118] Variations in design can be implemented. For example, the lines can be attached directly to the end of the hooking rods or the furling rod. The number of trolleys, hooks, and lines can of course vary to suit a particular application.

[0119] Furthermore, the clamping means which is here constituted by the jaws 57 can alternatively be produced by any other means of immobilizing a line in traction, for example by a textile sheath blocker.

Claims

1. A tethered-wing traction system having: - a traction wing (5) designed to generate a traction force under the effect of the wind, this traction wing (5) having a leading edge (16) and a trailing edge (17); - a base platform (3) to which the traction wing (5) is connected via a traction line (8), the traction wing (5) being designed to be deployed and folded in relation to this base platform (3); - a mooring mast (4) for the traction wing (5), disposed on the base platform (3); - multiple folding lines (10A, 10B, 10C) this tethered-wing traction system comprises: - a folding carriage (12C, 12D, 12E) designed to slide along the mooring mast (4); - a capturing device (22) which is attached to the leading edge (16) of the traction wing (5) and has a fastening arm (25) provided with a fastening rod (27A, 27B, 27C), one of the folding lines (10A, 10B, 10C) projecting in the continuation of the fastening rod (27A, 27B, 27C); the folding carriage (12C, 12D, 12E) having a capturing hook (46A, 46B, 46C) which is movable between a retracted position and a capturing position, in which the capturing hook (46A, 46B, 46C) surrounds the fastening rod (27A, 27B, 27C) characterized in that the folding lines each having an end fixed to the leading edge of the traction wing, the ends being spaced apart from one another along this leading edge.

2. The traction system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it has a mooring line (20) connecting the capturing device (22) to the base platform (3).

3. The traction system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the capturing device (22) is attached to a median zone (15) of the leading edge (16); - the folding lines (10A, 10B, 10C) each extend between the median zone (15) and a lateral portion (19) of the leading edge (16); - the folding line (10A, 10B, 10C) which projects from the fastening rod (27A, 27B, 27C) is connected by its opposite end to one of the lateral portions (19).

4. The traction system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capturing device (22) has a body (24) on which the fastening arm (25) is mounted so as to be able to pivot between a flight position and a fastening position, in which the fastening rod (27A, 27B, 27C) is disposed substantially vertically.

5. The traction system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening rod (27A, 27B, 27C) has a tube through which the folding line (10A, 10B, 10C) passes, this folding line (10A, 10B, 10C) being connected by its end to the fastening arm (25).

6. The traction system as claimed in one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it has: - a guide line (9) connecting the capturing device (22) to the flying trajectory control device (7) ; - a shuttle (14) which can slide along the guide line (9), this shuttle (14) having a guide means (63) through which the mooring line (20) passes.

7. The traction system as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the capturing device (22) has a receiving portion (36) for the shuttle (14), the shuttle (14) being movable between a sliding configuration, in which it slides along the guide line (9), and a mooring configuration, in which the shuttle (14) is disposed in its receiving portion (36).

8. The traction system as claimed in claim 7 when it is dependent on claim 4, characterized in that the capturing device (22) has a lever (28) for controlling the pivoting of the fastening arm (25) toward its fastening position, this lever (28) being designed to be actuated by the shuttle (14) when it reaches its mooring configuration.

9. The traction system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a mooring carriage (12B) designed to slide along the mooring mast (4), this mooring carriage (12B) having an interlocking interface (35) for the capturing device (22).

10. The traction system as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the mooring carriage (12B) has means for immobilizing the capturing device (22) against the interlocking interface (35).

11. The traction system as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the immobilizing means have an immobilizing hook (48, 49) which is movable between a retracted position and an immobilizing position, in which the immobilizing hook (48, 49) locks the fastening arm (25) against the interlocking interface (35).

12. The traction system as claimed in either of claims 10 and 11 when they are dependent on claim 7, characterized in that the shuttle (14) has a convex shape suitable for being received in a concave shape of the interlocking interface (35) when the shuttle (14) is in the mooring configuration.

13. The traction system as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the shuttle (14) has an oblong shape.

14. The traction system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the folding lines (10A, 10B, 10C) are arranged in pairs, the folding lines of a pair connecting the capturing device (22) to points on the leading edge (16) that are symmetrically on either side of the capturing device (22); - the capturing device has two fastening arms (25) each provided with as many fastening rods (27A, 27B, 27C) as there are pairs of folding lines (10A, 10B, 10C).

15. The traction system as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the fastening rods (27A, 27B, 27C) are disposed in stepped fashion.

16. The traction system as claimed in either of claims 14 and 15, characterized in that it has as many folding carriages (12C, 12D, 12E) as pairs of folding lines (10A, 10B, 10C), each folding carriage (10A, 10B, 10C) having a pair of capturing hooks (46A, 46B, 46C) which are movable between a retracted position and a capturing position, in which the capturing hooks (46A, 46B, 46C) of a pair surround the fastening rods (27A, 27B, 27C) of the two fastening arms (25).

17. The traction system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: - the traction wing (5) has a furling line (13) designed to furl the traction wing (5); - the capturing device (22) has a furling rod (42), the furling line (13) projecting in the continuation of the furling rod (42); - the traction system has a furling carriage (12A) designed to slide along the mooring mast (4), the furling carriage (12A) having a furling hook (47) which is movable between a retracted position and a capturing position, in which the furling hook (47) surrounds the furling rod (42).

18. The traction system as claimed in one of claims 2 to 17, characterized in that the capturing device (22) has a clamping means (57) designed to take up a clamping position in which the mooring line (20) is kept fixed in place on the capturing device (22), and designed to take up a release position in which the mooring line (20) slides freely in relation to the capturing device (20).

19. The traction system as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the mooring line (20) is continued beyond the capturing device (22) by an additional portion (62) attached to the traction wing (5), the mooring line (20) being designed to perform an additional action on the form of the traction wing (5) when the clamping means (57) is in the release position.

20. The traction system as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capturing hook (46A, 46B, 46C) is controlled by a mechanism actuated by another carriage designed to slide along the mooring mast (4).

21. A process for deploying or folding the traction wing of a traction system as claimed in one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that it comprises a step of immobilizing the capturing device (22) in relation to the folding carriage (12C, 12D, 12E) in a position in which the fastening rod (27A, 27B, 27C) faces the capturing hook (46A, 46B, 46C).