Flexible floating interface for easy placement in the water and retrieval of a floating or submerged object

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating device (1) made of soft material intended to be mounted on a support platform, such as a boat, (3) for launching and retrieving a floating or submerged object (2), such as an inflatable boat. The floating device (1) comprises a lower face (11) in contact with the water, an upper face (10) opposite the lower face (11) on which the floating or submerged object (2) to be launched or retrieved is intended to move, two opposite side edges (14, 15) connecting the upper face (10) and the lower face (11), a front end intended to be connected to the support platform (3), and a free rear end having a notch (17) for positioning or securing the floating or submerged object (2) with respect to the floating device (1). The floating device (1) further has on its upper face (10) a groove (18) for guiding and stabilizing the floating or submerged object (2) on the floating device (1).

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention is in the naval field and relates more specifically to a device which facilitates the launching and recovery of a floating or submerged object (for example a semi-rigid hull boat) from a supporting platform, a ship for example, which can be equipped with a ramp. State of the art

[0002] The transfer of a floating object from the sea to the ramp of a mother ship, or from the ramp of the mother ship to the sea, is a particularly delicate operation due to the relative movements of the floating object with respect to the moving ship. These operations are usually carried out using a lifting device equipped with a boom or arm that supports a cable ending in a hook. This assembly is used to lower the floating object from the ship to the sea or to lift the object and place it on the ship. Other systems exist, such as sliding tube systems fixed to the ramp, which facilitate the transfer of the object from the sea to the ramp and from the ramp to the sea. These operations generally require human intervention, which is made more difficult and dangerous in rough seas.These devices have the drawback that the object can strike the hull of the ship, especially in rough seas. In this case, there is a risk of damage to the vessel and endangers the safety of those on board the floating object (if it is a boat), as well as those on the ship involved in the maneuver.

[0003] To remedy these drawbacks, it has been proposed to configure the ramp so that its lower end is located below the surface of the water so that the floating object on the sea comes into contact with the inclined surface of the ramp and not with its submerged lower end.

[0004] This solution is generally unsuitable for use in rough seas and does not prevent violent impacts between the floating object and the inclined surface. Furthermore, such a ramp does not prevent lateral movement of the object due to water movement, which can also damage the ramp and / or the floating object. In addition, access for maintenance of such an inclined ramp proves difficult.

[0005] Current solutions are therefore not entirely satisfactory, and there is a need for a vessel, and more generally a platform, equipped with a system that allows for the rapid deployment and recovery of floating objects such as watercraft in the safest possible manner, within the operating limits of the platform, and that is compatible with a wide variety of floating or submerged objects to be recovered or deployed. Examples of floating devices are described, for example, in CA 2 463 306 A1; US ​​2009 / 044740 A1; US ​​2016 / 280341 A1; US ​​8 234 992 B1; US ​​2008 / 282958 A1. Description of the invention

[0006] To address these difficulties, a floating soft-material device (also called a "soft interface") is proposed, designed to be mounted on a support platform (e.g., a vessel called a mothership) for the launching and recovery of a floating or submerged object (e.g., an inflatable boat), comprising: a lower face in contact with the water, an upper face opposite the lower face on which the floating or submerged object to be put into the water or recovered is intended to move (or progress), two opposite lateral edges connecting the upper and lower faces, a front end intended to be connected to the supporting platform, and a free rear end having a notch for positioning the floating or submerged object relative to the floating device, the floating device further having on its upper face a groove for guiding and stabilizing the floating or submerged object on the floating device.

[0007] The guide and stabilizing groove extends across the top face of the floating device from the bottom of the notch at the rear end to the front end of the floating device.

[0008] The main advantage of this invention is to facilitate the launching and recovery of a floating or submerged object.

[0009] More specifically, the proposed solution allows the floating or submerged object, during the approach phase, to come to rest on the floating device and pre-position itself relative to the support platform without making contact with it. Once the floating or submerged object is grasped, the floating device provides progressive damping of movement differentials during the transfer until the object is fully positioned on a ramp of the support platform. This soft interface thus ensures a smooth transition of the floating or submerged object, tolerant of relative movements and destructive impacts.

[0010] The free rear end of this floating device has a notch for positioning the bow of a floating or submerged object relative to the floating device when retrieving the object and for securing the rear of the object when launching the object.

[0011] The guide and stabilization groove for the floating or submerged object on the device, extending from said positioning notch to the front end of this floating device, allows said object to progress by sliding on the upper face of the device.

[0012] The floating device is therefore configured to pre-position the floating or submerged object in the axis of a rear ramp of a carrying platform (a ship for example), guide it along this axis and prevent it from tipping to one side or the other (i.e. transversely) when it is in the recovery or launching phase of the floating or submerged object.

[0013] The floating device allows for the rapid and safe deployment and retrieval of a floating or submerged object without damaging it. The risk of collision between the support platform and the object during these maneuvers is reduced, and the safety of personnel involved is preserved.

[0014] The floating device also helps to cushion the shocks caused by water movements and to avoid direct contact between the floating or submerged object and the supporting platform.

[0015] Its soft and flexible structure provides flexibility. By soft material, we mean a material that can be elastically deformed.

[0016] The floating device can be easily replaced with another floating device depending on the desired buoyancy.

[0017] The simple solution of the invention is very different from the lifting gantries of the prior art which use multiple mechanical parts (boom, rails, motor, etc.), and which have a rigid structure.

[0018] The invention finds a particular application in the launching and recovery of semi-rigid boats, called RHIBs for " rigid-hulled inflatable boat » in English.

[0019] While not exhaustive, a floating or submerged object can be a surface vessel or a submersible, with or without a motor. Similarly, it can be a rigid inflatable boat or an inflatable boat propelled by oars or a motor (known as a secondary craft) capable of carrying one or more people and / or cargo. It can also include autonomous or remotely operated vehicles, or any other object that floats or is submersible.

[0020] Other advantages of the floating device are listed below: Simplification of maneuvers and optimization of operator and passenger safety during the launching and recovery of the floating or submerged object; limitation of relative movements during maneuvers, increased contact surfaces to distribute forces; adaptability and versatility of the solution: interchangeable buffer piece, adaptable to different sizes and types of floating or submerged objects, independently of the carrier platform; safe embarkation and disembarkation of passengers; usable within the limits of the carrier platform's operation; speed of operations and optimized safety: recovery time less than 2 minutes and release time less than 30 seconds; reduction in the number of people required for maneuvering the floating or submerged object (three maximum);Improved durability and easy maintenance (simple assembly / disassembly afloat without requiring tools or dedicated infrastructure); ease of replacement in case of wear or deterioration.

[0021] An installation including such a floating device and a ship's stern ramp may have the following characteristics: The guide and stabilizing groove may extend over the upper face of the floating device from the bottom of the notch located at the rear end to the front end of the floating device; the floating device may be composed of foam; at least part of the surface of the guide and stabilizing groove may be covered with at least one layer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to ensure the sliding of the floating or submerged object on the floating device; the front end of the floating device may have, between its opposite lateral edges, an internal bore for the passage of a flexible axis of rotation of the floating device relative to the ship, the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the surface of the water when said floating device is fixed to said ship;the height of the floating device between the upper and lower faces at the forward end is greater than the height of the device at the aft end so that the upper face may slope towards the rear of the floating device; said aft ramp of the ship may comprise a metal frame, covered with a rubber compound and at least one layer of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating; the flexible axis of rotation of the floating device relative to the ship may consist of a metal or synthetic cable stretched between two turnbuckles fixed to the ship; the aft ramp of the ship may have guide rollers on its lateral edges for the floating or submerged object to be deployed or recovered;The installation may include a winching system consisting of a winch for winding a cable to secure the floating or submerged object as it moves along the floating device and the ship's stern ramp. Alternatively, any other system performing the same functions may be used.

[0022] The invention is particularly, but not exclusively, intended for a vessel (called mothership) equipped with a launching and recovery installation for a floating or submerged object comprising a floating device as described above and a ramp located at the rear of the vessel and having lateral edges inclined outwards, said ramp being configured to cooperate with the floating device to launch or recover a floating or submerged object.

[0023] Preferred features of the device according to the invention that are particularly simple, convenient and economical are presented below.

[0024] The floating device may be made of foam.

[0025] At least part of the surface of the guide and stabilizing groove may be covered with at least one layer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to ensure the sliding of the floating or submerged object on the floating device.

[0026] The front end of the floating device may have between its opposite lateral edges an internal bore for the passage of a flexible axis of rotation of the floating device relative to the supporting platform, the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the surface of the water when said floating device is fixed to the supporting platform.

[0027] The height of the floating device between the upper and lower faces at the front end may be greater than the height of the device at the rear end so that the upper face slopes towards the rear of the floating device.

[0028] The invention also relates to a carrier platform provided with a launching and recovery installation for a floating or submerged object comprising a floating device as previously described and which may have a ramp located on an edge of the carrier platform and having lateral edges inclined outwards, said ramp being configured to cooperate with the floating device to launch or recover a floating or submerged object.

[0029] The rear ramp may include a rubber frame covered with at least one layer of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

[0030] The flexible axis of rotation of the floating device relative to the supporting platform can consist of a metal or synthetic cable stretched between two turnbuckles fixed to the supporting platform.

[0031] The ship's rear ramp may have guide rollers on its lateral edges for the floating or submerged object to be launched or recovered.

[0032] The installation for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object may include a winching system comprising a winch for winding a cable to retain the floating or submerged object as it progresses on the floating device and the ramp of the supporting platform.

[0033] The ramp can be located at the rear of the support platform, or at the front or on the sides.

[0034] The supporting platform can be a ship. List of Figures

[0035] The drawings in the appendices provide a non-exhaustive illustration of the proposed technique and its various advantages: [ Fig. 1 ] is a top view of the floating device according to one embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] is a perspective view of the floating device according to the figure 1 ; Fig. 3 ] is a side view of the floating device according to the figure 1 ; Fig. 4 ] is a top view of the stern of a vessel equipped with a facility for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object; Fig. 5 ] illustrates this rear section viewed from the side and shows an object floating or submerged at sea near the floating device (left) and in storage position on the ship's rear ramp (right); Fig. 6 ] illustrates an example of a ship's rear ramp equipped with a launching and recovery facility for a floating or submerged object. Detailed description of the invention

[0036] The present description is given as a non-limiting example of implementation.

[0037] A vessel, called a mothership, forming a carrying platform, is described below by way of example, which is equipped with a launching and recovery installation for floating or submerged objects comprising a floating device made of soft material, called a soft interface, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] The supporting platform can be a structure other than a ship.

[0039] As illustrated on the figures 4 And 5The mothership features a stern ramp equipped with such a floating device, mounted on a pivoting axis, for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object, which in this example is a RHIB-type craft used for rescue operations. The installation is configured both to lower such a craft from the ship to the surface of the sea and to lift it from the sea and then hoist it onto the ship.

[0040] In this example, the boat launching and retrieval system consists of the following elements: a floating device or float forming a soft interface between the craft and the mothership, a structural stern ramp integrated into the shape of the mothership's hull, and a winching system integrated on the mothership. Floating device or soft material float

[0041] An example of a floating device according to the invention is shown in the figures 1 to 3This floating device 1 is in the form of a plate made of soft material (formed from foam or any other suitable material) having a substantially flat lower surface 11 intended to come into contact with the water and an inclined or sloping upper surface 10, two straight lateral edges 14, 15, a straight front edge 13, and a rear edge 12. The front end of the floating device 1 is intended to be connected to the vessel 3, and the rear end is free. The rear edge 12 has a notch 17 for positioning or securing a vessel 2 relative to the floating device 1, which has a "V" shape with its sides converging towards the center of the plate. This notch 17 is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plate which extends between the front edge 13 and the rear edge 12. The notch 17 extends over a part of the width of the plate defined between the two opposite lateral edges 14, 15.The depth of the notch 17 is here equal to one quarter of the length of the plate. The thickness of the plate defined between the upper surface 10 and the lower surface 11 is greater at the front end than at the rear end.

[0042] In addition to this notch 17 for positioning or securing a boat in relation to the floating device 1, the upper surface 10 of the floating device 1 has a groove 18 for guiding and stabilizing the boat 2 on the floating device 1.

[0043] This axial groove 18 extends from the bottom of the notch 17 to the forward end of the floating device 1. This groove 18 is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plate and extends over part of the plate's width. It is flared in shape, its width at the bottom of the notch 17 being greater than its width at the forward end of the floating device 1. Its length here is approximately three-quarters of the plate's length. It has a first portion extending from the bottom of the notch 17 with a slope (or angle of inclination) corresponding to that of the ship's stern ramp when the floating or submerged object is on the floating device, and a second portion with a gentler slope located at the front of the plate ( figure 2 ).

[0044] The floating device 1 can be solid or hollow.

[0045] The floating device 1 can be made of foam, for example polyethylene or any other suitable material, on which a coating, for example polyurethane, can be deposited.

[0046] The surface of the axial groove 18 is covered with at least one layer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) coating to ensure the sliding of the craft 2 on the floating device 1. The V-shaped notch 17 allows: to guide the bow of boat 2 towards the axial groove 18 when boat 2 is recovered for storage on ship 3 (this is therefore a docking notch when boat 2 is recovered), and to wedge the rear of boat 2 during the transitional phases of recovery or launching of the latter.

[0047] The V-shaped groove 18 helps to keep the boat 2 on the axis and to limit its list.

[0048] More generally, the shape of the floating device 1 is designed so that: the floating device acts as an extension of the rear ramp 31 of ship 3, the hull of boat 2 arrives at the correct height in the rear ramp 31 of ship 3 (i.e. neither too high nor too low) and does not strike the stern of the mother ship 3.

[0049] The slope of the floating device 1 ensures the launching of the vessel 2 by gravity and is particularly suitable for semi-rigid boats.

[0050] As can be seen on the figure 3 , the front end of the floating device 1 having between its opposite lateral edges 14, 15 an internal bore 16 through for the passage of a flexible axis 19 of rotation of the floating device 1 relative to the ship 3, the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the surface of the water when the floating device 1 is connected to the ship 3.

[0051] The flexible shaft 19 which passes through the internal bore 16 is made of a metal cable or synthetic material.

[0052] The tension of this cable is adjusted using two turnbuckles 32 located on each side of the floating device 1 and fixed to the structure of the mother ship 3.

[0053] The axis of rotation or pivoting of the floating device 1 formed by the flexible axis 19 is therefore offset from the stern of the ship 3 and distant from the latter so that there is no contact between the stern of the ship 3 and the floating device 1.

[0054] The tension of the flexible shaft 19 is chosen to retain the floating device 1 and absorb axial forces (shocks) without transmitting them to the structure of the mother ship 3. Using a flexible shaft rather than a rigid one allows for multiple degrees of freedom and dampens the shocks when the vessel 2 strikes the floating device 1. The absorption of shocks and associated energy is based on three principles: Archimedes' principle, by sinking the floating device 1 under the effect of the boat 2 (when the float is sunk into the water, a damping reaction is obtained due to Archimedes' principle); the composition of the floating device 1: made of foam coated for example with polyurethane or equivalent and which can be reinforced with three woven layers, and the pivot connection by a flexible cable (synthetic or metallic).

[0055] From its lowered position, the floating device 1 can be raised (into the stowed or raised position) manually or by motor. It is not advisable to leave the floating device 1 trailing behind the carrier vessel 3 during operation. A system (not shown) on the stern of vessel 3 allows the floating device 1 to be raised or lowered. These operations are facilitated by the fact that the floating device 1 is relatively compact and lightweight, and therefore relatively easy to handle.

[0056] In addition to the floating soft material device that is the subject of this invention, the ship's launching and recovery installation for floating or submerged objects described herein by way of example includes a rear ramp and a winching system which are detailed below. Ship's rear ramp

[0057] The rear ramp 31 of ship 3 is shown on the figure 6 , and is also visible on the figures 4 And 5 .

[0058] This 31 rear ramp is made of aluminium and is directly integrated into the hull of the 3 mother ship.

[0059] The slope of this rear ramp 31 has been designed to allow launching by gravity without external effort. This slope is between 10° and 14°.

[0060] The slope of the rear ramp 31 is in continuity with that of the floating device 1 to allow the boat 2 to slide from the rear ramp 31 to the floating device 1 or vice versa.

[0061] Several accessories are arranged on this rear ramp 3: a so-called "sliding" interface 311 having a flat central part and two opposite lateral edges sloping or inclined outwards, and guide rollers 312 (four in this example) which are integrated on each side of the sliding interface 311. They allow the boat 2 to be guided during the raising or launching phases and prevent it from tipping to one side or the other.

[0062] The 311 sliding interface consists of a set of four plates inserted into U-shaped aluminum profiles. Each plate can be made of: of a rubber or polymer core, and a PTFE coating on each face

[0063] The role of this sliding interface 311 is to absorb any shocks between boat 2 and the aluminium structure of the mother ship 3, and to allow boat 2 to slide and be launched by gravity. winching system

[0064] The winching system 32 comprises a cable wound on the drum of a winch. Lashing means are provided on the lower part of the hull of the vessel 2, which is towed from the bow. The winching system thus pulls (or holds during launching) the floating or submerged object from below as it is lifted onto the vessel 3. How it works

[0065] The operation of the launching and recovery system for a floating or submerged object is described below using the numerical references of the figures 4 And 5 .

[0066] During a recovery phase, the boat 2 to be recovered is initially located in the water as illustrated in the top view of the figure 4 , near the floating device 1 which is connected to the ship 3 by a flexible pivot axis as described previously.

[0067] The floating or submerged object 2 is advanced on the V-groove 18 of the floating device 1 by being guided by the V-notch 17. The notch 17 is intended to guide the movement of the floating or submerged object 2 in the axis of the floating device 1 and the rear ramp 31 of the mother ship 3.

[0068] When boat 2 reaches the floating device 1, the latter pivots around its axis of rotation and sinks into the water under the weight of boat 2. This helps to absorb the impact (by displacing water). The angle between the floating device 1 and boat 2 gradually aligns with the angle of the rear ramp 31. Once boat 2 is in contact with the floating device 1, the latter acts as an extension or continuation of the rear ramp 31, allowing boat 2 to slide from the rear ramp 31 to the floating device 1 or vice versa.

[0069] One of the advantages of the invention is to prevent collisions in the event that boat 2 arrives at speed by absorbing the impact and allowing boat 2 to position itself on the floating device 1 in order to stabilize its movements so that the operator can retrieve and attach a towing system. The winch system 32 is an example of a towing solution that then allows boat 2 to be hauled up onto the stern ramp 31 of the vessel 3.

[0070] The stern ramp 31 of vessel 3 and the floating device 1 are configured to guide the craft 2 along the straightest possible trajectory, preventing it from moving laterally. In this way, the launching and recovery of a floating or submerged object can be carried out while the vessel is moving. Thus, the floating or submerged object, towed by the vessel, naturally positions itself in line with its direction of travel.

[0071] Since the floating device 1 is made of soft material, it ensures a transition of the floating or submerged object that is tolerant to relative movements and shocks, and allows: to cushion the shock on arrival of the boat or more generally of the floating or submerged object; to guide the boat in the axis of the rear ramp, and to stabilize the boat while the operator retrieves the tow line.

[0072] A launching and recovery system for a floating or submerged object, employing a floating device according to the invention, thus makes it possible to grasp such a floating or submerged object without damaging it. The risks of collision between the vessel and the floating or submerged object are also reduced.

[0073] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the examples described and represented, the supporting platform may not be a ship.

[0074] Furthermore, the installation may not implement a ramp and / or winching system.

Claims

1. A carrier platform (3), such as a ship, provided with a facility for launching and recovery of a floating or submerged object (2), such as an inflatable boat, said facility comprising a ramp (31) located on an edge of the carrier platform (3), said ramp (31) being configured to cooperate with a floating device (1) made of soft material designed to ensure the transition of said floating or submerged object (2) between said ramp (31) and the water, the floating device (1) comprising a lower face (11) in contact with water, an upper face (10) opposite the lower face (11) on which the floating or submerged object (2) to be launched or recovered is intended to move, two opposite lateral edges (14, 15) connecting the upper face (10) and the lower face (11), a front end intended to be connected to the carrier platform (3) and a free rear end having a notch (17) for positioning or chocking the floating or submerged object (2) relative to the floating device (1), the floating device (1) further having on its upper face (10) a groove (18) for guiding and stabilising the floating or submerged object (2) on the floating device (1), the guiding and stabilising groove (18) extending on the upper face (10) of the floating device (1) from the bottom of the notch (17) located at the rear end up to the front end of the floating device (1) characterised in that the front end of the floating device (1) has between its opposite lateral edges an internal bore (16) for passing a flexible axis (19) of rotation of the floating device (1) relative to the carrier platform (3), the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the water surface when said floating device (1) is fastened to the carrier platform (3).

2. The carrier platform (3) according to claim 1, characterised in that the floating device (1) is composed of foam.

3. The carrier platform (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least a portion of the surface of the groove (18) for guiding and stabilising the floating device (1) being covered with at least one layer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to ensure the sliding of the floating or submerged object (2) on the floating device (1).

4. The carrier platform (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the height of the floating device (1) between the upper and lower faces at the front end is greater than the height of the device at the rear end so that the upper face (10) has a slope towards the rear of the floating device (1).

5. The carrier platform (3) according to any of claims 1 to 4, said rear ramp (31) comprising a rubber framework covered with at least one layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

6. The carrier platform (3) according to any of claims 1 to 5, the flexible axis (19) of rotation of the floating device (1) relative to the carrier platform (3) being composed of a cable made of metal or synthetic material tensioned between two rigging screws (32) fastened to the carrier platform (3).

7. The carrier platform (3) according to any of claims 1 to 6, the rear ramp (31) of the ship having on its lateral edges rollers (312) for guiding the floating or submerged object (2) to be launched or recovered.

8. The carrier platform (3) according to any of claims 1 to 7, the facility for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object (2) comprising a winching system (32) comprising a winch for winding a cable for holding the floating or submerged object (2) when it advances over the floating device (1) and the ramp (31) of the carrier platform (3).

9. The carrier platform (3) according to any of claims 1 to 8, the buoyancy of the floating device being selected such that, when the floating or submerged object (2) is located on the floating device (1), the slope of the upper face (10) of the floating device (1) is equal to the slope of the rear ramp (31) of the carrier platform (3).

10. The carrier platform (3) according to any of claims 1 to 9, said ramp (31) being located at the rear of the carrier platform.

11. The carrier platform (3) according to any of claims 1 to 10, said carrier platform being a ship.

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