Polar zone ship

Abstract

The invention relates to a polar zone vessel, remarkable in that it comprises a central tubular structure (13), a hull (1) of substantially circular shape, and structural elements (15, 17, 19) interposed between said central tubular structure (13) and said hull (1). (Fig. 3)

Description

Title of the invention: Polar zone ship

[0001] The present invention relates to a vessel intended for polar regions, in which the sea is covered with ice for a large part of the year.

[0002] A number of ships are known from the prior art whose hulls have been designed to be able to withstand the pressure of ice in polar regions.

[0003] These ships, whose hulls are generally metallic, include numerous structural reinforcement elements which significantly encroach on the useful volume inside the ship.

[0004] In addition, the hull thicknesses must be significant, so as to withstand the pressure of the ice.

[0005] An objective of the present invention is to provide a vessel for polar zones of new design, which by its geometry makes it possible to significantly increase the useful space for the crew and for the various installations.

[0006] Another objective of the present invention is to be able to produce such a ship with a hull of reduced thickness.

[0007] This object of the invention, as well as other advantages, is achieved with a scientific exploration vessel in the polar zone, remarkable in that it comprises a central tubular structure, a hull of substantially circular shape, and structural elements interposed between said central tubular structure and said hull.

[0008] Thanks to this entirely new architecture, which is somewhat like a wheel with a hub and spokes, offering equal resistance to ice pressure in all radial directions, it has been found that with a relatively limited number of structural elements extending between the central tubular structure and the shell, the desired strength characteristics are obtained, with a reduced shell thickness.

[0009] Such a vessel is particularly suitable for drifting missions in polar areas, during which it is planned to leave the vessel stuck in the ice to drift for several months, until the ice melts, a certain number of scientific experiments (sample taking, current measurements, etc.) being planned throughout this drifting period.

[0010] Typically, this ship can be positioned in the vicinity of the North Pole, then drift south for six to eighteen months, over a distance of around 5000 km.

[0011] According to other optional features of the present invention, taken alone or in combination: said central tubular structure opens onto an opening located below said hull: this opening, often referred to by specialists as "moon pool”, allows samples to be taken from the sea from inside the ship, and also allows divers to go out to sea from inside the ship; said hull has a flat bottom and rounded sides: this particular geometry allows the ship to offer less grip to the ice when the latter exerts pressure forces against the hull; this ship comprises a plurality of floors supporting installations chosen from the group comprising: an engine room, crew cabins, a living area, laboratories, a piloting area: the presence of these different floors makes it possible to have a plurality of floors inside the ship, thus optimizing the useful space; said facilities are distributed, from the base to the top of the ship, in the following order: engine room, crew cabins and laboratories, living areas, piloting areas: this rational distribution allows the heaviest elements (machines) to be placed in the bottom of the ship's hull, and thus lower the center of gravity; in addition, the areas in which the crew circulates are thus located in the superstructures, which allows visibility towards the outside of the ship, thus improving the quality of life on board; this vessel has a dome covering the said installations, and including areas of visibility towards the outside: such a dome, due to its rounded shape, offers low resistance to wind and sea swells in the event of a storm; this vessel comprises at least one substantially annular fuel tank, arranged on the periphery of said hull: it is thus possible to obtain a significant volume of fuel, making it possible to cope with long-term scientific campaigns; this fuel can also be used to stabilize the vessel; this vessel comprises a plurality of waterjet thrusters: these waterjets, consisting of directional high-pressure water jets, allow optimal maneuverability of the vessel; this vessel includes a staircase which wraps around said central tubular structure: this particular arrangement, which allows the tubular structure to be used as a column of a spiral staircase, is perfectly suited to the general circular shape of the vessel, and makes it possible to optimize the useful space in the habitable areas thereof; said central tubular structure, said shell and said structural elements are formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy: the use of such a metal or metal alloy makes it possible to obtain optimal resistance, particularly with regard to corrosion, and this at a cost which remains acceptable.

[0012] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

[0013] [Fig-1]: a perspective view from above of a ship according to the invention;

[0014] [Fig.2]: a perspective view from below of a ship according to the invention;

[0015] [Fig.3]: a perspective and axial sectional view of a ship according to the invention;

[0016] [Fig.4]: an axial section view of a ship according to the invention;

[0017] [Fig.5]: a schematic view of a waterjet engine intended to equip a ship according to the invention.

[0018] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs throughout the figures.

[0019] We now refer to Figures 1 and 2, in which we can see that the ship according to the invention has a generally circular shape, that is to say symmetrical around an axis A, this axis being intended to be vertical when the ship is floating on calm water.

[0020] This ship has a hull of substantially circular shape, surmounted by a dome 3 which may have a multi-faceted surface.

[0021] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 4, the shell 3 has a rounded shape 5 and a flat bottom 7.

[0022] In the center of the flat bottom 7 there is a through opening 9. An access 11 allows internal access to the dome 3 from the outside; a second access arranged substantially symmetrically to the access 11 can also be provided on the dome 3 (see [Fig.4]).

[0023] We now refer more particularly to Figures 3 and 4, in which we can see the interior structure of the ship according to the invention.

[0024] As can be seen in these figures, a central tubular structure 13 forming a sort of chimney extends from the opening 9 to the top of the dome 3.

[0025] This central tubular structure 13 crosses a plurality of floors 15, 17, 19, defining with the bottom 7 of the hull the first 21, second 22, third 23 and fourth 24 levels.

[0026] These floors are formed by structural elements 25 which are interposed between the central tubular structure 13 and the hull 1.

[0027] These floors are adapted to support different installations, namely: machines on the first level 21, crew stations 27 and laboratories 29 on the second level 22, a living area, a saloon, a kitchen, sanitary facilities on the third level 23, a pilot station, a workroom and a library on the fourth and last level 24.

[0028] More specifically, in the engine room located on the first level 21, one can find diesel engines for ensuring the propulsion of the ship, generator sets, a seawater desalination plant for producing drinking water, a heating boiler, a wastewater treatment plant, a mechanical workshop, an electrical / electronic workshop, a technical stock of spare parts, etc.

[0029] The laboratories 29 may comprise dry laboratories, at ambient temperature and making it possible to process samples taken from sea water, and wet laboratories at low temperature (approximately 5°C) making it possible to ensure the collection of samples, either continuously by pumping directly under the ship, or by deeper sampling using instruments immersed in the sea water via the central tubular structure 13 and the opening 9.

[0030] Advantageously, the space available inside the central tubular structure 13 is used to ensure ventilation of the different levels of the ship, to circulate bundles of cables and pipes, to arrange an emergency ladder there allowing exit from the ship through the top of the dome 3 via a safety airlock 31 visible in [Fig.l].

[0031] A staircase 32 winds around the central tubular structure 13, in the manner of a spiral staircase: this staircase thus arranged, serving all levels of the ship, makes it possible to reduce the encroachment on the crew circulation areas at the different levels of the ship.

[0032] Inside the hull 1, and at the periphery thereof, there is one or more cavities of substantially annular shape 33, forming fuel tanks for supplying the propulsion engines of the ship according to the invention.

[0033] Advantageously, means can be provided for circulating this fuel from one cavity 33 to another so as to balance the ship.

[0034] The dome 3 comprises glazed areas 34, allowing the crew to see outwards, and in particular to the fourth level 24, where the cockpit is located.

[0035] Preferably, the propulsion means of the ship according to the invention are water jets arranged under the hull of the ship.

[0036] Such a waterjet is shown in [Fig.5]: it essentially comprises a propeller 35 capable of sucking water 37 from outside the ship towards the inside of a converging nozzle 39, making it possible to discharge this water under very high pressure 41 into the sea.

[0037] By acting on the orientation of the outlet jet 41, it is possible to modify the direction of the propulsion force on the ship.

[0038] By providing a plurality of such water jets, typically three in this case, equidistantly distributed under the hull of the ship, it is possible to obtain a optimal maneuverability of this vessel, and in particular allowing it to pivot on itself, move laterally, etc.

[0039] The propellers of these waterjets can be driven by the diesel engines installed on the first level 21 of the ship.

[0040] The materials used to form the central tubular structure 3, the structural floors 15, 17, 19, the faceted dome structure 3, the shell 1, are preferably chosen from the group comprising aluminum and aluminum alloys: these materials in fact present an excellent cost / weight / corrosion resistance compromise.

[0041] Without this being limiting of course, it can be envisaged that the ship according to the invention has a diameter of the order of 20 m, a height of the order of 12 m, and that the radius of curvature of the rounded part 5 of the hull 1 is of the order of 30 m.

[0042] The mode of operation and the advantages of the ship according to the invention result directly from the preceding description.

[0043] The structural calculations have made it possible to verify that the circular shape of the ship according to the invention, with a central tubular structure 13 from which structural elements forming the floors 15, 17, 19 radiate to the circular hull 1, makes it possible to obtain an excellent compromise between the resistance necessary to the pressure of the ice (which can typically reach 300 tonnes) and the habitability of the ship.

[0044] Thanks to this particular geometry in fact, it was possible to verify that a relatively limited number of radial elements extending between the central tubular structure 13 and the shell 1 was sufficient to ensure the desired resistance.

[0045] The central tubular structure 13 also has numerous advantages: it allows access from the interior of the ship to the sea, via the opening 9: this access is useful for taking samples, and for the passage of divers.

[0046] In addition, this central tubular structure 13 makes it possible to free the habitable space of the ship from any other vertical structural element necessary for supporting the floors 15, 17, 19.

[0047] This central tubular structure 13 also allows the passage of a certain number of members, as indicated previously, namely bundles of electrical cables, pipes, ventilation ducts, etc.

[0048] As previously indicated, the ship according to the invention is particularly intended for scientific missions in polar zones, and adapted to drift for long months at the mercy of the currents which move the ice floes, remaining trapped in the ice.

[0049] Since such a ship is intended in particular to highlight the impact of human activity on the melting of ice in polar regions, it is important that it can have minimal impact on the environment, hence the presence in particular of a wastewater treatment facility on the first level 21, making it possible to avoid any discharge of polluted water into the sea.

[0050] The airlocks 11 (see [Fig.4]) allow access to the third level 23 inside the dome 3 from outside the ship.

[0051] It will be noted that the fact that the hull 1 defines an annular rim 43 relative to the dome 3 (figures 1 and 4) makes it possible to create a circulation zone outside the dome, as well as a passage zone towards another ship which would come to dock in order to allow the transhipment of people and / or goods.

[0052] Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Polar zone exploration vessel, comprising a central tubular structure (13), a hull (1) of substantially circular shape topped by a dome (3), and structural elements (15, 17, 19) interposed between said central tubular structure (13) and said hull (1), characterized in that said central tubular structure (13) opens onto an opening (9) located under said hull (1), and in that it extends from said opening (9) to the top of said dome (3).

2. Ship according to claim 1, characterized in that said hull (1) has a flat bottom (7) and rounded sides (5).

3. Ship according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of floors (15, 17, 19) supporting installations chosen from the group comprising: an engine room, crew cabins, a living area, laboratories, a piloting area.

4. Ship according to claim 3, characterized in that said installations are distributed, from the base to the top of the ship, in the following order: engine room, crew cabins and laboratories, living areas, piloting areas.

5. Ship according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said dome (3) comprises outward visibility zones (34).

6. Vessel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one substantially annular fuel tank (33), arranged at the periphery of said hull (1).

7. A vessel according to any preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of waterjet thrusters.

8. Vessel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a staircase (32) which wraps around said central tubular structure (13).

9. A vessel according to any preceding claim, characterized in that said central tubular structure (13), said hull (1) and said structural elements (15, 17, 19) are formed from aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

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