system for reloading boats during the time spent passing through a lock.

Abstract

System for recharging boats during the time spent passing through a lock. The invention relates to a recharging system for a boat at a lock, said system comprising: a power source installed at the lock, a power cable (5) connected to the power source, which cable (5) is provided with a power plug (5A) configured to connect to a complementary plug of the boat, a float (7) configured to translate according to the water level in the lock, the power plug (5A) cooperating with said float (7) so that the plug (5A) remains constantly at the same level as the boat regardless of the water level in the lock, and a counterweight configured to keep the power cable (5) taut regardless of the water level present in the lock. Abstract figure: [Fig. 3]

Description

Title of the invention: system for reloading boats while passing through a lock. Technical field.

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for recharging boats at a lock, in particular for recharging electric boats.

[0002] The invention relates to the technical field of navigation of commercial and pleasure boats. Presentation of the invention.

[0003] The solution proposed by the invention is a recharging system for a boat at a lock, said system comprising: a power source installed at the lock, a power cable connected to the power source, which cable is provided with a power plug configured to connect to a complementary plug of the boat, a float configured to translate according to the water level in the lock, the power plug cooperating with said float so that the plug remains constantly at the same level as the boat regardless of the water level in the lock, and a counterweight configured to keep the power cable taut regardless of the water level present in the lock.

[0004] More particularly, the invention makes it possible to supply boats during their passage through the locks in complete safety. This supply is carried out by a supply cable. The float will allow the supply cable to follow the height of the water present in the lock, so that the cable is never in contact with the water. The supply cable must always be taut thanks to the counterweight and it must not come into contact with the walls of the lock and / or the boat during supply, or when the water level of the lock is subject to significant currents.

[0005] Other advantageous characteristics of the apparatus which is the subject of the invention are listed below. Each of these characteristics can be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable characteristics defined above. Each of these characteristics contributes, where appropriate, to the resolution of specific technical problems defined further in the description and in which the remarkable characteristics defined above do not necessarily participate. The latter may be the subject, where appropriate, of one or more divisional patent applications:

[0006] According to one embodiment, the float is a floating bollard installed in the lock.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the socket is mounted on a structure integral with the bollard.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the float is positioned in an airlock installed downstream of the lock.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the power cable is an electrical power cable.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the system comprises two pulleys positioned one above the other in the floating bollard, the power cable being wound around the two pulleys, one of the pulleys being configured to translate vertically according to the tension exerted on the cable.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the system comprises at least one trolley, the trolley being a connection trolley configured to make an electrical connection between an electrified rail of the mechanical structure and the electrical power cable.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the system further comprises a mechanical structure supporting the power cable and a tensioned link on said structure, said link being configured to allow the extension or constriction of said power cable according to the water level in the lock, the float being positioned at a first end of the tensioned link and the counterweight at a second end of said link.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the counterweight is positioned on the connection carriage, or the system comprises a second ballast carriage supporting the counterweight.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the mechanical structure forms a mast with a pulley at an upper end of said mast, said pulley receiving the taut link allowing the extension or constriction of the power cable.

[0015] More specifically, the fact that the float is a floating bollard makes it possible to reuse pre-existing devices on the locks, and to avoid major works. More specifically, the recharging is a recharging of the batteries. Indeed, the system makes it possible to carry out the electrical recharging by charging terminal of one or more boats during the lockage process without risk of electrocution. It takes advantage of the time of the lockage to recharge the boat's batteries. It also makes it possible, when the lock is near a hydroelectric dam, to use the electricity produced by the hydroelectric dam as close as possible to the place of production (without losses). The system therefore makes it possible to exploit the energy produced by the hydroelectric dams and therefore to carry out rapid, secure recharging in order to significantly increase the autonomy of electric or hybrid boats.

[0016] This system fits most locks. It keeps the power cable at a constant distance from the surface of the water in the lock. In fact, the system allows the power cable to follow this vertical movement. It prevents any contact of the power cable with the water in the lock chamber. In fact, it secures charging at the lock. The device keeps the power cable in the recess of the bollard and avoids any risk of pinching between the boat and the lock walls. The system avoids major work installing high-power terminals on the quayside.

[0017] This invention is a major advance for river transport by allowing boats to carry out regular recharges throughout their journey, by making it possible to recharge the boat using the time spent passing through the lock, which limits time losses. Thus the system will make it possible to considerably reduce the size of the batteries on board (less expensive, less polluting, less heavy and less bulky). Filling or emptying the lock chamber raises or lowers the boat.

[0018] Finally, the invention aims to make recharging at the lock safer: it reduces the risk of electrocution or short circuit to almost zero, and avoids any risk of pulling on the electric cable. Brief description of the figures.

[0019] Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, produced as indicative and non-limiting examples and in which:

[0020] [Fig. 1] discloses a recharging system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0021] [Fig.2] discloses a reloading system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0022] [Fig.3] discloses a recharging system according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0023] [Fig.4] shows a connection carriage according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0024] [Fig.5] discloses a recharging system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0025] [Fig.6] discloses a recharging system according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0026] [Fig.7] discloses a recharging system according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. Description of the embodiments.

[0027] Generally, the invention relates to a recharging system for a boat at a lock. This system comprises a power source installed at the lock, a power cable connected to the power source and a float. The power cable is provided with a power plug configured to connect to a complementary plug of the boat, and the float is configured to translate according to the water level in the lock. The power plug cooperates with the float so that the socket remains constantly at the same level as the boat regardless of the water level in the lock. A counterweight is also used and configured to keep the power cable taut regardless of the water level in the lock.

[0028] [Fig. 1] shows a reloading system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0029] The invention makes it possible to keep a power cable (5) (or flexible) taut in a recess of the floating bollard (7). On windy days, it reduces the risks of contact of the cable (5) (and of a power socket (5A) located at the end of the cable (5)) with the walls (3A) of the lock (3) but also the contacts of the cable (5) between the walls (3A) of the lock (3) and a ship. The power cable (5) is advantageously an electric power cable (5).

[0030] Operation: The floating bollard (7) comprises two pulleys (7A; 7B) positioned one above the other, the power cable (5) winding around the two pulleys (7A; 7B). The electric power cable (5) is tensioned by the weight of the weighted pulley support (7B.1), a stop cleat (7A.1) blocks the power cable (5) at the pulley 1 (7A) to prevent it from falling. This keeps the socket (5A) always accessible and protected from any contact with the walls (3A) of the lock (3). For this, the length of the stop cleat (7A.1) at the end of the socket (5A) is less than the length of the stop cleat (7A.1) at the wall (3A) of the lock (3). When a person takes hold of the plug (5A) and pulls on it, the pulley 2 (7B) and its weighted support (7B.1) slide upwards on the vertical rail (7C). This provides additional cable length to connect the ship.This system also makes it possible not to interfere with the normal operation of the bollard (7D). The socket (5A) is held well above and does not interfere with mooring maneuvers. The socket (5A) is designed to be caught with a boat hook. In the embodiment described above, the floating bollard (7) can be replaced by a float (7), or any system allowing monitoring between the electrical socket (5A), located at the end of the cable (5), and the water level present in the lock (3), so as to avoid any contact between said socket (5A) and the water. The socket (5A) can also be mounted on a structure (7E) integral with the bollard (7D). Advantageously, the float (7) is positioned in an airlock installed downstream of the lock (3).

[0031] [Fig.2] shows a reloading system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0032] The system is designed to minimize any risk of electrocution. A taut link (9) between a float (7) and a counterweight (11) keeps an electrical power cable (5) out of the water by a return system. This taut link (9) may in particular be a cable. The system operates by using the water level contained in the lock to supply, via a communicating vessel, a separate watertight airlock (3B) in which find the float (7). The power supply socket is equipped with a circuit breaker in case of tension in the electric cable (5).

[0033] This system is adaptable to both high and low locks. It is composed of six main elements. A watertight lock chamber (3B) which is connected to the lock chamber (3C) by piping, the water level of the watertight lock chamber (3B) being the same as that of the lock chamber (3C). A float (7) which moves vertically in the watertight lock chamber (3B), the float (7) being fixed to the tensioned link (9) (or tension cable) on which the power cable (5) is fixed (more specifically, for an electrical power supply). A tensioned link (9) (or tension cable), which is kept tensioned between the float (7) and the counterweight (11), the float (7) and the counterweight (11) being fixed to first and second ends of the tensioned link (9). The electrical cable (5) is suspended under the tensioned link (9). Tension gantries (13A) which are equipped with pulleys, these gantries (13A) allowing the cables to slide over the necessary length (i.e. the height of the lock).Electrical power cable gantries (13B) which allow the raising and lowering of said cables (5) depending on the water level. Finally, an electrical connection gantry (comprising an electrified rail (13C.1)) between the electrical network and at least one trolley (15), more precisely a connection trolley. The electrical connection between the electrified rail (13C.1) of the mechanical structure and the electrical power cable (5) is then permitted. This system therefore comprises a mechanical structure constituted by the different gantries (13A, 13B).

[0034] Figures 3 and 4 disclose a recharging system and a connection carriage according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0035] With this recharging system, recharging is done each time the locks are passed. The size of the batteries can therefore be reduced by three, as well as their weight. The boats do not waste time because the system allows them to use the lock passage time to recharge. Finally, since the locks are very often attached to hydroelectric dams, the system allows them to be as close as possible to energy production and to use green energy.

[0036] The invention makes it possible to keep the power cable (5) (preferably electrical) taut in the recess of a floating bollard (7) (or a float (7)). It avoids any risk of contact of the cable (5) (and the power socket (5A)) with the walls of the lock but also the contacts of the cable (5) between the walls of the lock and the ship. It also keeps the electric cable (5) and its socket (5A) at a constant distance from the water level throughout the whole process of the lock.

[0037] Elements of the system: a floating bollard (7) comprising a floating box and a mooring bitt (7D), a fixing frame, a roof (7F) with sealing around the power cable (5). The system further comprises an electric power cable (5), a tensioned link (9) (or steel traction cable), a tension sensor mechanical emergency stop (17), a cable guide, an electrical socket (5A) and a mechanical structure (13) (preferably metallic).

[0038] The mechanical structure (13) supports a runway (13D) of at least one carriage, more specifically a connecting carriage (15A) and a runway (13D) of the ballast carriage (15B) with a counterweight. An electrified rail (13C.1) is fixed along the entire runway (13D), it is of a length equal to or slightly greater than the height of the lock. The structure (13) is covered with a roof (13E) sheltering the electrified rail (13C.1) from the weather and any impurities.

[0039] The steel traction cable, corresponding to the taut link (9), maintains the mechanical tension between the floating bollard (7) and the ballast trolley (15B) (said bollard (7) and trolley (15B) being positioned at a first and a second end of the link (9)). The electrical power cable (5) transmits electricity from the connection trolley (15A) to the boat via the electrical power socket (5A). This power cable (5) can be hooked to a steel cable. The connection trolley (15A) moves on the raceway (13D), it establishes the connection between the electrified rail (13C.1) placed on the structure (13) and the electrical contacts (called collectors (15A.1)) placed on the trolley (15A). It transmits electricity from the collectors (15A.1) to the electrical power cable (5). The charging station (19) sends electricity to the system via the electrified rail (13C.1) after establishing the connection with the boat and with the charging management application. The ballast trolley (15B) includes a counterweight with wheels. It moves on a sloping runway (13D). The sloping runway (13D) is used to maintain traction on the cable so that it remains taut. The length of the slope corresponds to the height of the lock. An additional counterweight system can be locked halfway to reduce the actual length and maintain the theoretical length. The concrete block (21) is anchored in the ground. It receives the end of the runway (13D) and serves as a stop for the trolley. It is positioned at the end opposite the bollard (7D).

[0040] Operation:

[0041] The floating bollard (7) is connected by a taut cable or link (9) to a ballast trolley (15B) mounted on a sloping runway (13D). The electrical power cable (5) attached to the bollard (7D) is kept under tension (mechanical) and remains out of the water and in the recess of the bollard (7D). This system makes it possible not to interfere with the normal operation of the bollard (7D). The electrical power socket (5A) is kept well above and does not interfere with mooring maneuvers. It is designed to be caught with a boat hook.

[0042] [Fig.5] shows a reloading system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0043] The system described in [Fig.5] has substantially the same characteristics as the system described in figures 3 and 4. This is a more compact version that uses the same carriage (15, 15A, 15B) for the connection and the counterweight. If this is the case, only one raceway is described, and this raceway and connection must be on a slope. Note the presence of an additional counterweight at the end of the stroke (stop block (21)). The latter is intended to increase the tension of the cable at the end of the stroke. The carriage (15, 15A, 15B) moving towards the lock hooks the counterweight and lifts it. When the carriage (15, 15A, 15B) moves back towards the stop block (21), the counterweight unlocks by itself when it touches the ground.

[0044] [Fig.6] shows a reloading system according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

[0045] This version is designed for so-called low-head locks. Here, the connection carriage (15A) moves on a horizontal rolling path (13D). The carriage (15A) supplies the electrical power cable (5) at the front (lock side) and is fixed to the counterweight (11) by a link (9) (massive side). The counterweight (11) moves vertically and is guided by rails.

[0046] Fig. 7 shows a recharging system according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

[0047] According to this embodiment, the mechanical structure (13) forms a mast (13H) with a pulley (13I) at an upper end of said mast (13H). The pulley (13I) receives the tensioned link (9) which allows the extension or contraction of the power cable (5), preferably electrical. This tensioned link (9) comprises at an end opposite to the end fixing the cable the counterweight (11).

[0048] The arrangement of the various elements and / or means and / or steps of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any event, it will be understood that various modifications may be made to these elements and / or means and / or steps, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the reloading system according to the various embodiments of the invention may be configured to be buried.

[0049] Further, one or more features disclosed only in one embodiment may be combined with one or more other features disclosed only in another embodiment. Similarly, one or more features disclosed only in one embodiment may be generalized to other embodiments, even if that or those features are described only in combination with other features.

[0050] The use of the verb “comprise”, “comprise” or “include” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

[0051] List of references used:

[0052] 1- boat;

[0053] 3- lock;

[0054] 3A- wall of lock 3;

[0055] 3B- watertight airlock;

[0056] 3C- lock 3 airlock;

[0057] 3D- valve;

[0058] 5- power supply cable;

[0059] 5A- power supply socket;

[0060] 5B- rigid support of the electric power cable;

[0061] 7- float or floating bollard;

[0062] 7A- pulley 1;

[0063] 7A.1- stop cleat;

[0064] 7A.2- pulley support rotatable at 180° on horizontal axis;

[0065] 7B- pulley 2;

[0066] 7B.1- weighted pulley support;

[0067] 7C- vertical rail;

[0068] 7D- bollard or mooring bitt;

[0069] 7E- solid structure;

[0070] 7F- roof;

[0071] 9- tight link;

[0072] 11- counterweight;

[0073] 11 A- counterweight guide rail 11;

[0074] 1 IB- counterweight guide 11;

[0075] 13- mechanical structure;

[0076] 13A- tension gantry;

[0077] 13B- power cable gantry;

[0078] 13C.1- electrified rail;

[0079] 13D- rolling path;

[0080] 13E- roof;

[0081] 13F- guide roller;

[0082] 13G- trolley cable connection;

[0083] 13H- mast;

[0084] 131- pulley;

[0085] 15- trolley;

[0086] 15A- connection trolley;

[0087] 15A.1- rubers;

[0088] 15B- ballast trolley;

[0089] 17- mechanical voltage sensor for emergency stop;

[0090] 19- charging station;

[0091] 21-concrete stop block.

Claims

Claims

1. A recharging system for a boat (1) at a lock (3), said system comprising: - a power source installed at the lock (3), - a power cable (5) positioned out of the water and connected to the power source, which cable (5) is provided with a power plug (5A) configured to connect to a complementary plug of the boat (1), - a float (7) configured to translate according to the water level in the lock (3), the power plug (5A) cooperating with said float (7) so that the plug (5A) remains constantly at the same level as the boat (1) regardless of the water level in the lock (3), and - a counterweight (11) configured to keep the power cable (5) taut regardless of the water level present in the lock (3).

2. Recharging system according to claim 1, characterized in that the float (7) is a floating bollard (7) installed in the lock (3).

3. Recharging system according to claim 2, characterized in that the socket (5A) is mounted on a structure (7E) integral with the bollard (7D).

4. Reloading system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the float (7) is positioned in an airlock (3B) installed downstream of the lock.

5. Charging system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power cable (5) is an electrical power cable (5).

6. Recharging system according to one of claims 2 to 5 taken in combination with claim 2, characterized in that said system comprises two pulleys (7A; 7B) positioned one above the other in the floating bollard (7), the power cable (5) being wound around the two pulleys (7A; 7B), one of the pulleys (7B) being configured to translate vertically according to the tension exerted on the cable (5).

7. Charging system according to claim 5, characterized in that the system comprises at least one carriage (15), the carriage (15) being a connection carriage (15A) configured to make an electrical connection between an electrified rail (13C.1) of a mechanical structure (13) and the electrical power cable (5).

8. Recharging system according to claim 7, characterized in that the system further comprises a mechanical structure (13) supporting the power cable (5) and a taut link (9) on said structure, said link being configured to allow the extension or constriction of said power cable (5) depending on the water level in the lock (3), the float (7) being positioned at a first end of the taut link (9) and the counterweight (11) at a second end of said link (9).

9. Reloading system according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the counterweight is positioned on the connection carriage (15A), or the system comprises a second ballast carriage (15B) supporting the counterweight.

10. A recharging system according to claim 5, characterized in that the system further comprises a mechanical structure (13) forming a mast (13H) with a pulley (131) at an upper end of said mast (13H), said pulley (131) receiving a taut link (9) allowing the extension or constriction of the power cable (5).

Images