Device for launching and recovering a marine craft comprising a taut cable

Abstract

Device for launching and recovering a marine craft comprising a taut cable The launching and recovery device (1) comprises a floating reception structure (4) defining a reception space (6) for the marine craft (2), the launching and recovery device comprising a hooking device (20) for the marine craft (2) intended to cooperate with a hooking member (24) of the marine craft (2) to hold the marine craft (2) in the reception space (6) The hooking device (20) comprises a taut cable (22) spaced from the front end (12) of the reception structure (4) so ​​as to extend cantilevered into the reception space (6), said cable (22) forming a hooking section (40) of the hooking member (24) of the marine craft (2). Figure for abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for launching and recovering a marine vehicle comprising a taut cable

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for launching and recovering a marine craft, of the type comprising a floating reception structure defining a space for receiving the marine craft and comprising an access opening to the reception space at a rear end of the reception structure, the marine craft being able to engage in the reception space in an engagement direction by passing said access opening, the launch and recovery device comprising, in the vicinity of a front end of the reception structure opposite the rear end in the engagement direction, a device for attaching the marine craft intended to cooperate with a member for attaching the marine craft to maintain the marine craft in the reception space.

[0002] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a launching and recovery device and a marine craft received by the launching and recovery device.

[0003] The invention applies more particularly to the launching and recovery of a surface marine vehicle, for example an autonomous or remotely piloted surface marine vehicle of the USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) type, or submarine, for example an autonomous or remotely piloted underwater vehicle of the UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) type. The invention also applies to surface or underwater marine vehicles piloted by a crew on board.

[0004] Such a launch and recovery device makes it possible to launch a marine craft from a surface naval vessel or to recover such a marine craft to bring it back on board a surface naval vessel.

[0005] The recovery operation generally involves at least one operator responsible for ensuring the mooring of the marine vehicle to be recovered to a reception structure, such as a cradle or directly to lifting and / or towing cables present on a boat, for example of the semi-rigid boat or RHIB type for "Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat".

[0006] This operation, in addition to involving one or more operators, is greatly complicated when carried out in rough seas. Indeed, in rough seas, there is a high risk of impact between the marine vehicle and the receiving structure, which could damage the marine vehicle to be recovered. In addition, it is difficult to ensure a mechanical connection between the marine vehicle and the receiving structure while these two elements have significant relative movements, especially in rough seas. In addition, known launching and recovery devices are generally not versatile and are only suitable for a limited number of marine vehicles, or even specific to a single model of marine vehicle to be launched and / or recovered.

[0007] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a device for launching and recovering a multi-purpose marine vehicle which can be used without the intervention of personnel, making it possible to establish a mechanical connection between the marine vehicle and the launching and recovery device in a simple manner and which can be used in rough seas.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a launching and recovery device of the aforementioned type, in which the attachment device comprises a taut cable extending in a direction of extension substantially perpendicular to the direction of engagement, said cable being spaced from the front end in the direction of engagement so as to extend cantilevered into the reception space, said cable forming a attachment section of the attachment member of the marine craft.

[0009] By ensuring the attachment of the marine craft to the receiving structure by cooperation between a attachment member provided on the marine craft and a cable stretched in the receiving space of the receiving structure, the launching and recovery device is suitable for receiving a large number of different types of marine craft, provided that these comprise an attachment member, and does not require the intervention of an operator to ensure this attachment. In addition, since the cable extends cantilevered into the receiving space of the receiving structure, the risks of impacts between the marine craft and the receiving structure are greatly reduced and the launching and recovery device can also be used in rough seas.

[0010] The launch and recovery device according to the invention may also comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically conceivable combination: - the cable is stretched over a frame secured to the front end of the receiving structure, said frame comprising a lower branch and an upper branch spaced apart from each other in the direction of extension and each extending in the direction of engagement between a front end and a rear end, the cable being stretched between the rear ends of the lower and upper branches; - the cable is attached to the front ends of the lower and upper branches, at least one end of the cable being attached to an elastic element, said elastic element being attached to the front end of one of the lower and upper branches; - an additional cable is attached to the same ends of the cable and the lower or upper branch as the elastic element, said additional cable having a length greater than the length of the elastic element; - the cable is movable relative to its taut position in the direction of extension, between an engagement position, in which the hooking section of the cable is moved in the engagement direction towards the front end of the receiving structure when the hooking member of the marine craft engages the cable, and a loading position, in which the hooking section is moved in the engagement direction towards the rear end of the receiving structure when the marine craft moves in the receiving space towards the access opening; - the other end of the cable is fixed to a turnbuckle, said turnbuckle being fixed to the front end of the other of the lower branch and the upper branch and allowing the tension of the cable to be adjusted; - at least one of the lower and upper branches comprises at least one cable guide element, said cable passing through said guide element; - The cable engages in a locking element gripping the cable when the hooking member exerts a force oriented towards the front end of the receiving structure on the hooking section of the cable, said locking element being arranged to maintain the stiffness and tension of the cable when said force is applied.

[0011] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to an assembly comprising a launching and recovery device as described above and a marine craft received in the reception space of the reception structure, a member for attaching the marine craft being engaged on the attachment section of the cable to maintain the marine craft in the reception space.

[0012] According to an optional characteristic of the assembly according to the invention, the hooking member is a hook comprising at least one locking finger movable between a spaced position, in which the hook can engage around the hooking section of the cable, and a locking position, in which the hook is engaged on the hooking section and hooks the hooking member onto the cable, the movement of the locking finger from the spaced position to the locking position being triggered by the force exerted by the hooking member on the hooking section of the cable oriented towards the front end of the receiving structure when the marine craft engages in the receiving space in the direction of engagement towards the front end of the receiving structure.

[0013] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0014] [Fig-1] - [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective representation of a set according to the invention comprising a launching and recovery device and a marine craft received by the launching and recovery device,

[0015] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective representation of a device for attaching the launching and recovery device of the [Fig.l] cooperating with an attachment member of a marine craft,

[0016] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective representation of a part of upper part of the hooking device of [Fig.2],

[0017] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective representation of a part in lower part of the hooking device of [Fig.2],

[0018] [Fig.5] - [Fig.5] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a part of the whole of [Fig.l] in a position of engagement of the cable of the hooking device,

[0019] [Fig.6] - [Fig.6] is a schematic representation seen from above of the part of the whole of [Fig.5],

[0020] [Fig.7] - [Fig.7] is a schematic cross-sectional representation of part of the whole of [Fig.l] in a position for loading the cable of the hooking device, and

[0021] [Fig.8] - [Fig.8] is a schematic representation seen from above of the part of the whole [Fig.7].

[0022] With reference to [Fig.l], an assembly is described comprising a device 1 for launching and recovering a marine vehicle and a marine vehicle 2 received by the launching and recovery device 1. Such a launching and recovery device 1 is arranged to allow the launching and recovery of the marine vehicle 2 in a calm or rough sea from a naval vessel (not shown) without intervention by an operator, in particular during the recovery of the marine vehicle 2. Thus, the recovery and launching device 1 is particularly suitable for the launching and recovery of a surface or underwater marine vehicle 2 not carrying any navigating personnel, such as an autonomous or remotely piloted underwater surface marine vehicle.

[0023] The recovery and launching device 1 comprises a floating reception structure 4 defining a reception space 6 for the marine vehicle 2. More particularly, the reception structure 4 forms a cradle receiving the marine vehicle 2 and arranged to allow the marine vehicle 2 to enter and exit the reception space 6 without interference with the reception structure 4. The reception space 6 has for example a shape substantially complementary to that of the hull of a marine craft. Thus, the receiving structure 4 comprises for example two side walls 8 extending on either side of a bottom 10, for example formed by a plurality of floors, the side walls 8 converging towards each other at a front end 12, or bow, of the receiving structure 4, as shown in [Fig.l]. At the rear end, or stern, of the receiving structure 4, the side walls 10 define an access opening 14 allowing the marine craft 2 to enter or exit the receiving space 6. Such a shape of receiving structure 4 allows the launching and recovery device 1 to have a certain penetration into the water and thus to be suitable for towing a marine craft 2 for example. In the description, the direction from the rear end to the front end 12 of the receiving structure is referred to as the engagement direction..

[0024] The receiving space 6 is dimensioned so that the marine craft 2 does not interfere or interferes little with the side walls 8 and the bottom 10 of the receiving structure 4 when the marine craft 2 is in the receiving space 6, as shown in [Fig.l], and the assembly floats in the water. When the marine craft 2 enters and leaves the receiving space 6, it is particularly appropriate to avoid contact between the floors of the receiving structure and the keel line or the bow of the marine craft 2. In other words, the receiving space 6 has dimensions greater than those of the hull of the marine craft 2. The lateral dimension is particularly slightly greater than that of the marine craft 2 in order to allow the movement of the marine craft 2 in the receiving space 6 while providing guidance of the marine craft 2 in the direction of engagement.The dimension in the elevation direction is significantly greater than that of the marine craft 2 in order to avoid shocks between the floors and the keel or the bow of the marine craft 2, the relative movements between the marine craft 2 and the reception structure 4 being greater in the elevation direction, in particular due to vertical heave and pitching. In addition, the geometry of the reception space 6 can also be chosen so that the reception structure 4 can receive marine craft 2 of different types and sizes.

[0025] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig.l], the receiving structure 4 further comprises at least one gripping device 16 for gripping and lifting the receiving structure 4 from a naval vessel, for example by means of a crane or a davit provided on the deck of the naval vessel. The gripping device 16 is for example formed by a frame extending above the gripping space 16 and comprising one or more rings 18 for attaching one or more ropes secured to the arm of a crane. The gripping device 16 is in particular dimensioned so that the receiving structure 4 can be lifted when a marine craft 2 is received in the receiving space 6.

[0026] In the vicinity of the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4, the recovery and launching device 1 comprises a device 20 for attaching the marine craft 2 when the latter is received in the receiving space 6. By "in the vicinity of the front end", it is meant that the attachment device 20 extends towards the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4 so that the marine craft 2 extends mainly in the receiving space 6 when it is attached to the attachment device 20 as shown in Fig. 1. In this way, when the marine craft 2 approaches the attachment device 20, it is strongly guided in the direction of engagement by the cradle formed by the receiving structure 4, in particular by the side walls 8, which limits the lateral translations and the yaw of the marine craft 2 in the receiving space 6 and thus facilitates the interaction between the marine craft 2 and the attachment device.

[0027] The attachment device 20 comprises a cable 22, or securing strand, stretched in the receiving space 6 in a direction of extension substantially perpendicular to the direction of engagement. The direction of extension is for example substantially vertical when the receiving structure 4 rests on horizontal ground. Alternatively, the direction of extension could be horizontal and extend along the width of the receiving structure 4, that is to say in the direction from one side wall 8 to the other. However, the vertical direction makes it possible to compensate for relative movements between the marine craft 2 and the receiving structure 4, in particular in rough seas. This also allows the attachment device 20 to be adapted to a greater number of marine craft 2, in particular to marine craft 2 having different hull heights, as will be described in more detail later.

[0028] The cable 22 is arranged to cooperate with a hooking member 24 provided on the marine craft 2 when the marine craft 2 is engaged in the receiving space 6 up to the vicinity of the front end 12 of the receiving structure to ensure that the marine craft 2 is held in the receiving space 6. The hooking member 24 is for example formed by a hook comprising at least one locking finger movable between a spaced position, in which the hook can engage around the cable 22, and a locking position, in which the hook is engaged on the cable 22 and hooks the hooking member onto the cable 22 in the direction of engagement so that the marine craft 2 can then no longer leave the receiving space 6.The cooperation between the hooking member 24 and the cable 22 is such that the marine craft 2 can slide on the cable 22 during lifting in order to ensure that the marine craft 2 rests flat on the bottom 10 of the receiving structure 4 and that it is not hung by the front tip when the marine craft 2 is brought back on board a naval vessel.

[0029] The hook has for example the shape of a clamp, in particular a V shape. The hooking member 24 extends projecting from the front end of the marine craft 2 according to the engagement direction so that when the marine craft 2 enters the reception space 6 through the access opening 14 by moving according to the engagement direction and advances to the cable 22, the hooking member 24, in the open position, naturally engages around the cable 22 and passes into the locking position to ensure cooperation between the hooking member 24 and the cable 22. The V-shape of the hook allows lateral play between the marine craft 2 and the reception structure 4, which allows the marine craft 2 to slide and be guided towards the hooking device 20 while ensuring the capture of the cable 22 by the hooking member 24.The movement of the locking finger from the open position to the locking position is caused by the force exerted by the hooking member 24 on the cable 22 as the marine craft 2 advances towards the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4, as will be described in more detail later. The hooking member 24 is for example arranged on the upper edge, or on the deck, of the hull of the marine craft.

[0030] In order to avoid sudden contact between the marine vehicle 2 and the receiving structure 4, in particular with the front end 12 thereof, when the marine vehicle 2 moves in the direction of engagement towards the front end 12, the cable 22 extends cantilevered in the receiving space 6, that is to say it is moved away from the front end 12 in the direction of engagement towards the access opening 14, as more particularly visible in Figs. 2, 5 and 6. In other words, the cable 22 is positioned in the receiving space 6 so that the hooking member 24 locks onto the cable 22 before the front end of the marine craft 2 comes into contact with the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4 when the marine craft 2 moves in the receiving space 6 towards the front end 12 in the direction of engagement.

[0031] For this purpose, the cable 22 is stretched over a frame 26 secured to the receiving structure 4 and comprising, for example, branches extending cantilevered into the receiving space 6 in the direction of engagement. More particularly, the frame 26 comprises a lower branch 28 and an upper branch 30 spaced apart from each other in the direction of extension and each extending cantilevered into the receiving space 6 from the front end 12 of the receiving structure 6. More particularly, each branch 28, 30 extends between a front end 32 extending in line with the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4 and a rear end 34 extending cantilevered into the receiving space 6. The front ends 32 of the lower 28 and upper 30 branches are for example connected to each other by an upright 36 extending in the direction of extension and fixed to the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4.In order to ensure robust support of the frame 26 on the receiving structure 4 despite the force that can be exerted on the frame 26 by the marine vehicle 2 as will be described later, . the frame 26 comprises for example a reinforcing bracket 38 extending along the upright 36 and resting on the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4.

[0032] As shown in [Fig.2], the cable 22 is stretched between the rear ends 34 of the lower 28 and upper 30 branches and extends against at least a portion of the branches to be secured to the front ends 32 of the lower 28 and upper 30 branches.

[0033] The fact that the cable 22 is stretched in the direction of extension allows it to exert sufficient force on the attachment member 24 when the marine craft 2 moves towards the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4 so that the attachment member 24 passes from the open position to the locking position. More particularly, during such a movement of the marine craft 2, the hooking member 24 comes into contact with a section of the cable 22, as described previously, and the reciprocal force exerted between the hooking member 24 and the section of the cable 22, called the hooking section 40, is arranged so that the hooking member 24 passes from the open position to the locking position due to the resistance force opposed by the stretched cable 22 to the advancement of the marine craft 2 towards the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4.

[0034] Thus, the attachment device 20 according to the invention makes it possible to ensure anchoring of the marine craft 2 in the reception space 6 by the cooperation of the attachment member 24 and the attachment section 40 of the cable 22 without intervention of an operator since the attachment member 24 passes from the open position to the locking position autonomously due to the movement of the marine craft 2 in the reception structure 4 in the direction of engagement. The launching and recovery device 1 according to the invention is thus adapted to recover autonomous or remotely piloted marine craft. In addition, since any part of the taut cable 22 can form an attachment section 40, the launching and recovery device 1 is adapted to several sizes of marine craft 2.

[0035] In order to limit the load applied by the marine craft 2 to the receiving structure 4 and the cable 22 when the hooking member 24 comes into contact with the hooking section 40 of the cable 22, the hooking section of the cable 22 is further arranged, according to one embodiment, to move towards the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4 as shown in [Fig. 5]. As seen in [Fig. 6], during this movement, the marine craft 2 abuts against the receiving structure 4 so that the load applied by the marine craft 2 to the cable 22 is transmitted directly to the receiving structure 4 and no longer passes through the cable 22. More particularly, the abutment is made for example between the side walls 8 of the receiving structure 4 and the edges of the hull of the marine craft 2.

[0036] In order to allow the cable 22 to move into the engagement position, at at least one end of the cable 22 is fixed to an elastic element 42, for example an elastic band, itself fixed to the front end 32 of one of the branches, for example the front end 32 of the upper branch 30 as shown in [Fig. 3]. As shown in this figure, the elastic element 42 is for example fixed by rings 44 to the end of the cable 22 and to the front end 32 of the branch. The elastic element 42 is arranged to stretch when the hooking member 24 engages on the cable 22 and thus allow the cable 22 to move towards the engagement position.In order to guide the movement of the cable 22 and prevent it from disengaging from the lower 28 and upper 30 branches during movements of the cable 22, at least one of these branches comprises, for example, at least one guide element 46 for the cable 22 arranged to guide the cable 22 in the lateral direction and in the direction of extension, the cable 22 passing through the guide element 46. Such a guide element 46 forms, for example, a groove preventing the cable 22 from coming out of the guide element 46 during its movements. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, each branch comprises, for example, at least one guide element 46 fixed to the rear end 34 of each branch and the groove of which extends in the direction of extension. At least one of the branches may further comprise an additional guide element 48 extending over the branch between its front end 32 and its rear end 34 to hold the ends of the cable 22 on this branch..

[0037] In order to minimize the movement of the cable 22 towards the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4 and in order to maintain the stiffness and tension of the cable 22 when the cable 22 moves towards the engagement position, a locking element 50 is for example provided to receive the cable 22 when the hooking member 24 exerts a force oriented towards the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4 on the hooking section 40 of the cable 22. The locking element 50, arranged inside the guide element 46 of the upper branch 30 according to the embodiment shown in [Fig. 3], is arranged to grip the cable 22 when the latter moves towards the engagement position and thus prevent further movement of the cable 22 beyond the engagement position towards the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4.To do this, the blocking element 50 has, for example, the shape of a groove whose section is substantially complementary to that of a part of the cable 22. According to one embodiment, the groove is striated, the striates being oriented to drive the cable 22 towards the bottom of the groove and cause unidirectional blocking of the latter in the groove.

[0038] The other end of the cable 22 could also be fixed to the front end 32 of the other branch by means of an elastic element, for example an elastic band. Alternatively, and as shown in [Fig. 4], the other end of the cable 22 is fixed to the front end 32 of the other branch, i.e. the lower branch 28 according to the embodiment of Figs. 3 and 4, by means of a turnbuckle 52 making it possible to adjust the tension of the cable 22. The turnbuckle 52 is for example fixed to the end of the cable 22 and to the front end 32 of the branch by means of rings 44, as for the elastic element 42. In addition, an elastic element can also be arranged parallel to the turnbuckle 52.

[0039] Once the attachment member 24 cooperates with the cable 22, the propulsion means of the marine craft 2 are cut and the latter is free to move relative to the receiving structure 4 within the limits of the movements authorized by the cable 22.

[0040] More particularly, the cable 22 is further movable into a loading position, shown in Figs. 7 and 8, in which the hooking section 40 is moved in the engagement direction toward the rear end of the receiving structure when the marine craft 2 moves in the receiving space 6 toward the access opening 14. Thus, in the loading position, the cable 22 adopts a V-shape, the tip of which is formed by the hooking section 40 of the cable 22 and is brought closer to the rear end of the receiving structure 4 relative to the taut position in the extension direction of the cable 22.Such a loading position is adopted for example when the launching and recovery device 1 is used to tow the marine craft 2 or during the operation of launching the marine craft 2, the force exerted by the hooking section 40 of the cable on the hooking member 24 then being arranged to move the hooking member 24 from the locking position to the open position to release the marine craft 2 as it moves back out of the receiving space 6 through the access opening 14.

[0041] The angle formed by the cable 22 around the attachment section 40 in the loading position is less than 120°. This angle is for example greater than 90°. In order to limit the distance separating the front of the marine craft 2 and the front end 12 of the receiving structure 4 in the loading position, the angle is for example close to 120° while being less than or equal to 120°. Such a movement of the cable 22 makes it possible to lighten the load applied to the launching and recovery device 1 and thus to dispense with dimensioning the launching and recovery device adapted for the multiplied load if the cable 22 remained taut when the marine craft 2 exerts a rearward pull on the cable 22 in the loading position.

[0042] In order to limit the movement of the cable 22 towards the rear end of the receiving structure 2, the attachment device 20 further comprises, for example, a complementary cable 54 fixed to the same ends of the cable 22 and of the branch as the elastic element 42, the textile element 54 having a length greater than the length of the elastic element 42. This complementary cable 54 allows the placement of the cable 22 to the loading position by stretching the elastic element 42 and prevents the movement of the cable 22 beyond this position when the complementary cable 54 is tensioned, as shown in [Fig.7]. The complementary cable 54 is for example of the same nature as the cable 22 or is made of a different material, for example metal.

[0043] The cable 22 is for example made of textile material, for example polyethylene having a high molar mass. Such a textile material allows correct locking of the cable 22 in the locking element 50. According to one embodiment, the cable 22 is sheathed in order to limit wear due to friction caused by the movements of the cable 22 between the attachment and loading positions. In order to limit this wear, angle-breaking devices may also be provided at the rear end 34 of the branches to limit friction at the passage of the cable 22 from the direction of extension between the branches to the direction of engagement on the branches.

[0044] According to the embodiment described above, the marine craft 2 floats in the receiving structure 4, which makes the assembly usable in rough seas. Furthermore, such a launching and recovery device 1 makes it possible to compensate for the relative movements between the marine craft 2 and the recovery structure 4 even in rough seas. Alternatively, it may be provided that the marine craft 2 rests on the bottom 10 of the receiving structure 4.

Claims

Claims

1. Launching and recovery device (1) for a marine craft (2) comprising a floating receiving structure (4) defining a receiving space (6) for the marine craft (2) and comprising an access opening (14) to the receiving space (6) at a rear end of the receiving structure (4), the marine craft (2) being able to engage in the receiving space (6) in an engagement direction by passing said access opening (14), the launching and recovery device comprising, in the vicinity of a front end (12) of the receiving structure (4) opposite the rear end in the engagement direction, a hooking device (20) for the marine craft (2) intended to cooperate with a hooking member (24) of the marine craft (2) to maintain the marine craft (2) in the receiving space (6),characterized in that the attachment device (20) comprises a taut cable (22) extending in a direction of extension substantially perpendicular to the direction of engagement, said cable (22) being spaced from the front end (12) in the direction of engagement so as to extend cantilevered in the receiving space (6), said cable (22) forming a attachment section (40) of the attachment member (24) of the marine craft (2).,

2. Launching and recovery device according to claim 1, in which the cable (22) is stretched over a frame (26) secured to the front end (12) of the receiving structure (4), said frame (26) comprising a lower branch (28) and an upper branch (30) spaced apart from each other in the direction of extension and each extending in the direction of engagement between a front end (32) and a rear end (34), the cable (22) being stretched between the rear ends (34) of the lower (28) and upper (30) branches.

3. A launching and retrieving device according to claim 2, wherein the cable (22) is attached to the front ends (32) of the lower (28) and upper (30) legs, at least one end of the cable (22) being attached to an elastic element (42), said elastic element (42) being attached to the front end (32) of one of the lower (28) and upper (32) legs.

4. A launching and retrieving device according to claim 3, wherein a complementary cable (54) is attached to the same ends of the cable (22) and the lower (28) or upper (30) branch as the elastic element (42), said complementary cable (54) having a length greater than the length of the elastic element (42).

5. A launching and retrieving device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the other end of the cable (22) is attached to a turnbuckle (52), said turnbuckle (52) being attached to the front end (32) of the other of the lower leg (28) and the upper leg (30) and allowing the tension of the cable (22) to be adjusted.

6. Launching and recovery device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein at least one of the lower (28) and upper (30) branches comprises at least one guide element (46) of the cable (22), said cable (22) passing through said guide element (46).

7. A launching and recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cable (22) is movable relative to its stretched position in the extension direction, between an engagement position, in which the hooking section (40) of the cable (22) is moved in the engagement direction towards the front end (12) of the receiving structure (4) when the hooking member (24) of the marine craft (2) engages the cable (22), and a loading position, in which the hooking section (40) is moved in the engagement direction towards the rear end of the receiving structure (4) when the marine craft (2) moves in the receiving space (6) towards the access opening (14).

8. A launching and recovery device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cable (22) engages in a locking element (50) gripping the cable (22) when the hooking member (24) exerts a force oriented towards the front end (12) of the receiving structure (4) on the hooking section (40) of the cable (22), said locking element (50) being arranged to maintain the stiffness and tension of the cable (22) when said force is applied.

9. Assembly comprising a launching and recovery device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a marine craft (2) received in the reception space (6) of the reception structure (4), a hooking member (24) of the marine craft (2) being engaged on the hooking section (40) of the cable to hold the marine craft (2) in the reception space (6).

10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the hooking member (24) is a hook comprising at least one movable locking finger. between a spaced position, in which the hook can engage around the hooking section (40) of the cable (22), and a locking position, in which the hook is engaged on the hooking section (40) and hooks the hooking member (24) on the cable (22), the movement of the locking finger from the spaced position to the locking position being triggered by the force exerted by the hooking member (24) on the hooking section (40) of the cable (22) oriented towards the front end (12) of the receiving structure (4) when the marine craft (2) engages in the receiving space (6) in the direction of engagement towards the front end (12) of the receiving structure (4).

Images