PASSENGER VESSEL COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SUPERSTRUCTURE WITH A STRUCTURAL BULKHEAD

Abstract

The present invention relates to a passenger ship (1) which comprises at least one superstructure (3), this superstructure (3) being formed of a plurality of decks (P0-P5) comprising decks (P1-P4) each having at least one longitudinally oriented passageway (5) and which serves a first set of premises (40) such as cabins located on the port side and a second set of premises (42) such as cabins located on the starboard side, characterized in that the premises (40,42) of at least one of said sets of premises are provided with a structural partition (70) parallel or substantially parallel to said passageway (5), which extends inside the space occupied by these premises (40,42). Figure for abstract: Fig. 1a

Description

Title of the invention: PASSENGER SHIP COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE SUPERSTRUCTURE WITH STRUCTURAL BULKHEAD FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a passenger ship which comprises at least one superstructure. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Such a ship comprises a main structure delimited by its hull and its first weather deck, above which rises at least one superstructure consisting in particular of an assembly of decks and longitudinal and transverse bulkheads.

[0003] Some of these longitudinal and transverse partitions are called "structural", that is to say that they participate in the absorption of the main forces supported by the ship and are sampled accordingly.

[0004] The main forces supported by the ship are those induced by the swell and the ship's own weight / thrust distribution. These forces result in particular in an overall bending of the ship, the mechanical behavior of which is similar, according to a first approach, to that of an "I"-shaped composite beam. The parallel flanges of this "I" are multiple and are formed by the different decks and the bottom plating of the ship.

[0005] For this composite beam to behave effectively in bending, the spacings between the flanges (or heights of between-decks on a ship) must be kept constant, and these flanges must be driven in tension or compression during bending. It is the role of the web of the "I" beam to ensure these essential functions.

[0006] On a ship, maintaining these tween-deck heights is traditionally ensured by the hull's "planking", structural bulkheads (particularly longitudinal) and a network of stanchions. All these elements together play the role of the core of the ship's "I" beam.

[0007] When considering the "float" part of ships, the driving function of the decks is naturally provided by the hull and the structural longitudinal bulkheads.

[0008] On the other hand, for the superstructure, two solutions exist.

[0009] The first is called "superstructure with (structure of) participatory planking" (because they are understood as participating in the structural performance of the ship beam).

[0010] In this case, the drive of the decks is essentially ensured by the "planking" (bulkheads which constitute the external envelope of the superstructure), which are two longitudinal structural bulkheads on the approach side (starboard and / or port), playing the role of the web of the ship's "I" beam.

[0011] But since it is a passenger ship superstructure, it is necessary that the cabins have a view, or even access, to the outside (in the form of a balcony, for example).

[0012] To do this, cabin bay windows are integrated into the superstructure planking, thus creating an extremely open ship beam core. The disadvantage of this method is that the glazed surface is then necessarily limited, unless the participatory structural function of the planking is compromised.

[0013] Furthermore, the effectiveness of these superstructure plankings, as a ship beam core, is limited and insufficient when said superstructure is too wide. Typically, when the superstructure integrates in its width more than the space of two cabins and a passageway, the solution of "superstructure with (structure of) participatory plankings" must be supported by the presence of partially continuous interior longitudinal structural bulkheads.

[0014] The second solution is called a "superstructure with a participatory central edge", or in contrast to the first solution, a "superstructure with a non-participatory (structure of) planks".

[0015] Here, a central structural edge ensures the drive of the bridges of the superstructure, and therefore the role of web of the ship beam.

[0016] This "central edge" is materialized by the presence of a pair of structural bulkheads made as continuous as possible, sufficiently spaced, and which extend along the longitudinal axis of the ship (vertical structural bulkheads from deck to deck, which take up the shear forces of the ship beam in the superstructure).

[0017] This central edge, however, creates layout constraints which must be taken into account, since the longitudinal structural partitions which constitute it must be as continuous as possible, that is to say with as few cutouts as possible.

[0018] Thus, to limit the number of cutouts in the structural partitions forming this central edge, it is customary to use, to form this central edge, the longitudinal partition of each of the two longitudinal passageways closest to the axis of the ship.

[0019] To limit the number of openings to be made in this central edge, transverse passageways are created if necessary to access the cabins or rooms located in the central space of the superstructure delimited by the two structural partitions forming the central ridge. Stairs and elevators are usually located in this central part.

[0020] The superstructure cabins of a ship are either assembled on site, bulkhead by bulkhead, or prefabricated, the latter solution being the most common. In the latter case, the term "prefabricated cabin" is used.

[0021] A prefabricated cabin generally comprises four side partitions, a ceiling, part of the furniture, one or more interior partitions, a sanitary block and, optionally, a floor. This prefabricated cabin rests on the deck.

[0022] The peripheral or interior partitions of a cabin are not structural, that is to say they do not contribute to the resistance of the structure of the ship.

[0023] When the prefabricated cabin does not include a floor, it is then the deck which plays this role.

[0024] These prefabricated cabins are introduced at a given point on a bridge, then rolled longitudinally and laterally on it to their final position.

[0025] The methods of manufacturing and installing prefabricated cabins are widely known and widespread in shipbuilding, as they allow for better quality cabins and generate significant savings in manufacturing and installation time, particularly due to the fact that these cabins are presented in a complete form that simply needs to be loaded onto a ship deck and then rolled to their final location. The dimensions of the prefabricated cabins are generally compatible with “normal” road transport of each one, i.e. without the constraints of an exceptional convoy.

[0026] These two types of ship architecture known from the state of the art (superstructure with participatory planking or superstructure with participatory central edge) have the advantage of allowing the implementation of complete prefabricated cabins in a single element.

[0027] Indeed, in these two types of ship architecture, no structural partition is present in the area of the final position of each cabin, but only stanchions which ensure the function of lowering loads between the decks and maintaining the tween-deck heights.

[0028] As a result, whatever the solution for driving the superstructure decks chosen (superstructure with participatory planking or superstructure with participatory central edge), the arrangements of the structural functions (participatory planking structure, structural central edge) and the accommodation functions (cabins, passageways, technical rooms) remain clearly separated.

[0029] The advantage of being able to do without a superstructure with participatory planking is undeniable, because it makes it possible to provide the occupants of the cabins and public areas with large glazed surfaces facing the outside to offer a maximum clarity and transparency, as well as the greatest possible view to the outside.

[0030] But the possibility of doing without a superstructure with participatory planking is conditioned by the presence of a central edge whose structural partitions which compose it are sufficiently spaced apart to ensure the participatory structural function. This is possible when the superstructure is sufficiently wide.

[0031] On the other hand, for ships with a narrow superstructure geometry, and in which a single central passageway, typically located along the axis of the ship, provides access to the two sets of exterior cabins on either side (a typical case for small ships or so-called U-shaped ships), the creation of a structurally effective central edge formed from the passageway bulkheads is almost impossible to achieve because the spacing between these two potential structural bulkheads (i.e. the width of the passageway) is insufficient.

[0032] Furthermore, the two partitions of this central passageway are very heavily cut to integrate the cabin doors and technical access to the cabin sanitary blocks, on either side. This very high level of cutting and the small spacing between these two passageway partitions do not allow for the integration of effective structural partitions, so that this solution of a superstructure with a participatory central edge is inapplicable.

[0033] In other words, this solution cannot be applied to small vessels or vessels with several narrow superstructures such as "U"-shaped vessels, which have two parallel narrow superstructures, separated by a promenade.

[0034] Under these conditions, the present invention aims to propose a ship architecture, in which the superstructure(s) is (are) devoid of a structural central edge and structural planking structure.

[0035] But we understand that this requires recreating a ship beam core capable of ensuring its structural role without compromising and modifying the current layout of the passageways, rooms and other passenger cabins present in such a superstructure. Statement of the invention

[0036] Thus, the present invention relates to a passenger ship which comprises at least one superstructure, this superstructure being formed of a plurality of decks comprising decks each having at least one longitudinal direction passageway and which serves a first set of premises such as cabins located to port and a second set of premises such as cabins located to starboard,

[0037] characterized in that the premises of at least one of said sets of premises are provided with a structural partition parallel or substantially parallel to said passageway, which extends inside the space occupied by these premises.

[0038] Thanks to the solution of the invention, in the case of a so-called narrow superstructure, the ship beam core, which previously could only be constituted by the openwork structural planking, is constituted by at least one partition which separates two distinct zones of the cabin (typically the sleeping area from the bathroom area) or of the premises, and / or one of the partitions which delimits the passageway, which makes it possible to provide, in the cabins or premises of said superstructure, large glazed surfaces opening towards the outside.

[0039] According to other non-limiting and advantageous characteristics of the invention:

[0040] - the structural partition is composed of a coaming under the sole of which are fixed several structural partition elements parallel or substantially parallel to said passageway;

[0041] - each of said structural partition elements, in the longitudinal direction of the superstructure, has a length 1 less than the cumulative width of two adjoining premises;

[0042] - the superstructure comprises a second structural partition, parallel or substantially parallel to said passageway, which extends into the room located on the other side of the passageway facing the room containing the first structural partition;

[0043] - said structural partition extends into said room, at a distance from said passageway, so that it delimits, within the said premises, two spaces which communicate with each other;

[0044] - a part of said partition elements are associated in pairs, so that they form two by two a single structural partition panel which is common to two neighboring rooms;

[0045] - the structural bulkheads of each deck of said superstructure are aligned vertically;

[0046] - said premises communicate with the exterior of said superstructure by a non-structural exterior partition wall;

[0047] - each room is made up of prefabricated sub-assemblies which are positioned in on either side of said structural partition, these two sub-assemblies being shaped to be joined together on board the ship and form the entirety of said room. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0048] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0049] This description is made with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[0050] - [Fig. 1a] is a very schematic and partial view, in cross-section, of a ship in accordance with the invention, which comprises a single superstructure;

[0051] - [Fig.lb] is also a very schematic and partial view, in cross-section, of a ship in accordance with the invention, which comprises two superstructures separated by a space forming a promenade deck;

[0052] - [Fig.2a] is a schematic front view of a longitudinal structural partition called “continuous”;

[0053] - [Fig.2b] is a schematic front view of a variant of the partition of [Fig.2a], which is formed of a structural partition openwork in the lower part and a coaming in the upper part, to reconstitute together a so-called “continuous” structural partition;

[0054] - [Fig.2c] is a schematic front view of yet another alternative embodiment of the partition;

[0055] - [Fig.3] is a schematic view of a configuration of cabins contained in a ship. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] The ship 1 according to the invention, which is shown in [Fig. la] attached, comprises a hull 2 (partially visible) formed by an outer envelope called “planking” 21 and which is closed in its upper part by a main deck 20.

[0057] The planking 21 of the hull 2 is structural and contributes to the resistance of the ship beam.

[0058] Above this hull rises a superstructure 3. [Fig.1a] represents a cross-section of the ship seen from the stern to the front.

[0059] This general structure is already known from the state of the art.

[0060] Although the example represented here shows the presence of a single superstructure, one could however be dealing, as illustrated in [Fig.lb], with two symmetrical superstructures separated by a space E located at the axis A of the ship.

[0061] The following description will relate only to superstructure 3 of [Fig.1a]. However, what will be said concerning this superstructure 3 applies to both superstructures, in the case of a ship with two symmetrical superstructures, like that of [Fig.1b].

[0062] In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 1a], the superstructure 3 comprises six bridges PO to P5.

[0063] Among these six decks PO to P5, each deck PI to P4 is arranged in a similar manner. Thus, with reference to the highest deck P4 inside the ship, there is a longitudinal passageway 5, of axis A, which provides access on the one hand to a first set of premises 40, such as cabins, located to the port side of the superstructure 3 as well that, on the other hand, to a second set of premises 42, such as cabins, located to starboard.

[0064] Hereinafter, the references 40 and 42 will be used to designate either a room or a cabin.

[0065] Each cabin 40, respectively 42, has its associated balcony 41, respectively 43. Each cabin 40, respectively 42, is separated from the balcony 41, respectively 43, by a bay window 400, respectively 420, which constitutes an element of the external partition of the superstructure.

[0066] Each room 40, respectively 42, is separated from the longitudinal passageway 5 by a partition / wall 500, respectively 510 of this passageway.

[0067] In the embodiment shown in [Fig.1a], there is inside each of the rooms 40 and 42 a structural partition 70 parallel to the axis A forming the web of the ship beam in the superstructure 3, which does not modify the current architecture of the superstructure.

[0068] In this way, the support plating of the bays 400 and 420 can be provided without a structure contributing to the structural performance of the ship beam, which makes it possible to provide large openings which clearly contribute to increasing the brightness and the view of the exterior, from the interior of the rooms 40 or 42.

[0069] Referring again to [Fig.1a] and as previously indicated, the different decks of the superstructure 3 have a similar architecture, so that all the structural partitions 70 are preferably aligned vertically, which contributes to the absorption of forces.

[0070] In addition and as visible in this same figure, the partitions 70 are preferably in vertical alignment with longitudinal partitions 22 located in the hull 2, which also contributes to the structural efficiency of the solution.

[0071] Different embodiments of a structural partition 70 are now described, with reference to FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c, without this being exhaustive.

[0072] The difference between these embodiments lies essentially in the implementation of an intermediate waiting structure such as an H-coaming, for reasons of construction cost and ease of construction.

[0073] Referring now to [Fig.2a], only a portion of a structural partition 70 is shown from the front.

[0074] In this embodiment, this structural partition 70 is a so-called “continuous” structural partition.

[0075] This means that we are dealing with a single metal plate 6 of height h, provided with stiffeners, which extends along the entire length or over a large length, parallel or substantially parallel to the gangway 5, made integral both with the lower deck P4 and with the immediately upper deck P5, at least with several portions of plate 6 which are made joined in particular thanks to a weld line such as the line S shown in [Fig.2a], as well as in [Fig.2b]. This junction is made in such a way that the partition 70 does not have any interruption.

[0076] In another preferred embodiment of a structural partition 70 shown in [Fig.2b], this plate 6 is made integral with both the lower deck P4 and the immediately upper deck P5, via a coaming H already integrated into the structure of the ship, or any other equivalent waiting structure. This joining is done for example by welding.

[0077] It will be noted that in Figures 2a, 2b as well as in [Fig.2c], the beams B (perpendicular to the coamings H and to the longitudinal axis A of the ship), which are also part of the structure of the ship, are shown in dotted lines (only a few of them are visible so as not to overload the figures).

[0078] In the example of figures 2a and 2b, illustrating a structural partition 70 located inside a room 40 or 42, openings 60 are provided in the plate 6 of the part of the structural partition 70 which is visible, which allow the two spaces 401 and 402 of the same room to communicate (see [Fig.1a]).

[0079] These openings 60 are made for example by cutting out the plate 6, before or after assembly of the latter. With reference to figures 2a and 2b, they extend only over a part of the height of the partition when the tween-deck height h allows it.

[0080] In another preferred embodiment of the structural partition 70 shown in [Fig.2c], in the case where for example the tween-deck height is low, the openings 60 extend to the waiting structure, i.e. in this illustrated embodiment, the coaming H.

[0081] The structural partition 70 is thus constituted by a waiting structure, typically a coaming H, secured to structural partition elements 7 each of which (i.e. taken individually), in the longitudinal direction of the superstructure, has a length 1 less than the cumulative width of two contiguous spaces 40, respectively 42.

[0082] Thus, in a way, these elements 7 associated with the coaming H (or any other equivalent waiting structure) together reconstitute a "continuous" structural partition 70 equivalent to that illustrated in [Fig.2a] or 2b.

[0083] These elements 7 are preferably fixed to the coaming H by welding or by any other fixing method known to those skilled in the art.

[0084] In [Fig.3] a possible layout of passenger cabins inside a narrow superstructure 3 is shown.

[0085] Thus, we are dealing here, on either side of the longitudinal passageway 5, with a cabin 40 located to the port side of the superstructure 3 and a cabin 42 on the starboard side, the cabins 40 and 42 being of similar width and length.

[0086] This particular arrangement is repeated a certain number of times over the entire surface of the decks of the superstructure 3.

[0087] The structural partition 70 located inside the room 40, respectively the room 42, is made up of a plate 6 in accordance with the embodiment of [Fig.2a] or 2b, plate 6 in which an opening 60 has been made to allow passage between the zone 401 / 421 and the zone 402 / 422 of the cabin 40 / 42.

[0088] It can however be envisaged that the structural partition 70 is manufactured in the manner described with reference to [Fig.2c].

[0089] The walls 500 and 510 of the passageway 5, which are not structural partitions 70, are simple partition walls of the lining type for example, known from the state of the art.

[0090] Here, the structural partitions 70 are attached to the interior of the space occupied by the cabins 40 and 42, parallel or substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A of the ship, at the level of the separations between the bathroom part 401 / 421 and the sleeping part 402 / 422.

[0091] If, in practice, it is structurally advantageous for these two interior partitions 70 to be structural and to contribute to the overall resistance of the ship, it may prove sufficient for only one of these interior partitions to be structural and constructed in accordance with one of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c.

[0092] The integration of these structural partitions 70 inside the space occupied by the cabins 40 and 42 can a priori be considered as a disadvantage since it prevents the implementation of the classic method of boarding cabins prefabricated in a single element.

[0093] In the embodiment of [Fig.3], this method cannot be applied because the presence of the structural partition 70 prevents the installation of the prefabricated cabins in a single element.

[0094] Under these conditions, the cabin is prefabricated in two separate parts, which are put in place on either side of the structural partition 70. However, and as illustrated in [Fig. 3], it is arranged so that these structural partitions 70 are arranged in a place where a non-structural partition would inevitably already be present, so as not to modify the general arrangement of the cabins.

[0095] In the present case, the structural partition 70 occupies all or part of the non-structural partition which usually separates the bathroom 401 from the sleeping part 402 of the cabin.

[0096] Each of the two parts of a cabin can be transported individually, this method of constructing two-part cabins makes it possible to envisage prefabricated cabins thus reconstituted, the final size of which would exceed the dimensions of prefabricated cabins made from a single element (generally limited due to the dimensions of prefabrication lines, the geometric control of very long prefabricated cabins when rolling, the constraints of rolling inside the ship, or even the limitation of the size of traditional road transport).

[0097] Of course, whatever the embodiment envisaged of the present invention, for the construction principles of the structural partitions 70, these can be dressed with a lining, so as to visually give them the appearance of a non-structural partition.

Claims

Claims

1. Passenger ship (1) which comprises at least one superstructure (3), this superstructure (3) being formed of a plurality of decks (P0-P5) comprising decks (P1-P4) each having at least one longitudinally oriented passageway (5) and which serves a first set of premises (40) such as cabins located on the port side and a second set of premises (42) such as cabins located on the starboard side, characterized in that the premises (40,42) of at least one of said sets of premises are provided with a structural partition (70) parallel or substantially parallel to said passageway (5), which extends inside the space occupied by these premises (40,42).

2. Ship (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the structural partition (70) is composed of a coaming (H) under the sole of which are fixed several structural partition elements (6, 7) parallel or substantially parallel to said passageway (5).

3. Ship (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said elements (7) of structural partition (70), in the longitudinal direction of the superstructure (3), has a length 1 less than the cumulative width of two contiguous rooms (40, 42).

4. Ship (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the superstructure (3) comprises a second structural partition (70), parallel or substantially parallel to said passageway (5), which extends into the room (40,42) located on the other side of the passageway (5) facing the room (40,42) containing the first structural partition (70).

5. Ship (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said structural partition (70) extends into said room (40; 42), at a distance from said passageway (5), so that it delimits, inside said room (40, 42), two spaces (401, 402; 421, 422) which communicate with each other.

6. Ship (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the structural partitions (70) of each deck (P1-P4) of said superstructure (3) are aligned vertically.

7. Ship (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said premises (40,42) communicate with the exterior of said superstructure (3) by a non-structural external separating partition (400,420). 12

8. Ship (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each room (40,42) is made up of prefabricated sub-assemblies (401,402; 421,422) positioned on either side of said structural partition (70), these two sub-assemblies being shaped to be joined together on board the ship (1) and form the entirety of said room (40,42).

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