Hull deformation simulation device.

Abstract

Hull deformation simulation device.The invention relates to a device (1) for simulating deformation of a structure (2) comprising: A rotary drive system (10), A chassis (12) comprising: at least one pusher (120) movable in translation in a direction (A) by means of a sliding connection (122) fixed against the chassis (12), configured to be in contact with the structure (2) so as to apply a force to the structure (2) parallel to said direction (A), At least one deformation actuator (14) comprising: a member (142) for fixing said actuator (14) to the chassis (12), a cam (144) driven in rotation and configured to transform said rotation into a translation parallel to the direction (A), a connecting rod (146) connected at a first end to the movable pusher (120) and at a second end to the cam (144), the connecting rod (146) being configured to drive the movable pusher (120) in translation parallel to said direction (A).Figure for abstract: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Device for simulating hull deformation.

[0001] The invention relates to the field of modeling deformations on a substantially planar surface or on a curved surface. More specifically, the invention relates to a device for modeling, by means of a tangible representation, a deformation on a substantially planar surface or on a curved surface. The invention finds an application in fields where the estimation and quantification of a deformation on a substantially planar or curved surface is necessary. As an indicative example, the invention finds a particular application in the field of construction and in particular nautical construction.

[0002] Many devices or materials are today mounted against building surfaces. Thus, in order to evaluate maritime physical characteristics, materials are mounted on ship surfaces such as for example the hull of a boat, an aquatic drone or the hull of a submarine.

[0003] Any equipment mounted on a surface of a vessel such as an aquatic drone or even a submarine may be subjected to stress linked to the deformation of the hull as a function of immersion. This stress is called "hull contraction". This planar deformation of the hull depends on the conditions external to the hull of the vessel such as the pressure or temperature of the environment external to the hull. Thus, the hull of a vessel does not react in the same way in the presence of different pressure and / or temperature conditions.

[0004] Furthermore, the phenomenon of "shell contraction" induces a deformation of the shell subjected to this phenomenon in several combined directions. Indeed, the deformed and compressed structure, under the effect of pressure or temperature, deforms in a cylindrical frame of reference, in the radial direction but also in the longitudinal direction.

[0005] The difficulty is to reproduce this type of stress in a laboratory or workshop environment in order to verify in a simplified manner the mechanical strength of a structure subjected to this type of deformation.

[0006] To date, two solutions exist for verifying the resistance of a structure to shell contraction type stress: - digital modeling consisting of the digital schematic representation from a modeling software of the analyzed structure and the stress conditions. Nevertheless, this method requires significant knowledge of the characteristics of the structure and especially the conjecture of the behavior of this structure in relation to the conditions imposed on said structure. More precisely, this method is essentially based on the establishment of operating hypotheses that are difficult to quantify. This numerical method therefore involves modeling and implementation uncertainties. Thus, the reliability between the numerical model and the actual behavior may be uncertain; - practical testing on a control structure to verify the equipment's performance under real conditions. However, this solution requires multiplying the number of equipment used for testing, which makes it an expensive solution. In addition, testing generally requires more time compared to digital modeling.

[0007] There is therefore no device for quickly and reliably testing the behavior of equipment subjected to specific external conditions.

[0008] The invention aims to overcome all or part of the problems mentioned above by proposing a motorized device making it possible to tangibly model a hull deformation on a surface so as to be able to estimate the deformation undergone or the behavior of this surface in a reduced time.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a device for simulating the deformation of a substantially planar or curved structure in a marine environment, configured to measure a deformation of a substantially planar or curved structure, the simulation device comprising: - a rotary drive system, the drive system comprising a motor and a rotary drive shaft; - a chassis comprising: - at least one pusher movable in translation along an axis substantially parallel to the planar structure by means of a sliding connection fixed against the chassis, the at least one pusher being configured to be in contact with the planar structure so as to apply a force to the planar structure parallel to said axis; - a pusher fixed to the chassis; - at least one deformation actuator, a deformation actuator of at least one deformation actuator comprising: - a transmission system connected to the drive shaft; - a means of fixing said deformation actuator against the chassis; - a cam connected to the transmission system, configured to transform the rotary movement into a transverse movement; - a connecting rod connected at a first end to a pusher among the at least one movable pusher and at a second end to the cam, the connecting rod being configured to drive the movable pusher in translation parallel to said axis.

[0010] The hull contraction simulation device makes it possible to verify, under real conditions, the mechanical resistance of a substantially flat or curved structure to the stress of deformations under accessible conditions and at atmospheric pressure.

[0011] More specifically, the simulation device is capable of stressing a hull by modeling local deformations at the level of the hull itself. These local deformations are obtained by the oscillatory movement of pushers movable in translation which are supported against the hull. This movement induces a stress of the pusher on the hull. The pushers are driven in translation by means of a motor connected to a transmission member capable of transforming a rotary movement into an axial movement, namely the deformation actuator. The cam-link system thus makes it possible to generate axial oscillatory movements on the part of the pusher while being driven by a rotary motor.

[0012] According to one aspect of the invention, the deformation actuator comprises a transmission system connected to the transmission shaft so as to be driven in rotation by the rotary drive system, the transmission system being configured to drive the cam in rotation.

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, the transmission system is a transmission belt.

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the chassis comprises a pusher fixed to the chassis.

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the chassis comprises: - a first pusher movable in translation along a first axis substantially parallel to the structure or substantially parallel to a plane tangent to the structure by means of a first sliding connection fixed against the chassis, the first movable pusher being configured to be in contact with the structure so as to apply a force to the structure parallel to said first axis; - a second pusher movable in translation along a second axis substantially parallel to the structure or substantially parallel to a plane tangent to the structure by means of a second sliding connection fixed against the chassis, the second movable pusher being configured to be in contact with the structure so as to apply a force to the structure parallel to said second axis; - the first axis and the second axis being symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry of the chassis.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, the cam comprises: - an axis of rotation orthogonal to the translation axis of the movable pusher; - a lug connecting the cam to the second end of the connecting rod, the lug being integral with a surface of the cam, the lug being distant from the axis of rotation of the cam.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the connecting rod is configured to drive said movable pusher parallel to said axis in a transverse movement so that the distance traveled by the pusher is greater than 1 millimeter.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the connecting rod is configured to drive said movable pusher parallel to said axis in a transverse movement so that the distance traveled by the pusher is less than 10 millimeters.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, the first end of the connecting rod comprises a first connecting member and in which the second end of the connecting rod comprises a second connecting member, the first connecting member being distant from the second connecting member by a first predefined distance.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, the first end of the connecting rod comprises a third connecting member and in which the second end of the connecting rod comprises a fourth connecting member, the third connecting member being distant from the fourth connecting member by a second predefined distance greater than the first distance.

[0021] The invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear on reading the detailed description of an embodiment given by way of example, a description illustrated by the attached drawings in which: - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents a schematic view of a first face of a deformation simulation device according to the invention, - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] represents a schematic view of a second face of the deformation simulation device of [Fig.l], - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a schematic profile view of the device of deformation simulation applied to a hull, - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a schematic view from above of the second face of the deformation simulation device, and - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a type of deformation actuator of the deformation simulation device according to the invention.

[0022] For the sake of clarity, the same elements will bear the same references in the different figures.

[0023] [Fig. 1] represents a first face 1' of a device 1 for simulating the deformation of a substantially planar or curved structure 2, represented in [Fig. 3], in a marine environment. The simulation device 1 is configured to measure a deformation of the substantially planar or curved structure 2. The structure is defined as a structure extending mainly over two dimensions. A substantially planar or curved structure is a structure in which two of its three dimensions are significantly greater than its third dimension so that the substantially planar or curved structure can be likened to a flat or curved surface. Hull deformation is understood to mean an alteration of the dimensions of the surface that can be observed locally, this alteration being quantifiable only in a plane, i.e. in two dimensions.

[0024] The simulation device 1 comprises a rotary drive system 10. The drive system 10 further comprises a motor 100 and a rotary transmission shaft 110. The motor 100 is configured to rotate the rotary transmission shaft 110. The motor 100 is connected to the rotary transmission shaft 110. The motor 100 thus generates a torque allowing the rotary transmission shaft 110 to rotate.

[0025] Alternatively, the motor 100 may be replaced by an actuator capable of generating sufficient force or torque to rotate the rotary transmission shaft 110.

[0026] The simulation device 1 also comprises a chassis 12. The motor 100 may be fixed against the chassis 12 as shown in [Fig.l]. The rotating transmission shaft 110 may also be fixed to the chassis 12.

[0027] The simulation device 1 comprises at least one deformation actuator 14. The at least one deformation actuator 14 is fixed against the chassis 12. [Fig.l] thus represents nine deformation actuators 14 distributed against the chassis 12. Nevertheless, a single deformation actuator 14 is sufficient to generate the simulation of a deformation on the hull 2. The at least one deformation actuator 14 is a mechanical system configured to generate a force and a transverse movement on a planar structure 2 from the rotational movement of the rotary transmission shaft 110.

[0028] In the remainder of the description, the substantially planar or curved structure 2 is interpreted as a shell 2. Nevertheless, any substantially planar or curved planar structure can be envisaged.

[0029] [Fig. 2] represents a second face 1” of the simulation device 1 and more particularly of the chassis 12, opposite the first face 1'. The chassis 12 comprises at least one pusher 120 movable in translation along an axis A substantially parallel to the shell 2 or substantially parallel to a plane tangent to the shell 2 by means of a sliding connection 122 fixed against the chassis 12, shown more precisely in [Fig.5]. The sliding connection 122 thus takes the form of a guide rail allowing the movable pusher 120 to translate parallel to the shell 2 and to the chassis 12, along its translation axis A. The sliding connection 122 makes it possible to guarantee the kinematics of the deformation stress of the shell 2 combined radially and longitudinally. Alternatively, any connection allowing the movable pusher 120 to be in translation along its translation axis A can be envisaged as for example a sliding pivot connection. [Fig.2] thus gives an example of nine movable pushers 120, each movable pusher 120 having its own translation axis A. Nevertheless, a single movable pusher 120 is sufficient to generate the simulation of a deformation on the shell 2.

[0030] The at least one movable pusher 120 is configured to be in contact with the shell 2 so as to apply a force to the shell 2 parallel to said axis A.

[0031] The simulation device 1 may also comprise a fixed pusher 124 fixed to the chassis 12. The fixed pusher 124 is embedded against the chassis 12 so that the fixed pusher 124 is stationary. The fixed pusher 124 is also configured to be in contact with the shell 2.

[0032] It is thus possible to measure in real time the behavior of a region of the shell 2 acted upon by a movable pusher 120 relative to a region of the shell 2 left free by the fixed pusher 124.

[0033] The movable pusher 120 is thus driven in translation by means of a deformation actuator 14 in contact with the movable pusher 120. Advantageously, the number of movable pushers 120 is equal to the number of deformation actuators 14. Each movable pusher 120 is thus linked simultaneously to the at least one deformation actuator 14 and to the shell 2 to be analyzed so that a superposition is observable between the shell 2, the movable pusher 120 and the chassis 12. The movable pusher 120 is constrained between the shell 2 and the chassis 12, by means of the deformation actuator 14. In other words, the pusher 120 is connected to the chassis 120 by means of a sliding connection which allows it to be movable in translation along its translation axis. And, the pusher 120 is also connected to the shell 2 by means of a recessed connection which does not allow any freedom between the pusher 120 and the shell 2.Therefore, when the pusher 120 is driven in translation by the deformation actuator 14, this translational movement generates a mechanical reaction at the contact zone between the pusher 120 and the shell 2 due to their embedded connection. This mechanical reaction is thus a local deformation of the shell 2 at the contact zone between the shell 1 and the pusher 120 driven in translation.

[0034] Each deformation actuator 14 comprises a fixing member 142 for said deformation actuator 14 against the chassis 12. Each deformation actuator 14 is thus embedded against the chassis 12 so as to be immobilized. The fixing member 142 is preferably a set of screws making it possible to screw the deformation actuator 14 against the chassis 12. The fixing means is thus advantageously a reversible fixing means making it possible to move the deformation actuator 14 against the chassis 12. It is thus possible to vary the deformation on said shell 2 so as to locally observe the behavior of the shell 2 which undergoes the deformation of the displaced deformation actuator 14. Alternatively, the fixing member 142 may be a strap or any other reversible fixing means such as a reversible adhesive.

[0035] Alternatively, the fixing member 142 may be an irreversible fixing means. Thus, the fixing member 142 may be an adhesive or a weld for example. In other words, any embedding connection, removable or not, may be envisaged for connecting a deformation actuator 14 to the chassis 12. This embedding connection must simply make it possible to keep the deformation actuator 14 fixed to the chassis 12 without deforming.

[0036] In order to generate the translational movement of the movable pusher 120 from the rotational movement of the rotary transmission shaft 110, each deformation actuator 14 comprises a cam 144 connected to the rotary transmission shaft 110. The cam 144 is thus a mechanical member driven in rotation, according to a first portion 1440, represented in [Fig.l], by the rotary transmission shaft HO capable of generating, at a second portion 1442, represented in [Fig.2], a transverse movement. The cam 144 is thus configured to transform the rotary movement of the rotary transmission shaft 110 into a movement transverse to its second portion 1442. Alternatively, any other system or device capable of transforming the rotational movement from the motor 100 into a translational movement can be envisaged.

[0037] Furthermore, each deformation actuator 14 comprises a connecting rod 146 connected at a first end 1460 to a movable pusher among the at least one movable pusher 120 and at a second end 1462 to the second portion 1442 of the cam 144, shown in [Fig. 3]. The connecting rod 146 is configured to drive the movable pusher 120 in translation parallel to the translation axis of said movable pusher 120.

[0038] In other words, the connecting rod 146 is capable of pushing and pulling the movable pusher 120 along its sliding connection 122 so as to generate a movement of the movable pusher 120. The movable pusher 120 is thus forced to move by the movement of the connecting rod 146.

[0039] However, the movable pusher 120 also being in contact and under stress against the shell 2, the shell 2 undergoes the displacement of the connecting rod 146 so that the shell 2 is locally deformed at the level of the contact between the movable pusher 120 and the shell 2. There is then a physical modeling of the deformation by the movement of the connecting rod 146 and the pusher 120 movable against the shell 2.

[0040] As stated previously, the simulation device 1 may comprise several deformation actuators 14 and therefore several cams 144. Therefore, it may be envisaged that, for each deformation actuator 14 and each cam 144, the simulation device 1 comprises a motor and a rotary transmission shaft exclusive to said deformation actuator 14 and to said cam 144. This configuration has the advantage of offering great freedom in the arrangement of the motors, rotary transmission shafts, the deformation actuators and the pushers. However, this configuration also has the disadvantage of complicating the simulation device 1 by adding a large number of mechanical components.

[0041] Alternatively, a single motor 100 and a single rotary transmission shaft 110 may be envisaged. And each deformation actuator 14 may comprise a transmission system 140 connected to the rotary transmission shaft 110 and to the cam 144. The transmission system 140 makes it possible to transmit the torque from the rotary transmission shaft 110 to the at least one deformation actuator 14 so as to set the at least one deformation actuator 14 and the cam 144 in motion.

[0042] Therefore, a cam 144 is connected to the rotary transmission shaft 110 via the drive system 140. This configuration makes it possible to limit the number of mechanical components and motors in particular.

[0043] In other words, the simulation device 1 comprises a chassis 12 against which the motor 100 is fixed. The motor 100 then makes it possible to set in motion the rotary transmission shaft 110 which is fixed to the first face 1' of the simulation device 1 and the chassis 12. This rotational movement and this torque is then transmitted by the transmission system 140, connected to the rotary transmission shaft 110, to the first portion 1440 of the cam 144 so as to induce a rotation of the cam 144. The cam 144 passes through the chassis so that the first portion 1440 of the cam 144 is against the first face 1' of the chassis 12 of the simulation device 1 and the second portion 1442 of the cam 144 is against the second face 1" of the chassis 12 of the simulation device 1. The rotational movement is thus transmitted to the second portion 1442 of the came 144.The cam 144 then makes it possible to convert the rotational movement observable at the first portion 1440 into a translational movement at the second portion 1442. The second portion 1442 transmits the translational movement to the connecting rod 146 via the first end 1460 of the connecting rod 146. The connecting rod 146, which is arranged facing the second face 1”, is thus movable in translation and guided by the second portion 1442 of the cam 144. The movable pusher 120 is then put into translation by the guided translation of the connecting rod 146, due to the connection of the second end 1462 of the connecting rod 146 with the pusher. 120 mobile. The mobile pusher 120 moves on the frame 12 in a translational movement parallel to the axis A by means of its sliding connection 122. The mobile pusher 120, which is also in contact with the shell 2 to be analyzed, then imposes this movement on the shell 2. The shell 2 being static relative to the frame 12 and relative to the mobile pusher 120, the shell 2 is deformed locally at the contact zone between the mobile pusher 120 and the shell 2. This local deformation of the shell 2 due to the opposition between the force necessary for the rectilinear movement of the mobile pusher 120 and the reaction of the static shell 2 is quantifiable with regard to the shell 2 left at rest in contact with the fixed pusher 124.

[0044] Advantageously, the transmission system 140 may be a transmission belt. The transmission belt has the advantage of being a mechanical member making it possible to transmit a circular movement from a main transmission shaft, namely the rotary transmission shaft 110, to a secondary transmission shaft, namely the first portion 1440 of the cam 144.

[0045] Nevertheless, any transmission system between the rotary transmission shaft 110 and the cam 144 by angle transmission can be envisaged, such as for example the use of a worm screw.

[0046] [Fig. 3] is a side view of the simulation device 1 and of the shell 2 which presents more precisely the contact zones, referenced 20, between the pushers 120 and the shell 2. When a pusher 120 is in motion, a local deformation due to the opposition between the force necessary for the rectilinear movement of the movable pusher 120 and the reaction of the static shell 2 is observable at the contact zone 20 between said pusher 120 and the shell 2. As stated previously, the movable pusher 120, like the fixed pusher 124, is in abutment against a face 2' of the shell 2. Therefore, the rectilinear movement of the movable pusher 120 locally generates a stretching of the face 2' in a direction parallel to the translation movement and to the axis A.It is understood by local that the deformation of the shell 2 by the transverse displacement of the pusher 120 is observable at the contact zone 20 between said pusher 120 and the shell 2 or near the contact zone 20 on the face 2'.

[0047] [Fig. 4] represents a front view of the second face 1” of the simulation device 1. As indicated previously, the simulation device may comprise several deformation actuators 14, mobile pushers 120 or fixed pushers 124. As an indicative example, [Fig. 4] represents a simulation device 1 comprising nine deformation actuators 14, nine mobile pushers 120 and two fixed pushers 124.

[0048] The chassis 12 may comprise a first pusher 120' movable in translation along a first axis A1 substantially parallel to the shell 2 by means of a first sliding connection 122' fixed against the chassis 12. The first movable pusher 120' is configured to be in contact with the shell 2 so as to apply a first force on the shell 2 parallel to said first axis A1.

[0049] The chassis 12 may also comprise a second pusher 120” movable in translation along a second axis A2 substantially parallel to the shell 2 by means of a second sliding connection 122” fixed against the chassis 12. The second movable pusher 120” is configured to also be in contact with the shell 2 so as to apply a second force A on the shell 2 parallel to said second axis A2.

[0050] The first movable pusher 120' being distant from the second movable pusher 120", two forces, namely the first force f} and the second force / 2, are applied against the shell 2.

[0051] The first axis A1 and the second axis A2 may be intersecting so that it is possible to observe the behavior and deformation of the shell according to two distinct rectilinear movements by means of the movement of the first movable pusher 120' and the second movable pusher 120”. The use of several movable pushers 120, and therefore of several deformation actuators 14, thus has the advantage of being able to simulate the deformation of the shell 2 in several deformation zones, namely at the level of the contact between the first movable pusher 120' and the face 2' of the shell 2 and at the level of the contact between the second movable pusher 120" and the face 2' of the shell 2 simultaneously. It is thus possible to generate numerous local deformation stresses to observe the general behavior of the shell 2.

[0052] The first axis A1 may be symmetrical to the second axis A2 along an axis of symmetry S of the chassis 12. An axial symmetry may be observed between the first axis A1 and the second axis A2 and between the movement of the first movable pusher 120' and the movement of the second movable pusher 120”. It is thus possible to generate forces such as the first force or the first force / 2 whose direction, linked to the movement of the first movable pusher 120' for the first force f1 and to the movement of the second movable pusher 120" for the second force f2, is substantially opposite.

[0053] The frame 12 may also comprise a third movable pusher 120'” and a fourth movable pusher 120””. The third movable pusher 120'” and the fourth movable pusher 120”” may have the same translation axis. In other words, the third translation axis A3 of the third movable pusher 120'” and the fourth translation axis A4 of the fourth movable pusher 120”” may be the same. This configuration has the advantage of increasing the deformation in one direction by the movement of two movable pushers.

[0054] The movement between two movable pushers, such as for example the third movable pusher 120'” and the fourth movable pusher 120”” can be synchronous. In other words, when the third movable pusher 120'” translates in a third direction D3 parallel to the third axis A3, then the fourth movable pusher 120”” translates in a fourth direction D4 parallel to the fourth axis A4.

[0055] The movement between two movable pushers can also be asynchronous. In other words, when the third movable pusher 120” translates in the third direction D3, then the fourth movable pusher 120” translates in the direction opposite to the fourth direction D4 parallel to the fourth axis A4.

[0056] This asynchronous movement makes it possible to locate the deformation of the shell 2 on a smaller surface and to observe the behavior of the shell 2 in relation to two different, or even opposing, stresses.

[0057] These non-synchronous or asynchronous translations can be obtained by offsetting the rotation of the cams 144 of the deformation actuators 14. Thus, as soon as the cam 144 is driven in rotation by the rotary transmission shaft 110, the pusher 120 is always mobile since it oscillates parallel to its translation axis. In other words, the pusher 120 is not fixed.

[0058] [Fig. 5] shows an enlarged view of the mechanical connections between the second portion 1442 of the cam 144, the connecting rod 146 and the movable pusher 120. As stated previously, the cam 144 is fixed against the second face 1” of the chassis 12 by means of the fixing member 142, which is preferably screws passing through the chassis 12. The cam 144 is movable in rotation about an axis of rotation R orthogonal to the axis A of translation of each movable pusher 120 of the at least one movable pusher 120. In other words, the first portion 1440 and the second portion 1442 of the cam 144 can be in rotation about an axis of rotation R.

[0059] The cam 144 may also comprise a lug 1444 connecting the second portion 1442 of the cam 144 to the second end 1462 of the connecting rod 146. The lug 1444 takes the form of a protrusion extending from the second portion 1442 of the cam 144. The lug 1444 is integral with a surface 1442' of the second portion 1442 of the cam 144 parallel to the second face 1” of the simulation device 1 and the chassis 12. The lug 1444 is distant from the axis of rotation R of the cam 144 so that when the second portion 1442 is rotating, the lug 1444 also undergoes rotation.

[0060] In other words, the surface 1442' may have a radial dimension r if the cam 144 and more precisely the second portion 1442 has a cylindrical shape. The distance separating the axis of rotation R from the lug 1444 is then less than the radial dimension r.

[0061] The surface 1442' may have a different shape such as a polygonal shape when the cam 144, and more particularly the second portion 1442 of the cam 144, has a polygonal tubular shape. Therefore, the surface 1442' may have a diagonal dimension r. The diagonal dimension r is a diagonal of the polygon formed by the surface 1442' crossing the axis of rotation R in the plane formed by the surface 1442'. The distance separating the axis of rotation R from the lug 1444 is then less than the diagonal dimension r.

[0062] Preferably, the lug 1444 has a tubular shape, as shown in [Fig.5],

[0063] The first end 1460 of the connecting rod 146 may comprise a first connecting member 1461. As shown in [Fig. 5], the first connecting member 1461 is an opening allowing the lug 1444 to be inserted into the first connecting member 1461. The lug 1444 is therefore fitted into the connecting rod 146 via the opening, namely the first connecting member 1461. Like a connection between a male device, namely the lug 1444, and a female receiving device, namely the first connecting member 1461, the lug 1444 passes through the opening and the billet 146.

[0064] Preferably, the lug 1444 and the first connecting member 1461 have complementary shapes and dimensions.

[0065] It may also be envisaged to add a first fixing member 147 such as a nut or a fixing clip so that the lug 1444 is immobilized in the first connecting member 1461 and the connecting rod 146 is immobilized against the surface 1442' of the first portion 1442 of the cam 144.

[0066] Alternatively, the connecting rod 146 may be secured against the surface 1442' of the second portion 1442 of the cam 144 by means of a reversible connection such as a reversible adhesive or glue.

[0067] The introduction of the lug 1444 into the first connecting member 1461 makes it possible to drive the connecting rod 146 in a translational movement thanks to the conversion of movement generated by the offset rotation of the lug 1444 relative to the axis of rotation R. And, the distance separating the lug 1444 from the axis of rotation R of the cam 144 makes it possible to determine the amplitude of the transverse displacement of the connecting rod 146 and the movable pusher 120 and therefore the deformation generated on the shell 2.

[0068] The second end 1462 may also comprise a second connecting member 1463. As shown in [Fig.5], the second connecting member 1463 is an opening.

[0069] The movable pusher 120 comprises an opening 1200. A second fixing member comprising a screw 148' makes it possible to connect the second connecting member 1463 of the connecting rod 146 to the opening 1200 of the movable pusher 120. The screw 148' passes through the connecting rod 146 via the opening, namely the second connecting member 1463 and passes through the opening 1200 of the movable pusher 120 so as to fix the connecting rod 146 by its second end 1462 against the movable pusher 120. A superposition of the second connecting member 1463 and the opening 1200 of the movable pusher 120 can be observed in a plane perpendicular to the second face 1”. The screw 148' can be replaced by a stud or a rod allowing the superposition of the second connecting member 1463 and the opening 1200 of the movable pusher 120 in the plane perpendicular to the second face 1”.

[0070] The translational movement of the connecting rod 146 is thus transmitted to the movable pusher 120 which also translates along its translation axis A by means of the sliding connection 122. The movable pusher 120 is thus successively pushed and pulled by the connecting rod 146 which undergoes the rotational movement of the lug 1444.

[0071] In order to improve the fixing of the connecting rod 146 against the movable pusher 120, the second fixing member may comprise a nut 148” or a fixing clip so that the screw 148' is immobilized in the second connecting member 1463 and in the opening 1200 of the movable pusher 120 and so that the connecting rod 146 is immobilized against the movable pusher 120. A superposition of the second connecting member 1463, of the opening 1200 of the movable pusher 120 and of the nut 148” or of the fixing clip is observable in the plane perpendicular to the second face 1”.

[0072] The first connecting member 1461 and the second connecting member 1463 being openings, the connecting rod 146 is a mechanical part that is simple to machine.

[0073] Alternatively, the second connecting member 1463 may be a lug capable of being introduced into the opening 1200 of the movable pusher 120, in a similar manner to the lug 1444 and the first connecting member 1461. In this configuration, the screw 148' is then no longer useful.

[0074] Alternatively, the connecting rod 146 may be secured against the movable pusher 120 by means of a reversible connection such as a reversible adhesive or glue.

[0075] The first connecting member 1461 is distant from the second connecting member 1463 by a first predefined distance.

[0076] The first end 1460 of the connecting rod 146 may comprise a third connecting member 1464 identical to the first connecting member 1461. And, the second end 1462 of the connecting rod 146 may also comprise a fourth connecting member 1465 identical to the second connecting member 1463. The third connecting member 1464 is distant from the fourth connecting member 1465 by a second predefined distance L2 greater than the first distance. The lug 1444 may thus be introduced into the first connecting member 1461 or into the third connecting member 1464 and the opening 1200 of the movable pusher 120 may be superimposed with the second connecting member 1463 or with the fourth connecting member 1465 so that the screw 148' is inserted either into the second connecting member 1463 or the fourth connecting member 1465.

[0077] The second distance L2 between the third connecting member 1464 and the fourth connecting member 1465 being greater than the first distance fq between the first connecting member 1461 and the second connecting member 1463, it is thus possible to control the amplitude of the movement of the movable pusher 120. More precisely, by connecting the cam 144 to the movable pusher 120 by means of the first connecting member 1461 and the second connecting member 1463, the cam 144 is distant from the movable pusher 120 by a distance equivalent to the first distance L{. By increasing the distance separating the cam 144, which is fixed against the frame 12, from the movable pusher 120, the movable pusher 120 is then naturally pushed back from the cam 144 by a distance equivalent to the second distance. The movable pusher 120 is already pressing against the shell 2, moving the movable pusher 120 amounts to constraining the shell 2.

[0078] As stated previously, the translation of the connecting rod 146 and the movement of the movable pusher 120 can be easily determined from the distance or the eccentricity separating the lug 1444 from the axis of rotation R of the cam 144. The change in the distance separating the two connecting members, namely the first distance between the first connecting member 1461 and the second connecting member 1463 or the second distance L? between the third connecting member 1464 and the fourth connecting member 1465, of the connecting rod 146 makes it possible to generate a translation of different and increased amplitude in order to further constrain the shell 2.

[0079] This variation in the distance between the two connecting members of the connecting rod 146 also has the advantage of making it easy to connect the cam 144 to the movable pusher 120 for any eccentricity of the lug 1444 of the cam 144 relative to its axis of rotation R.

[0080] Increasing the distance separating the cam 144 from the movable pusher 120, by connecting the second potion 1442 of the cam 144 to the third connecting member 1464 and the opening 1200 of the movable pusher 120 to the fourth connecting member 1465, makes it possible to over-constrain the shell 2 even before the dynamic movement of the movable pusher 120 driven by the rotation of the cam 144.

[0081] Alternatively, the connecting rod 146 may comprise a predefined number of connecting members, which may be greater than the four connecting members 1461, 1462, 1464 and 1465. In this way, it is possible to control with great precision the distance separating the lug 1444 from the pusher 120 and to predefine several deformations accordingly on the shell 2.

[0082] This configuration has the advantage of making it possible to increase the stresses at the level of the shell 2 so as to observe the shell according to greater deformations.

[0083] It is then possible to control the movement of the movable pusher 120.

[0084] The movement of the movable pusher 120 is controlled by the distance separating the axis of rotation R of the cam 144 from the lug 1444. The distance between the cam 144 and the movable pusher 120, namely the first distance L\ or the second distance L2 is deduced from the eccentricity of the lug 1444 relative to the axis of rotation R so as to guarantee the conservation of the initial position of the movable pusher 120.

[0085] The further the lug 1444 is from the axis of rotation R of the cam 144 on the surface 1442' of the second portion 1442, the greater the amplitude of the displacement and therefore the greater the translations of the movable pusher 120.

[0086] The cam system 144 makes it possible to impose the appropriate stresses according to the intended immersion but also proportionally according to the position of each fixing point relative to a given fixed reference. Any planar deformation of the shell 2 can be generated by a couple of cam 144 and connecting rod 146 which makes it possible to apply a different amplitude of translation of the movable pusher 120.

[0087] The motorization by the engine 100 and the transmission, by means of the rotary transmission shaft 110 and the transmission system 140, make it possible to apply a repeated and cyclical stress, representing operational stress on the hull 2.

[0088] The connecting rod 146 may be configured to drive the movable pusher 120 parallel to its translation axis A in a transverse movement such that the distance traveled by the pusher 120 is greater than 1 millimeter. As an indicative example, when the cam 144 is distant from the movable pusher 120 by a distance equivalent to the first distance L f, the movement of the movable pusher 120 is of the order of 1 millimeter, depending on the distance between the lug 1444 and the axis of rotation of the cam R at the surface 1442'.

[0089] And, when the cam is distant from the movable pusher 120 by a distance equivalent to the second distance L2, the displacement of the movable pusher 120 is of the order of 10 millimeters, depending on the distance between the lug 1444 and the axis of rotation of the cam R at the surface 1442'.

[0090] The hull deformation simulation device therefore makes it possible to verify the mechanical resistance of a material to the contraction stress linked to immersion, in accessible conditions and in air at atmospheric pressure.

[0091] The simulation device 1 makes it possible to model a deformation on any structure 2. Preferably, the structure 2 is a so-called planar structure in which two of its dimensions, such as its length and its width, are significantly greater than its third dimension so that a deformation in a plane coincident with the two significantly greater dimensions is observable. The structure 2 may be a planar structure, that is to say a structure in which its two clearly greater than the third dimension are included in a plane. Alternatively, the structure 2 may be a curved structure such as for example a shell 2.

Claims

Claims

1. A device (1) for simulating deformation of a structure (2) configured to measure a deformation of a structure (2), the simulation device (1) comprising: - a rotary drive system (10) comprising a motor (100) and a rotary transmission shaft (110), the motor (100) being configured to rotate the rotary transmission shaft (110); - a chassis (12) comprising: - a pusher (120) movable in translation in a direction (A) substantially parallel to the structure (2) or substantially parallel to a plane tangent to the structure (2) by means of a sliding connection (122) fixed against the chassis (12), the movable pusher (120) being configured to be in contact with the structure (2) so as to apply a force (f? / 2) to the structure (2) parallel to said direction (A),- a deformation actuator (14) comprising: - a fixing member (142) for said deformation actuator (14) to the chassis (12), - a cam (144) driven in rotation by the rotary transmission shaft (110), configured to transform said rotation into a translation parallel to the direction (A), a connecting rod (146) connected at a first end (1460) to the movable pusher (120) and at a second end (1462) to the cam (144), the connecting rod (146) being configured to drive the movable pusher (120) in translation parallel to said direction (A).,

2. A deformation simulation device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the deformation actuator (14) comprises a transmission system (140) connected to the transmission shaft (110) so as to be rotated by the rotary drive system (110), the transmission system (140) being configured to rotate the cam (144).

3. A deformation simulation device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the transmission system (140) is a transmission belt.

4. A deformation simulation device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chassis (12) comprises a pusher (124) fixed to the chassis.

5. A deformation simulation device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the chassis (12) comprises: - a first pusher (120') movable in translation along a first axis (A1) substantially parallel to the structure (2) or substantially parallel to a plane tangent to the structure (2) by means of a first sliding connection (122') fixed against the chassis (12), the first movable pusher (120') being configured to be in contact with the structure (2) so as to apply a force (y J on the structure (2) parallel to said first axis (A1), - a second pusher (120”) movable in translation along a second axis (A2) substantially parallel to the structure (2) or substantially parallel to a plane tangent to the structure (2) by means of a second sliding connection (122”) fixed against the chassis (12),the second movable pusher (120”) being configured to be in contact with the structure (2) so as to apply a force (fj on the structure (2) parallel to said second axis (A2), - the first axis (Al) and the second axis (A2) being symmetrical with respect to an axis of symmetry (S) of the chassis (12).,

6. A deformation simulation device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cam (144) comprises: - an axis of rotation (R) orthogonal to the axis (A) of translation of the movable pusher (120), - a lug (1444) connecting the cam (144) to the second end (1462) of the connecting rod (146), the lug (1444) being integral with a surface (1442') of the cam (144), the lug (1444) being distant from the axis of rotation (R) of the cam (144).

7. Deformation simulation device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the connecting rod (146) is configured to drive said pusher (120) movable parallel to said axis (A) in a transverse movement so that the distance traveled by the pusher (120) is greater than 1 millimeter.

8. Deformation simulation device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which the connecting rod (146) is configured to drive said pusher (120) movable parallel to said axis (A) in a transverse movement so that the distance traveled by the pusher (120) is less than 10 millimeters.

9. A deformation simulation device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first end (1460) of the connecting rod (146) comprises a first connecting member (1461) and wherein the second end (1462) of the connecting rod (146) comprises a second connecting member (1463), the first connecting member (1461) being distant from the second connecting member (1462) by a first predefined distance (L^).

10. A deformation simulation device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first end (1460) of the connecting rod (146) comprises a third connecting member (1464) and wherein the second end (1462) of the connecting rod (146) comprises a fourth connecting member (1465), the third connecting member (1464) being distant from the fourth connecting member (1465) by a second predefined distance (^2) greater than the first distance (

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