SHIP WING STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract

Storage device (10) for a ship wing (3) in an elongated cradle (1) with a longitudinal axis X-X', comprising an open upper part (1a) capable of receiving the wing (3) in the collapsed position, and a lower support part (1b), as well as a protective structure intended to cover said upper part (1a) of the cradle (1). According to the invention, said protective structure comprises at least one first cover (20) and at least one second cover (30) which are movable in tilting on either side of the longitudinal axis of the cradle so as to pass from a first position in which said at least first cover (20) and at least second cover (30) are spaced apart to allow free access to said upper part (1a) of the cradle (1) and a second position in which said at least first cover (20) and at least second cover (30) are brought together and cover the upper part (1a) of the cradle (1). Figure for abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR STORING A SHIP'S WING

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wind-powered propulsion vehicles, of the ship type, or to hybrid ship type vehicles, powered in part by the wind, and it relates more particularly to a device for storing a sail or profiled wing for such a ship.

[0002] As is generally known, when not in use, the main sail fitted to a sailboat is stowed on the bollard of the sailboat. A protective bag covers it, the bag being deployed and removed manually in most cases. However, the manual operation is often difficult to carry out given the mobility of the bollard and the awkward positioning of the operator in relation to it.

[0003] In order to make the operation of covering and removing the protection of the mainsail lowered onto the bollard easier, a solution has been proposed in document FR 2969117. This document describes a sail protection device having the shape of a flexible bag, fixed on top of the bollard, the bag being provided with closing and opening means, such as elastic strips or inflatable tubes actuated in movement along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bollard. When actuated in the closed position, these means surround the sail placed inside the device, a movement in the opposite direction being carried out to reach the open position. The elastic strips or, in a variant, the inflatable tubes, are deployed and retracted using a remote control device connected to traction or pneumatic actuators.While it does allow remote control of the closing and opening of the soft bag enclosing the sail, this solution only allows for a small amplitude of movement and thus proves difficult to handle when lowering the sail, especially in strong winds when it begins to undulate strongly.

[0004] To overcome these drawbacks, document EP 2905218 proposes a sail storage device solution comprising two rigid shells of generally truncated cone shape, mounted pivotally around hinges located on the lateral faces of the terminal. The shells are manually actuated using a set of ropes called a "lazy-jack", or using cables via a pulley system. While it certainly allows for a wider opening of the device's shells and therefore better accommodation of the sail when it is lowered, this solution has its limits when cables or cables have to be used to actuate the shells in opening and closing, which can hinder the movement of the sail. Furthermore, given the significant space taken up by the two hulls in the open position, this solution is not suitable for a storage device for very large sails, such as wings intended to equip very large vessels, such as cargo ships. Furthermore, this solution is not suitable for a vessel with a retractable mast since the "lazy-jacks" are attached to it.

[0005] Similar to sailboats, on a ship comprising a propulsion wing which is a sail having a double skin allowing it to take on an aircraft wing profile when it is hoisted for sail propulsion purposes, it is necessary to provide a reception structure for the wing when it is lowered or collapsed on itself. This reception structure called a cradle is supported by the terminal, it generally has rigid walls and is a nacelle having a hollow, substantially oblong shape. The cradle being open at the top, when the wing is stored in the cradle, it can suffer from its exposure to natural elements (wind, water, bird droppings, etc.) if it is not protected from them.

[0006] According to the guidelines of the independent Norwegian Foundation "Det Norske Veritas" or DNV, one of the leading international providers of risk management services, a protective element for a ship's sail or wing must protect it against dust (for example in the case of loading / unloading of bulk carriers), against impacts (for example when an object falls), against bad weather (such as water or ice) and against UV radiation (in order to limit aging), while limiting its aerodynamic impact and being able to withstand real winds of more than 50m / s in the closed position.

[0007] Thus, in order to protect the wing contained in a small or medium-sized cradle, a simple solution is to cover the cradle in an operation that can be done manually. For this, a tarpaulin made of a thick polymer material, a tarpaulin which is generally provided with eyelets on its edges, is deployed and then secured to the boat using fasteners engaging with the eyelets of the tarpaulin. However, for large cradles, for example with a length of approximately 15-25 m and a width of approximately 5-8 m, manual deployment is no longer possible.

[0008] An objective of the invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide an original solution for a device for storing a sail or wing of a large ship, enabling it to be effectively protected when it is lowered into its cradle, a device which proves to be reliable in operation and easy to maneuver.

[0009] This objective is achieved by the invention which proposes a device for storing a ship wing in an elongated cradle with a longitudinal axis X-X', comprising an upper part capable of receiving the wing in the collapsed position, and a lower support part, as well as a protective structure intended to cover said upper part of the cradle, characterized in that said protective structure comprises at least one first concave hood and at least one second concave hood, said at least first hood and at least second hood being movable by tilting in opposite directions on either side of the longitudinal axis of the cradle so as to pass from a first position in which said at least first hood and at least second hood are spaced apart to allow free access to said upper part of the cradle and in which the internal face of each hood surrounds at least in part the external face of the lower part of said cradle and a second position in which said at least first hood and at least second hood are brought together and cover the upper part of the cradle.

[0010] In other words, the invention proposes a device for storing a ship's wing making it possible to accommodate the wing in the stowed position and to protect it from external aggressions, the device comprising more particularly concave-shaped covers which can tilt on either side of the longitudinal axis of the cradle so as to be able to be stowed in the lower part of the cradle, in their open position, and to meet above the open upper part forming an open upper deck of the cradle to enclose the wing inside. By tilting, it is understood that all the points of a cover change position by the same distance relative to the longitudinal axis of the cradle. Such tilting can be obtained by using a drive using articulated mechanisms, such as a deformable parallelogram, or a rotational drive of the movable covers.

[0011] Such a mechanism has the advantage of using rigid movable covers having a very small footprint in the open position, while providing a good aerodynamic profile for the cradle in the closed position.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said at least one first cowl can be made to rotate around an axis Y-Y' in a first direction, said at least second cowl can be made to rotate around an axis Z-Z' in a direction opposite to the first, the axes Y-Y' and Z-Z' being parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X' of the cradle. The axes Y-Y', Z-Z' can be supported in bearings located on either side of a vertical median plane of the cradle at a distance defined by the cradle geometry and the desired height between the upper bridge and the inner faces of the cowls. In an alternative embodiment, the axes Y-Y', Z-Z' can also merge and thus form only a single axis of rotation, an axis which is substantially merged with the axis X-X' of the cradle, capable of accommodating the support bearings of the different cowls.

[0013] Said at least one first cover and at least one second cover may have substantially identical shapes and dimensions.

[0014] Said cradle may comprise, distributed along its length, several arched uprights forming rotational guide rails for a first hood and for a second hood. This makes it possible to ensure the rotational guidance of the hoods which are parts hollows having large dimensions and therefore a fairly significant mass, while avoiding their deformation.

[0015] The device of the invention may comprise motorized means for driving in rotation said at least first cover and at least second cover.

[0016] Said motorized means may comprise at least one geared motor secured to the cradle capable of rotating a hood.

[0017] The output shaft of said geared motor can drive a pinion which can cooperate with a toothed crown sector located on the internal walls of the cover.

[0018] Each cover may comprise several sectors of toothed crowns arranged along its internal generator. This makes it possible to ensure the rotational movement of the covers which are hollow parts having large dimensions and therefore a fairly significant mass, while avoiding their deformation.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment, the device of the invention may comprise two first concentric covers arranged to rotate around the axis Y-Y' and two second concentric covers arranged to rotate around the axis Z-Z'. This makes it possible to cover a cradle of greater width, for example from 6m, using several concentric and retractable covers.

[0020] The radially innermost cover can support the guide rails and the rotational drive motor of the radially outermost cover.

[0021] The device of the invention may comprise a control unit capable of controlling the synchronous operation of all the geared motors which rotate the same cover. This makes it possible to drive all the toothed crown sectors of each cover at the same time in order to avoid twisting of the cover.

[0022] The device of the invention may comprise a control unit capable of controlling the synchronized operation of said at least first hood and at least second hood between said first position and said second position. Thus, the synchronized operation of the hoods located on either side of the longitudinal axis of the cradle makes it possible to optimize the operation so that the closing, respectively opening, can be done symmetrically and preferably progressively.

[0023] The device of the invention may comprise at least one device for locking said at least first cover and at least second cover in the closed position.

[0024] Said hoods may have a structure formed of rigid uprights covered with a stretched tarpaulin, a metal sheet or an envelope made of a composite material.

[0025] The objective of the invention is also achieved with a ship comprising at least one mast forming a support for a wing storage device of the invention.

[0026] The invention will be better understood thanks to the rest of the description, which is based on the following figures: [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a ship comprising a wing storage device according to the invention; [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a wing storage device according to a first embodiment of the invention, the device being illustrated in the open position; [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the device of [Fig.2] shown in the closed position; [Fig.4] is a simplified perspective view on an enlarged scale of the device of [Fig.2]; [Fig.5] is a front view of the device of [Fig.2]; [Fig.6] is a front view of the device of [Fig.3]; [Fig.7] is a perspective view illustrating a portion of components located within the device of [Fig.2]; [Fig.8] is a perspective view of a wing storage device according to a second embodiment of the invention, the device being illustrated in the open position; [Fig.9] is a simplified perspective view of the device of [Fig.8]; [Fig. 10] is a perspective view of the device of [Fig. 8], the device being shown in the partially closed position; [Fig. 11] is a perspective view of the device of [Fig. 8], the device being shown in the fully closed position; Figures 12, 13 and 14 are front views of the device illustrated in Figures 8, 10 and 11.

[0027] In the various figures, identical or similar elements bear the same reference. Their description is therefore not systematically repeated.

[0028] [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a boat or ship 2 comprising a profiled sail or wing 3, secured to a mast 4 held by the hull of the ship. Means for hoisting the wing or sail of the ship are also provided (not illustrated in the figures) from a receptacle or cradle 1 for receiving the wing 3, cradle supported by the mast 4, towards the base or lower part of the latter, above the deck of the boat. The wing 3 is of the inflatable type, that is to say that it comprises two adjacent surfaces joined at their edge so as to form a closed cavity into which air is blown. The cavity comprises several curves 5 regularly distributed over the height of the wing, the curves being separated by ribs permeable to the air blown by fans located inside the wing or in the cradle. The curves have different dimensions and form the profile of the wing when it is inflated, guided and hoisted as described in the applicant's document WO2022248811. The wing 3 of [Fig.l] is illustrated in three positions: a first position 3a in which it is hoisted to its maximum, in an intermediate position 3b and in a completely collapsed position 3c in the cradle 1.

[0029] In the example illustrated in the figures, the wing has significant dimensions, such as a height greater than 40m and a surface area greater than 500 m2. The material of the wing is a substantially airtight fabric, such as fabric impregnated for waterproofing purposes. This material is preferably treated to resist UV rays, salt spray, bird droppings, and wind stresses.

[0030] In the example illustrated in the figures, the mast 4 is telescopic, that is to say it is made from several tubular elements which slide relative to each other to deploy or retract. Such a telescopic mast supports a head 6 at its upper end which, when the mast elements are deployed, pulls the wing upwards at the same time as inflating it, thus ensuring the hoisting of the wing. When lowering, the wing is deflated and the head accompanies the retraction of the mast elements to the inside of the cradle 1.

[0031] The cradle 1, as best seen in [Fig. 4], is a hollow rigid assembly of generally prismatic shape, it is elongated in the direction of a longitudinal axis X-X', the profile of which points towards the leading edge of the wing 3. One of the functions of the cradle is to receive the wing 3 in the collapsed position. The cradle 1 comprises an open upper part 1a, called the upper deck, capable of receiving the wing 3 in the collapsed position, and a lower part 1b whose role is to ensure the connection with the mast 4 and to form a support for the other components of the cradle. The upper part 1a is materialized by a flat surface forming a floor or upper deck for the cradle 1. A rim 1c, called a bulwark, is provided on the periphery of the upper deck to better orient the wing inside the upper part 1a when it arrives in the collapsed position on the cradle 1 and to secure the upper deck when personnel are there.

[0032] According to the invention, more particularly with reference to Figures 2 and 3, a structure for protecting the upper part 1a of the cradle 1 comprises two covers 20, 30, each having a concave shape, the two covers being caused to tilt on either side relative to the longitudinal axis X-X' of the cradle 1 between a first position, in which the covers 20, 30 are spaced apart to allow free access to said upper part 1a of the cradle 1 and the internal face 20i, 30i of each cover at least partly surrounds the external face of the lower part 1b of said cradle 1, and a second position in which said at least two covers 20, 30 are brought together and cover the upper part 1a of the cradle 1. Thus, when they are in the second position, the covers 20, 30 are brought together, they cover the upper part 1a of the cradle 1 by defining with the latter a closed volume for receiving the wing 3 in the collapsed position. Preferably, the covers 20, 30 face each other vertically above the upper part of the cradle 1.

[0033] The first cover 20 is rotated about an axis Y-Y' in a first direction and the second cover 30 is rotated about an axis Z-Z' in a direction opposite to the first, the axes Y-Y' and Z-Z' being parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X' of the cradle. In a preferred embodiment, the first cover 20 and the second cover 30 have symmetrical shapes with respect to a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis X-X' which forms a plane of symmetry for the cradle 1, and they have substantially identical dimensions. Each cover 20, 30 has a domed or rounded shape which is an angular sector resulting from a shape of revolution obtained by rotating a predetermined profile about its respective axis of rotation Y-Y', respectively Z-Z'. The axes Y-Y', Z-Z' are held in bearings located on either side of a vertical median plane of the cradle, bearings made in vertical end uprights 11, 12 of the cradle 1 ([Fig.4]).In a variant (not illustrated), the axes Y-Y', Z-Z' can also merge and in this case the device of the invention comprises a single axis of rotation common to the two covers and capable of accommodating the support bearings of the covers, an axis which is substantially merged with the axis X-X' of the cradle.

[0034] The covers 20, 30 are rigid shells made of a composite of resin and glass fibers or carbon fibers or natural fibers. In another example, each cover 20, 30 comprises a rigid structure covered with a stretched tarpaulin, the tarpaulin being fixed by sewing, gluing, or a removable assembly of the VELCRO® type to the metal structure. Said structure can also be covered with a metal sheet or an envelope made of a composite material based on resin and glass fibers or carbon fibers or natural fibers.

[0035] The actuation in movement of the hoods 20, 30, their guidance relative to the cradle 1, as well as their operation will be explained in the following with reference to Figures 4 to 7. [Fig. 4] is a simplified perspective view of the storage device 10 of the invention in which the hoods 20, 30 have been removed to make the devices for guiding and actuating the hoods visible. The cradle 1 is clearly visible in [Fig. 4], in particular its lower part 1b which comprises side walls enclosing an empty volume closed in its upper part by a floor or platform which configures the upper part 1a or upper deck of the cradle. The rim makes it project vertically relative to the horizontal floor of the upper deck, over its entire circumference.The external walls of the lower part 1b of the cradle 1 support, on either side of the plane of symmetry passing through the longitudinal axis of the cradle, several curved uprights, distributed along the length of the cradle. and forming rotational guide rails for the covers 20, 30. Thus, guide rails 23a, 23b and 23c ensure the rotational guidance of the first cover 20 and guide rails 33a, 33b, and 33c ensure the rotational guidance of the second cover 30. The guide rails 23a, 23b, 23c are rigid uprights in an arc of a circle whose center is located on the axis Y-Y' mounted fixedly using rigid bars on the floor of the upper part 1a ([Fig.7]). Similarly, the guide rails 33a, 33b, 33c are rigid uprights in an arc of a circle whose center is located on the axis Z-Z' mounted fixedly using rigid bars on the floor of the upper part 1a.In order to facilitate movement on the guide rails, each cover comprises several pairs of rollers moving in the grooves of each rail, on either side thereof, the rollers being mounted to rotate freely in bearings held by rigid arched uprights concentric with the respective guide rails. Thus, uprights 25a, 25b and 25c form a support for several pairs of rollers 26 caused to rotate during their movement on the rails 23a, 23b and 23c of the cover 20. Similarly, uprights 35a, 35b and 35c form a support for several pairs of rollers 36 caused to rotate during their movement on the rails 33a, 33b and 33c of the cover 30.

[0036] The storage device 10 of the invention further comprises motorized means for rotating the covers 20 and 30. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7, these motorized drive means comprise, for each cover, a geared motor 27, 37, fixedly mounted on the cradle 1, for example using rigid flanges 27', 37' bearing on the floor of the upper part 1a. The output shaft of each geared motor 27, 37 comprises an elongated rod 28, 38, rotatable having a pinion 29, respectively 39, mounted at each of its ends. Each pinion 29 cooperates with a toothed crown sector 41 located on the internal walls of the cover 20. Similarly, each pinion 39 cooperates with a toothed crown sector 51 located on the internal walls of the cover 30.

[0037] In operation, when the geared motors 27 and 37 receive a start command, preferably synchronously, they rotate the covers 20 and 30 around their axes of rotation Y-Y', respectively Z-Z'. and in opposite directions so as to bring them closer to each other. In the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 7, the covers 20 and 30 rotate by approximately 74° between the fully open position and the fully closed position and they manage to cover the upper part of a cradle 1 having a width less than or equal to 5.5 m. When the two covers arrive in the closed position, directly above the upper part of the cradle, they are held in this position using several locking devices 50 distributed along the length of the cradle, locking devices which may be, for example, electromagnetic locks. In a variant, a single locking device is arranged halfway along the length of the cradle 1..

[0038] Figures 8 to 14 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the invention in which the storage device 10 comprises a protective structure capable of covering the upper part 1a of the cradle 1 having a width greater than that of the previously described alternative, this structure comprising two pivoting hoods per side of the cradle, therefore four pivoting hoods in all.

[0039] In the example illustrated, the storage device 10 comprises four covers, symmetrical two by two on either side of a plane of symmetry which is a median vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis X-X' of the cradle. Thus, as better seen in Figures 8 and 11, each side of the cradle comprises an inner cover 22, respectively 32 and an outer cover 21, respectively 31. The covers 21, 22 are pivotally mounted along a longitudinal axis Y-Y' and the covers 31, 32 are pivotally mounted along a longitudinal axis Z-Z', parallel to Y-Y' and to the longitudinal axis X-X' of the cradle 1. The four covers 21, 22, 31, 32 are preferably driven synchronously, the movement drive is achieved by means of toothed sectors distributed along the inner parts of said four covers, the toothed sectors being driven by geared motors each comprising a pinion on its output axis.Thus, the fact of having several drives distributed along the length of the cradle structure makes it possible to significantly reduce the deformations (by twisting) undergone by the covers 21, 22, 31, 32 which are hollow parts with thin skin having large dimensions. The storage device of the invention thus makes it possible to cover large oblong-shaped surfaces.

[0040] During operation, a first phase consists of rotating the inner cover 22 around the longitudinal axis Y-Y' and by approximately 45°, the latter driving the outer cover 21 with it, and rotating the inner cover 32 around the axis Z-Z' and by approximately 45°, the latter driving the outer cover 31 with it ([Fig. 12]). To this end, several drive motors, in particular geared motors 27, 37 are fixed to the cradle 1 and act via toothed crowns 41, 51 located on the inner cover 22, 32. The output shaft of each geared motor 27 comprises a pinion which cooperates with a toothed crown sector 41 located on the inner walls of the inner cover 22. Similarly, the output shaft of each geared motor 37 comprises a pinion which cooperates with a toothed crown sector 51 located on the inner walls of the inner cover 32.

[0041] When the inner cover 22, respectively 32, has reached its final position, it reaches the stop and a second deployment phase takes place, during which each outer cover 21, respectively 31, will also rotate by an additional 45°, bearing for this purpose on the inner cover 22, respectively 32. For this purpose, movement drive means, in particular geared motors 27i are fixed to the inner cover 22 and geared motors 37i are fixed to the inner cover 32 and act by means of pinions installed on their output axes on toothed crowns 43 respectively 53 ([Fig. 14]) secured to the outer covers 21, respectively 31. The entire device is therefore provided with a first motorization secured to the cradle 1 and a second motorization secured to the inner covers 22 and 32, these motorizations preferably operating sequentially and in this order to activate the closing of the covers and in the opposite order for the opening of the covers. The control of the different geared motors is carried out using a control unit provided to control the synchronous operation of all the geared motors which rotate the same cover. This makes it possible to drive all the toothed crown sectors of each cover at the same time in order to avoid twisting of the cover.

[0042] In a similar manner to the variant described with reference to Figures 2 to 7, the device of Figures 8 to 14 comprises guide means comprising several curved rails fixed to the cradle 1, distributed over the length thereof, in particular rails 23a, 23b, 23c 23d on one side of the median plane of the cradle 1 and rails 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d on the other side of the median plane of the cradle 1, rails on which pairs of rollers held by uprights of the inner covers 22 and 32 move. In this variant, the inner cover 22 comprises curved guide rails 23a', 23b', 23c', 23d' and the inner cover 32 comprises curved guide rails 33a', 33b', 33c', 33d' used to guide pairs of rollers held by uprights fixed to the internal walls of the external covers 21, 31 (not shown).

[0043] Thus, in this variant of the storage device 10 of the invention comprising four covers, it is possible to cover a cradle having a width of approximately 6.2 m and a length of 21 m.

[0044] Preferably, the storage device 10 of the invention comprises a control unit capable of controlling the synchronized operation of said at least first cover and at least second cover between said first position and said second position. Thus, the synchronized operation of the covers located on either side of the longitudinal axis of the cradle makes it possible to optimize the operation so that the closing, respectively opening can be done in a symmetrical and progressive manner.

[0045] In a variant (not illustrated), two covers located on either side of the longitudinal axis of the cradle can be connected by a mechanical connection of the cardan type or by a set of gears capable of ensuring their synchronous operation when the drive is only on one side.

[0046] The wind-driven propulsion system of the invention comprising a telescopic self-supporting mast 4 and a thick-profile inflatable sail or wing 3 around this mast operates as follows. The entire propulsion system retracts into the storage device 10 according to the invention. The management of the operation is preferably entirely automatic. Thus, at the command of the operator, the storage device 10 is oriented relative to the wind, the wing 3 is inflated at the same time as the mast 4 is deployed. Then, as soon as the wing 3 is inflated and the mast 4 is deployed, the storage device 10 is oriented relative to the wind so as to optimize the thrust.

[0047] Other variants and embodiments of the invention may be envisaged within the scope of the invention as claimed. Thus, instead of an inflatable wing, a wing with telescopic segments and stretched fabric may be used which is found inside a storage device of the invention in the collapsed position.

[0048] In another variant of the storage device for a ship wing of the invention, there may be three or more concentric hoods on each side of the longitudinal axis of the cradle.

Claims

Claims

1. Storage device (10) for a ship wing (3) in an elongated cradle (1) with a longitudinal axis X-X', comprising an open upper part (1a) capable of receiving the wing (3) in the collapsed position, and a lower support part (1b), as well as a protective structure intended to cover said upper part (1a) of the cradle (1), characterized in that said protective structure comprises at least one first concave cover (20; 21, 22) and at least one second concave cover (30; 31, 32), said at least first cover (20; 21, 22) and at least second cover (30; 31, 32) being movable in tilting in opposite directions on either side of the longitudinal axis of the cradle so as to pass from a first position in which said at least first cover (20; 21, 22) and at least second cover (30; 31, 32) are spaced apart to allow free access to said upper part (la) of the cradle (1) and in which the internal face of each cover (20;21,22; 30; 31,32) surrounds at least in part the external face of the lower part (1b) of said cradle (1) and a second position in which said at least first cover (20; 21,22) and at least second cover (30; 31,32) are brought together and cover the upper part (la) of the cradle (1).;

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one first cover (20; 21, 22) is made to rotate around an axis Y-Y' in a first direction, in that said at least one second cover (30; 31, 32) is made to rotate around an axis Z-Z' in a direction opposite to the first, the axes Y-Y' and Z-Z' being parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X' of the cradle.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one first cover (20; 21, 22) and at least one second cover (30; 31, 32) have substantially identical dimensions.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cradle (1) comprises, distributed along its length, several curved uprights forming rotational guide rails for a first cover (20) and for a second cover (30).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises motorized rotation drive means of said at least first cover (20; 21, 22) and at least second cover (30; 31, 32).

6. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said motorized means comprise at least one geared motor (27, 37) integral with the cradle (1) capable of rotating a cover (20, 30).

7. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the output shaft of said geared motor drives a pinion (29, 39) which cooperates with a toothed crown sector (41, 51) located on the internal walls of the cover (20, 30).

8. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each cover (20, 30) comprises several sectors of toothed crowns (41, 51) arranged along its internal generator.

9. Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that it comprises two first concentric covers (21, 22) arranged to rotate around the axis Y-Y' and two second concentric covers (31, 32) arranged to rotate around the axis Z-Z'.

10. Device according to the preceding claim dependent on at least claim 4, characterized in that the radially innermost cover (22, 32) supports the guide rails and a motor drive for rotating the radially outermost cover (21, 31).

11. Device according to claim 8 or according to one of claims 9 or 10, claim 9 being dependent at least on claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a control unit capable of controlling the synchronous operation of all the geared motors which rotate the same hood.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a control unit capable of controlling the synchronized operation of said at least first cover (20; 21, 22) and at least second cover (30; 31, 32) between said first position and said second position.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one locking device (50) in the closed position of said at least first cover and at least second cover.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said covers (20; 21, 22; 30; 31, 32) have a structure

15. formed of rigid uprights covered with a stretched tarpaulin, or a metal sheet or an envelope made of a composite material. Vessel comprising at least one mast (4) forming a support for a wing storage device (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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