Naval vessel comprising a floating structure for launching and recovering a marine craft retractable into a reception area

Abstract

Naval vessel comprising a floating structure for launching and recovering a retractable marine craft in a receiving space. The naval vessel (1) comprises: - a receiving space (2), - a floating structure (6) movable relative to the receiving space (2) between a retracted and a deployed position, - a device for moving the floating structure (6), comprising: - a ramp (26) integral with the receiving space (2), comprising a longitudinal section (30) extending along a longitudinal direction (L) and a storage section (32) along a storage direction, - a connecting element (28) integral with the floating structure (6) moving in the longitudinal section (30) and then in the storage section (32) of the ramp (26) when the floating structure (6) is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position. Figure for the abbreviation: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Naval vessel comprising a floating structure for launching and recovering a retractable marine craft in a receiving space

[0001] The present invention relates to a naval vessel of the type comprising:

[0002] - a reception area for a marine craft, said reception area being delimited by a bottom comprising a rear edge defining an access opening leading to the bottom of the reception area from outside the naval vessel, the reception area extending in a longitudinal direction between said rear edge and a forward edge;

[0003] - a floating structure for launching and recovering the marine craft, said floating structure being mobile relative to the receiving space between a retracted position, in which the floating structure extends into the receiving space, and a deployed position, in which the floating structure extends out of the receiving space, the floating structure passing through the access opening during its movement between the retracted position and the deployed position;

[0004] - a device for displacing the floating structure relative to the space of reception.

[0005] The invention applies more particularly to a naval vessel enabling the launching and recovery from the naval vessel of a surface marine craft, for example an autonomous or remotely piloted surface marine craft of the USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) type, or a submarine, for example an autonomous or remotely piloted underwater vehicle of the UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) type. The invention also applies to surface or underwater marine craft piloted by a crew on board.

[0006] Such a naval vessel is, for example, a surface naval vessel capable of launching a marine craft or recovering such a marine craft to bring it back on board the naval vessel and store it in a reception area provided in the naval vessel.

[0007] It is known to provide such a reception area at the rear of the naval vessel and to allow the marine craft to enter and exit this reception area through an access opening that connects the reception area to the water on which the naval vessel is navigating. However, there is a difficulty in moving the marine craft through this access opening, particularly when it comes to returning the marine craft on board the naval vessel, the marine craft then moving from the water to the reception area of ​​the naval vessel.

[0008] To facilitate maneuvering of the marine craft relative to the naval vessel, it is envisaged, for example, to use a floating structure arranged to receive the marine craft and mobile relative to the naval vessel between a retracted position, in which the floating structure extends into the receiving space, and a deployed position, in which the floating structure is in the water and can receive or release a marine craft. The floating structure is connected to the naval vessel by means of a displacement device allowing the floating structure to be moved between the retracted and deployed positions.

[0009] However, such a displacement device, including for example a winch actuation device and a winch, is particularly bulky and occupies a significant amount of space in the receiving area, which adds to the dimension of this receiving area in the stern-to-bow direction of the naval vessel, which must already be significant to receive the marine craft and the floating structure.

[0010] Such bulk is problematic, particularly with regard to the installation of other equipment in the reception area and the position of a watertight bulkhead separating the reception area from the rest of the naval vessel.

[0011] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a naval vessel comprising a mobile floating structure whose movement device is compact, while remaining effective in moving the floating structure and the marine craft it receives relative to the receiving space.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a naval vessel of the aforementioned type, in which the displacement device comprises:

[0013] - at least one ramp attached to the reception area, said ramp comprising at least one longitudinal section, extending between a first end and a second end substantially parallel to the bottom of the receiving space along the longitudinal direction and a storage section extending in the vicinity of the front edge of the receiving space along a storage direction, said storage direction corresponding to an elevation direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction or to an inclined direction between said longitudinal direction and said elevation direction, said storage section extending between a first end opening into the first end of the longitudinal section and a second end offset from the first end along the storage direction;

[0014] - a connecting element integral with the floating structure, said connecting element being mounted to slide within the ramp, said connecting element moving in the longitudinal section and then in the storage section of the ramp when the floating structure is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position, the element of connection extending along the storage direction in the retracted position of the floating structure.

[0015] The storage section of the ramp allows the connecting element to be placed in the retracted position in a configuration where this connecting element occupies a small space along the longitudinal direction of the vessel, corresponding to its stern-to-bow direction. This reduction in size can be achieved without reducing the length of the connecting element, which would reduce its effectiveness. In particular, the connecting element can be positioned so as to extend against and along the height of the watertight bulkhead when the latter forms the forward edge of the receiving space. Thus, the arrangement of the displacement device does not compromise other equipment, and the receiving space for the marine craft can be optimally sized.

[0016] The naval vessel according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically feasible combination:

[0017] - the ramp further comprises a curved section extending in a direction curved between a first end, opening between the first end and the second end of the longitudinal section, and a second end opening between the first end and the second end of the storage section, the connecting element comprising a first arm, moving in the longitudinal section and then in the storage section when the floating structure is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position, and a second arm, moving in the longitudinal section and then in the curved section when the floating structure is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position;

[0018] - the curved section has an elliptical shape whose curvature depends on the distance between the first arm and the second arm and the distance between the second arm and a joint element ensuring the connection between the connecting element and the floating structure;

[0019] - the first arm extends to the second end of the storage section of the ramp in the retracted position of the floating structure, the second arm extending to the second end of the curved section of the ramp in said retracted position;

[0020] - the connecting element includes a hinge element for the floating structure, said articulation element being separated from the first and second arms, said articulation element being maintained substantially in the same transverse plane as the longitudinal section of the ramp when the connecting element moves in the longitudinal section, in the curved section and in the storage section, said transverse plane comprising the longitudinal direction and a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the direction of elevation;

[0021] - the movement device comprises two ramps extending on either side of the receiving space along a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the direction of elevation, each ramp comprising a longitudinal section and a storage section, the connecting element comprising at least a first arm extending along the transverse direction and mounted to slide in both ramps, said first arm sliding in the longitudinal sections and then in the storage sections of both ramps when the floating structure is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position;

[0022] - each ramp comprises a curved section, the second arm of the element of connection extending in the transverse direction and being mounted to slide in the two ramps, said second arm sliding in the longitudinal sections and then in the curved sections of the two ramps when the floating structure is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position;

[0023] - the second arm has a length, measured along the transverse direction, less than, respectively greater than, the length of the first arm, the distance between the curved sections, measured along the transverse direction, being less than, respectively greater than, the distance between the storage sections, the longitudinal sections comprising a stop surface opposite the first end of the curved sections, said stop surfaces being arranged to prevent the second arm from moving in the longitudinal sections beyond the first end of the curved sections when the floating structure moves from the deployed position to the retracted position;

[0024] - the connecting element is articulated to the floating structure at least around one axis transverse extending along a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the direction of elevation;

[0025] - the floating structure forms a cradle for receiving a marine device allowing to put said marine craft into the water from the naval vessel by moving the floating structure from the retracted position to the deployed position and to raise said marine craft onto the naval vessel by moving the floating structure from the deployed position to the retracted position.

[0026] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] - [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective representation of a part of a naval vessel comprising a reception area for a marine craft and a floating structure, the floating structure being in a retracted position,

[0028] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective representation of part of the naval vessel displacement device [Fig. 1] when the floating structure is in a first intermediate position between the deployed position and the retracted position,

[0029] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective representation of the part of the displacement device of [Fig.2] when the floating structure is in a second intermediate position between the deployed and retracted positions, and

[0030] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective representation of part of the device for moving the [Fig.2] when the floating structure is in the retracted position.

[0031] With reference to [Fig.1], a naval building 1 is described comprising a reception area 2 for a marine craft 4 and a floating structure 6 for launching and recovering the marine craft 4.

[0032] Such a naval vessel 1, of which only a rear or stern part is shown in the figures, is arranged to allow the launching and recovery of the marine craft 4 in a calm or rough sea from the naval vessel 1 without intervention by an operator, in particular during the recovery of the marine craft 4. Thus, the naval vessel 1 is particularly suitable for the launching and recovery of a surface or underwater marine craft 4 not carrying any navigating personnel, such as an autonomous or remotely piloted underwater surface marine craft.

[0033] The naval vessel 1 can be of any type suitable for receiving and storing the marine craft 4. Thus, the naval vessel 1 is, for example, a surface warship, such as a frigate. The receiving space 2 is, for example, arranged at the rear of the naval vessel 1 and is sized so that the entire marine craft 4 and the floating structure 6 can be received in the receiving space 2, as shown in [Fig. 1]. The receiving space 2 is delimited by a bottom 8, for example formed by a portion of the bottom of the stern of the naval vessel 1, and by two transverse walls 10 separated from each other along a transverse direction T corresponding to the width of the naval vessel and projecting upwards on either side of the bottom 8 along an elevation direction Z substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction T and corresponding to the height of the naval vessel 1.The transverse walls 10 are, for example, formed by the hull of the naval vessel 1, such that the reception space 2 occupies substantially the entire width of the naval vessel. Alternatively, the reception space 2 occupies only part of the width of the naval vessel, so that space is available around the reception space 2 for adding equipment embarked on the naval vessel 1. The bottom 8 of the reception space 2 extends, for example, substantially to the level of the water on which the naval vessel 1 is sailing. Along a longitudinal direction L, substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction T and the elevation direction Z, and corresponding to the stern-to-bow direction of the naval vessel 1, the reception space 2 extends from an access opening 12. to a forward edge 14, the distance between the access opening 12 and the forward edge 14 being sufficient to accommodate the marine craft 4, the floating structure 6 and a device for moving the floating structure 6 which will be described later. According to one embodiment, the forward edge 14 is formed by a watertight bulkhead extending in the transverse direction T and in the elevation direction Z, this watertight bulkhead separating the receiving space 2 from the part of the naval vessel 1 extending forward of this watertight bulkhead in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] The access opening 12 is defined at the rear end of the hull of the naval vessel 1 and allows access to the reception area 2 from outside the naval vessel 1, more particularly from the water surface extending behind the reception area 2 in the longitudinal direction L. The access opening 12 is more particularly delimited by a rear edge 16 of the bottom 8. In the transverse direction T, the access opening 12 is further delimited by the rear edges of the transverse walls 10, so that the access opening has substantially the shape of a U, the base of the U being formed by the rear edge 16 of the bottom 8 and the arms of the U being formed by the rear edges of the transverse walls 10.The dimensions of the access opening 12 are such that the marine craft 4 and the floating structure 6 can enter the reception space 2 by passing through this access opening 12 from the water surface extending behind the reception space, as shown in [Fig. 1].

[0035] According to an embodiment not shown, the receiving space 2 can be closed along the elevation direction Z by a hood extending substantially parallel to the bottom 8, the distance between the bottom 8 and the hood being arranged so that the marine craft 4 can be housed between the bottom and the hood over its entire height.

[0036] As shown in [Fig. 1], the floating structure 6 is arranged to receive the marine craft 4 in such a way as to allow the marine craft 4 to move with the floating structure 6 when the latter is moved relative to the receiving space 2, as will be described later. To this end, the floating structure 6 is, for example, formed by a framework arranged to surround at least a portion of the bow hull of the marine craft 4. Thus, the framework comprises at least two longitudinal arms 20 separated from each other along the transverse direction T and joined to each other at a forward end of the floating structure 6 by a transverse arm 22 so as to define a receiving area 24 for the marine craft 4 between the longitudinal arms 20 and the transverse arm 22. The floating structure 6 thus forms a cradle receiving the marine craft 4.The shape of the frame described above is given only as an example and other shapes can be envisaged, for example a shape substantially complementary to that of the bow of the marine craft 2. According to one embodiment, the floating structure 6 may also include a . bottom, for example formed by frames (not shown) extending under and between the longitudinal branches 20.

[0037] The frame is open at the rear of the floating structure 6 so as to allow a marine craft 4 to enter and exit the reception area 24 by passing through the opening of the frame.

[0038] The floating structure 6 includes, for example, a reversible locking device for the marine craft 4 arranged to hold the marine craft 4 in the reception area 24 when the marine craft 4 is engaged in the reception area 24 up to the transverse arm 22. This locking device can be actuated to release the marine craft 4 and allow it to move relative to the floating structure 6.

[0039] The floating structure 6 is mounted on the naval vessel 1 by means of a floating structure 6 displacement device allowing the floating structure 6 to be moved relative to the receiving space 2 between a deployed position and a retracted position.

[0040] In the deployed position, the floating structure 6 extends outside the receiving space 2 and is "in the water" opposite the access opening 12 to the receiving space 2. In this position, a marine craft 4 can enter and exit the reception area 24 of the floating structure 6 for recovery operations of the marine craft 4 when it enters the reception area 24 and for launching the marine craft 4 when it leaves the reception area 24.

[0041] According to one embodiment, and as will be described in more detail later, in the deployed position, the floating structure 6 remains attached to the rest of the naval vessel 1 but is, for example, free to move along several axes of freedom relative to the receiving space 2 outside the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the floating structure 6 is at least rotationally mobile about a transverse axis relative to the receiving space 2 in the deployed position, such that the forward end of the floating structure 6 can be raised relative to the receiving space 2, as will be described later. Furthermore, such rotation allows the floating structure 6 to perform pitching movements relative to the receiving space 2.Advantageously, the floating structure 6 is also rotationally mobile about an elevation axis relative to the receiving space 2, so that the orientation of the floating structure 6 relative to the receiving space 2 can be changed. In other words, rotation about the elevation axis allows the floating structure 6 to be positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal direction L. Such a change in the orientation of the floating structure 6 relative to the receiving space 2 allows the floating structure 6 to adapt its position to water movements, in particular by permitting yawing motions. In one embodiment, the floating structure 6 is also rotationally mobile about an axis. longitudinal relative to the reception space 2 in order to allow a rolling movement of the floating structure 6 relative to the rest of the naval vessel 1. Such freedom allows flexibility in the reception of the marine craft 4 which does not need to be aligned along the longitudinal direction L with the naval vessel 1 to enter the reception area 24 of the floating structure 6.

[0042] It should be noted that the floating structure 6 can also be used to tow the marine craft 4 without receiving it in the receiving space 2 by leaving the floating structure 6 in the deployed position.

[0043] The displacement device includes at least one ramp 26 mounted in the receiving space 2 and at least one connecting element 28 attached to the floating structure 6 and movably mounted on the ramp 26.

[0044] The ramp 26 extends along the longitudinal direction L over all or almost all of the length of the receiving space 2, that is, substantially from the access opening 12 to the front edge 14 of the receiving space 2. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the ramp 26 comprises at least one longitudinal section 30 and one storage section 32, these two sections together forming a rail on or in which the connecting element 28 can move, as will be described later. For this purpose, the longitudinal section 30 and the storage section 32 are, for example, formed by a profile defining a rail receiving the connecting element 28. In one embodiment, the ramp 26 further comprises an inclined section 33.

[0045] The longitudinal section 30 extends along the longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the bottom 8 of the receiving space 2, against the bottom 8, or away from the bottom 8 along the elevation direction Z. When the longitudinal section 30 is away from the bottom 8, as shown in [Fig. 1], it extends to a height greater than that of the bottom 8, parallel to it, and the ramp 26 includes the inclined section 33 mentioned above. The longitudinal section 30 extends between a first end 34 extending near the front edge 14 of the receiving space 2 and a second end 35 extending between the access opening 12 and the front edge 14, being closer to the access opening 12 than to the front edge 14 when the longitudinal section 30 is away from the bottom 8.The exact position of the second end of the longitudinal section 30 depends on the inclination of the inclined section 33 and is arranged so that the inclined section 33 extends to the rear edge 16 of the bottom 8, as shown in [Fig. 1]. When the longitudinal section 30 extends over the bottom 8 of the receiving space, the second end of the longitudinal section 30 extends at the level of the edge 16 of the receiving opening 12.

[0046] The inclined section, when present, extends along an inclined direction between the longitudinal direction L and the elevation direction Z, that is to say, the inclined section forms a non-zero angle α with the longitudinal direction L on the one hand and with the elevation direction Z on the other hand. The inclination of the inclined section is arranged so that the inclined section extends between the second end of the longitudinal section 30 and the aft edge 16 of the reception space 2. In other words, the inclined section connects the ramp 26 with the access opening 12 of the reception space 2 and, more specifically, with its lower edge at water level extending behind the reception space 2 in the longitudinal direction L. Thus, the inclined section 33 extends in the inclined direction between a first end 37 opening into the second end 35 of the longitudinal section 30 and a second end 39 extending in the vicinity of the aft edge 16 of the reception space 2 and opening outside the reception space at the water level on which the naval vessel is navigating.The inclined direction, for example, forms an angle α between 100° and 170°, for example approximately equal to 135°, with the longitudinal direction L. The angle α depends on the height of the longitudinal section 30 relative to the bottom 8 of the receiving space, which is directly related to the height of the marine craft 4 and therefore to that of the receiving space 2 in the naval vessel. The angle α also depends on the length of the inclined section.

[0047] The storage section 32 extends along a storage direction corresponding to the elevation direction Z, as shown in the figures, or along an inclined direction between the elevation direction Z and the longitudinal direction L. More specifically, the storage section 32 extends above the longitudinal section 30 along the elevation direction Z from the first end 34 of the longitudinal section 30. Thus, the storage section 32 extends between a first end 36, opening into the first end 34 of the longitudinal section 30, and a second end 38 offset from the first end 36 along the storage direction. The storage section 32 extends in the vicinity of the forward edge 14 of the receiving space 2.More specifically, when the storage direction corresponds to the elevation direction Z, the storage section 32 extends, for example, against the front edge 14 of the receiving space 2, for example, against the sealing wall forming this front edge 14. When the storage direction is inclined between the elevation direction Z and the longitudinal direction, the second end 38 of the storage section 32 extends at the level of the front edge 14 of the receiving space, and the angle formed between the storage direction and the elevation direction Z is, for example, less than or equal to 90°. The inclination of the storage section is a compromise between the space available along the longitudinal direction and the elevation direction in the vicinity of the front edge 14 of the receiving space 2.In any event, the storage section 32 is arranged so as not to occupy or to occupy very little space in the receiving space 2 along the longitudinal direction L beyond the first end 34 of the longitudinal section 30. .

[0048] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the ramp 26 further comprises a curved section 40 opening on one side into the longitudinal section 30 and on the other side into the storage section 32. More particularly, the curved section 40 extends between a first end 42, opening between the first end 34 and the second end 35 of the longitudinal section 30, and a second end 44, opening between the first end 36 and the second end 38 of the storage section 32. As shown in the figures, the first end 42 is closer to the first end 34 of the longitudinal section 30 than to its second end 35. The curved section 40 extends in a curved direction between the longitudinal section 30 and the storage section 32, that is to say that the curved section has the shape of a convex curve, the concavity of which is turned towards the longitudinal section 30 and the storage section 32.The curvature of the curved section 40 is directly related to characteristics of the connecting element 28 as will be described later.

[0049] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the movement device comprises two ramps 26 as described above, the two ramps 26 extending on either side of the receiving space 2 in the transverse direction T, along the transverse walls 10 delimiting this receiving space 10.

[0050] The connecting element 28 is arranged to cooperate with the ramp(s) 26 to allow the movement of the floating structure 6 and the marine craft 4 received by it between the deployed and retracted positions. The following description will be given with reference to the embodiment in which the movement device comprises two ramps 26, the connecting element 28 cooperating with the two ramps 26 to move the floating structure 6. More specifically, the connecting element 28 cooperates with the rails formed by the ramps 26, the connecting element 28 moving along the longitudinal direction L in or on the longitudinal sections 30 and then in the storage section(s) 32 in the storage direction when the floating structure 6 moves from the deployed to the retracted position.When the ramp or ramps 26 include an inclined section 33, the connecting element 28 first moves along the inclined direction in the inclined section(s) 33 before engaging in the longitudinal section(s) 30. Such an embodiment with an inclined section 33 allows the connecting element 28 to lift the floating structure 6 and the marine craft 4 held by it above the rear edge 16 of the receiving space 2 when the connecting element 28 moves in the inclined sections 33. The lifting of the floating structure 6 and the marine craft 4 is particularly such that the marine craft 4 can pass over a protrusion formed by the rear edge 16 of the receiving space 2 and / or over a bottom 8 raised relative to the level. water, such a protrusion and / or such a raised bottom allowing in particular to prevent the intrusion of water into the receiving space 2.

[0051] The connecting element 28 then allows the floating structure 6 and the marine craft 4 to be advanced in the receiving space 2 up to the front edge 14 thereof when the connecting element 28 moves in the longitudinal sections 30 and then in the storage sections 32, as will be described in more detail later.

[0052] The connecting element 28 is formed by a frame comprising at least one first arm 46 extending in the transverse direction T between the two ramps 26 and cooperating with them. More particularly, the transverse ends of the first arm 46 cooperate with the rails formed by the ramps 26, the first arm 46 moving in the inclined direction in or on the inclined sections (when these are provided) then in the longitudinal direction L in or on the longitudinal sections 30 and finally in the storage direction in the storage sections 32 when the floating structure 6 moves from the deployed position to the retracted position.

[0053] The transverse ends of the first arm 46 are, for example, arranged to abut against abutment surfaces (not shown) provided at the second end 39 of the inclined sections or longitudinal sections 30 (where there is no inclined section) of the ramps 26 when the floating structure 6 is in the deployed position. Such abutment surfaces prevent the connecting element 28 from coming out of the ramps 26 in the deployed position so that the floating structure 6 remains connected to the rest of the naval vessel 1, even when it is in the water.

[0054] The movement of the connecting element 28 in the ramps 26 is for example motorized, the transverse ends of the first arm carrying for example toothed wheels arranged to cooperate with racks formed on the rails formed by the ramps 26. Alternatively, a winch is arranged to move the connecting element 28 between the deployed position and the retracted position.

[0055] In order to allow the movement of the connecting element 28 and the lifting of the floating structure when the connecting element 28 moves in the inclined sections 33 and the longitudinal sections 30, and in order to allow the movement of the connecting element 28 in the storage sections 32, the connecting element 28 comprises a hinge element 48 articulated to the floating structure 6, for example to its transverse branch 22, at least about a transverse axis, also allowing the floating structure 6 to perform pitching movements. The hinge element 48 is particularly visible in [Fig. 3], in which the floating structure has not been shown in order to improve the visibility of the hinge element 48. According to an embodiment described previously, the hinge element 48 is further articulated to the floating structure 6 about a An elevation axis allows the floating structure 6 to zigzag and / or rotate around a longitudinal axis, enabling the floating structure to roll. The articulation element 48 of the connecting element 28 is, for example, connected by a ball joint to the floating structure 6 to allow these various movements of the floating structure 6 relative to the receiving space 2.

[0056] According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the connecting element 28 further comprises a second arm 50 extending in the transverse direction and away from the first arm 46 in the longitudinal direction L when the connecting element 28 extends in the longitudinal direction L in the longitudinal sections 30. More particularly, the second arm 50 extends between the first arm 46 and the floating structure 6 in the longitudinal direction L. For this purpose, the reinforcement of the connecting element 28 comprises, for example, one or two stringers 52 extending in the longitudinal direction (when the connecting element 28 extends in the longitudinal direction L in the longitudinal sections 30) between the first arm 46 and the second arm 50 and connecting these arms to each other.

[0057] The second arm 50 is arranged to extend beyond the ramps 26 when the floating structure 6 is in the deployed position and to engage with the ramps 26 when the floating structure 6 moves to the retracted position in order to assist the lifting of the floating structure 6 and the marine craft 4 relative to the rear edge 16 of the receiving space 2 and to facilitate the movement of the first arm 46 within the storage sections 32, as will be described in more detail later. In order to allow the second arm 50 to extend out of and enter the ramps 26, the second arm 50 has, for example, a shorter length measured along the transverse direction T than the first arm 46 so that the transverse ends of the second arm 50 do not interfere with the stop surfaces provided at the second end of the inclined or longitudinal sections of the ramps 26.The length of the second arm 50 is, however, arranged so that it cooperates with the ramps 26 in order to move in or on the rails formed by them.

[0058] Furthermore, the length of the second arm 50 and the spacing between the curved sections 40 are arranged so that the second arm 50 engages with the curved sections 40 when the first arm 46 engages with the storage sections 32. Thus, the spacing between the curved sections 40 along the transverse direction T is substantially equal to the length of the second section 50 and is less than the distance between the storage sections 32. In addition, the distance between the first end 42 of the inclined sections 40 and the first end 36 of the storage sections 32 is substantially equal to the distance between the second arm 50 and the first arm 46. Thus, when the first arm 46 is at the first end 36 of the sections of Storage 32, the second arm 50 is located at the first end 42 of the inclined sections, as shown in Fig. 2. The curvature of each curved section 40 is directly related to the distance hi between the second arm 50 and the first arm 46 and to the distance h2 between the second arm 50 and the articulation element 48. More specifically, the curved section 40 has an elliptical shape parameterized by the following equation: 22, *2 _ px being the elevation direction Z and y the direction longitudinal L.

[0059] The longitudinal sections 30 further include a stop surface (not shown) opposite the first end 42 of the curved sections 40. These stop surfaces are arranged to prevent the second arm 50 from moving in the longitudinal sections 30 beyond the first end 42 of the curved sections 40 when the floating structure 6 moves from the deployed position to the retracted position. These stop surfaces are, for example, formed on flaps moving in the longitudinal sections 30 after the first arm 46 has passed beyond the first end 42 of the curved sections 40. Alternatively, to avoid the presence of a moving part in the ramps 26, the length of the second arm 50 may be greater than that of the first arm 46 and the spacing between the curved sections 40 greater than that between the storage sections 32.In this case, the abutment surface opposite the first end 42 of the curved sections 40 can be fixed, and the transverse ends of the second arm 50 abut against these abutments when the first arm 46 reaches the first end 36 of the storage sections 32. In this case, the displacement device is arranged so that the second arm 50 remains in the ramps 26 when the floating structure 6 is in the deployed position to prevent the connecting element 28 from being extracted from the ramps in this position. This arrangement can be achieved by placing the abutment surfaces at the second end of the inclined sections or the longitudinal sections opposite the transverse ends of the second arm 50 rather than opposite the transverse ends of the first arm 46 as described previously.

[0060] The operation of the displacement device described above will now be described during the movement of the floating structure 6 from the deployed position to the retracted position, the floating structure 6 receiving a marine craft 4. This operation will be described more particularly in the case where the ramps 26 each comprise, successively from the forward edge 14 to the aft edge 16 of the receiving space 2, a storage section 32, a curved section 40, a longitudinal section 30, and an inclined section 33. It is understood that this movement can also take place when the floating structure 6 is not receiving a marine craft 4, for example, to return the floating structure 6 to the receiving space 2 after the launching of the marine craft 4. It is also understood that the steps described below can be done in reverse order to move the floating structure 6, and possibly a marine craft 4 received by it, from the retracted position to the deployed position.

[0061] When the floating structure 6 is in the deployed position, the first arm 46 (or the second arm 50 according to the variant described above) of the connecting element 28 is at the level of the second end 39 of the inclined sections 33 of the ramps 26 and the second arm 44 extends outside the ramps 26 (or abuts against the second end 39 of the inclined sections according to the variant described above).

[0062] When the connecting element 28 or a winch is operated, the first arm 46 moves towards the first end of the inclined sections and then engages in the longitudinal sections 30 by passing through the second end of these longitudinal sections 30. When the second arm 50 extends out of the ramps 26 in the deployed position, this movement brings the second arm 50 back towards the ramps 26 and causes the second arm 50 to engage in the inclined sections 33 by passing through the second end 39 of them.

[0063] As the first arm 46 moves towards the first end 34 of the longitudinal sections 30 of the ramps 26, the second arm 50 moves in the inclined sections 33 towards their first end 37. This movement of the connecting element 28 causes the floating structure 6 and the marine craft 4 to be lifted above the rear edge 16 of the receiving space 2.

[0064] The second arm 50 then engages in the longitudinal sections 30 of the ramps 26, which causes the floating structure to enter the receiving space 2 by passing through the access opening 12 over the rear edge 16 of the receiving space 2. This passage takes place in particular over the protuberance possibly formed by the rear edge 16 of the receiving space 2.

[0065] The first arm 46 and the second arm 50 continue their movement in the longitudinal sections 30 of the ramps 26 until the first arm 46 reaches the first end 34 of the longitudinal sections 30, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The second arm 50 is then in the longitudinal sections 30 opposite the first end 42 of the curved sections 40.

[0066] The movement of the connecting element 28 in the stern-bow direction continues so that the first arm 46 passes into the storage sections 32 in the storage direction by passing through the first end 36 of them and the second arm 50 enters the inclined sections 40 in the inclined direction by passing through the first end 42 of them, as shown in [Fig.3].

[0067] The movement continues until the first arm 46 is at the second end 38 of the storage sections 32. The second arm 50 is then at the second end 44 of the inclined sections 40, and the connecting element 28 extends along the storage direction, as shown in [Fig. 4]. With the floating structure 6 in the retracted position, the marine craft 4 then extends fully into the receiving space 2. Thus, when the storage direction corresponds to the elevation direction Z, the connecting element 28 extends fully against the forward edge 14 of the receiving space 2 and does not occupy any space in the receiving space 2 along the longitudinal direction L, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.When the storage direction is inclined between the longitudinal direction L and the elevation direction Z, the footprint of the connecting element 28 along the longitudinal direction L is slightly increased, but the connecting element 28 can be more easily moved towards the deployed direction due to gravity causing the movement of the first arm 46 in the storage sections 32.

[0068] It should be noted that the movement of the connecting element 28 in the longitudinal sections 30 and then in the storage sections 32 and inclined sections 40 takes place while the articulation element 48 remains substantially in the same transverse plane as the longitudinal sections 30, as can be seen between Figs. 2 to 4, this transverse plane comprising the longitudinal direction L and the transverse direction T. For this purpose, said articulation element 48 is moved away from the first and second arms 46, 50 along the longitudinal direction L when the connecting element 28 extends along the longitudinal direction L in the longitudinal sections 30.This movement in the same transverse plane makes it easier to move the floating structure 6 along the longitudinal direction L to the retracted position, the connecting element 28 not tending to lift the floating structure 6 while it moves along the longitudinal direction and then along the storage direction.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the receiving space 2 further comprises a receiving device 54 for the hull of the marine craft 4 received by the floating structure 6. The receiving device extends over the bottom 8 of the receiving space 2 and is arranged to receive the hull of the marine craft 4 in the retracted position of the floating structure 6. Such a receiving device is, for example, formed by a plurality of frames spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction L and each extending along the transverse direction T between the two ramps 26.

[0070] The device for moving the floating structure 6 has several advantages: - only the floating structure 6 is in the water, and only in its deployed position. Thus, the disturbance to the navigation of the naval vessel is reduced. This disturbance is further reduced because the floating structure 6 can move freely relative to the rest of the vessel. naval building 1 to adapt to water movements at the rear of the reception area; the shape of the ramp allows the marine craft 4 to be passed easily onto the naval vessel 1 without the edge of the access opening 12 forming an obstacle, including when a protrusion is provided at the level of the latter; the bulk of the displacement device is reduced due to the storage sections 32 of the ramps 26 which limits the bulk of the connecting element 28 in the longitudinal direction in the retracted position of the floating structure; the use of a floating structure 6 to receive the marine craft 4 facilitates the reception of the latter since the marine craft 4 does not need to be aligned with the naval vessel in the longitudinal direction L to enter the reception space 2.

Claims

1. Demands Naval building (1) comprising: - a receiving space (2) for a marine craft (4), said receiving space (2) being delimited by a bottom (8) comprising a rear edge (16) defining an access opening (12) leading onto the bottom (8) of the receiving space (2) from outside the naval vessel, the receiving space (2) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) between said rear edge (16) and a forward edge (14), - a floating structure (6) for launching and recovering the marine craft (4), said floating structure (6) being movable relative to the receiving space (2) between a retracted position, in which the floating structure (6) extends into the receiving space (2), and a deployed position, in which the floating structure (6) extends outside the receiving space (2), the floating structure (6) passing through the access opening (12) during its movement between the retracted position and the deployed position, - a device for moving the floating structure (6) relative to the receiving space (2), characterized in that the displacement device comprises: - at least one ramp (26) integral with the receiving space (2), said ramp (26) comprising at least one longitudinal section (30), extending between a first end (34) and a second end (35) substantially parallel to the bottom (8) of the receiving space (2) along the longitudinal direction (L) and a storage section (32) extending in the vicinity of the front edge (14) of the receiving space along a storage direction, said storage direction corresponding to an elevation direction (Z) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) or to a direction inclined between said longitudinal direction (L) and said elevation direction (Z), said storage section (32) extending between a first end (36) opening into the first end (34) of the longitudinal section (30) and a second end (38) offset from the first end (34) along the storage direction,- a connecting element (28) integral with the floating structure (6), said connecting element (28) being mounted to slide in the ramp (26), said connecting element (28) moving in the longitudinal section (30) and then in the storage section (32) of the ramp, (26) when the floating structure (6) is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position, the connecting element (28) extends along the storage direction in the retracted position of the floating structure (6).

2. Naval vessel according to claim 1, wherein the ramp (26) further comprises a curved section (40) extending in a curved direction between a first end (42), opening between the first end (34) and the second end (35) of the longitudinal section (30), and a second end (44) opening between the first end (36) and the second end (38) of the storage section (32), the connecting element (28) comprising a first arm (46), moving in the longitudinal section (30) and then in the storage section (32) when the floating structure (6) is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position, and a second arm (50), moving in the longitudinal section (30) and then in the curved section (40) when the floating structure (6) is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position.

3. Naval building according to claim 2, wherein the curved section (40) has an elliptical shape whose curvature depends on the distance between the first arm (46) and the second arm (50) and on the distance between the second arm (50) and a hinge element (48) ensuring the connection between the connecting element (28) and the floating structure (6).

4. Naval vessel according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first arm (46) extends to the second end (38) of the storage section (32) of the ramp (26) in the retracted position of the floating structure (6), the second arm (50) extends to the second end (44) of the curved section of the ramp (26) in said retracted position.

5. A naval vessel according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the connecting element (28) comprises a hinge element (48) to the floating structure (6), said hinge element (48) being offset from the first and second arms (42, 44), said hinge element (48) being maintained substantially in the same transverse plane as the longitudinal section (30) of the ramp (26) when the connecting element (28) moves in the longitudinal section (30), in the curved section (40) and in the storage section (32), said transverse plane comprising the longitudinal direction (L) and a transverse direction (T) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and to the elevation direction (Z).

6. Naval vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the displacement device comprises two ramps (26) extending on either side of the receiving space (2) in a transverse direction (T) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and the elevation direction (Z), each ramp (26) comprising a longitudinal section (30) and a storage section (32), the connecting element (28) comprising at least a first arm (46) extending in the transverse direction (T) and mounted to slide in the two ramps (26), said first arm (42) sliding in the longitudinal sections (30) and then in the storage sections (32) of the two ramps (26) when the floating structure (6) is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position.

7. Naval vessel according to claim 6 when dependent on any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein each ramp (26) comprises a curved section (40), the second arm (50) of the connecting element (28) extending in the transverse direction (T) and being mounted to slide in both ramps (26), said second arm (50) sliding in the longitudinal sections (30) and then in the curved sections (40) of the two ramps (26) when the floating structure (6) is moved from the deployed position to the retracted position.

8. Naval vessel according to claim 7, wherein the second arm (50) has a length, measured along the transverse direction (T), less than, respectively greater than, the length of the first arm (46), the distance between the curved sections (40), measured along the transverse direction (T), being less than, respectively greater than, the distance between the storage sections (32), the longitudinal sections (30) comprising a stop surface opposite the first end (42) of the curved sections (40), said stop surfaces being arranged to prevent the second arm (50) from moving in the longitudinal sections (30) beyond the first end (42) of the curved sections (40) when the floating structure (6) moves from the deployed position to the retracted position.

9. Naval vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the connecting element (28) is articulated to the floating structure (6) at least about a transverse axis extending along a transverse direction (T) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and the elevation direction (Z).

10. Naval vessel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the floating structure (6) forms a cradle for receiving a marine craft (4) allowing said marine craft (4) to be launched from the naval vessel (1) by moving the floating structure (6) from the retracted position to the deployed position and to be brought back up said marine craft (4) onto the naval vessel (1) by moving the floating structure (6) from the deployed position to the retracted position.

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