A device adapted for launching and recovering a marine craft, comprising at least two damping systems for a transverse reinforcement element.

Abstract

Device adapted for launching and recovering a marine craft, comprising at least two damping systems of a transverse reinforcement element. Device adapted for launching and recovering a marine craft, comprising a floating receiving structure (20) defining a receiving space (28) and an access opening (30), and comprising: - two lateral parts (32A, 32B) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) on either side of the receiving space in a transverse direction (T), - a reinforcement element (34A) extending between the two lateral parts under the receiving space, the opening being delimited at least by the two lateral parts and the reinforcement element.The receiving structure comprises at least two damping systems (40A, 40B) connecting two transverse ends (42a, 42B) of the reinforcement element to the two lateral parts, and adapted to allow, relative to the two lateral parts: - a vertical displacement (F1) of the ends, - a longitudinal displacement (F2) of a central part (45) of the reinforcement element (34A) obtained by rotation (F3) of the reinforcement element relative to the two lateral parts around the transverse direction. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 3.

Description

Title of the invention: Device adapted for launching and recovering a marine craft, comprising at least two damping systems for a transverse reinforcement element

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for launching and recovering marine vehicles, such as autonomous or remotely piloted or conventionally piloted surface or underwater vehicles (known in English as USVs, for Unmanned Surface Vehicles, and UUVs for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles). Among the surface vehicles, some are rigid-hulled inflatable boats, or RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats).

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

[0003] Such a device is generally deployed from a surface vessel underway and is part of a launch and recovery system known as LARS (Launch And Recovery System). This allows the marine craft to be launched from the surface vessel and recovered on board the surface vessel via the device.

[0004] The device comprises a receiving structure adapted to float on a body of water, such as a sea or ocean, the receiving structure defining a reception area for the marine craft and an access opening to the reception area. During recovery, the marine craft is intended to enter the reception area in a longitudinal direction defined by the receiving structure, passing through the access opening.

[0005] The receiving structure comprises at least two lateral parts extending along the longitudinal direction and located on either side of the receiving space, and tubular reinforcement elements, or frames, connecting the two lateral parts to each other transversely and located in the water beneath the receiving space. The reinforcement elements are generally successive in the longitudinal direction and form a voided base of the device, on which the marine craft rests once received in the receiving space. The access opening is delimited in particular by the two lateral parts and the first of the reinforcement elements.

[0006] Due to relative movements of the marine craft with respect to the device, particularly those caused by sea conditions, there is a risk of impact, potentially quite violent, of the bow of the marine craft on the first of the reinforcement elements when the marine craft enters the reception area, i.e., during a recovery. These impacts, repeated with each recovery, are likely to damage the device by creating cracks in the receiving structure, and therefore cause unavailability or a need for maintenance.

[0007] The aim of the invention is therefore to overcome this problem, that is to say to improve the availability of the device and reduce its maintenance needs.

[0008] To this end, the invention relates to a device adapted for launching and recovering a marine craft, the device comprising a receiving structure adapted to float on a body of water, the receiving structure defining a receiving space for the marine craft and an access opening to the receiving space, the marine craft being intended, during recovery, to enter the receiving space in a longitudinal direction defined by the receiving structure by passing through the opening in a forward direction, the receiving structure comprising:

[0009] - at least two lateral parts extending along the longitudinal direction and located on either side of the reception area along a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction,

[0010] - at least one tubular reinforcement element extending between the two lateral parts transversely and located below the reception area, the opening being delimited at least by the two lateral parts and the reinforcement element,

[0011] wherein the receiving structure comprises at least two damping systems mechanically connecting two transverse ends of the reinforcement element respectively to the two lateral parts, the two damping systems being adapted to allow, with respect to the two lateral parts, due to the recovery of the marine craft:

[0012] - a vertical movement of the extremities along a direction of elevation perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions, and

[0013] - a longitudinal displacement of a median part of the reinforcement element extending between the two ends, the longitudinal displacement being obtained by a rotation of the reinforcement element relative to the two lateral parts around the transverse direction.

[0014] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the device comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0015] - each of the two lateral parts defines a structural box defining a open-ended housing facing downwards along the direction of elevation, each of the two damping systems comprising:

[0016] a frame fixed respectively on one of the two ends and received in the housing according to the direction of elevation,

[0017] at least two shock absorbers located on either side of the frame in the longitudinal direction, each of the two shock absorbers comprising at least one wire cable forming coils fixed, on the one hand, to the frame, and, on the other hand, respectively to sides of the structural box;

[0018] - the turns are wound around a winding direction parallel to the transverse direction;

[0019] - the two shock absorbers are aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction;

[0020] - each of the two damping systems further comprises two other shock absorbers structurally similar to the two shock absorbers and located below the two shock absorbers in the direction of elevation;

[0021] - the frame comprises an upper part extending in a perpendicular plane to the longitudinal direction and on which the two shock absorbers are fixed, and a lower part forming a flange fixed on one of the two ends;

[0022] - each of the two shock absorbers comprises at least two pairs of jaws adapted to fix the cable respectively on the frame and on said side of the structural box, the jaws of each of the two pairs extending in an elongation direction and being pressed against each other by screws or bolts so as to clamp fixing areas of each of the turns, the fixing areas clamped by one of the two pairs being diametrically opposite in the turns to the fixing areas clamped by the other of the two pairs;

[0023] - the cable comprises twisted strands; and

[0024] - each of the two shock absorbers includes another metal cable forming coils fixed, on one side, to the frame, and, on the other side, to one side of the structural box, the cable and the other cable being in line with each other according to a winding direction of the coils of the cable and the other cable.

[0025] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device as described below, and a marine craft adapted, in case of recovery, to enter the receiving space in the longitudinal direction by passing through the opening in the forward direction.

[0026] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic top view of an assembly according to the invention, the assembly being in a lateral position relative to a mothership,

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic, perspective view of a device according to the invention included in the assembly shown in [Fig. 1],

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a partial schematic perspective view of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2, the view being centered on a rear armature element of the device and showing two damping systems,

[0030] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic, partial, perspective view of one of the two damping systems shown in [Fig.3],

[0031] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a schematic, partial, top view of the damping system shown in Figures 3 and 4, and

[0032] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic view, in cross-section along a horizontal plane, of the damping system shown in Figures 3 to 5, through two pairs of fixing jaws.

[0033] With reference to [Fig.1], an assembly 10 according to the invention is described.

[0034] The assembly 10 is in a lateral position relative to a mothership 12. The mothership 12 and the assembly 10 form a launch and recovery system (or LARS) for a marine craft 14.

[0035] In an alternative (not shown), the assembly 10 is for example in a rear position relative to the mothership 12.

[0036] The assembly 10 includes the marine craft 14, and a device 16 (figures 1 and 2) adapted for launching and recovering the marine craft, which is advantageously stored in or on the mothership 12 after recovery.

[0037] The mothership 12 is advantageously adapted to store other marine gear (not shown), adapted to be launched and recovered by device 10 or other similar device (not shown), and then possibly stored again in the mothership.

[0038] The marine craft 14 is advantageously an autonomous or remotely piloted craft, surface or underwater, for example of the USV, UUV or RHIB type mentioned above. The marine craft 14 may also be a conventionally piloted craft.

[0039] For example, the device 16 is connected to the mothership 12 by cables 18 (symbolized on [Fig.1]).

[0040] Advantageously, the device 16 can itself be transported in or on the mothership 12, particularly when the latter is underway. The device 16 is advantageously deployed when it is necessary to launch or recover one or more marine craft.

[0041] As seen in [Fig.2], the device 16 includes a receiving structure 20 adapted to float on a body of water 22, for example an ocean or a sea, and advantageously a skirt 24 for guiding the marine craft 14.

[0042] The receiving structure 20 defines a receiving space 28 for the marine craft 14 and an opening 30 ([Fig.3]) for access to the receiving space 28, the marine craft 14 being intended, during a recovery, to enter the receiving space in a longitudinal direction L by passing through the opening.

[0043] The longitudinal direction L is defined by the receiving structure 20 and is advantageously substantially horizontal when the device 16 is in equilibrium on the body of water 22. For example, the longitudinal direction L is substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction L' of the mothership 12.

[0044] The direction of engagement defines a forward direction A in the longitudinal direction L, the forward direction allowing to define a front side and a rear side of the device 16.

[0045] A transverse direction T is also defined, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and intended to be substantially horizontal when the device 16 is in equilibrium on the body of water 22, and an elevation direction V is also defined, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and to the transverse direction T, and vertical in the example when the device is in equilibrium.

[0046] The receiving structure 20 comprises two lateral parts 32A, 32B extending along the longitudinal direction L and located on either side of the receiving space 28 in the transverse direction T.

[0047] The receiving structure 20 includes a reinforcement element 34A, or frame. In the example, the receiving structure 20 includes other reinforcement elements 34B to 34D structurally similar to the reinforcement element 34A. The reinforcement elements 34A to 34D define a gap 36 in the base of the device 16, advantageously forming with the two lateral parts 32A, 32B a cradle defining at least part of the receiving space 28.

[0048] Advantageously, the receiving structure 20 includes gantries 38A, 38B to allow the device 16 or the assembly 10 to be lifted by means not shown, and also includes protections 40 possibly arranged on the reinforcement elements 34A to 34D.

[0049] The receiving structure 20 further comprises at least two damping systems 40A, 40B (figures 3 to 6) mechanically connecting two transverse ends 42A, 42B of the reinforcement element 34A respectively to the two lateral parts 32A, 32B.

[0050] In the example, the receiving structure 20 also includes damping systems (not visible) connecting the reinforcement elements 34B to 34D to the two lateral parts 32A, 32B. These elements are, for example, structurally analogous to the two damping systems 40A, 40B.

[0051] The receiving structure 20 advantageously includes other classic elements in this type of structure which will not be described here.

[0052] The reinforcement element 34A, the two lateral parts 32A, 32B, and in the example the portal frame 38A, define the opening 30.

[0053] According to variants not shown, the other reinforcement elements 34B to 34D are not analogous to the reinforcement element 34A, and the base 36 is for example not as deficient as in the example.

[0054] According to one embodiment, only the reinforcement element 34A is connected to the two lateral parts 32A, 32B by damping systems.

[0055] The two lateral parts 32A, 32B advantageously form floats and join in the example towards the front of the device 16 to form a bow.

[0056] Each of the two lateral parts 32A, 32B advantageously defines a structural box 43A, 43B defining a housing 44A, 44B open downwards along the elevation direction V.

[0057] The opening 30 extends for example perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction L.

[0058] The reinforcement element 34A is for example tubular and located under the receiving space 28. The reinforcement element 34A comprises a middle part 45 extending between the two ends 42A, 42B, and advantageously two arms 46A, 46B extending longitudinally backwards from the two ends.

[0059] The skirt 24 comprises, for example, an elastomeric material advantageously resistant to seawater, and to abrasion and repeated impacts from a bow 50 ([Fig.1]) of the marine craft 14. The skirt 24 is, for example, fixed on the reinforcement element 34A, for example at least on the middle part 45 and the two arms 46A, 46B.

[0060] The elastomeric material is, for example, polyurethane, polychloroprene or silicone.

[0061] The protectors 40 are located on top of at least some of the reinforcement elements 34A to 34D and are adapted to avoid direct contact between the bow 50 of the marine craft 14 and the reinforcement elements.

[0062] The two damping systems 40A, 40B are advantageously structurally analogous to each other, and are, for example, symmetrical to each other with respect to a median plane M ([Fig. 3]). Therefore, only the damping system 40B will be described below with reference to Figures 3 to 6.

[0063] The damping system 40B is adapted to allow, relative to the two lateral parts 32A, 32B, due to the recovery of the marine craft 14, a vertical movement (arrow Fl on figures 3 to 5) of the end 42B in the elevation direction V, and a longitudinal movement (arrow F2 on [Fig.3]) of the middle part 45, the longitudinal movement being obtained by a rotation (arrow F3 on figures 3 to 5) of the reinforcement element 34A relative to the two lateral parts 32A, 32B around the transverse direction T.

[0064] The damping system 40B comprises in the example a reinforcement 48 fixed to the end 42B and received in the housing 44B in the direction of elevation V, and at least two shock absorbers 50A, 50B located on either side of the frame 48 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0065] In the example, the damping system 40B further comprises two other dampers 50C, 50D structurally similar to the two dampers 50A, 50B and located below the two dampers 50A, 50B in the elevation direction V.

[0066] According to variants not shown, the damping system 40B includes one or more other damper(s) (not shown), advantageously analogous to the two dampers 50A, 50B.

[0067] The two shock absorbers 50A, 50B are advantageously aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction L.

[0068] Each of the two shock absorbers 50A, 50B comprises, for example, at least one metallic cable 52 forming coils 54 fixed, on the one hand, to the frame 48, and, on the other hand, respectively to sides 56, 58 of the structural box 43B.

[0069] In the example, each of the two shock absorbers 50A, 50B includes another metal cable 60 forming coils 62 fixed, on the one hand, to the frame 48, and, on the other hand, respectively to the sides 56, 58 of the structural box 43B.

[0070] The turns 54, and in the example the turns 62, are wound around a winding direction E advantageously parallel to the transverse direction T.

[0071] Cable 52 and the other cable 60 are located, for example, in the extension of each other along the winding direction E. Cable 52 and cable 60 form, for example, between 3 and 5 turns each.

[0072] According to an unrepresented variant, cables 52 and 60 form a single cable, having for example between 6 and 10 turns.

[0073] Cables 52, 60 are, for example, structurally similar to each other. Cables 52, 60 comprise, for example, strands 63 of twisted stainless steel.

[0074] Each of the two shock absorbers 50A, 50B includes two pairs of jaws 64A, 64B, 66A, 66B adapted to fix the cables 52, 60 respectively on the frame 48 and on the sides 56, 58 of the structural box 43B.

[0075] The jaws 64A, 64B, 66A, 66B of each of the two pairs extend in an elongation direction L1 for example parallel to the transverse direction T.

[0076] In the example, the jaws 64A, 64B, on the one hand, and the jaws 66A, 66B, on the other hand, are pressed against each other, for example in the longitudinal direction L, by screws 68 or bolts so as to clamp fixing areas 70 of each of the turns 54, 62.

[0077] The pairs of jaws 64A, 64B, 66A, 66B advantageously form cylindrical housings, extending for example in the elevation direction V, the housings receiving the fixing zones 70.

[0078] In the example, the pairs of jaws 64A, 64B, 66A, 66B are fixed respectively on the sides 56, 58 and on the frame 48 by screws 72 or bolts, for example oriented along the longitudinal direction L.

[0079] The fixing zones 70 held by the jaws 64A, 64B are diametrically opposed in the turns 54, 62 to the fixing zones 70 held by the jaws 66A, 66B.

[0080] The frame 48 includes for example an upper part 74 extending in a plane P ([Fig.5]) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and on which the two shock absorbers 50A, 50B are fixed, and a lower part 76 forming a flange bolted on one of the two ends 42A, 42B.

[0081] In addition to sides 56, 58, the structural box 43B includes, for example, two other sides (not shown) closing laterally, around the elevation direction V, the housing 44B. The structural box 43B advantageously includes an upper side 78 advantageously formed by a removable cover, so as to allow access to the damping system 40B from above in the elevation direction V, for example for maintenance of the shock absorbers.

[0082] The structural box 43B is advantageously adapted to be invaded by water from the body of water 22 when the device 16 is in operation.

[0083] Thanks to the characteristics described above, the two damping systems 40A, 40B act as decoupling pads due to the flexibility of the cables 52, 60 of the dampers 50A to 50B. Thus, the two damping systems 40A, 40B limit the effects of repeated and violent impacts of the marine craft 14 on the reinforcement element 34A. This reduces the maintenance requirements of the device 16 and improves its availability.

[0084] Indeed, thanks to the vertical displacement Fl and the longitudinal displacement F2 enabled by the two damping systems 40A, 40B, the level of structural stresses in the lateral parts 32A, 32B and in the relevant reinforcement elements 34B to 34D is reduced, thus preserving the service life of these elements. The residual accelerations experienced by the marine craft 14 are also reduced, which also preserves its service life.

[0085] In addition, the shock absorbers 50A to 50D are advantageously easily removable and maintained thanks to the covers of the structural boxes 43A, 43B.

[0086] The shock absorbers 50A to 50D are advantageously fixed in a simple manner on the structural boxes 43A, 43B, while the flanges formed by the lower part 76 of the reinforcement 48 are fixed in a simple manner on the ends 42A, 42B of the reinforcement element 34A.

Claims

Demands

1. A device (16) adapted for launching and recovering a marine craft (14), the device (16) comprising a receiving structure (20) adapted to float on a body of water (22), the receiving structure (20) defining a receiving space (28) for the marine craft (14) and an opening (30) for accessing the receiving space (28), the marine craft (14) being intended, during recovery, to enter the receiving space (28) along a longitudinal direction (L) defined by the receiving structure (20) by passing through the opening (30) in a forward direction (A), the receiving structure (20) comprising: - at least two lateral parts (32A, 32B) extending along the longitudinal direction (L) and situated on either side of the receiving space (28) along a transverse direction (T) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L), - at least one tubular reinforcement element (34A) extending between the two lateral parts (32A,32B) transversely and located below the receiving space (28), the opening (30) being delimited at least by the two lateral parts (32A, 32B) and the reinforcement element (34A), characterized in that the receiving structure (20) comprises at least two damping systems (40A, 40B) mechanically connecting two transverse ends (42A, 42B) of the reinforcement element (34A) respectively to the two lateral parts (32A, 32B), the two damping systems (40A, 40B) being adapted to allow, with respect to the two lateral parts (32A, 32B), due to the recovery of the marine craft (14): - a vertical displacement (F1) of the ends (42A, 42B) along an elevation direction (V) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and to the transverse direction (T), and - a longitudinal displacement (F2) of a middle portion (45) of the reinforcement element (34A) extending between the two ends (42A, 42B),the longitudinal displacement (F2) being obtained by a rotation (F3) of the reinforcement element (34A) with respect to the two lateral parts (32A, 32B) around the transverse direction (T).

2. Device (16) according to claim 1, wherein each of the two lateral parts (32A, 32B) defines a structural box (43A, 43B) defining a housing (44A, 44B) open downwards according to the elevation direction (V), each of the two damping systems (40A, 40B) comprising: - a frame (48) fixed respectively on one of the two ends (42A, 42B) and received in the housing (44A, 44B) according to the elevation direction (V), - at least two dampers (50A, 50B) located on either side of the frame (48) in the longitudinal direction (L), each of the two dampers (50A, 50B) comprising at least one metallic cable (52) forming turns (54) fixed, on the one hand, on the frame (48), and, on the other hand, respectively on sides (56, 58) of the structural box (43A, 43B).

3. Device (16) according to claim 2, wherein the turns (54) are wound around a winding direction (E) parallel to the transverse direction (T).

4. Device (16) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the two shock absorbers (50A, 50B) are aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction (L).

5. Device (16) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each of the two damping systems (40A, 40B) further comprises two other dampers (50C, 50D) structurally similar to the two dampers (50A, 50B) and located below the two dampers (50A, 50B) in the elevation direction (V).

6. Device (16) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the frame (48) comprises an upper part (74) extending in a plane (P) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) and on which the two shock absorbers (50A, 50B) are fixed, and a lower part (76) forming a flange fixed on one of the two ends (42A, 42B).

7. A device (16) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein each of the two shock absorbers (50A, 50B) comprises at least two pairs of jaws (64A, 64B, 66A, 66B) adapted to fix the cable respectively to the frame and to said side (56, 58) of the structural box (43A, 43B), the jaws (64A, 64B, 66A, 66B) of each of the two pairs extending in an elongation direction (L1) and being pressed against each other by screws (68) or bolts so as to clamp fastening zones (70) of each of the coils (54), the fastening zones (70) clamped by one of the two pairs being diametrically opposed in the turns (54) to the fixing zones (70) enclosed by the other of the two pairs.

8. Device (16) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the cable (52) comprises stranded strands (63).

9. Device (16) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein each of the two shock absorbers (50A, 50B) comprises another metallic cable (60) forming coils (62) fixed, on the one hand, to the frame (48), and, on the other hand, to one side (56, 58) of the structural box (43A, 43B), the cable (52) and the other cable (60) being in the extension of each other along a winding direction (E) of the coils (54, 62) of the cable (52) and the other cable (60).

10. Assembly (10) comprising a device (16) as described by any one of claims 1 to 9, and a marine craft (14) adapted, in case of recovery, to enter the receiving space (28) in the longitudinal direction (L) through the opening (30) in the forward direction (A).

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