Soft floating interface to facilitate launching and recovery of a floating or submerged object

Abstract

The invention relates to a floating device (1) made of soft material intended to be mounted on a supporting platform, such as a ship, (3) for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object (2), such as an inflatable boat, the floating device (1) comprising a lower face (11) in contact with the water, an upper face (10) opposite the lower face (11) on which the floating or submerged object (2) to be launched or recovered is intended to move, two opposite lateral edges (14, 15) connecting the upper face (10) and the lower face (11), a front end intended to be connected to the supporting platform (3) and a free rear end having a notch (17) for positioning or wedging the floating or submerged object (2) relative to the floating device (1),the floating device (1) further having on its upper face (10) a groove (18) for guiding and stabilizing the floating or submerged object (2) on the floating device (1).,

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The present invention is in the naval field and relates more specifically to a device which facilitates the launching and recovery of a floating or submerged object (for example a semi-rigid hull boat) from a supporting platform, a ship for example, which can be equipped with a ramp. State of the art

[0002] The transition of a floating object from the sea to the ramp of a mother ship or from the ramp of the mother ship to the sea are particularly delicate operations, due to the relative movements of the floating object in relation to the ship, itself in motion. These operations are usually carried out by means of a lifting device equipped with a boom or an arm which supports a cable terminated by a hooking device, the assembly serving to lower the floating object from the ship to the sea or to lift this object to place it on the ship. Other systems exist, for example, systems of slide tubes fixed on the ramp which facilitate the transfer of the object from the sea to the ramp and from the ramp to the sea. These operations generally require the intervention of human operators, intervention which is made more delicate and more dangerous in rough seas.The disadvantage of these devices is that the object can hit the hull of the ship, especially in rough seas. In this case, there is a risk of damage to the boat and a risk to the safety of people in the floating object, if it is a boat, but also of people on the ship involved in the maneuver.

[0003] To overcome these drawbacks, it has been proposed to configure the ramp so that its lower end is located below the water surface so that the floating object located on the sea comes into contact with the inclined surface of the ramp and not with its submerged lower end.

[0004] This solution is generally not suitable for use in rough seas and does not prevent violent contact between the floating object and the inclined surface. Furthermore, such a ramp does not prevent lateral movements of the object due to water movements, which can also damage the ramp and / or the floating object. In addition, access for maintenance of such an inclined ramp is difficult.

[0005] Current solutions are therefore not entirely satisfactory and there is therefore a need to have a vessel, and more generally a carrier platform, equipped with an installation which allows the rapid launching and recovery of floating objects such as nautical craft in the safest possible manner, within the operating limits of the carrier platform, and which is compatible with a wide variety of floating or submerged objects to be recovered or launched. Statement of the invention

[0006] To address these difficulties, a floating device made of soft material (also called a "soft interface") is proposed for mounting on a supporting platform (e.g., a vessel called a mother ship) for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object (e.g., an inflatable boat), comprising: a lower face in contact with the water, an upper face opposite the lower face on which the floating or submerged object to be put into the water or recovered is intended to move (or progress), two opposite lateral edges connecting the upper face and the lower face, a front end intended to be connected to the supporting platform, and a free rear end having a notch for positioning the floating or submerged object relative to the floating device, the floating device also having on its upper face a groove for guiding and stabilizing the floating or submerged object on the floating device.

[0007] The guide and stabilizing groove extends on the upper face of the floating device from the bottom of the notch located at the rear end to the front end of the floating device.

[0008] The main interest of this invention is to facilitate the launching and recovery of a floating or submerged object.

[0009] More specifically, the proposed solution allows the floating or submerged object, in the approach phase, to run aground on the floating device and to pre-position itself relative to the carrier platform without coming into contact with the latter. When the floating or submerged object is grasped, the floating device ensures progressive damping of the movement differentials during the transfer until the object is completely placed on a ramp of the carrier platform, this soft interface thus ensuring a transition of the floating or submerged object tolerant to relative movements and destructive shocks.

[0010] The free rear end of this floating device has a notch for positioning the bow of a floating or submerged object relative to the floating device when recovering the object and for wedging the rear of the object when launching the object.

[0011] The guiding and stabilizing groove of the floating or submerged object on the device which extends from said positioning notch to the front end of this floating device allows said object to progress by sliding on the upper face of the device. The floating device is therefore configured to pre-position the floating or submerged object in the axis of a rear ramp of a carrier platform (a ship for example), guide it along this axis and prevent it from tilting to one side or the other (i.e. transversely) when it is in the phase of recovering or launching the floating or submerged object.

[0012] The floating device allows a floating or submerged object to be launched and recovered quickly and safely without damaging it. The risk of collision between the supporting platform and the object during these maneuvers is reduced and the safety of the people involved in the maneuver is preserved.

[0013] The floating device also helps to absorb shocks caused by water movements and prevent direct contact between the floating or submerged object and the supporting platform.

[0014] Its soft and supple structure provides flexibility. By soft material, we mean a material that is elastically deformable.

[0015] The floating device can be easily replaced by another floating device depending on the desired buoyancy.

[0016] The simple solution of the invention is very far from the lifting gantries of the prior art which use multiple mechanical parts (arrow, rails, motor, etc.), and which are of rigid structure.

[0017] The invention finds a particular application in the launching and recovery of semi-rigid boats, called RHIB for " rigid-hulled inflatable boat " in English.

[0018] Without this list being exhaustive, the floating or submerged object may be a surface marine / nautical craft or an underwater craft (submersible), with or without a motor. Similarly, it may be a rigid dinghy or an inflatable boat propelled by oars or a motor (known as a secondary boat) and capable of embarking / transporting one or more people and / or cargo. It may also be autonomous or remotely operated craft or any other object that floats or is submersible.

[0019] Other advantages of the floating device are listed below: Simplification of the maneuver and optimization of the safety of operators and passengers during the launching and recovery of the floating or submerged object; limitation of relative movements during maneuvers, increase of contact surfaces to distribute the forces; adaptability and versatility of the solution: interchangeable buffer part, adaptable to different sizes and different types of floating or submerged object, independently of the carrier platform; embarkation and disembarkation of passengers in complete safety; usable within the limits of the operation of the carrier platform; speed of operations and optimized safety: recovery time less than 2 minutes and release time less than 30 seconds; reduction of the number of people required for maneuvers of the floating or submerged object (three maximum);improved durability and easy maintenance (simple assembly / disassembly afloat without requiring tools or dedicated infrastructure); ease of replacement in the event of wear or damage.

[0020] An installation including in particular such a floating device and a ship's rear ramp may have the following characteristics: the guide and stabilization groove may extend on the upper face of the floating device from the bottom of the notch located at the rear end to the front end of the floating device; the floating device may be made of foam; at least part of the surface of the guide and stabilization groove may be covered with at least one layer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to ensure the sliding of the floating or submerged object on the floating device; the front end of the floating device may have between its opposite lateral edges an internal bore for the passage of a flexible axis of rotation of the floating device relative to the

[0021] vessel, the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the surface of the water when said floating device is attached to said vessel; the height of the floating device between the upper and lower faces at the front end is greater than the height of the device at the rear end so that the upper face may have a slope towards the rear of the floating device; said rear ramp of the ship may comprise a metal frame, covered with a rubber complex and at least one layer of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating; the flexible axis of rotation of the floating device relative to the ship may be composed of a metal or synthetic material cable stretched between two turnbuckles fixed to the ship; the rear ramp of the ship may have on its lateral edges rollers for guiding the floating or submerged object to be launched or recovered;the installation may include a winching system consisting of a winch for winding a cable to retain the floating or submerged object as it moves along the floating device and the rear ramp of the vessel. Rather than a winching system, any other system providing the same functions may be used. ;

[0022] The invention is intended in particular but not exclusively for a ship (called mother ship) provided with an installation for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object comprising a floating device as described above and a ramp located at the rear of the ship and having lateral edges inclined outwards, said ramp being configured to cooperate with the floating device to launch or recover a floating or submerged object.

[0023] Particularly simple, convenient and economical preferred features of the device according to the invention are presented below.

[0024] The floating device can be made of foam.

[0025] At least a portion of the surface of the guiding and stabilizing groove may be covered with at least one layer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to ensure sliding of the floating or submerged object on the floating device.

[0026] The front end of the floating device may have between its opposite lateral edges an internal bore for the passage of a flexible axis of rotation of the floating device relative to the supporting platform, the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the surface of the water when said floating device is fixed to the supporting platform.

[0027] The height of the floating device between the upper and lower faces at the front end may be greater than the height of the device at the rear end such that the upper face slopes toward the rear of the floating device.

[0028] The invention also relates to a carrier platform provided with an installation for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object comprising a floating device as presented previously and capable of having a ramp located on an edge of the carrier platform and having lateral edges inclined outwards, said ramp being configured to cooperate with the floating device for launching or recovering a floating or submerged object.

[0029] The rear ramp may comprise a rubber frame covered with at least one layer of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

[0030] The flexible axis of rotation of the floating device relative to the supporting platform may be composed of a metal or synthetic material cable stretched between two turnbuckles fixed to the supporting platform.

[0031] The ship's rear ramp may have rollers on its side edges for guiding the floating or submerged object to be launched or recovered.

[0032] The installation for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object may include a winching system comprising a winch for winding a cable for retaining the floating or submerged object as it moves along the floating device and the ramp of the supporting platform.

[0033] The ramp can be located at the rear of the carrier platform, or at the front or on the sides.

[0034] The carrier platform can be a ship. List of Figures

[0035] The drawings in the appendices provide a non-exhaustive illustration of the proposed technique and its various advantages: [ Fig. 1 ] is a top view of the floating device according to one embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] is a perspective view of the floating device according to the Figure 1 ; [ Fig. 3 ] is a side view of the floating device according to the Figure 1 ; [ Fig. 4 ] is a top view of the stern of a vessel equipped with an installation for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object; [ Fig. 5 ] illustrates this rear section seen from the side and shows an object floating or submerged at sea in the vicinity of the floating device (left) and in storage position on the ship's rear ramp (right); [ Fig. 6 ] illustrates an example of a stern ramp of a vessel provided with a facility for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object. Detailed description of the invention

[0036] This description is given as a non-limiting example of an embodiment.

[0037] There is described below, by way of example therefore, a ship, called a mother ship, forming a carrier platform which is provided with an installation for launching and recovering floating or submerged objects comprising a floating device made of soft material, called a soft interface, according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0038] The supporting platform may be a structure other than a ship.

[0039] As illustrated on the figures 4 And 5, the mother ship has a stern ramp equipped with such a floating device which is mounted on a pivot axis for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object, which in this example is a RHIB type boat for rescue operations in particular. The installation is configured on the one hand to lower such a boat to the surface of the sea from the ship and on the other hand to extract such a boat from the sea and then hoist such a boat onto the ship.

[0040] The boat launching and recovery facility in this example consists of the following elements: a floating device or float forming a soft interface between the boat and the mother ship a structural stern ramp integrated into the shape of the mother ship's hull, and a winching system integrated on the mother ship. Floating device or float made of soft material

[0041] An example of a floating device according to the invention is shown in the figures 1 to 3. This floating device 1 is in the form of a plate made of soft material (formed from foam or any other suitable material) having a substantially flat lower surface 11 intended to come into contact with the water and an inclined or sloping upper surface 10, two rectilinear lateral edges 14, 15, a rectilinear front edge 13 and a rear edge 12. The front end of the floating device 1 is intended to be connected to the ship 3 and the rear end is free. The rear edge 12 has a notch 17 for positioning or wedging a boat 2 relative to the floating device 1 having a “V” shape whose sides converge towards the center of the plate. This notch 17 is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plate which extends between the front edge 13 and the rear edge 12. The notch 17 extends over a part of the width of the plate defined between the two opposite lateral edges 14, 15.The depth of the notch 17 is here equal to a quarter of the length of the plate. The thickness of the plate defined between the upper surface 10 and the lower surface 11 is greater at the front end than at the rear end.

[0042] In addition to this notch 17 for positioning or wedging a boat relative to the floating device 1, the upper surface 10 of the floating device 1 has a groove 18 for guiding and stabilizing the boat 2 on the floating device 1.

[0043] This axial groove 18 extends from the bottom of the notch 17 to the front end of the floating device 1. This groove 18 is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plate and extends over a part of the width of the plate. It is flared in shape, its width at the bottom of the notch 17 being greater than its width at the front end of the floating device 1. Its length is here equal to approximately three-quarters of the length of the plate. It has a first portion which extends from the bottom of the notch 17 with a slope (or angle of inclination) corresponding to that of the rear ramp of the ship when the floating or submerged object is on the floating device and a second portion with a gentler slope which is located at the front of the plate ( Figure 2 ).

[0044] The floating device 1 can be solid or hollow.

[0045] The floating device 1 may be made of foam, for example polyethylene or any other suitable material, on which a coating, for example polyurethane, may be deposited.

[0046] The surface of the axial groove 18 is covered with at least one layer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) coating to ensure the sliding of the boat 2 on the floating device 1. The “V”-shaped notch 17 allows: to guide the bow of the boat 2 towards the axial groove 18 when recovering the boat 2 for its storage on the ship 3 (it is therefore a docking notch when recovering the boat 2), and to wedge the rear of the boat 2 during the transitional phases of recovery or launching of the latter.

[0047] The groove 18 with a "V" section keeps the boat 2 in the axis and limits its heeling.

[0048] More generally, the shape of the floating device 1 is designed so that: the floating device acts as an extension of the rear ramp 31 of the vessel 3, the hull of the boat 2 arrives at the correct height in the rear ramp 31 of the vessel 3 (i.e. neither too high nor too low) and does not hit the transom of the mother vessel 3.

[0049] The slope of the floating device 1 ensures the launching of the boat 2 by gravity and is particularly suitable for semi-rigid boats.

[0050] As can be seen on the Figure 3 , the front end of the floating device 1 having between its opposite lateral edges 14, 15 an internal bore 16 passing through for the passage of a flexible axis 19 for rotation of the floating device 1 relative to the ship 3, the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the surface of the water when the floating device 1 is connected to the ship 3.

[0051] The flexible shaft 19 which passes through the internal bore 16 is made of a metal cable or synthetic material.

[0052] The tension of this cable is adjusted using two turnbuckles 32 located on each side of the floating device 1 and fixed to the structure of the mother ship 3.

[0053] The axis of rotation or pivoting of the floating device 1 formed by the flexible axis 19 is therefore offset relative to the transom of the ship 3 and distant from the latter so that there is no contact between the transom of the ship 3 and the floating device 1.

[0054] The tension of the flexible axis 19 is chosen to retain the floating device 1 and absorb axial forces (shocks) without transmitting them to the structure of the mother ship 3. The fact of using a flexible axis and not a rigid axis makes it possible to maintain several degrees of freedom and to absorb shocks when the boat 2 arrives on the floating device 1. The absorption of shocks and associated energy is based on three principles: Archimedes' thrust, by sinking the floating device 1 under the effect of the boat 2 (when the float is sunk into the water, damping is obtained in reaction due to Archimedes' thrust); the composition of the floating device 1: in foam coated for example with polyurethane or equivalent and which can be reinforced with three woven layers, and the pivot connection by a flexible cable (synthetic or metallic).

[0055] From its lowered position, the floating device 1 can be raised (into the stowed position or raised position) manually or by motor. Indeed, it is not desirable to leave the floating device 1 trailing behind the carrier vessel 3 in operation. A system (not shown) on the rear edge of the vessel 3 allows the floating device 1 to be raised or lowered. These operations are facilitated by the fact that the floating device 1 is relatively compact and light, and therefore relatively easy to handle.

[0056] In addition to the soft material floating device that is the subject of this invention, the installation for launching and recovering floating or submerged objects from the ship described here by way of example comprises a rear ramp and a winching system that are detailed below. Rear ramp of the ship

[0057] The rear ramp 31 of the ship 3 is shown on the Figure 6 , and is also visible on the figures 4 And 5 .

[0058] This rear ramp 31 is made of aluminum and is directly integrated into the hull of the mother ship 3.

[0059] The slope of this rear ramp 31 has been designed to allow launching by gravity without external effort. This slope is between 10° and 14°.

[0060] The slope of the rear ramp 31 is in continuity with that of the floating device 1 to slide the boat 2 from the rear ramp 31 to the floating device 1 or vice versa.

[0061] Several accessories are arranged on this rear ramp 3: a so-called “sliding” interface 311 having a flat central part and two opposite lateral edges sloping or inclined outwards, and guide rollers 312 (four in number in this example) which are integrated on each side of the sliding interface 311. They make it possible to guide the boat 2 during the phases of ascent or launching and to prevent it from tipping to one side or the other.

[0062] The 311 sliding interface consists of a set of four plates inserted into "U" shaped aluminum profiles. Each of the plates can be made of: of a rubber or polymer core, and a PTFE coating on each side

[0063] The role of this sliding interface 311 is to absorb any shocks between the boat 2 and the aluminum structure of the mother ship 3, and to allow the boat 2 to slide and be launched by gravity. Winching system

[0064] The winching system 32 comprises a cable wound on the drum of a winch. Lashing means are provided on the lower part of the hull of the boat 2 which is towed from the front. The winching system therefore pulls (or holds during launching) the floating or submerged object on the underside when it is raised onto the vessel 3. How it works

[0065] The operation of the installation for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object is described below using the numerical references of the figures 4 And 5 .

[0066] During a recovery step, the boat 2 to be recovered is initially located in the water as illustrated in the top view of the Figure 4 , near the floating device 1 which is connected to the vessel 3 by a flexible pivot axis as described previously.

[0067] The floating or submerged object 2 is advanced on the V-shaped groove 18 of the floating device 1 while being guided by the V-shaped notch 17. The notch 17 is intended to guide the movement of the floating or submerged object 2 in the axis of the floating device 1 and the rear ramp 31 of the mother ship 3.

[0068] When the boat 2 arrives at the floating device 1, the latter pivots around its axis of rotation and sinks into the water under the weight of the boat 2. This makes it possible to absorb the shock (by displacing water). The angle taken by the floating device 1 with the boat 2 gradually aligns with that of the angle of the rear ramp 31. Once the boat 2 is in contact with the floating device 1, the latter acts as an extension or continuity of the rear ramp 31 to cause the boat 2 to slide from the rear ramp 31 to the floating device 1 or vice versa.

[0069] One of the advantages of the invention is to avoid shocks in the event that the boat 2 arrives at speed by cushioning it and allowing the boat 2 to position itself on the floating device 1 in order to stabilize its movements so that the operator can recover and hook a hauling system. The winching system 32 is an example of a hauling solution which then allows the boat 2 to be raised onto the rear ramp 31 of the ship 3.

[0070] The rear ramp 31 of the vessel 3 and the floating device 1 are configured so as to ensure the guidance of the boat 2 along the most rectilinear trajectory possible, which prevents it from following a lateral movement. In this way, the launching and recovery of a floating or submerged object can be carried out while the vessel is in motion. Thus the floating or submerged object, towed by the vessel, is naturally positioned in the axis of progression of the latter.

[0071] The floating device 1 being made of soft material, it ensures a transition of the floating or submerged object tolerant to relative movements and shocks, and allows: to cushion the shock upon arrival of the boat or more generally of the floating or submerged object; to guide the boat in the axis of the rear ramp, and to stabilize the boat while the operator recovers the towing line.

[0072] An installation for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object using a floating device according to the invention thus makes it possible to grasp such a floating or submerged object without damaging it. The risks of collision between the ship and the floating or submerged device are also reduced.

[0073] It is recalled that the invention is not limited to the examples described and represented, the carrier platform not being able to be a ship.

[0074] Furthermore, the installation may not implement a ramp and / or winching system.

Claims

1. Floating device (1) made of soft material intended to be mounted on a supporting platform, such as a ship, (3) for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object (2), such as an inflatable boat, the floating device (1) comprising a lower face (11) in contact with the water, an upper face (10) opposite the lower face (11) on which the floating or submerged object (2) to be launched or recovered is intended to move, two opposite lateral edges (14, 15) connecting the upper face (10) and the lower face (11), a front end intended to be connected to the supporting platform (3) and a free rear end having a notch (17) for positioning or wedging the floating or submerged object (2) relative to the floating device (1), the floating device (1) further having on its upper face (10) a groove (18) for guiding and stabilizing the floating or submerged object (2) on the floating device (1),the guiding and stabilizing groove (18) extending on the upper face (10) of the floating device (1) from the bottom of the notch (17) located at the rear end to the front end of the floating device (1)., 2. Floating device (1) according to claim 1, which is composed of foam.

3. Floating device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, at least part of the surface of the guiding and stabilizing groove (18) being covered with at least one layer of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to ensure the sliding of the floating or submerged object (2) on the floating device (1).

4. Floating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the front end of the floating device (1) having between its opposite lateral edges an internal bore (16) for the passage of a flexible axis (19) for rotation of the floating device (11) relative to the supporting platform (3), the axis of rotation being substantially parallel to the surface of the water when said floating device (1) is fixed to the supporting platform (3).

5. Floating device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the height of the floating device (1) between the upper and lower faces at the front end being greater than the height of the device at the rear end so that the upper face (10) has a slope towards the rear of the floating device (1).

6. Carrier platform (3) provided with an installation for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object (2) comprising a floating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a ramp (31) located on an edge of the carrier platform (3) and having lateral edges inclined outwards, said ramp (31) being configured to cooperate with the floating device (1) to launch or recover a floating or submerged object (2).

7. Carrier platform (3) according to claim 6, said rear ramp (31) comprising a rubber frame covered with at least one layer of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating.

8. Supporting platform (3) according to claim 6 or 7 and claim 4, the flexible axis (19) of rotation of the floating device (1) relative to the supporting platform (3) being composed of a metal or synthetic material cable stretched between two turnbuckles (32) fixed on the supporting platform (3).

9. Carrier platform (3) according to one of claims 6 to 8, the rear ramp (31) of the ship having on its lateral edges guide rollers (312) for the floating or submerged object (2) to be launched or recovered.

10. Carrier platform (3) according to one of claims 6 to 9, the installation for launching and recovering a floating or submerged object (2) comprising a winch system (32) comprising a winch for winding a cable for retaining the floating or submerged object (2) during its progression on the floating device (1) and the ramp (31) of the carrier platform (3).

11. Supporting platform (3) according to one of claims 6 to 10, the buoyancy of the floating device being chosen such that when the floating or submerged object (2) is located on the floating device (1), the slope of the upper face (10) of the floating device (1) is equal to the slope of the rear ramp (31) of the supporting platform (3).

12. Carrier platform (3) according to one of claims 6 to 11, said ramp (31) being located at the rear of the carrier platform.

13. Carrier platform (3) according to one of claims 6 to 12, said carrier platform being a ship.