EP0306388B1 - Modular watercraft with rotating floats - Google Patents

Description

Generally, navigation devices, such as boats of all types, caissons, hulls, rafts, toys, models, move on the water by sliding. This sliding introduces friction forces which are higher the greater the immersed surface of the machine and the speed of the latter increases.

To reduce the importance of friction, it is customary to give the hull a hydrodynamic profile which allows the layers of water in immediate contact with the hull to slide on it in laminar regime, and therefore without giving rise to whirlpools or eddies. However, although it thus succeeds in eliminating the frictional forces for the very low speeds of movement of the machine, it is no longer the same when the speed increases, since the resistance to advancement varies because of the square of the speed. It follows that a significant fraction of the energy developed by the motor means used, is spent to overcome friction and is not used to drive the machine.

From patents FR 387 781 and 984 997, recreational or recreational marine vehicles are known which partially remedy these drawbacks by the fact that they are fitted with rotary floats which keep the hull entirely out of the water. These floats are provided with a plurality of pallets regularly spaced along their periphery and which are more or less inclined relative to the respective associated radial planes.

However, such vehicles still have limited performance, in particular due to the high loss of energy due to the eddies created by the impact of the paddles on the surface of the water. Thus, in patent FR 387 781, the floats have a shape of a hollow crown of V section. This shape introduces a loss of efficiency due to the friction of the water on the internal cylindrical wall of the float. As for the vehicle according to the patent FR 984 997, it has helical paddles on its floats which perform a strong mixing of the water and therefore an energy consumption which is lost for driving the navigation vehicle.

In addition, all known navigation devices have a precise shape, which cannot in any way be modified. A given machine is therefore only suitable for a well-defined use and has performances which cannot be changed. Builders are therefore obliged to manufacture not only all the classic types of watercraft, such as motor boats, speedboats, sailboats, trimarans, catamarans, etc., but also for each of these types, models of different lengths and widths. Significant sums must be invested which naturally affects the purchase price. In addition, this diversity of boats makes mass production difficult.

GB-A-2 173 744 relates to a modular boat whose different modules can be connected together in an articulated manner so as to be able to pivot with respect to each other. However, the performance and speed that can be achieved with such a boat are relatively low.

EP 0 064 271 discloses a navigation device according to the classifying part of claim 1. However, as appears from reading said patent, the module structure has the only purpose of allowing the modules to fit together one inside the other in order to be able to transport the machine in a small volume, for example in a trailer towed by a motor car or on the roof thereof. However, it is nowhere suggested in this patent that the device can be transformed into other types of device. The shape of the modules used does not lend itself to such a transformation.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a navigation device which can easily be transformed to take on the appearance of the different types of known navigation devices and which, moreover, has much higher performance than known boats of the same type.

The navigation device according to the invention conforms to the characterizing part of claim 1.

The machine may also include one or more intermediate modules which are interposed between the main modules as described in claims 2 and 5.

It will be noted that the modularity of the machine makes it possible to act in a simple and effective manner on the power and the yield of the machine. For this, it is sufficient to insert intermediate modules fitted with additional motors and rotary motor floats. This would not be possible if the machine was made in one piece from one end to the other, because we would then be condemned to permanently equip the machine with several engines and mechanisms for transmitting the movement of the engine to the rotary floats , which would have the disadvantage of making the machine too expensive and unnecessarily weighing it down for applications where one does not need a large power. According to the invention, on the contrary, the user can, according to his means and the use for which he intends the machine, integrate the number of motorized intermediate modules required.

Various main elements can be attached to the main and intermediate modules, making it possible to give the type of vehicle built a specific character. For example, straddling the front module and the central module can be fixed either a cockpit housing a steering rod for the control of steering floats, or even a bridge. On the central module can be installed a rest cabin as well as a clamp for a mast. A keel can be mounted under the central module. The rear module can receive a motor with means for transmitting the movement to two shafts carrying motor floats and between which a differential is inserted. The different modules can be fitted with mooring bittes and metal eyelets to fix the rigging used to maneuver the sails.

We therefore measure the large number of possible combinations that can be achieved using these modules. For example, by assembling a front module, a central module and a rear module one after the other and fixing on the rear module a motor and on the two other modules a cockpit and a rest cabin , we get a motorboat. This canoe can be transformed into a sailboat by dismantling the engine and the cockpit and by fixing, on the one hand, in the collar the clamping of a mast carrying at least one sail, and on the other hand, a keel under the central module .

The canoe or sailboat can be given different lengths by inserting one or more intermediate modules between the main modules.

In addition, the canoe or sailboat can be transformed into a trimaran by adding two lateral arms which are fixed on the hull of one of the modules and which carry at their end one or more floats.

Another interesting combination consists in using two identical sets of three main modules and possibly of an intermediate module, the two sets being arranged in parallel and securely connected by an assembly plate. We thus obtain a catamaran. In the same vein, we can use two identical sets each comprising a central module and a rear module in line, the two sets being joined along their side, and solidly joined together to form a machine of double width that of a basic vehicle, a single front module terminating in a bow being fixed to the front of the two central modules. We thus obtain a kind of barge of very great stability since its polygon of levitation on the water is much higher than that of a basic canoe.

All these types of gear can be made in full size or in a reduced model, or even in the form of a toy. Thus, from a reduced number of modules and accessories, it is possible to produce a wide variety of nautical vehicles at will. It is obvious that the cost of the assembly is much lower than what would cost the purchase of conventional machines according to all the models mentioned above. Depending on the financial availability of the user, he can first acquire the main elements which allow him to build a motor boat, then buy accessories, intermediate modules and a front module of double width, in order to '' have the pleasure of modifying the type and size of the machine as desired.

The floats are housed in cavities formed in the bottom of the modules. The part of the floats which projects inside the modules is protected by a fairing.

The floats are made of light materials, but having good impact and corrosion resistance, for example in certain metals such as zinc or aluminum or in certain cellular plastics. They will preferably have a hollow structure reinforced by interior partitions.

According to an advantageous embodiment, each float has a cylindrical shape or preferably frustoconical, the large base of which is provided with a boss or peripheral crown on which the blades are fixed on the inner side adjacent to the frustoconical wall. The floats driven by water are fitted in their axis with a ball bearing, while the floats driven by the engine are arranged to receive an axle.

The blades can be in the form of bent pallets comprising a first wall which is connected perpendicularly to the internal annular flank of the crown and which is more or less inclined relative to the associated radical plane, and a second wall, bent by an angle obtuse by compared to the first wall.

For high-speed navigation vehicles, the blades of the floats are preferably in the form of half-cylinders with an axis parallel to that of the float, the concavity of the blades being oriented so that the blade which penetrates into the water attacks the surface of the water with a solid surface and that which comes out of the water has its concavity turned downwards.

Depending on their location on the navigation device, the floats can be mounted individually or paired by their large face or by their small face. For example, to ensure the direction of the machine, two floats joined by their large base are used on the central module, this arrangement having the advantage that the two peripheral rings form a bow between them. These two floats are secured by means of several bolts which pass through them axially, and nuts. The assembly of the two floats is journalled in bearings carried by the ends of the branches of a fork provided with a vertical pivot which journalled itself in a bearing integral with the structure of the machine. The rotation of the assembly of the fork and the steering floats is controlled by a bar installed in the cockpit, by means of transmission means.

To give the machine the three support points necessary for its stability, the rear module is equipped with at least two separate floats, the small faces of which are turned towards each other, so that the peripheral rings are spaced apart as much as possible from each other. The rear floats swivel on an axle carried by a rear axle and / or by the side walls of the rear module. If the machine comprises intermediate modules, at least some of them can be equipped with a motor to drive the floats of the corresponding modules.

The crown of each float is provided on its edge with a rim into which a solid or inflated tire can be inserted. The navigation device thus becomes rolling and can be attached to the rear of a motor car to be towed to the place of use. You can also roll it on the beach to the water's edge or simply use it as a sailboat.

• La figure 1 est une vue en plan d'un canot automobile formé des trois modules principaux selon l'invention ;
• Les figures 2 et 3 sont respectivement des vues en bout avant et arrière du canot de la figure 1 ;
• La figure 4 est une vue en élévation du canot ;
• La figure 5 est une vue en élévation d'un voilier obtenu à partir des éléments de base de la figure 1 ;
• Les figures 6a et 6b montrent en plan deux versions de trimaran également réalisées à partir des éléments de base, et comprenant respectivement un flotteur latéral et deux flotteurs latéraux ;
• La figure 7 montre une vue partielle d'un essieu de trimaran équipé de quatre flotteurs ;
• La figure 8 représente un catamaran réalisé au moyen de deux coques selon la figure 1 ;
• La figure 9 est une vue en élévation d'un canot automobile conforme à celui de la figure 1, mais comportant en outre deux modules intermédiaires ;
• La figure 10 représente un canot réalisé au moyen de deux coques accolées latéralement ;
• La figure 11 est une vue en perspective d'un flotteur selon l'invention ;
• La figure 12 est une vue de côté à partir de la petite face du flotteur ;
• La figure 13 est une vue en perspective d'un flotteur muni d'une jante ;
• La figure 14 est une vue partielle d'un pneu destiné à être inséré dans la jante ;
• La figure 15 montre un flotteur muni d'aubes semi-cylindriques ;
• La figure 15a montre l'action de l'eau sur une aube semi-cylindrique ;
• La figure 16 représente deux flotteurs selon la figure 15, jumelés le long de leur grande face, et
• La figure 17 représente deux flotteurs jumelés selon leur petite face.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of several embodiments given only by way of examples with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a plan view of a motor boat formed of the three main modules according to the invention;
• Figures 2 and 3 are respectively front and rear end views of the boat of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is an elevational view of the boat;
• Figure 5 is an elevational view of a sailboat obtained from the basic elements of Figure 1;
• Figures 6 a and 6 b show in plan two versions of trimaran also made from the basic elements, and respectively comprising a lateral float and two lateral floats;
• Figure 7 shows a partial view of a trimaran axle fitted with four floats;
• FIG. 8 represents a catamaran produced by means of two hulls according to FIG. 1;
• Figure 9 is an elevational view of a canoe automobile according to that of FIG. 1, but also comprising two intermediate modules;
• FIG. 10 represents a canoe produced by means of two hulls joined sideways;
• Figure 11 is a perspective view of a float according to the invention;
• Figure 12 is a side view from the small side of the float;
• Figure 13 is a perspective view of a float provided with a rim;
• FIG. 14 is a partial view of a tire intended to be inserted into the rim;
• FIG. 15 shows a float provided with semi-cylindrical blades;
• Figure 15 a shows the action of water on a semi-cylindrical blade;
• FIG. 16 represents two floats according to FIG. 15, paired along their long face, and
• Figure 17 shows two floats paired according to their small face.

The motorboat A shown in Figures 1 to 4 is designed for boating, sport or can also be made in the form of a model or toy. It essentially comprises three modules 10, 12, 14 rigidly assembled together by conventional connecting means, not shown, in the case of toys, by means of staples.

The front module 10 is tapered in a bow, while the central module 12 and the rear module 14 are constituted by substantially parallelepiped boxes with parallel side walls and flat bottoms 16, 18. Their side walls are connected together forming a shell. regular. In FIGS. 1 to 4, these side walls are planar, but it is obvious that they can be given a curved shape having a better coefficient of penetration in water. The modules are arranged online. So that the interior volume they determine is continuous from end to end the other side of the boat, the transverse walls located along the connection planes of the modules are eliminated. However, if desired, these walls can be kept, to constitute transverse partitions inside the boat.

The side walls of the central module are pierced with two holes 112, 114 (or more) for the possible fixing of accessories, as will be explained below. Due to the great constraints exerted on the craft, during navigation on the high seas, the side walls of the central module can be interconnected by removable spacers fixed for example at the orifices 112, 114.

The bottoms 16 and 18 of the central and rear modules have two semi-cylindrical cavities projecting inwards and limited by fairings 20, 22. Inside these cavities are mounted rotary floats 24 designed and dimensioned so that they keep the canoe above the surface of the water.

The floats are made of a material of low density and impact resistant, for example, of aluminum alloy or of a cellular plastic material. They are preferably hollow and internally reinforced by radial partitions. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, they are substantially frustoconical but can also be cylindrical. In the vicinity of their large base 30, they are provided with an annular bead or crown 26 of larger diameter than said large base. The water-driven floats have a ball bearing 27 mounted along their axis. The motor-driven floats have an axial hole intended to receive an axle. A plurality of vanes 28 spaced at a constant angle are fixed on the frustoconical wall 32 of the float. Each blade comprises a central flap 34 and a side flap 36 forming between them an obtuse angle, preferably equal to 130 °. The central flap has a radial direction or slightly inclined with respect to said direction in the direction indicated in Figure 12 and it connects to the adjacent side 38 of the crown 26, which is slightly frustoconical.

sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan du volet 34. En raison de sa faible inclinaison par rapport à l'horizontale, cette force a une composante horizontale

importante, qui propulse le canot vers l'avant et une composante verticale

relativement faible, dirigée vers le bas. En raison du principe de l'action et de la réaction, cette composante verticale tend à soulever le canot et donc à faire sortir légèrement les flotteurs de l'eau. Cette tendance est renforcée par l'action de l'aube 28b qui commence à pénétrer dans l'eau puisque l'angle d'attaque de son volet 34 est pratiquement nul. Par contre, l'aube sortante 28c est peu inclinée par rapport à la surface de l'eau et sort en opposant peu de résistance. Le volet latéral 36 des aubes amplifie davantage le phénomène d'aquaplane en diminuant les remous de sortie des aubes. Les forces de frottement qui s'opposent normalement à l'avancement des véhicules nautiques sont donc fortement diminuées, grâce au flotteur selon l'invention. Les essais ont d'ailleurs révélé une forte atténuation des vagues d'accompagnement, aussi bien transversales que divergentes. L'expérience montre qu'à une vitesse moyenne de 10 à 30 noeuds, l'économie d'énergie est voisine de 30%.When the float rotates in the direction of the arrow f in FIG. 12, the submerged blade 28 has the lowest flush backwards of a bundle of water with force.

substantially perpendicular to the plane of the flap 34. Because of its slight inclination relative to the horizontal, this force has a horizontal component

important, which propels the boat forward and a vertical component

relatively weak, directed downwards. Due to the principle of action and reaction, this vertical component tends to lift the boat and therefore slightly lift the floats out of the water. This tendency is reinforced by the action of dawn 28 b which begins to penetrate the water since the angle of attack of its flap 34 is practically zero. On the other hand, the outgoing blade 28 c is slightly inclined relative to the surface of the water and leaves with little resistance. The lateral flap 36 of the blades further amplifies the phenomenon of aquaplane by reducing the eddy output of the blades. The frictional forces which normally oppose the advancement of nautical vehicles are therefore greatly reduced, thanks to the float according to the invention. The tests also revealed a strong attenuation of the accompanying waves, both transverse and divergent. Experience shows that at an average speed of 10 to 30 knots, the energy saving is close to 30%.

An excellent yield is also obtained when the floats have a granulation on their side wall. This ensures good adhesion with water and therefore good training. We can then in some cases eliminate the blades.

In the variant embodiment of FIG. 13, the float is provided on the periphery of its crown with annular flanges 40, 42 which define between them a rim 44 into which a solid or inflated tire 46 can be inserted (FIG. 14). In this way, the vehicle nautical can be towed on the road by a motor car.

The blades may be removable. They can also be associated with a device which makes it possible to retract them automatically inside the crown, for example when the vehicle is towed on the road, or when the speed becomes greater than a threshold.

FIG. 15 represents a float provided with another type of blades 48. Here, the blades are semi-cylindrical, a shape which is particularly suitable for nautical vehicles moving at high speed. They are located on the internal side 38 of the crown 36 so that their axis is parallel to the axis 27 of the float. It will be noted that the concavity of the vanes is oriented so that the immersed vanes expel the water by their convex surface.

The dawn that comes out of the water has its concavity turned downward, so that there is practically no swirl at the exit.

As shown in Figure 15a, the flow of water enters the blade that has just been immersed in the direction of the arrow F₁. This current gives rise in the dawn to a vortex current of direction F sens which rotates in the anticlockwise direction. These two currents favor the rotational drive of the float. This type of blade will preferably be chosen for driven floats, because it has good performance and offers less resistance than a flat blade. The action and reaction forces are maximum and give the floats a rotational movement.

As shown in FIG. 16, two floats 24A and 25B can be joined coaxially along their large base 30 and secured in rotation, for example by means of four bolts passing through axial through holes 50 and tightened by means of nuts which are housed in cavities 52. If the floats are provided with rims, as in the embodiment of FIG. 13, instead of two tires, a single solid tire 54 of substantially triangular section and provided with portions 56, 58 for anchoring in the rims. The triangular tire gives the floats thus paired a form of bow, very effective especially for the direction floats.

The floats can of course be paired by their small base, as shown in Figure 17.

With reference again to FIGS. 1 to 4, the motor boat A is equipped at the front with two direction floats 24A, 24B paired as in FIG. 16. These floats are housed in the front cavity defined by the fairing 20. They are journalled by means of ball bearings, at the ends of the branches of a fork 60. The latter carries a pivot 62 which is supported by a bearing box 64 with ball bearings and vertical stops, firmly fixed on the central module 12. The bearing box can also be fitted with an elastic suspension so that the axles can absorb variations in the water level due to waves.

Under the rear fairing 22, two engine floats 24C, 24D are housed. In order to provide the best stability to the canoe on water and on land, these floats are mounted coaxially with their small faces facing towards each other, and separated. The floats are mounted on two axles 64, 65, which revolve in bearings 68, 70 fixed to port and starboard on the side walls of the rear module 14. Advantageously, these two axles also journal in a differential 66. Thanks to this characteristic , when the boat is towed on the road, even very tight turns can be negotiated, the two rear floats turning independently of each other at their own speed.

The boat is covered with a removable deck 71 comprising a cockpit 72 in which the steering rod 74 is fixed, and a rest cabin 76 located essentially in the front and central modules.

The bar can drive the whole of the fork 60 and the front floats by an angle of about 70 °, for example by means of conventional transmission means represented diagrammatically by a chain 78 which is wound around a pinion 80 carried by the pivot 62 of the fork.

The rear floats are driven by a motor 82 via a transmission similar to that of motor cars.

On the roof of the rest cabin 76 there projects a split tube 84 intended to receive the lower end of a mast and which can be tightened around it by means of a clamp 86. In relief on the roof of the rear module are fixed the motor 82, two mooring bitts 88 and metal eyelets 90.

Advantageously, the motor 82 can be detachably fixed on the rear module 14. For this purpose, the latter is covered with an upper plate 85 welded or otherwise fixed to the edge of the side walls of the rear module. This plate has an opening 87 through which the motor shaft can pass to be mechanically connected to the differential 66. The base of the motor rests on the edge of said opening and is secured to plate 85 for example by means of butterfly nuts 89 which have the advantage of allowing rapid assembly or disassembly of the engine.

As shown in Figure 5, the canoe can easily be transformed into a sailboat V. This always includes the three basic modules which are assembled in the same way. The only modifications consist in dismantling the cockpit and replacing it with a front axle 92, in fixing a drift keel 94 under the central module, in also dismantling the engine and closing the opening 87 by means of a plate 91 to prevent water from entering the differential. Conventional fixing means are provided for this purpose to allow rapid assembly and disassembly of the keel. In the tube 84 is inserted the end of a mast 96 which is secured by means of the collar 86 and guy lines 98₁ and 98₂ attached to guy lines 90₁ and 90₂. The mast can also be inserted in a housing extending from the roof of the cabin to the bottom of the module 12 and be securely held, in addition to the collar 86, by clamping means at the bottom and a vertical wall mounted in the module 12 directly above the mast. The mast can carry different types of sails, for example a mainsail 100 and a jib 102. In a manner known per se, the mainsail hangs by its vertical side on the mast by means of hooks 103 and by its horizontal bottom edge on a horizontal mistletoe 104 articulated at the base of the mast. Cables 98₃ which pass through the eyelets 90 and which are wound around the mooring bitts 88 make it possible to maneuver the mainsail as well as the other sails.

From the boat of Figure 1, one can still achieve the trimaran T of Figures 6 a and 6 b. This trimaran includes a central body identical to that of the boat, that is to say formed of three modules fitted with rotary floats. Two central wings 108, 110 are rigidly fixed on the central module 12. Ports 112, 114 visible in FIG. 4 are provided for this purpose. The wings are provided with axles 116 at their free end. In the version of FIG. 6 a , a single float 24 is mounted journalled on each axle, while in the embodiments of FIGS. 6 b and 7, the axles 116 carry cross members 118 along which two or more floats 24 in series are journalled. Advantageously, the cross members are articulated freely on the axles, which allows them to oscillate in a vertical plane. The floats can thus remain constantly in contact with the surface of the water even when it is agitated.

The upper halves of the side floats can be protected by fairings. For the trimaran drive, you can use either a motor or a mast and sails.

FIG. 8 shows a catamaran C which is produced by means of two main bodies A₁ and A₂ identical to that of the motor boat in FIG. 1. These bodies are arranged in parallel and rigidly connected together by means of a horizontal plate 120 which is fixed in the holes 112, 114 formed on the shells (FIG. 4).

In the longitudinal axis of the plate and towards the front is installed a mast support tube 84 with its clamp 86. Naturally, we will choose a larger and longer mast and sails of larger surface than for the sailboat of figure 5. The user will choose himself the mode of coupling of the floats.

Depending on the load to be transported, it is possible in accordance with the invention, to use one or more intermediate modules which are interposed between the three main modules which have been described above. For example, the very long boat in FIG. 9 comprises a first intermediate module 122 which is interposed between the bow front module 10 and the central module 12, and a second intermediate module 124 which is inserted between the central module and the rear module. These intermediate modules are fitted with rotary floats 24.

We can thus produce a wide variety of machines both in the field of toys for children, models for leisure, as life-size machines for the use of adults for sport. The power of the machine can be increased by mounting on all the intermediate modules or on some of them a motor which drives the corresponding floats. In the case of FIG. 9, the second intermediate module 124 and the rear module are equipped with motors 126 and 82. The floats of the central module 12 are mounted to rotate freely, and those of the first intermediate module 122 are used to steer the vehicle.

Figure 10 shows another method of coupling modules to obtain new forms of gear. Here, two main bodies are used, each formed by a central module 12, 12 ′ and a rear module 14, 14 ′, arranged in line. These two bodies are joined by their lateral flank and rigidly secured by means of conventional connection, so that we obtain a machine with a width double that of the boat in Figure 1. The front modules have been dismantled and replaced by a single module 128 whose hull is shaped like a bow and comes connect harmoniously with the external side walls of the central modules 12, 12 ′. Naturally, it is possible to use in each main body one or more intermediate modules.

This machine, designed for racing, is endowed with remarkable robustness and stability. It can support a powerful motor 130 which drives the two pairs of rear twin floats by conventional transmission means. The two pairs of front floats provide direction of the craft. They are controlled simultaneously by the bar 74 which is housed in a relatively spacious cockpit 72. The connection between the bar and the steering floats is ensured by conventional transmission means 132.

In summary, the invention makes it possible to produce, with a small number of basic elements and therefore at moderate cost, a large variety of navigation devices. We can therefore make the device that best suits the needs, which increases the interest of users by giving them the impression of having several different devices. The devices according to the invention can navigate both on water or in muddy swamps, as well as roll on the ground.

Claims (17)

1. An amphibious navigation vessel of the type comprising at least three main flat-based modules, i.e. a front module (10), a central module (12) and a rear module (14) assembled rigidly with the aid of detachable connecting means, characterized in that the central (12) and rear (14) modules are in the form of cases provided with respective bases comprising flat parts and hollowed parts covered by casings (20, 22) which define cavities open at the bottom, in which there are mounted rotatingly rotary floats (24) dimensioned to keep the modules entirely above the surface of the water, including when stopped, that is to say at least one rotary steering float (24A, 24B) of which an upper part is mounted in the cavity of the central module (12), said float being carried by means forming a vertical pivot (62) drivable by the helm (74) of the vessel, and two rotary floats (24C, 24D) driven by a motor (82) and whose upper parts are mounted in the cavity of the rear module (14), each of the rotary floats (24A to 24D) being substantially cylindrical or frusto-conical in form and being provided at the periphery of its large base with a collar (26) which is provided with a plurality of rigid vanes (24; 48) spaced from each other by a constant angle and each being concave in form, said vanes being oriented in parallel with the axis of the float in such a way that they attack the water by their convex faces and exit from it with their cavities turned downwards.
2. A navigation vessel according to claim 1,
   characterized in that it further comprises one or more additional intermediate modules (122, 124) which are interpolated between the main modules (10, 12, 14).
3. A navigation vessel according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the front and central modules are covered by a bridge (71) which is provided, at the level of the central module (12), with a piloting cabin (72) and a resting cabin (76).
4. A navigation vessel according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the rotary floats (24C, 24D) associated with the rear module are fixed on an axle (64, 66) which rotates in bearings (68, 70) carried by the lateral walls of the rear module (14).
5. A navigation vessel according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the intermediate modules (122, 124) also exhibit a partially hollowed base covered with a casing which defines a downwardly turned cavity in which are accommodated the upper parts of two rotary floats (24) fixed on axles which rotate in bearings carried by the lateral walls of the intermediate modules, said floats also being provided with collars and vanes and being capable of being driven in rotation by one or more additional motors (186) loaded on the intermediate module(s).
6. A navigation vessel according to claim 1,
   characterized in that the vanes are in the form of bent blades comprising a first wall (34) which is connected perpendicularly to the inner annular flank (38) of the collar and which is more or less inclined with respect to the associated radial plane, and a second wall (36) bent at an obtuse angle with respect to the first wall.
7. A navigation vessel according to claim 1,
   characterized in that, if the vessel is designed to move at high speed, the rotary floats are not motive and are provided with vanes (48) in the form of half-cylinders with axes parallel with that of the float, the concavity of the vanes being oriented in such a way that the vane which is entering the water attacks the surface of the water by its solid convex surface and the one which is exiting from the water has its concavity turned downwards.
8. A navigation vessel according to claim 7,
   characterized in that the vanes are detachable or may be associated with a device which enables them to be automatically retracted inside the collar (26) when the speed exceeds a threshold.
9. A navigation vessel according to claim 1,
   characterized in that, to ensure steering of the vessel, two floats (24A, 24B) are used on the central module (12) which are attached by their large bases and firmly connected by means of several bolts (50), which pass through them axially, and by nuts.
10. A navigation vessel according to claim 1,
    characterized in that the rear module and the intermediate module(s) are each equipped with at least two separate floats (24C, 24D), the small faces of which are turned towards each other, in such a way that the peripheral collars (26) are maximally separated from each other, said floats being mounted on two separate axles (64, 65) which rotate in ball bearings (68, 70) fixed on the lateral walls of the rear module and of the intermediate module(s) as well as in a differential (66).
11. A navigation vessel according to claim 1,
    characterized in that the collar of each float is provided at its edge with a wheel rim (44) in which may be inserted a solid or inflated tyre (46).
12. A navigation vessel according to claim 11,
    characterized in that a single tyre (54) of triangular section is inserted into the contiguous wheel rims of the two steering floats.
13. A navigation vessel according to claim 1, fitted out as a sailing boat, characterized in that it comprises three main modules (10, 12, 14) and optionally at least one intermediate module (122, 124) assembled linearly, the piloting cabin (72) of which vessel is replaced by a front bridge (92) and the motor (82) by a plate (91) blocking tightly the opening (87) in the rear module, in that on the bridge there are fixed means of fastening the lower end of at least one mast (96), as well as mooring bollards (88) and metal eyelets (90) for anchoring tackle (106) serving to manoeuvre the sails (100, 102), and in that a keel (94) is fixed under the central module.
14. A navigation vessel according to claim 1, fitted out as a trimaran, characterized in that it comprises three main modules (10, 12, 14) and optionally intermediate modules, two lateral wings (108, 110) being fixed to the lateral walls of one of the modules, for example the central module, at the free end of which wings rotates at least one rotary float (24).
15. A navigation vessel according to claim 14,
    characterized in that at the free end of each wing (108, 110) there is mounted a cross beam (118) rotating freely about a horizontal shaft (116), which cross beam (118) carries rotatingly mounted floats at several points along its length.
16. A navigation vessel according to claim 1, fitted out as a catamaran, characterized in that it comprises two identical assemblies of three main modules (10, 12, 14) and optionally intermediate modules disposed in parallel at a certain distance from each other and connected together by a horizontal assembly plate (120), optionally provided on its upper face with means (84) for fastening at least one mast carrying sails.
17. A navigation vessel according to claim 1, fitted out as a barge, characterized in that it comprises two identical acsemblies each formed of a central module (12, 12') and of a rear module (14, 14'), said assemblies being attached along their lateral flanks and firmly connected together to form a barge of a width double that of a basic vessel, a single front module (128) ending in a stem being fixed to the front of the two central modules (12, 12').

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