EP1864905A1

EP1864905A1 - Buoyage and environmental monitoring instrument for use on regatta courses, comprising an inflatable pneumatic platform and a modular mast which can be folded and transported in a reduced-size compact packing container

Info

Publication number: EP1864905A1
Application number: EP06708857A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Maria José RUEDA LOPEZ; Octavio Llinas Gonzalez; Carlos Barrera Rodriguez; Maria Guadalupe Villagarcia Ubeda; Javier Perez Marrero; Andres Cianca Aguilar; Juana María GODOY DELGADO; Leire Maroto Goikoetxea; Laura Cardona Diaz; Esther Gonzalez Roncero
Original assignee: Inst Canario Cienc Marinas Cons Ed Cult Cobierno Canarias
Current assignee: Inst Canario Cienc Marinas Cons Ed Cult Cobierno Canarias
Priority date: 2005-01-28
Filing date: 2006-01-27
Publication date: 2007-12-12
Also published as: EP1864905A4; WO2006082266A1; ES2257970B1; ES2257970A1; US20090318040A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an instrument for marking and environmental monitoring in regatta courses. Incorporated by inflatable pneumatic platform and modular mast, foldable and transportable in compact packing of reduced size. It is intended to simultaneously define the area of conducting such nautical trials, at the same time as the environmental conditions thereof are characterized, in both meteorological and oceanographic terms.

The system comprises an inflatable pneumatic float (1) and a support structure - mast - (2), which serves to hold the meteorological (3) and oceanographic (6) instrumentation, as well as the group of elements intended for communications (4), electromechanical components (5) and anchorage system (7).

The marked modular level and reduced weight thereof, allow handling from craft of reduced cargo-carrying capacity without the help of additional infrastructures, which has a close relationship with the degree of variability in the regatta courses when competitions are under way.

Description

SECTOR OF THE ART

The present invention is framed in a parallel fashion within two technical sectors of the marine environment: on one hand, the marine buoys or marks employed in regatta courses of competitive sailing, and on the other, the monitoring of environmental parameters in real time with direct application, in this case, and without intending to be restrictive in the scope thereof, to the sport of competitive sailing.

STATE OF THE ART

The advances in technology that our society experiences on a daily basis, are reflected particularly in the sport sector. This occurrence means that the practice of most sports is benefiting from the multidisciplinary nature of technology found on the market at the present time. Within this section, competitive sailing is in no way an exception.
All the disciplines in competitive sailing are undertaken in a similar geographical framework, under determined environmental conditions. That is, all have the need of a buoyed regatta course, the dimensions of which have to be in agreement with the discipline or modality pursued and, also, there is a need to know in the fullest measure possible the environmental parameters that condition these sporting events (mainly, wind direction and strength and surface current of the sea).
The delimitation or marking of these regatta courses, has to be carried out with floating platforms or buoys, of certain constructional characteristics (material, color, dimensions, location regarding the bottom, etc.), although there is no specific legislation existing at present to such effect. It is only necessary to take into account the generic legislation as regards anchorage restrictions in certain areas (the environs of harbor areas, areas with heavy marine traffic, naval maneuvers, marine reserves, etc.), generic regulations on marine signaling as well as the particular opinion of the marine master of the area in question.
With regard to the instrumentation used to date in order to carry out the marking and monitoring of these sports events, the use of pneumatic or plastic buoys prevails; the principal characteristics of these being: spherically, cylindrically or pyramidally shaped, of an orange or yellow colour, of variable dimensions in accordance with the size of the regatta course (always with the aim of being visible by the competitors from a sufficiently long distance) and in contact with the sea floor by means of an anchoring assembly (this being variable in accordance with the environmental conditions of the location)
From the description above, the existence of a technology which covers the needs of regatta courses with regard to marking may be inferred. However, the monitoring of the environmental conditions (in particular, parameters which are critical for the optimal running of this sport, such as: the direction and strength of the wind and of the surface current at sea) is scarce. To this end, and to date, said requirements are partially solved by means of the information provided by onland weather stations located (in the best of cases) several hundred metres from the zone of the competition or by means of in-situ measurement, at intervals and not continuously, from vessels using "manual" instrumentation.
The purpose of this invention is to combine the two aspects, in such a way that in parallel with the marking and delimitation of the area of the competition, there should be a real-time monitoring of the environmental parameters of interest which are determining factors for the optimal running of competitions in any of the sailing classes currently in existence.
The present invention seeks to integrate the marking and delimitation of the course with the continuous monitoring in real time of the environmental parameters of interest and conditions for the optimum development of competitions in any one of the presently existing sailing classes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an instrument incorporated by an inflatable pneumatic platform and modular mast, foldable and transportable in a compact package of reduced size and easy to handle, intended for the marking and monitoring of environmental parameters in real time of regatta courses in competitive sailing. It is sought simultaneously to define the area of undertaking such nautical trials, at the same time as their environmental conditions are characterized, in real time and in continuous mode, in meteorological and oceanographic terms.
Attention is specially drawn to the highly modular character and the reduced weight of the system as a whole, which simplifies the transportation thereof using a compact packing system (for example, suitcase type) of reduced size.
This simplicity in its handling extends to the mounting and emplacement of the instrument in the marine environment, it being possible in this case, to carry out quickly a modification in the delimitation of the regatta course.
This aspect is of great importance, due to the high degree of variability that these areas suffer during the undertaking of the trials as a consequence of a sudden variation in environmental conditions (mainly those referring to the wind).
The system comprises two differentiated units. Namely, an inflatable pneumatic float (1) and a support structure - mast - (2), the latter serving to hold the meteorological (3) and oceanographic (6) instrumentation, as well as the group of elements intended for communications (4), electromechanical components (6), and securing system (7) to the anchoring train.
The floatation element (1), manufactured in pneumatic or plastic material, has the particular characteristic of being inflatable or deflatable as required. Its basic functions are to: give the necessary buoyancy to the system as a whole and moreover, allow the extremities that define the designated area to be viewed. This floatation element (1), the physical characteristics of which are defined by the standards that regulate the type of sport activity in question (size, heat, etc.), is located approximately in the center of the longitudinal plane of the system as a whole. The reason for said location responds to the needs imposed by the same regarding equilibrium and buoyancy.
The floatation element (1) is crossed lengthwise in the plane perpendicular to that formed between this and the surface of the sea, by a support structure - mast - (2) which serves to hold the meteorological (3) and oceanographic (6) instrumentation as well as the group of elements intended for communications (4) and other electromechanical components (5).
The dimensions of the support structure -mast- (2) are variable, depending upon the type of measurement instrumentation to be mounted thereon. It is constituted by several pieces, each one of which is intended to hold a certain element or electronic component, thereby offering a higher degree of modularity and simplicity for both the assembly and the transportation. As for the arrangement of elements on this mast, on the emerged extremity thereof, will be the meteorological instrumentation (3), the oceanographic instrumentation (6) being located either in the vicinity of its submerged extremity or in the lower part of the floatation element (1).
The nature both of the meteorological (3) and the oceanographic (6) instrumentation is variable, although in whatever case, it responds at all times to the international standards proposed by the competent organizations, as regards environmental monitoring.
The communications system (4) is housed along the inside of the support structure - mast - (2), with the exception of the antenna element, which shares the emplacement of the meteorological instrumentation (3). The communication system between the measurement platform and land is implemented through a radiofrequency transmitter device and / or a transmitter device via satellite.
The power supply source that this measurement and marking system incorporates, is constituted by batteries and/or accumulators, which have the additional option of being fed through an alternative and ecological energy source, such as photovoltaic cells and/or wind turbines.
All the devices or elements that comprise the system, have a level of watertightness corresponding to IP68, which guarantees protection in greater measure from the adverse environmental conditions habitually encountered in maritime surroundings.
Given the modular character the system offers, the adaptation is made possible for other devices in the event of this being necessary, such as of night and day signaling elements, complying in this way with the regulations in force regarding marine signaling.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 corresponds to a view of the invention in elevation, a longitudinal section being observed of the same.

In said figure 1 it is possible to observe the entirety of the elements that form the Instrument, namely, the floatation element (1), which is crossed lengthwise in the vertical plane, by a support structure - mast - (2) which serves to hold the meteorological (3) and oceanographic (6) Instrumentation, as well as the group of elements dedicated to communications (4) and other electromechanical components (5).
In turn, figure 1 shows the segmentation or modularity of the support structure - mast - (2) and of the floatation element (1). The upper and lower module of the support structure - mast - (2) have an accessory element for protection, which increases the safety of the meteorological (3) and oceanographic (4) Instrumentation during the transportation of the instrument as a whole by means of the aforementioned packing system.
In the same figure 1 it is possible to observe the presence of a securing element (7), located at the lower end of the mast (2), intended for securing the instrument to the pertinent anchor train.
Figure 2 corresponds to a view of the invention in elevation, according to claim 10, easily mounted protective elements being observed on both ends of the support structure - mast - (2), intended, preferably, for the transport of the Instrument.

MODE OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is explained by means of the following embodiment, although this is not intended to restrict the scope thereof.
In the light of the elements already described that form the present invention, a method of assembling and operating the same as a whole could be described in the following manner:

In the first place, it is necessary to consider the support structure -mast-(2) divided into several modules (variable in number, although 4 are considered to illustrate this example), which, for a better understanding, will be termed: high module - it contains the meteorological instrumentation (3) and communications antenna (4), - intermediate module - communications systems (4) and electromechanical components (5), flotation module - floatation element (1) and electromechanical components (5) - and interior module for oceanographic instrumentation (6) and electromechanical components all of them matching each other in a certain sequence.
The starting point taken will be the flotation module, on which the assembly of the remaining modules will be carried out, so that the incorporation of these is as simple as possible for the user.
For this reason, the following module to assemble has to be the flotation module. Having connected the oceanographic instrumentation to the central processing device of the system and closed the connection between both modules. The assembling continues with the high module, which has to be fitted to the intermediate module through the upper end of the latter. With this, it is managed to connect the group of meteorological sensors and communication devices (antenna) to the flotation module, where habitually the electronic devices are housed intended for the management and optimum operation of the system as a whole. To conclude, within this section, will be the Intermediate module that will be assembled to the flotation module to leave the system completely mounted.
Having assembled the four modules described, the platform will be conveyed to the definitive anchorage. At this point, the inflation of the floatation element will take place, in the event of this not having been performed before embarking the platform in the vessel employed for its transfer to the selected anchorage point. In both cases, an external source of pressurized air will be required for inflating the floatation element.
Finally, the platform will be secured to the selected anchorage train by means of a fastening system (7) located at the lower end of the mast, being mounted in the corresponding position thereof.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The present invention relates to an Instrument with application both in the sport of sailing and in the monitoring in real time of environmental parameters in the marine environment.
To such an end, a number of examples of industrial applications are illustrated, which do not intend to be restrictive in the scope thereof.
Thus, the relevance is specified that the invention signifies in the sporting sector of competitive sailing, in the full gamut of categories therein, allowing the continuous knowledge of the conditions in real time that regulate the regatta courses, at the same time as it defines the area designated for the holding of such events.
In parallel, the competent Institutions and organizations in this matter, could take the present invention into consideration, as an indispensable element by way of Infrastructure necessary for carrying out the holding of these sporting events in optimum conditions. Thus, we understand that given the number of Institutions and organizations in this environment, as well as the continuous upsurge that the sport of sailing is experiencing worldwide, the present invention offers an important line of industrial application.

Claims

An instrument for the marking of regatta courses and the real-time monitoring of environmental parameters, consisting of a pneumatic platform and a mast, these being foldable and transportable in a compact package of small dimensions.
The instrument according to claim 1, characterised in that it has an inflatable pneumatic-plastic float (1), of variable dimensions, in accordance with the requirements of the user.
The instrument according to claim 1, at its float (1), is characterised in that it is traversed longitudinally by a mast-support structure (2) along the plane perpendicular to that formed between the former and the surface of the sea.
The instrument according to claim 1, characterised in that its mast-support structure (2) is structured in several modules or sections.
The instrument according to claim 1, characterised in that its mast-support structure (2) is the element entrusted to house the different measuring and communication devices.
The instrument according to claim 1, characterised in that it incorporates meteorological (3) and oceanographic (6) instrumentation, likewise the array of devices devoted to communications (4) and other required electromechanical components (5).
The instrument according to claim 1, characterised in that in its mast-support structure (2) it incorporates a communications device (4) comprised of a radiofrequency transmitter and/or a satellite transmitter.
The instrument according to claim 1, characterised in that in its mast-support structure (2) it incorporates an array of electromechanical components (5), such as a self-contained power supply system.
The instrument according to claim 1, characterised in that in its mast-support structure (2) it incorporates a power supply system by means of batteries and/or storage cells, whose source of energy is of an alternative, environmentally-friendly nature (photovoltaic cells and/or a wind-driven generator).
The instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that it incorporates on the upper and lower extremities of the mast-support structure (2) an easily mounted protective system for the meteorological (3) and oceanographic (6) instrumentation, usable during the transport thereof.
The instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that it has the aspects described in claims 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, complies with the current regulations with regard to maritime signalling, the running of sailing competitions and the monitoring of environmental parameters.
The instrument according to claim 1, with the double purpose of delimiting the area where nautical events are held, and at the same time characterizing its environmental conditions, both meteorological and oceanographic.