EP2431530A1 - Protection device of floating barrage type - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has an barrier element formed of cable (2) connected between anchoring piles (3) and associated with cylindrical floats (4) resting on a water surface (E). The cable is provided with floats, and includes ends (2a), where each of the ends is connected to one of the piles by an energy dissipation system (5). The system has a chain composed of eyelets connected by brittle strands formed of metal link or rope link. The system has a spring member i.e. compression spring, moving between rest and deformed configurations.

Description

The present invention relates to a protection device of the "floating boom" type, intended to prevent a moving object or floating body (in particular a ship or floating craft) from striking a structure so as to protect the structure from a possible impact.

Dams with similar aims were set up on the canals or rivers, using jacks or anchor systems dragging on the bottom. These devices have operating constraints, high costs of implementation and technical limitations.

Similarly, a device for stopping submarines and torpedoes is described in document US-A-1,151,607 .

This device comprises in particular an outer defense structure comprising a rigid immersed barrier which is carried by buoys and which is secured between two posts by means of elements in the form of flexible link.

This device aims to destroy the body to remember; it does not allow a capture of this body while preserving its integrity (or at least limiting the damage).

The present invention relates to a new structure for a protective device of the "floating boom" type.

This protection device is of the type comprising a barrier element which is attached between two anchoring piles and which is associated with a plurality of floats resting on the surface of the water.

According to the invention, the barrier element comprises a cable provided with floats; this cable has two ends which are each connected to one of the piles; and at least one of said ends of the cable is connected to one of the piles via a power dissipation system.

Such a protection device offers a particularly efficient absorption of the kinetic energy of a floating object, thus ensuring particularly effective protection of a structure against a possible impact by this floating object.

This protection device also makes it possible not to damage the floating object retained, for example the hull of a boat, and to maintain it in floating distance from the work to be protected.

The two ends of the cable are each advantageously connected to one of the piles by means of an energy dissipation system.

According to a preferred embodiment, the energy dissipation system or systems each comprise: (i) at least one chain folded on itself, which consists of links connected in pairs by brittle strands, and (ii) at least one spring member.

The spring member is able to undergo movements between a rest configuration and a deformed configuration; and said spring member is advantageously associated with means for providing a braking force for limiting the speed of movement from said deformed configuration to said idle configuration.

This feature avoids excessive speed of links in the chain, creating a dynamic effect that can yield simultaneously several brittle strands.

In this case, the spring member advantageously consists of a compression spring capable of undergoing compression and decompression movements; said spring member is encaged in a housing enclosing a translational piston which consists of a head and a rod, to form a damper assembly comprising the housing, the piston and the spring member; the housing and the piston head form two surfaces trapping said spring member; and the housing and the piston rod are each provided with an attachment point for connecting them to the cable, chain or pile as appropriate.

The casing is then advantageously filled with liquid, advantageously water; the piston head is provided with openings for liquid circulation to provide a braking force during compression and decompression movements.

According to the preferred embodiment, the chain of the energy dissipation system is interposed between two spring members.

In this case, a first damper assembly is connected to the cable on one side and the chain on the other, and a second damper assembly is connected on one side to the pile and to the chain on the other.

Still according to the preferred embodiment, the brittle strands are made of a metal link or a kind of rope connection, made for example of synthetic polymer.

According to another characteristic, the energy dissipation system is advantageously connected to the pile via a movable clamp in vertical transaction along said pile, in order to allow the protection device to remain flotation in case of variation of the water level. .

• au moins une chaîne repliée sur elle-même, qui se compose de maillons reliés deux à deux par des brins cassants, et
• au moins un organe ressort.

The present invention also relates to the energy dissipation system comprising:

• at least one chain folded on itself, which consists of links connected in pairs by brittle strands, and
• at least one spring member.

In this case, the spring member is able to undergo movements between a rest configuration and a deformed configuration; and this spring member is advantageously associated with means for providing a braking force for limiting the speed of movement from said deformed configuration to said idle configuration.

The spring member then advantageously consists of a compression spring capable of undergoing compression and decompression movements; said spring member is encaged in a housing enclosing a translational piston which consists of a head and a rod, to form a damper assembly comprising the housing, the piston and the spring member; the housing and the piston head form two surfaces trapping said spring member; and the housing and the piston rod are each provided with an attachment point for connecting them to the cable, chain or pile as appropriate.

In this case and according to a preferred embodiment, the housing is filled with liquid, preferably with water, and the piston head is provided with openings for the circulation of the liquid.

Still according to a preferred embodiment, the chain of the energy dissipation system is interposed between two spring members.

• la figure 1 représente, de manière générale et schématique, le dispositif de protection selon l'invention, dans son contexte de barrage flottant ;
• la figure 2 illustre, encore de manière schématique, l'un des systèmes de dissipation d'énergie équipant le dispositif de protection selon la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 représente schématiquement l'un des ensembles amortisseurs constitutif du système de dissipation d'énergie selon la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 montre, vue de face et en détails, la tête d'un piston de translation équipant l'ensemble amortisseur selon la figure 3.

The present invention will be further illustrated, without being limited, by the following description in relation to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 represents, generally and schematically, the protection device according to the invention, in its floating barrier context;
• the figure 2 illustrates, still schematically, one of the energy dissipation systems equipping the protection device according to the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 schematically represents one of the constituent damping assemblies of the energy dissipation system according to the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 shows, front view and in detail, the head of a translational piston equipping the damper assembly according to the figure 3 .

The protection device 1, shown on the figure 1 , is of the type "floating dam".

This protection device 1 is provided to retain a moving floating object (not shown), for example a floating craft or ship, so as to prevent it from striking a work (also not shown); it is for example intended to be implanted across a stream to protect a work downstream.

This protection device 1 allows, however and advantageously, the passage of floating jams.

For this, the protective device 1 according to the invention comprises a barrier element 2, here constituted by a cable, which is arranged here to block a stream C and to retain the floating object in motion (not shown).

The cable 2 is attached, advantageously taut or almost tensioned, between two piles 3 for anchoring in the bank.

The cable 2 has two ends 2a which are each connected to one of these piles 3.

This cable 2 is advantageously intended to extend horizontally, or at least approximately horizontally, between the piles 3.

Each pile 3 advantageously has a constant section, or at least approximately constant, over its entire height. Each pile 3 is anchored in the ground S.

This cable 2 is associated with a plurality of floats 4 resting on the surface of the water E.

The floats 4 are suitably distributed over the length of the associated cable 2.

These floats 4 are here cylindrical, and they are each crossed axially by the associated cable 2.

To absorb the kinetic energy of a floating object retained by the protection device 1, the ends 2a of the cable 2 are each connected to one of the piles 4 by means of a power dissipation system 5.

Each energy dissipation system 5 is thus interposed between one of the ends 2a of the cable 2 and one of the piles 3.

One of these energy dissipation systems 5 is described below in connection with the figure 2 .

This energy dissipation system 5 comprises an energy dissipation loop 6 which is interposed between two spring members 7.

The energy dissipation loop 6 consists of a chain 8 folded on itself (in a general U-shape), which consists of a plurality of links 9 linked in pairs by brittle strands 10.

The brittle strands 10 form fuses, connecting together two links 9 distant.

The length of a brittle strand 10 is less than the length of the chain 8 separating the two links 9 associated so that, when the protective device 1 is subjected to a thrust force generated by the moving body to be stopped, the rupture of the brittle strand (or at least its deformation) absorbs at least a portion of the energy generated by the moving body.

In order to limit dynamic effects described in more detail below, the brittle strands 10 are selected from a material having a certain elasticity.

These brittle strands 10 are advantageously made of metal material or rope (for example synthetic polymer), having a predefined breaking force.

Each member spring 7 here consists of a compression spring, capable of undergoing compression movements (from a configuration at rest until a deformed configuration) and decompression (from a deformed configuration to a rest configuration).

Each spring member 7 is here encaged in a device 12 in the form of a jack ( figure 3 ), intended to limit the speed of its compression and decompression movements.

As shown on the figure 3 , this cylinder-shaped device 12 comprises a housing 13 delimiting an internal volume 14 enclosing the spring member 7 and a translational piston 15.

The spring member 7, associated with the housing 13 and the piston 15 form an assembly 16, hereinafter referred to as "damping assembly".

The housing 13 here consists of a cylindrical tube, so that the internal volume 14 is also generally cylindrical.

• d'une tête 15a, en forme de disque, divisant le volume interne 14 en deux chambres 14a et 14b, dont une première chambre 14a contient l'organe ressort 7, et
• d'une tige 15b, traversant axialement l'organe ressort 7 et ladite première chambre 14a.

The translational piston 15 is composed of:

• a head 15a, disc-shaped, dividing the internal volume 14 into two chambers 14 a and 14 b, a first chamber 14 contains a spring member 7, and
• a rod 15b extending axially through the spring member 7 and said first chamber 14 a.

This piston 15 is movable in translation within and over the length of the internal volume 14.

The housing 13 and the piston head 15 to form two facing surfaces defining the first chamber 14a, designated respectively by the pins 17 and 18 on the figure 3 to imprison the spring member 7.

To slow the compression and decompression movements of the spring member 7, the internal volume 14 of the housing 13 is filled with a liquid, preferably water.

In addition, the piston head 15 has, on which rests one end of the spring member 7 has through openings 19 ( figure 4 ) allowing the passage and circulation of the liquid between the two chambers 14 a and 14 b .

Thus this translational piston 15 creates two chambers 14 a and 14 b, between which creates a liquid flow during translational movements of the head 15a. This circulation provides a braking force which limits in particular the speed of the decompression movement of the spring member 7.

For completeness, the housing 13 and the rod 15 b of the translational piston 15 are each provided with an attachment point, designated respectively by the pins 20 and 21 on the figure 3 , making it possible to connect them as appropriate to the cable 2, to the chain 8 or to the pile 3.

These two attachment points 20 and 21 are advantageously axially / longitudinally opposed.

• le point d'attache 20 de son boîtier 13 est relié au câble 2, et
• le point d'attache 21 de sa tige 15b de piston 15 est relié à la chaîne 8.

Thus, in each energy dissipation system 5, a first damper assembly 16, called "inside" (remote from the pile 3), is mounted so that:

• the point of attachment 20 of its housing 13 is connected to the cable 2, and
• the point of attachment 21 of its rod 15 b of piston 15 is connected to the chain 8.

• le point d'attache 20 de son boîtier 13 est relié à la chaîne 8, et
• le point d'attache 21 de sa tige 15b de piston 15 est relié au pieu 3.

A second damping assembly 16, called "outside" (close to the pile 3), is mounted so that:

• the attachment point 20 of its housing 13 is connected to the chain 8, and
• the point of attachment 21 of its rod 15 b of piston 15 is connected to the stake 3.

According to an alternative embodiment, the damping assembly 16 "inside" and / or the damping assembly 16 "outside" are reported so that their attachment points 20 and 21 are secured in a direction opposite to that described above.

According to an embodiment not shown, the spring member or bodies may still consist of a tension spring.

This traction spring can be integrated into a cylinder-shaped device as described above in connection with the figure 3 , to provide a braking force which in particular limits the speed of movement from the elongated deformed configuration to the idle configuration.

The connection on each anchoring pile 3 is here carried out by means of a sliding collar 25 ( figure 1 ), able to walk on the height of the associated pile 3.

This characteristic allows the cable 2 with floats 4 to rest permanently on the surface of the water E , or just above the surface of the water E , whatever the variations in the level of the surface of the water E.

In operation, when a floating object reaches the protection device 1, it comes to exert a thrust force on its cable 2.

The force of the moving body is transmitted from the cable 2 to the energy dissipation systems 5.

At first, the work provided by the spring members 7, undergoing a compression movement, absorbs part of the kinetic energy of the floating object to be stopped.

This compression movement is obtained by the approximation of the surfaces 17 and 18 trapping the spring member 7.

The spring members 7 having a limited stroke relative to the stopping distance of the floating object, the energy dissipation loops 6 ensure a progressive elongation of the cable 2 between the piles 3 and participate in the progressive dissipation of the kinetic energy.

For this, when the spring members 7 are at the end of the compression movement, the continuation of the traction on the energy dissipation systems 5 results in the breaking of one of their brittle strands 10, thus releasing a length allowing a decompression movement of the springs 7.

These brittle strands 10 thus ensure the absorption of part of the kinetic energy of the moving body, to obtain its slowing down.

The speed of the decompression movement of the spring members 7 must advantageously not be excessive, in particular to prevent the speed spacing the links 9 of the chain 8 does not create a dynamic effect resulting in a concomitant rupture of several successive brittle strands.

For this, the movement of the spring members 7 is here cushioned by the flow of liquid through the orifices 19 of the associated piston head 15a.

Once the decompression movement is completed, the spring members 7 can initiate a new compression movement due to the continued thrust on the cable 2, accompanied if necessary by the rupture of a new brittle strand 10 depending on the kinetic energy remaining to be dissipated.

Compression / decompression movements of the spring members 7, separated by the successive breaks of the brittle strands 10, reproduce until the stop of the floating object.

This floating object is thus stopped, advantageously without undergoing deterioration and with a floating support at a distance from the structure.

• les pieux d'ancrage 3 servant à retenir le câble 2 a une résistance à une force horizontale de 100 tonnes environ,
• les organes ressorts 7 ont un poids de plus de 300 kg et un diamètre d'environ 50 cm, présentent une flèche de 24 cm pour une compression de 50 tonnes,
• la chaîne 2 a une résistance minimum à la rupture de 130 tonnes,
• les brins cassants 10 ont une résistance minimum à la rupture de 50 tonnes, cette résistance ne devant pas dépasser 70 tonnes,
• le câble 2 utilisé a une résistance à la rupture minimum de 200 tonnes.

By way of example only, the protective device 1 advantageously comprises the following characteristics:

• the anchoring piles 3 for retaining the cable 2 has a resistance to a horizontal force of about 100 tons,
• the spring members 7 have a weight of more than 300 kg and a diameter of about 50 cm, have an arrow of 24 cm for a compression of 50 tons,
• chain 2 has a minimum breaking strength of 130 tons,
• the brittle strands 10 have a minimum breaking strength of 50 tons, this resistance not to exceed 70 tons,
• the cable 2 used has a minimum breaking strength of 200 tons.

Claims (15)

A "floating boom" type protection device for preventing a floating object from striking a structure, which protection device (1) comprises a barrier element (2) which is attached between two anchoring piles (3) and which is associated with a plurality of floats (4) for resting on the surface of the water ( E ), characterized in that said barrier element (2) comprises a cable provided with said floats (4), in that said cable ( 2) comprises two ends (2 a ) which are each connected to one of said piles (3), and in that at least one of said ends (2 a ) of said cable (2) is connected to one of said piles (3) through a power dissipation system (5). Protective device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two ends (2a) of the cable (2) are each connected to one of the piles (3) through an energy dissipating device (5 ). Protective device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the energy dissipation system or systems (5) each comprise: - At least one chain (8) folded on itself, which consists of links (9) connected in pairs by brittle strands (10), and - At least one spring member (7). Protective device according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring member (7) is able to undergo movements between a rest configuration and a deformed configuration, and in that said spring member (7) is associated with means (12, 13, 14, 15) for providing a braking force for limiting the speed of movement from said deformed configuration to said idle configuration. Protective device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the spring member (7) consists of a compression spring capable of undergoing compression and decompression movements, in that the said spring member (7) is encased in a housing (13) containing a translational piston (15) which consists of a head (15a) and a shank (15 b) to form a damper assembly (16) comprising said housing (13), said piston translation (15) and said spring member (7), which casing (13) and which piston head (15 a ) form two surfaces (17, 18) trapping said spring member (7), and which casing (13) and which piston rod (15b) are each provided with an attachment point (20, 21) for connecting them as appropriate to the cable (2), the chain (8) or the pile (3). Protective device according to claim 5, characterized in that the housing (13) is filled with liquid, and in that the piston head (15a) is provided with openings (19) permitting liquid flow. Protective device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the chain (8) of the energy dissipation system (5) is interposed between two spring members (7). Protective device according to claim 7 in combination with Claim 5, characterized in that a first damping assembly (16) is connected to the cable (2) on one side and the chain (8) from each other, and that a second damping assembly (16) is connected on one side to the pile (3) and the chain (8) on the other. Protective device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the brittle strands (10) consist of a metal link or a rope connection. Protective device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the energy dissipation system (5) is connected to the pile (3) via a collar (25) movable in vertical transaction along said pile ( 3), in order to allow the cable (2) to remain flotation in case of variation of the water level ( E ). An energy dissipation system for a protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: - At least one chain (8) folded on itself, which consists of links (9) connected in pairs by brittle strands (10), and - At least one spring member (7). Energy dissipation system according to claim 11, characterized in that the spring member (7) is able to undergo movements between a rest configuration and a deformed configuration, and in that said spring member (7) is associated with means (12, 13, 14, 15) for providing a braking force for limiting the speed of movement from said deformed configuration to said idle configuration. Energy dissipation system according to claim 12, characterized in that the spring member (7) consists of a compression spring adapted to undergo compression and decompression movements, in that said spring member (7) is caged. in a housing (13) enclosing a translational piston (15) which is composed a head (15 a ) and a rod (15 b ), to form a damper assembly (16) comprising said housing (13), said translational piston (15) and said spring member (7), which housing (13) and which piston head (15a) form two surfaces (17, 18) enclosing said spring member (7), and which housing (13) and which piston rod (15 b) are each provided with a point attachment (20, 21) for connecting them to the cable (2), the chain (8) or the pile (3). Energy dissipation system according to claim 13, characterized in that the housing (13) is filled with liquid, and in that the piston head (15a) is provided with openings (19) allowing liquid flow . Energy dissipation system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the chain (8) of the energy dissipation system (5) is interposed between two spring members (7).

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