EP2556330B1 - Device for setting off an avalanche - Google Patents

Device for setting off an avalanche Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2556330B1
EP2556330B1 EP11717706.3A EP11717706A EP2556330B1 EP 2556330 B1 EP2556330 B1 EP 2556330B1 EP 11717706 A EP11717706 A EP 11717706A EP 2556330 B1 EP2556330 B1 EP 2556330B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
enclosure
support
intended
bearing part
fastened
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EP11717706.3A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2556330A1 (en
Inventor
Bruno Farizy
Jean-Marc Neuville
Philippe Berthet-Rambaud
Pascal Roux
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Technologie Alpine De Securite - TAS
Technologie Alpine de Securite TAS SA
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Technologie Alpine De Securite - TAS
Technologie Alpine de Securite TAS SA
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Publication of EP2556330A1 publication Critical patent/EP2556330A1/en
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42D—BLASTING
    • F42D3/00—Particular applications of blasting techniques

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for triggering avalanches and in particular avalanches of snow.
  • Such a device is used to trigger avalanches in locations where the accumulation of snow could lead to major avalanche risks endangering property or people, particularly in connection with the existence of transport infrastructure, ski areas, inhabited areas or mining areas.
  • a first technique is to have explosive charges placed by an operator at the precise place where you want to trigger the avalanche. This placement can be done from a helicopter by launch, or from the ground, the load can then be deposited, dragged or launched at the appropriate place. The firing of the charge, in both cases, is generally obtained by slow wick or electrically.
  • Remote triggering techniques use military weapons such as rocket launchers or shells to cause an onsite explosion.
  • This type of device is not adapted to certain laws, such as French law, which prohibit the storage of charges initiated.
  • the device known under the trade name CATEX uses an explosive conveying cable system passing over one or more avalanche corridors.
  • This type of solution if it makes it possible to limit the risks linked to the movement on the scene of the triggering of the avalanche, brings no solution concerning the handling and the storage of explosives.
  • This device requires, moreover, the expensive installation of a system of pylons supporting the carrier cable, this over distances that can be very large.
  • One way to reduce the risks associated with the handling of explosives is the use of explosive gases to generate a shock wave to trigger the avalanche.
  • the resulting shock wave then shakes the snowpack and trigger an avalanche.
  • the main advantage of these devices is to be used on previously unprepared areas and this without any manipulation of explosive.
  • the disadvantages remain those inherent to the use of the helicopter, namely the operating costs which remain important and the impossibility of intervening in bad weather.
  • Another type of device is the one known under the name GAZEX.
  • GAZEX This type of device, described in the document FR 2,636,729 , comprises a closed bottom exploded tube mounted on a concrete support and whose opening is directed towards the snowpack.
  • a gas circuit is used to fill the exploding tube with oxidizing gas and fuel gas which an ignition device, advantageously mounted at the rear of the exploder tube, allows to ignite.
  • the shock wave of the resulting explosion is then directed, through the opening of the tube, towards the snowpack triggering the avalanche.
  • This type of device includes a sufficient gas reserve for one season installed in an adjacent technical room and a remotely controlled firing system, which allow it to obtain, among other advantages, a complete autonomy and to offer security perfect for the operator.
  • the present invention aims to remedy these disadvantages.
  • the technical problem underlying the invention therefore consists in providing an avalanche triggering device which, having the qualities of a fixed installation such as the GAZEX, requires a less expensive installation and allows easier maintenance.
  • an energy-autonomous avalanche triggering device the removable enclosure of which carries the gas storage means, and the firing means, by dismantling the enclosure of its support, make it possible to deport all the operations of maintenance and reloading on a site more accessible than the one where the device is installed.
  • the enclosure can be dismantled from its support which limits the visual nuisance on the site of exploitation.
  • the arrangement of the gas storage means on the enclosure and not in a remote technical room also reduces the installation costs of such a device.
  • the device is very simple, since the inner face of the enclosure forms both the chamber for receiving the explosive gas mixture and the mounting means of the enclosure on the support.
  • the inner face of the enclosure has a generally frustoconical shape
  • the support comprises a foot anchored in the ground whose upper end is equipped with a support piece of the enclosure comprising a crown-shaped base to from which extends upwards a frustoconical portion of the same conicity as the inner wall of the enclosure.
  • a support piece having a crown-shaped base on which extends a frustoconical portion of the same taper as the enclosure allows a stable installation of the speaker ensuring a perfect hold of the enclosure on the support.
  • the upper part of the support piece comprises several convergent upright amounts whose lower ends are fixed on the crown-shaped base.
  • the use of amounts for the frustoconical portion of the support piece allows to obtain a support of the enclosure on all or part of the height of the enclosure while providing a lightweight structure.
  • the support piece comprises means for guiding the enclosure such as pads or rollers.
  • guiding means such as pads or wheels allows, during the installation of the enclosure on the support, to guide it avoiding the intervention of an operator near the support during this surgery.
  • this equipment including in particular the gas storage means such as at least one hydrogen bottle and at least one oxygen cylinder, means for filling the enclosure with gas, such as expansion valves and solenoid valves, control means, such as a microcontroller, electrical energy storage equipment, such as batteries and firing means, a protective shell being provided around.
  • the gas storage means such as at least one hydrogen bottle and at least one oxygen cylinder
  • means for filling the enclosure with gas such as expansion valves and solenoid valves
  • control means such as a microcontroller
  • electrical energy storage equipment such as batteries and firing means
  • a protective shell being provided around.
  • the arrangement of the functional equipment of the device such as, for example, the gas bottles, the filling means and the electrical energy storage equipment, on the removable enclosure of the device makes it possible to perform their maintenance on a site more accessible than the one where the device is installed
  • the functional equipment is fixed on the outer face of the enclosure by means of damping supports.
  • the device comprises a security system, such as an electrical contact, controlling the firing means and the filling means so as to render them inoperative when the enclosure is not installed on the support.
  • a security system such as an electrical contact
  • Such a security system allows a secure transport of the enclosure between the maintenance site and the installation site of the device since blocking any possibility of triggering the explosion when the enclosure is not properly installed on its support.
  • the device comprises a vibratory measurement system, such as an accelerometer or a seismometer.
  • a vibratory measurement system such as an accelerometer or a seismometer.
  • Such a vibratory measurement system provides a means of checking the triggering of the explosion when using the device.
  • the enclosure is equipped with means for attaching a sling of a transport vehicle such as a helicopter, the means for fastening the sling comprising, on the one hand, a ring of flattened shape attached to the upper end of the enclosure and, on the other hand, a fastening device which, intended to be fastened to the end of the sling, , comprises an opening hook located in the center of a conical envelope, whose upper end has an oblong opening complementary to the shape of the ring.
  • Such fastening means of a sling make it possible to attach the enclosure to the sling equipping a transport vehicle, such as a helicopter, without direct intervention by an operator on the site. Such a possibility makes it possible to secure this operation, which can be dangerous for a ground operator because of the weight of the enclosure.
  • the support piece is pivotally mounted on the support foot.
  • the support comprises means for adjusting the inclination of the support piece relative to the foot so as to adjust the arrangement of the opening of the enclosure relative to the snowpack.
  • Such a pivoting mounting of the support piece makes it possible to obtain the appropriate inclination of the enclosure and therefore of its opening relative to the snowpack to best guide the shock wave of the explosion in order to trigger the explosion. an avalanche by the device.
  • the support comprises on its periphery locating means for guiding a helicopter during the installation or dismantling of the enclosure on the support.
  • Such bodies allow the helicopter pilot coming either to carry out the installation of the enclosure, or the recovery of the enclosure to perform a maintenance operation, to identify the support and thus place the enclosure on the support or the fixing device on the attachment means present on the enclosure quickly without a long locating operation.
  • the device is made energetically autonomous by means of energy production, such as solar panels or a wind turbine.
  • the figure 1 is a side view of a mountain side 1 equipped with an avalanche triggering device 2 according to the invention, during the installation of the enclosure 3 on a support 4.
  • a device 2 comprises an enclosure 3 mounted on a support 4 intended to be fixed on the mountainside 1.
  • the device 2 further comprises gas storage means 5,6, means for filling the chamber with an explosive gas mixture 7, means firing arranged to trigger the explosion of said mixture, a remote communication system disposed in a housing 8 and electrical energy storage means 9.
  • the support comprises a substantially vertical foot 10 fixed on the side of the mountain 1 by means of a base 11.
  • This base 11 can be fixed on a concrete base.
  • the upper end of this foot 10 is equipped with a support piece 12 of the enclosure comprising a base 13 in the form of a ring from which extends upwards a frustoconical portion 14 of the same conicity as the wall Inside the enclosure 3.
  • the support piece 12 is pivotally mounted on the foot 10 by means of an axis 15.
  • the connection of the support piece 12 on the foot 10 also comprises adjustment means 16 of the inclination such as, for example, screw jacks 16.
  • These jacks 16 have one of their ends connected to the foot 10 and the second to the periphery of the base 13 of the support piece 12. They form additional supports for the support piece 12 on the foot 10.
  • the inclination of the support piece 12 can be adjusted by changing the length of the screw jacks 16.
  • the frustoconical portion 14 of the support piece 12 comprises three upwardly convergent uprights 17 whose lower ends are fixed on the base 13 in the form of a ring. These three amounts are equipped with a plurality of rollers 18 whose axes of rotation are perpendicular to the uprights 17 of the support piece 12 and tangential to the conical envelope of the frustoconical portion 13.
  • rollers 18 whose axes of rotation are perpendicular to the uprights 17 of the support piece 12 and tangential to the conical envelope of the frustoconical portion 13.
  • the support may be equipped with tracking devices intended for guiding a helicopter during the installation or dismantling of the enclosure 3 on the support 4. These devices allow the helicopter pilot to when approaching the support 4, to locate the support 4.
  • the support 4 can also be equipped with steps feet, allowing, if necessary, an operator to come unhook / hook the speaker 3 during his installation / disassembly vis-a-vis the support 4.
  • the enclosure 3 is a metal enclosure 3 of generally frustoconical shape, the base 19 is open. This base 19 open is intended, when the enclosure 3 is installed on the support 4, to be turned towards the snowpack.
  • This enclosure 3 supports on its outer face the functional equipment 5, 6, 7, 9 of the device such as the gas storage 5, 6 and the control means disposed in the same housing 8 as the remote communication system. It also has on its upper part 20 fastening means 21 for a sling 22 of a transport vehicle such as a helicopter.
  • the enclosure further comprises a protective shell 23 disposed around the enclosure and the functional equipment of the device.
  • the functional equipment 5, 6, 7, 9 of the device comprise the gas storage means 5, 6 of a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, such as a hydrogen bottle 5 and an oxygen cylinder 6 , the gas distribution means 7 which, being connected to the gas storage means 5, 6, may be regulators and solenoid valves, ignition means of the gas mixture obtained by the distribution means 7, such as by for example, a piezoelectric system of a candle, a device for creating a spark or a heating resistor, control means, such as a microcontroller, which controls the distribution means 7 and the firing means, a long-distance communication system generally using mobile telephony or radio, measuring systems, safety equipment and a set of batteries 9.
  • This set of equipment 5, 6, 7, 9 is arranged on damping supports on the outside of the enclosure to limit the consequences of explosions on the gas circuit and the electrical circuit.
  • the protective shell 23 is installed around all the functional equipment 5, 6, 7, 9 disposed around the enclosure 3 to protect them from the weather and the risk of shocks inherent to helicopter operations.
  • the shell 23, of a generally ovoid shape surrounds the enclosure 3, an opening on its bottom being arranged to fix the shell 23 on the periphery of the open base 19 of the enclosure 3.
  • An opening on its the upper part is also arranged to allow the passage of the fastening means 21.
  • the lower part of the shell 23 is made of a material capable of withstanding the multiple shocks related to the helicopter transport, such as for example, steel, and the part upper is made of lighter material such as composite material.
  • the fastening means 21, intended for a sling 22, present on the device 2 comprise, as illustrated in FIG. figure 3 on the one hand, an elongated ring 21 of flattened form fixed to the upper end 20 of the enclosure 3 and, on the other hand, a hooking device 24 which is intended to be fixed to the end of the sling 22
  • This hooking device comprises an opening hook located in the center of a conical envelope 26, whose upper end 27 has an oblong opening complementary to the shape of the ring 21.
  • the device 2 also comprises safety and control equipment to secure and control the operation of the device 2.
  • the enclosure 3 is equipped with safety systems, such as an electrical contact disposed on the opening of the enclosure 19 in contact with the support piece 12, controlling the firing means and the filling means so as to render them inoperative when the enclosure 3 is not installed on the support 4.
  • the device further comprises , to control the effectiveness of the triggering of an avalanche, a vibratory measurement system such as an accelerometer or a seismometer for measuring the vibrations of the enclosure related to the triggering of the explosion.
  • the device may also include means for measuring external conditions such as a weather station.
  • the device 2 also comprises electrical energy storage means 9 disposed on the enclosure 3, such as batteries 9 which make it energetically autonomous. These means can be coupled with means of energy production, such as solar panels or a wind turbine. These means can be arranged on the shell of the enclosure 23.
  • the operations of the installation of an enclosure 3 on the support 2 are carried out as follows.
  • the enclosure 3, whose electrical storage means 9 and gas 5, 6 are pre-loaded, is installed at the end of a sling 22 of a helicopter, by means of a hook whose opening and closing are preferentially controlled electrically from the helicopter, and fastening means 21 disposed on the enclosure 3. It is brought above the support 4.
  • the pilot uses the locating members arranged around the support 4 to place the chamber 3 precisely above the support 4, the opening 19 of the chamber 3 aligned with the frustoconical portion 14 of the support piece 12.
  • the chamber 3 is then lowered along the complementary portion 14 present on the support piece 12 with a reduced friction to a minimum by the presence of the rollers 18 on the piece 12.
  • the chamber 3 bears on the base 13 of the support piece 12.
  • the enclosure 3, thus set up, is detached either open the hook electrically controlled either by the intervention of an operator who, using the foot steps present on the support 4, comes to open the hook.
  • the enclosure 3 in place and the security system being disengaged by the support of the enclosure 3 on the support part 12 of the support 4, is ready for use.
  • an operator safely at a place remote from the installation site, sends the trigger command to the device 2 using the remote communication system.
  • These orders are processed by the microcontroller which, according to these orders, opens for a predetermined duration the gas solenoid valves of the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas.
  • gases usually hydrogen and oxygen, chosen lighter than air, fill the chamber 3.
  • the microcontroller controls the firing means to trigger the explosion.
  • the shock wave of the explosion is focused towards the snowpack. The energy thus transmitted to the snowpack, already unstable, allows to detach the snow and trigger a preventive avalanche.
  • the shock wave of the explosion transmits part of its energy to the chamber 3 by exerting on it an upward thrust.
  • the enclosure 3 then moves upwards while remaining in contact with the uprights 17 of the support piece 12.
  • the procedure is as follows.
  • the helicopter is brought on site equipped with its sling 22 and the part of the sling fixing system on the device 2. It is positioned above the enclosure 3, the base of the conical envelope 26 of the device hooking 24 facing the ring 21 fitted to the upper part 20 of the enclosure 3.
  • the sling 22 is lowered so that the conical shell 26 envelops the ring 21, the edges of the envelope 26
  • the oblong opening 27 on the top of the casing 26 goes, by the flattened shape of the ring 21, to rotate the casing 26 so as to the ring 21 penetrates into this opening 27.
  • This rotation of the casing 26 makes it possible to conveniently arrange the opening hook 25 relative to the ring 21 fitted to the enclosure 3.
  • the hook 25 opens to accommodate the ring 21 and closes thus maintaining the ring 21.
  • the helicopter can then fly by lifting the enclosure 3 to take it out of the support 4. It is then transported on the maintenance site to perform the necessary maintenance and reloading operations.
  • the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this avalanche triggering device, described above as an example, it encompasses all the variants of embodiment. such as for example the use of an enclosure of a form other than frustoconical or the use of a fuel gas other than hydrogen.

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de déclenchement d'avalanches et notamment d'avalanches de neige.The present invention relates to a device for triggering avalanches and in particular avalanches of snow.

Un tel dispositif est utilisé pour déclencher préventivement des avalanches dans des emplacements où l'accumulation de neige pourrait entrainer des risques d'avalanches importants mettant en péril des biens ou des personnes, notamment en liaison avec l'existence d'infrastructures de transport, de domaines skiables, de zones habitées ou minières.Such a device is used to trigger avalanches in locations where the accumulation of snow could lead to major avalanche risks endangering property or people, particularly in connection with the existence of transport infrastructure, ski areas, inhabited areas or mining areas.

Des dispositifs et des techniques pour déclencher de façon volontaire des avalanches sont déjà connus.Devices and techniques for voluntarily triggering avalanches are already known.

Une première technique consiste à faire placer des charges explosives par un opérateur à l'endroit précis où l'on veut déclencher l'avalanche. Ce placement peut se faire soit à partir d'un hélicoptère par lancer, soit à partir du sol, la charge pouvant être alors déposée, glissée ou lancée à l'endroit adéquat. La mise à feu de la charge, dans les deux cas, est généralement obtenue par mèche lente ou électriquement.A first technique is to have explosive charges placed by an operator at the precise place where you want to trigger the avalanche. This placement can be done from a helicopter by launch, or from the ground, the load can then be deposited, dragged or launched at the appropriate place. The firing of the charge, in both cases, is generally obtained by slow wick or electrically.

Les risques inhérents à cette technique sont importants. En plus des risques directement liés à la manipulation d'explosifs, l'opérateur doit, pour le placement de charges explosives intervenant directement au sol, se rendre dans des zones souvent escarpées dont le manteau neigeux est instable. Ces interventions doivent parfois se faire, en outre, que ce soit pour les placement de charges au sol ou héliportés, dans des conditions climatiques délicates.The risks inherent in this technique are important. In addition to the risks directly related to the handling of explosives, the operator must, for the placement of explosive charges intervening directly on the ground, go in often steep areas whose snowpack is unstable. These interventions must sometimes be done, in addition, either for the placement of loads on the ground or helicopters, in delicate climatic conditions.

Pour réduire ces risques liés au déplacement sur la zone de tir, des techniques de déclenchement à distance ont été mises en place.To reduce these risks related to movement on the firing zone, remote triggering techniques have been implemented.

Des techniques de déclenchement à distance utilisent des armes militaires telles que des lance-roquettes ou des lanceurs d'obus pour provoquer l'explosion sur site. Ce type de dispositif n'est pas adapté à certaines législations, comme la législation française, qui interdisent le stockage de charges amorcées.Remote triggering techniques use military weapons such as rocket launchers or shells to cause an onsite explosion. This type of device is not adapted to certain laws, such as French law, which prohibit the storage of charges initiated.

Le dispositif connu sous la dénomination commerciale CATEX utilise un système de câble transporteur d'explosifs passant au dessus d'un ou plusieurs couloirs d'avalanches. Ce type de solution s'il permet de limiter les risques liés au déplacement sur les lieux du déclenchement de l'avalanche, n'apporte aucune solution concernant la manipulation et le stockage d'explosifs. Ce dispositif nécessite, de plus, l'installation onéreuse d'un système de pylônes supportant le câble transporteur, ceci sur des distances qui peuvent être très grandes.The device known under the trade name CATEX uses an explosive conveying cable system passing over one or more avalanche corridors. This type of solution, if it makes it possible to limit the risks linked to the movement on the scene of the triggering of the avalanche, brings no solution concerning the handling and the storage of explosives. This device requires, moreover, the expensive installation of a system of pylons supporting the carrier cable, this over distances that can be very large.

Une voie pour réduire les risques liés à la manipulation des explosifs est l'emploi de gaz explosifs pour générer une onde de choc servant à déclencher l'avalanche.One way to reduce the risks associated with the handling of explosives is the use of explosive gases to generate a shock wave to trigger the avalanche.

Selon ce principe sont connus des dispositifs transportables qui peuvent être amenés sur site par héliportage. Ces dispositifs, décrits dans les documents WO 2007/096524 et WO 2009/080977 , utilisent tous deux un mélange de gaz explosifs afin de déclencher une explosion au-dessus du manteau neigeux. On peut plus précisément citer le dispositif décrit dans le document WO 2009/080977 , qui forme un point de départ pour la revendication 1. Ce dispositif se présente sous la forme d'une enceinte de confinement ouverte vers le bas et destinée à être suspendue à un hélicoptère par une élingue. Cette enceinte est donc amenée par l'hélicoptère au-dessus du manteau neigeux, dans la zone où une avalanche doit être déclenchée. Pour déclencher une avalanche, cette enceinte est emplie d'un mélange gazeux explosif plus léger que l'air. Ce mélange est ensuite mis à feux, le plus souvent électriquement, pour générer une explosion. L'onde de choc, qui en découle, vient alors ébranler le manteau neigeux et déclencher une avalanche. Le principal avantage de ces dispositifs est de pouvoir être utilisés sur des zones non préalablement équipées et ceci sans aucune manipulation d'explosif. Les inconvénients restent ceux inhérents à l'utilisation de l'hélicoptère, à savoir les coûts d'exploitation qui restent importants et l'impossibilité d'intervenir par mauvais temps.According to this principle are known transportable devices that can be brought on site by helicopter. These devices, described in the documents WO 2007/096524 and WO 2009/080977 , both use a mixture of explosive gases to trigger an explosion above the snowpack. We can more specifically mention the device described in the document WO 2009/080977 , which forms a starting point for claim 1. This device is in the form of a containment enclosure open down and intended to be suspended from a helicopter by a sling. This enclosure is brought by the helicopter above the snowpack, in the area where an avalanche must be triggered. To trigger an avalanche, this chamber is filled with an explosive gas mixture lighter than air. This mixture is then ignited, usually electrically, to generate an explosion. The resulting shock wave then shakes the snowpack and trigger an avalanche. The main advantage of these devices is to be used on previously unprepared areas and this without any manipulation of explosive. The disadvantages remain those inherent to the use of the helicopter, namely the operating costs which remain important and the impossibility of intervening in bad weather.

Un autre type de dispositif est celui connu sous la dénomination GAZEX. Ce type de dispositif, décrit dans le document FR 2 636 729 , comprend un tube exploseur à fond fermé monté sur un support en béton et dont l'ouverture est dirigée en direction du manteau neigeux. Un circuit de gaz est utilisé pour remplir le tube exploseur de gaz comburant et de gaz carburant qu'un dispositif d'allumage, avantageusement monté à l'arrière du tube exploseur, permet d'allumer. L'onde de choc de l'explosion qui en résulte est alors dirigée, par l'ouverture du tube, en direction du manteau neigeux déclenchant ainsi l'avalanche. Ce type de dispositif comprend une réserve de gaz suffisante pour une saison installée dans un local technique adjacent et un système de mise à feu commandé à distance, qui lui permettent d'obtenir, entre autres avantages, une complète autonomie et d'offrir une sécurité parfaite pour l'opérateur. L'installation fixe de ce dispositif permet, en outre, de garantir une puissance suffisante, reproductive et pérenne pour la protection de couloirs d'avalanches de tailles importantes. Les principaux inconvénients liés à ce type de dispositif sont la nécessité de réaliser une installation lourde demandant une opération de génie civil importante pour le dispositif en lui-même, le local technique adjacent et les canalisations de liaison les reliant et la nécessité de réaliser sa maintenance sur le site d'installation qui est, par définition, difficilement accessible.Another type of device is the one known under the name GAZEX. This type of device, described in the document FR 2,636,729 , comprises a closed bottom exploded tube mounted on a concrete support and whose opening is directed towards the snowpack. A gas circuit is used to fill the exploding tube with oxidizing gas and fuel gas which an ignition device, advantageously mounted at the rear of the exploder tube, allows to ignite. The shock wave of the resulting explosion is then directed, through the opening of the tube, towards the snowpack triggering the avalanche. This type of device includes a sufficient gas reserve for one season installed in an adjacent technical room and a remotely controlled firing system, which allow it to obtain, among other advantages, a complete autonomy and to offer security perfect for the operator. The fixed installation of this device also makes it possible to to guarantee sufficient, productive and durable power for the protection of large avalanche corridors. The main drawbacks associated with this type of device are the need for a heavy installation requiring a major civil engineering operation for the device itself, the adjacent technical room and the connecting pipes connecting them and the need to carry out its maintenance. on the installation site which is, by definition, difficult to access.

Le document US2006/0254449 décrit un dispositif de déclenchement d'avalanches comprenant un pied ancré au sol, sur lequel est engagé un mât tubulaire portant des réservoirs de gaz alimentant un réceptacle mélangeur de gaz, dans lequel est réalisée la mise à feu du mélange gazeux.The document US2006 / 0254449 discloses an avalanche triggering device comprising a foot anchored to the ground, on which is engaged a tubular mast carrying gas tanks supplying a gas mixing receptacle, wherein is carried out the firing of the gaseous mixture.

La présente invention vise à remédier à ces inconvénients.The present invention aims to remedy these disadvantages.

Le problème technique à la base de l'invention consiste donc à fournir un dispositif de déclenchement d'avalanche qui, possédant les qualités d'une installation fixe telle que le GAZEX, nécessite une installation moins couteuse et permette une maintenance facilitée.The technical problem underlying the invention therefore consists in providing an avalanche triggering device which, having the qualities of a fixed installation such as the GAZEX, requires a less expensive installation and allows easier maintenance.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne un dispositif de déclenchement d'avalanche comportant un support destiné à être fixé à flanc de montagne, par exemple sur un massif béton, et une enceinte dont une extrémité est ouverte, cette enceinte étant montée sur le support, ladite extrémité ouverte de l'enceinte étant destinée, en conditions d'utilisation, à être tournée vers le manteau neigeux, le dispositif comportant en outre des moyens de remplissage de l'enceinte par un mélange gazeux explosif, des moyens de mise à feu agencés pour déclencher l'explosion dudit mélange et un système de communication à distance, caractérisé en ce que :

  • l'enceinte est montée de façon amovible sur le support, par emboîtement de sa face intérieure, destinée à recevoir le mélange gazeux, sur une pièce d'appui du support ajourée et tournée vers le haut,
  • et l'enceinte est énergétiquement autonome, et porte, à cet effet, des moyens de stockage de gaz destinés à former le mélange gazeux et les moyens de mise à feu du mélange gazeux.
For this purpose, the invention relates to an avalanche triggering device comprising a support intended to be fixed to a mountainside, for example on a concrete block, and an enclosure whose one end is open, this enclosure being mounted on the support , said open end of the enclosure being intended, in use, to be turned towards the snowpack, the device further comprising means for filling the chamber with an explosive gas mixture, firing means arranged to trigger the explosion of said mixture and a remote communication system, characterized in that:
  • the enclosure is removably mounted on the support, by interlocking its inner face, intended to receive the gas mixture, on a support piece of the openwork support and facing upwards,
  • and the enclosure is energetically autonomous, and carries, for this purpose, gas storage means for forming the gas mixture and the means for firing the gas mixture.

L'utilisation d'un dispositif de déclenchement d'avalanche énergétiquement autonome dont l'enceinte amovible porte les moyens de stockage de gaz et les moyens de mise à feux permet, en démontant l'enceinte de son support, de déporter toutes les opérations de maintenance et de rechargement sur un site plus accessible que celui où est installé le dispositif. En outre, en période estivale, l'enceinte peut être démontée de son support ce qui limite les nuisances visuelles sur le site d'exploitation. La disposition des moyens de stockage de gaz sur l'enceinte et non dans un local technique déporté permet également une réduction des coûts d'installation d'un tel dispositif.The use of an energy-autonomous avalanche triggering device, the removable enclosure of which carries the gas storage means, and the firing means, by dismantling the enclosure of its support, make it possible to deport all the operations of maintenance and reloading on a site more accessible than the one where the device is installed. In addition, in summer, the enclosure can be dismantled from its support which limits the visual nuisance on the site of exploitation. The arrangement of the gas storage means on the enclosure and not in a remote technical room also reduces the installation costs of such a device.

Il doit être noté que le dispositif est très simple, puisque la face intérieure de l'enceinte forme à la fois la chambre de réception du mélange gazeux explosif et les moyens de montage de l'enceinte sur le support.It should be noted that the device is very simple, since the inner face of the enclosure forms both the chamber for receiving the explosive gas mixture and the mounting means of the enclosure on the support.

Compte tenu des structures respectives de l'enceinte et du support( le montage et le démontage sont effectués simplement et rapidement, dans la mesure où le montage est réalisé par simple emboîtement de la face intérieure de l'enceinte sur la pièce d'appui du support. Les opérations de montage et de démontage se limitent dons à de simples translations suivant un axe faiblement incliné par rapport à la verticale, et peuvent être réalisées par exemple par déplacement de l'enceinte au bout d'une élingue fixée à un hélicoptère.Given the respective structures of the enclosure and the support (assembly and disassembly are carried out simply and quickly, insofar as the assembly is made by simply interlocking the inner face of the enclosure on the support part of the The assembly and disassembly operations are limited to simple translations along an axis slightly inclined relative to the vertical, and can be performed for example by moving the enclosure at the end of a sling attached to a helicopter.

Avantageusement, la face intérieure de l'enceinte présente une forme générale tronconique, le support comporte un pied ancré dans le sol dont l'extrémité supérieure est équipée d'une pièce d'appui de l'enceinte comportant une embase en forme de couronne à partir de laquelle s'étend vers le haut une partie tronconique de même conicité que la paroi intérieure de l'enceinte.Advantageously, the inner face of the enclosure has a generally frustoconical shape, the support comprises a foot anchored in the ground whose upper end is equipped with a support piece of the enclosure comprising a crown-shaped base to from which extends upwards a frustoconical portion of the same conicity as the inner wall of the enclosure.

L'utilisation, pour le montage de l'enceinte sur le support, d'une pièce d'appui présentant une embase en forme de couronne sur laquelle s'étend une partie tronconique de même conicité que l'enceinte, permet une installation stable de l'enceinte en assurant un maintien parfait de l'enceinte sur le support.The use, for mounting the enclosure on the support, a support piece having a crown-shaped base on which extends a frustoconical portion of the same taper as the enclosure, allows a stable installation of the speaker ensuring a perfect hold of the enclosure on the support.

Avantageusement, la partie supérieure de la pièce d'appui comprend plusieurs montants convergents vers le haut dont les extrémités inférieures sont fixées sur l'embase en forme de couronne.Advantageously, the upper part of the support piece comprises several convergent upright amounts whose lower ends are fixed on the crown-shaped base.

L'utilisation de montants pour la partie tronconique de la pièce d'appui, permet d'obtenir un soutien de l'enceinte sur tout ou partie de la hauteur de l'enceinte tout en offrant une structure légère.The use of amounts for the frustoconical portion of the support piece, allows to obtain a support of the enclosure on all or part of the height of the enclosure while providing a lightweight structure.

Préférentiellement, la pièce d'appui comporte des moyens de guidage de l'enceinte tels que des patins ou des roulettes.Preferably, the support piece comprises means for guiding the enclosure such as pads or rollers.

L'utilisation de moyens de guidage tels que des patins ou des roulettes permet, lors de l'installation de l'enceinte sur le support, de guider celle-ci en évitant l'intervention d'un opérateur à proximité du support lors de cette opération.The use of guiding means such as pads or wheels allows, during the installation of the enclosure on the support, to guide it avoiding the intervention of an operator near the support during this surgery.

De manière avantageuse, sur la face extérieure de l'enceinte sont fixés des équipements fonctionnels du dispositif, ces équipements comprenant notamment les moyens de stockage de gaz tels qu'au moins une bouteille d'hydrogène et au moins une bouteille d'oxygène, des moyens de remplissage en gaz de l'enceinte, tels que des détendeurs et des électrovannes, des moyens de commandes, tels qu'un microcontrôleur, des équipements de stockages d'énergie électrique, tels que des batteries et des moyens de mise à feux, une coque de protection étant prévues autour.Advantageously, on the outer face of the enclosure are fixed functional equipment of the device, this equipment including in particular the gas storage means such as at least one hydrogen bottle and at least one oxygen cylinder, means for filling the enclosure with gas, such as expansion valves and solenoid valves, control means, such as a microcontroller, electrical energy storage equipment, such as batteries and firing means, a protective shell being provided around.

La disposition des équipements fonctionnels du dispositif, tels que, par exemple, les bouteilles de gaz, les moyens de remplissage et les équipements de stockage d'énergie électrique, sur l'enceinte amovible du dispositif permet de pouvoir effectuer leur maintenance sur un site plus accessible que celui où est installé le dispositifThe arrangement of the functional equipment of the device, such as, for example, the gas bottles, the filling means and the electrical energy storage equipment, on the removable enclosure of the device makes it possible to perform their maintenance on a site more accessible than the one where the device is installed

Préférentiellement, les équipements fonctionnels sont fixés sur la face extérieure de l'enceinte au moyen de supports amortissants.Preferably, the functional equipment is fixed on the outer face of the enclosure by means of damping supports.

Cette disposition des équipements fonctionnels sur des supports amortissants disposés sur l'extérieur de l'enceinte permet de limiter les conséquences des explosions sur le circuit de gaz et le circuit électrique.This arrangement of functional equipment on damping supports disposed on the outside of the enclosure makes it possible to limit the consequences of the explosions on the gas circuit and the electric circuit.

Avantageusement, le dispositif comprend un système de sécurité, tel qu'un contact électrique, contrôlant les moyens de mise à feux et les moyens de remplissage de manière à rendre inopérants ces derniers lorsque l'enceinte n'est pas installée sur le support.Advantageously, the device comprises a security system, such as an electrical contact, controlling the firing means and the filling means so as to render them inoperative when the enclosure is not installed on the support.

Un tel système de sécurité permet un transport sécurisé de l'enceinte entre le site de maintenance et le site d'installation du dispositif puisque bloquant toute possibilité de déclenchement de l'explosion lorsque l'enceinte n'est pas proprement installée sur son support.Such a security system allows a secure transport of the enclosure between the maintenance site and the installation site of the device since blocking any possibility of triggering the explosion when the enclosure is not properly installed on its support.

Préférentiellement, le dispositif comprend un système de mesure vibratoire, tel qu'un accéléromètre ou un sismomètre.Preferably, the device comprises a vibratory measurement system, such as an accelerometer or a seismometer.

Un tel système de mesure vibratoire offre un moyen de vérification du déclenchement de l'explosion lors de l'utilisation du dispositif.Such a vibratory measurement system provides a means of checking the triggering of the explosion when using the device.

De manière avantageuse, l'enceinte est équipée de moyens de fixation d'une élingue d'un engin de transport tel qu'un hélicoptère, les moyens de fixation de l'élingue comportant d'une part un anneau de forme aplatie fixé à l'extrémité supérieure de l'enceinte et d'autre part un dispositif d'accrochage qui, destiné à être fixé à l'extrémité de l'élingue, comporte un crochet ouvrant situé au centre d'une enveloppe conique, dont l'extrémité supérieure présente une ouverture de forme oblongue complémentaire de la forme de l'anneau.Advantageously, the enclosure is equipped with means for attaching a sling of a transport vehicle such as a helicopter, the means for fastening the sling comprising, on the one hand, a ring of flattened shape attached to the upper end of the enclosure and, on the other hand, a fastening device which, intended to be fastened to the end of the sling, , comprises an opening hook located in the center of a conical envelope, whose upper end has an oblong opening complementary to the shape of the ring.

De tels moyens de fixation d'une élingue permettent d'effectuer l'accrochage de l'enceinte sur l'élingue équipant un engin de transport, tel qu'un hélicoptère, sans intervention directe d'un opérateur sur le site. Une telle possibilité permet une sécurisation de cette opération qui peut être dangereuse pour un opérateur au sol en raison du poids de l'enceinte.Such fastening means of a sling make it possible to attach the enclosure to the sling equipping a transport vehicle, such as a helicopter, without direct intervention by an operator on the site. Such a possibility makes it possible to secure this operation, which can be dangerous for a ground operator because of the weight of the enclosure.

Préférentiellement, la pièce d'appui est montée pivotante sur le pied du support.Preferably, the support piece is pivotally mounted on the support foot.

De manière avantageuse, le support comprend des moyens de réglage de l'inclinaison de la pièce d'appui par rapport au pied de manière à régler la disposition de l'ouverture de l'enceinte par rapport au manteau neigeux.Advantageously, the support comprises means for adjusting the inclination of the support piece relative to the foot so as to adjust the arrangement of the opening of the enclosure relative to the snowpack.

Un tel montage pivotant de la pièce d'appui permet d'obtenir l'inclinaison adéquate de l'enceinte et donc de son ouverture par rapport au manteau neigeux pour guider au mieux l'onde de choc de l'explosion en vue du déclenchement d'une avalanche par le dispositif.Such a pivoting mounting of the support piece makes it possible to obtain the appropriate inclination of the enclosure and therefore of its opening relative to the snowpack to best guide the shock wave of the explosion in order to trigger the explosion. an avalanche by the device.

Avantageusement le support comprend sur sa périphérie des organes de repérage destinés au guidage d'un hélicoptère lors de l'installation ou du démontage de l'enceinte sur le support.Advantageously, the support comprises on its periphery locating means for guiding a helicopter during the installation or dismantling of the enclosure on the support.

De tels organes permettent au pilote d'hélicoptère venant, soit réaliser la mise en place de l'enceinte, soit la reprise de l'enceinte pour réaliser une opération de maintenance, de repérer le support et ainsi placer l'enceinte sur le support ou le dispositif de fixation sur les moyens d'accrochage présents sur l'enceinte rapidement sans une longue opération de repérage.Such bodies allow the helicopter pilot coming either to carry out the installation of the enclosure, or the recovery of the enclosure to perform a maintenance operation, to identify the support and thus place the enclosure on the support or the fixing device on the attachment means present on the enclosure quickly without a long locating operation.

De manière avantageuse, le dispositif est rendu énergétiquement autonome par des moyens de production énergétique, tels que des panneaux solaires ou une éolienne.Advantageously, the device is made energetically autonomous by means of energy production, such as solar panels or a wind turbine.

L'utilisation de moyens de productions énergétiques tels que des panneaux solaires ou une éolienne, permet de limiter les interventions de maintenance sur le dispositif puisque l'apport énergétique supplémentaire de ces moyens permet d'augmenter la durée entre chaque opération de recharge des moyens de stockage électrique.The use of energy production means such as solar panels or a wind turbine, limits the maintenance interventions on the device since the additional energy supply of these means can increase the time between each charging operation of the means of electrical storage.

De toute façon l'invention sera bien comprise à l'aide de la description qui suit en référence au dessin schématique annexé représentant, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, une forme d'exécution de ce dispositif de déclenchement d'avalanche.

  • Figure 1 est une vue en perspective de coté d'un flanc de montagne équipé du dispositif lors de la mise en place de l'enceinte sur son support ;
  • Figure 2 est une vue en perspective de l'enceinte du dispositif, la coque extérieure étant partiellement ôtée ;
  • Figure 3 est une vue en perspective à échelle agrandie du système d'accrochage de l'enceinte à une élingue de transport.
In any case the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the attached schematic drawing showing, by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of this avalanche triggering device.
  • Figure 1 is a side perspective view of a mountain side equipped with the device during the establishment of the enclosure on its support;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the enclosure of the device, the outer shell being partially removed;
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the attachment system of the enclosure to a transport sling.

La figure 1 est une vue de coté d'un flanc de montagne 1 équipé d'un dispositif 2 de déclenchement d'avalanche selon l'invention, lors de l'installation de l'enceinte 3 sur un support 4. Un tel dispositif 2 comprend une enceinte 3 montée sur un support 4 destiné à être fixé sur le flanc de montagne 1. Le dispositif 2 comporte en outre des moyens de stockage de gaz 5,6, des moyens de remplissage de l'enceinte par un mélange gazeux explosif 7, des moyens de mise à feux agencés pour déclencher l'explosion du dit mélange, un système de communication à distance disposée dans un boitier 8 et des moyens de stockage d'énergie électrique 9.The figure 1 is a side view of a mountain side 1 equipped with an avalanche triggering device 2 according to the invention, during the installation of the enclosure 3 on a support 4. Such a device 2 comprises an enclosure 3 mounted on a support 4 intended to be fixed on the mountainside 1. The device 2 further comprises gas storage means 5,6, means for filling the chamber with an explosive gas mixture 7, means firing arranged to trigger the explosion of said mixture, a remote communication system disposed in a housing 8 and electrical energy storage means 9.

Le support comprend un pied 10 sensiblement vertical fixé sur le flanc de la montagne 1 au moyen d'une embase 11. Cette embase 11 peut être fixée sur un socle en béton. L'extrémité supérieure de ce pied 10 est équipée d'une pièce d'appui 12 de l'enceinte comportant une embase 13 en forme de couronne à partir de laquelle s'étend vers le haut une partie tronconique 14 de même conicité que la paroi intérieure de l'enceinte 3. La pièce d'appui 12 est montée pivotante sur le pied 10 au moyen d'un axe 15. La liaison de la pièce d'appui 12 sur le pied 10 comporte également des moyens de réglage 16 de l'inclinaison tels que, par exemple, des vérins à vis 16. Ces vérins 16 ont une de leurs extrémités reliée au pied 10 et la deuxième à la périphérie de l'embase 13 de la pièce d'appui 12. Ils forment des appuis supplémentaires pour la pièce d'appui 12 sur le pied 10. L'inclinaison de la pièce d'appui 12 peut donc être réglée en modifiant la longueur des vérins à vis 16.The support comprises a substantially vertical foot 10 fixed on the side of the mountain 1 by means of a base 11. This base 11 can be fixed on a concrete base. The upper end of this foot 10 is equipped with a support piece 12 of the enclosure comprising a base 13 in the form of a ring from which extends upwards a frustoconical portion 14 of the same conicity as the wall Inside the enclosure 3. The support piece 12 is pivotally mounted on the foot 10 by means of an axis 15. The connection of the support piece 12 on the foot 10 also comprises adjustment means 16 of the inclination such as, for example, screw jacks 16. These jacks 16 have one of their ends connected to the foot 10 and the second to the periphery of the base 13 of the support piece 12. They form additional supports for the support piece 12 on the foot 10. The inclination of the support piece 12 can be adjusted by changing the length of the screw jacks 16.

La partie tronconique 14 de la pièce d'appui 12 comprend trois montants 17 convergents vers le haut dont les extrémités inférieures sont fixées sur l'embase 13 en forme de couronne. Ces trois montants 17 sont équipés d'une pluralité de roulettes 18 dont les axes de rotation sont perpendiculaires aux montants 17 de la pièce d'appui 12 et tangentiels à l'enveloppe conique de la partie tronconique 13. Ainsi, lors de l'installation de l'enceinte 3 sur le support 4, les parois intérieures de l'enceinte 3 peuvent glisser le long de ces roulettes 18 avec des frottements réduits.The frustoconical portion 14 of the support piece 12 comprises three upwardly convergent uprights 17 whose lower ends are fixed on the base 13 in the form of a ring. These three amounts are equipped with a plurality of rollers 18 whose axes of rotation are perpendicular to the uprights 17 of the support piece 12 and tangential to the conical envelope of the frustoconical portion 13. Thus, during the installation of the enclosure 3 on the support 4, the inner walls of the enclosure 3 can slide along these rollers 18 with reduced friction.

Le support, en fonction des besoins, peut être équipé d'organes de repérage destinés au guidage d'un hélicoptère lors de l'installation ou du démontage de l'enceinte 3 sur le support 4. Ces organes permettent au pilote d'hélicoptère, lors de l'approche du support 4, de repérer le support 4. Le support 4 peut être également équipée de marches pieds, permettant ainsi, si besoin est, à un opérateur de venir décrocher/accrocher l'enceinte 3 lors de son installation/démontage vis-à-vis du support 4.Depending on the requirements, the support may be equipped with tracking devices intended for guiding a helicopter during the installation or dismantling of the enclosure 3 on the support 4. These devices allow the helicopter pilot to when approaching the support 4, to locate the support 4. The support 4 can also be equipped with steps feet, allowing, if necessary, an operator to come unhook / hook the speaker 3 during his installation / disassembly vis-a-vis the support 4.

Comme illustré sur la figure 2, l'enceinte 3 est une enceinte 3 métallique de forme générale tronconique dont la base 19 est ouverte. Cette base 19 ouverte est destinée, lorsque l'enceinte 3 est installée sur le support 4, à être tournée vers le manteau neigeux. Cette enceinte 3 supporte sur sa face extérieure les équipements fonctionnels 5, 6, 7, 9 du dispositif tels que le stockage de gaz 5, 6 et les moyens de commande disposés dans le même boitier 8 que le système de communication à distance. Elle comporte également sur sa partie supérieure 20 des moyens de fixation 21 destinés à une élingue 22 d'un engin de transport tel qu'un hélicoptère. L'enceinte comprend en outre une coque de protection 23 disposée autour de l'enceinte et des équipements fonctionnels du dispositif.As illustrated on the figure 2 , the enclosure 3 is a metal enclosure 3 of generally frustoconical shape, the base 19 is open. This base 19 open is intended, when the enclosure 3 is installed on the support 4, to be turned towards the snowpack. This enclosure 3 supports on its outer face the functional equipment 5, 6, 7, 9 of the device such as the gas storage 5, 6 and the control means disposed in the same housing 8 as the remote communication system. It also has on its upper part 20 fastening means 21 for a sling 22 of a transport vehicle such as a helicopter. The enclosure further comprises a protective shell 23 disposed around the enclosure and the functional equipment of the device.

Les équipements fonctionnels 5, 6, 7, 9 du dispositif comprennent les moyens de stockage de gaz 5, 6 d'un gaz carburant et d'un gaz comburant, tels qu'une bouteille d'hydrogène 5 et une bouteille d'oxygène 6, les moyens de distribution de gaz 7 qui, étant reliés aux moyens de stockage de gaz 5, 6, peuvent être des détendeurs et des électrovannes, des moyens de mise à feux du mélange gazeux obtenu par les moyens de distribution 7, tels que par exemple, un système piézoélectrique d'une bougie, un dispositif permettant de créer une étincelle ou une résistance de chauffage, des moyens de commande, tels qu'un microcontrôleur, qui commande les moyens de distribution 7 et les moyen de mise à feux, un système de communication à longue distance utilisant généralement la téléphonie mobile ou la radio, des systèmes de mesures, des équipements de sécurité et un ensemble de batteries 9. Cet ensemble d'équipements 5, 6, 7, 9 est disposé sur des supports amortissants sur l'extérieur de l'enceinte pour limiter les conséquences des explosions sur le circuit de gaz et le circuit électrique.The functional equipment 5, 6, 7, 9 of the device comprise the gas storage means 5, 6 of a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas, such as a hydrogen bottle 5 and an oxygen cylinder 6 , the gas distribution means 7 which, being connected to the gas storage means 5, 6, may be regulators and solenoid valves, ignition means of the gas mixture obtained by the distribution means 7, such as by for example, a piezoelectric system of a candle, a device for creating a spark or a heating resistor, control means, such as a microcontroller, which controls the distribution means 7 and the firing means, a long-distance communication system generally using mobile telephony or radio, measuring systems, safety equipment and a set of batteries 9. This set of equipment 5, 6, 7, 9 is arranged on damping supports on the outside of the enclosure to limit the consequences of explosions on the gas circuit and the electrical circuit.

La coque de protection 23 est installée autour de l'ensemble des équipements fonctionnels 5, 6, 7, 9 disposés sur le pourtour de l'enceinte 3 pour les protéger des intempéries et des risques de chocs inhérents aux opérations d'héliportage. Pour ce faire la coque 23, d'une forme générale ovoïde, entoure l'enceinte 3, une ouverture sur son fond étant ménagée pour fixer la coque 23 sur le pourtour de la base ouverte 19 de l'enceinte 3. Une ouverture sur sa partie supérieure est également ménagée pour permettre le passage des moyens de fixation 21. La partie basse de la coque 23 est réalisée en un matériau pouvant supporter les chocs multiples liés au transport héliporté, tel que par exemple, de l'acier, et la partie supérieure est réalisée en matériau plus léger tel qu'en matériau composite.The protective shell 23 is installed around all the functional equipment 5, 6, 7, 9 disposed around the enclosure 3 to protect them from the weather and the risk of shocks inherent to helicopter operations. To do this the shell 23, of a generally ovoid shape, surrounds the enclosure 3, an opening on its bottom being arranged to fix the shell 23 on the periphery of the open base 19 of the enclosure 3. An opening on its the upper part is also arranged to allow the passage of the fastening means 21. The lower part of the shell 23 is made of a material capable of withstanding the multiple shocks related to the helicopter transport, such as for example, steel, and the part upper is made of lighter material such as composite material.

Les moyens de fixation 21, destinés à une élingue 22, présents sur le dispositif 2, comprennent, comme illustré sur la figure 3, d'une part un anneau allongé 21 de forme aplatie fixé à l'extrémité supérieure 20 de l'enceinte 3 et d'autre part un dispositif d'accrochage 24 qui est destiné à être fixé à l'extrémité de l'élingue 22. Ce dispositif d'accrochage comporte un crochet 25 ouvrant situé au centre d'une enveloppe conique 26, dont l'extrémité supérieure 27 présente une ouverture de forme oblongue complémentaire de la forme de l'anneau 21.The fastening means 21, intended for a sling 22, present on the device 2, comprise, as illustrated in FIG. figure 3 on the one hand, an elongated ring 21 of flattened form fixed to the upper end 20 of the enclosure 3 and, on the other hand, a hooking device 24 which is intended to be fixed to the end of the sling 22 This hooking device comprises an opening hook located in the center of a conical envelope 26, whose upper end 27 has an oblong opening complementary to the shape of the ring 21.

Le dispositif 2 comprend également des équipements de sécurité et de contrôle pour sécuriser et contrôler le fonctionnement du dispositif 2. Ainsi, l'enceinte 3 est équipée de systèmes de sécurité, tel qu'un contact électrique disposé sur l'ouverture de l'enceinte 19 en contact avec la pièce d'appui 12, contrôlant les moyens de mise à feu et les moyens de remplissage de manière à rendre inopérant ces derniers lorsque l'enceinte 3 n'est pas installée sur le support 4. Le dispositif comprend en outre, pour contrôler l'effectivité du déclanchement d'une avalanche, un système de mesure vibratoire tel qu'un accéléromètre ou un sismomètre permettant de mesurer les vibrations de l'enceinte liées au déclenchement de l'explosion. Le dispositif peut également comporter des moyens de mesures des conditions extérieures tels qu'une station météo.The device 2 also comprises safety and control equipment to secure and control the operation of the device 2. Thus, the enclosure 3 is equipped with safety systems, such as an electrical contact disposed on the opening of the enclosure 19 in contact with the support piece 12, controlling the firing means and the filling means so as to render them inoperative when the enclosure 3 is not installed on the support 4. The device further comprises , to control the effectiveness of the triggering of an avalanche, a vibratory measurement system such as an accelerometer or a seismometer for measuring the vibrations of the enclosure related to the triggering of the explosion. The device may also include means for measuring external conditions such as a weather station.

Le dispositif 2 comprend également des moyens de stockage d'énergie électrique 9 disposés sur l'enceinte 3, tels que des batteries 9 qui le rendent énergétiquement autonome. Ces moyens peuvent être couplés avec des moyens de production énergétique, tels que des panneaux solaires ou une éolienne. Ces moyens peuvent être disposés sur la coque de l'enceinte 23.The device 2 also comprises electrical energy storage means 9 disposed on the enclosure 3, such as batteries 9 which make it energetically autonomous. These means can be coupled with means of energy production, such as solar panels or a wind turbine. These means can be arranged on the shell of the enclosure 23.

Les opérations de l'installation d'une enceinte 3 sur le support 2 sont réalisées comme suit. L'enceinte 3, dont les moyens de stockage électrique 9 et de gaz 5, 6 sont pré-chargés, est installée au bout d'une élingue 22 d'un hélicoptère, au moyen d'un crochet dont l'ouverture et la fermeture sont préférentiellement contrôlées électriquement depuis l'hélicoptère, et des moyens de fixation 21 disposés sur l'enceinte 3. Elle est amenée au dessus du support 4. Lors de cette approche, le pilote utilise les organes de repérage disposés autour du support 4 pour placer l'enceinte 3 précisément au dessus du support 4, l'ouverture 19 de l'enceinte 3 alignée avec la partie tronconique 14 de la pièce d'appui 12. L'enceinte 3 est ensuite descendue le long de la partie complémentaire 14 présente sur la pièce d'appui 12 avec une friction réduite au minimum par la présence des roulettes 18 sur cette pièce 12. Lors de cette descente, l'enceinte 3 vient en appui sur l'embase 13 de la pièce de support 12. L'enceinte 3, ainsi mise en place, est détachée soit en ouvrant le crochet commandé électriquement soit par l'intervention d'un opérateur qui, utilisant les marches-pieds présents sur le support 4, vient ouvrir le crochet. L'enceinte 3 en place et le système de sécurité étant désenclenché par l'appui de l'enceinte 3 sur la pièce d'appui 12 du support 4, est prête à l'utilisation.The operations of the installation of an enclosure 3 on the support 2 are carried out as follows. The enclosure 3, whose electrical storage means 9 and gas 5, 6 are pre-loaded, is installed at the end of a sling 22 of a helicopter, by means of a hook whose opening and closing are preferentially controlled electrically from the helicopter, and fastening means 21 disposed on the enclosure 3. It is brought above the support 4. During this approach, the pilot uses the locating members arranged around the support 4 to place the chamber 3 precisely above the support 4, the opening 19 of the chamber 3 aligned with the frustoconical portion 14 of the support piece 12. The chamber 3 is then lowered along the complementary portion 14 present on the support piece 12 with a reduced friction to a minimum by the presence of the rollers 18 on the piece 12. During this descent, the chamber 3 bears on the base 13 of the support piece 12. The enclosure 3, thus set up, is detached either open the hook electrically controlled either by the intervention of an operator who, using the foot steps present on the support 4, comes to open the hook. The enclosure 3 in place and the security system being disengaged by the support of the enclosure 3 on the support part 12 of the support 4, is ready for use.

Lors du déclenchement par le dispositif 2 d'une avalanche préventive, un opérateur, en sécurité sur un lieu éloigné du site d'installation, envoie la commande de déclenchement au dispositif 2 en utilisant le système de communication à distance. Ces ordres sont traités par le microcontrôleur qui, en fonction de ces ordres, ouvre pendant une durée prédéterminée les électrovannes de gaz du gaz comburant et du gaz carburant. Ces gaz, généralement de l'hydrogène et de l'oxygène, choisis plus léger que l'air, emplissent l'enceinte 3. Le mélange voulu atteint, le microcontrôleur commande les moyens de mise à feu pour déclencher l'explosion. L'onde de choc de l'explosion est focalisé en direction du manteau neigeux. L'énergie ainsi transmise au manteau neigeux, déjà instable, permet de détacher la neige et de déclencher une avalanche préventive. Lors de cette explosion l'onde de choc de l'explosion transmet une partie de son énergie à l'enceinte 3 en exerçant sur celle-ci une poussée vers le haut. L'enceinte 3 se déplace alors vers le haut en restant en contact avec les montants 17 de la pièce d'appui 12. La hauteur maximale atteinte, l'enceinte 3, guidée par les moyens de guidage 18 que sont les roulettes 18 disposées sur les montants 17 de la pièce d'appui 12, redescend et se replace en contact avec l'embase 13 de la pièce d'appui 12. Ce mouvement de l'enceinte 3 est enregistré par le système de mesure vibratoire puis transmis, par le système de communication à longue distance, à l'opérateur.During the triggering by the device 2 of a preventive avalanche, an operator, safely at a place remote from the installation site, sends the trigger command to the device 2 using the remote communication system. These orders are processed by the microcontroller which, according to these orders, opens for a predetermined duration the gas solenoid valves of the oxidizing gas and the fuel gas. These gases, usually hydrogen and oxygen, chosen lighter than air, fill the chamber 3. The desired mixture reached, the microcontroller controls the firing means to trigger the explosion. The shock wave of the explosion is focused towards the snowpack. The energy thus transmitted to the snowpack, already unstable, allows to detach the snow and trigger a preventive avalanche. During this explosion, the shock wave of the explosion transmits part of its energy to the chamber 3 by exerting on it an upward thrust. The enclosure 3 then moves upwards while remaining in contact with the uprights 17 of the support piece 12. The maximum height reached, the enclosure 3, guided by the guide means 18 that are the wheels 18 arranged on the uprights 17 of the support piece 12, down and returns in contact with the base 13 of the support piece 12. This movement of the enclosure 3 is registered by the system vibratory measurement and then transmitted by the long-distance communication system to the operator.

Lors d'opération de maintenance et de rechargement des moyens de stockage du dispositif 5, 6, 9, la procédure est la suivante. L'hélicoptère est amené sur site équipé de son élingue 22 et de la partie du système de fixation de l'élingue sur le dispositif 2. Il est positionné au dessus de l'enceinte 3, la base de l'enveloppe 26 conique du dispositif d'accrochage 24 en regard de l'anneau 21 équipant la partie supérieure 20 de l'enceinte 3. L'élingue 22 est descendue de manière à ce que l'enveloppe 26 conique enveloppe l'anneau 21, les bords de l'enveloppe 26 conique guidant l'anneau 21 au centre de l'enveloppe 26. L'ouverture oblongue 27 présente sur le haut de l'enveloppe 26 va, par la forme aplatie de l'anneau 21, faire tourner l'enveloppe 26 de manière à ce que l'anneau 21 pénètre dans cette ouverture 27. Cette rotation de l'enveloppe 26 permet de disposer convenablement le crochet 25 ouvrant par rapport à l'anneau 21 équipant l'enceinte 3. Dans cette position, comme l'illustre la figure 3, le crochet 25 s'ouvre pour accueillir l'anneau 21 et se referme en maintenant ainsi l'anneau 21. L'hélicoptère peut alors s'envoler en soulevant l'enceinte 3 pour la sortir du support 4. Elle est ensuite transportée sur le site de maintenance pour effectuer les opérations de maintenance et de rechargement nécessaires.During maintenance and reloading operation of the storage means of the device 5, 6, 9, the procedure is as follows. The helicopter is brought on site equipped with its sling 22 and the part of the sling fixing system on the device 2. It is positioned above the enclosure 3, the base of the conical envelope 26 of the device hooking 24 facing the ring 21 fitted to the upper part 20 of the enclosure 3. The sling 22 is lowered so that the conical shell 26 envelops the ring 21, the edges of the envelope 26 The oblong opening 27 on the top of the casing 26 goes, by the flattened shape of the ring 21, to rotate the casing 26 so as to the ring 21 penetrates into this opening 27. This rotation of the casing 26 makes it possible to conveniently arrange the opening hook 25 relative to the ring 21 fitted to the enclosure 3. In this position, as illustrated by FIG. figure 3 , the hook 25 opens to accommodate the ring 21 and closes thus maintaining the ring 21. The helicopter can then fly by lifting the enclosure 3 to take it out of the support 4. It is then transported on the maintenance site to perform the necessary maintenance and reloading operations.

Comme il va de soi, l'invention ne se limite pas à la seule forme d'exécution de ce ce dispositif de déclenchement d'avalanche, décrite ci-dessus à titre d'exemple, elle en embrasse au contraire toutes les variantes de réalisation tel que par exemple l'utilisation d'une enceinte d'une forme autre que tronconique ou l'utilisation d'un gaz carburant autre que l'hydrogène.As goes without saying, the invention is not limited to the sole embodiment of this avalanche triggering device, described above as an example, it encompasses all the variants of embodiment. such as for example the use of an enclosure of a form other than frustoconical or the use of a fuel gas other than hydrogen.

Claims (13)

  1. A device (2) for setting off an avalanche, including a support (4) intended to be attached to a mountainside (1), for example on a concrete slab, and an enclosure (3) one end (19) of which is open, this enclosure (3) being mounted on the support (4), said open end (19) of the enclosure (3) being intended, in use, to face towards the snow cap, the device (2) further including means (7) for filling the enclosure (3) with an explosive gaseous mixture, igniting means designed for triggering off the explosion of the mixture, and a remote communication system, the enclosure (3) being autonomous in terms of energy supply, and carrying, for this purpose, gas storing means (5, 6) intended to form the gaseous mixture and the igniting means for the gaseous mixture,
    characterized in that:
    - the enclosure (3) is mounted removably on the support (4), by fitting its inner face, intended to receive the gaseous mixture, onto a bearing part (12) of the support (4), which is openworked and faces upwards.
  2. The device (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner face of the enclosure (3) has a generally truncated cone shape, and in that the support (4) includes a foot (10) anchored in the ground whereof the upper end is equipped with the bearing part (12) for bearing the enclosure (3), including a ring-shaped base (13) from which a truncated cone portion (14) extends upwards with the same taper as the inner wall of the enclosure (3).
  3. The device (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper portion (14) of the bearing part (12) comprises several posts (17) converging upwards, of which the lower are fastened on the ring-shaped base (13).
  4. The device (2) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the bearing part (12) includes means (18) for guiding the enclosure, such as skates or rollers.
  5. The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that on the outer face of the enclosure (3) are fastened functional equipments (5, 6, 7, 9) of the device (2), these equipments (5, 6, 7, 9) notably comprise the gas storing means (5, 6), such as at least one hydrogen bottle (5) and at least one oxygen bottle (6), means (7) for filling the enclosure (3) with gas, such as adjusting valves and solenoid valves, control means, such as a microcontroller, equipments (9) for storing electric energy, such as batteries and firing means, a protective shell (23) being provided around the equipments (5, 6, 7, 9).
  6. The device (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that the functional equipments (5, 6, 7, 9) are fastened on the outer face of the enclosure (3) by means of damping supports.
  7. The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device (2) comprises a security system, such as an electric contact, monitoring the igniting means and the filling means in order to make the igniting means and the filling means inoperative when the enclosure (3) is not installed on the support (4).
  8. The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the device (2) comprises a vibratory measuring system, such as an accelerometer or a seismometer.
  9. The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the enclosure (3) is equipped with means for fastening a towing chain (22) of a transport vehicle, such as a helicopter, the means for fastening the towing chain including a ring (21) with a flattened shape fastened to the upper end of the enclosure (3) on the one hand, and a catching device (24) on the other hand which, intended to be fastened to the end of the towing chain (22), comprises an openable hook (25) located at the center of a conical enclosure, the upper end (27) of the conical enclosure having an opening of oblong shape mating the shape of the ring (21).
  10. The device (2) according to claim 2 or one of claims 3 to 9 combined with claim 2, characterized in that the bearing part (12) is pivotably mounted on the foot (10) of the support (4).
  11. The device (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the support (4) comprises means (16) for adjusting the incline of the bearing part (12) in relation to the foot (10) so as to adjust the arrangement of the opening (19) of the enclosure (3) in relation to the snow cap.
  12. The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the support (4) comprises on its periphery, reference members intended to guide a helicopter during the installation or the disassembly of the enclosure (3) on the support (4).
  13. The device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the device (2) is made autonomous in terms of energy supply by energy-producing means, such as solar panels or a wind turbine.
EP11717706.3A 2010-04-09 2011-04-07 Device for setting off an avalanche Active EP2556330B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1052682A FR2958739B1 (en) 2010-04-09 2010-04-09 AVALANCHE RELEASE DEVICE
PCT/FR2011/050786 WO2011124854A1 (en) 2010-04-09 2011-04-07 Device for setting off an avalanche

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2556330A1 EP2556330A1 (en) 2013-02-13
EP2556330B1 true EP2556330B1 (en) 2015-11-11

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US (1) US8960092B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2556330B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5853018B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2793162C (en)
CL (1) CL2012002789A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2561822T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2958739B1 (en)
RU (1) RU2552269C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2011124854A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2953922B1 (en) * 2009-12-10 2011-12-09 Technologie Alpine De Securite Tas DEVICE FOR TRIGGERING AVALANCHES
RU2627393C1 (en) * 2016-08-12 2017-08-08 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Глобал Майнинг Эксплозив - Раша" Charge of explosive substance for projectiles, method of preparation of this charge and projectile with explosive substance (options)
FR3101940B1 (en) * 2019-10-10 2021-10-15 Tech Alpine De Securite Tas Avalanche trigger system
FR3110688B1 (en) * 2020-05-21 2022-05-27 Martin Paour Avalanche prevention system
FR3111420B1 (en) 2020-06-15 2022-05-20 Brp Equipment for avalanche triggering system and system comprising such equipment and an explosion chamber
FR3117581B1 (en) * 2020-12-15 2022-11-25 Patrice Margueron Device for generating a shock wave

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2636729B1 (en) * 1988-09-19 1990-12-07 Schippers Jacob METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TRIGGERING AN AVALANCHE
AR245818A1 (en) * 1988-03-03 1994-02-28 Schippers Jacob Process and device for triggering an avalanche
FR2765321B1 (en) * 1997-06-26 1999-09-17 Technologie Alpine De Securite DEVICE FOR TRIGGERING AN AVALANCHE
FR2771168B1 (en) * 1997-11-17 1999-12-10 Commissariat Energie Atomique METHOD OF ARTIFICIAL TRIGGERING OF AN AVALANCHE AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD
RU2284389C2 (en) * 2004-10-26 2006-09-27 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью Научно-технический центр "Системы пожарной безопасности" Avalanching initiation method and device
US7707938B2 (en) * 2005-05-16 2010-05-04 Hisel Stanley D Apparatus and method for avalanche control
FR2897931B1 (en) 2006-02-24 2008-05-09 Technologie Alpine De Securite AVALANCHE RELEASE DEVICE
FR2925152B1 (en) * 2007-12-14 2013-06-28 Technologie Alpine De Securite T A S DEVICE FOR TRIGGERING AVALANCHES
FR2953922B1 (en) * 2009-12-10 2011-12-09 Technologie Alpine De Securite Tas DEVICE FOR TRIGGERING AVALANCHES

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JP5853018B2 (en) 2016-02-09
FR2958739B1 (en) 2012-05-11
WO2011124854A1 (en) 2011-10-13
FR2958739A1 (en) 2011-10-14
JP2013524156A (en) 2013-06-17
CA2793162A1 (en) 2011-10-13
CA2793162C (en) 2018-10-23
EP2556330A1 (en) 2013-02-13
US8960092B2 (en) 2015-02-24
RU2012147051A (en) 2014-05-20
RU2552269C2 (en) 2015-06-10
ES2561822T3 (en) 2016-03-01
US20130133543A1 (en) 2013-05-30
CL2012002789A1 (en) 2013-05-24

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