EP3027498A1

EP3027498A1 - Towing device with a two-piece fairlead

Info

Publication number: EP3027498A1
Application number: EP14755787.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christophe Borel; Olivier COSSON
Original assignee: Thales SA
Current assignee: Thales SA
Priority date: 2013-08-02
Filing date: 2014-07-30
Publication date: 2016-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-30
Also published as: AU2014298521A1; CA2920282A1; CA2920282C; US20160185426A1; SG11201600804PA; FR3009271A1; US9926047B2; KR20160040228A; KR102127035B1; WO2015014886A1; AU2014298521B2; EP3027498B1; FR3009271B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a towing device intended to equip the deck of a ship (10) and comprising a winch (16), a cable (14) and a fairlead (20), the cable (14) circulating in the fairlead (20) under the action of the winch (16), the fairlead (20) comprising a frame (21) and at least first and second sectors, the sectors making it possible to guide the cable (14) in a channel formed in each of the sectors. The device comprises a hinge with a degree of freedom allowing the second sector to rotate relative to the frame (21) around an axis contained in a plane comprising a first direction in which the cable can extend in the first sector, characterised in that the first sector is rigidly connected to the frame (21) and is interposed between the winch (16) and the second sector.

Description

Two-piece fairlead towing device

The invention relates to a towing device for equipping the deck of a ship and for towing an object trailed behind the ship. The towing device conventionally comprises a winch, a cable and a fairlead, the cable flowing in the fairlead under the action of the winch. This type of device is for example implemented in the field of underwater acoustics and more particularly for towed active sonars. These sonars generally include a transmitting antenna integrated in a submersible object or "fish" and a receiving antenna consisting of a linear antenna or "flute". When using dependent towing sonar, the fish and flute are attached to the same cable to be towed by the vessel.

The cable generally comprises a core formed of electrical and / or optical conductors for transmitting energy and information between sonar equipment located on board the ship and the antennas. The core of the cable is usually covered with a strand of metal son ensuring the mechanical strength of the cable. The constitution of the cable imposes a minimum radius of curvature. Below this radius, inadmissible mechanical stress appears and causes deterioration of these elements. It is the same for towed antennas type linear antennas. The winch attached to the deck of the ship has a reel on which the cable can wind when the sonar is inactive and the antennas are stored on board the ship. The diameter of the drum ensures that the coiled elements are not curved at a radius less than the minimum radius of curvature.

When the towed elements are overboard, the cable is guided by the fairlead that secures its effective radius of curvature. When towing, the vessel may change its speed and heading. Other involuntary movements of the ship can occur when the sea state is degraded, particularly in heavy weather. These movements of the ship cause a change in the direction of the cable relative to the axis of the ship. To prevent changes of direction from damaging the cable, the fairlead may be fixed relative to the ship and have a trumpet shape opening towards the rear of the ship. In addition, underwater acoustics, the fairlead must be adapted to allow the rise of antennas on the deck of the ship. The fairlead is for example open on its upper part. The vessel can be equipped with an articulated arm allowing the fish to pass over the fairlead.

The existing devices are bulky and require an actuator for the movement of the articulated arm. In addition, when passing the fish over the fairlead, it is necessary to implement anti-deca peeling systems to prevent the cable to which are attached the towed elements out of its housing in the fairlead.

Patent application FR2982579 discloses a solution that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. This solution consists in providing a fairlead formed of sectors for guiding the cable in a groove. The sectors are connected to each other by articulations with a degree of freedom in rotation about axes of rotation located in horizontal planes substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the cable extends in the fairlead at the joint . According to one embodiment, the fairlead is connected to a frame intended to be placed on a ship, by means of a hinge with a degree of freedom in rotation about an axis included in a vertical plane perpendicular to the first hinge to allow a large amplitude of change of direction of the cable when the ship changes course. In order to reduce the movement of the cable in the sector situated on the side of the winch and to reduce the problems of bad winding of the turns of the cable on the drum, the second axis advantageously intersects the groove of this sector at a point where the cable is intended to contact the groove on the side of the winch. However, in practice, there is a lateral movement of the cable in the winch-side sector and the formation of a lateral deflection angle between the fairlead and the winch. This deflection leads to poor control of the winding of the turns, especially in case of change of course of the ship.

An object of the present invention is to overcome this disadvantage.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a towing device intended to equip the deck of a ship and comprising a winch, a cable and a fairlead, the cable circulating in the fairlead under the action of the winch on fairlead comprising a frame, at least a first and a second sectors, sectors for guiding the cable in a channel formed in each sector. The device comprises a hinge with a degree of freedom allowing rotation of the second sector called pivoting sector, relative to the frame about an axis contained in a plane comprising a direction in which the cable is likely to extend in the second sector , the first sector, called the fixed sector, being attached to the building and is interposed between the winch and the second sector.

This configuration makes it possible to control the direction of the cable at the exit of the winch-side fairlead and to avoid problems of coil winding.

Advantageously, the first sector comprises a first lower bearing surface comprising a first end, the second sector comprises a second lower bearing surface comprising a second end, said cable being able to rest on said first and second bearing surfaces. said first end and said second end forming surfaces extending substantially in a junction plane substantially perpendicular to the axis.

Advantageously, the first lower bearing surface and the second lower bearing surface have semicircular sections and the axis intersects the joining plane at a point on a first curved curve and a second curved curve formed by the centers of the semicircular sections of the first lower bearing surface and the second lower bearing surface respectively.

Advantageously, the second sector comprises a second lower bearing surface on which the cable is able to come to rest, said second lower bearing surface being integral.

Advantageously, the channel of the second sector has a flared shape in a plane comprising the axis and the direction in which the cable is likely to extend in the second sector, the channel of the second sector flaring in the direction of the second direction. segment to the first segment.

Advantageously, the channels of said sectors are open laterally. Advantageously, the channels of said sectors are open towards the bottom of the fairlead.

Advantageously, the device comprises a slicing device in which the cable passes, the slicing device being interposed between the fairlead and the winch, the winch comprising a drum comprising a drum defined by two cheeks, the first sector channel comprising an opening lateral, the opening extending substantially in the extension of one of the two cheeks of the drum, the opening being oriented in one direction away from the other cheek.

Advantageously, the axis is contained in a first plane comprising a direction in which the cable is likely to extend in the first sector.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear on reading the detailed description of an embodiment given by way of example, a description illustrated by the attached drawing in which:

- Figure 1 schematically shows a ship towing an active sonar;

FIG. 2 is a more precise representation of a device according to the invention installed on the deck of a ship,

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of an example of an arrangement between a drum, a slicing device and a fairlead of the device according to the invention,

FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c show schematically a part of the fairlead of the device according to the invention in side view (FIG. 4a), in perspective (FIG. 4b) and in front view (from the sea side) when the pivoting segment is in its equilibrium position (Figure 4c), the cable being shown only in Figures 4b and 4c.

- Figure 5 shows schematically in side view a cable passing in the fairlead during a towing at high speed,

FIGS. 6a and 6b schematically represent a part of the fairlead of the device according to the invention in perspective (FIG. 6b) and in front view (from the sea side) when the pivoting segment is in a port position (Figure 6c), Figures 7a and 7b show two phases of passage of the towed body in the fairlead perspective (Figure 7a) and in side view (Figure 7b),

FIG. 8 represents a section of the two segments of the fairlead in the plane containing the axis of rotation of the pivoting segment and the first principal direction when the pivoting segment is in the equilibrium position,

FIGS. 9a and 9b schematically represent the positions of projections, in the junction plane, of the ends of the lower bearing surfaces of the two segments when the axis intersects the junction plane at the level of the curve formed by the centers of the sections of the lower bearing surface (Figure 9a) and respectively at a distance from this curve (Figure 9b).

For the sake of clarity, the same elements will bear the same references in the different figures.

The invention is described in relation to the towing of a sonar by a surface vessel. It is understood that the invention can be implemented for other towed elements.

FIG. 1 represents a ship 10 pulling an active sonar 11 comprising an acoustic emission antenna 12 often called a fish and an acoustic receiving antenna 13 often called a flute. The sonar

1 1 also includes a cable 14 for pulling the two antennas

12 and 13. The cable also carries signals and supplies between the ship and the antennas 12 and 13 of the sonar 1 1.

The antennas 12 and 13 are mechanically secured and electrically and / or optically connected to the cable 14 in an appropriate manner. Conventionally, the receiving antenna 13 is formed of a tubular linear antenna identical to those found in passive sonars, hence its name of flute, while the transmitting antenna 12 is integrated into a volume structure having a shape resembling that of a fish. The receiving flute is generally arranged at the rear, at the end of the cable 14, the fish being positioned on the part of the cable 14 closest to the ship 10. During an underwater acoustic mission, the antenna 12 emits sound waves in the water and the receiving antenna 13 picks up possible echoes from targets on which the sound waves originating from the antenna 12 are reflected.

The receiving antenna 13 is generally permanently secured to the cable 14 while the fish 12 is, in turn, removably secured. For this purpose the cable 14 comprises a docking zone 15 of the fish 12, zone in which are implanted means for mechanically fixing the fish 12 and for making its electrical and / or optical connection to the cable 14.

The launching and the exit of the water from the antennas 12 and 13 is carried out by means of a winch 16 arranged on a deck 17 of the ship 10. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the winch comprises a drum 18 sized to allow winding of the cable 14 as well as the receiving antenna 13. The winch 16 also comprises a frame 106 (Figure 2) to be fixed on the deck of the ship. The drum 18 is pivotable relative to the frame 106 about an x axis to allow the winding of the cable. It comprises a drum 108 around which the cable is intended to be wound. The drum 108 extends, along the x axis of rotation of the drum, between two cheeks 109, 1 10 provided to limit the winding area of the drum 108. The winding of the cable 14 allows hauling the fish 12 on board of the ship 10, for example on a rear platform 19 provided for this purpose.

A fairlead 20 guides the cable 14 downstream of the drum

18. The fairlead 20 is the last guide element of the cable 14 before it descends into the water. During towing, the inclination of the cable 14 may vary with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ship 10. The inclination variations are due in particular to the changes of heading and speed of the ship and also to the state of the sea. One of the functions of the fairlead 20 is to guarantee the cable 14 and the linear antenna that their respective radii of curvature do not exceed a predefined lower limit. The cable 14 comprises for example a core formed of electrical and / or optical conductors for transmitting energy and information between sonar equipment located on board the ship 10 and the antennas 12 and 13. The core of the cable 14 is generally covered with a strand of metal son ensuring the mechanical strength of the cable 14 including traction. Below the lower limit of curvature, there is a risk of permanent deformations or breaks in components of the cable 14. The same is true for the linear antenna.

In Figure 2, there is shown in more detail in side view (from starboard) the elements of the device according to the invention. The fairlead 20 comprises a frame 21 intended to be placed on a deck 19 of the ship, sea side relative to the winch 16. The bridge 19 is here a rear platform. In other words, the fairlead is attached to the rear of the ship 10 relative to the winch 16. In the example of Figure 2, the fairlead is fixed relative to the deck 19 of the ship 10. On the embodiment of the figures, the fairlead 20 and the winch are not fixed on the same bridge but could alternatively be arranged on the same bridge, The fairlead 20 is connected to the frame 21. A slitter device 22 for correctly storing the cable 14 on the drum 18 is interposed between the winch 16 and the fairlead 20. The slicing device is intended to be translated along the x axis of rotation of the drum 18 so as to arrange the cable 14 is here guided by the trimming device 22 between the fairlead 20 and the winch 16. In a variant, the frame 21 is integral with a slitter 22. In other words, the frame 21 is fixed a slitter device for performing movements in translation parallel to the axis of the drum 18 to properly store the cable 14 on the drum 18. In the case of fixing the frame 21 to the slicing 22, it is the assembly of the fairlead 20 which performs translation movements parallel to the axis of the drum 18 to properly store the cable 14 on the drum 18.

According to the invention, the fairlead 20 comprises a first sector 23, called a fixed sector in the remainder of the patent application, and a second sector 24, called a pivoting sector, for guiding the cable 14 from upstream to downstream. 20. These sectors are visible in FIGS. 4a and 4b. Each of the sectors 23, 24 comprises a channel or furrow, 25 for the sector 23, 26 for the sector 24. These channels are suitable for housing the cable 14. They guide the cable 14 all along the fairlead 20. They are substantially in the extension of one another so as to guide the cable 14 all along the fairlead 20. Each sectors 23, 24 allow a curvature of the cable 14 and the linear antenna 13. The sectors 23, 24 are sized and arranged to limit the minimum curvature of the cable 14 and the linear antenna 13 to a predetermined minimum curvature . The sectors 23, 24 are sized and arranged to allow a change of direction of the cable 14 in a plane. This change of direction is achieved in the plane of Figure 4a. The fairlead 20 limits the radius of curvature of the cable 14 during this change of direction. The fairlead makes it possible to prevent the radius of curvature from being less than a predetermined minimum radius of curvature.

The change of direction is between 45 ° and 90 ° in Figures 4b, 4c. This arrangement makes it possible to tilt the cable 14 in a first substantially horizontal direction relative to the ship 10 towards a second direction forming a smaller angle with the vertical, which is here between 45 ° and 90 °. The first horizontal direction is for example that taken by the cable 14 upstream of the fairlead 20 between the drum 18 and the fairlead 20. The second direction is for example that taken by the cable 14 downstream of the fairlead 20, when the cable 14 go back into the water. A change of direction of 90 ° is obtained when the ship 10 is at a standstill or during the immersion of a towed body. The cable 14 thus plunges into the water vertically. When the ship 10 is gaining speed, the cable 14 inclines to reduce the inclination of the change of direction as shown in Figure 5 in which the direction of the cable 14 in the plane of the sheet is substantially the same upstream and downstream of the fairlead 20. According to the invention, the pivoting sector 24 is hinged relative to the ship 10 to allow a certain amplitude of change of direction of the cable 14 when the ship 10 changes course. Such articulation allows good guidance of the cable 14 over the entire length of the fairlead 20, in particular on the marine side, and makes it possible to limit the stresses within the cable and the antenna as they are guided along the fairlead, in particular in the event of a change of course of the ship 10.

More specifically, the fairlead 20 comprises a hinge 27 with a degree of freedom in rotation about an axis 28, allowing rotation of the pivoting sector 24 relative to the frame 21. The fixed sector 23 is integral with the frame 21. A joint with a degree of freedom in rotation is also called pivot link. In the embodiment of the figures, the articulation 27 connects the sector 24 and the frame 21. The frame 21 can be fixed on the ship 10, for example on a deck of the ship as the rear platform 19 or on a slider for the correct storage of the cable 14 on the reel 18. The axis 28 is included, on the realization no limiting the figures, in a first plane 29 comprising a first main direction in which the cable is likely to extend in the fixed sector 23. The first plane 29 is the plane of Figure 4a which is also shown in Figure 4c. The main direction at a point of the sector is the main direction in which the fixed sector 23 is intended to guide the cable 14 to the corresponding point of the sector. It is also the direction through which the cable axis passes which is guided within this sector at the corresponding point of sector 23.

The axis 28 is also included in a second plane 30 comprising a second main direction in which the cable 14 is likely to extend in the pivoting sector 24. This second main direction is the main direction in which the second sector 23 is intended to guide the cable 14 at a point of the sector 24. It is also the direction through which the axis of the cable 14 which is guided within this sector, at the corresponding point of the sector, 24 when the forces exerted on the cable on both sides of the fairlead are located in a plane. The pivoting sector 24 is then in its equilibrium position.

The sectors 23, 24 are arranged so that the planes 29, 30 coincide, when the pivoting sector 24 is in an equilibrium position. The second sector 24 occupies the equilibrium position shown in Figures 4a, 4b, 4c, when the forces experienced by the cable 14 upstream and downstream of the fairlead are located in the same plane. This is particularly the case when the ship is following a constant course. In other words, the first and second channels 25, 26 are configured and arranged to guide the cable in the first plane 29 when the pivoting sector 24 occupies its equilibrium position also called rest position.

The second plane 30 may incline relative to the first plane 29, especially when the ship 10 changes course. The inclination of the plane 30 is obtained when the hinge 27 pivots. The pivoting sector 24 pivots around the hinge 27 according to the direction of the forces exerted on the cable 14, bet and other of its equilibrium position. In FIGS. 6a and 6b, the pivoting sector is outside its equilibrium position and has pivoted to starboard with respect to its equilibrium position. In general, the sectors are arranged so that the second plane 30 is a vertical plane of the ship when the first sector is in its equilibrium position. The second plane 30 inclines relative to a vertical plane of the ship when the hinge 27 pivots, for example, during a change of course. This vertical plane is, in the embodiment of the figures, the first plane 29 comprising the first direction in which is likely to extend the cable in the first sector but could be another vertical plane.

According to the invention, the fixed sector 23 is interposed between the pivoting sector 24 and the winch 16. The fixed sector 23 guides the cable 14 in the plane 29. The fixed sector 23 thus makes it possible to control the direction of the cable 14 at the exit of the fairlead 20 side winch 16. For the turns to wind well on the drum contiguously, it is necessary to minimize and control the angle that the cable 14 with a plane perpendicular to the axis of the drum at the exit of the winch side fairlead 16. The invention makes it possible, for example, to guarantee that this angle is zero by simply positioning the fixed sector 23 so that the plane 29 is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the reel 18, in the case where the fairlead is secured to the slicing. The device according to the invention is compact, it is not necessary to provide a significant distance between the drum and the fairlead to reduce a possible lateral deflection angle of the cable at the side of the winch side fairlead or provide a cutting device angle-controlled complex made by the sector pivoting about the axis 28, relative to its equilibrium position. The device according to the invention makes it possible to easily manage the position of the cable 14 between the fairlead 20 and the winch 16 and thus to avoid problems of bad winding of the turns of the cable 14 on the drum 18 while being compact. The fixed segment 23 also limits sharp angles that could damage the cable 14 at the exit of the fairlead 20 winch side which also contributes to the compactness of the device.

The channels 25, 26 extend along the entire sectors 23, 24 along the first and second principal directions. They are open laterally, that is to say that they are open along axes 31, 32 perpendicular to the respective planes 29, 30. In other words, they are open along axes 3, 32 perpendicular to the first plane 29 when the pivoting sector is in its equilibrium position. The plane 30 oscillates around the axis 28 with the pivoting sector 24. The first plane 29 is a vertical plane. The vertical and horizontal directions are defined relative to a base 201 of the frame 1 defining a plane intended to be parallel to the plane of the platform 19, that is to say to the deck of the ship, when the frame 21 is placed on this platform.

The channel 25 has an open C section, that is to say opening, laterally. The channel 26 is here a groove made in a profiled body 33 referenced in Figure 6a. The openings 34, 35 are mainly intended to pass a fixation 36a, 36b of the fish 12 along the fairlead 20 as visible in Figures 7a and 7b. The fish 12 can thus be reassembled aboard the ship 10 and be unhooked from the cable between the fairlead 20 and the winch 16. The position of the fish 12 relative to the ship 10 can be perfectly known and controlled. The only parameter that can affect the position of the fish 12 is the control of the winch 16. It is thus possible to dispense with an articulated arm to maneuver the fish aboard the ship 10, in particular to hook and unhook the cable 14. The device according to the invention is suitable for towing disparate objects along a single cable. Alternatively, the openings for passing the fish attachment are lower openings or the fairlead includes both types of openings. The channels are open in a downward vertical axis when the pivoting sector is in its equilibrium position. The up and down directions are the directions from the base 201 to the segments, and respectively downwards, in a vertical direction. The lower openings prevent the cable from escaping from the channels, irrespective of the position of the fairlead relative to the winch, when slicing.

In the example shown in the figures, the fixed sector 23 comprises a first lower bearing surface 37 visible in FIGS. 6a and 8, on which the cable 14 can rest. The pivoting sector 24 comprises a second lower bearing surface 38 visible in FIGS. 6a and 6b and 8 on which the cable 14 can rest. FIG. 8 shows the fairlead 20 in section in a plane passing through the axis of the cable 14 when the vessel follows a substantially straight course, that is to say when the pivoting sector 24 is in its equilibrium position. This plan is the first plan 29.

The first and second lower bearing surfaces 37, 38 have, in the planes 29 and 30, a first and a second curvature centered towards the underside of the fairlead 20. These are the curvatures of the curved curves formed by the bottoms of the first and the second lower bearing surface 37, 38 along the sectors 23, 24 in the planes 29 and 30. The bottoms of the lower bearing surfaces 37, 38 are the points of these surfaces occupying the lowest positions, in the vertical plane, when the pivoting sector is in its equilibrium position. The bottoms of the surfaces 37, 38 are in the respective planes 29, 30.

The lower bearing surfaces 37, 38 are dimensioned so that their curvatures in the planes 29 and 30 have in all points radii of curvature at least equal to the minimum radius of curvature acceptable for the cable. The two segments 23, 24 are configured and positioned relative to each other so that the lower bearing surface formed by the first and second lower bearing surfaces has a radius curvature at least equal to the radius of minimum acceptable curvature, at least when the pivoting sector 24 is in its equilibrium position. The fairlead 20 thus limits the minimum curvature of the cable to a predetermined minimum value and avoids sharp angles that could damage the cable at the exit of the fairlead. Curvatures are not necessarily arcs. The lower surface of the fixed part could alternatively have a flat curvature, that is to say have a bottom extending along a straight line. The radius of curvature of the lower surface is then infinite.

Advantageously, the first lower bearing surface 37 and the second lower bearing surface 38 are substantially contiguous. In other words, they are contiguous to a near functional game, especially when the pivoting segment 24 occupies the equilibrium position. The functional clearance is the space separating the two bearing surfaces so as to allow the first pivoting segment to pivot about the axis 28. In other words, the separation zone between the fixed part and the pivoting part is substantially reduced to a plane P1 called junction plane. The first lower bearing surface 37 comprises a first end 39 and the second lower bearing surface 38 comprises a second end 40 substantially contiguous with the first end 39. These ends 39, 40 comprise surfaces which extend substantially, c that is to say, to the functional clearance near, in the plane of junction P. In other words, the first and second ends 39, 40 extend substantially along surfaces comprised in two substantially parallel planes separated by a distance corresponding to the functional clearance especially when the pivoting segment is in the equilibrium position.

Advantageously, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 8, the junction plane P extends substantially perpendicular to the axis 28. Consequently, when the pivoting segment 24 pivots about the axis 28, the two ends 39, 40 substantially contiguous remain parallel to each other. As a result, they remain spaced from the functional game only. This configuration prevents the two segments from deviating too much when the first segment pivots. This prevents the cable and especially the fish from falling between the two segments and also to maintain continuity of the lower bearing surface 37, 38 even when the second sector 24 is inclined. This continuity avoids the risk of damage to the antenna or cable.

The first lower bearing surface 37 and the second lower bearing surface 38 have semicircular sections in planes perpendicular to the principal directions that they define, in particular in planes parallel to the junction plane P at the level of the first and second ends 39, 40. The circular sections preferably form at least one semicircle. The lower bearing surfaces 37, 38 thus each delimit a curved groove with semicircular section extending along the sector 23, 24 considered. Since the bottoms of the surfaces 37, 38 are located in the planes 29, 30, they form a substantially continuous curved surface when the pivoting segment 24 is in its equilibrium position.

The semicircular sections have a substantially fixed radius over most of the considered sectors 23, 24 at the chamfering in the entry and exit zones of the sectors considered when the ends of the sectors are chamfered and with the exception of the zones entry and exit the fairlead when they flare in planes parallel to the junction plane P. Chamfering the ends of the segments avoids any risk of hurting the cable. The constant radius prevents the formation of a step between the two bearing surfaces when the pivoting segment is in its equilibrium position.

The centers of the semicircular sections of the first lower bearing surface 37 and the second lower bearing surface 38 follow a first curved curve 41 along the fixed segment 23 and respectively a second curved curve 42 along the pivoting segment. 24. These curves have at each point of the corresponding segment a radius equal to the sum of the radius of the bottom of the corresponding lower bearing surface and the radius of the semicircular section. These curved curves 41, 42 extend over all the segments 23, 24 except on any chamfered end zones.

Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 8, the axis 28 intersects the junction plane P at a point I lying substantially on the two curved curves 41, 42. In other words, if the curved curves 41, 42 formed by the centers of the semicircular sections 37, 38, they meet in the clearance between the two segments 23, 24. This characteristic makes it possible to limit as much as possible the discontinuity between the two lower bearing surfaces 37, 38 and to avoid the forming a step between the two lower bearing surfaces 37, 38 during the oscillation of the second segment. There is therefore no formation of sharp stops that could damage the cable. This is illustrated in FIGS. 9a and 9b on which the projection P1 of the position of the ends 39, 40 of the lower bearing surfaces 37, 38 on the junction plane P is represented when the pivoting segment 24 is in its position d equilibrium (these projections being combined), and the projection of a position P2 of the end 40 of the pivoting segment when it has pivoted about the axis 28, when the axis 28 intersects the joining plane at the point I corresponding to the intersection C of the curves 41, 42 (Figure 9a) and respectively when the point I is offset from this intersection C (Figure 9b). For the sake of clarity, the position P2 has been shifted from the position P1 in FIG. 1 but they are in reality superimposed and only offset by an angle formed around the point I. In the case of FIG. 9b, in which FIG. axis 28 does not cut the junction plane to the intersection of the curves 41 and 42, when the fairlead oscillates, a discontinuity is formed between the lower bearing surfaces 37 and 38.

In the embodiment of the figures, the second lower bearing surface 38 is advantageously monobloc. It can be formed of a single piece or a set of parts integral with each other. This feature, by limiting the number of moving parts relative to each other, provides a reliable device and low cost. Alternatively the second lower bearing surface 38 is formed of a plurality of lower bearing surfaces movable relative to each other. They are for example articulated by means of articulations with a degree of freedom in rotation about axes substantially perpendicular to the second plane 30.

Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 8, the channel 26 formed in the second sector 24 has a flared shape in the second plane 30 comprising the axis 28 and a second direction, for example the second main direction, in which the cable 14 is capable of extending into the second sector 24, the channel 26 flaring in the direction of the second segment 24 towards the first segment 23. This configuration makes it possible to accept the modification of the curvature of the cable when the towing speed varies. by limiting the forces applied on the cable.

Advantageously, the pivoting sector 24 comprises a second upper bearing surface 44 against which the cable can rest. The second upper bearing surface 44 may be substantially planar. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 8, the second upper bearing surface 44 has an inverted curvature, in the second plane 30, relative to that of the second lower bearing surface 38, that is to say centered towards the top of the fairlead. The upper bearing surfaces 43, 44 are dimensioned and arranged to ensure that the curvature of the cable, when the cable bends upwards of the fairlead, has a radius of curvature at least equal to the minimum radius of curvature. The cable 14 is capable of bearing on these two upper bearing surfaces 43, 44. The heights are defined in the vertical direction defined relative to the base 201. This avoids exerting efforts on the cable in the pivoting part of the fairlead during towing at high speed are thus limited. The upper and lower bearing surfaces may have semicircular sections in section planes parallel to the P joint plane.

The semicircular sections of the lower and upper bearing surfaces are centered towards the interior of the channels 25, 26.

Advantageously, as represented in FIG. 3, the lateral opening 34 made in the fixed sector 23 extends substantially in the extension of one of the two cheeks 109 of the drum 18, the opening 34 being oriented along the axis 31 in one direction away from the other cheek 108 of the drum 18 so that a cable 14 passing through the fairlead 20 can not escape the channel through the opening 34 during the slicing or can be deflected by the opening 34 when slicing. In other words, the channel 25 is open towards the cheek 109. The opening 34 forms the side of the fixed part 23 located in the extension of the cheek 109.

For example, in Figure 3, the channel 25 is open to starboard, so we position the opening 34 aligned with the starboard cheek 109 of the drum 18 to never have a deflection of the cable 14 between the fairlead 20 and the drum 18 on the starboard side during the winding of the various cable layers of the drum 18. This feature avoids cable deviations between the fairlead and the drum. This configuration can be adopted for any type of fairlead, oscillating with or without fixed sector, fixed, articulated having a channel adapted to receive the cable having a lateral opening. These configurations are not claimed.

The second lower bearing surfaces 38 and upper 44 of the pivoting segment 24 are connected or separated on each side by walls 45, 46 referenced in FIG. 4c. The wall 26 is connected to the lower bearing surface 38 via the opening 35 or the wall 26 comprises the opening 35. These walls 45, 46 are, for example, vertical when the pivoting segment 24 is in its position. balance. The distance between these walls is chosen so as to let the cable diameters that can be received in the channels delimited by the bearing surfaces lower 37, 38, the cables that can bear against these walls when the pivoting segment 24 pivots.

In an unclaimed embodiment, different from the prior art, the fairlead is devoid of sector integral with the frame. It comprises a pivoting sector connected to the frame by means of a hinge with a degree of freedom allowing rotation of the sector relative to the frame about an axis contained in a plane comprising a first direction in which the cable is likely to expand in this sector.

Claims

1. A towing device for equipping the deck of a ship (10) and comprising a winch (16), a cable (14) and a fairlead (20), the cable (14) flowing in the fairlead (20) under the action of the winch (16) the fairlead (20) comprising a frame (21) and at least first and second sectors (23, 24), the sectors (23, 24) for guiding the cable (14) in a channel (25, 26) formed in each of the sectors (23, 24), characterized in that the device comprises a hinge (27) with a degree of freedom allowing rotation of the second sector (24) relative to the frame (21) around an axis (28) contained in a plane (30) comprising a direction in which the cable is likely to extend in the second sector (24), characterized in that the first sector (23) is integral with the frame ( 21) and is interposed between the winch (16) and the second sector (24), in that the first sector (23) comprises a first lower bearing surface (37). ) comprising a first end (39), wherein the second sector (24) comprises a second lower bearing surface (38) comprising a second end (40), in that said cable (14) is able to rest on said first and second bearing surfaces (37, 38) and in that said first end (39) and said second end (40) form surfaces extending substantially in a junction plane (P) substantially perpendicular to the axis (28).

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the first lower bearing surface (37) and the second lower bearing surface (38) have semicircular sections and wherein the axis (28) intersects the plane of junction (P) at a point on a first curved curve (41) and a second curved curve (42) formed by the centers of the semicircular sections of the first lower bearing surface (37) and respectively the second lower bearing surface (38).

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second sector (24) comprises a second lower bearing surface (38) on which the cable (14) is able to come to rest, said second bearing surface lower (38) being integral.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channel (26) of the second sector (24) has a flared shape in the plane (30) comprising the axis (28) and the direction in which the cable ( 14) is likely to extend into the second sector (24), the channel (26) of the second sector (24) flaring in the direction of the second segment (24) towards the first segment (23).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the channels (25, 26) of said sectors (23, 24) are open laterally.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the channels (25, 26) of said sectors (23, 24) are open towards the bottom of the fairlead (20).

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cutting device (22), in which the cable passes, the cutting device (22) being interposed between the fairlead (20) and the winch (16), the winch (16) comprising a drum (18) comprising a drum (108) delimited by two cheeks (109, 1 10), the channel (25) of the first sector (23) comprising a lateral opening (34), the opening ( 34) extending substantially in the extension of one of the two cheeks (109) of the drum (18), the opening (34) being oriented in one direction away from the other cheek (1 10).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axis (28) is contained in a first plane (29) comprising a direction in which the cable is likely to extend into the first sector (23).