EP3126213A1

EP3126213A1 - System comprising a dead weight and equipment on a trolling line having automated releases and retrievals and implementation method

Info

Publication number: EP3126213A1
Application number: EP15717577.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sébastien GRALL
Original assignee: iXBlue SAS
Current assignee: iXBlue SAS
Priority date: 2014-04-01
Filing date: 2015-03-31
Publication date: 2017-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 2035-03-31
Also published as: FR3019142A1; US9944359B2; WO2015150688A1; FR3019142B1; EP3126213B1; US20170029077A1

Abstract

A system (1) comprising a dead weight (3) and equipment (4) on a trolling line (6) that is released from and retrieved to a receiving structure (2) of a seagoing vessel, in which the dead weight comprises a controllable means (17) for blocking and unblocking the line, so as to immobilise the line relative to the dead weight in the blocked configuration, and to allow the line to run relative to the dead weight in the unblocked configuration, the system comprising a first detection means (14a) for detecting whether or not the equipment has moved to a predefined distance from the dead weight, the system comprising a control means configured, in case of an order to release: - in a step 2L, to release the equipment from the receiving structure, by unreeling the line, - in a step 3L, when the first detection means detects that the equipment has moved to the predefined distance from the dead weight, to then release said dead weight and control the blocking and unblocking means to shift to the blocked configuration, while continuing to unwind the line, the line then being immobilised relative to the dead weight, and, - in a step 4L, to stop the unwinding of the line when the unreeling of the line has allowed the desired length to be obtained; the system also comprising a second detection means (17c). A method is also provided.

Description

Dead weight and equipment system on automated dropping trolling line and recoveries and method of implementation

The present invention relates to a dead weight system and equipment on an automated dropping and retrieval line. The technical field concerned by the invention is the exploration of seas and bodies of water. More specifically, the manipulation of towed measuring devices and the apparatus necessary for their handling.

When towing some measuring devices towed by ships, sometimes called "fish" but here called generically "equipment", such as for example sonars, one is led to use elements called "dead weight" or "V Fin ". These equipment and dead weights are towed using winches and towing cables, called here troll line, ensuring the mechanical connection and, most often, the transfer of data and / or energy between the ship and equipment.

These dead weights are generally used for reasons of stability and immersion and the dead weight is interposed between the equipment and the ship. This dead weight has for main functions the decoupling of the movements of the ship in relation to the equipment and the control of the immersion of the equipment. These dead weights can use gravity or hydrodynamics or both at once to fulfill their role.

One commonly used method for handling equipment and dead weight is to tether the equipment at the end of the troll line and then tether at a user-selected variable distance the dead weight on the same line.

The release with launching is done either by a crane or a gantry in the following way:

- launching of the equipment,

- feeding of the troll line to the location where the dead weight is to be moored to the troll line,

- launching of the dead weight,

- continue feeding of the line to the desired distance of positioning of the equipment in relation to the towing vessel.

The use of the equipment can then take place.

The exit of the water from the trailed / towed elements for their recovery is done in the same way but in the reverse order.

WO2008 / 043823 also discloses a device for automatically securing and unstacking a fish (sonar transmitter) along a traction line with automatic passive immobilization of the fish with respect to the line and its locking. passive on the line.

These release and recovery operations involve difficulties and hazards requiring personnel on a suitable working range of the ship. The elements handled are heavy and the ship is moving (pitching, rolling ...). The cable must be able pass in at least one pulley or in any device fulfilling this role. Most often, this pulley is attached to a gantry, see a crane, which allows during the release, to bring the equipment over the water before releasing / unscrewing the line using a winch to place the equipment in the water. Therefore, once the equipment in the water, it becomes difficult to recover the line to moor the dead weight. This is also true when recovering trailed / towed items. Hence risks for staff and equipment that are sometimes also fragile.

In this context, the invention particularly relates to the handling and the automatic immobilization of the dead weight in a storage position during recovery by raising the trailed / trailed elements and, conversely, for the automatic release of the dead weight during the release of items to be dragged / towed. The automation of immobilization and release of the dead weight is preferably achieved by essentially mechanical means. In more advanced modes, it is the whole of the operations of release and recovery of the equipment, the dead weight and the troll line which is automated.

Thus, the invention relates to a dead weight system and equipment on a dropping-off line and recoveries from a receiving structure of a craft on or in the water, the trolling line being continuous and integral with the equipment, the dead weight and the receiving structure and having a first end on the equipment side and a second end on the receiving structure side, the equipment being fixed at a fixed point of the line preferably at the first end of the line, the side line of the second end being fixed at a point movable along its length to the receiving structure to allow the release or retrieval of said line, equipment and dead weight, in which in the operational state, said equipment and said dead weight having been released by unwinding the troll line, water is successively found: the equipment, a first portion determined first-length line, the dead weight, a second second-length line portion determined and the receiving structure, and wherein in the idle state, said equipment, said dead weight and said line are on or in the receiving structure following a recovery of the line on or in the receiving structure.

According to the invention, the system comprises:

a controllable means for locking and unblocking the dead weight on the line, making it possible, in a locking configuration, to immobilize the line relative to the dead weight and, in an unlocking configuration, to allow the line to slide relative to the dead weight, the line then remaining linked to the dead weight but being movable in sliding relative to it, - a first detection means for detecting whether the equipment has moved away or not at a determined distance from the dead weight and corresponding at the first determined length of the first line portion,

a control means configured, in the case of a drop order from the idle state, for successively: in a 2L equipment release step, to drop the equipment out of the receiving structure by unwinding the line,

at a step of dropping the dead weight 3L, when the first detecting means detects that the equipment has moved away at the first determined distance from the dead weight, dropping said dead weight and controlling the locking and unlocking means in configuration blocking while continuing to unroll the line, the line then being immobilized with respect to the dead weight,

- A 4L unwinding stop step, to stop the unwinding of the line when the reeling line has obtained the second determined length of the second line portion.

In various embodiments of the invention, the following means can be used alone or in any technically possible combination, are employed:

- the system is intended to train sonar equipment in the marine environment,

- the drops and recoveries are made from a / on the structure of reception of the navigating craft,

- the drops and recoveries are made from a / in the structure of reception of the navigating craft,

the control means is furthermore configured so that, at a step 1 L of the release preceding step 2L, the blocking and unlocking means in the unlocking configuration are controlled if it were not,

preferably, the blocking and unblocking means is in blocking configuration only when the dead weight is released, that is to say, released from the receiving structure or its capture device as the case may be,

the locking and unlocking means is in the dead weight,

the first detection means is in the dead weight,

the receiving structure comprises a gantry crane or a delivery crane,

- For the release of the equipment, the control means is configured to operate the gantry or the crane to put the equipment in position to access the launch and the trolling line is unrolled,

the system comprises a second detection means making it possible to detect whether or not the dead weight is on or in the receiving structure and, in the dead weight drop step, the control of the locking and unlocking means in the configuration of blockage results from the detection by the second detection means that the dead weight is not on or in the receiving structure following the dropping of said dead weight,

the second detection means is in the dead weight,

- The control means is further configured, in case of recovery order, the system being in the operational state, for successively:

in a step 1 R of the recovery, recover the line on the reception structure, in a step 2R, when the second detection means detects that the dead weight has been recovered on or in the receiving structure, to then control the locking and unlocking means in the unlocking configuration and to continue recovering the line on the receiving structure, the line can then slide relative to the dead weight,

the system comprises a third detection means which makes it possible to detect whether or not the equipment has moved closer to a determined distance from docking the dead weight, said determined docking distance being less than the length of the first portion of line and corresponding to a reduced line length between the equipment and the dead weight to support the equipment on or in the receiving structure, and the control means is further configured, in case of recovery order , the system being in the operational state, for successively:

at a step of recovery of line 1 R, to partially recover the line 6 on the reception structure,

in a dead weight recovery step 2R, when the second detection means detects that the dead weight has been recovered on or in the receiving structure, controlling the locking and unlocking means in the unlocking configuration and to continue recovering the line on the receiving structure, the line can then slide relative to the dead weight,

in a 3R equipment recovery step, when the third detecting means detects that the equipment has approached the determined distance of approaching the dead weight, taking over the equipment on the receiving structure and stopping the winding of the line,

the reduced line length between the equipment and the dead weight making it possible to take over the equipment on or in the receiving structure is practically zero, the equipment being in contact with the dead weight,

the dead weight comprises an equipment docking guide,

the control means is furthermore configured, in the case of a recovery order and after step 3R, for, at a step 4R, to control the blocking and unlocking means in blocking configuration,

the system further comprises a controllable means for immobilizing and releasing the dead weight on the receiving structure, for, in an immobilization configuration, blocking the dead weight on or in the receiving structure and, in the configuration of release, release the dead weight so as to allow it to leave the receiving structure, and the control means is further configured, when in case of release order the first detection means detects that the equipment has remote at the first determined distance from the dead weight, to then control the immobilization and release means in release configuration to release said dead weight, and the immobilization configuration is the configuration by default immobilization means and release, the recovery of the dead weight on or in the receiving structure by default immobilizing the dead weight,

the means of immobilization and release is in the dead weight,

the system further comprises a controllable means for restraining and disengaging the equipment on or in the receiving structure, in contention configuration, said means enabling the equipment to be blocked on the receiving structure and in the clearance configuration; equipment being free to leave the receiving structure, and the control means is further configured, on the one hand, in the case of a drop order and before dropping the equipment, to control the means of contention and release in clearance configuration if it was not, and secondly, in case of recovery order and once the equipment recovered on the receiving structure, to control the means of contention and release in contention configuration ,

the blocking and unblocking of the line relative to the dead weight is automated by essentially mechanical means,

the immobilization and the release of the dead weight from the receiving structure, or in a variant with the capture device, are automated by essentially mechanical means,

in the dead weight, the controllable means for blocking and unblocking the essentially mechanical line, the controllable means for immobilizing and releasing the essentially mechanical dead weight, the first essentially mechanical detection means for detecting whether the equipment is is remote or not at a determined distance from the dead weight corresponding to the first determined length of the first line portion, the second essentially mechanical detection means for detecting whether or not the dead weight is on or in the receiving structure, are configured together for automatic operation without human intervention,

the first detection means is chosen from the following devices:

a mechanical device, a material mark of particular shape or size being arranged at a fixed point on the line at such a position along the line that the first determined length of the first line portion is substantially found between the equipment and said fixed point of the material mark, a feeler of the dead weight detecting the presence of said material mark,

a magnetic device, a magnet being disposed at a fixed point on the line at a position along the line such that the first determined length of the first line portion is substantially found between the equipment and said fixed point of the line; magnet, a magnetic sensor of the dead weight detecting the presence of said magnet,

an optical device, an optical marker being arranged at a fixed point on the line at a position along the line such that the first determined length of the first line portion is substantially found between the equipment and said fixed point of the line; optical marker, an optical sensor of the dead weight detecting the presence of said optical mark,

a circulating line measuring device giving the length of the line which has circulated in the two directions of circulation corresponding to the unwinding and the recovery of the line with respect to a determined fixed point, said fixed point being either in the dead weight, either in the unwinding means or recovery of the line of the receiving structure, a means of comparison with respect to length thresholds for producing the detections of the first detection means according to said thresholds,

the second detection means is chosen from the following devices:

a mechanical device, a dead weight sensor detecting that the dead weight is on / in the receiving structure,

a magnetic device, a magnet being disposed on / in the receiving structure and a dead weight magnetic sensor detecting the presence of said magnet,

an optical device, an optical marker being placed on the receiver structure and an optical dead weight sensor detecting the presence of said optical mark,

the third detection means is chosen from the following devices:

a mechanical device, a dead weight sensor detecting that the equipment is in contact with the dead weight,

a magnetic device, a magnet being placed on the equipment and a magnetic dead weight sensor detecting the presence of said magnet,

an optical device, an optical mark being placed on the equipment and an optical dead weight sensor detecting the presence of said optical mark,

a circulating line measuring device giving the length of the line which has circulated in the two directions of circulation corresponding to the unwinding and the recovery of the line with respect to a determined fixed point, said fixed point being either in the dead weight, either in the unwinding means or recovery of the line of the receiving structure, a means of comparison with respect to length thresholds for producing the detections of the third detection means as a function of said thresholds,

the detection means is a complex device combining one or more of the mechanical, magnetic, optical and measurement devices described,

the material mark is a nut of a size greater than the diameter of the line,

- the nut can be moved along the line to change the position of the fixed point as needed,

the controllable means for blocking and unblocking the line, the controllable means for immobilizing and releasing the dead weight, the first detection means, the second detection means are essentially mechanical, the said first detection means being a probe in the dead weight detecting the presence of a material marker arranged at a fixed point on the line, said material mark being a nut of a size greater than the diameter of the line, and the controllable locking and unblocking means of the line comprises a drawer through which the line passes, said drawer having a line passage to two zones of different sizes, a small size only allowing the line to pass and a large size allowing the passage of the material mark,

the probe of the first detection means does not let the material mark pass,

the second detection means is a probe for actuating the slide, said probe detecting whether or not the dead weight is on the receiving structure or in the capture device,

in the case where the second detecting means detects that it is no, the dead weight therefore not being on the receiving structure or in the capture device, the drawer is positioned so that the line passes through the passage small, only allowing the line to pass and blocking the passage of the material marker to the nut type in order to block the line in the dead weight,

in the dead weight, the feeler of the first detection means is arranged on the equipment side and the drawer is placed on the side of the receiving structure along the path of the line in the dead weight,

the dead weight comprises a pulley and the catching device comprises a pulley on which the trolling line is partially wound so that the troll line has a substantially vertical path when the dead weight is in the catch device,

- The receiving structure comprises a dead weight capture device, said capture device remaining integral with the receiving structure, the controllable means of immobilization and release of the dead weight acting on at least one immobilization device of the capture device , and the second detecting means of the controllable locking and unlocking means is a probe rod intended to detect the presence or absence of the capture device in contact with the dead weight,

the immobilization member of the capture device is a pin intended to enter an orifice of the dead weight,

the pawn has a head,

- the head is mushroom-shaped with a part tightened under its head end,

the controllable means for immobilizing and releasing the dead weight comprises a locking finger of the head of the capture device pin in the dead weight orifice,

the controllable means for immobilizing and releasing the dead weight comprises a biasing means maintaining it in the configuration of locking the head of the pin of the capture device; the locking finger of the controllable means of immobilization and release of the dead weight can fade when the pawn is inserted into the hole of the dead weight,

the controllable means of blocking and unblocking of the line is directly controlled by the fact that the dead weight is or is not on or in the receiving structure or on or in the capture device, - The controllable means of immobilization and release is controlled directly by the fact that the material mark has arrived or not in the dead weight.

The invention also relates to a dead weight for a dead weight system and a trolling line equipment in which the operational system, said equipment and said dead weight have been released by uncoiling the troll line, is found in FIG. successively equipping the equipment, a first portion of line of determined first length, the dead weight, a second portion of line of second predetermined length and a receiving structure, and wherein in the state of rest of the system, said equipment, said dead weight and said line are on or in the receiving structure following a recovery of the line on or in the receiving structure, the dead weight is specially configured for the system of the invention and it comprises:

a controllable means for blocking and unblocking the essentially mechanical line,

a controllable means of immobilization and release of the essentially mechanical dead weight,

a first essentially mechanical detection means making it possible to detect whether the equipment has moved away or not at a determined distance from the dead weight corresponding to the length of the first portion of a line,

a second essentially mechanical detection means making it possible to detect whether or not the dead weight is on or in the receiving structure,

said first sensing means being a dead weight feeler detecting the presence of a material mark disposed at a fixed point on the line, said material mark being a nut of a size larger than the diameter of the line, and the controllable locking means and unblocking the line comprises a drawer through which the line passes, said drawer having a line passage to two zones of different sizes, a small size allowing only the line and a large size allowing the passage of the material mark.

The dead weight can be declined according to all the possible technical possibilities of the variants described.

The invention also relates to a dead weight capture device for dead weight system and trolling equipment as specifically configured for the system of the invention, said capture device comprising a pinion head to come lock in a locking finger hole of a dead weight system. The capture device can be declined according to all the technical possibilities possibly combined variants described. In particular it is intended to allow the suspension of the dead weight at least during the release and during the recovery of said dead weight. In a variant, at rest of the system, the dead weight remains suspended to the capture device. Preferably, at rest of the system, the dead weight is placed on / in the receiving structure to better stabilize it.

The invention also relates to a method of implementing a dead weight system and trolling equipment and allowing the release and recovery from a / on or in a receiving structure, equipment and of a dead weight connected to a trolling line, in which system in the operational state, said equipment and said dead weight having been released by uncoiling the troll line, the equipment successively to the water, a first portion of line of first determined length , the dead weight, a second portion of line of second determined length and a receiving structure, and wherein in the idle state, said equipment, said dead weight and said line are on or in the receiving structure following a recovery of the line on or in the receiving structure, in which a system according to the invention is implemented and, in the case of a drop order from a state of rest, the release of the equipment is initiated and the trolling line is unwound until the first determined length of the first line portion is reached, the dead weight then being automatically released by the following means which are implemented:

a controllable means for blocking and unblocking the line relative to the essentially mechanical dead weight,

a first essentially mechanical detection means making it possible to detect whether the equipment has moved away or not at a determined distance from the dead weight corresponding to the first determined length of the first portion of a line,

a second essentially mechanical detection means making it possible to detect whether or not the dead weight is on or in the receiving structure.

The process can be declined in various ways on the basis of the described procedures.

The present invention, without being limited thereby, will now be exemplified with the following description of embodiments and implementation in relation to:

1 represents a perspective view of a system according to the invention in the state of rest with a floating reception structure, on which were recovered a dead weight, an equipment and the trolling line to which these two The last elements are joined / linked, Figure 2 which represents the system of Figure 1 at the beginning of the equipment drop, the dead weight and the trolling line,

Figure 3 which represents the system of Figure 1 with the subsequent release, due to the unwinding / unwinding of the trolling line, the equipment moving away from the still dead weight of the receiving structure, the line being unlocked dead weight and slidable relative to said dead weight to which it is secured / linked,

Figure 4 which represents the system of Figure 1 with the subsequent continuation of the release, equipment and dead weight away from the receiving structure, due to the unwinding / unwinding of the trolling line which continues and the blocking the line in the dead weight, FIG. 5 which represents a longitudinal sectional view of the dead weight and of a dead weight capture device of the receiving structure, the controllable means of immobilization and release of the dead weight being in immobilization configuration of the dead weight, the system being in the beginning of release of the equipment which has already moved away from the dead weight by unwinding / unfolding of the drag line which slides through the dead weight, a nut fixed on the line approaching the dead weight,

FIG. 6 which represents a longitudinal sectional view of the dead weight and the dead weight capture device of FIG. 5, the continuation of the drop having brought the nut of the line into the dead weight for actuation in release of the controllable means of immobilization and release of the dead weight,

7 which represents a longitudinal sectional view of the dead weight and the dead weight capture device of FIG. 5, the continuation of the release having brought about the release of the dead weight which is moving away from the receiving structure and the blocking in translation / sliding of the line relative to the dead weight, the nut being trapped in the dead weight,

8 which represents a longitudinal sectional view of the dead weight and the dead weight capture device towards the end of the recovery of the dead weight by recovery / rewinding of the line, the nut being still a prisoner of the dead weight,

Figure 9 which shows a longitudinal sectional view of the dead weight and the dead weight capture device of Figure 8 at the end of the dead weight recovery, with the nut freeing from the dead weight and the equipment continuing to be recovered by continuing the recovery / rewinding of the line that can now slide relative to the dead weight, and

Figure 10 which shows a trailing line lock slide of the controllable lock / release line means installed in the dead weight.

The example which is given below relates to a floating barge on sea or fresh water which comprises the system of the invention. It will be understood from the following description that the system in question is usable on all or in any suitable floating or submerged support: for example ship, barge, submarine, craft navigating on the surface, between two waters or rolling on the bottom, whether on a deck or in a hold / inside the craft. The receiving structure is brought forward on or in the water and the equipment and the dead weight released, which are connected thereto by the drag line, will therefore stretch at the rear of the receiving structure on a certain distance.

The system implements a control means which is a control apparatus for activating the operation of the organs necessary for the release, unwinding, recovery ... and it therefore allows to control the corresponding functions. This apparatus may, in a simple embodiment, consist of one or more desks with control buttons for each of the organs with or without electronic help / control, the aid being for example a control of the limit switch for an organ particular. This apparatus may, in an advanced embodiment, be a computer device managing the controls of each of the organs by controls on the various organs. other Embodiments between the two previous ones are also possible associating automated controls for some of the organs and non-automated / manual, possibly controlled, for the others. In addition, some of these controlled operations are dependent on another controlled operation in order to make certain actions automatic: for example, the control of the locking configuration of the locking and unlocking means results from the fact that the control of the release of the weight death has been achieved. Some commands are therefore secondary to an initial / primary command and are obtained by detection means of the execution of the initial command, the second detection means for the example above. In practice, the locking and unlocking means and the immobilizing and releasing means are secondary-controlled by means of detecting the execution of an initial / primary command.

The system 1 of FIG. 1 is in the idle state: the equipment 4 and the dead weight 3 are on the deck of a floating reception structure 2, the trailing line 6 having been recovered / rewound on the structure The trolling line 6 can be of any type: a simple traction / towing line, metallic or synthetic, for example, or a combined line for both traction / towing and communication and / or power supply for exchange. data and / or power supply between the receiving structure and the equipment, see also the dead weight in case it also includes electronic devices.

The equipment 4 and the dead weight 3 are secured to / tied to the troll line 6: for the equipment 4 in a fixed manner and preferably at the free end, opposite side to a not shown winch winding / course of the line. The winch is attached to the receiving structure 2, on its platform or on a crane or a gantry. For the dead weight 3, the attachment of the trolling line 6 to the dead weight 3 has two states: blocking and unblocking through a controllable means of locking and unlocking. In the locking configuration of the controllable locking and unlocking means, the line 6 is immobilized with respect to the dead weight 3: the dead weight will thus move away from or approach the receiving structure 2 as a function of the release / unwinding or the recovery / rewinding of the line 6. In the unlocking configuration of the controllable locking and unlocking means, the line 6 becomes free to slide with respect to the dead weight 3, the line remaining however integral with / linked to the dead weight, which corresponds to the fact that the dead weight can move freely along the line.

In the state of rest of the system, the equipment 4 is preferably maintained on an inclined plane 9 of the receiving structure 2 by holding means (not shown) which avoid inadvertent movements of the equipment 4 during the movements of the receiving structure 2. The retaining means of the equipment are removable to allow the release. The inclined plane 9 forms a ramp to the water on which floats the receiving structure 2.

The receiving structure 2 may, more generally, be a part of a ship or the like or preferably a prefabricated module, which is attached to or in a part of a ship or the like. In this example, the receiving structure comprises a launching portico 7 partially shown in Figure 1 and actuated by effectors which are here hydraulic cylinders. In variants, provision is made for one or more running carriages integral with the receiving structure for the dropping and recovery maneuvers of the equipment and / or the dead weight, rather than lifting one or both when these maneuvers. This has the advantage of avoiding that there is a suspended object (the equipment and / or the dead weight) that can pendulum according to the movements of the receiving structure during these maneuvers. It can be expected to reassemble the carriages once the release is completed to prevent them remain in the water. Even simpler, it is possible to provide wheel type rolling means under the equipment and / or the dead weight or one or more guide rails and to maintain along the inclined plane, in particular an axis receiving groove rail. mushroom equipment and / or dead weight.

In the example shown, a dead weight capture device 5 is secured to the gantry. The capture device 5 remains attached to the receiving structure 2, more precisely to the gantry 7, and does not move away from it. In the idle state, the dead weight 3 is immobilized by the capture device 5 but it will be seen that the dead weight can be released from the capture device. In this example, the dead weight 3 is placed on the receiving structure and the capture device 5 the immobilizer comes to cover partially to ensure better support. The line 6 passes through the capture device and the dead weight 3. The equipment 4 is practically in contact with the dead weight 3 and means of complementary shapes are provided between them in this contact zone with a docking guide 8. 'equipment. The troll line passes through the docking guide 8 as will be seen later.

In Figure 2, the release of the equipment 4, the dead weight 3 and the drag line began by lifting the capture device 5 by the gantry 7 which raises the dead weight 3 immobilized by / in the device capture 5 and also raises, at least in part, the equipment 4 because the latter is attached to the trailing line which is still stretched and passes through the dead weight.

In Figure 3, the gantry has deployed completely to bring into the water the equipment and the dead weight still immobilized by / in the capture device 5. Due to the course of the line 6 and that the latter is free to slide relative to the dead weight 3, the equipment begins to move away from the dead weight 3 and the receiving structure 2 and we see the extended line 6 between the equipment 4 and the line exit of the docking guide 8.

4, the equipment 4 moved away from the dead weight and thus from the receiving structure by a predetermined predetermined distance and the dead weight was then released from the capture device 5. During this release, the controllable means of blocking and unblocking which was until now in unlocking configuration (the line can therefore freely slide in the dead weight), goes to the blocking state immobilizing the line 6 in the dead weight, the dead weight 3 goes now follow the unwinding (or the winding in the event of recovery) of the line outside (in) the receiving structure 2 and move away from it (or approaching it). In Fig. 4, the dead weight just starts to move away and the line length 6 between the dead weight 3 and the capture device 5 (or the receiving structure 2) is still small. The line can still be unrolled if we want the dead weight to move further away from the receiving structure. Once the process is completed, the system then being in the operational state, it is possible to go back on the reception structure to the capture device 5 if desired.

In the example shown, the controllable blocking and unblocking means is a locking and unlocking device which is controlled as a function of detections by a second detection means, also called a second detector, making it possible to detect whether the dead weight is or no in or on the receiving structure. As for him, the first detection means, also said first detector, makes it possible to detect whether the equipment has moved away or not from a determined distance from the dead weight and it makes it possible in particular to determine the moment of the drop of the dead weight. The controllable means of immobilization and release is a device for immobilizing and releasing the dead body on or in and out of the receiving structure, its control being dependent on the first detector. Finally, the third detection means, still said third detector, to detect if the equipment has come sufficiently close to the dead weight for docking.

Thus, in the first phase of the drop, the trolling line is free to slide through the dead weight until a detecting means detects that the equipment 4 has moved away at a determined distance from the dead weight. , or in an equivalent manner of the receiving structure 2 (the dead weight still being immobilized to the receiving structure) to then control the locking and unlocking means in blocking configuration and to drop said dead weight. Then, the line being locked in the dead weight, the dead weight follows the evolution of unwinding (= release) or winding (= recovery) of the line.

For the recovery of the equipment 4, the dead weight 5 and the troll line 6, at first the line is wound up / recovered on the receiving structure, which makes it possible to bring the dead weight closer to its catch device. 5 since the line is locked in the dead weight. Once the dead weight reaches its capture device 5, the line is unlocked from the dead weight while remaining attached to the dead weight and the line can slide back into the dead weight again. There is also immobilization of the dead weight in the capture device 5. It is thus possible to continue recovering / winding the line on the receiving structure to bring back the equipment to put the system in the state of rest .

It is therefore understood that the term "connection" between the trolling line and the dead weight means that the dead weight is linked to the line and is maintained at a predetermined distance from the line along the line, in this case a reduced distance to zero since the line crosses the dead weight, and that the fact that the line can slide or not relative to the dead weight relates to a blocking or unlocking state independent of the fastening itself. In practice the line, instead of passing into / through the dead weight could pass on one of its sides or even at a certain distance and a fixed length link is then provided between the two and the locking-unlocking means being then at the end of the link trolling line side. The controllable locking and unblocking means of the drag line and the controllable means for immobilizing and releasing the dead weight on / of the receiving structure will now be described in more detail.

In FIG. 5, the dead weight 3 is still immobilized in the capture device 5 and the troll line 6 has been unwound practically until reaching the planned distance between the equipment 4 (not visible and symbolized on the left by the dashed arrow of reference 4) and the dead weight to effect release of the dead weight and blocking of the line in the dead weight.

The line 6 during unwinding / unwinding (arrow pointing to the left above the line) of the winch of the receiving structure, first passes through the capture device 5 by passing on a first pulley January 1. The line then passes through the dead weight 3 passing over a second pulley 12 to emerge through the docking guide 8. As can be seen, the docking guide 8 is mounted articulated by a ball joint on the dead weight 3. its path through the dead weight, the line 6 passes through a locking slide 17a of the controllable means of locking and unlocking 17 of the line. In the control configuration shown, the line 6 is free to slide through the dead weight 3. The controllable locking and unblocking means 17 of the line is actuated by a probe rod 17c for detecting the presence or absence of the capture device 5 in contact with the dead weight 3. The probe rod 17c actuates a control arm 17b acting on the locking slide 17a.

The dead weight also includes the controllable means of immobilization and release

14 of the dead weight which has a control probe 14a and a finger 14b for locking a pinion head 15, the pin 15 being integral with the capture device 5. The pin 15 of the capture device 5 penetrates in an orifice 16 of the dead weight 3 when the dead weight is immobilized in the capture device and as shown in FIG. 5. This control sensor 14a forms a detection means making it possible to detect whether the equipment has moved away at a distance from distance of the dead weight corresponding to that desired for the functional state that one wishes to achieve by the drop. For this purpose, a mechanical material marker in the form of a nut 13 is fixed / immobilized on the line 6 and, in FIG. 5, this nut 13 approaches the dead weight. The nut 13 has a diameter greater than that of the line 6 on which it is fixed.

It is understood that in the event that a capture device is not implemented, the peg would then be integral with the receiving structure and the probe 14a of the controllable means of immobilization and release 14 would then be intended to detect whether the dead body is or not on / in the receiving structure. In other embodiments, more than one pawn may be implemented between the capture device or the receiving structure and the dead weight, each of the pions being able to be locked or not in the dead weight, at least one of the pawns for reasons including safety and stability of the dead weight on / in the receiving structure or the capture device, particularly if, as shown, the dead weight is suspended at certain stages of the release or recovery. The controllable means of immobilization and release 14 of the dead weight on / of the receiving structure is therefore controlled directly by the nut 13.

The controllable locking and unlocking means 17 of the line is thus directly controlled by bringing the dead weight 3 and the catching device 5 closer together and thus indirectly by the nut 13. It is understood that it is possible in a variant of implementing a direct control of the locking slide 17a by the nut.

The dead weight therefore comprises a pulley 12 and the catching device a pulley 11 on which the tow line 6 partially winds up so that the troll line has a substantially vertical path when the dead weight is in the catch device or , at the very least, that it is being dropped or recovered (see Figures 3, 4).

In the position of the lock slide 17a shown in Figure 5, the line 6 passes through said drawer in a large channel 19 through which the nut 13 can pass. Figure 10 shows an enlargement of the locking slide 17a and can be seen the large channel 19, large diameter in this case, and a smaller channel 20, small thickness in this case, and The large and small channels 19 and 20 are in continuity so that the line can pass from one to the other during the sliding of the locking slide 17a. Note also the presence of a small insertion channel 21 allowing the passage of the line during the installation of the drawer in the dead weight while the line 6 is already in place and to avoid having to pass the line in the lock drawer 17a starting with a free end of the line. In addition, one can provide the implementation of several nuts of different sizes on the line and interchangeable drawers to block such or such a nut as needed.

In Figure 6, the nut 13 which has moved in the dead weight due to the release / unwinding of the line 6, has just controlled the controllable means of immobilization and release 14 of the dead weight 3 by passing it in configuration of liberation. The control probe 14a has detected the presence of the nut 13 which caused its tilting, which resulted in the removal of the locking finger 14b and the release of the pin 15. It should be noted that the probe 14a for detecting the presence of the nut 13 is also a way that prevents the passage of the nut which can not go further.

In FIG. 7, the dead weight 3 starts to move away from the capture device 5 due to the release of the dead weight 3 from the capture device 5 and the line 6 is now locked in the dead weight 3. This blockage is due to the fact that the drawer 17a of the controllable blocking and unlocking means 17 has moved and that the line 6 now passes through said drawer at the level of the smaller channel 20 which does not let the nut 13 pass. The nut 13 is now locked in the dead weight between the probe 14a and the drawer 17a and moved. The unwinding / dropping of the troll line by the receiving structure 2 will therefore cause the dead weight 3 and thus the equipment 4 to move away from the receiving structure until the operational state is obtained. It is understood that in the context of the invention the terms unwinding, unwinding, unwinding or release for the troll line are equivalent and correspond to a controlled release of the trolling line from the receiving structure following a release order for the system. Conversely, the terms recovery, rewinding, winding, correspond to a controlled recall of the trolling line to and through the receiving structure following a recovery order for the system.

It may be noted that the controllable locking and unlocking means 17 comprises a return means which sets it by default, that is to say when the dead weight 3 is separated from the capture device 5, in the blocking configuration. As soon as the dead weight is received / on / in the receiving structure, in this case in the capture device of the receiving structure, the locking and unlocking means passes to the unlocking state so that the troll line can slide through the dead weight.

Note also that the controllable means of immobilization and release 14 which is no longer biased by the nut 13 is ironed in a configuration where the locking finger 14b is in the orifice 16 of the dead weight 3. The controllable means of immobilization and release 14 therefore comprises a return means in this latter configuration. The controllable means of immobilization and release 14 is therefore also configured, end of the beveled finger 14b and countershaft head 15, to allow the passive installation of the pin 15 in the orifice 16 during the recovery, the finger 14b retracting during the introduction of the pion head and then blocking it once the pawn is completely inserted into the orifice 16.

In this example, the controllable locking and unlocking means 17 is directly controlled by the fact that the dead weight 3 is or is not in the capture device 5 and therefore indirectly by the fact that the material mark, the nut 13 in the species, arrived in the dead weight 3. The controllable means of immobilization and release 14, meanwhile, is directly controlled by the fact that the material marker, the nut 13 in this case, arrived in the dead weight 3 The commands are thus cascading. It is understood that it is possible to implement means for the two commands in question to be directly controlled by the fact that the material marker, the nut 13 in this case, has arrived in the dead weight 3. The controllable means behave like automated control means.

In Figure 8, a recovery command was given to the system control means and the troll line 6 began to be retrieved / rewound on / into the receiving structure. Since the line 6 is locked in the dead weight, the dead weight 3 has approached the capture device 5 and the catch 15 of the catch device begins to enter the hole 16 of the dead weight 3. 14b locking finger will temporarily disappear during the passage of the head of the pin 15 which forces the biasing means of the immobilisable control means and release 14. The probe rod 17c will begin to be solicited by the presence of the device capture 5. However, that's only when the weight dead is in the capture device, as shown in Figure 8, that the drawer will be able to move so that the controllable blocking and unblocking means 17 goes into unlocking configuration of the nut of the line: the nut will be able to go back through the drawer 17a.

The rest of the recovery steps continue in the opposite way to that of the drop, eventually leading to the state of rest of the system.

More globally, the dead weight comprises a controllable means of blocking and unblocking the line allowing in blocking configuration to immobilize the line at dead weight and in the unlocking configuration to allow the line to slide relative to the dead weight, the line remaining attached to the dead weight but mobile sliding. Moreover, considering that in the operational state, there is successively in water: the equipment, a first portion of line of determined first length, the dead weight, a second portion of line of second determined length and the receiving structure, the system comprises detection means making it possible to detect:

- whether the equipment has moved away or not at a fixed distance from the dead weight corresponding to the length of the first line portion,

whether or not the dead weight is on or in the receiving structure,

whether or not the equipment has moved closer to a given distance from the dead weight, said determined distance being less than the length of the first line portion and corresponding to a reduced length of line between the equipment and the dead weight allowing to take over the equipment on or in the receiving structure. The system further comprises a control means configured on the one hand, in the case of a drop order, the equipment, the dead weight and the line being on the receiving structure in the idle state:

in a step 1 L of the release, to control the locking and unlocking means in unlocking configuration if it were not,

in a step 2L, to drop the equipment out of the receiving structure by unwinding the line,

in a step 3L, when the detecting means detects that the equipment has moved away at the determined distance from the dead weight to then drop said dead weight and control the locking and unlocking means in blocking configuration while continuing to unroll the line, the line then being immobilized at the dead weight,

in a step 4L, to stop the unwinding of the line when the rewinding of the line has made it possible to obtain the second portion of line,

and on the other hand, in the case of a recovery order, the system being in the operational state:

at a step 1 R of the recovery, to recover the line on the reception structure, at a step 2R, when the detection means detects that the dead weight has been recovered on or in the reception structure, to then control the locking and unlocking means in the unlocking configuration and continuing to recover the line on the receiving structure, the line then being able to slide relative to the dead weight, in a step 3R, when the detection means detects that the equipment has approached the determined distance from the dead weight, to then take over the equipment on the receiving structure and stop the recovery of the line.

It is understood that the means described in relation to the Figures are an exemplary embodiment and it is possible to implement other hardware means producing the same functions of locking / unlocking and immobilization / release automated. It is the same for the detection means. Thus, it is possible to implement means controlled directly or indirectly by the nut or another type of marker on the trolling line. In addition, if preferably, the means implemented in the dead weight are essentially mechanical in order to better withstand an environment that can be aggressive (saline medium, movements, shocks ...), the invention can implement means mixed and / or electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, electronic. More generally, the global control means of the system comprise, in addition to the mechanical means of the dead weight, electronic means for ensuring a correct sequencing of the operating steps of the system as a function of the drop order or recovery to be executed. Thus, the system can be completely autonomous without human intervention other than to give the desired order of release or recovery. The receiving structure may therefore comprise, as required, a power source, electronic means, a thruster, a rudder, a radio remote control, verification sensors for the execution of the steps, and / or any other useful element. .

Claims

1. System (1) of dead weight (3) and equipment (4) on a trolling line (6) with drops and recoveries from a receiving structure (2) of a craft on or in the water the trolling line (6) being continuous and integral with the equipment (4), the dead weight (3) and the receiving structure (2) and having a first end on the equipment side and a second end on the side of the receiving structure, the equipment being fixed at a fixed point of the line, preferably at the first end of the line, the line on the side of the second end being fixed at a point movable along its length at the receiving structure to allow the release or recovery of such line, equipment and dead weight,

in which in the operational state, said equipment and said dead weight having been released by uncoiling the troll line, water is successively found: the equipment, a first portion of line of determined first length, the dead weight a second line portion of second predetermined length and the receiving structure, and wherein in the idle state, said equipment, said dead weight and said line are on or in the receiving structure following a recovery of the line on or in the receiving structure,

the system comprising:

a controllable means for locking and unlocking (17) the dead weight (3) on the line allowing, in a locking configuration, to immobilize the line (6) with respect to the dead weight (3) and, in a configuration to enable the line (6) to slide relative to the dead weight (3),

a first detection means (14a) for detecting whether the equipment (4) has moved away or not at a determined distance from the dead weight (3) and corresponding to the first determined length of the first line portion,

a control means configured, in the case of a drop order from the idle state, for successively:

in an equipment release step (2L), to release the equipment (4) out of the receiving structure (2) by unwinding the line (6),

in a step of dropping the dead weight (3L), when the first detecting means (14a) detects that the equipment has moved away at the first determined distance from the dead weight (3), dropping said dead weight (3) and controlling the locking and unlocking means (17) in blocking configuration while continuing to unwind the line (6), the line then being immobilized with respect to the dead weight,

in a feed-out stop step (4L), to stop the unwinding of the line (6) when the unwinding of the line has made it possible to obtain the second determined length of the second line portion,

characterized in that in the unlocking configuration of the controllable means for locking and unlocking the dead weight, the line remains linked to the dead weight but is slidably movable relative to said dead weight, and in that the system further comprises a second detection means (17c) for detecting whether or not the dead weight (3) is on or in the receiving structure and that, in the weight drop step 3L, the control of the blocking and unlocking means (17) in blocking configuration results from the detection by the second detecting means (17c) that the dead weight (3) is not on or in the structure receiving (2) following the release of said dead weight.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a third detection means which makes it possible to detect whether the equipment (4) has or has not moved closer to a determined distance of docking the dead weight (3) , said determined mating distance being less than the length of the first line portion and corresponding to a reduced line length between the equipment (4) and the dead weight (3) to support the equipment on or in the receiving structure,

and in that the control means is further configured, in case of recovery order, the system being in the operational state, for successively:

in a line recovery step (1 R), to partially recover the line (6) on the reception structure (2),

in a dead weight recovery step (2R), when the second detection means (17c) detects that the dead weight has been recovered on or in the receiving structure (2), controlling the locking and unlocking means ( 17) in unblocking configuration and to continue to recover the line on the receiving structure, the line can then slide relative to the dead weight,

at an equipment recovery step (3R), when the third detecting means detects that the equipment (4) has approached the determined distance of approaching the dead weight, take charge of the equipment (4); ) on the receiving structure and stop the winding of the line (6).

3. System according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it further comprises a controllable means of immobilization and release (14) of the dead weight on / of the receiving structure, for, in a configuration d immobilizing, blocking the dead weight on or in the receiving structure (2) and, in the release configuration, releasing the dead weight so as to allow it to leave the receiving structure, and in that the control means is in further configured, when in the case of a drop command the first detecting means (14a) detects that the equipment (4) has moved away at the first determined distance from the dead weight (3), to then control the means of immobilizing and releasing (14) in release configuration to release said dead weight,

and in that the immobilization configuration is the default configuration of the immobilizing and releasing means, the recovery of the dead weight on or in the receiving structure causing the immobilization of the dead weight by default.

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first detection means is chosen from the following devices:

a mechanical device, a material mark (13) of particular shape or size being arranged at a fixed point on the line at such a position along the line that the first determined length of the first line portion is substantially found between equipment and said fixed point of the material mark, a probe (14a) of the dead weight detecting the presence of said material mark,

an optical device, an optical marker being arranged at a fixed point on the line at a position along the line such that the first determined length of the first line portion is substantially found between the equipment and said fixed point of the reference mark; optical, an optical sensor of the dead weight detecting the presence of said optical mark,

a circulating line measuring device giving the length of the line which has circulated in the two directions of circulation corresponding to the unwinding and the recovery of the line with respect to a determined fixed point, said fixed point being either in the dead weight, either in the unwinding means or recovery of the line of the receiving structure, a comparison means with respect to length thresholds for producing the detections of the first detection means according to said thresholds.

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second detection means is chosen from the following devices:

a mechanical device, a probe (17c) of the dead weight detecting that the dead weight is on / in the receiving structure,

an optical device, an optical marker being placed on the receiving structure and an optical dead weight sensor detecting the presence of said optical mark.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controllable means for locking and unlocking (17) of the line, the controllable means for immobilizing and releasing (14) the dead weight, the first means of detection (14a), the second detection means (17c) are essentially mechanical, said first detection means (14a) being a feeler in the dead weight (3) detecting the presence of a material marker disposed at a fixed point on the line, said material mark being a nut (13) greater than the diameter of the line, and in that the controllable locking means and unblocking (17) of the line comprises a drawer (17a) through which the line (6) passes, said drawer having a line passage (6) with two zones of different sizes, a small size (20) not leaving pass that the line and a large size (19) allowing the passage of the material mark.

7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the receiving structure (2) comprises a capture device (5) of the dead weight, said capture device (5) remaining integral with the receiving structure (2), the controllable means for immobilizing and releasing (14) the dead weight acting on at least one immobilizing member of the capture device, and in that the second detecting means (17c) of the controllable locking and unlocking means (17) is a probe rod (17c) for detecting the presence or absence of the capture device in contact with the dead weight.

8. System according to any one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the controllable means of locking and unlocking (17) of the line (6) is controlled directly by the fact that the dead weight (3) is or not on or in the receiving structure (2) or on or in the capture device (5) and in that the controllable immobilizing and releasing means (14) is controlled directly by the fact that the material mark has arrived or not in the dead weight (3).

9. Dead weight for dead weight system (3) and equipment (4) on troll line (6) in which system in operational state, said equipment and said dead weight have been released by uncoiling of the troll line, the equipment, a first portion of line of determined first length, the dead weight, a second portion of line of determined second length and a receiving structure, and in which, in the idle state of the system, said equipment, said dead weight and said line are on or in the receiving structure following recovery of the line on or in the receiving structure, characterized in that it is specially configured for the system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising:

a controllable means for locking and unlocking (17) the essentially mechanical line,

a controllable means of immobilization and release (14) of the essentially mechanical dead weight,

a first substantially mechanical detection means (14a) for detecting whether the equipment has moved away or not at a determined distance from the dead weight corresponding to the length of the first line portion,

a second essentially mechanical detection means (17c) for detecting whether or not the dead weight is on or in the receiving structure,

said first sensing means (14a) being a feeler in the dead weight detecting the presence of a material mark disposed at a fixed point on the line (6), said material mark being a nut (13) of a size greater than the diameter of the line, and in that the controllable locking and unlocking means (17) of the line comprises a drawer (17a) through which the line (6) passes, said drawer having a line passage with two zones of different sizes, a small size (20) allowing only the line and a large size (19) allowing the passage of the material mark.

10. Apparatus for capturing (5) a dead weight for a deadweight system and trolling equipment, characterized in that it is specially configured for the system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 comprising such a device capture device, said capture device (5) comprising a pin (15) with a head intended to be locked in a hole (16) locking finger (14b) a dead weight of the system.

1 1. Method of implementing a dead weight system and trolling line equipment for launching and recovering from a receiving structure, equipment and dead weight connected to a trolling line , in which system in the operational state, said equipment and said dead weight having been released by uncoiling the troll line, there is successively the equipment water, a first portion of line of first determined length, the weight dead, a second portion of second line length determined and a receiving structure, and wherein in the state of rest of the system, said equipment, said dead weight and said line are on or in the receiving structure following a recovery of the line on or in the receiving structure,

characterized in that it implements a system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and, in case of release order from a state of rest, causes the release of the equipment and roll out the troll line until the first determined length of the first line portion is reached, the dead weight then being automatically dropped by the following means which are implemented:

a controllable means for blocking and unblocking (17) the line relative to the essentially mechanical dead weight,

a first essentially mechanical detection means (14a) for detecting whether the equipment has moved away or not at a determined distance from the dead weight corresponding to the first determined length of the first line portion;

a second essentially mechanical detection means (17c) making it possible to detect whether or not the dead weight is on or in the receiving structure.