EP3609777B1 - Bouée - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP3609777B1
EP3609777B1 EP18716311.8A EP18716311A EP3609777B1 EP 3609777 B1 EP3609777 B1 EP 3609777B1 EP 18716311 A EP18716311 A EP 18716311A EP 3609777 B1 EP3609777 B1 EP 3609777B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
buoy
cartridge
container
volume
gas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP18716311.8A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3609777A1 (fr
Inventor
Florian PREVEL
Romain CARERIC
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thales SA
Original Assignee
Thales SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP3609777A1 publication Critical patent/EP3609777A1/fr
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Publication of EP3609777B1 publication Critical patent/EP3609777B1/fr
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B22/00—Buoys
    • B63B22/22—Inflatable buoys with gas generating means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B22/00—Buoys
    • B63B22/003—Buoys adapted for being launched from an aircraft or water vehicle;, e.g. with brakes deployed in the water

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to buoys of the type comprising an inflatable pocket and at least one cartridge containing a releasable compressed gas so as to inflate the inflatable pocket by means of the gas so that the inflated pocket has a float function.
  • the present invention relates in particular to communication buoys of the type comprising at least one radioelectric antenna intended to be placed above the surface of the water to allow communication with a remote base.
  • the inflatable bag is provided with a radio antenna arranged so that when the bag is inflated by means of the gas, the bag rises to the surface so as to bring and maintain the radio antenna above the surface of the water .
  • the buoy can serve as a landmark or to maintain an object at a predetermined immersion.
  • buoys can be releasable from a carrier located above the surface of the water or from a submarine.
  • buoys generally comprise a stack of coaxial cylinders housing the functional elements of the buoy. This stack is housed in a tubular container before the buoy is released.
  • the size of the cylinders and internal equipment is very constrained by the size of the tubular container.
  • Buoys conventionally comprise a surface unit comprising a sealed tank comprising the inflatable pocket and a cylindrical box, forming one of the cylinders of the stack. Inside the case are housed electrical equipment including one or more electrical circuits for processing signals from and/or intended for a radioelectric antenna and/or at least one battery for supplying these electrical circuits and/or the antenna.
  • the surface unit rises to the surface of the water when the inflatable bag is inflated whereas the depth unit generally descends in depth, for example to emit and/or receive acoustic waves.
  • the pocket inflatable In order to ensure good radio communication or good visibility of the buoy even when the sea is rough, the pocket inflatable must be able to reach a sufficient height above sea level, which presupposes satisfactory inflation of the inflatable bag.
  • jettisonable buoys of the prior art comprise several cartridges of similar volume enclosed inside the casing. These cartridges are arranged so that their longitudinal axes are perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder formed by the housing.
  • the internal volume of the casing communicates with the internal volume of the inflatable bag.
  • the size of the case is increased quite significantly with each cartridge added, this volume being larger than the volume of the cartridge, which leads to a fairly significant increase in the drag of the case.
  • the drag of the casing must generally be reduced as much as possible to ensure stability of the position of the surface unit so as to limit the movements of the depth unit under the effect of antagonistic currents at the surface and at depth.
  • the document FR 2 350 245 relates to a releasable sonobuoy with a mechanism for separating a cylindrical float from a cylindrical plunger.
  • the buoy further comprises a radio compartment and a battery which do not form a watertight container.
  • EP 0 449 371 A1 describes a similar buoy.
  • An object of the invention is to limit at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.
  • the invention relates to a surface unit according to claim 1 or 3.
  • the figures 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d illustrate the deployment of a buoy according to the invention.
  • the buoy 1 is a buoy releasable from a carrier 100 located above the surface of the water.
  • This carrier 100 is for example an aircraft, a helicopter or a surface vessel.
  • the buoy is connected to a submarine and is intended to provide radio communication between the submarine and a station located above sea level.
  • the buoy 1 may comprise, as shown in the figures 1a to 1d a tubular container 4 delimiting an internal volume of shape globally cylindrical with negative buoyancy and within which is housed a so-called internal part of the buoy in a storage configuration of the buoy represented on the picture 1a .
  • the inflatable pocket 3 is not inflated.
  • the internal volume is advantageously but not necessarily of revolution.
  • a parachute 7 is deployed outside the container 4 so as to slow down the fall of the buoy 1 in the water.
  • the inflatable bag 3 inflates, which has the effect of ensuring the dismantling of the parachute 7, causing a box 6 to come out of the surface unit 5 from the container 4 and causing the surface unit 5 to rise towards the surface S water, as shown in the figure 1c , so as to bring the float 3 of the surface unit 5 to the surface of the water.
  • the internal part of the antenna comprises a stack of several units.
  • This stack comprises the surface unit 5 and a depth unit 8 with negative buoyancy.
  • the surface unit 5 and the depth unit 8 are joined together when the antenna is in the storage configuration of the picture 1a .
  • These elements are conventionally housed in the tubular container of generally standardized size before the release of the buoy, that is to say when the buoy is in the storage configuration.
  • the volume allocated to each unit is very limited and the limitation of the volume occupied by the various elements within the tube is crucial.
  • the surface unit 5 is connected to a depth unit 8 by a cable 9 which unwinds during the inflation of the inflatable bag 3 so that the surface unit 5 rises towards the surface S while the depth unit 8 continues its descent towards the bottom of the water.
  • the depth unit 8 continues to sink and therefore separates from the surface unit 5.
  • the cable 9 unfolds or unrolls during this phase, until that the depth unit 8 reaches a predetermined depth.
  • the descent of the depth unit 8 is stopped by stopping the unwinding of the cable 9.
  • the cable 9 is then under tension.
  • the negatively buoyant container 4 continues to sink, freeing the unit depth 8.
  • the antenna 1 is then in an operational configuration represented on the figure 1d .
  • the inflatable bag 3 is supported by a casing 6 of the surface unit 5. A part of the surface unit 5 is submerged in water when the buoy is in the operational configuration.
  • the buoy 1 is for example, but not necessarily, a communication buoy of the type comprising at least one radioelectric antenna 2 for transmitting and/or receiving radioelectric waves.
  • the buoy 1 is configured so that the radio antenna 2 is maintained above the surface of the water when the buoy 1 is in the operational configuration so as to allow communication of information, by way radio, between the buoy 1 and a remote station located above sea level, for example, on board the carrier 100, when the antenna is located above the surface of the water.
  • the buoy 1 comprises, for example, one or more sensors making it possible to measure a physical quantity, the buoy being configured so that the sensor is immersed in the water when the buoy 1 is in the operational configuration.
  • the buoy comprises for example one or more intended to measure underwater acoustic waves and or one or more temperature sensors intended to be immersed in order to measure a temperature of the water.
  • a buoy comprising one or more hydrophones is an acoustic buoy also called sonobuoy in Anglo-Saxon terminology.
  • the buoy is for example intended to transmit by radio, by means of the radio antenna, information on the underwater acoustic waves detected by at least one hydrophone.
  • the buoy 1 comprises at least one antenna for transmitting acoustic waves. The buoy is then said to be active.
  • At least one hydrophone advantageously belongs to the unit of depth when the buoy comprises a unit of area and a unit of depth.
  • the figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the main elements of the surface unit 5 of the buoy 1 according to the invention when the buoy is in the storage configuration.
  • the inflatable bag is protected by a cover 13.
  • the picture 3 shows a sectional view of the buoy according to the invention in the storage configuration.
  • the surface unit 5 comprises a gas cartridge 11 containing a compressed gas.
  • This gas is, for example, air, carbon dioxide or nitrogen dioxide.
  • the gas confined in the cartridge is releasable. That is, it can be released from the cartridge 11.
  • the gas is confined in the cartridge 11 which is sealed.
  • the inflatable pocket 3 is not inflated.
  • the inflatable pocket 3 is inflated by means of the gas which was confined in the cartridge 11 in the storage configuration, the inflatable pocket 3 then has a float function.
  • the gas contained in the cartridge is releasable by means of a gas release system which will be described later.
  • the gas release system is capable of forming an orifice in the cartridge to release the gas.
  • the cartridge 11 and the inflatable pocket 3 are arranged so that when the gas is released, the gas contained in the cartridge 11 inflates the inflatable pocket 3 so that the pocket 3 becomes a float.
  • the inflatable bag 3 is linked to the cartridge 11 in a gas-tight manner and the internal volume of the cartridge communicates with the internal volume of the inflatable bag 3 when the gas is released.
  • the box 6 is for example made of plastic material which is light, cheap and can be transparent but it can be made of any other material.
  • the casing 6 does not substantially deform when the buoy passes from the storage configuration to the operational configuration.
  • the housing 6 delimits an internal volume 60.
  • the surface unit 5 comprises a sealed reservoir 1000.
  • the sealed reservoir 1000 comprises the inflatable bag 3 and a box 6.
  • the internal volume 60 delimited by the casing 6 is part of the volume delimited by the sealed reservoir 1000.
  • the housing 6 comprises a tubular side wall 70 of axis z and a bottom 71 transverse to the side wall 70.
  • the side wall 70 and the bottom 71 delimit an internal volume 60 of the housing 6 belonging to the internal volume delimited by the tank 1000 In other words, the internal volume 60 extends from a single side of the bottom 71 along the z axis.
  • the tubular wall 70 is cylindrical.
  • the cylinder is of revolution. In other words, it has a circular section.
  • the cylinder shape is advantageously a shape of the external face of the tubular wall, that is to say of the face facing the outside of the internal volume 60.
  • the bottom 71 comprises an external face, that is to say opposite the internal volume 60 extending mainly perpendicular to the z axis.
  • the volume is delimited by another wall 76 transverse to the wall 70.
  • the transverse wall 76 comprises an external face, that is to say opposite the internal volume 60 extending mainly perpendicular to the z axis.
  • the internal volume 60 is delimited by the walls 70, 71, 76.
  • the housing 6 is generally cylindrical.
  • the inflatable pocket 3 is fixed in leaktight manner to the casing 6, for example via at least one seal 78, and so that the volume delimited by the casing communicates with the internal volume delimited by the inflatable pocket. .
  • At least one electronic circuit 61 and/or at least one energy accumulator 62 and/or at least one gas release system 102, 104 is housed in the sealed tank 1000, for example in an internal volume 60 delimited by the housing 6.
  • An electronic circuit is for example produced in the form of an electronic card.
  • These elements can comprise at least one electronic circuit 61 (for example produced in the form of an electronic card) making it possible to process information coming from and/or intended for the hydrophones or, more generally, for sensors situated in the unit of depth 8, and/or making it possible to process information intended for and/or coming from the radioelectric antenna.
  • at least one electronic circuit 61 for example produced in the form of an electronic card
  • the energy accumulator is for example intended to electrically supply the electronic circuit(s) and/or the radioelectric antenna and/or a device for actuating a gas release system which will be described later.
  • the sealed tank 1000 comprises a so-called projecting container 17 projecting from the bottom 71 and moving away from the internal volume 60 from the bottom 71.
  • the projecting container 17 extends from the side of the bottom opposite to the internal volume 60.
  • This configuration makes it possible to accommodate additional elements in the sealed enclosure without increasing the height of the cylindrical casing 6, which makes it possible to limit its drag and is beneficial for optimizing the occupation of the volume inside the tubular container 4. Indeed, it is possible to accommodate equipment other than that to be accommodated in the sealed enclosure, around the projecting container 17 and thus to optimize the occupation of the volume delimited by the container 4 as we will see later. .
  • This configuration makes it possible to limit the size of the front surface of the submerged part (in the water) of the sealed tank 1000 or of the surface unit 5 and thus their drag, when the buoy is in the operational configuration, when a front surface of a submerged (in water) portion of the sealed tank or surface unit includes a portion of the protruding container and a portion of the tubular side wall 70.
  • a front surface of a submerged (in water) portion of the sealed tank or surface unit includes a portion of the protruding container and a portion of the tubular side wall 70.
  • a cartridge containing 38g of CO2 with a housing having a cylindrical part 10cm high along the z axis and 17cm in diameter perpendicular to the z axis and a cartridge forming a protuberance of 10 cm in height along the z axis and 3 cm in diameter perpendicular to the z axis.
  • the wall 70 and the protruding container 17 are immersed in the operational configuration.
  • a larger dimension d of the projecting container 17 perpendicular to the z axis being less than a smaller dimension D of the tubular wall 70 perpendicular to the z axis. This makes it possible to limit the size of the front surface formed by the case and the projecting container.
  • the box is completely immersed in the operational configuration.
  • this projecting container 17 is a part of the cartridge 11 called the projecting part of the cartridge.
  • the cartridge 11 is at least partly located outside the internal volume 60.
  • the cartridge 11 comprises a projecting part 17 extending in the extension of the cylinder formed by the wall 70 and the bottom 71, along the axis of the cylinder when it is a cylinder.
  • the sealed tank 1000 comprises a sealed wall facing the outside of the tank comprising a wall 12 of the cartridge 11.
  • the cartridge 11 participates in closing the sealed volume delimited by the tank 1000. This makes it possible to avoid isolate the cartridge from the water, in particular via the casing 6 (which is very advantageous when the casing is made of plastic material) and the air contained in the internal volume of the housing.
  • the invention makes it possible to free up a space inside the casing 6 and thus to reduce the volume of the casing 6 compared to a configuration in which the cartridge is entirely housed in the casing 6 of substantially cylindrical shape. It also makes it possible to provide a cartridge 11 with a volume greater than that of the cartridges placed in the casing without increasing the volume of the casing 6 because the size of the cartridges is no longer limited by that of the casing. This makes it possible, for the same volume of gas stored in the cartridges, to reduce the number of cartridges used without increasing the size of the casing.
  • This configuration makes it possible to bring the radioelectric antenna 2 to a higher altitude above sea level and thus ensure better performance in terms of communication even in rough sea conditions or else to provide sonar emission antennas and/or hydrophones with better acoustic performance and therefore greater mass, without reducing the altitude of the antenna above water level.
  • This configuration also makes it possible to reduce the total volume occupied by the surface unit 5, for the same quantity of gas and thus to reduce its drag (“drag” in English terminology). Indeed, due to a free volume left between the elements, the volume by which the volume of the casing must be increased to accommodate a gas cartridge is greater than the volume of the cartridge. Limiting the drag of the surface unit makes it possible to limit the antagonistic drifts of the surface unit and the depth unit under the effect of antagonistic currents (at the surface and at the level of the depth unit 8 ) which makes it possible to stabilize the unit of depth 8.
  • the gas when the gas is released to inflate the pocket inflatable, the gas, hitherto contained in the cartridge, undergoes a rapid expansion which leads to a reduction in its temperature and that of the wall of the cartridge which causes the condensation of the water vapor of the air contained in the casing, thus being able to damage an electronic circuit housed in the casing.
  • the decrease in the temperature of the gas can also cause the freezing of this gas which can then come to block at least partially a gas evacuation orifice of the cartridge which delays, until a rise in temperature sufficient to ensure the vaporization of the gas, the inflation of the inflatable bladder and the arrival of the inflatable bladder at the surface of the water.
  • the reduction in the temperature of the gas leads to a reduction in its volume which also delays this arrival at its surface.
  • the proposed configuration makes it possible to accelerate the inflation of the inflatable bag and to limit the risks of deterioration of electrical equipment placed in the casing.
  • the gas confined in the cartridge 11 is intended to be separated from the water by a single wall 12 which is a wall of the cartridge 11.
  • a single wall 12 which is a wall of the cartridge 11.
  • one face of the wall 12 faces a permeable volume.
  • the cartridge 11 is not completely surrounded by a sealed tank when the buoy is immersed in water.
  • the wall 12 is metallic. It is for example made of steel to withstand high pressures.
  • the cartridge 11 is arranged so as to come into direct physical contact with the water when it is immersed in the water, in the storage configuration.
  • the heat exchange between the cartridge 11 and the water takes place from the start of the release of the gas.
  • the cartridge 11 when the buoy 1 is in the storage configuration, the cartridge 11 is surrounded by a permeable reservoir allowing the water to come into direct contact with the cartridge 11 when the cartridge 11 is submerged.
  • the reservoir delimits a volume, receiving the cartridge 11, which is not sealed off.
  • the cartridge 11 is surrounded by a container 14, called cable container, delimiting a volume in which the cable 9 is housed in the stowed position.
  • This cable container 14 is placed in the container 4.
  • the reservoir surrounding the cartridge 11 is permeable. Indeed, at least one of the ends of the container 4 is open so as to allow the internal part of the buoy 1 to come out of the container 4.
  • the cable container 14 delimits a volume receiving the cartridge 11 and this volume n is not tightly closed. It is for example not tightly connected to the housing 6 and/or to the container 4. In this way, the water penetrates inside the container 4 and the cable container 14 so that the water comes in direct physical contact with the cartridge 11. In other words, the water is contiguous to the wall 12.
  • the housing 6 comprises an opening 63 formed in the bottom 71. This opening 63 is traversed by the cartridge 11.
  • the housing 6 is partially closed by the cartridge 11 when the buoy 1 is in the storage configuration. This makes it possible to avoid isolating the cartridge from the external environment by the casing 6 (which is very advantageous when the casing is made of plastic material) and by the air contained in the internal volume of the casing.
  • the cartridge 11 is fixed to the housing 6 in a sealed manner, for example by means of at least one seal 77.
  • the box 6 comprises a rim 81 having a substantially complementary shape to the cartridge 11 and fixed to the cartridge 11 in a sealed manner, for example by means of a seal 77. This promotes the tightness of the connection between the cartridge and the case.
  • the housing 600 comprises a cylindrical part 601 and a protrusion 617 forming the projecting container.
  • This projecting container is in one piece with the cylindrical part of the casing 6. Alternatively, it is fixed to the casing.
  • This protuberance 617 delimits an internal volume 618 which communicates with the internal volume 619 delimited by the cylindrical part 601 when the buoy is in the storage configuration and in the operational configuration.
  • the cylindrical part is delimited by a tubular wall 620, and two transverse walls 621, 622 including the bottom 621 on which the protrusion forms a projection moving away from the internal volume 619 from the bottom 621, along the z axis.
  • the cartridge 11 is for example entirely housed in the volume delimited by the sealed enclosure. In other words, the cartridge 11 is completely surrounded by the sealed enclosure.
  • the inflatable bag 3 extends on one side of the housing 6 along the z axis and the projecting container 17 extends on the other side of the housing with respect to the inflatable bag along the axis z.
  • the projecting container 17 moves away from the inflatable pocket 3 from the bottom 71.
  • the internal volume of the cartridge 11 communicates, when the gas is released, with the internal volume of the pocket inflatable 3 via the housing 6.
  • the cartridge 11 is arranged so that the gas is directly expelled into the internal volume of the inflatable bag 3.
  • the communication between the internal volume of the inflatable bag 3 and the internal volume of the housing 6 is, for example, carried out via at least one orifice 79.
  • the orifice 79 is here made in an electronic card 61 closing an opening made in the housing 6.
  • the buoy 1 comprises a system for releasing the gas contained in the cartridge.
  • This release system is for example a system for perforating the cartridge 11.
  • the cartridge 11 comprises for example a cover 101, visible on the picture 3 , closing an opening 103 made in the cartridge 11 and more particularly in the wall 12.
  • the system of release comprises a perforator 102 fitted with a tip 102b.
  • the release system comprises an actuating device 104 configured to actuate the perforator 102 so that the tip 102b perforates the cap 101 so as to form an orifice in the cartridge 11 (by opening at least part of the opening ), when a gas release condition is verified.
  • Actuator 104 includes, for example, a resistor and a power source for the resistor.
  • the actuating device 104 is configured to electrically supply the resistor when the gas release condition is verified so as to release the perforator 102 so that it comes to perforate the lid 101.
  • the perforator 102 is for example a lever maintained in a waiting position, as shown in the figure 3 , by a wire that burns the resistor which heats up when it is energized so that the lever tilts to perforate the cover 101.
  • This actuation system is in no way limiting.
  • the release system comprises, for example, an actuation device of the pyrotechnic or hydrostatic type.
  • the gas release system 102, 104 is housed in the sealed enclosure, for example in the internal volume 60.
  • the gas release system is housed in the projecting container 17.
  • the buoy 1 comprises a single releasable gas cartridge 11 so as to inflate the inflatable pocket 3.
  • This makes it possible to reduce the drag of the surface unit 5 and to limit the complexity and the number of release devices.
  • the free space in the housing 6 being greater than when the cartridges 11 are housed in the housing 6, only a lever is necessary to ensure the release of the gas, it is not necessary to provide a return cam ("cam" in English terminology) to limit the volume occupied by the actuation device 104.
  • the buoy 1 comprises several releasable gas cartridges so as to inflate the inflatable pocket 3.
  • a set of at least one element of the buoy is arranged in a volume V surrounding the projecting container 17 when the buoy is in the storage configuration in which the gas is confined in the cartridge 11.
  • This element is placed in the container 4 when the buoy is in the storage configuration.
  • the tubular volume is surrounded by the container 4 in the storage configuration.
  • the projecting container 17 is for example surrounded by a cable winding 9.
  • a tubular container 14 surrounds the projecting container 17 when the buoy is in the storage configuration.
  • This tubular container 14 is housed in the container 4 when the buoy is in the storage configuration.
  • the tubular container 14 is adjacent to the transverse wall 71 along the z axis of the tube.
  • the projecting part 17 is surrounded by a winding surrounding the projecting part 17 of the cartridge 11 and by the cable container 14 surrounding the winding.
  • a cable wound on itself so as to form a coil necessarily leaves a cylindrical volume free because the radius of curvature of the cable cannot drop below a minimum radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of the free cylindrical volume.
  • this configuration makes it possible to optimize the occupation of the volume of the container by occupying a volume left naturally free.
  • the cable container 14 has a generally tubular shape. It is in the extension of the box 6 along the z axis.
  • the cable container 14 advantageously comprises an outer surface (facing the container 4 or the environment outside the buoy) generally cylindrical, preferably of revolution, that is to say having a circular section.
  • the cable container 14 and the side wall 70 are coaxial in the storage configuration.
  • the outer surface of the cable container 14 has for example the same diameter as the housing 6, that is to say the same diameter as the outer surface of the side wall 70 of the housing 6.
  • the cable container 14 is advantageously attached to the casing 6 and to a part of the depth unit 140. Thus, it makes it possible to limit the transmission of forces between the casing 6 and the part 140 by the cable during storage.
  • buoy 1 does not include a cable container 14.
  • At least one active functional element of the buoy is placed in a tubular volume surrounding the projecting container 17 when the buoy is in the storage configuration in which the gas is confined in the cartridge 11.
  • active functional element is meant an electrical or optical element, that is to say which must be electrically or optically powered, transmitting a electrical or optical energy, that is to say comprising at least one electrical wire or an optical fiber, or delivering, accumulating, transforming (such as for example an electrical transformer) or modulating electrical or optical energy.
  • the cable forming the winding is for example an active element.
  • the cable 9 can make it possible to transmit information from the surface unit 5 to the depth unit 8 and/or vice versa is an active functional element. It is an electro-carrying cable.
  • the cable 9 comprises two parts, of which a first part 15 which is attached to the depth unit 8 and whose length is fixed, a second part 16 comprises a tensioner or elastic cable making it possible to isolate the depth unit from the movements of the surface unit 5 upwards and downwards under the effect of the waves. These two units are separated, in storage configuration, by a partition 75 in the example of the picture 3 .
  • connection means comprising the cable.
  • the cable 9 is for example connected to the surface unit 5 via wires 74 of the connecting means, for example three wires 74 of which only two are visible on the figure 4 showing the buoy in operational configuration.
  • the wires 74 attached to the box on the periphery of the box 6 on the one hand and to the cable 9 on the other hand, so as to ensure a recovery of force in the center of the box 6.
  • the cable 9 is a passive element.
  • an electric transformer can be arranged in the tubular volume surrounding the projecting container 17.
  • the transformer can surround the projecting container.
  • a transformer generally has a ring or U shape delimiting a free space in which the protruding container 17 can be inserted.
  • At least one hydrophone can be arranged in the tubular volume surrounding the projecting container 17.
  • the hydrophone is for example supported by an arm intended to extend longitudinally substantially parallel to the axis of the tubular wall 70 when the buoy is in storage configuration. This makes it possible to provide arms of considerable length.
  • At least one arm is arranged in the tubular volume surrounding the projecting container 17.
  • This arm extends for example longitudinally substantially parallel to the z axis when the buoy is in storage configuration and its inclination relative to the axis z varies between the storage configuration and the operational configuration.
  • a float for example a floating foam can surround the protruding part 17.
  • the floating foam can have an annular shape surrounding the protruding part.
  • the float for example, completely surrounds the projecting container 17 in the storage configuration.
  • the buoy 1 is configured so that the relative arrangement between the projecting container 17 and the element or elements arranged in the volume V surrounding the buoy is modified between the storage configuration and the operational configuration of the buoy 1.
  • the buoy is configured so that a front surface of a submerged part (in the water) of the protruding tank or surface unit, when the buoy is in the operational configuration, comprises a part of the container salient 17.
  • This configuration has the advantage of limiting the drag of the surface unit.
  • part of the depth unit 8 surrounds the protruding container 17 in the operational configuration.
  • the protruding container enters a part of the depth unit 8 in the storage configuration of the buoy, which is counter-intuitive but makes it possible to optimize the occupation of space in the container 4.
  • at least one element of the buoy of the set of at least one element belongs to the depth unit.
  • the cable container 14 forms part of the unit of depth 8 so that it separates from the unit of surface during the inflation of the inflatable bag, i.e. when the unit of surface rises towards the surface of the water.
  • the cable 9 connecting the surface unit and the depth unit unwinds so as to release the cartridge.
  • part of the surface unit 5 is arranged in the tubular volume surrounding the projecting container 17.
  • the cable container 14 is integral with the casing 6 so as to be driven by the casing towards the surface of the water when the housing 6 rises towards the surface of the water. This embodiment is less advantageous from the drag point of view.
  • the projecting container 17 extends longitudinally parallel to the z axis.
  • the projecting container 17 advantageously comprises a cylindrical part whose axis is parallel to the z axis and is for example coaxial with the housing 6 and/or the cable container 14 (in the storage configuration).
  • the gas cartridge 11 is oriented head upwards.
  • the cartridge 11 is arranged so that the gas is expelled from the cartridge upwards, along a vertical axis linked to the ground when the buoy is released and immersed in the water.
  • the buoy When the buoy is released into the water, it assumes a natural orientation depending on the position of its center of gravity and its center of buoyancy.
  • the cartridge is advantageously arranged so that the orifice 103 through which the gas will escape is located at the top of the cartridge 11 when the buoy is released and submerged when the buoy is in the storage configuration.
  • the gas molecules are in the liquid state in the lower part of the cartridge and in the gaseous state in the upper part of the cartridge, when the gas is released, when the cartridge is turned upside down or is elongated, there are risks of projections of droplets of gas molecules under the effect of the pressure exerted by the gas on the liquid.
  • These droplets at very low temperature due to the expansion of the gas
  • the so-called “head-up” arrangement of the cartridge makes it possible to limit this risk.
  • the cartridge comprises a neck 121, ("neck” in Anglo-Saxon terminology) delimiting the opening 103 which is closed by the cover 101 in the storage configuration.
  • the depth unit 8 comprises the cable container 14 and an operational unit 140.
  • the operational unit comprises at least one active functional element of the antenna.
  • the operational unit is advantageously substantially cylindrical and of axis z in the storage configuration.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Velocity Or Position Using Acoustic Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Bag Frames (AREA)
EP18716311.8A 2017-04-14 2018-04-13 Bouée Active EP3609777B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1700419A FR3065196B1 (fr) 2017-04-14 2017-04-14 Bouee
PCT/EP2018/059571 WO2018189388A1 (fr) 2017-04-14 2018-04-13 Bouee

Publications (2)

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JP (2) JP2020516529A (ko)
KR (1) KR102621945B1 (ko)
AU (1) AU2018250916B2 (ko)
CA (1) CA3059827A1 (ko)
ES (1) ES2912649T3 (ko)
FR (1) FR3065196B1 (ko)
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US11443447B2 (en) * 2020-04-17 2022-09-13 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Three-dimensional camera system
GB2623369A (en) * 2022-10-14 2024-04-17 Ultra Electronics Ltd A Sonobuoy

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US2687541A (en) * 1950-03-31 1954-08-31 Bannister Bryant Apparatus for refloating submerged objects
FR2350245A1 (fr) * 1976-05-07 1977-12-02 Cit Alcatel Bouee acoustique
US4186374A (en) * 1978-01-03 1980-01-29 Raytheon Company Transducer housing with release mechanism
US4309786A (en) * 1979-10-12 1982-01-12 Raytheon Company Buoy flotation system
JPS6030154Y2 (ja) * 1980-10-27 1985-09-10 沖電気工業株式会社 ブイの浮力装置
JPS615352Y2 (ko) * 1981-01-09 1986-02-18
JPS60169582U (ja) * 1984-04-18 1985-11-11 日本電気株式会社 レフレクタ付ソノブイ
JP2553087B2 (ja) * 1987-07-13 1996-11-13 沖電気工業株式会社 ボンベ開封装置
US5073136A (en) * 1990-03-29 1991-12-17 Magnavox Government And Industrial Electronics Company Collapsible sonobuoy floatation device
JPH09159494A (ja) * 1995-12-06 1997-06-20 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd 投下型海洋センサ
JPH09240579A (ja) * 1996-03-07 1997-09-16 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd ボンベ開封装置
JP4299594B2 (ja) * 2003-06-19 2009-07-22 Ｎｅｃネットワーク・センサ株式会社 ブイのパラシュートハウジング構造およびパラシュートハウジングの分離方法
GB0520653D0 (en) 2005-10-11 2005-11-16 Strachan & Henshaw Ltd Assembly for deploying a payload from a submarine
GB2434777B (en) 2006-02-02 2010-11-24 Mellowgraphic Ltd Automatically inflatable flotation device
US10131412B2 (en) * 2017-02-13 2018-11-20 Christopher B. Hulbert Ascent and buoy system for divers

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FR3065196B1 (fr) 2019-12-13
AU2018250916A1 (en) 2019-11-07
FR3065196A1 (fr) 2018-10-19
AU2018250916B2 (en) 2023-02-02
WO2018189388A1 (fr) 2018-10-18
US20200180733A1 (en) 2020-06-11
ES2912649T3 (es) 2022-05-26
US11124273B2 (en) 2021-09-21
SG11201909550UA (en) 2019-11-28
EP3609777A1 (fr) 2020-02-19
KR102621945B1 (ko) 2024-01-05
KR20190138827A (ko) 2019-12-16
JP2023027352A (ja) 2023-03-01
CA3059827A1 (fr) 2018-10-18
JP2020516529A (ja) 2020-06-11

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