EP3661841A1

EP3661841A1 - Damped connecting device for ship

Info

Publication number: EP3661841A1
Application number: EP18746704.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ludwig Moreau
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-07-31
Filing date: 2018-07-27
Publication date: 2020-06-10
Also published as: WO2019025331A1; FR3069520A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a damped connecting device for a ship comprising an actuator provided with a body (1) and a rod (2), the rod (2) comprises a hollow portion (3) wherein a separation element is mobile, the hollow portion (3) and the separation element, a rear chamber (13) and a front chamber (12), the front chamber (12) being opposite the rear chamber (13) relative to the separation element; it comprises a peripheral chamber (25) defined by an outer wall of the rod (2) and an inner wall of the body (1), the peripheral chamber being in fluid communication with the front chamber (12); it comprises means for returning the separation element to an inoperative position of the actuator.

Description

"Damped connection device for ship"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of ship connection, in particular for mooring at a dock, but also for anchoring or for towing by another vessel. The term ship refers to any boat, motorized or not.

BACKGROUND

In the sector considered, mooring systems using ropes are widespread. Often, they include springs ensuring damping of the connection between the dock and the hull of the ship. These springs provide a limited effect, little adjustable, low force and they can not be used from a certain size of boats. They are also strongly subjected to aging by mechanical fatigue and corrosion, very strong in the marine environment. Document WO2010 / 1 10666 A2 discloses a mooring device employing a hydraulic system. A hydraulic cylinder assembly is mounted on the dock and includes an oil reservoir in which the oil can come and go according to the movements of the boat echoed by the rod of the cylinder. This device proves complex, in particular by the presence of the tank at the end of the jack, this tank being a port equipment attached to a dock.

It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome at least in part the disadvantages of current techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A non-limiting aspect of the invention relates to a damped connection device for a ship, having a first part connectable to a ship and a second part connectable to an element other than the ship, comprising a jack having a body integral with one of the first part and the second part and a stem whose one distal end is secured to the other part of the first part and the second part,

Advantageously, the device is characterized in that:

the stem comprises a hollow portion in which a separating element, such as a piston or a bladder wall, is movable in translation, the hollow portion and the separating element sealingly defining a rear chamber and a front chamber; the rear chamber being located on one side of the separating member comprising its distal end, the front chamber being opposed to the rear chamber relative to the separating member,

- It comprises a peripheral chamber defined by an outer wall of the rod and an inner wall of the body, the peripheral chamber being in fluid communication with the front chamber, the peripheral chamber and the front chamber being filled with a first fluid;

it comprises means for returning the separation element to a rest position of the jack. Thus, there is a compact device, in particular thanks to the peripheral chamber which acts as a variable volume of fluid (typically oil). In operation, for example for a mooring, the pressure of the first and second fluid rises gradually when the mooring pulls on the cylinder. This pressure slows down the movement of the rod and dampens the brutal movement of the boat.

It may be equipment owned by the boat and used as it sees fit in all the ports it frequents.

It is not mandatory to use springs, which can avoid problems of aging or corrosion. The damping effect is operating over the entire stroke of the rod. Advantageously, the rest position of the damper corresponds to the fully retracted position of the rod; the device then operates essentially in extension.

It is potentially entirely autonomous to realize the link with damping connecting the ship. No particular equipment is required for the installation of the device, especially on the dock of a port, and no piloting is required, for example by opening and closing valves. It is possible to adjust the fluid pressures simply by adding or withdrawing fluid in one or the other of the chambers by conventional access tips to the chambers.

Another separable aspect of the invention relates to a docking system of a ship to an outer element such as a dock, comprising at least one device according to the invention, fixable between the ship and the outer element such as the dock.

Other embodiments of the invention relate to a system for towing a ship by another ship, comprising at least one device according to the invention, fixable between the ships, and a use of a connecting device for connecting a ship to another element, especially with a direction having a major horizontal component, unlike automotive suspensions for example.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF FIGURES Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of non-limiting example, and in which:

- FIGURE 1 shows a sectional view of the device of the invention, according to one embodiment;

- FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3 have two distinct positions of movement of the cylinder rod, with room volume variations.

These drawings are given by way of example and are not limiting of the invention. They constitute a schematic representation of principle intended to facilitate the understanding of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before beginning a detailed review of embodiments of the invention, are set forth below optional features that may optionally be used in any association or alternatively:

- The return means comprises a second fluid, compressible, placed in the rear chamber 13;

- The second fluid is at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in the rest position of the cylinder, and preferably at a pressure greater than or equal to 30 bar in the rest position of the cylinder;

- The rod 2 comprises a head 4 secured to one end of the hollow portion 3 opposite to the distal end, the head 4 being mounted in translation sealingly in the body 1;

the head 4 comprises at least one fluidic communication passage between the front chamber 12 and the peripheral chamber 25;

- A head chamber 14 is delimited sealingly by the body 1, the rod head 2 and a closed proximal end of the body 1;

- The head chamber 14 is filled with a third fluid, compressible;

the jack comprises a first flange capping the proximal end of the body 1 and comprising a mechanical connection member; - The cylinder comprises a second flange capping the distal end of the rod 2 and comprising a mechanical connecting member;

- The cylinder comprises an intermediate flange capping a distal end of the body 1 and comprising a translational guide surface in a sealed manner, the rod 2;

the first fluid is an oil;

the device comprises a link between the first part and the second part, the length of the link being configured so that the link is loose in the rest position of the jack and is stretched in a position of the jack in which the rod 2 is no longer deployed. relative to the body 1 as in the rest position;

the separating element is a piston;

the separating element is a wall of a bladder filled with gas.

According to other indicative and possibly combinable possibilities: the hollow portion 3 is cylindrical;

- The inner wall of the body 1 is cylindrical;

- The rest position is a position in which the rod 2 is retracted to the maximum in the body 1;

- At least one of the first part and the second part comprises a link, such as a shackle, a cable or a rope connection.

- At least one of the first part and the second part comprises a receiving sleeve of the link;

- The head of the rod 2 comprises in the passage, a housing receiving a filter cartridge.

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention. The device comprises a first end visible on the right side of the figure for a first connection an external element, such as a ship or a dock. In contrast, the device has a second end for a second connection.

Typically, these ends may comprise sockets 16, 17 for the attachment of shackles or any other connection that can be used to connect the device. For example, the device may be implanted intermediately between a bollard and a rope itself connected to the ship. In an operating configuration, the device is therefore required to undergo traction forces between these two end portions.

To respond to this mechanical stress, the device comprises a jack with a body portion 1 and a stem portion 2, the rod 2 being caused to operate a translational movement along a longitudinal axis inwardly or towards the outside of the body 1. In the usual way, the body 1 may comprise a circular section liner; it can be made in conventional materials, especially in steels suitable for the application. In the case shown in Figure 1, the body 1 is a cylindrical liner, a distal end is capped by a flange 19. The mechanical cooperation between these two parts can be achieved by a thread. Another part of the flange 17 can be used to receive a socket 16.

The other end of the body 1 cooperates with an intermediate flange 20, also for example by threading. Between the two flanges 16, 20, the body 1 defines, by its inner wall, a deflection volume of the rod 2, this volume being preferably cylindrical.

The rod 2 itself preferably comprises a hollow portion 3 and a head 4. The head 4 terminates the rod 2 on one side of the body 1 located towards its end at the flange 19. Advantageously, the head 4 forms an element sealing in contact with the inner wall of the body 1 of the cylinder. A seal, for example by a seal 7, is advantageously provided at this level. It is understood that the presence of the head 4 defines a head chamber 14 between the end of the body 2 delimited by the flange 19 and said head 4. The head chamber 14 can be filled with a fluid, preferably compressible, by example of the air. It constitutes a limit space of the head 4 of the rod 2 on this side of the body 1 of the jack.

A portion of the head 4 opposite this chamber 14 is secured to one end of a hollow portion 3 of the rod 2. Also, the joining of these two parts can be produced by a threaded connection. In particular, as in the case of Figure 1, a narrowed portion of the head 4 may form a male threaded element inserted into a female threaded portion at the mouth of the hollow portion 3. The hollow portion 3 may be made of any material adapted, especially steel. In addition, it advantageously has a cylindrical outer wall and / or cylindrical inner wall. The diameter of the hollow portion 3 is smaller than the diameter of the body 1 in its cylindrical jacket portion so that an intermediate space is defined between the inner wall of the body 1 and the outer wall of the hollow portion 3 of the rod 2. This interspace constitutes a peripheral chamber 25. Laterally, this chamber is delimited by a flank of the head 4 and by the intermediate flange 20.

The other end of the hollow portion 3 is capped by a flange 18, the assembly may in particular be made by threading as in the previous cases. An opposite portion of the flange 18 may, similarly to the case of the flange 19, serve to receive a sleeve 17.

Thus, the traction forces can be transmitted from the flanges 18, 19 to the jack on the one hand to the rod 2 and on the other hand to the body 1.

The intermediate flange 20 serves advantageously and also to provide the translational guidance of the portion 3. It is preferably provided sealing means at the guide zone 24 between the outer wall of the portion 3 and the inner wall of the flange 20 at this level.

The internal volume of the hollow portion 3 is compartmentalized by means of a piston 15 floatingly mounted inside the portion 3. Sealing means may be provided to ensure the sealed delimitation of two chambers around the floating piston 15. On the side of the piston 15 facing the head 4, a front chamber 12 is formed. On the side of the piston 15 facing the distal end of the rod 2, that is to say towards the flange 18, a rear chamber 13 is thus defined. The displacement of the piston 15 inside the hollow portion 3 makes it possible to modify the volume of the chambers 12, 13.

The rear chamber 13 is advantageously filled with a gas in the illustrated embodiment, for example nitrogen, which can be compressed as the size of the chamber 13 decreases. Preferably, when the jack is in the rest position, corresponding to a maximum retracted position of the rod 2 in the body 1 and thus to a maximum size of the chamber 13, the gas pressure is minimal, but preferably greater than atmospheric pressure and preferably greater than or equal to 30 bar and more preferably still greater than or equal to 60 bar. The piston 15 forms a separating element between the two chambers. Other embodiments are possible for this separation, such as a bladder filled with gas, defining the chamber 13 within it and a wall of which separates from the chamber 12. In this situation, the bladder occupies part of the hollow portion which extends to the flange 18.

According to the invention, the peripheral chamber 25 and the front chamber 12 communicate so as to allow a passage of fluid between these two parts during the movements of the cylinder. For this purpose, a passage 8 is provided with a mouth 1 1 in the front chamber 12 and another end communicating with the chamber 25. At the intermediate level, a channel 9 extends inside the head 4. A part this channel may be larger in diameter to define a housing 10 for receiving filter cartridges, including those sold under the brand Lee®. Preferably, an incompressible fluid, typically liquid and advantageously oil, fills the volume of the chamber 25 and the chamber 12. As shown, the chamber 25 forms a closed volume around the stem, this volume communicating only with the room 12.

It is understood that the relative displacement of the head 4 and the body 1 will modify the volume of the chamber 25. It will further be understood that the relative displacement of the piston 15 and the hollow portion 3 will modify the volume of the chambers 12 and 13. These changes in volume will cause an oil movement in the chambers 25, 12 and gas compression or expansion phenomena in the chambers 13, 14. These phases allow the damping of the movements of the ship.

Advantageously, it is possible to adjust the amount of gas present in the chambers 13, 14, for example by end pieces 26, 27. Complementarily or alternatively, the end pieces 26, 27 can serve as safety valves to limit the pressure in the chamber. one or the other of the rooms, in particular for the room 13.

Figure 2 shows a first relative position of the rod 2 and the body

1. It constitutes a rest position, the volume of the chamber 14 being minimal and the pressure of the fluid present in it being maximum. The pressure of the chamber 14 when the cylinder is fully retracted may be 5 bars. It should be noted that the presence of gas in this chamber guarantees the tightness relative to the external environment. The rod 2 is returned to the maximum, the volume of the chamber 25 is maximum and that of the chamber 12 is minimal or zero. As a result, the gas present in the rear chamber 13 is not forced and is at its resting pressure, for example at 60 bar. The piston 15 is brought back as far as possible towards the head 4.

In the position of Figure 3, the rod 2 is deployed at a maximum relative to the body 1 of the cylinder. The head 4 is in abutment against the intermediate flange 20 so that the volume of the peripheral chamber 25 is minimal or zero. The incompressible fluid is thus concentrated in the front chamber 12 and the piston 15 is pushed as far as possible towards the distal end of the hollow portion 3. The gas contained in the rear chamber 13 reaches its maximum compression. It tends to push the piston 15, thus forming a return means. Alternatively, complementary, a spring may be present in the rear chamber 13 to exert a thrust on the piston 15. The gas contained in the head chamber 14 is at its minimum pressure level, for example at atmospheric pressure .

The two positions illustrated respectively in Figures 2 and 3 correspond to the maximum stroke of the cylinder. Optionally, the device thus presented may be completed by an additional connection between the two end portions, for example to adjust or limit the deployment of the rod 2 so as not to reach the stop position shown in FIG. to constitute an additional safety element ensuring that, if the cylinder is broken (for example in the case of exceptional mechanical stresses), a mechanical emergency link between the ship and the element to which it is connected (for example a dock) can take over. For example, a rope or a cable may be connected on the one hand to the flange 19, for example by the sleeve 16, and on the other hand to the flange 18, for example by the sleeve 17.

It is understood that when it is desired to leave the cylinder its operation according to its maximum stroke, it is arranged that the additional mechanical link is sufficiently loose so that it is tensioned only after the cylinder has reached its corresponding maximum position in Figure 3. When it is desired to limit the travel of the jack with the additional link, it will adjust the link length between its fasteners at both ends of the cylinder so that the link comes into tension in a position of the race of the rod 2 located between the positions of Figures 2 and 3.

REFERENCES

1. Body

2. Rod

3. Hollow portion

4. Head

5. Pressing portion

6. Guiding portion

7. Joint

8. Passage

9. Canal

10. Housing

1 1. Mouthpiece

12. Front room

13. Back room

14. Head room

15. Piston

16. Front bushing

17. Rear bushing

18. Piston flange

19. Cylinder flange

20. Intermediate flange

21. Recessed area

22. Recessed area

23. Recessed area

24. Guidance area

25. Peripheral chamber

26. Tip

27. Tip

Claims

1. A damped connection device for a ship, having a first portion connectable to a ship and a second portion connectable to an element other than the ship, comprising a jack having a body (1) integral with one of the first portion and the second part and a rod (2) whose one distal end is integral with the other of the first part and the second part, the rod (2) being caused to perform a translation movement along a longitudinal axis inwards or towards the outside of the body (1), characterized in that:

the stem comprises a hollow portion (3) in which a separating element is movable in translation, the hollow portion and the separating element sealingly defining a rear chamber (13) and a front chamber (12), the chamber rear side (13) being located on one side the separating element comprising its distal end, the front chamber (12) being opposed to the rear chamber (13) relative to the separating element,

- It comprises a peripheral chamber (25) delimited by an outer wall of the rod (2) and an inner wall of the body (1), the peripheral chamber being in fluid communication with the front chamber (12), the peripheral chamber and the front chamber (12) being filled with a first fluid, the first fluid passing from the peripheral chamber (25) to the front chamber (12) during a translational movement of the rod (2) towards the outside of the body and passing from the front chamber (12) to the peripheral chamber (25) during a translational movement of the rod (2) towards the interior of the body (1);

- It comprises return means the separation element to a rest position of the cylinder, rest position in which the rod (2) is retracted to the maximum in the body.

2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the biasing means comprises a second fluid, compressible, placed in the rear chamber (13).

3. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the second fluid is at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in the rest position of the cylinder, and preferably at a pressure greater than or equal to 30 bar in the rest position of the cylinder. .

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rod (2) comprises a head (4) integral with one end of the hollow portion (3) opposite the distal end, the head (4) being mounted in translation in a sealed manner in the body (1).

5. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the head (4) comprises at least one fluid communication passage between the front chamber (12) and the peripheral chamber (25).

6. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, comprising a head chamber (14) delimited sealingly by the body (1), the rod head (2) and a closed proximal end of the body (1).

7. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the head chamber (14) is filled with a third fluid, compressible.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylinder comprises a first flange capping the proximal end of the body (1) and comprising a mechanical connecting member.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylinder comprises a second flange capping the distal end of the rod (2) and comprising a mechanical connecting member.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylinder comprises an intermediate flange capping a distal end of the body (1) and comprising a sealing translational guide surface of the rod (2).

1 1. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first fluid is an oil.

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a link between the first part and the second part, the length of the link being configured so that the link is loose in the rest position of the cylinder and is stretched in a cylinder position in which the rod (2) is more deployed relative to the body (1) than in the rest position.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separating element is a piston (15) or the wall of a bladder.

14. System for docking a ship to an external element such as a dock, comprising at least one device according to one of the preceding claims fixable between the ship and the outer member.

15. System for towing a ship by another vessel, comprising at least one device according to one of claims 1 to 13 that can be fixed between the ships.