FR2946471A1 - DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EARLY FEEDING OF A MOBILE, IN PARTICULAR A VESSEL - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for powering a ship at the dock. Such a feed device comprises an edge connector, a shuttle (40), traction means (41) for the shuttle, which comprises means for gripping with a terrestrial connector (30) complementary to the edge connector, the means traction are provided to pull shuttle and earth connector when they are engaged, so that the ground connector comes in electrical continuity with the edge connector. This device allows to feed the ship without rotating its generators. For LNG carriers in particular, it provides electricity to the grid by burning gas vapors. This device can be automated, avoiding fatigue and electrical hazards.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of high power power supplies. It relates more particularly to a device and a method for powering a mobile when it is stationary, including a ship when docked. A ship, for example a container ship or a cruise ship, when docked, needs a lot of electrical power. This power is generally of the order of several megawatts, typically 8 to 12 megawatts, for three-phase voltages of 6,500V or 11,000V. This power is usually provided by diesel generators on board. These on-board generators have low efficiency, use expensive energy and are highly polluting. In addition, an LNG carrier, which uses the gas evaporating from its tanks as fuel, is often able to produce more energy than it consumes. It can therefore possibly export current to a terrestrial network in a competitive way.

It therefore seemed important to design devices for the exchange of electrical energy between a ship and the wharf, in one direction or the other. These interchange systems must have a universal character and be very easy to use, since a ship must be able to use it in most of the ports in which it can be brought to dock. 1 2946471 -2 The first systems of this type are based on the adaptation of existing technologies for manual connectors, in the most successful configurations, with motorized reel systems installed on the ship. The drums facilitate the storage and handling of electrical cables on board the ship. When the ship is docked, the reels are unwound and the cables are extended to the ground, via a roller guide which deportes them above the dock. On the platform, operators take the cables to pull them to junction boxes and connect the connectors that equip their ends to the port power network. Mr Ottonel Popesco gives a description of this technique in a communication entitled "Cavotec Alternative Maritime Power Supply" presented at the "Clean Ship Conference" conference from 7 to 9 September 2007. This technique has many drawbacks as soon as the powers involved. are important, typically as soon as they exceed a few hundred kilowatts, which is generally the case. Thus: the weight of cables and connectors quickly becomes important requiring the presence of a large workforce to handle them while respecting the weight limits, which an operator can wear imposed by regulations, typically 25 kg ; High electrical voltages, by increasing the dimensions of the insulators of the conductors not only increase their weight but also their stiffness making their handling more difficult and dangerous; for high powers, typically more than 4 MW, it is necessary to use several such systems in parallel which increases the costs, risks and complexity of these operations; the cost of the cable and the drum are important, as well as their size on board, while these equipment only serve a fraction of the life of the ship, which makes it difficult their depreciation. 2946471 -3 The congestion of the cable and its drum may limit the space allocated to the payload of the ship; since operators are required to directly handle high-voltage cables and connectors, specific procedures and qualifications are required which generate significant operational costs and constraints to avoid any risk to the personnel; and, in case of emergency, if the vessel is promptly to deviate from the dock when the power system is energized, there is a significant risk of an electric arc, to which the of equipment on the staff or the surrounding public, even a "whiplash" when a cable break occurs. The purpose of the invention is to propose a device and a method which makes it possible to solve the disadvantages previously described, and in particular to ensure a quick and safe installation of such a feed, adapted to the powers required for ships. large tonnage. In addition, an object of the invention is to limit the number, size, complexity and, more generally, the size of the components of the device that are embedded on board. According to the invention, such a terrestrial power supply device 20 for a mobile, in particular a ship, is characterized in that it comprises an edge connector, a shuttle, traction means for the shuttle, the shuttle comprising means for engaging a complementary terrestrial connector of the edge connector, the traction means being provided for pulling the shuttle and the earth connector when they are engaged, so that the earth connector comes into electrical continuity with the connector on board. The traction means may comprise a chain and a windlass, a first end of the chain being connected, at least indirectly, to the shuttle, the second end of the chain being free. Preferably, includes means for maintaining the edge connector substantially rigidly relative to the hull of the ship. 2946471 -4 The edge connector may be carried by a bracket, provided movable between a folded position in which the edge connector is housed inside the hull of the ship and an extended position in which the edge connector is remote to the outside of the hull. This bracket may advantageously comprise a nacelle, the edge connector and the guide being housed in said nacelle, and the chain being arranged to lover in a compartment of said nacelle. The bracket may further comprise a substantially horizontal beam disposed below a deck of the vessel, and rack means ~ o to move the beam substantially horizontally. Advantageously, a distal end of the bracket includes a complementary panel of an opening in the shell, so that in the folded position of the bracket the panel is closed the opening and ensure the continuity of the hull.

The stem may be provided to deploy substantially transversely to the ship. It can also be designed to deploy substantially longitudinally to the ship, preferably to the stern of the ship. The device may further comprise at least one cable for electrically connecting the edge connector to electrical equipment of the edge, and a gutter extending through lower bridges to the bracket, and opening through a lower end, preferably in a machine room, the cable and the gutter being arranged so that the cable forms, beyond the lower end, a loop, preferably a suspended loop. The connectors may each comprise a plurality of identical number of connection elements distributed around a respective axis and respective orientation means intended to cooperate with the shuttle so that, during the connection, each element of the terrestrial connector is aligned. with a corresponding element of the edge connector. In one embodiment, the connectors each comprise three connecting members, the shuttle having a triangular cross-section, and the orientation means of at least one of the connectors comprising a set of three rollers provided for engage the triangular section of the shuttle such that the connector and the shuttle are oriented relative to each other at a pitch of 120 degrees about the respective axis.

Each of the three connection elements may be provided for a respective phase of a three-phase power supply. Each connector may further comprise three other connection elements, also distributed around the respective axis is provided for the neutral of the three-phase power supply. Nevertheless, the three connection elements can be provided both for a respective phase ~ o and for the neutral. One end of the shuttle may comprise a hook adapted to engage complementary clipping means of the terrestrial connector. The device may comprise a container and a chimney carried by the container, the terrestrial connector being housed in the chimney, the container serving as a reserve for cable electrically connected to the terrestrial connector, each cable being provided to extend through the chimney, as the ground connector is pulled to the edge connector. The chimney is advantageously mounted mobile in translation relative to said container. The container may be docked or the device may include a floating pontoon on which the container is installed, each cable being flexibly connected to a terrestrial electrical network. The floating pontoon is preferably motorized. In another embodiment, the device may comprise flotation means for the terrestrial connector, and preferably, propulsion means. Such a terrestrial connector may further include ballasting means adapted to sink the terrestrial connector when not connected with an edge connector. It may also comprise means for causing axial sliding of the buoyancy means relative to the connection means, so that the buoyancy means do not come into mechanical interference with an onboard part of the device, when the connectors are engaged. between them. According to the invention, a ground power supply method for a mobile, in particular a ship, is characterized in that an edge connector is held substantially rigidly relative to a hull of the ship, a shuttle is engaged with a earth connector, then pulls the shuttle and the terrestrial connector until the terrestrial connector is in electrical continuity with the edge connector. Preferably, the shuttle is automatically first steered relative to the earth connector, and then the shuttle is automatically oriented relative to the edge connector, before the ground connector comes into electrical continuity with the edge connector. In this document, as in the following description, the term "embedded" or "on board" is understood to mean any element or part of the connection device that is specific to the ship and moves with it. By contrast, the rest of the device and the elements that make it up, generally related to a port facility, are described as "terrestrial". By convention, it is considered that the terrestrial part of the device is upstream of its embedded part.

Several embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a transverse view, in elevation and schematic, of a device according to the invention, applied to the supply of a ship, partially shown in section; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the device in a position similar to that of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view, from above, of a terrestrial portion of the device of Figure 1, intended to be arranged on a platform; Figure 4 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a terrestrial connector for the device of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective sectional view of a connection element for the earth connector of Figure 3; Fig. 6 is a partially cutaway view of an edge connector for the device of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a perspective sectional view of a connection element for the ground connector of Fig. 3; Figure 8 is the earth connector of Figure 4 and edge connector of Figure 6 connected together; - Figure 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment for a terrestrial connector, adapted to float on water, shown suspended on a power train; Figure 10 is a sectional view of the land connector shown in Figure 9, shown when it rests on the surface of the water; Figure 11 is a view similar to that of Figure 10, the connector being shown when suspended from the chain; - Figure 12 is a perspective view of storage and launching means for the floating connector, in a storage position; and, - Figure 13 is a view similar to that of Figure 12, illustrating the launch of the floating connector. The connection device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises an embedded part 2 and a terrestrial part 3. The terrestrial part 3 is intended to be arranged on a platform 4. The onboard part 2 is designed to equip a ship 6, whose The edge vis-à-vis the platform 4 is shown in section in Figure 1. The vessel 6 comprises an upper deck 7, an intermediate bridge 8 and a lower deck 9. The lower deck 9 forms a machine room 9. On will first describe, in general, the embedded part 2 of the device 1. 2946471 -8 The embedded part 2 of the device 1 comprises a bracket 10, fixed under the ceiling of the upper deck 7. It is intended to extend transversely outside the hull 11 of the ship, through an opening 12 in the hull 11. Thus, the bracket is provided movable between a folded position inside the hull of the ship, and an extended position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In tence comprises a substantially horizontal beam 14. A distal end of the beam 14 carries a panel 13. The panel 13 is designed to close the opening 12 when the stem is folded inside the hull 11 and thus ensure the continuity and sealing of the hull . Immediately at the rear of the panel 13, the beam 14 carries a nacelle 15. Three connection elements 16 (only two of which are shown in FIG. 1) are arranged in the nacelle 15. Together, the connection elements participate in forming a edge connector 17. Each element of the connection 16 is connected to a respective electrical cable 18 which extends inwardly of the vessel through the opening 12. Beyond the opening 12, the cables enter the the upper deck 7. A pipe 20 is disposed between the floor of the upper deck 7 and that of the intermediate deck 8, so that beyond the upper deck 7, the cables 18 pass through the pipe until 20 in the room 9. There, the cables are hooked to the ceiling of the engine room and will feed an electrical panel, not shown, the ship. The cables 18 form a loop 19 in the engine room. An upstream end of the loop 19 is suspended from pulley means 21 in the upper deck 7, and an upstream end of the loop is suspended from the ceiling of the engine room 9. The loop 19 forms a supply of cable for the bracket 10, so that when the bracket 10 is in the deployed position, the loop is of reduced dimensions 19A, and that when the bracket is folded, the loop is of enlarged dimensions 19B. These two dispositions 19A, 19B of the loop 19 are shown together in FIG. 1. The loop is arranged so that it hangs in the engine room, along the hull 11. 2946471 -9 The beam 14 comprises a rack 22, on which engrainer an electric motor (not shown in the figures), said motor for the deployment and folding of the bracket 10. The elements of the embedded part 2 of the connection device 1 5 occupy little space in the ship, so that the payload is little or not reduced by its presence. Thus, the beam 14 is fixed to the ceiling of the upper deck, and the bulk of the volume occupied by the device is by the nacelle 15 and the elements it contains. Also, the cable travels the upper and middle decks without taking up significant space, and the loop is located in I o the machine room 9, where it finds its place while avoiding the presence of bulky reels. It may be provided that the loop is isolated in a specific compartment of the engine room, so that it presents no discomfort or risk, especially to ensure continuity of sealing against water, air or fumes from a fire, between the upper deck 7 and the engine room 9. We will now describe the terrestrial part 3 of the device 1. This terrestrial part of the device comprises a container 25, placed on the 4, and a chimney 26 which extends vertically upwards, from the roof 27 of the container 25. As more particularly illustrated in FIG. 2, the roof 27 of the container 25 carries a pair of longitudinal rails 28. The chimney 26 26 is carried by a carriage 29 adapted to move in horizontal translation on the rails 28. The chimney 26 is provided to accommodate a terrestrial connector 30. In Figures 1 and 2, the terrestrial connector 30 is shown during vertical movement, in view of 17. The terrestrial connector is pulled upwards, according to the arrow V, hooked to a shuttle 40 pulled by a traction line 41. In the example illustrated, the pulling line is a chain 41. The chain 41 is moved by a windlass 42 arranged and fixed in the nacelle 15. The shuttle 40, the chain 41 and the windlass 42 are part of the onboard part 2 of the device 1. The shuttle 40 has a shape 2946471 - 10 - elongated in the extension of the chain 41, and a current cross section forming an equilateral triangle (see Figure 6.) The terrestrial connector 30 comprises three connecting elements 32, not shown in Figures 1 and 2, visible in Figure 4, each complementary to a connecting element 16 of the edge connector 17. Each terrestrial connection element 30 is connected to a respective terrestrial cable 33 which extends upstream of the earth connector, through the chimney and through a longitudinal opening 34 in the roof 27, in the container 25, and to a land terminal. The landmark is fixed relative to I o quai 4. It is not visible in the figures, because it is masked by the container 25 which covers it. The container serves as a reserve for the terrestrial cable 33, so that it can be deployed when the terrestrial connector 32 is towed upward to the edge connector 17, and then lover there when the terrestrial connector 32 is again stored in the fireplace 26.

There may be provided several terminals arranged far and wide along each dock of a port. A container 25 according to the invention can be brought according to the need of a ship intended to dock on the dock, approximately where the stem 10 will be positioned. Thus, the device according to the invention makes it possible to position the connectors exactly. along three axes, on the one hand longitudinally, thanks to the displacement of the terrestrial connector on the container 25, or the container relative to the fixed terminal, on the other hand transversely, thanks to the more or less important deployment of the bracket 10, and on the other hand vertically by the more or less important deployment of terrestrial cables 33.

The chimney has an upper opening 37 which flares upwardly. As illustrated in Figure 2, the chimney 26 carries a shutter 36 in the form of a diaphragm and disposed above its upper opening 37. The shutter 36 comprises a plurality of blades 38. In the illustrated example, the shutter comprises three blades. The shutter 36 has a protective role of the terrestrial connector 30, especially against the droppings of birds that could 2946471 -ll- contaminate it and damage it. In addition, the shutter has a role of centering the shuttle 40, when it engages in the earth connector 30 while it is disposed in the chimney 26, and a centering role of the earth connector when the This is returned to the stack 26 after disconnecting from the edge connector. When the shuttle 40 approaches the chimney to collect the terrestrial connector, the shutter 36 is open, so that the blades 38 form between them a wide opening, as shown in Figure 2. When the shuttle 40 is between the blades 27, they are brought together around the I o shuttle 40, so that they allow a precise centering above the terrestrial connector 30. Figure 3 represents an enlarged view of the terrestrial part 3 The earth connector is not visible because it is stored in the chimney. The shutter 36 is shown in the closed position, so that it ensures the protection of the connector in the chimney. This arrangement is that of the terrestrial part while waiting for a ship to come alongside and connect electrically. The terrestrial connector 30 will now be described, in particular with reference to FIG. 4.

As particularly illustrated in FIG. 4, the terrestrial connector comprises a capsule 45. The capsule comprises a cylinder 46 of revolution about an axis X30 arranged substantially vertically, and a disk 47 perpendicular to the axis X30. Disk 47 closes cylinder 46 within its upper edge. The capsule 45 is open downwardly within a lower horizontal edge of the cylinder 48. In FIG. 4, the cylinder 46 is shown in section, in order to make visible earth connector elements 30 disposed at the bottom of the cylinder. The land connector further comprises a structure 49, 49, 49 composed of three tubes 49 forming the edges of a regular tetrahedron. Each tube is joined to the other two by a lower end, in the vicinity of the axis X30. An upper end of each tube 49 being fixed to the lower edge 48 of the cylinder 46. When the terrestrial connector 30 enters the chimney 26, the tubes 49 allow a progressive centering of the connector 30, first between the blades 38, then through the upper opening 37 of the chimney. In addition, the structure 49, 49, 49 makes it possible to join the terrestrial cables 33 to the lower end of the tubes 49, so that they extend upstream of the connector 30, substantially along the axis X30, under the form of a composite cable, each cable 33 constitutes a strand. To the interior of the capsule, the terrestrial connector comprises three connecting elements 32, guide means 51, a pulling tube 52 and engaging means 53. The rightmost connecting element 32 is partially shown. cut to reveal interior components. The rearmost connecting member 32 is almost completely obscured by the draw tube 52. The draw tube is shown cut axially to expose the guide means 51. The draw tube 52 is substantially revolution around the X30 axis. It comprises a cylinder 56 secured from below to the disc 47. The pulling tube further comprises an annular plate 57 disposed at its lower end. The annular plate 57 is pierced with an axial passage 58 for a lower end 60 of the shuttle 40 (see in particular Figure 8 in which the shuttle 40 is shown engaged with the earth connector 30). The socket means 53 comprise two jaws 61 arranged vis-à-vis one another. Each jaw 61 is attached to the annular plate 57 25 by a respective yoke 62 to which the jaw is hinged about a horizontal axis. Each jaw 61 extends downwardly from its respective yoke 62. The jaws are adapted to engage the lower end 60 of the shuttle 40. As particularly illustrated in FIG. 6, the end 60 of the shuttle 40 includes a complementary constriction to a corresponding shape of the jaws. With regard to the detailed arrangement of this type of mechanism, reference may be made to the patent WO 83/01059 which describes an example thereof. The cumulative height of the pulling tube 52 and the jaws is such that the jaws do not extend downwardly beyond the lower edge 48 of the capsule 45.

The guide means 51 comprise a cylindrical guide tube 66, of axis X30. The guide tube 66 is disposed within the tube of the draw tube 52. It is fixed from below to the disc 47. The guide tube is open all over its section, both upwards, across the disc 47, and down. The guide tube 66 is thus arranged so that the shuttle 40 can pass therethrough until it engages with the jaws 61. The guide means further comprises three rollers 67. Each roll is substantially of revolution about a longitudinal axis X67. Each of the two longitudinal ends of each roll is rotatably mounted in the wall of the pull cylinder 56 about the respective axis X67. Each axis X67 is inclined by about 45 degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis X30, and the rollers 67 are arranged so that the axis X567 of one can be deduced from the axis X67 of the another by a rotation of 120 degrees around the X30 axis. Each roller 67 passes through the inner volume of the guide cylinder 66, through a respective opening 68 in the wall of the guide cylinder 66. The rollers are thus arranged so that in top view, that is, according to the axis X30, the rollers 57 leave between them, in the internal space of the cylinder 66, a free section fitted to the triangular section of the shuttle 40. The connection elements 32, are each of elongated shape, 25 substantially cylindrical about a respective axis X32. They are arranged parallel to the axis X30 of the terrestrial connector 30, between the cylinder 46 of the capsule 45, and the traction cylinder 56. They are distributed around the axis X30, at 120 degrees from one another . A connection element will now be described, particularly with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows an insulated connection element 32. Figure 5 illustrates a waiting position in which the element 32 is not connected. The element 32 comprises a jacket 70, a piston 71, an electrically insulated push rod 72, a helical spring 73, two contacts 74 and a junction 75. One of the contacts is connected to an electrical phase specific to the element. connection, the second contact is connected to the neutral of the electrical installation. The push rod 72 is fixed relative to the sleeve 70. The sleeve has a substantially cylindrical shape. It is closed at its lower end by a bottom 77, and comprises, at its end to upper, an annular flange which extends radially both towards the axis X30, to form an inner shoulder, and also away of the X30 axis, to form an outer shoulder. A circular opening 80 is formed by the inner edge 79 of the inner shoulder. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each element 32 is mounted through the disk 47 and the inner shoulder 15 of the flange 78 forms a support for fixing the liner to the disk 47. The push rod 72 extends coaxially with the shirt. A lower end of the rod 72 is fixed to the bottom 77. The rod 72 comprises insulated conductors, one for the phase and the other for the neutral. These conductors are not shown in the figures. The rod is electrically connected to the junction 75, through the bottom 77. The junction extends downwardly from the bottom 77; as shown in Figure 4, it is designed to connect a cable 33 which itself has a conductor for the phase and another for the neutral. An insulating ring 81 is provided in the bottom 77, to electrically isolate the bottom 77 of the rod and the junction 75. The rod 72 extends from the bottom 77 upwards to a free end of the rod, located in the vicinity of the opening 80. The two electrical contacts 74, each have the shape of a ring, mounted on the rod 72, at a distance from one another, and at a distance from each of the ends of 72. It should be noted that the rings 74 are sufficiently spaced apart from each other and from each end of the connection element, so that there is no possibility of arcing when the connector is energized. In particular, this distance is sufficient so that no arc is formed when the piston 71 moves. The free end has a cylindrical pellet 82. The contact rings 5 each have the same outer radius. This outer radius of the rings is substantially equal to the outer radius of the pellet 82. The piston 71 is slidably mounted in the jacket 70. It comprises a central cylindrical passageway large enough for the piston to move along the rod 72, without the inner radius of the central passage is therefore greater than that of the rings 74; it is also lower than that of the pellet 82. The spring 73 is mounted constrained between the bottom 77 and the piston 71. Thus, in the waiting position illustrated in FIG. 5, the piston 71 is plated, under the action of the spring 73, against the inner shoulder of the flange 78 and against the pellet 82. The piston 71 therefore forms a seal intended to protect the inside of the jacket from the penetration of foreign bodies and moisture, and to isolate electrically the electrical contacts 74 from the outside. The edge connector 17 will now be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 6 shows the nacelle 15 and the edge connector 17. The edge connector 17 is centered on a substantially vertical axis X17. It comprises in particular the three edge connection elements 16 and guide means 85 fixed to the nacelle 15. It is particularly noted in FIG. 6 that the shuttle 40 is fixed to the chain 41 via a swivel. 86, so that the shuttle 40 can take an orientation independent of that of the chain 41. The guide means 85 are similar to the guide means 51 of the ground connector 30. They will therefore not be described in more detail. The connection members 16 of the edge connector are each of elongate, substantially cylindrical shape about a respective axis X16. They are arranged parallel to the axis X17 of the edge connector 17, around the guide means 85. They are distributed 120 degrees from one another about the axis X17. In addition, the distance between the axes X16 and the axis X17 is equal to the distance between the axes X32 and the axis X30.

We will now describe a connection element 16 of the edge connector 17, shown isolated in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 illustrates a waiting position in which the element 16 is not connected. The connecting element 16 comprises a substantially cylindrical liner 90, closed downwards by an annular abutment 92, and partly closed to a bottom by a bottom 97. It further comprises a hollow piston 91 slidably mounted in the liner 90. shutter rod 94 is attached to the piston, so that it extends axially downwardly from piston 91, through annular abutment 92. A spring 93 is held compressed between piston 91 and bottom 97.

In the standby position shown in FIG. 7, the piston 91 is held pressed down against the annular stop 92 by the spring 93. The connecting member 16 further comprises a dip tube 95. The dip tube 95 is electrically non-conductive. It comprises an annular plate 96. The connecting element 16 is mounted on a lower platform 98 of the nacelle 15, so that the platform is clamped between the annular stop 92, on top, and the annular plate 96, by below. The platform 98 is not shown in Figure 7. The plunger tube 95 carries at its lower end an annular plug 951. The annular plug 951 comprises a cylindrical axial passage 25. The shutter rod 94 comprises at its lower end a shutter 941prévu for closing the axial passage of the plug 951 when the element 16 is in the waiting position. The diameter of the passage is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pellet 82 of the connection element 32 of the earth connector. A sleeve 99 is fixedly mounted inside the plunger tube 95, so that it extends upward beyond the plate 96, inside the liner 90. The sleeve an inner diameter which is, in the extension of the passage of the plug 951, substantially equal to the outer diameter of the pellet 82 of the element 32. It thus allows the sliding of the push rod 72 of the connecting element 32 of the earth connector. The sleeve carries two contacts 100, each intended to respectively come into contact with a contact 74 associated therewith. One of the contacts 100 is provided to ensure the continuity of one phase and the other to ~ o ensure the continuity of the neutral. The contacts 100 are connected through the bottom 97 to a cable 18 specific to the connection element 16. FIG. 8 shows the nacelle 15, and the edge connector 17 and the terrestrial connector 30 connected together. The connection action will now be described, which leads to the respective positions of the connectors 17, 30 illustrated in FIG. 8. When the ship is at the dock, it deploys the stem 10. The stem 10 and the chimney 26 are displaced so that the edge connector 17 is substantially in line with the chimney. The shuttle 40 is then lowered to the stack 26. The shuttle 40 is first recentered by the shutter 36, so that it penetrates correctly into the guide means 51. As the shuttle 40 enters in the guide means 51 of the earth connector 30, its triangular section cooperates with the rollers 57, 25 so that it is oriented in a predefined position relative to the earth connector 30 about the axis X30. This position is set to 120 or 240 degrees. Once the shuttle is engaged with the jaws 61, this relative orientation is maintained. The shuttle is then pulled up in the direction V, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, substantially in the axis X17 of the edge connector 2946471 - 18 - 17. When the shuttle 40 approaches the edge connector, it enters in the orientation means 85 and is gradually oriented in a predefined position relative to the edge connector 17, about the axis X17. This position is set to 120 or 240 degrees around the X17 axis. The shuttle is of sufficient length for this relative position to be reached before the ground connector reaches the lower level of the edge connection elements 16. The guide means 51, 85 are designed so that once the relative positions of the shuttle 40 perfectly reached, each connection element 32 of the earth connector 30 is vis-à-vis a connection element 16 of the edge connector 17. In other words, for each element 16, its axis X16 is aligned with the axis X32 of an element 32. An additional traction according to V ensures the penetration of each dip tube 95 of a connecting element 16, in the jacket 70 of the connecting element 32 which makes it, and, each push rod 72 to 15 inside the sleeve 99 of the corresponding connecting member 16. By penetrating the jacket 70, the plunger tube 95 pushes the piston 71, so as to disengage the contacts 74, and the push rod 72 pushes the shutter rod 94, so as to disengage the contacts 100. The traction along V is continued until each flange 78 of the earth connector comes into contact with and under an annular platen 96 of a corresponding edge connecting member 16. The connection elements 16, 32 are designed so that in this position each contact 74 of the earth connector is in contact with a respective contact 100 of the edge connector, thus ensuring the electrical continuity between each terrestrial cable 33 and a cable. edge 18 respectively. Between the windlass and the platform 98 of the nacelle 15, the nacelle comprises a compartment 87 where the chain is curled, especially when the shuttle 40 is raised inside the nacelle. It is noted that the maintenance of the edge connector, substantially rigidly relative to the ship, makes the connection very easy. It is noted that a device according to the invention requires no manual intervention to move and connect the connectors together. The connection can be done safely and effortlessly. Such a connection is particularly fast.

The end of the chain opposite the swivel 86 is left free. Thus, if in case of emergency the ship must leave the dock quickly, it is sufficient to unwind the chain in a direction opposite to the direction V until its free end escapes from the windlass. Under these conditions, the edge connector returns without damage in the chimney, and only the chain and the shuttle 10 are abandoned at the dock. This is done without manual intervention, so without risk, and in an extremely short time, so without hindering security operations. Another embodiment will now be described for a terrestrial connector, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. This embodiment will only be described in that it differs from the embodiment previously described with reference to FIGS. 8. It is noted in particular that a terrestrial connector 130, made according to this other embodiment is provided compatible with the edge connector described in particular with reference to Figure 6. In this other embodiment, the terrestrial connector 130 is 20 planned floating. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for container ships. Indeed, it is preferable that the stem 10 of one of these ships 6 is arranged at the stern of the ship 6 and the stem 10 is provided to extend longitudinally from the transom. As a result, the edge connector 17 is generally not above a dock, but above the water. The terrestrial connector is thus provided to move floating on the water to come substantially above the edge connector, for their mutual connection. The connector 130 comprises a capsule 45 containing the same elements as the capsule previously described with reference to the first embodiment of the terrestrial connector 30. It therefore comprises in particular guide elements for the shuttle 40 and connection elements 32. The connector 130 further includes a chimney 126 for housing the cap 45. Flotation means 110 are attached to the chimney 126.

In the illustrated example, the flotation means comprise an annular buoy 110. The buoy 110 is formed of two identical semi-annular buoys and keyed together. Propeller propulsion means 111 are attached to the chimney 126. The propulsion means 111 comprise two propeller motors 111. To each motor is rotatably mounted about a vertical axis X111 which is specific thereto. Each motor 111 is movable independently of the other. The capsule 45 is slidably mounted in the chimney 126 equipped with a shutter 36. The connector 130 comprises sliding means along the axis X30, so that the capsule is slidably mounted in the chimney 126 between a low position and a high position. The low position is a standby position, illustrated in FIG. 10. The up position is illustrated in FIG. 11. In the illustrated example, the stack 126 comprises an upper annular shoulder 112, and a lower annular shoulder 113, all two extending radially towards the axis X30 of the connector 130, and the capsule 45 comprises an annular rib 114 extending radially towards the chimney 126. The capsule 45 is mounted in the chimney 126 so that the rib 114 can freely slide parallel axis X30, between the two shoulders 112, 113.

In the low position, the rib 114 is resting on the lower shoulder 113. In this position, the shutter 36 can be closed, and the capsule remain protected in the chimney, waiting to be harpooned by a When the shuttle 40 is engaged with the engagement means 53, the capsule 45 is first pulled upward until the rib 114 comes up 2946471 -21- in the up position, abutting the upper shoulder 112, while the chimney and its flotation means remain substantially immobile on the surface of the water. An extra traction of the shuttle, then allows to drive all upwards according to V.

The connector is provided so that in the raised position, the annular flanges 78 of the earth connection elements 32 are located above the other components of the earth connector 130, so that when connected to the edge connector 16, these other components, in particular the buoyancy means 110, do not come into mechanical interference with the onboard part 2 of the system 1. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 13, the connector 130 furthermore comprises ballasts provided to be able to freely flowing or floating the connector 130, for example when the ship maneuvers on arrival or departure.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, storage means 120 can be provided at the dock, allowing both the launching and the floating of the floating connector 130. In the illustrated example, these means 120 comprise a specific bracket 121 motorized around a vertical axis X121, and an electrical cabinet 122. These means 120 further comprise a specific shuttle 140 maintained at the bracket by a cable 141 and provided to engage with the connector when recovery to dry, until released. The bracket 121 carries a cover 124 arranged so that it forms a shelter for the connector 130 when it is hanging from the bracket.

As particularly illustrated particularly in FIG. 12, the connector 130 is intended to be stored just above the platform 4. When launched, illustrated in FIG. 13, the bracket 121 rotates about its axis of rotation. so that the connector 130 is brought over the water and the cable unrolled until the connector floats and is released from the shuttle 140. Thus, the connector 130 130 can be launched close to the transom 123 of a ship 6. A reverse operation allows the dry connector 130 to dry. Thus, once dry above the platform 4, the connector 130 is protected by the cover 5 124, at the shelter of defenses 125 arranged along the wharf. Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. Thus, the chain can be replaced by a cable. Although only one intermediate bridge has been shown, the ship may have several, between the upper deck, where the bracket is installed, and the engine room. In the illustrated example, three connection elements are provided in each connector, each connection element comprising a contact for the neutral and a contact for a specific phase. In another embodiment, four connection elements may be provided, one for each phase and the fourth for the neutral. It can also be provided six connection elements, one for each phase and each of the other three for a neutral respectively from one of the power cables. Such arrangements can significantly reduce the length of each connection element, and therefore the size of the terrestrial and edge connectors. The contacts mounted on the rods of the connecting elements, instead of being rings, can be replaced by lamellar contacts. Such contacts are able to catch up with a possible game. Such lamellar contacts are especially marketed by the company Multi-contact, in Hesingue F-68220.

Instead of being positioned on the platform, the container can be positioned on a floating pontoon, preferably motorized, so that it can easily be positioned directly above the edge connector. A device according to the invention can be adapted for other types of mobile, especially for an airplane, a train, a tram or a car, when they are stationary.

Claims (22)

Revendications1. Device (1) for terrestrial power supply for a mobile, in particular a ship (6), characterized in that it comprises an edge connector (17), a shuttle (40), traction means (41, 42) for the shuttle, the shuttle comprising means for engaging with a terrestrial connector (30, 130) complementary to said edge connector, the traction means being provided for pulling said shuttle and said earth connector when they are engaged, so that said ground connector comes in electrical continuity with said edge connector. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the traction means comprise a chain (41) and a windlass (42), a first end of said chain being connected, at least indirectly, to said 1s shuttle, the second end of said chain being free. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises means (10) for maintaining the edge connector substantially rigidly relative to the hull of the ship. 20 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the edge connector (17) is carried by a bracket (10), said bracket being provided movable between a folded position in which the edge connector is housed inside the a hull (11) of the ship and an extended position in which the edge connector is remote to the outside of the hull. 5. Device according to claims 2 and 4, characterized in that the bracket comprises a nacelle (15), the edge connector and the guide being housed in said nacelle, and the chain being arranged to lover 30 in a compartment (87 ) of said nacelle. 2946471 - 24 - 6. Device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the bracket comprises a substantially horizontal beam (14) disposed below a deck of the vessel, and rack means (22) for displacing said beam substantially horizontally. 5 7. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a distal end of the bracket comprises a panel (13) complementary to an opening (12) in the shell (11), so that in the folded position said panel has closed said opening and ensure o o continuity of said shell. 8. Device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the bracket is provided to deploy substantially transversely to the ship. 9. Device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the bracket is provided to deploy substantially longitudinally to the ship, preferably to the stern of said vessel. 10. Device according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one cable (18) for electrically connecting the edge connector (17) to electrical equipment edge, and a gutter (18) extending through lower bridges (8) to the bracket, and opening through a low end, preferably in a machine room (9), said cable and said gutter being arranged for the cable to form, beyond said lower end, a loop (19), preferably a suspended loop. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connectors (17; 30,130) each comprise a plurality of connecting elements (16,32), in identical numbers, distributed around a respective axis (X17, X30) and respective orientation means (51, 85) provided for co-operating with the shuttle (40) so that upon connection, each element (32) of the earth connector (30, 130) is aligned with a corresponding element (16) of the edge connector (17). 5 12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the connectors (17; 30, 130) each comprise three connection elements (16, 32), the shuttle (40) having a triangular cross section, and the orientation means ( 51,85) of at least one of the connectors (30,130; 17) comprising a set of three rollers (67) adapted to engage the triangular section of said shuttle (40) so that said connector and the said shuttle are oriented relative to each other in a pitch of 120 degrees about the respective axis (X30, X17). 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that one end of the shuttle (40) comprises a hook adapted to engage complementary clipping means (53) of the earth connector (30). ). 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a container (25) and a chimney (26) carried by said container (25), the terrestrial connector (30) being housed in the chimney (26), the container (25) serving as a reserve for cable (33) electrically connected to the earth connector (30), each cable (33) being provided to extend through the chimney (26), as where the terrestrial connector is pulled to the edge connector (17). 15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the chimney (26) is mounted movably in translation relative to said container. 30 16. Device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that it further comprises a floating pontoon on which the container (25) is installed, each cable (33) being flexibly connected to an electrical network terrestrial, said floating pontoon being preferably motorized. 17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that s comprises flotation means (110) for the terrestrial connector (130), and, preferably, propulsion means (111). 18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises ballasting means (116) adapted to sink the terrestrial connector Io when it is not connected with an edge connector. 19. Device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that it comprises means (112, 114) to allow axial sliding of the buoyancy means relative to the connecting means, so that the flotation means do not come in mechanical interference with an embedded part (2) of the device (1), during the engagement of the connectors between them. 20. Device according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that it comprises means (120) for dry and water connector (130), the means (120) for storing said connector over a platform (4), said means preferably comprising a bracket (121) movable about a vertical axis (X121) and a shuttle (140) adapted to engage engagement means (53); ) of said connector (130). 25 21. Method of terrestrial power supply for a mobile, in particular a ship (6), characterized in that an edge connector (17) is maintained substantially rigidly relative to a hull of said ship, a shuttle is engaged ( 40) with a terrestrial connector (30), and then pulling said shuttle and said terrestrial connector until said terrestrial connector is in electrical continuity with said edge connector. 2946471 - 27 - 22. A method according to claim 21, characterized in that first automatically directs said shuttle relative to the terrestrial connector, then automatically orienting said shuttle 5 relative to the edge connector, before said terrestrial connector comes in continuity with said edge connector.