FR2949749A1 - DEVICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF SHIPS AND MARITIME FACILITIES AGAINST PIRACY ACTS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protection system using to counter external attacks, such as hackers, non-lethal means (10) which diffuse into the atmosphere surrounding the equipment (11) a cloud of active products (16) -including at least one product-whose repulsive or restrictive effects are likely to repel the aggressors effectively. It is applicable in particular to the security of ships and maritime installations. It has the particularity of being double-triggered: in one case, it makes it possible to prevent aggressors (15.1, 15.2, 15.3) from gaining a foothold by creating between the equipment and the aggressors an impassable safety zone without equipment. special. In another case, if they have arrived on board, it makes it possible to force them to evacuate it by spreading the product on the equipment itself after folding the personnel of the equipment to the shelter. The invention relates to both the system and the corresponding protection method.

Description

The present invention relates to a system and a method of protection against external aggression of sensitive equipment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sensitive equipment is defined as equipment or an installation on land or sea whose control by aggressors, associated or not with the hijacking of personnel of the equipment, is likely to cause 15 economic damage, material, ecological , political or other important and / or traumatic to the people concerned, even victims. Earth sensitive equipment is for example a nuclear power plant. The invention is also particularly suitable, although not exclusively, for the protection of marine equipment, such as a ship, barge or platform, floating or placed on the seabed, fluvial or lacustrine. In the rest of the text, emphasis will be placed on the protection of ships and offshore installations of all types and sizes. In this area, the proposed systems are imperfect. The invention therefore proposes a protection system against external attacks of sensitive equipment, comprising means for diffusing, in the surrounding atmosphere, the equipment sensitive to at least one active product so as to repel the aggressors of said sensitive equipment. Advantageously, the broadcasting means comprise one or more broadcast networks and a plurality of broadcast heads connected to said network and placed in such a way that said broadcast heads can act inside and / or outside the peripheral limits of said network. sensitive equipment. Advantageously, at least a portion of said diffusion heads is integral with an element of the structure located within its peripheral boundaries. Advantageously, said diffusion network is connected to at least one storage means of said active product. Advantageously, said diffusion network is, furthermore, connected to at least one means for storing or supplying transport fluid so as to that the active product is diffused with the transport fluid. Advantageously, the system furthermore comprises, in any particular case illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3, at least one dosing and mixing equipment connected to said diffusion network, suitable for dosing and mixing the at least one of the active products with one another. and with the at least one transport fluid so as to adapt the diffusion of active fluid according to the desired effects. Advantageously, in certain particular cases of FIGS. 3 and 3a, the system can also be operated without dosing and mixing equipment provided that, in one of these cases, said active product is stored, pre-dosed and ready for use. use, with its transport fluid, in a required pressure tank, connected to the diffusion circuit or, in another case, that said active product if stored ready for use in a non-pressure tank the required operation is, at the appropriate time, brought into contact with a said transport fluid, admitted in this tank, to the pressure required to be properly diffused. Advantageously, at least a portion of the diffusers are carried by supports integral with the structure of the sensitive equipment.

Advantageously, said supports comprise tangled, articulated and / or fixed supports adapted to diffuse said active fluid into the atmosphere surrounding the sensitive equipment.

Advantageously, said diffusion heads are partly of them orientable (in site and / or direction) independently of their support. Advantageously, the system further comprises means for controlling and controlling at least part of the active fluid diffusion means. Advantageously, said control and control means are connected to, and / or allow to act remotely on, at least one of said equipment selected from the following list: detection means, display means, control means, observation, warning means, alarm means, communication means, recording means, lighting means, classification and / or identification means, sound diffusion means, means for protection. Advantageously, said control and control means are also connected to, and / or allow to act remotely on said metering and mixing station, in particular to select and / or vary the composition of the mixtures and / or modify the rates of dosage (or products) active (s) in said active fluid during its assembly. Advantageously, said control and control means are connected to, and / or allow to act remotely on at least a portion of the control valves belonging to said broadcast network, so as to implement all or part of the broadcast network and all or part of said broadcast heads. Advantageously, said control and control means are connected to and / or allow to act remotely on the operating, adjusting, operating means of the diffusion heads and / or the arms which carry them Advantageously, this system is installed on board marine equipment such as a ship, a ship's element, a platform or a platform element, floating or resting on the seabed, fluvial or lacustrine, or any similar equipment, so as to protect it staff present against external aggression. Advantageously, said diffusion heads are integral with at least one of the bridges of the marine equipment and are fixed on and / or above and / or below said at least one bridge. Advantageously, said broadcast system of the protection system is connected at least in part to the network of the fire-fighting system. Advantageously, the system is adapted to use security products, as backup and backup means, to reinforce the existing capabilities of the equipment in the fight against disasters such as fire or local marine pollution, if the Dosing and mixing station has been previously provided with a reserve of corresponding products. Advantageously, the own means of protection of the system are adapted - at least partly to them - to disseminate security products and to integrate means of disaster control, provided that there is no incompatibilities or contraindications in this, it being understood that in the event of a fire (fire), the means of fight against the losses, forming part of the equipment endowment of the equipment, must be able to find immediately their primitive function and their initial potential . Advantageously, installed on board sensitive marine equipment, the system comprises one or more premises specially equipped for the conduct of protective operations and / or for the safety of persons of the equipment, equipped with all or part of the following equipment: secure accesses, passive protection means, means for filtering the outside air and putting the internal atmosphere under an overpressure, means of internal and external communication, warning and alarm means, equipment video visualization, recording means, so that inside these premises the equipment staff is protected from shooting attackers and / or the effects of the active cloud against them. Advantageously, it is also a method for controlling external aggression against sensitive equipment using a protection system comprising the step of diffusing, in the surrounding atmosphere of the sensitive equipment, at least one product active. An object of the invention is to provide a dual-trigger solution, namely: - repel the attacks of malicious persons before they can enter the immediate environment of the marine equipment, - if they have reached it to force them to leave, while not inflicting injury on the aggressors who could then retaliate against the crew or passengers. The system thus responds to the problems posed by intruders who have successfully boarded equipment and for which there is still no peaceful solution to compel them to leave.

Compared with existing solutions, the system according to the invention is a quick and effective response that is not lethal and is well adapted to the various areas of jurisdiction involved (flag State, national legislation in territorial waters and international law in international waters). In addition to the graduated response offered by this system, it should be pointed out that the effects produced by the perpetrators are reputed not to cause injury or a sequelae that could provoke retaliation that could fuel an escalation of violence that is feared both shipowners for their crews than the States for their nationals. The solution proposed here is a system comprising means for diffusing active products into the atmosphere surrounding sensitive equipment. These diffusion means such as spray heads are placed so as to act around the sensitive equipment (that is to say outside its perimeter) and also on the sensitive equipment itself (c 'ie within its perimeter) above the deck if it is a ship and / or below if the deck is suspended as is the case for the platforms. Marine equipment, such as ships, barges, off-shore platforms and other equivalent maritime or river facilities have substantially horizontal structures called bridges. Generally it is defined a main bridge (or bridge of work), generally continuous, which is the one around which the majority of the circulations and / or activities are ordered. In this case, the positioning of the diffusion means will be usefully defined with respect to at least one bridge, for example, the main bridge. Around marine sensitive equipment, the system acts as protection against external aggression by creating an exclusion zone in which intruders can not enter without special equipment. On the sensitive equipment itself (bridge and superstructures), the system acts as a means of evacuation to get the edge out of attackers who have reached (or are about to arrive) to cross the limits of the equipment. sensitive, without having yet managed to take refuge inside its premises. In the particular case of off-shore superstructure, the working bridge being very high above the water, the diffusion means of the system are placed so as to act not only on the main deck and around the sensitive equipment but also below between the water and the main deck. If, therefore, preferably (some of) the diffusers of the system are fixed to the bridge and above, if necessary, according to the conformation of the equipment, they can also be fixed below. In the description and the claims which follow the terms below are used at least in the direction indicated: - Active product means any liquid or gaseous product, maintained under pressure or not, which, mixed or not with one or more transport fluids , causes one or more effects that would not be produced alone, the liquid (s) of transport and which in the context of the protection of sensitive equipment such as a ship or a marine installation against the pirates has for effect (s) to repel aggressors or, at least, to be very dissuasive by significantly hindering their action. To vary and enrich its effects, the system has the ability to use simultaneously or alternatively several active products. Incidentally, too, the system according to the invention can use other products than those properly safety (that is to say concerning the protection against malicious acts) such, for example, products 2949749 s security (c that is to say concerning the fight against disasters such as fire, pollution, etc.). It should be noted that the use of the system remains nevertheless a secondary and accessory function (without being negligible) 5 which applies to other domains. Since the system is primarily a protection system, it can not claim that it constitutes an occasional, unpretentious supplement to replace systems specially designed and approved for other purposes, such as fire safety, pollution control, decontamination. This being said, if for the sake of clarity we distinguish here sometimes active safety products of active safety products, to simplify the reading of the description and claims the term active product used alone, 15 is in the meaning of active safety product as defined below. - Active safety product (or active product) means any chemical product, mixture or combination of products which, mixed with one (or more) transport fluid 20 and sprayed by the system around the sensitive equipment, is able to protect it as well as goods and / or persons present against human aggression (such as pirates in the case of ships and other marine equipment). Its effects are essentially incapacitating and / or repulsive towards persons not protected by special equipment, individual or collective. One of the preferred safety active products for the use of the anti-pirate protection system is a chemical mucosal irritant compound such as chlorobenzylidene malinitrile or CS gas or ortho-chlorobenzal malonitrile (whose formula is C1C6H4CH = C). (CN) 2). The system may associate with an active main safety product - such as those mentioned above - other products which will have additional effects such as to enhance its effectiveness, for example, dyes (for blurring of vision and optical means aggressors) or oily products to make precarious standing up aboard the boats used by pirates as well as climbing superstructures of sensitive equipment). - Safety product means in the text of this invention a product or products that the system can incidentally broadcast either in the state (water under pressure, for example) or mixed with a transport fluid (foaming products mixed with water). pressurized water, for example) for purposes other than safety, which are then to assist in the fight against a disaster such as fire or accidental marine pollution (such as an oil spill on the outside), it being understood that in these areas the system does not claim to replace the means of control planned, standardized and approved for this purpose and that he himself is not necessarily subject to these standards. It can therefore only be a supplement to the existing means of disaster control provided that the metering station and mixing protection system is (this use to be integrated during installation) previously connected to safety product reserves such as: - so-called retardant, wetting or foaming products suitable for delaying the progression of a fire or combating it more effectively, - dispersant and / or solvent products suitable for treating a sea pollution hydrocarbons; decontamination solutions suitable for washing the surfaces of the sensitive equipment which have been brought into contact with the protective active products. - Transport fluid means a fluid under pressure (gas, liquid, gel and combination of these elements) which, when mixed with the active product has the function of transporting it to the diffusers and then being diffused in the form of a cloud active. In the particular case of a ready-made mixture, ready to be used (the case of FIG. 3a), the transport fluid can be stored in the same container as the active product. It is considered that in this case, the container is the storage medium of the transport fluid. - active fluid means the state of the transport fluid either after mixing with at least one active product of any kind, or after active treatment - active mixture means the mixture of two or more products which, together, have the effect of an active product. Active cloud means the state of the active fluid or of the active product after diffusion or spraying. It can take various aspects (fog, curtain of water, rain, jet of diffused water, veil of water, smokeù). It takes its active effects from the characteristics of the active product, to that, if any, of the transport fluid and to the active treatment that may be applied. Each of them can produce its own effects and combine them. The active cloud may be composed of several active products and of several different fluids, either pre-mixed (before diffusion into the air), or diffused separately in the same cloud where they can mix afterwards. - Active treatment means the treatment which, when added to the transport fluid, gives it an additional characteristic which has the effect of repelling or keeping people in contact at a distance (such as pressurized water). - The protection system: designates not only the various means that make it possible to produce an active cloud, but also those (so-called ancillary equipment) that participate in some way in its implementation. - Ancillary equipment means various equipment (such as, for example, detection, observation, warning, alarm, control, communication, recording, protection, lighting ...) which, while not strictly necessary for the implementation of the system, nevertheless enhance its effectiveness. Threat vectors refers to the people, equipment, activities or means used to perpetrate an unlawful or reprehensible act. At sea, pirates, terrorists, brigands of all kinds are included under this name. On land, it extends to all categories of people targeted by the system (troublemakers, intruders, thieves, etc ...) Dosage and mixing station means either a simple equipment dosing and mixing (such a doser-mixer), a more sophisticated station whose main function is to mix the active product (s) (or the active mixture) with the transport fluid in specific proportions. - Doser - mixer refers to the simplest equipment for metering and mixing a product mechanically with a pressurized fluid using venturi suction. In this case, this equipment can be of the eductor type, proportioner, metering injector or metering mixer or a pre mixers. They are all in themselves equivalent to mini dosing and mixing station that is why, here, the term dosing and mixing station encompasses them in a general way. - Pressurizing station means here either means for pressurizing fluids, or means for storing fluids when they are stored under pressure. Diffuser or Diffusion Head generally designates the end portion of the diffusion system adapted to spray the active fluid in the form of droplets (or the mixture of a transport fluid with a product with which the system is powered). The diffusers may be sprayers, rain sprinklers, mouths of water cannons and all transformation of a liquid system of the invention may, under no incompatibilities or cons or operational, use control against fire. the legal meaning of the Montego Bay Convention (1982) for the violence to be described as piracy, it must be unlawful acts committed with violence, in international waters 10 and for private purposes. The different categories of persons who commit similar actions at sea but do not meet this definition are nevertheless included here under this name. - Central protection station (or PC protection) 15 designates a security room which centralizes the protection means and more particularly the control and control station. This PC protection can be located at the gateway or in another suitable place such as the PC security. 20 - Threat Sector: designates around a facility a portion of the vulnerable perimeter that can be used by the threat vectors. - Distribution network refers to all pipelines and valves that distribute products and active fluids. - Control and Control means here the centralized system that manages the management of the system and its ancillary equipment. - Unit here refers generically a ship, or a facility or a maritime structure among others. - Warning here refers to the preparatory, material and operational measures taken in the risk zones to maximize the detection notice vis-à-vis means of projection and droplet pressure. The reservation that there are technical indications diffusers of the system of - Pirates: to the vectors of threats and to reduce by the same time the delays of reaction and implementation of the system. - The system (or protection system) means the means described here, the main way to associate an active product with a transport fluid and to diffuse into the outside atmosphere of the equipment with the effect of repelling the aggressors while minimizing the exposure of the equipment staff to the effects of the active product (repellents, incapacitants ...) and the strikes of the attackers (shooting ...) - exclusion zone here means a place where people are not not allowed to enter or remain without authorization. It is the very function of the system to force them not to enter or evacuate this area, in the event of an intrusion (on the bridge, for example). This specified, it will also be noted that in order not to expose the crews and persons on board, and for the effectiveness of the effects produced, the system of the invention advantageously comprises: control and control means of at least part of the diffusion means from a central station, and means for setting protected atmosphere (overpressure) and means for securing the central protection station and / or a secure shelter for the personnel from the edge, so that those who are sheltered there are not exposed to the effects of the active fluid and / or the weapons of the aggressors. If such control and control means are put in place, it is advantageous, according to another characteristic of the invention, that they are connected to, and / or can act remotely on: - ancillary equipment among which means of detection, observation, alert, alarm, communication, recording, lighting, sound diffusion, protection (such as over-pressurizing the premises which house the personnel of the equipment ) - a / dosing and mixing station so as to select, dose, mix, combine the active products with each other and with the fluid (s) transport, - sections (sections) of a network broadcast and / or broadcast heads belonging to said broadcasting means, to enable the activation of all or part of these sections or heads of diffusion, and / or - means of orientation of the heads of diffusions and / or of s) movable arms carrying them, - control valves. - control equipment (pressure, orientation, gauge, temperature ...) and The protection of sensitive equipment and personnel on board will be favored. It is also advantageous for the control and control means and / or the system to be connected to presence detectors to cover the surveillance blind spots, when they exist, such as for example at the rear of the block. bridge of a ship, in the wake, or under hawks, of a ship at anchor or under the deck of an offshore platform. In the event of an intrusion into these threat sectors, the presence detectors can then trigger an audible and / or visual alarm and the scattering heads arranged for this purpose begin to spray an active cloud either by automatically triggering them or by manual control from the command and control system, with the possibility of simultaneous activation - also automatic or controlled - of a lighting (night) of the threat area concerned. For the speed of the reaction to the aggression and to permanently adjust the effects of the system to the evolution of the situation, it is advantageous that the means of diffusion are, on board, connected to several means of supplying transport fluid or at least one independent source of chemical product (s) and at a dosing and mixing station adapted for metering and mixing the chemicals and the transport fluid (s) between them, or the chemical with the transport fluid (s). On units of relatively small tonnage, in particular vessels of less than 50 meters, a reduced system with means of diffusion directly connected to an active fluid reserve - already prepared and stored under suitable pressure - constitutes a variant of the system which is particularly suitable for small units. Generally speaking, on ships and marine installations equipped with a fire-fighting circuit board and more particularly in the drastic safety conditions that exist on board certain units such as tankers, ammonia or LNG transports. and offshore platforms, it is advantageous that the system diffusion means (at least those that are suitable for use in fire fighting) are at least partially connected to this fire-fighting circuit so as to what, if any, system (protection) can strengthen the security system (fire). This interoperability must then be done without the operation of the protection system lastingly reducing the fire-fighting capabilities of the installation. According to another characteristic of the invention, it is advantageous: - that the diffusion means are, on board, connected to means for supplying pressurized transport fluid and at least one independent source of active product (s) ( s) or / and a valve opening or closing the communication between the diffusion means and the independent source (s) of active product (s), - that the transport fluid supply means can provide the latter at a temperature not exceeding 40 ° C (to avoid any risk of skin burns), thus allowing closed valve position, while there is communication between the diffusion means and the transport fluid, to diffuse the latter on the bridge and / or above, especially in the context of a fire-fighting, and / or that the means of diffusion are, on board, equipped with a purge system allowing, in the context either a fight against fire or rinsing operations zo contaminated, to no longer diffuse active fluid. In any case, as mentioned, the system must not alter the fire-fighting capability of sensitive equipment. It must rather, by its own means, advantageously strengthen it.

With this in mind, the protection system may, provided there are no incompatibilities or contraindications, use part of the fire-fighting system such as diffusers (water cannons, spears). fire, eductors, collectors ...) who in case of disaster can immediately regain their primary function. To prevent any reverse effect, it is expected that, if the fire-fighting circuit is provided with outlets where an outlet pressure prevails (when from them a fire-fighting fluid is projected) - the heads distributed to appropriate locations of sensitive equipment in order to best cover areas vulnerable to the threat vectors and risks - if necessary, additional pumping and pressure facilities should be installed to increase the outlet pressure of said spray heads relative to that prevailing at the outlet of said mouths of the fire-fighting circuit, and if necessary means are installed to take up the pressure and act on it in the network in which the active fluid circulates . According to another advantageous characteristic of the protection system according to the invention, it can even usefully and effectively enhance the ability to fight against incidents (fire, pollution, etc.) on and around the sensitive equipment by connecting the station dosing and mixing of the system with reserves (specific to the system) of fireproof or anti-pollution products that can be projected by the diffusers of the protection system in the event of corresponding disasters (fire, local pollution by hydrocarbon leakage, contamination) . It has already been made clear that the purpose of the invention is not only to deter / prevent intruders from boarding, but also, if successful, to compel them to leave the scene, minimizing the risk to the crew. and the staff on board. In order to increase the effectiveness of the system and its adaptability to sensitive equipment of all types and sizes, including by remote control mode, in particular from a central operating station, another advantageous characteristic of the invention consists in that: * some of the diffusion heads are carried by mobile arms tangent or articulated and adjustable in height and direction - implanted back from the peripheral limits - suitable for: - when they are directed towards the outside of the sensitive equipment, making protruding beyond the external structure (shell for example), better distribute the active fluid in the outer peripheral environment of this structure, and, when oriented towards the inside of the sensitive equipment, well distribute the active fluid on the deck or above and / or below. In order to increase the performance of the bridge diffusers on sensitive large area equipment suitable for them (supertanker, off-shore platform, etc.), the invention also provides that at least some of the diffusion means of the system are implemented in central zone of the bridge, so that it can spread the active cloud a more central area of the bridge to a more peripheral area thereof. This allows, in the event of incursion of the attackers on the bridge, a total coverage of the equipment without omitting the parts more distant from the periphery where are generally concentrated the means of diffusions of the system * and / or, that at least certain diffusion heads are mounted on foldable arms so that they can thus be positioned at varying heights, directions and distances from the point of implantation and / or that they themselves also have controlled (motorized) heads so as to they can be oriented themselves independently in site or in direction which further improves the diffusion of the active fluid.

In practice, the fact that some supports are collapsible reduces their size to facilitate commercial activity outside the areas or periods at risk and allows not to keep protruding appendages that could be dangerous and troublesome during maneuvers docking.

Furthermore, some parts of the system are advantageously removable to clear the useful spaces out risk and / or modular to allow their transfer to other sensitive equipment with the same hosting infrastructure.

The system may advantageously comprise a dosing and mixing station (which can be reduced to a simple doser-mixer) for mixing one or more products (active products or other products) with a transport fluid. However, this is not a mandatory component for the system since, as previously stated, the active fluid can be stored on board, under suitable pressure, pre-mixed, ready to be sprayed (particularly small units) . From the foregoing it will be understood that the system object of the present invention allows, in case of attack of ship or maritime facility by pirates or other intruders, to: - create between the aggressors and the assaulted a zone d exclusion by diffusion into the atmosphere of an active cloud, the effect of which is to maintain the threat vectors outside this zone, also known as the external security zone, - if necessary, in the event of successful intrusion, of the force out the inner limits of sensitive equipment (inner security zone) by covering it with an active cloud. The particular effectiveness of this system against hackers is that they can not cross (or stay in) the active cloud without wearing personal protective equipment (gas masks and goggles, or even suits, gloves. ..). If necessary, they are provided with, however, the part is far from won for them to the extent that the constraints imposed by the wearing of such equipment result in a significant loss of their ability to action and a decision additional risks as it virtually ruins their chances of success. Thus, in a first case, the system and method objects of the present invention give each ship and marine facility the means to repel by themselves and with a maximum of chance of success, without provocation and legally, an attack pirates or similar intruders. In a second case, the system that is the subject of the present invention makes it possible to recapture or have evacuated in the same way a place (ship or maritime installation) previously invested and illegally occupied. In addition to the features already stated, the system is relatively simple to install and implement, reliable operation, usable in explosive atmosphere (oil tanker, LNG transport, chemicals ...) and adaptable to all types of installations sensitive. Against pirates and other intruders, it constitutes a relatively non-violent defense mode. Moreover, it constitutes a very measured response if one considers the effect it produces to that of the means employed by the aggressors. Added to this is that the active cloud is a non-targeted means of protection and that the active product is non-lethal (unlike defense firearms which often provoke an armed response by the aggressors and, for a longer time, term, feeds an escalation of violence). Another significant benefit is that the implementation of the system does not require any on-board staff to be exposed to retaliation or intimidation. Moreover, in critical situations involving safety (in the case of an attack by pirates or intruders) and the safety of navigation or the ship (the case of the crew at the maneuver station), the use of the system is perfectly compatible with the safety constraints which remain priority. This is an important point because the recommendations of the International Maritime Organization are always to privilege safety to safety (as long as there is no death threat for the crew). When the crew can wear personal protection (respiratory and visual), they can continue their task outside (at the maneuver or fire-fighting station, for example) even if it has to be exposed for its protection and that of the ship to the effects of the active cloud. This is all the more important as the equipment, the channeling in confined waters (straits, navigation channels, transit rail) and arrivals at anchor or port are vulnerable situations well known in certain seas to be conducive. attacks from pirates.

It should be added that the system can use several transport fluids singly or mixed. It can, for example, associate the action of a gas under pressure to that of a liquid also under pressure to improve the spray capabilities or enhance the effects of the active cloud.

The transport fluid can act either by its own effect, such as the characteristic sliding effect of the oils, or in combination with active products which are mixed with it or even by the active treatment which is given to it, such as pressure.

The pressurizing means will typically be intended for the propulsion of fluids in the network and through the diffusers. In some cases, an additional station may be useful in particular to increase the pressure of the transport fluid or the active fluid or to introduce another component. It has already been mentioned that a pressurized fluid storage tank constitutes a pressurizing station in the same way as a pump station. The system also includes a distribution network that conducts the transport fluid from the pressurizing station to the diffusion heads. Several remotely controllable valves will be provided to implement a system composed of several broadcast heads. In addition to the flow management, they make it possible, among other things, to proceed with the choice and the dosages of the products to be mixed, to vary the proportions of active product mixed with the active fluid, to supply the only diffusion heads chosen and concerned by a attack and vary the desired effects. The main function of the dosing and mixing station is to dose and mix the active product (s) with the transport fluid (s) to make it an active fluid. In this way, it can produce various combinations of active fluids that will create as many different effects. It also makes it possible to vary the proportion of active product in the active fluid. The remote control of the dosing and mixing station thus makes it possible to vary in nature and in intensity the effects of the system on the aggressors. As mentioned in the definitions, the dosing and mixing station is designed to work with both safety (disaster) and active safety (protection) products, giving the system versatile capabilities.

On small units, in the simplest version, the dosing and mixing station can be limited to a single doser-mixer (of the eductor or proportioner - mixer type). The architecture of a system can also integrate several dosing and mixing stations, not necessarily identical to each other. The active product can be in several forms such as gas, powder, liquid or gel. The active effects of the active products may be combined with those related to the physical or chemical characteristics of the transport fluids and also those resulting from the active treatment they may have received. In a non-exhaustive way, in the field of safety, the effects generated by the active products of the system can be: suffocating, irritating, blinding, tearing, sliding on contact, tights, dyes, neutralizers, inhibitors, coercive, dissuasive and act of multiple material or immaterial ways, or both at the same time.

To minimize the risk of degradation, corrosion, sedimentation and leakage, the components of active products and mixtures can be stored separately. Advantageously, the system can operate with several active products and / or active treatments used successively or simultaneously. With particular regard to the distribution, the diffusion means may advantageously comprise a network in at least a portion of which circulating active fluid in a two-phase flow where a liquid and a gas will then circulate in the same pipes to improve the performance of the system. Said active fluid keeps its active effects of the characteristics of all its components (fluids and mixed active products) The system according to the invention is not lethal per se and is designed to use products (non-lethal) authorized to maintain the public order. The means of control and control which are recommended to equip the system make it possible to anticipate risky situations, to control and choose the means of action to be taken, to adapt the effects to the behaviors of the threat vectors and to the others. hazardous situations (fire, pollution) that may be encountered. Advantageously, the control and control means may be installed in a secure location, such as the bridge of a ship or the security PC, that it is possible to put overpressure at the time of an attack not to suffer the effects related to the diffusion of active products outside. It makes it possible to centralize the means of driving the system itself and those of ancillary equipment, without any personnel in the open. In the case of multi-sectoral attack, the system consisting of various spraying sections may be implemented only in part (limited to only those sections covering the only threat areas concerned) or in full (in the case of simultaneous attacks on 3600 or zone recovery configuration). The system incorporates several types of diffusers (and diffusion heads) adapted to the fluids, active products and pressures used. Depending on the desired effects, there will thus be diffusers with fixed head, others with automatic scanning, others motorized to be remotely orientable from the control and control station Some of them will be advantageously mounted on supports deployable (like that shown in Figures 9, 13 and 15) with foldable arms and / or telescopic can be maneuvered in three dimensions to position them better outside or on sensitive equipment, or even below (Figure 15). Similarly, the diffusers and other ancillary equipment (cameras, projectors) mounted above the unfoldable supports, fixed or mobile, can also be advantageously oriented remotely, site and direction, from the control station. Foldable supports, outriggers or articulated / telescopic arms as shown schematically in FIG. 9 may also be deployed by various methods (automatic, remote control, local control, human and / or mechanical action). The mobility given to certain supports and / or diffusers of the system makes it possible to deploy them and to direct them towards the outside and / or the inside of the equipment, according to the needs.

Thus, while being implanted in board, the system according to the invention can thus effectively act both out of the edge (around the sensitive equipment) and on board (on the sensitive equipment itself), above the level the deck or even below its level which is interesting for the protection of the ships whose height of the bridge over the water varies according to the load. On fixed structures such as off-shore platforms, the diffusers can advantageously be carried by rigid and fixed arms. On small units, these arms will usually be deployed manually or mechanically on suitable supports such as folding poles - kind of rigid arms whose one end is fixed on a hinge - which allows to arrange the other part outside the top water or sensitive equipment. They can also be fixed in the superstructures located above the bridge. Some system diffusers, such as water cannons, driven by a remotely controlled motor, can be used for other functions than protection such as rinsing areas in contact with the active cloud, fire fighting (by projection of anti-fire products) or against marine pollution in case of hydrocarbon leakage, for example (by spreading anti-pollution products). To this end, they can be connected to reserves of safety products such fire-fighting (with retarding effect, wetting, foaming ...) or anti-pollution (diluent effect, dispersant -). In some cases, the diffusers can advantageously be carried by fixed supports, foldable movable arms (for example tangons whose one end is fixed to a fixed point of the equipment and the other held by stays or jacks. Other supports can be adjustable by remote control such as folding arms and / or telescopic and steerable in location and direction thus allowing to position the diffusers in the direction and at the desired height.On platforms, the fixing points can be below and / or above the working bridge.

If some diffusers are mounted on at least partly movable arms which allows them to be momentarily deployed outside the perimeter of the equipment, they are all fixed inside the outer perimeter of the equipment.

The invention also relates to a method for the external protection of maritime or terrestrial sensitive equipment against the attacks of pirates and other external aggressors, comprising the main step consisting in: diffusing an active fluid in the form of an active cloud in the atmosphere surrounding the sensitive equipment, the active fluid can be diffused through at least one diffuser. The method may comprise other steps: - (A) a preliminary step comprising the material and operational preparation of the system, ancillary equipment, products, personnel, installation, - (B) a fluid distribution step active (or at least of a transport fluid, if for example water of the fire circuit) under pressure through the network to at least one valve, - (C) a step of opening this valve. The process may also comprise intermediate, non-systematic steps, or necessarily ordered in the order stated: - (c2) a step of dosing and mixing the active product (or its components) with the transport fluid, - (c3 ) a step of active treatment of the fluids, - (c4) a step of selecting at least one spray head or at least one diffuser chosen to face a one-time threat, - (c5) a step of opening the diffusers to spray the active fluid, if the chosen diffusers are in the closed position, - (d2) a management step of the control and control system which will then manage the implementation of the actions in the course of engagement, if this capacity has been acquired. Other advantages, aims and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, for the purpose of explanation and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation, in a top view, an embodiment of the system according to the invention, applied to the example of a ship. FIG. 2 schematically represents a simple assembly representing the main components of the system according to the invention. FIGS. 3 and 3bis schematically represent assemblies well adapted to small units, such as small tonnage vessels.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically represents another variant of mounting the system with two pressurizing stations. Figure 5 schematically shows another system mounting variant with several dosing and mixing stations. FIG. 6 diagrammatically represents an assembly of the system with, this time, a sophisticated metering and mixing station (multi active products) integrated in a control and control system and connected to a heating means. Figure 6a shows optional temperature control equipment mounted on the system.

Figure 8 shows schematically another mounting variant of the system connected to both a presence detector and a control and control system. Figure 8 represents a diagram that breaks down the main stages of operational implementation of the system. FIG. 9 schematically represents a vessel seen from the front whose main deck is equipped with two different types of movable arms carrying diffusers.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 show schematically a vessel seen in perspective from the front and the top with other details (arrangement / distribution of the diffusers). Figures 13 and 13bis describe the structure of a support foldable / foldable / steerable remote, with a diffuser and ancillary equipment. FIG. 14 illustrates an interconnection diagram between the diffusion network of the active fluid and the fire circuit on board a ship. Figure 15 schematically shows an offshore platform, profile view, on which are arranged some system equipment. To provide optimum efficiency, the system according to the invention must be adapted to the architecture of each sensitive equipment, its structural and operational vulnerabilities and constraints (commercial, technical and other). In some embodiments, shown in the figures, it consists of: pressurizing means: pressurizing station (14, 143) or pressure storage (71, 141, 72) and, optionally, additional pressurizing unit (2, 143, 273) for increasing the pressure; - pipes or collectors (21) in which the fluids (4, 6, 6.1, 6.2) circulate to the diffusers; - valves (26, 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4, 26.5, 272, 278a, 278b) partly, if possible, remotely controllable; - stockpiles for products (51, 52, 53, 56a, 56b), some of which may be already under pressure reserves (71 Fig. 3); dosing and mixing means (27, 27.1, 27.2, 27.3, Fig. 5) or dosing and mixing stations (tank 51 Fig. 2 and 4) or more sophisticated {18, fig. 4); means for treating fluids other than pressurizing such as reheating (70 fig.6); - supports movable part (234, fig.9 and 237c Fig. 15) or adjustable in height and direction (236, Fig.10 to 13) or fixed (237b Fig.15); - spraying means which can be of several kinds (such as fire hoses (275 fig.15), misting machines, fogging rods, water cannons (389 Fig. 15), raining spray booms, air, water or gas diffusers ...) or spray sections which may consist of various diffusers, among which there may be fixed diffusers (23, Fig. 5) with automatic scanning (24, fig. ) or motorized and remotely maneuverable (30, 230) ... - additional means (250, 252, 333, 298, 398, 295).

FIG. 1 illustrates the case of a 180 ° exclusion zone activated on the port side (left side of the hull) of a ship (11) on the water (1) which is the object of several simultaneous attacks. and multi-directional conducted by three fast craft constituting threat vectors (15.1, 15.2, 15.3). In this case, three sections (sections) of spray (12.2, 12.3, 12.4) each having several diffusers (23) are activated on the port side of the ship so that the cloud of active products (16) diffused by the protection network (21) covers all sectors exposed to the threat vectors. Note that this Figure 1 represents only partially the invention in that it could suggest that there are only diffusers for spraying an active cloud at the outer periphery of the sensitive equipment concerned. However, as explained below, the active fluid diffusion means (arrow 10) must be placed so as to be able to diffuse the active protection product throughout the atmosphere surrounding the sensitive equipment or, at least, to cover all the neuralgic points: both around the latter (Fig. 10) and above its bridge (Fig. 11), or even below (Fig. It should be noted that the supports of the diffusion means of the system are all located within the peripheral boundaries (235) of the sensitive equipment, although as will be seen in other figures, some (234, 236) offer the possibility of deploying outside these limits the means of diffusion (arrow 10) that they carry.

Although they will preferably be placed on the main deck, they can also be placed on several other decks and superstructures so as to cover the hotspots and threat areas most sensitive to attacks by pirates.

As shown next in FIGS. 9 to 12, some of the spraying terminal heads (230, 30, 24) will advantageously be carried by tangential arms (234) or adjustable in height and in direction (236) or stationary arms (237 a, fig.15) or other suitable supports (237 b, fig.15).

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified system which, by virtue of a pump (14), pressurizes a transport fluid (4) which, itself, is mixed with an active product (51) via a dosing-mixer ( 27) becomes an active fluid (6) whose spraying is controlled by the opening of the valve (26) of an orientable diffuser (30). Figures 3 and 3a illustrate variants of the system that can operate without equipment (27, 27.1, 27.2, 27.3) or dosing and mixing station (18). In one case a product or active mixture already dosed (56B) is stored under pressure with a transport fluid (56A), in the other case, the two products are stored separately. In the first case, the contents of the reserve (71), shown in Figure 3a, is a transport fluid under pressure (56A) stored in contact with a product or already measured active mixture (56B), ready to employment. At the opening of the outlet valve (26.3), the content (56A + 56B) is ready to be diffused by the diffusion means (30) located at the end of the active fluid distribution network (21). In a second case, shown in FIG. 3, in current situation the pre-dosed product or active mixture (56B) is stored in isolation in a tank (72). The transport fluid, typically a gas or air (56A), is stored under pressure in a tank (141). The communication circuit between the two tanks is isolated by a valve (26.5). The reservoir (141) can advantageously be connected to an air compressor (143), if the transport fluid is air. At the opening of the communication valve (26.5) the transport fluid which in this case is a gas or air under pressure (56A) relaxes and pressurizes the reservoir (72) containing the active product or mixture (56B). At the opening of the valve (26.1), the contents of the reservoir is driven into the diffusion network (21) and at the opening of the diffusion valve (26), it is reheated in the atmosphere by the diffusion diffuser. end (30) These two assemblies, simple and compact, associated with diffusers mounted on supports deployable outside (234, 236, fig.9) fixed on the bridge or superstructures above the bridge in the case fig.9 may be particularly suitable (but not exclusively) for small units such as yachts or fishing boats (less than 50 meters) that can embark them for the duration of a mission in a risk area. particular case of Figure 3a, the transport fluid (56A) being stored in the same container (71) as the active pre-dosed product (56B), the container performs several functions: it is both a means of storage of the transport fluid, an active product / mixture reserve and a mixing (relative) of the active product with the transport fluid. In the case of Figure 3, at the opening of the valve (26.5) for admission of a transport fluid (56A), the container (72) serves the function of mixing station (transport fluid + active product) . These two solutions have the advantage of being compact and transportable. They have the disadvantage of being limited in operating autonomy.

FIG. 4 illustrates some common (but not mandatory, or ordinarily ordered in the stated order) steps of the fluid treatment through the system distribution network: the first step: the initial pressurization of the transport fluid (4) ) by the pressurizing station (14), from a supply source (15) internal to the vessel or a particular pumping, - 2nd step: the opening of the valve (26), - 3è1Ce step: the mixing of the transport fluid (4) with the active product (51) via the dosing and mixing station (27) which makes it the active fluid (6), 4th step: the introduction ( possible) to the active fluid (6) of an additional transport fluid (61) such as a pressurized gas has the effect of obtaining a two-phase flow (6.2) by the Laval effect, - 5th step: setting overpressure (possible) of the active fluid by the action of an additional pressurizing station (2), - 6 th tape: the opening of the valve (26) controlling the spraying of the working fluid (6) as active cloud (16) through a spray head which has at least the adjustable diffuser (30).

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment among others of two network parts of the same system. In this case, a part (the right one), controlled by a valve (26.1) is equipped with two metering-mixers (27.1, 27.2) connected in series. They can thus successively mix a transport fluid (4) with two distinct active products (51 and 52) stored in two separate reserves (51A and 52B). In this example, the actuating valves of the mixing proportioners and those of the spraying sections are controlled by a remote control device (20) which, from the control and control panel (19), makes it possible to turn them on. either simultaneously or alternatively and also to vary the effects in kind (choice of products) and intensity (adjustment of the dosage). As a result, effects are obtained that can be varied and graded.

The other part of the network (in the left-hand part of FIG. 5), controlled by a valve (26.2), feeds a single spray head (30) with an active product (53) which may be different from the other two and which is mixed with the transport fluid by the mixing doser (27.3). In this figure it may also be noted that the right spraying head comprises four dissimilar diffusers: two with fixed heads (23) and two with sector scanning diffusing heads {24). As for the diffuser (30) in the left part, its diffusion head is rotatable 360 ° from the control and control panel (19) to which it is connected by the circuit (25). Ancillary equipment such as the network of surveillance cameras (250) or lighting projectors (252) are advantageously connected to the protection PC (242) by the same means (25). Sensors (282) will furthermore be provided for, if necessary, relieving the pressure and maintaining it, in the network in which the active fluid circulates, by one or more pressurizing station (s) (14) to which will then be connected. Distributed in the appropriate places, they will advantageously be furthermore connected to the control and control means (20), for example via a circuit (25) which then has, as its name indicates, a dual function of control and control.

The console (19) will then receive the data collected and allow either automatically or by the operator to act in particular on the pumping means and pressurizing (14) arranged for this purpose. As regards the pressures that can be used in the network (21), it will be noted that, in a privileged manner, the active fluid diffusion system (6) will operate at low pressure (less than 12.5 × 10 5 Pascal) at least in the upstream portion of the mixing station. However, the high pressure (greater than 35 x 105 Pascal) and the medium pressure (12.5 to 35 x 105 Pascal) can also be used downstream of the mixing station (27 / fig.4) with or without introduction of an additional fluid such as a gas under pressure (see hereinafter the two-phase flow by Laval effect). Thus, in a preferred application, all or part of the network (21) will be two-phase flow, water and gas then flowing in the same pipes / pipes. Using the same Laval effect as that used in jet engines, this means makes it possible to propel the fog with a high kinetic energy, while limiting the pressure at the nozzle between 5 and 10 x 105 Pascal. FIG. 6 illustrates two distinct parts of a network whose architecture is approximately identical to that of FIG. 5. The difference essentially concerns the dosing and mixing systems: the spraying section - on the right - controlled by a valve (26.1) has the particularity of having a sophisticated metering and mixing station {18) that works with several different active products to make active mixtures (6.1) or not depending on the product (s) (s) used. The reserves (60A, 62A) can for example contain active safety products (60 and 62), the reserve (63A) a security product (63) delaying or foaming to fight the fire, and the reserve (65A) a diluent product (65) for combating accidental hydrocarbon pollution or decontaminating surfaces. The versatility of the system to use alternately or simultaneously several different products gives it confers a multi-operational capability (safety + security) that values and characterizes it. Figure 6a shows a diffusion section connected to the active fluid circuit. The equipment (70) has the effect of heating all or part of the fluids of the system if the weather conditions or the nature of the mixture makes it necessary. It should be noted, however, that the system totally excludes the use of temperature as an active treatment of fluids in order to repel aggressors by this means, which is why, intentionally, the heating equipment is designed so that the active fluid does not exceed 30 ° C at the outlet of diffusers. The use of heat as a means of action does not correspond to the concept of the use of the system, which is to repulse aggressors by means which, by themselves, do not cause physical injuries, even superficial ones such as burns. With a selector located on the control and control panel (19), the operator can, through the circuits (25), manage the dosing and mixing station (18) to produce the active products and mixtures. he wants according to the products available. By the control circuit (9), also connected to the same control system and control, it can also control in action the diffuser (30) orientable in direction and in site. The command and control system also makes it possible to use the other means referred to as ancillary equipment, centralized with the PC protection, such as in particular the means of communication, of visualizations without which the operator entrusted with his driving would lose much efficiency. The system also provides, for all practical purposes, that the communications and video images transmitted during engagements with aggressors are stored in a recorder (210).

Figure 7 illustrates a spray section composed of two sector-scanning diffusers (24) mounted on the rear portion of a ship. The transport fluid is admitted by a valve (26) controlled by the control and control means (20). The latter is itself connected to a presence detector (29) which covers the blind spot (optical observation and radar) located at the rear of the bridge block in the wake of the ship. In the event of intrusion detection in this threat area, an alarm is triggered on the gateway and / or the PC protection. Unless otherwise ordered (9), the two sector-scanning diffusers {24) are then automatically activated by spraying an active cloud (16) at the same time as the lighting (252) of the rear zone lights up at night. wake. The control and control panel (19) connected to the two dosing and mixing stations by the control network (25) can make it possible to preselect three compositions of active products, ie a mixture of the active product (51A) contained in the reserve ( 51) with the transport fluid (4), either a mixture of the transport fluid with the product (52B) contained in the supply (52), or a mixture (52D) resulting mixture of the transport fluid (4) with mixing the two products (51A and 52B). Figures 9 to 14 which follows represents the means of diffusions of the system mounted on equipment which may be a vessel seen from above or from the front and a platform. The shell {238, fig. 9 to 12), with a main deck (232, 332) surrounded on the outside by a bulwark (235) which may sometimes be a rail or simple railings or safety nets as is often the case on an oil rig (fig. 15) or laying helicopters. It will be noted that the semi-mobile and deployable arms (234, 236) as well as the fixed diffusers are located within the perimeter limits (235) of the sensitive equipment. They can be fixed either on the deck (Fig.11) or partly above (230a fig.9) or above and / or below (in special cases such as when it is an offshore structure (230 Fig. 15) Figures 9 to 12 and 13 show that some deployable and telescopic arms (236) carry diffusers that allow them to be adjusted remotely at varying heights and distances. the end diffusers (230) and other ancillary equipment (252, 250) which are carried at the ends can also be motorized so as to be driven themselves remotely, in site or in direction, regardless of the orientation of the arms Figure 9, on the left side, we see a solution usable especially on small units (less than 50 meters) .The diffusers (230) and ancillary equipment (252) are worn and deployed out of the edge by an arm rigid (234), such as a spinnaker, set up manually or mechanically and held in place above the water by guy wires (233). One end is mounted on a hinge (234a) attached here to the ship's bridge block. This arrangement is the one that seems the most suitable for small units, low on the water and whose external protection diffusers (230, 230e) gain efficiency to be removed from the edge to spread more widely the active cloud of protection (16). ) while the bridge protection diffusers (230a) are mounted more centrally and vertically on the bridge block and in the superstructures to be able to push also successful intruders to board.

These provisions are not limited to small units and can be judiciously applied, at least in part, to other sensitive equipment, such as offshore platforms (see Fig.15). The right part of Figure 5 shows, for its part, an adjustable, deployable and telescopic support (236), the end is equipped with a steerable diffuser (230e) which gives it a great flexibility to read. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the arms (236) implanted near the periphery (235) of the equipment are oriented and deployed towards the outside of the sensitive equipment (238) to prohibit the approach of the aggressors , the diffusers (230a, 230b) located more in the center of the bridge remain inactive. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the arms (236) implanted near the periphery of the equipment, when they are deployed outside (out of the edge) with the diffusers also oriented towards the outside of the sensitive equipment, provide optimal conditions for diffusing the active fluid (6) outside the perimeter (235) of the sensitive equipment in question (238). Also shown in this figure, the two network, fire (270) and protection (21) and the interconnections (721) and shutoff valves of the broadcast network {26.2). There are still two secure rooms {242 and 292) equipped with means for filtering and overpressuring (246) the atmosphere, a secure door (244), a security lock and decontamination {397). As illustrated in FIG. 11, the same arms remaining deployed outside (out of the edge) but this time with diffusers (230) facing inwards (in the direction of the sensitive equipment), also offer optimal conditions for diffusing the active fluid (6) above this bridge (232) without neglecting the periphery (235) of the equipment. This figure illustrates a phase of aggression posterior to that of Figure 10: the intruders are then on board. The peripheral diffusers (230) are now directed to the bridge (232) above which they spray the active cloud (16). Other broadcasters also broadcast on parts not covered by broadcasters the entire surface of the bridge of a covered by the active cloud. FIG. 12 illustrates a variant similar to FIG. 11 (evacuation once the system activates only the diffusers (230a, 230b) implanted on a median line (in the longitudinal direction).

They scatter the active cloud (16) on either side of the center line, from the center to the periphery (arrow 240) in order to push aggressors towards the means of access that they have borrowed to invest the equipment. (230a, 230b), they of the bridge, parts, central central (230) large more eccentric. Thus, in this case, equipment may be of the system in an intruder's case), but this return to FIG. 11 shows a central protection station (242) with a secure access door (244) located in the gateway block ( 290) but at a location separate from the navigation bridge (390). This configuration, however, is only a possibility that has no particular value of recommendation. In Figure 12, it appears on the bridge which will often be the case on ships. In Figure 10, it appears in another variant with the central protection station (242) at the bridge (or at least the adjoining) and a separate security shelter (292) for the staff of the board and located under the bridge {232 ). Advantageously, these rooms will be equipped with a device (246) for filtering the ventilation intakes and / or the pressurization of the interior atmosphere so that, when spraying the active product (16) with the outside, the product can not contaminate the indoor atmosphere and inconvenience the staff there. This device will benefit from equipping all neuralgic facilities with equipment - such as the machine control PC and the bridge - where the presence of the personnel must be permanent. Secured premises in this way will also benefit from having a security door (244), equipped with a digital code or access control system (396), with a security and decontamination chamber, while their walls will be advantageously reinforced to withstand small caliber shots, if they can be exposed to external shots. Favorably, the control and control means (20) -as schematized in particular in Figure 5 - will be located in a secure location, called central station (PC) protection (242). A control and control panel (19) placed in this central station (242) allows an operator to remotely and safely carry out all the driving operations of the system. From this location, without exposing itself, it can observe the external situation on 360 ° thanks to a network of cameras (day and night), and can have additional information means (radar, presence detector, lighting, means of communication). From there, it can also implement other means (295, 298, 259, 299, 250, 210) advantageously connected to its control station and control. Figure 13 schematically shows a folding arm (236) as shown in Figure 9 and in the previous figures. This arm, such as that of a hydraulic crane is unfoldable and telescopic with cylinders (280, 264). Its end is provided with a diffuser (230) and ancillary equipment, in this case a camera (250), and a projector (252) fixed on an end support (254). It is orientable in site (on 180 °) and in direction (on 360 °). It comprises a base (256) fixed to the deck of the ship and which carries a first section (258) rotating (about a vertical axis) on which articulate in rotation (horizontal axis) arm sections (here 260 and 262). ) foldable over 180 °. It is extended by a telescopic assembly (264) which increases the distance to which the equipment attached to the end support (254) can be extended. The diffuser (230) and the end equipment are powered by a sheath (266) containing the active fluid supply flexible circuits (6) and the power supplies and control circuits of the motorized equipment fixed at the end. This sheath is wrapped and unrolled on a drum (268) allowing it to adjust to the length of the telescopic elements. The circuits contained therein are advantageously connectable / connected to the console of the control and control station (19, Fig. 5). The equipment attached to the end support (254) can be individually oriented if motorized and connected to the central protection station (242).

With these arms, located on the periphery and / or center deck, the diffusers can effectively cover the surface of the equipment (Figures 11,12). Those located on the periphery can act just as effectively outside the perimeter limits (fig.10) and, if necessary, deploy below the level of their implantation. In special cases such as platforms, these arms can also be placed under the equipment to act under the bridge (Fig. 15) in open spaces where the aggressors could be sheltered. Other means other than those mentioned above may complete the equipment of the arms (236) such as positioning lights (333, Fig. 15) so as to be able to locate them at night As shown in Fig. 13bis, this arm may advantageously be folded. which limits are clutter. FIG. 14 represents an assembly which, by way of example, illustrates an interconnection mode of a section of the protection network (21) (anti-pirate) and of the network (270) of security (anti-fire) to a means of diffusion (arrow 10) of the anti-pirate system and a means of diffusion (arrow 01) of the fire-fighting network. The protection (system) network (21) is interconnected with the fire (system) network (270) by an interconnection pipe (721) provided with an anti-return device (380) and a system purge (274) and at least one valve (280a, 280b, 278a, 278b) isolates the two networks. The means for broadcasting the anti-pirate protection network (arrow 10) is connected here to the active fluid network (21) by a valve (278a) and to the fire collector in that said protection system diffusion network (21). ) is connected at least in part to the network of the fire-fighting system (270) in that said system diffusion network (21) is connected at least in part to the fire-fighting network {270) in that said broadcast network of the system (21) is connected at least in part to the fire-fighting network (270) in that said broadcast network of the system (21) is connected at least in part to the firefighting network (270) in that said system broadcast network (21) is connected at least in part to the firefighting network (270) in that said broadcast network of the fire control system (270) (21) is at least partly connected to the fire-fighting network (270) in that e said broadcast network of the system (21) is connected at least in part to the fire-fighting network (270) in that said broadcast network of the system (21) is connected at least in part to the network of the fire-fighting system (270) in that said system diffusion network (21) is connected at least in part to the fire-fighting network (270) in that said system diffusion network (21) ) is connected at least in part to the fire-fighting network (270) in that said system-wide diffusion network (21) is connected at least in part to the fire-fighting network (270) by a Another mean fire network diffusion valve (arrow 01) is also connected to the active fluid network (21) by a valve (278b) and to the fire manifold by another valve (280b). The valve (272) controls access of the active fluid (6) to the system protection section of

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protection system

protection system

system protection of (280a). The broadcast protection network shown here (21) and which comprises in this case only one broadcast equipment (236). Advantageously, all the valves of the diagram are remotely controlled from the control and control panel (19) of the protection PC (242) by the circuit (25). Non-return valves (380) prevent the fluids from going counter-clockwise from one circuit to the other in the event of a pressure difference. On the protection network (21) pressurizing means (14) connected to a pressure sensor (282) connected to the control and control circuit (25) maintains the pressure at the required level. This arrangement makes it possible to use the broadcasting means in several ways: in configuration 1, corresponding to a case of fire on the bridge: the valve of the fire collector (280a) being open and the valve (278a) of the network when the protection system is closed, the diffusion head (230) of the protection system can then project the pressurized water (1) from the fire collector. Likewise, the valve (278b) of the protection network being closed and the valve (280b) of the fire collector being open, the diffusion equipment (276) of the fire-fighting device can operate with pressurized water (1 ) of the fire collector (270). - In configuration 2 // corresponding to a case of pirate attack: the valve of the fire collector (280a) being closed and the valve (278a) of the protection network (21) being open, the diffusion means (arrow 10) of the protection system can then diffuse the active fluid (6) of the protection network (21). Similarly, the valve (278b) of the protection network being open and the valve (280b) of the fire collector being closed, the diffusion means (arrow 01) of the fire prevention device can be used to project active fluid (6) of the protection network. In configuration 2a // corresponding to a case of fire category B (fire) or C (special fire) requiring mixing with the water of the fire collector admixtures such as safety products, the valves being arranged in the In the previous configuration, the means for diffusing the two networks (arrows 01 and 10) can be used to project safety products as long as the dosing and mixing station (see 18, fig.6) is connected to product reserves. safety (see 63,65, fig.6) that it dose and mix with a transport fluid of the protection network which can be the water of the fire collector to which the dosing and mixing station would be connected. The versatility of part of the fire fighting network (arrow 01) and the anti-piracy network (arrow 10) broadcast equipment offers the possibility of expanding the scope of the two systems.

Some diffusers specific to the protection system such as water cannons (276) connected to the fire collector (270) are suitable for spraying active fluids (6) with rain or fog as well as for strictly safety products or any other simply the water (1) of the fire collector of the edge. It is possible, in some cases, that the outlets of the fire-fighting manifold (280a, 280b) have, when the latter is in operation, an outlet pressure that is not perfectly suitable for the operation of the (protection) system. . In this case, the system may comprise additional pumping and / or pressurizing means (14) for increasing the outlet pressure upstream of the diffusion heads (230) of the protection system relative to that which prevails at the outlet mouths of the fire-fighting circuit. In addition, the networks of connections between the fire-fighting network (270) and the protection network (21) are provided with anti-return devices (380) to prevent accidental transfers between circuits. On the other hand, individual disaster protection equipment (385) - such as gas masks, self-contained breathing apparatus, safety goggles, ... - and regulatory equipment on ships and marine installations may, in part, between them, be used for the protection of persons who, during or after an attack, must expose themselves to the active product. Among the means of fire (arrow 02) that can be used to broadcast active products the system can integrate small mobile equipment such as eductors (274), water-screen lances (275), mobile pumps ( 273), foggers, fog canes, broadcast water cannons (389), rain sprinklers, fire hoses (386) or by incorporating them as active means into the protection network (21) or as passive means to build visual screens to conceal the crew on board the views of attackers during an attack. FIG. 15, by way of example, schematically illustrates an installation of the diffusion means on and under a suspension bridge such as that {332) of an off-shore platform (290). In the case of such a structure, with a main working bridge (332) very high above the water level, the active fluid diffusion means (230, 30) are placed - on the deck and / or in the deck. the upper superstructures {290) so as to be effective both above the bridge (332) and / or around the structure itself - and / or in the infra-structure (291) below, to cover the gap between the bridge and water. The same applies to ancillary equipment, which in various fields contributes to the protection of the equipment of people and goods, such as the lighting means (252) of the bridge, the hull and structures, visualization (250) of visualization (250) video, optical, optronic or thermal imaging detection (29, 255) by electronic and electromagnetic sound communication systems {259) such as loudspeakers, walkie talkies, pagers. alarm (295) such as sirens * alerts (110) such as distress call means (SOS, SSAS ...) As shown in Figure 9 and 15, advantageously they can be fixed removable (237 a), or semi-movable (234) mechanically or manually deployable (234) or hydraulic (236, 237c) supports, from the hinge-mounted control and control system (234a). equipment or solidarity (237 b) of the structure, deployed in strategic locations that will allow them to have optimal efficiency.

The process sequences applied to the protection of the ships will here favorably those enumerated in FIG.

a step (30) of studying the need, the equipment and the definition of the system (vulnerability audit of the ship, analysis of the constraints and special needs, existing ...). a step (31) of system installation and commissioning (testing, certification, and training of the operators) - a step (32) of current activity comprising in the risk zones reinforced protection measures intended to increase notice of threat detection and reduce response times and system implementation. a step (33) for detecting and alerting a pirate threat (for example, in FIG. 1, the detection of three fast craft, in radial course, at high speed, with many people on board), a step (34); ) self-protection measures.

The entire crew retreats (except for priority safety constraints) in a secure zone {242, 292). In this phase, passive protection measures are first taken (such as stopping outdoor air sampling for the ventilation of the living areas, putting the safety premises under overpressure (possibly), placing them within reach of personal protective equipment, taking safety communication links with the ship's bridge, PC protection or PC security, closing doors and other openings to the outside and putting the system into operation imminent (preselection of spraying sectors of active products, deployment of articulated arms ...) - a step (35), of implementing active countermeasures (16) to repel external aggression (or push back intruders on During this phase, at the appropriate moment, the system is implemented, after selection of the available means of dissemination and the additional means (such as lighting). , summations, acoustic signals ...) and if possible, the adoption of an average route putting the attackers in the wind of the spray sections used. a step (36) of driving and controlling the self-protection actions and the adverse actions until the moment of the disengagement of the aggressors. a step (37) of stopping the countermeasures, followed by the end of the alert - a step (38), of restoring the means comprising the decontamination of the zones in contact with the active cloud and the return to condition of the system (purging, rinsing, addition of consumed products ...). It follows the resumption of the current activity (step 32) with the maintenance of the corresponding self-protection measures.

The identified industrial applications of the present invention relate to: the implementation of the system of self-protection against pirates on ships or installations at sea in service during maintenance or modernization operations and for the benefit of shipowners or States - The integration of this system of self-protection against pirates during the new construction of ships and marine facilities and this for the benefit of shipowners, States or building sites. - The renewal of protection system equipment following the obsolescence of the latter - The application to onshore facilities and law enforcement issues is in protection mode or intervention mode (evacuation zone). As advantages of the invention, it will be noted that: - it is possible to use several active products, that the mode of chemical action is the central mode of action of the system with the characteristic that it can be adjusted (to the threats) in nature and intensity; - only the diffusion sections corresponding to the relevant threat sectors are used (much more economical in product, less polluting and less vulnerable); diffusing supports are used which are positioned on or under the bridge (and not on the outside) and which, for some of them, are preferably controlled, deployed and oriented at will; the control and control means integrate several operational functions that enhance the effectiveness of the system; - the protection system is double-acting (intruder protection and intruder evacuation) and is also versatile (rinsing contaminated areas, fire fighting, anti-pollution); - the system integrates the protection of the operators (no exposure of the personnel on board to the effects of the system and the weapons of the pirates); - while being a deterrent, the system is designed to use as protection against human aggression a non-lethal active product (s) (lethal), and known not to leave a physical sequelae; - the number of diffusers and their location in board makes the system less vulnerable and thus more reliable than those which are on the perimeter of the equipment; by reinforcing the security (of persons and goods), the system according to the invention also enhances security (in terms of disaster-fighting capacity) insofar as part of the protection means are connected to the fire network of which they can also enhance the action by projecting mixed or non-pressurized water to safety and / or anti-pollution products through the dosing and mixing station (Figure 14). - the system may, subject to some simple adjustments, use part of the means of the fire-fighting device.

For the protection of the crew, the system provides a room (292), or even several safe fallback premises that is to say not accessible to attackers and protected both chemical effects (16) of the protection system and adverse actions (such as shooting or threats). This local for the equipment staff may be separate from the PC protection as it is not always desirable to replicate all personnel present on board the PC protection (which most of the time will be the navigational bridge) where its presence may disrupt the conduct of operations. The secured premises (242, 292) will benefit from being hardened with secure openings (244), access control (396), a security lock and decontamination (397) walls and resistant windows (245) at least to the shots small arms, a pressurized and air-filtering device (246), internal and external communication means (298), alarm means (295) and warning means (398), a reserve of emergency products (399) with individual gas masks, spare filters, drugs, products that neutralize the effects of active products.

Claims (23)

REVENDICATIONS1. System, for protection against external aggression of sensitive equipment, characterized in that it comprises means (arrows 10, 01) for diffusing, in the surrounding atmosphere, the sensitive equipment at least one active product (51, 52, 53, 56B, 60, 62) so as to repel the aggressors of said sensitive equipment. 10 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the diffusion means comprise one or more diffusion networks (12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 21) and a plurality of diffusion heads (23, 24, 30, 230, 230a). , 230b) connected to said network and positioned so that said diffusion heads can act within and / or outside the peripheral boundaries of said sensitive equipment. 20 3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that at least a portion of said diffusion heads is integral with an element of the structure (238, 290, 232, 291, 332) within its limits. Peripherals (235). 25 4. System according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said diffusion network is connected to at least one storage means (51A, 52B, 60A, 62A, 71, 72) of said active product 5. The system according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said diffusion network is furthermore connected to at least one storage means (71, 141) or supplying means (71, 141). 14, 15, 143, 270) of transport fluid (1, 4, 61, 56A) so that the active product is diffused with the transport fluid. 6. System according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, except in special cases illustrated in Figures 3 and 3bis, it further comprises at least one dosing and mixing equipment (18, 27, 27.1, 27.2, 27.3), connected to said diffusion network, adapted for metering and mixing the at least one of the active products with each other and with the at least one transport fluid so as to adapt the diffusion of active fluid (6, 6.1, 6.2) depending on the desired effects. 7. System according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in certain particular cases it also functions without dosing and mixing equipment (in the case of Figures 3 and 3a) provided that in one of these wherein said active product (56B) is stored, pre-dosed and ready for use, with its transport fluid (56A), in a required pressure tank (71) connected to the diffusion circuit (21) or, in a alternatively, that said active product (56B) if stored ready for use in a tank (72) not at the required operating pressure is, at the appropriate time, brought into contact with a said transport fluid (56A ) admitted to this tank at the pressure required to be properly diffused. 8. System according to at least one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that at least a portion of the diffusers are carried by supports integral with the structure (11, 232, 332, 290, 291) of the sensitive equipment. 2949749 -54- 9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that said supports comprise tangential supports (234), articulated, (236) and / or fixed (237a, 237b) adapted to diffuse said active fluid in the surrounding atmosphere. sensitive equipment. 10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that said diffusion heads are partly of them orientable (in site and / or direction) independently of their support. 11. System according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises means for controlling and controlling (20) at least part of the diffusion means (10, 01, 02). active fluid. 12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that said control and control means are connected to, and / or allow to act remotely on, at least one of said equipment selected from the following list: detection means (255, 29) of the display means (250) of the observation means (299) of the warning means (111) of the alarm means (295), the communication means (398), 30 recording means (210), lighting means (252), classification and / or identification means (298), sound diffusion means (259), protection means (246, 396). 2949749 -55- 13. System according to claims 4 and / or 5, 6, 11 and 12 characterized in that said control and control means (20) are connected to, and / or allow to act remotely on said dosing station and mixing (18), in particular for selecting and / or varying the composition of the mixtures and / or modifying the dosage rates (or products) active (s) in said active fluid (6, 6.1, 6.2) during of its assembly. 10 14. System according to any one of the preceding claims, and more particularly to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said control and control means (20) are connected to, and / or enable to act remotely on at least a portion of the control valves (26, 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 26.4, 272, 278a, 278b) belonging to said broadcast network (21), so as to activate all or part of the broadcast network and all or part of said 20 scattering heads. 15. System according to any one of the preceding claims, and more particularly claims 11 to 14, characterized in that said control and control means {20) are connected to and / or enable remote action on the means for actuating, adjusting, operating the diffusion heads and / or the arms (234, 236) carrying them 16. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is installed on board maritime equipment such as a ship, a ship element, a platform or a platform element, floating or placed on 2949749 -56- the seabed, fluvial or lacustrine or any similar equipment, so as to protect it and the staff present against external aggression. 5 17. System according to claim 16, characterized in that said diffusion heads are integral with at least one of the bridges (232, 332) of the marine equipment and are fixed on and / or above and / or in below said at least one bridge. 10 18. System according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that said diffusion network of the protection system (21) is connected at least in part to the network of the fire-fighting system (270). 19. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is adapted to use security products (63, 65), as backup and backup means, to reinforce the existing capabilities of the equipment in the fight against disasters such as fire or local marine pollution, if the dosing and mixing station has been previously provided with a reserve of corresponding products 25 20. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its own means of protection (21, 18, 10, 25, 19) are adapted at least partly to distribute products (62, 63, 1), and to integrate means of disaster control (01, 02, 385, 274, 275, 395, 386, 273) provided that there are no incompatibilities or contraindications in this, it being understood that in the event of a fire (fire), the means of fight against the disasters, forming part of the equipment endowment of the equipment, must be able to find immediately 2939749 -57- their original function and their initial potential. 21. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, installed on board sensitive marine equipment, it comprises one or more premises (292, 242), specially equipped for the conduct of protection operations and / or for the safety of persons of the equipment, equipped with all or part of the following equipment: secure access (244, 397, 396), passive protection means (245), air filtering means outside and overpressure of the indoor atmosphere (246), internal and external communication means (398), warning (111) and alarm means (295), video display equipment (250) ), recording means (210), so that within these premises the equipment staff is protected from shooting attackers and / or the effects of the cloud active against them (16). 20 22. A method for controlling the external attacks of sensitive equipment using a protection system according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising the step of: diffusing sensitive equipment into the surrounding atmosphere; minus one active product (51, 52, 53, 56B, 60, 62). 23. Sensitive equipment comprising a protection system against external aggression according to any one of claims 1 to 23. 30