FR3064244A1 - IMMERSE SYSTEM FOR STORAGE AND MAINTENANCE IN OPERATIONAL CONDITION OF A SUBMARINE DEVICE SUCH AS A DRONE - Google Patents

Abstract

This submerged system (1) for storing and sustainably operating an underwater vehicle (2) such as a drone, is characterized in that it comprises means forming a base plate (3) on which provided bell-shaped means (4) for receiving the underwater vehicle (2) in the storage position and means for filling / emptying said bell-shaped means (4) with the aid of a preservation fluid of the underwater vehicle (2).

Description

® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE © Publication number:

(to be used only for reproduction orders) (© National registration number

064 244

00305 © Int Cl ⁸ : B 63 G 8/00 (2017.01)

PATENT INVENTION APPLICATION

A1

Date of filing: 23.03.17. (© Applicant (s): DCNS Société anonyme - FR. © Priority : @ Date of availability of the request: 28.09.18 Bulletin 18/39. @ Inventor (s): TROUVE ARNAUD and LABROUSSE BERNARD. (56) List of documents cited in the preliminary search report: See the end of this brochure References to other related national documents: (® Holder (s): DCNS Société anonyme. O Extension request (s): (© Agent (s): CABINET LAVOIX Simplified joint-stock company.

UNDERWATER SYSTEM FOR STORING AND HOLDING IN OPERATIONAL CONDITION OF AN UNDERWATER MACHINE SUCH AS A DRONE.

FR 3 064 244 - A1

This submerged system (1) for storing and maintaining in operational condition an underwater vehicle (2) such as a drone, is characterized in that it comprises means forming base legs (3) on which are provided bell-shaped means (4) for receiving the underwater vehicle (2) in the storage position and means for filling / emptying these bell-shaped means (4) using a fluid for preserving the underwater vehicle (2).

Submerged system for the storage and operational maintenance of an underwater vehicle such as a drone

The present invention relates to a submerged system for storing and maintaining in operational condition an underwater vehicle such as a drone, for example cylindrical, that is to say having for example the shape of a torpedo.

Increasingly, underwater vehicles such as drones are used in particular for the control, monitoring and inspection of submerged installations.

For example, such underwater vehicles are used in sectors such as the offshore oil and gas industry, in the underwater mining industry, in coastal and maritime surveillance operations and even by scientific oceanographic observatories.

At present, the operations in keeping in operational condition of this type of machine require the recovery of this machine on the surface, on board for example a platform such as a support ship, where the operations of reconditioning of the machine are carried out.

This allows for example on the one hand to clean the machine and its various sensors, and on the other hand to recharge its power supply batteries with electrical energy.

This also makes it possible to recover the information stored by the payload of the machine such as for example the data collected by sensors of the latter.

It is understood, however, that these recovery operations are relatively restrictive, time consuming and costly.

The object of the invention is therefore to solve these problems.

To this end, the subject of the invention is an immersed system for storing and maintaining in operational condition an underwater vehicle such as a drone, characterized in that it comprises means forming a base of base on which are provided bell-shaped means for receiving the underwater vehicle in the storage position and means for filling / emptying these bell-shaped means using a fluid for preserving the underwater vehicle marine.

According to other characteristics of the system according to the invention taken alone or in combination:

- The bell-shaped means comprise means forming a door allowing the underwater vehicle to enter and exit the bell-shaped means;

- The bell-shaped means comprise means forming a cradle for receiving the underwater vehicle in the storage position;

- The receiving cradle means comprise a cylindrical element comprising at one of its ends, a cone for guiding the machine in the storage position therein, at the other of its ends, a cap front stop for the front end of the machine and in its intermediate part, means in the form of clamp holding the machine in position;

- The cylindrical element of the means forming the receiving cradle comprises in its intermediate part means of electrical coupling to the machine in order to recharge the energy storage means thereof and / or to exchange information with the machine;

- The coupling means are inductive coupling means;

- The clamp-shaped means comprise two clamp branches extending on either side of the cradle means and associated with actuation means;

- the fluid for preserving the underwater vehicle is stored in corresponding receiving means integrated in the base forming base means;

- the fluid consists of protective liquid;

- the filling / emptying means of the bell-shaped means comprise means forming a container for receiving the fluid, associated with means for channeling and circulating the fluid between the bell-shaped means and the means forming the container, according to filling or emptying needs.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective side view with transparent parts, of an immersed storage and maintenance system in operational condition according to the invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 represent partial views of this system illustrating the operation of means forming an entry and exit door of this system,

FIG. 4 represents a detailed view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of means forming a cradle for receiving an underwater vehicle, forming part of a system according to the invention,

FIG. 5 represents a detailed view of means in the form of a clamp for holding the position of the machine in such a structure,

FIG. 6 represents a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an underwater vehicle,

FIG. 7 illustrates the operation of filling / emptying means forming part of a submerged system according to the invention,

FIG. 8 illustrates the structure and the operation of the inductive coupling means forming part of a system according to the invention, and

- Figure 9 illustrates the structure and operation of electrical supply means forming part of a system according to the invention;

We have indeed illustrated in these figures and in particular in Figure 1, a submerged system for storing and maintaining in operational condition an underwater vehicle such as a drone.

The system is designated by general reference 1, while the underwater vehicle is designated by general reference 2.

In general and as illustrated, such a system comprises means forming a base, designated by the general reference 3, on which are provided bell-shaped means for receiving the underwater vehicle 2, in position storage, these bell-shaped means being designated by the general reference 4.

This system also includes means for filling / emptying these bell-shaped means 4 using a fluid for preserving the underwater vehicle 2.

These means will be described in more detail below.

Such a system 1 is intended to be submerged and for example to rest on the bottom such as the seabed.

It is then used to carry out basic operations for keeping the underwater vehicle 2 in operational condition, such as for example recharging electrical energy storage means thereof, as will be described in more detail by the after.

For this purpose and more particularly, the bell-shaped means 4 thereof comprise for example at one end, means forming a door allowing the underwater vehicle 2 to enter and exit the bell-shaped means 4.

In fact, these door means are designated by the general reference 5 in these Figures 1 to 3, and are for example in the form of a hinged door deployable between a retracted position, illustrated in Figure 2, and an active position deployed, illustrated in FIG. 3.

In the retracted position, that is to say with the door open, the underwater vehicle 2 can then enter the bell-shaped means 4 to be stored therein.

Once the machine in the storage position in the bell-shaped means 4, the door can then be closed.

As indicated above, the system includes means for receiving the underwater vehicle 2 in the storage position.

An exemplary embodiment of these reception means is illustrated in these figures and in particular in Figures 1, 4 and 5.

These receiving means in fact comprise elongated means forming a cradle for receiving the underwater vehicle 2 in the storage position.

These cradle means are designated by the general reference 6 in these figures.

In fact and as illustrated in particular in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 4, these cradle means 6 comprise an element of elongated cylindrical shape, designated by the general reference 7, comprising at one of its ends, c ' that is to say at the opposite end of the means forming the door 5 of the bell 4, a cone for guiding the machine in the storage position therein.

In these figures, the cone is designated by the general reference 8.

At the other of its ends, that is to say the end opposite the entry of the bell 4, the means forming the receiving cradle include a front stop cap for the front end of the machine submarine 2.

This cap is for example designated by the general reference 9 in these figures and is connected to the rest of the system for example by means of damping means designated by the general reference 10.

These damping means comprise for example a block of elastically deformable material.

In its intermediate part, this cylindrical element, constituting the means forming a cradle for receiving the underwater vehicle, comprises means in the form of a clamp for holding the vehicle in position.

These clip-shaped means are designated by the general reference 11 in these figures and are illustrated in detail in FIG. 5.

In fact, these gripper-shaped means comprise two gripper branches, respectively 12 and 13, extending on either side of the cylindrical-shaped element 7 of the means for receiving the underwater vehicle and are actuated for example by means such as a jack, designated by the general reference 14, to come and grip the underwater vehicle and hold it in position.

As indicated above, in this storage position, it is possible to provide basic operations for maintaining the operational condition of the underwater vehicle 2, such as recharging the energy storage means, for example electric of this or other information exchange operations between the machine and the rest of the structure, etc.

To this end, electrical coupling means can be provided between the means forming a receiving cradle and the underwater vehicle 2.

These coupling means are for example inductive coupling means.

An exemplary embodiment of these means has been illustrated in particular in Figures and 6.

It can be seen in FIG. 4 that the means forming a receiving cradle 6 and in particular the cylindrical element 7 thereof may for example include, near its front end, means of inductive electrical coupling , designated by the general reference 15, which are suitable, when the underwater vehicle 2, is in the storage position in these cradle means 6, to extend opposite complementary coupling means 16 of the vehicle submarine 2.

Of course, this makes it possible, for example, to transfer electrical energy to ensure the recharging of the electrical energy storage means of the underwater vehicle 2 and / or to ensure an exchange of information between the vehicle and the cradle-shaped means 6, for example for retrieving information from the underwater vehicle or, on the contrary, updating information in this underwater vehicle from the rest of the system.

It goes without saying of course that other embodiments can still be envisaged.

It is understood that this entire structure is intended to allow the reception of the underwater vehicle 2 in the storage position in a receiving cradle of an immersed structure, to ensure the preservation thereof and the increase of its operational life.

As previously indicated also, it is possible to use a fluid for preserving the underwater vehicle 2, when the latter is in the storage position in the bell-shaped means 4.

This fluid is for example constituted by liquid which is intended to be injected into the bell-shaped means 4, to replace the sea water in order to ensure the preservation of the underwater vehicle 2.

In fact, this preservation fluid can for example be stored in containers or corresponding reception means, integrated for example in the base forming base means 3.

Thus, for example in these figures and in particular in Figures 1, 2 and 3, these receiving means consist of tanks, for example flexible and compensated, placed in the base means 3 and one of which is designated by the general reference 17.

As indicated above, this preservation fluid can then be pumped or drained from the bell-shaped means 4 for receiving the submarine vehicle 2 in the storage position, in order to ensure the preservation thereof.

FIG. 7 illustrates diagrammatically the operation of means for filling / emptying these bell-shaped means 4.

These bell-shaped means are always designated by the general reference 4 in this FIG. 7, and one of the reservoirs, for example 17, is illustrated.

The filling / emptying means of the bell-shaped means 4 are then associated with means for channeling and circulating the fluid between the bell-shaped means 4 and the tanks, for example 17, according to the filling or emptying.

These means then comprise for example pumping means, designated by the general reference 18, comprising a pump associated with a motor, and connected by pipe means 19 to the reservoir 17, and by pipe means 20 to the means in the form of bell 4.

As desired, the motor associated with the pump is then controlled to pump the reservoir fluid into the bell-shaped means or vice versa.

It will be noted, as illustrated in these figures, that the bell-shaped means 4 may include a buffer volume in their upper part, designated by the general reference 21 in this figure 7.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an exemplary embodiment of the complementary coupling means 15 and 16 by electromagnetic induction, making it possible in particular to transfer electrical energy to the underwater vehicle 2 in order to recharge its means of energy storage.

In these figures, the receiving means 6, the submarine device 2 and the complementary inductive coupling means 15 and 16 can be recognized.

These coupling means include the inductive electrical coupling means 15 of the cradle means 6 for receiving the underwater vehicle 2 and the complementary coupling means 16 of this underwater vehicle 2.

In fact, the coupling means 15 of the receiving means 6 of the underwater vehicle 2, comprise a transmitting coil, designated by the general reference 30 in these figures.

This transmitting coil 30 is integrated in a support for the receiving means 6 of the underwater vehicle and is connected to the output of an electrical power supply source of these receiving means, which will be described in more detail by the following.

In fact and as illustrated, this emitting coil 30 is integrated in a protective envelope, designated by the general reference 31.

This protective envelope 31 has a section of shape complementary to that of the corresponding portion of underwater vehicle 2.

This protective envelope 31 is for example made of resin.

The complementary means 16 of the underwater vehicle 2 are formed on one of the sides thereof.

These complementary means 16 then comprise, facing the coupling means of the cradle-shaped means 6 and in particular of the emitting coil 30, a corresponding receiving coil, designated by the general reference 32.

So for example, this take-up reel is made up of Litz wires.

This coil is also embedded in a protective resin envelope, such as, for example, that designated by the general reference 33 in this FIG. 8.

This protective envelope 33 is for example glued to the underwater vehicle 2.

It will also be noted that this underwater vehicle may comprise, at the level of the complementary means 16 of coupling by electromagnetic induction, means forming a screen for protecting the interior thereof against the radiated electromagnetic fields, these means forming a screen. being designated by the general reference 34.

FIG. 8 also recognizes a power cable 35 extending between the take-up reel 32 and the rest of the underwater vehicle 2 and, for example, the means for storing electrical energy thereof to ensure recharging them.

This same FIG. 8 also recognizes a cable 36 for transmitting information.

FIG. 9 shows the electrical diagram for connecting these different coils 30 and 32.

In this figure 9, the means forming a cradle 6 for receiving the underwater vehicle 2 are recognized.

We also recognize in this figure 9, the corresponding transmitting coil 30 and the corresponding receiving coil 32.

The emitting coil 30 is connected to electrical energy supply means, designated by the general reference 37.

These supply means 37 comprise in series an alternative power source, designated by the general reference 38, an AC / DC converter 39, and a DC / AC converter 40 for supplying this coil 30.

These converters are associated with control and communication means, designated by the general reference 41, making it possible, for example, to control their operation and to collect information from the underwater vehicle 2.

Inside the underwater vehicle 2, the receiving coil 32 is also connected through an AC / DC converter, designated by the general reference 42, to the means for storing electrical energy, for example 43 , underwater vehicle 2.

It is therefore conceivable that such a structure has a certain number of advantages compared to the structures of the prior art.

Indeed, the submerged system according to the invention makes it possible to store an underwater vehicle, between two missions, in a bath of preservation fluid while protecting it from any contact with seawater and therefore from the effects of corrosion.

The system according to the invention also makes it possible to provide an enclosure for protecting the machine from natural or unnatural external aggressions such as for example falls from light objects.

Elementary operational maintenance operations can also be implemented such as, for example, exchanging information or recharging the electrical energy storage means of the underwater vehicle 2.

This device can then be kept safely for a longer or shorter period in the bell until its next mission.

To launch this new mission, it suffices to trigger the emptying of the bell 4, to open the door 5 thereof and to release the underwater vehicle 2, so that it can carry out a new mission until it returns to the protective bell.

Of course, other embodiments can also be envisaged.

Claims (11)

1, - Submerged system (1) for storing and maintaining in operational condition an underwater vehicle (2) such as a drone, characterized in that it comprises means forming a base (3) on which are provided bell-shaped means (4) for receiving the underwater vehicle (2) in the storage position and filling / emptying means (18, 19, 20) of these bell-shaped means (4 ) using a fluid to preserve the underwater vehicle (2). 2, - System according to claim 1, characterized in that the bell-shaped means (4) comprise door means (5) allowing the underwater vehicle (2) to enter and exit the means in bell shape (4). 3, - System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bell-shaped means (4) comprise means forming a receiving cradle (6) of the underwater vehicle (2) in the position of storage. 4, - System according to claim 3, characterized in that the means forming receiving cradle (6) comprise a cylindrical element (7) comprising at one of its ends, a cone (8) for guiding the in storage position in this, at the other of its ends, a cap (9) for the front stop for the front end of the vehicle and in its intermediate part, means in the form of holding clamp (11 ) in position of the machine (2). 5, - System according to claim 4, characterized in that the cylindrical element (7) of the means forming the receiving cradle (6) comprises in its intermediate part electrical coupling means (15) to the machine (2) in order to recharge the energy storage means thereof and / or exchange information with the machine. 6, - System according to claim 5, characterized in that the coupling means (15) are inductive coupling means. 7, - System according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the clamp-shaped means (11) comprise two clamp branches (12, 13) extending on either side of the means forming cradle (6) and associated with actuating means (14). 8, - System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid for preserving the underwater vehicle is stored in corresponding receiving means (17) integrated in the base forming base means (3 ). 9, - System according to claim 8, characterized in that the fluid consists 10 of the protective liquid. 10, - System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling / emptying means of the bell-shaped means (4) comprise means (17) forming a container for receiving the fluid, associated with 15 means for channeling (19, 20) and circulating (18) the fluid between the bell-shaped means (4) and the container means (17), as required for filling or emptying. 3θθ ^ · ^ 4/5