FR3069520A1 - AMORTIZED BONDING DEVICE FOR SHIP - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a damped connection device for a ship comprising a jack with a body (1) and a rod (2), the rod (2) comprises a hollow portion (3) in which a separation is movable, the hollow portion (3) and the separating element, a rear chamber (13) and a front chamber (12), the front chamber (12) being opposed to the rear chamber (13) relative to the separation element, it comprises a peripheral chamber (25) delimited by an outer wall of the rod (2) and an inner wall of the body (1), the peripheral chamber being in fluid communication with the front chamber (12), it comprises means for returning the separating element to a rest position of the jack.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

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

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

In the sector under consideration, mooring systems using ropes are very common. Often, they include springs ensuring a damping of the connection between the quay and the hull of the ship. These springs provide only a limited effect, not very adjustable, of weak force and they are not usable from a certain size of boats. They are also highly subject to aging by mechanical fatigue and by corrosion, which is very strong in the marine environment.

Document WO2010 / 110666 A2 notably discloses a mooring device employing a hydraulic system. A hydraulic cylinder assembly is mounted on the dock and includes an oil reservoir within which oil can flow back and forth according to the movements of the boat reflected by the rod of the cylinder. This device proves to be complex, in particular by the presence of the reservoir at the end of the jack, this reservoir being a port equipment attached to a quay.

It is therefore an object of the invention to at least partially overcome the drawbacks of current techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One nonlimiting aspect of the invention relates to a damped connection device for a ship, having a first part connectable to a ship and a second part connectable to an element other than the ship, comprising a jack provided with a body integral with one from the first part and the second part and from a rod of which a distal end is integral with the other from the first part and the second part,

Advantageously, the device is characterized in that:

- The rod comprises a hollow portion in which a separation element, such as a piston or a bladder wall, is movable in translation, the hollow portion and the separation element sealingly defining a rear chamber and a front chamber , the rear chamber being situated on one side of the separation element comprising its distal end, the front chamber being opposite the rear chamber relative to the separation element,

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

- It includes means for returning the separation element to a rest position of the jack.

Thus, there is a compact device, in particular thanks to the peripheral chamber which acts as a variable volume of fluid (typically oil). In operation, for example for mooring, the pressure of the first and second fluid gradually increases when the mooring pulls on the jack. This pressure slows the rod's outward movement and dampens the brutality of the boat's movement.

It can be equipment belonging to the boat and it uses as it pleases in all the ports that it visits.

It is not compulsory to use springs, which can avoid problems of aging or corrosion. The damping effect operates over the entire stroke of the rod.

It is potentially entirely autonomous to make the link with depreciation connecting the ship. No particular equipment is necessary for the installation of the device, in particular on the quay of a port, and no piloting is required, for example by opening and closing of valves. It is possible to adjust the fluid pressures by simply adding or removing fluid in one or the other of the chambers by conventional nozzles for access to the chambers.

Another separable aspect of the invention relates to a system for mooring a ship to an external element such as a quay, comprising at least one device according to the invention, which can be fixed between the ship and the external element such as the quay.

Other embodiments of the invention relate to a system for towing a ship by another ship, comprising at least one device according to the invention, which can be fixed between the ships.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION OF FIGURES

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

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

- FIGURE 2 and FIGURE 3 show two distinct positions of travel of the rod of the jack, with variations in the volumes of the chambers.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before starting a detailed review of embodiments of the invention, there are set out below optional features which may possibly be used in any combination or alternatively:

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

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

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

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

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

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

- The actuator comprises a first flange covering the proximal end of the body 1 and comprising a mechanical connection member;

- The actuator comprises a second flange covering the distal end of the rod 2 and comprising a mechanical connection member;

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

- The first fluid is an oil;

- The device comprises a link between the first part and the second part, the length of the link being configured so that the link is loose in the rest position of the jack and is stretched in a position of the jack in which the rod 2 is more deployed relative to the body 1 only in the rest position;

- the separating element is a piston;

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

According to other indicative and possibly combinable possibilities:

- The hollow portion 3 is cylindrical;

- The inner wall of the body 1 is cylindrical;

- The rest position is a position in which the rod 2 is retracted as far as possible into the body 1;

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

- At least one of the first part and the second part includes a socket for receiving the link;

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

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the invention. The device has a first end visible there on the right part of the figure allowing a first connection to an external element, such as a ship or a quay. In contrast, the device has a second end allowing a second connection.

Typically, these ends may include sockets 16, 17 for fixing shackles or any other link that can be used to connect the device. For example, the device can be installed intermediate between a mooring bollard and a rope itself connected to the ship.

In an operating configuration, the device is therefore subjected to tensile forces between these two end parts.

To respond to this mechanical stress, the device comprises a jack provided with a body part 1 and a rod part 2, the rod 2 being brought to operate a translational movement along a longitudinal axis inwards or towards the exterior of the body 1. Usually, the body 1 may comprise a jacket of circular section; it can be produced in conventional materials, in particular in steels adapted to the application. In the case shown in FIG. 1, the body 1 is a cylindrical jacket of which a distal end is capped by a flange 19. The mechanical cooperation between these two parts can take place by threading. Another part of the flange 17 can be used to receive a socket 16.

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

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

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

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

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

The intermediate flange 20 advantageously and also serves to ensure the guiding in translation of the portion 3. It is preferably provided with sealing means at the level of the guide zone 24 between the outer wall of the portion 3 and the inner wall of the flange 20 at this level.

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

The rear chamber 13 is advantageously filled with a gas in the illustrated embodiment, for example nitrogen, which can be compressed when the size of the chamber 13 decreases. Preferably, when the cylinder is in the rest position, corresponding to a maximum retracted position of the rod 2 in the body 1, therefore to a maximum size of the chamber 13, the gas pressure is minimal there, but nevertheless preferably greater than atmospheric pressure and preferably greater than or equal to 30 bars and more advantageously still greater than or equal to 60 bars.

The piston 15 forms a separating element between the two chambers. Other embodiments are possible for this separation such as a gas-filled bladder, defining the chamber 13 within it and a wall of which ensures separation from the chamber 12. In this situation, the bladder occupies part of the hollow portion which extends towards the flange 18.

According to the invention, the peripheral chamber 25 and the front chamber 12 communicate so as to allow a passage of fluid between these two parts during movements of the jack. For this purpose, a passage 8 is provided with a mouth 11 in the front chamber 12 and another end communicating with the chamber 25. At the intermediate level, a channel 9 extends inside the head 4. A portion of this channel may have a larger diameter to define a housing 10 for receiving filter cartridges, in particular those sold under the Lee® brand. Preferably, an incompressible fluid, typically liquid and advantageously oil, fills the volume of the chamber 25 and of the chamber 12.

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

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

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

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

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

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

We understand that when we want to leave the cylinder its operation according to its maximum stroke, we arrange for the additional mechanical link to be loose enough that it is not tensioned until the cylinder has reached its corresponding maximum position in Figure 3. îo When you want to limit the travel of the jack thanks to the additional link, you will adjust the link length between its attachments at the two ends of the jack so that the link comes under tension in a position of the stroke of the rod 2 located between the positions of FIGS. 2 and 3.

REFERENCES

1. Body

2. Rod

3. Hollow portion

4. Head

5. Portion of fitting

6. Guide portion

7. Seal

8. Passage

9. Channel

10. Housing

11. Mouthpiece

12. Front room

13. Back room

14. Head room

15. Piston

16. Front socket

17. Rear socket

18. Piston flange

19. Cylinder flange

20. Intermediate flange

21. Built-in area

22. Built-in area

23. Built-in area

24. Guidance area

25. Peripheral room

26. Tip

27. Mouthpiece

Claims (15)

1. Damped connection device for a ship, having a first part connectable to a ship and a second part connectable to an element other than the ship, comprising a jack provided with a body (1) integral with one of the first part and the second part and a rod (2) one distal end of which is integral with the other from the first part and the second part, characterized in that: - the rod comprises a hollow portion (3) in which a separation element is movable in translation, the hollow portion and the separation element sealingly defining a rear chamber (13) and a front chamber (12), the chamber rear (13) being situated on one side the separation element comprising its distal end, the front chamber (12) being opposite to the rear chamber (13) relative to the separation element, - It comprises a peripheral chamber (25) delimited by an external wall of the rod (2) and an internal wall of the body (1), the peripheral chamber being in fluid communication with the front chamber (12), the peripheral chamber and the front chamber (12) being filled with a first fluid; - It includes means for returning the separation element to a rest position of the jack. 2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the return means comprise a second, compressible fluid, placed in the rear chamber (13). 3. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the second fluid is at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in the rest position of the jack, and preferably, at a pressure greater than or equal to 30 bars in the rest position of the jack . 4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rod (2) comprises a head (4) secured to one end of the hollow portion (3) opposite the distal end, the head (4) being mounted in translation tightly in the body (1). 5. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the head (4) comprises at least one fluid communication passage between the front chamber (12) and the peripheral chamber (25). 6. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, comprising a head chamber (14) delimited in a sealed manner by the body (1), the rod head (2) and a closed proximal end of the body (1). 7. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein the head chamber (14) is filled with a third compressible fluid. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the jack comprises a first flange covering the proximal end of the body (1) and comprising a mechanical connection member. 9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the jack comprises a second flange covering the distal end of the rod (2) and comprising a mechanical connection member. 10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the jack comprises an intermediate flange covering a distal end of the body (1) and comprising a guide surface in translation, in sealed manner, of the rod (2). 11. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first fluid is an oil. 12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a link between the first part and the second part, the length of the link being configured so that the link is loose in the rest position of the jack and is stretched in a position of the jack in which the rod (2) is more deployed relative to the body (1) than in the rest position. 13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the separating element is a piston (15) or the wall of a bladder. 14. System for mooring a ship to an external element such as a quay, comprising at least one device according to one of the preceding claims which can be fixed between the ship and the external element. 15. A system for towing a ship by another ship, comprising at least one device according to one of claims 1 to 13 fixed between the ships.