WO2008074107A2

WO2008074107A2 - Asymmetrical marine anchor

Info

Publication number: WO2008074107A2
Application number: PCT/BR2007/000304
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Auguste Jean Leon Poiraud
Original assignee: Leon Poiraud Alain Auguste Jea
Priority date: 2006-12-21
Filing date: 2007-11-07
Publication date: 2008-06-26
Also published as: WO2008074107A3; BRPI0605497A

Abstract

Asymmetrical marine anchor having a rounded shank(13) and a conical fluke(12) with an elliptical back edge so that without the need of any heavy lest or cumbersome appendices, the anchor will not have any steady stability but the initial position of penetration.

Description

ASYMMETRICAL MARINE ANCHOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to marine anchors used to immobilize any type of vessel or floating machine. More particularly, the invention relates to an asymmetrical anchor comprising a shank and a conical fluke constituting the holding surface. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART:

The current anchors are of various types. According to their design, these anchors are symmetrical on both sides of the vertical plan — fore and aft and of the similar horizontal plan or also called flat anchors; these last types are unstable, and have the disadvantage of breaking free abruptly under strong load ; or symmetrical on both sides of the vertical plan - fore and aft -, but asymmetrical on both sides of the horizontal plan joining the opening for the fixing of the anchoring line to the locus of the surface of the fluke - or in other words, for which the shank of the anchor is only of one single side of the fluke - and self-stabilizing. Whatever the type of anchor, its behavior will depend in priority on its penetration characteristics: more quickly and deeper the anchor will penetrate, better will be the holding.

One of the problems of the current asymmetrical anchors is their positioning on the seabed in initial position of penetration. The ideal initial position of penetration is obtained when the anchor is lowered to the seabed, the anchor will usually lay on one of its sides, resting on three points: (1) the forward end of the shank, connected to the anchoring line (2) the aft edge of the fluke (3) the forward tip of the anchor resting on the seabed with an angle adapted to allow the penetration under the force of traction of the anchoring line. The anchors of the existing technique have several positions of steady stability, different from the ideal initial position of penetration. They use several various methods to ensure their initial positioning of penetration, either by an heavy ballasting of the tip of the fluke: this ballasting help the penetration but with the detriment of the efficient fluke surface area and consequently of the holding; or by assistance of cumbersome appendices, for example circular arches located at the back of the fluke.

U.S.Pat. 4,802,434 to Bruce, Peter and U.S. Pat.6,390.011 to Goodman, Jack discloses anchors whose holding surface is consisted of cylinder portion, this form present the disadvantage that, more the width off the fluke decreases towards the tip, more the portion off circle decreases to reach near the tip a practically negligible curve. The angle with which the rectilinear edge off the fluke is positioned toward the seabed increases progressively, from the back to the tip off the fluke. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a response to these various disadvantages, one proposes according to the invention, an anchor asymmetrical on both sides of the horizontal plane joining the opening of the anchoring line fixation of the shank to the geometrical center of the surface of the fluke, whose shank and fluke consist of specific curved elements described hereafter, so that there is no other position of steady stability but the initial position of penetration. Regardless of the position in which the anchor falls on sea- beds, it positions immediately in the initial position of penetration without the need to use a heavy ballast or a cumbersome appendix. In this way, the weight of the anchor is used at its maximum in order to create the most important possible holding surface and by consequence to obtain a more effective holding. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

. According to a preferred embodiment, the fluke consists of a delta pointed tip surface fore and of a circular or elliptic curve aft. Its surface consists of a segment of cone in order to not present any stable plane surface preventing the anchor from correctly positioning. This portion of cone could be perfectly curved of circular or elliptic cross section or made up of multiple small facets.

The conical form, one the other hand, present a more and more smaller radius of curvature more one approaches the tip. The portion off circle remains constant, which give several advantages: 1° - the angle with which the rectilinear edge off the fluke is positioned to the seabed, when the anchor is in initial position of penetration, is constant on the total length in contact with the ground, which facilitates a fast penetration.

2° - mechanical rigidity is more important, especially one the level of the tip, that with a cylindrical surface. Two deflectors located on both sides on the contact points of the rear and on the lower part off the fluke, delay the hiding of the back part and consequently improve the penetration of the tip.

The tip of the fluke which undergoes the greatest mechanical efforts during the penetration, is reinforced using a thicker plate. The shank is curved in way also to not allow any other stable position than the initial penetrating position. The shank is fixed on the fluke either by welding, or by the means of any kind of mechanical assembly to allow its disassembling or to fold it for storage. The invention will be better understood to the light of the following description showing of other characteristics and advantages and of non restrictive fashion of embodiment of the invention, made while referring to the annexed drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS - Figure 1 is a perspective view of an anchor according to one embodiment of an anchor of the invention.

Figure 2 is perspective view of the form in portion off cone of the fluke.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the anchor shown in FIG.1

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the anchor in FIG.1 along the axis a a' - Figure 5 is a sight of right-hand side of the anchor in FIG.1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is designated by the general reference numeral 10, and is seen to include a shank(12) and a conical shaped fluke(13). The fluke(13) comprises in its lower part(13A) and at the broadest points on both sides, two deflectors(14— 14A) whose role is to reduce the penetration of the back part(16) and by direct consequence to improve the penetration of the tip(l 5).

In initial position of penetration, anchor(lθ) rests out of three points: point or tip(15) of fluke(13), extremity(18) of the shank(12) and one of the two deflectors(14 - 14A). The shank(12) has a generally curved form mainly on the level of the external edge(l l) and comprises at one extremity(18) an oblong opening(17) intended to receive the fixing of the anchoring line. On the opposed end, another opening(19) is envisaged in order to allow either the fixing of a trip line, or to immobilize the anchor in position of storage on the bow roller of the boat.

A third opening(21) is envisaged, roughly in the middle of the shank(12) in way, when the boat is moored vis-a-vis a quay, so that the anchor is immobilized with fluke(13) in quasi horizontal position, the fluke(13) acting as a step in order to allow an easier access from the quay towards the bow of the boat.

The shank(12) could be fixed on the fluke(13), either by welding(l l), or using a mechanical device assembly allowing its disassembling or its folding for the storage. The angle between the line(20) which joined the opening(17) for fixing the anchoring line with the locus of the surface of the fluke(13), with the central axis line of the surface of the fluke, form an angle of which the value, function of the consistency of seabed, can be between 30° and 45°.

The fluke(13) has a forward tip(15) in delta shape with two prongs(15A) and widening gradually backwards(lδ). The front part(15), undergoing the largest efforts during the penetration, is made up of a more thick plate than that of the back part(16). The form of the surface of the fluke(13) is that of a portion of cone like shown by Figure 2. The radius of this surface can be circular or elliptical. This general form of this face(16A) being able to be realized by a perfectly curved ray or using small jointed triangular surfaces.

Claims

1. ASYMMETRICAL MARINE ANCHOR comprising a shank(13) fixed on a fluke(12) characterized in that the surface of the fluke consists of a portion of cone.

2. ASYMMETRICAL MARINE ANCHOR according to Claim 1, characterized in that the portion of cone constituting the fluke(13) is gradually widening from the delta tip(15), backwards the back edge.

3. ASYMMETRICAL MARINE ANCHOR according to Claim 2, characterized in that the radius of the cone portion can be either circular or elliptic.

4. ASYMMETRICAL MARINE ANCHOR according to Claim 3, characterized in that the surface of the cone portion can be made perfectly rounded or by using small adjacent triangular surfaces.

5. ASYMMETRICAL MARINE ANCHOR according to Claim 1, characterized in that the back edge of the conical surface of the fluke(12) consists of a generally elliptic form, the narrowest part of the ellipse being located on the central axis of the fluke(12).

6. ASYMMETRICAL MARINE ANCHOR according to Claim 5, characterized in that the back edge of the fluke(12) of generally elliptic form can be made by a curve or a succession of small facets.

7. ASYMMETRICAL MARINE ANCHOR according to the preceding claims characterized in that the shank(13) comprises an opening, roughly located in the middle of the shank so that the anchor can be immobilized on the bow roller with the fluke(12) in quasi horizontal position, the fluke(12) acting as step in order to allow an easier access from a quay towards the bow of the boat.