Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
  • B63G13/00—Other offensive or defensive arrangements on vessels; Vessels characterised thereby
  • B63G13/02—Camouflage
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63G—OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS ON VESSELS; MINE-LAYING; MINE-SWEEPING; SUBMARINES; AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
  • B63G13/00—Other offensive or defensive arrangements on vessels; Vessels characterised thereby
  • B63G13/02—Camouflage
  • B63G2013/025—Camouflage using means for reducing radiation emission of electromagnetic waves, e.g. infrared, into air or water

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method and a masking installation of a naval vessel such as a ship, a pleasure boat or a maritime machine, and to a naval vessel equipped with at least one such an installation.
• the context of the invention is the protection of a naval vessel, stationary or moving, and its surroundings by a masking cloud of the building at least in the field of visible radiation. This masking is intended to prevent any act of aggression or collision of this building.
• the field relates to the production of an opaque environment generally formed of particles, for example liquids, suspended in the air to form a cloud, or, for example, solids also suspended in the air to generate smoke.
• pyrotechnics provides fumes that can not mask a building satisfactorily (dimensions, duration, efficiency) and which generates high costs and a significant degree of danger in handling.
• the invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by providing the production of an effective masking, covering all or part of essential and long-lasting for sea vessels and their surroundings, and the crew.
• the goal is also to disorient and worry potential aggressors to dissuade them from any attempt to board.
• the invention provides for coupling an air flow with a fluid injection capable of causing the formation of a cloud and to orient the cloud in order to optimize the coverage of the building to be protected over time and in the future. space.
• the present invention relates to a masking process of a naval vessel, preferably in motion, comprising at least one bridge and a hull.
• the method consists in integrating at least one smoke generator into the building, this integration being able to be carried out on the deck and / or in the building, in particular substantially at or above the water line, to inject a fluid at the outlet of the smoke generator and to guide the flow of gas thus charged with fluid in suspension, said smoke flow, to at least one outlet formed in the shell of the building, so as to direct said flow, for example, towards the rear or towards the front of the building, preferably from a position substantially at or above the waterline of the building.
• the smoke generator (s) may be integrated at any location of the building such as, for example, at the bow, middle or stern of the building.
• an injection of colored, powdery, odorous and / or fumigant additives is also carried out at the gas outlet or downstream of the gas outlet;
• An injection of graphite powder is also performed at the output of the smoke generator so as to cause masking in the field of infrared radiation;
• the guidance of the flow is widened at the outlet of the smoke generator in order to substantially reduce the speed of the smoke;
• the guidance of the smoke flow is configured so that the exit of the guidance out of the hull is made between the middle and the front of the ship building and at or above the waterline;
• the guidance is of adaptable orientation, at the hull exit of the naval vessel, by orientation in a reference plane parallel to the bridge (s) of the building and / or in a plane perpendicular to the reference plane, in order to direct the flow of smoke outward at the waterline according to the movement of the vessel and the conditions of navigation so that the outflow of smoke is directed between the deck (s) and the waterline ;
• the guide is of variable length so that the guide is adapted to the dimensions of the shell of the building;
• the smoke flow is cooled and densified by humidification before leaving the hull of the building in order to provoke a vaporization at the exit and to maintain the smoke posed on the body of water which surrounds the building;
• the smoke flow is regulated so that its output speed is almost zero.
• the invention also relates to a masking installation of a naval vessel for implementing the method.
• This installation comprises a gas turbine consisting of a gas generator and a gas ejection nozzle in connection with a fuel tank.
• the ejection nozzle is equipped with at least one fluid injector connected with at least one reservoir, for injecting this fluid, in particular oil, into the ejection gases of the gas turbine and forming a flow of fluid gas in suspension (F3), said smoke flow, and is coupled to at least one guide duct of the smoke flow.
• F3 fluid gas in suspension
• the or each duct comprises at least one divergent truncated cone portion, in connection with the nozzle, in order to substantially reduce the speed of the smoke flow;
• the or each duct or branch is equipped with a steerable grid in an area of a conduit end, the grid being adapted to direct and / or mix the flow of smoke through the conduit or branch;
• an external flow injector in the gas flow is arranged in an end zone of the or each duct or branch, in order to cool and densify the flow of smoke, the external fluid being in particular seawater, at a temperature substantially lower than that of the gas flow at said zone;
• the or each duct or branch is equipped at the end with a steerable nozzle in at least one plane, for example in any direction, in order to direct the flow of smoke at the outlet of the duct or of the branch, so that the masking is as effective as possible depending on the conditions (weather, movement, attack, etc.) imposed on the building;
• the or each duct comprises a portion fitted in the duct or the branch, with telescopic adjustment means in order to vary and adapt in length the or each duct or branch;
• the or each duct is sized and configured to adjust the pressure drops of the flow under a given ceiling, in order to avoid an overpressure at the turbine;
• the or each duct may comprise means for regulating gas flow (diverging in the form of a truncated cone, valves, valves, etc.) in order to reduce the speed of the gas flow and make it tend towards a quasi-zero value at the outlet of conduit;
• an opening hatch is arranged at the end of the duct and is piloted so that the opening is effective at the start of the gas turbine, this hatch making it possible to prevent seawater from entering the duct to the turbine; to avoid problems of corrosion, leakage, etc. ;
• the installation comprises at least one additive injector arranged to perform an injection of colored, powdery, odorous and / or smoke additives at the gas outlet or downstream of the gas outlet.
• the invention also relates to a naval vessel equipped with at least one bridge, a hull and at least one such installation.
• the facility or installations may be arranged on a deck or in a hold at any location of the building.
• the lengths of the ducts and branches are then determined to open out of the shell of the building through preformed openings.
• the installation is disposed at the front of the building centrally, and comprises a duct with two branches having a common end of connection to the nozzle of the gas turbine and ends opening on each of the half-shells.
• the conduit may be disposed downstream or upstream of the gas turbine, preferably with branches generally facing the rear of the building in both cases.
• each installation can be disposed laterally near a half-shell and has only one duct with an end that opens out of the half-shell.
• the or each installation can be integrated into a box when the installation is located on the deck of the building, to protect the installation of sea packets and spray and facilitate traffic on the bridge.
• conduit (s) of the facilities are arranged so that the flow of smoke leads to the front of the building, for example closer to the level of flotation.
• the conduit (s) of the installations comprise at least a horizontal portion and / or a vertical portion.
• the orientation means of the end nozzle of the or each duct can be used to adjust the outlet angle of the smoke flow, for example, depending on the displacement of the building and the navigation conditions so that the output smoke is directed, for example, between the bridge (s) and the waterline, in a given direction.
• FIG. 2 a partial side view of a vessel equipped with a masking installation in a box located on the deck of this vessel;
• FIGS. 4a and 4b partial and top views of the ship according to FIG. 3 with a double duct of the masking installation installed in the ship's forward bilge, respectively downstream and upstream of the gas turbine;
• upstream and downstream relate to relative locations of elements of naval vessels in the direction of the standard navigation of these buildings.
• the front of such a building is upstream and corresponds to the bow, while the rear is downstream and corresponds to the stern of the building.
• horizontal means parallel to the bridge (s) of the building and “vertical” means perpendicular to that bridge (s).
• a gas turbine type engine such as for example, a GPU type motor (initials of "Ground Power Unit” in English terminology), is modified to serve as " smoke turbine "in the masking system 10 according to the invention.
• a GPU group is a fixed or mobile gas turbine for starting the main engines and generating non-propulsive power (pneumatic, electric or hydraulic power) of a vehicle or an aircraft.
• GPU group 1 consists essentially of a gas generator 2 and a gas ejection nozzle 3 in connection with a fuel tank 41 and at least one reservoir 42 of fluid, oil H1 in the example - able to remain in the ejection gases in the form of suspended droplets.
• the gas generator 2 comprises: an air compressor 21 - the air (arrows F1) entering, axially or radially, by a sleeve 5; a combustion chamber 22 of an air and fuel mixture, the fuel coming from the tank 41 being introduced into the chamber 22 by fuel injectors 23; as well as a turbine 24 for expanding the flue gases and for driving the compressor 21 via a shaft 25.
• the flue gases (arrows F2) are ejected by the nozzle 3.
• These components are generally enclosed in a casing 6 open at the inlet 5a. of the sleeve 5 and at the outlet 3s of the nozzle 3, which is at the same time the output of the GPU 1 group.
• the GPU group 1 is modified by adding, at the outlet of the ejection nozzle 3, an annular ring 7 coupled to the casing 6 and equipped with fluid injectors 71, for example of oil, coming from the tank 42. This injection of fluid is propelled by a pump 72 and sprayed by the injectors 71 in the hot and velocity ejection gases leaving through the nozzle 3.
• fluid injectors 71 for example of oil
• Such a spray makes it possible to form a flow of gas laden with fluid droplets in suspension (arrows F3), referred to as "charged gas flow” or “smoke flow”.
• the annular ring 7 is coupled to a conduit 1 1 flue gas discharge outwardly to achieve the masking of the ship.
• the conduit 1 1 is made of stainless steel in the example.
• the length of this duct 1 1 and its configuration are then adapted to open into the hull of the naval building which is intended for the installation 10. This adaptation is in particular a function of the dimensions of the building and the planned location - on a bridge or in hold - for this installation.
• Figures 2 and 3 which follow illustrate the implementation on the deck and in the bilge of a vessel such facilities that include ducts, smoke turbines 1 and tanks 41, 42.
• colored, powdery, odorous and / or fumigant additives may also be injected by the injectors 71 or any other injection ramp, to create or enhance the effect of surprise and dissuasive smoke flow. It is also advantageous to inject graphite powder which allows masking in the field of infrared radiation. Alternatively, one should refrain from injecting graphite powder if one wants to be able to steer the ship from infrared binoculars through the smoke stream after it has formed around the ship.
• FIG. 2 shows a partial side view of a ship 100 equipped with a masking device 10 according to the invention comprising a smoke turbine 1, for example the GPU group described with reference to FIG. 41 and 42, as well as the conduit 1 1.
• the smoke turbine 1 and the tanks 41 and 42 are arranged in a protective box 8 implanted on the deck 10P of this vessel 100.
• the duct 1 1 comprises a divergent portion truncated cone 12 - called "divergent" - in connection with the nozzle 3 at the output of the smoke turbine 1.
• This divergent 12 substantially reduces the speed of the gas flow F3 so that, at the outlet end 14 of the duct 1 1 through an orifice 13 formed in the hull 101 of the ship 100, this speed is almost zero.
• the duct 1 1 has bends C1 to C3, a horizontal portion P1 and a vertical portion P2.
• the horizontal portion P1 can move the output 14 of the duct 1 1 forward AV of the ship 100, and the vertical portion P2 can lead to the output 14 near the LF water line of the ship 100. It is indeed desired to have an outlet 14 upstream -to allow the smoke to cover the entire ship 100 because of the relative speed of the ship- and close to the waterline LF because the smoke remains "hooked To the expanse of water then rises in time. Exit 14 remains above this LF waterline to prevent the entry of sea or spray packets.
• the duct 1 1 is dimensioned and configured so that the number of bends, here three elbows C1 to C3, is minimized to minimize the pressure loss of the smoke flow F3 under a ceiling, determined in advance. in order to avoid overpressure at the level of the smoke turbine 1.
• a hatch 16 opening / closing the outlet 14 of the duct 1 1 on the shell 103 is arranged at the end of the duct. This hatch 16 is driven from the control center (not shown) of the ship 100 so that the opening of the outlet 14 is effective at the start of the smoke turbine 1. It would indeed be harmful to let sea packets and spray penetrate the conduit 1 1 via this output 14 open when the masking system is not in operation. Problems of corrosion, sealing, or equivalent, caused by the presence of seawater, are thus avoided.
• Figures 3 and 4a illustrate, in side and upper (partial) views of a short vessel 102, another example of wedge implantation before 31 of the smoke turbine 1 already described.
• a ship is called "short" when, for example, it does not exceed 50 m long.
• the masking system 10 comprises, in this case, the smoke turbine 1 already described, and a duct 1 1' with two branches 1 1 'a and 1 1' b having a common portion 1 1 'c connected at the outlet of the smoke turbine 1.
• the duct 1 1 ' is located downstream of the smoke turbine 1.
• the two duct branches 1 1 'a and 1 1 1' b open on each side half-shell 103a and 103b of the hull 103.
• the branches 1 1 'and 1 1 'b are symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane Pv of symmetry of the ship 102 and, by their curvature, have generally a direction oriented (arrow F4) towards the rear AR of the ship 102. In this way, the flow of F3 smoke is also oriented mainly towards the rear of the vessel 102.
• FIG. 4b shows a duct 1 1 "of the type of FIG. 4a but connected upstream of the smoke turbine 1.
• the symmetrical branches 1 1 "a and 1 1" b are also directed towards the rear AR of the ship 102 so that the flow of smoke F3 settles down the ship, from upstream to downstream.
• FIG. 5 details the structural elements in the end zone 15 of the branch 1 1 'a of the duct 1 1' making it possible to improve the directivity and the masking quality of the smoke flow at the outlet of the branches 1 1 'a and 1 1' b.
• the partial view of Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the installation according to Figure 4a.
• the GPU 1 is connected to a ring 7 equipped with fluid injectors 71, itself connected to the duct 11 '.
• each leg 1 1a and 1 1b (only the end of the leg 1 1a is visible in Figure 5) is equipped with a 17g adjustable gate valve 17c.
• the valves 17c of the grid 17g have a set of axes of rotation 17A remotely controlled at the control center (not shown).
• the gate 17g is more precisely implanted in this example at the output end 14 of the branch 1 1 'a. The flow of smoke F3 is thus finely oriented in the horizontal plane of FIG.
• water injectors 18 are arranged in said zone 15, upstream of the grid 17g.
• Water sea water in the example, at low temperature (10 to 20 ° C) substantially lower than the temperature of the smoke flow (greater than 40 ° C), is injected and viaces injectors 18. This injection makes it possible to cool and densify the flow of smoke F3 to weigh it down and "hang it" on the expanse of water surrounding the ship 102. The smoke flow F3 then detaches itself from the expanse of smoke. water and just hide the entire ship 102.
• each branch 1 1 ' is advantageously equipped, at the output end 14, a nozzle 19 orientable in the horizontal plane of the figure and in a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane.
• two-axis articulation means 19A are integrated in the nozzle 19, near its end 19e. The flow of smoke is thus oriented to be able to cling to the expanse of water surrounding the ship 102.
• the nozzle 19 telescopically fits into the duct branch 11a. The nesting is adjusted by 19c rack adjustment means, also controlled from the control center. It is thus possible to vary and adapt in length the branch 1 1 'a (and, similarly, the section 1 1 b).
• FIGS. 6a and 6b schematic side and top views of a long tanker 104 (for example longer than 300 m) equipped with four masking facilities located at the bottom of the bilge before 32 and shim in the middle 33 of the tanker 104.
• Two facilities 10 "a are located near the lateral half-shell 105a of the hull 105 of the ship 104 and two facilities 10 b are located close to the half-shell 105b of the hull 105.
• the installations 10 "a and 10" b are arranged substantially in the middle M1 and forward AV of the ship 105.
• the installations 10 "a and 10" b are composed of smoke turbines 1, such as those described above, connected to conduits 1 1 “a and 1 1" b, respectively corresponding to the branch 1 1 'a and to the branch 1 1 'b described above with reference to Figure 4a or Figure 5.
• the lengths of the ducts 1 1 “a and 1 1” b are determined so that they can out of the hull 105 of the ship through preformed orifices 13.
• the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown. Thus, it is possible to add means for regulating the flow of smoke: valves, valves, etc.
• the fluid added to the ejection gas to serve as a charge in suspension and form the smoke can be any liquid of organic or aqueous nature, adapted to achieve such a suspensive effect.
• gas turbine compressors can be used as a smoke generator, for example fans of suitable size and flow rate.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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• Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
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• 2012
  • 2012-07-18 FR FR1256931A patent/FR2993532B1/fr active Active
• 2013
  • 2013-07-17 US US14/414,758 patent/US20150183499A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-07-17 PL PL13744762T patent/PL2874870T3/pl unknown
  • 2013-07-17 WO PCT/FR2013/051714 patent/WO2014013192A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2013-07-17 RU RU2015102841A patent/RU2616489C2/ru active
  • 2013-07-17 CN CN201380037518.6A patent/CN104661913B/zh active Active
  • 2013-07-17 JP JP2015522154A patent/JP6505598B2/ja active Active
  • 2013-07-17 CA CA2878840A patent/CA2878840C/fr active Active
  • 2013-07-17 BR BR112015000852-6A patent/BR112015000852B1/pt active IP Right Grant
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