WO2018172469A1

WO2018172469A1 - Submerged system for storing an underwater vehicle such as a drone and keeping it in operational condition

Info

Publication number: WO2018172469A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/057329
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arnaud TROUVE; Bernard LABROUSSE
Original assignee: Naval Group
Priority date: 2017-03-23
Filing date: 2018-03-22
Publication date: 2018-09-27
Also published as: EP3601036A1; FR3064244B1; FI3601036T3; FR3064244A1; EP3601036B1

Abstract

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

Description

Immersed system for storing and sustainably operating 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.

Underwater vehicles such as drones are increasingly used in particular for the control, monitoring and inspection of submerged facilities.

For example, such submarine gear is used in sectors such as the offshore oil and gas industry, in the underwater mining industry, in coastal and maritime surveillance operations, and even in scientific ocean observatories.

At present, operational maintenance operations of this type of gear require the recovery of this craft on the surface, for example on board a platform such as a support ship, where the operations of refurbishment of the machine are performed.

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.

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

However, it is conceivable that these recovery operations are relatively restrictive, time consuming and expensive.

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

For this purpose, 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 plate on which provided bell-shaped means for receiving the underwater vehicle comprising receiving cradle means of the underwater vehicle in the storage position and means for filling / emptying these bell-shaped means to using a preservation fluid of the underwater vehicle and in that the means forming a home cradle comprise a cylindrical element having at one of its ends, a guide cone of the machine in the storage position in the latter, at the other of its ends, a front stop cap for the front end of the machine and in its intermediate portion, means in the form of a holding clip in position of the machine. According to other features of the system according to the invention taken alone or in combination:

the bell-shaped means comprise door means enabling the underwater vehicle to enter and exit bell-shaped means;

the cylindrical element of the reception cradle means 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 data. information with the gear;

- The coupling means are inductive coupling means;

- The gripper means comprises two clamp legs extending on either side of the cradle means and associated with actuating means;

the preservation fluid of the underwater vehicle is stored in corresponding receiving means integrated in the means forming a base plate;

the fluid consists of protective liquid;

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

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

FIG. 1 represents a perspective side view with parts in transparency, of a submerged system for storing and keeping in operational condition according to the invention,

FIGS. 2 and 3 represent partial views of this system illustrating the operation of input and output gate means of this system,

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

FIG. 5 represents a detailed view of means in the form of a clamp for holding the machine in position 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 the constitution of an immersed system according to the invention,

FIG. 8 illustrates the structure and operation of the inductive coupling means forming a system according to the invention, and - Figure 9 illustrates the structure and operation of power supply means forming part of a system according to the invention;

In these figures, and in particular in FIG. 1, a submerged system for storing and maintaining in operational condition an underwater vehicle such as a drone has indeed been illustrated.

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

In general and as illustrated, such a system comprises means forming a base 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 comprises means for filling / emptying these bell-shaped means 4 with the aid of a preservation fluid of the underwater vehicle 2.

These means will be described in more detail later.

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

It is then used to carry out basic operational maintenance operations of the underwater vehicle 2, such as for example the recharging of 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 have for example at one end, means forming a door allowing the underwater vehicle 2 to enter and exit 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 an articulated door deployable between a retracted position, illustrated in Figure 2, and an active position. deployed, illustrated in Figure 3.

In the retracted position, that is to say the open door, 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 comprises means for receiving the underwater vehicle 2 in the storage position.

An exemplary embodiment of these receiving means is illustrated in these figures and in particular in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. These reception means comprise in fact 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 elongate cylindrical element, designated by the general reference 7, comprising at one of its ends, that is to say at the end opposite the means forming a door 5 of the bell 4, a guide cone of 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 to the entrance of the bell 4, the means forming a home cradle comprise 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 machine in position.

These clip-shaped means are designated by the general reference January 1 in these figures and are illustrated in detail in Figure 5.

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

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

For this purpose, electrical coupling means may be provided between the means forming a home cradle and the underwater vehicle 2. These coupling means are, for example, inductive coupling means.

An example embodiment of these means has been illustrated, in particular in the figures

4 and 6.

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

Of course, this makes it possible, for example, to transfer electrical energy to recharge 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, ensuring the updating of 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 conceivable that this entire structure is intended to allow the reception of the underwater vehicle 2 in storage position in a cradle for receiving a submerged structure, to ensure the preservation thereof and the increase of its operational life.

As has been indicated previously also, it is possible to use a preservation fluid of 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 seawater to ensure the preservation of the underwater vehicle 2.

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

Thus, for example in these figures and in particular in FIGS. 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 bell-shaped means 4 for receiving the underwater vehicle 2 in the storage position, in order to ensure the preservation thereof.

FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates the operation of filling / emptying means for 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 tanks for example 17 is illustrated.

The means for filling / emptying 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, depending on the filling or drain.

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

According to the wishes, the motor associated with the pump is then controlled to pump the reservoir fluid in the bell-shaped means or vice versa.

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

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an exemplary embodiment of the complementary coupling means 15 and 16 by electromagnetic induction, in particular making it possible 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 underwater vehicle 2 and the complementary inductive coupling means 15 and 16 are recognized.

These coupling means comprise 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, denoted by the general reference 30 in these figures.

This transmitting coil 30 is integrated in a support of the receiving means 6 of the underwater vehicle and is connected to the output of an electric power supply source of these receiving means, which will be described in more detail by the following. In fact and as illustrated, this transmitting coil 30 is integrated in a protective envelope, designated by the general reference 31.

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

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 flanks thereof.

These complementary means 16 then comprise, next to the coupling means of the cradle means 6 and in particular of the transmitting coil 30, a corresponding receiver coil designated by the general reference 32.

For example, this receiver coil consists of Litz wires.

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

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

It will further be noted that this underwater vehicle may comprise, at the level of the complementary electromagnetic induction coupling means 16, shielding means of the interior of the latter against the radiated electromagnetic fields, these screen means being designated by general reference 34.

In FIG. 8, a power cable 35 extending between the receiver coil 32 and the remainder of the underwater vehicle 2 and for example the means for storing electrical energy thereof is also recognized to ensure their recharge.

In this same figure 8, a cable 36 for transmitting information is also recognized.

FIG. 9 shows the wiring diagram of these different coils 30 and 32.

It is recognized in fact in this figure 9, the means forming cradle 6 for receiving the underwater vehicle 2.

This FIG. 9 also recognizes the corresponding transmitting coil 30 and the corresponding receiver coil 32.

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

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

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

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

It is conceivable that such a structure has a number of advantages over the structures of the state of the art.

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

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

Basic operation maintenance operations can also be implemented such as for example the exchange of information or the recharge of the electrical energy storage means of the underwater vehicle 2.

This machine can then be kept for a longer or shorter time safely in the bell until his next mission.

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

Of course other embodiments can still be envisaged.

Claims

1. - System (1) immersed storage and maintenance in operational condition of an underwater vehicle (2) such as a drone, characterized in that it comprises means forming a base plate (3) on which are provided bell-shaped means (4) for receiving the underwater vehicle (2) comprising receiving cradle means (6) of the underwater vehicle (2) in a storage position and means for filling / emptying (18, 19, 20) of these bell-shaped means (4) with a preservation fluid of the underwater vehicle (2) and in that the cradle means of reception (6) comprise a cylindrical element (7) having at one of its ends, a cone (8) for guiding the machine in storage position therein, at the other of its ends, a cap (9) front stop for the front end of the machine and in its intermediate portion, means in the form of holding clip (1 1) in position of the machine (2).

2. - System according to claim 1, characterized in that the bell-shaped means (4) comprise means forming a door (5) allowing the underwater vehicle (2) to enter and exit means in bell shape (4).

3.- System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cylindrical element (7) of the receiving cradle means (6) comprises in its intermediate portion of the electrical coupling means (15) the vehicle (2) to recharge the energy storage means thereof and / or exchange information with the machine.

4. - System according to claim 3, characterized in that the coupling means (15) are inductive coupling means.

5. - System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripper means (1 1) comprise two tongs (12,

13) extending on either side of the cradle means (6) and associated with actuating means (14).

6. - System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the preservation fluid of the underwater vehicle is stored in means of receiving (17) integrated in the base forming means (3).

7. - System according to claim 6, characterized in that the fluid consists of the protective liquid.

8. - System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for filling / emptying the bell-shaped means (4) comprises means (17) forming a container for receiving the fluid, associated with means for channeling (19, 20) and circulating (18) the fluid between the bell-shaped means (4) and the container means (17), depending on the filling or emptying requirements.