EP0646522B1 - Support structure for a ship - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to improvements to the coupling devices intended to support the hull of ships when they are dry.

Towing devices are traditionally used in refit holds or in construction forms. They are used to produce assemblies comprising central tins which are aligned to receive the keel, and lateral tins on which the bottom or the chines of the hull rests. After the assembly has been prepared in a tank, it is put into water to admit the ship which runs aground when it is emptied again.

A first drawback of these existing devices is that for a given boat, it takes a long time to produce the towing assembly. But, more serious, they force an occupation of the basins where they have been fitted out which lasts all the time for fitting out or repair work on the boat.

One solution to overcome these drawbacks is the subject of French Patent No. 2,427,246 in the name of Delattre-Levivier. It consists in providing a support assembly allowing ship transfers in the longitudinal or transverse direction. The assembly consists of central beams on which the keel rests, and lateral beams offset longitudinally with respect to the central beams, to support each side of the bottom or chines. During transfers, each beam rests at its ends on mobile carriages on rails.

This device makes it possible in particular to practice launching or drying up boats by means of a lifting platform adjoining a median. However, all the transfer movements as well as the production of the coupling assemblies are closely dependent on the configuration of the network of tracks of the carriages.

The present invention has been designed with the dual aim of rationalizing the production of towing assemblies, and this for all kinds of ships, both monohulls and multihulls; and to benefit from increased possibilities of movement of these towing assemblies to improve the management of the sites, and in particular to optimize the occupation of the surface of the medians adjoining elevating platforms.

To this end, a coupling device according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a plurality of modules at least substantially identical,
each module being an elongated support structure, the base of which can be provided with means allowing its displacement on a flat surface, and the top of which comprises means for positioning and fixing tins at any points along the length,
and in that it further comprises connecting means between modules making it possible to fix several modules together at a distance from each other, and also making it possible to fix them end to end.

For towing a monohull, the modules are arranged transversely to the center line of the boat, aligned and spaced from each other. They are joined together on each side by longitudinal bars connecting their ends. Each module carries a central tin to receive the keel and two lateral tins to support the bottom of the hull or chines.

In the case of a catamaran, two parallel towing lines are made to receive the keels of the two hulls, which lines are formed from modules arranged longitudinally end to end. In each line, the modules are fixed together by their adjacent ends, and the two lines are joined by transverse connecting bars. On the modules of each line, the keel pins are arranged in accordance with the ship's drawing plan.

Advantageously, air cushion or water cushion means are used to move the coupling assemblies. For this purpose, the base of the modules includes housings to receive flexible cushions. When put under pressure, these cushions ensure on the one hand the lifting of the modules to take them off the ground, and on the other hand establish the formation of an air or water cushion under their bottom to allow the displacement of the sets by hauling. The advantage of this system is that it ensures smooth lifting of the ship and without the ground pressure being dangerously high for the integrity thereof, and that it also allows multidirectional movements.

• les Figs. 1a à 1c illustrent les principales phases d'une opération de mise à l'eau d'un monocoque avec un ensemble d'attinage réalisé avec un dispositif selon l'invention,
• les Figs. 2a à 2c illustrent l'opération inverse de mise au sec d'un catamaran en utilisant le même dispositif d'attinage,
• les Figs. 3a à 3b sont respectivement une vue de côté, une vue de dessus et une vue de bout d'un module dans une forme de réalisation préférée de dispositif selon l'invention,
• les Figs. 4a et 4b sont respectivement des vues de côté et de bout d'une forme de réalisation préférée des tins latéraux venant prendre place sur un module,
• la Fig. 5 est une vue schématique illustrant dans le sens transversal le supportage d'un monocoque sur un module pourvu de tins latéraux selon les Figs. 4,
• la Fig. 6 est une vue de côté d'un monocoque en place sur un ensemble d'attinage réalisé avec un dispositif selon l'invention,
• la Fig. 7 est une vue similaire à la Fig. 6 illustrant le cas d'un catamaran,
• la Fig. 8 montre dans le sens transversal le supportage de ce catamaran,
• la Fig. 9 illustre schématiquement une façon de fixer ensemble plusieurs modules à distance les uns des autres, avec des barres de liaison, et
• la Fig. 10 est une vue de dessus montrant à échelle agrandie une pièce intermédiaire servant à la fixation des barres avec les modules.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the explanations which follow, and of the appended drawings, in which:

• Figs. 1a to 1c illustrate the main phases of a launching operation of a monohull with a towing assembly produced with a device according to the invention,
• Figs. 2a to 2c illustrate the reverse operation of drying a catamaran using the same towing device,
• Figs. 3a to 3b are respectively a side view, a top view and an end view of a module in a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention,
• Figs. 4a and 4b are respectively side and end views of a preferred embodiment of the side tins coming to take place on a module,
• Fig. 5 is a schematic view illustrating in the transverse direction the support of a monohull on a module provided with lateral tins according to FIGS. 4,
• Fig. 6 is a side view of a monohull in place on a towing assembly produced with a device according to the invention,
• Fig. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the case of a catamaran,
• Fig. 8 shows in the transverse direction the support of this catamaran,
• Fig. 9 schematically illustrates a way of fixing several modules together at a distance from each other, with connecting bars, and
• Fig. 10 is a top view showing on an enlarged scale an intermediate part used for fixing the bars with the modules.

Throughout the drawings, the same references designate the same elements everywhere.

The invention is illustrated in its general form in Figs. 1a to 1c and 2a to 2c, which show how a towing assembly produced in accordance with the invention is used with an elevating platform P adjoining a reservation T, for the launching of ships previously parked on the median T, or vice versa for their dryness on the median T; one of the advantages of the invention being that it makes it possible to occupy the surface of the median T as well as possible, without being limited as with the known equipment by the configuration of a network of rolling tracks for carriages.

In Fig. 1a, the monohull ship M supported on a towing assembly EM has been hauled transversely from any location on the median T, to be positioned on the platform P. It may be a ship put in dry for armament or repair, or else of a hull in composite material whose demolding and setting on tins were carried out simultaneously on the median T.

After launching boat M by lowering the platform, Fig. 1b, this is raised, FIG. 1c, in order to evacuate the entire EM by dismantling it on site or after hauling it onto the embankment T. For reasons of simplicity of the drawing, elements of cradles matching the shape of the hull have been shown on the top of the elements of the set EM, but as a general rule, these are central and lateral tins which are used, as will be seen below.

Figs. 2a to 2b illustrate the reverse operation of dry-docking, here being a catamaran C.

Fig. 2a shows an EC coupling assembly installed on the platform P which is lowered, FIG. 2, to receive the boat C. The platform P then being raised, the boat C is hauled transversely by means of cables and winches on the embankment T.

In both cases, the coupling assemblies EM and EC were produced with a plurality of support modules 1, secured to each other. The modules 1 are elongated support structures. They are all provided identical in principle, but could however be of different lengths, at least for some of them.

A module 1 is shown in detail in Figs. 3a to 3c. It generally has the shape of an elongated box 10 of trapezoidal section in which a base plate 11 and a top plate 12 whose central part is carrying over the entire length are joined by a mesh of transverse partitions 13 and longitudinal partitions 14, which, two in number, are preferably uninterrupted from one end to the other. The transverse partitions 13 are provided at regular spacing, between two perforated end walls 15. On their outer edge, the partitions 13 and the walls 15 are reinforced by stiffeners 16. As an indication, for a module length of approximately 7 m, the transverse partitions 13 are five in number.

On the other hand, longitudinal flanges 17 are provided on each side of the base plate 11, along which are fixed angles 18 whose underside of the horizontal wing is in the same plane as the underside of the plate base 11.

The box 10 rests on the ground by means of two plates 19, FIG. 3a, on which the base plate 11 is supported. The plates 19, like transport pallets, FIG. 3c, comprise a square plate 20 raised by two crosspieces 21 reinforced by gussets 22, which are adjacent to two opposite sides. Each cross 21 is composed of metal walls and is provided with a wooden sole 23. The space between the crosspieces 21 is a housing intended to receive an air cushion or water cushion 24 serving for the lifting of the module and for the formation of a fluid layer on which it can slide by hauling.

Each plate 19 is removably fixed under the base plate 11, by bolting with the angles 18. These comprising holes over their entire length make it possible to slightly modify the position of the modules, as they also allow, if exceptional conditions require it, to mount three trays or place of two under the module. On the other hand, because the plates 19 are square, they can be placed so as to orient the cross members 21 longitudinally as shown in the drawing, or transversely, and consequently give the most suitable operating orientation to the cushions 24 , depending on whether the direction of movement to be made is rather longitudinal or rather transverse.

The top of module 1 includes means for receiving and securing tins at any point along its length. As best shown in Figs. 3b and 3c, these are two parallel angles 25 fixed on the top plate 12, which delimit a longitudinal central corridor, and whose vertical core has pin holes regularly spaced. In Fig. 3b, we can see the arrangement of a keel tin 26, secured to two crosspieces 27 which are fixed by their ends to the angles 25.

We can also see, in Fig. 3c, that the end walls 15 have at their four corners ears 28 with holes 29, which serve for securing between modules, as will be seen below. Furthermore, at the bottom and in the middle of the walls 15, hauling pins 30 are provided on removable mounts 31. Other hauling pins, not shown, are located on each side of the module.

A development of the invention relates to the lateral tins intended to support the bottom of the hull or the chines on each side of the keel. From one boat to another, their bearing surface is caused to vary in inclination and in profile. The other variable parameter which is the height can be adjusted by deviating more or less the end of the axis of the keel.

According to the invention, identical lateral tins 32 are provided, FIGS. 4 and 5, which comprise a basic element 33 which is fixed in the corridor delimited on top of the modules 1 by the angles 25, a support plane 34 mounted adjustable in inclination on the element 33, and a flexible element 35 coming from overlapping the support surface 34. Preferably, the tins 32 are supplemented by risers, not shown, which are for example simple boxes which can be admitted and fixed between the angles 25, and which can receive above them the tins 32 wedged by simple stacking.

The base element 33 of the tins 32 is itself a parallelepipedal box which fits between the angles 25, and is held in position by pinning therewith. The support plane 34 is a plate articulated along a transverse upper edge of the box 33. On the opposite side, it is supported by two lateral arms 36, which have holes regularly spaced on their length making it possible to fix them at the desired height at the top of the box 33 by pins 37.

According to another important characteristic of the invention, the element 35 covering the support surface 34 is a flexible envelope forming a cushion by filling and pressurizing pneumatic or hydraulic. Its main interests are an increased tolerance for the adjustment in height and inclination of the support plane 34, as well as a uniform distribution of the reaction force on the hull of the boat, both at the level of the contact surface with each. envelopes 35 than that of the multiple support points on all of the side tins.

To make an EM monocoque towing assembly, Fig. 6, a plurality of modules 1 are aligned one behind the other, all oriented transversely. The spacings between neighboring modules, which are shown to be different, are conventionally determined from the boat's plan of landing. Then, the central tins 26 are fixed in place, as well as the lateral tins 32 whose support planes 34 are then adjusted to the correct inclination. The assembly EM is ready to receive the boat, after the flexible envelopes 35 of the side tins 32 have been put to the desired pressure.

To carry out transfers, it is first necessary to join the modules 1 to one another by means of connecting elements, that is bars 40. These join the modules two by two as shown in FIG. 9, or alternatively, they are long enough to bring together several modules, FIG. 6. For their attachment to the modules, connecting parts 41 are provided which are bolted to the ears 28 of the end walls 15. The connecting pieces 41 are rings through which the bars 40 have passed, the sliding locking of which is ensured by means of clamps 42, FIG. 10. The modules 1 are advantageously secured by two lines of high and low horizontal bars on each side.

For towing a C catamaran, Figs. 7, 8, the same modules 1 will be placed end to end in two longitudinal lines L1, L2, spaced apart so as to receive on the central tins 26 the keels of the respective shells C1 and C2. In each line L1, L2, the modules 1 are all joined together by bolting their adjacent ears 28. The central ends 26 are distributed along the corridor defined by the alignment of the angles 25.

As in the assembly EM previously described, all the modules 1 of the assembly EC must be joined together before considering a transfer. Here, it is only a question of joining the two lines L1, L2 by transverse connections, FIG. 8. Beams 43 bolted at the end to the top plate 12 of the modules 1 are used for this purpose.

In practice, the device according to the invention is suitable for any type of ship up to a tonnage of 1,500 tonnes, approximately.

Claims (10)

1. A blocking system characterised in that it comprises a plurality of modules 1 at least nearly identical, each module 1 being an extended bearing structure the base of which can be fitted with means allowing its displacement on a flat surface, and the top of which comprises the means to position and attach keel blocks at any points lengthwise, and in that, moreover, it comprises the connecting means between the modules, making it possible to bring together several modules separated from each other, and making it possible also to attach them end to end.
2. A blocking system according to Claim 1, characterised in that the top of module 1 comprises a longitudinal central corridor delimited by two angle plates 25 for receiving and fixing keel blocks (26, 32) at any point lengthwise.
3. A blocking system according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the bottom of module 1 forms housings that receive water or air buffers (24) intended to ensure the position stability of the modules above the ground and the formation of a sliding fluid layer for their displacement.
4. A blocking system according to Claim 3, characterised in that the principal body or case 10, of modules 1 is mounted on square plates 19 the bottom of which delimits the said housings for buffers 24 with two crosspieces 21 under two opposite sides of the said housings, plates (19) being fixed to be movable under case 10 bottom to allow a longitudinal or transverse orientation of crosspieces 21.
5. A blocking system according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises identical side keel blocks 32, comprising a supporting plane 34 the inclination of which can be adjusted.
6. A blocking system according to Claim 5, characterised in that supporting plane 34 is covered by a flexible envelope 35 forming a buffer when put under pneumatic or hydraulic pressure.
7. A blocking system according to any of Claim 5 or 6, characterised in that raising devices 32 are provided for side keel blocks.
8. A blocking system according to any of Claim 1 to 7, characterised in that the said connecting means between modules 1 comprise lugs 28 at their extremities, by which they can be bolted end to end, as well as bars 40 to allow modules 1, separated from each other to be connected, bars 40 being fixed to lugs 28, through connecting pieces 41.
9. A device according to Claim 8, characterised in that connecting pieces 41 are rings fixed on lugs 28, in which bars 40 pass, and are slide blocked, by means of clamping collars 42.
10. A device according to any of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the case has a trapezoidal section and is fitted with a basic plate 11 and a top plate 12 which are linked by a meshing of transverse walls 13 and longitudinal walls 14.

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