Patent Application
20140042044
The present invention concerns a convertible container which in its non-deployed configuration can be picked up, manipulated or secured like any transport container and which in its deployed configuration forms an autonomous floating structure.
Floating containers (“conteneurs”) are known which when they are secured to each other enable a boat to be formed for fighting an accidental oil spill at sea, in rivers or lakes. These containers advantageously allow very rapid routing of means for fighting oil slicks by aircraft or by ship. In the latter case, and when the ship that has caused the accidental oil spill is a container ship, these floating maritime containers may already be on board.
However, this type of boat necessitates a plurality of different containers each having a specific function and the whole being indispensable to the formation and correct operation of the boat.
Moreover, the time necessary for assembling the various containers constituting the boat is particularly long, arduous and even impossible when the sea is rough, whereas the intervention of the fighting means must be as rapid as possible to circumscribe as soon as possible the area contaminated by the oil.
There exists, moreover, a requirement for amphibious vehicles that can be brought easily to the areas of operation by sea or air.
In the case of transportation of these amphibious vehicles by ship, the latter may be used for disembarking the equipment and/or goods onboard the ship. Conversely, they may further be used for loading the ship.
To carry out these operations, these amphibious vehicles may then shuttle between the land and the ship.
The amphibious vehicles should finally be loadable onboard these ships with conventional harbour infrastructures and consequently without necessitating recourse to dedicated installations.
The objective of the present invention is therefore to propose a floating transport device of simple design and mode of use, having the dimensions of a container for transporting goods in a non-deployed configuration, including fittings for holding, handling and fixing this device with standard harbour installations, for example, and forming a boat in its deployed configuration.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a floating transport device of this kind which from a given longitudinal dimension and a given transverse dimension in its non-deployed configuration, i.e. those of a container, has an increased deck area in order significantly to increase the loading capacity of the boat and a maximized hull volume in order to have the best possible buoyancy in its deployed configuration.
This maximization of the hull volume and the deck area of the boat must however be looked for with the fewest possible kinematic connections in order to retain a floating transport device that is simple and rapidly deployable.
As a matter of fact, the more moving parts the transport device comprises, the greater its weight and its complexity.
The dimensions of this transport device in its non-deployed configuration, i.e. in its container configuration, are therefore advantageously small, allowing its transport by truck, ship or cargo aircraft.
Another imperative for a container of this kind, as in all containers for transporting goods, is then to have all of its structural components contained within, and consequently not projecting from, the parallelepiped defined by the free walls of this container so that a plurality of such containers can be stacked and/or juxtaposed.
More generally, the present invention aims to maximize the longitudinal and/or transverse dimensions of the boat obtained by expansion of a transport container having ISO standard dimensions whilst assuring good buoyancy of this boat.
A further object of the present invention is a self-propelled amphibious vehicle that can be transported by sea or air, being loadable and unloadable very easily.
To this end the invention concerns a container including fittings for holding, handling and fixing said container, each of these fittings being placed at one corner of this container in a non-deployed configuration of the container.
According to the present invention:
Advantageously, the consequence of the maximization of the length, respectively the width, of the floating structure is improvement of the degree of speed of the hull, respectively increase of the metacentric radius (and therefore the initial stability), operative to the power of two for the length (reduced Froude number), respectively to the power of three for the width (increased buoyancy transverse inertia). These considerations are of course valid only for families of substantially identical hulls with equal displacement.
The fittings for holding, handling and fixing said container are also known as corner fittings enabling holding, securing and transhipment of the container.
These fittings being placed at the corners of the container, at least these corners are solid in order to have sufficient stiffness to withstand the applied forces.
At least part of the central box and the extension units is watertight so that at least part of the hull is watertight.
In various particular embodiments of this container, each having its particular advantages and open to numerous possible technical combinations:
The extension units can thus each be constituted of a single box. Alternatively, one of the extension units can include a single box forming an end box intended to be moved along the longitudinal axis of the central box while the other extension unit is to the contrary constituted of two box advantageously placed one against the other in the non-deployed configuration of the container, these boxes being intended to be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis of the central box.
Thus, and by way of example, in the deployed configuration of said container, the hull of said floating structure has a longitudinal dimension from the prow to the poop greater than twice the longitudinal dimension of the central box.
The extension units are advantageously connected in an articulated manner to the central box by a hinge. This hinge is preferably a hinge with two axes.
This hinge with two axes, also known as a biaxial hinge, includes two articulated parts that are connected to an intermediate part carrying the two offset hinge pins.
The extension units being connected in an articulated manner to the central box by hinges, these actuators are preferably motorized hinges or hinges including means for opening and closing said hinges.
By way of illustration only, these means for opening and closing said hinges include, for example, rotary actuators fed by a source of electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic power. This power source and its distribution circuit are preferably placed in the central box or one of the extension units of the container.
Alternatively, the means for opening and closing the hinges may be remotely sited, and thus not integrated into the hinges themselves. By way of illustration only, they may be linear actuators or a cable system or an external crane.
By way of illustration only, the extension units may therefore have a triangular or truncated triangular profile.
Of course, this parallelepiped may not be solid when the extension units have a truncated triangular profile, for example. It is in this sense that the free walls then define substantially a parallelepiped.
The triangular shape of the mobile boxes ensures that there is no preferential direction of movement of the floating structure, which is then advantageously double-ended.
This first extension box is a right-angle triangle truncated or not while the other extension box has its side forming one end of the container in its non-deployed configuration that is inclined towards the interior of the container.
This propulsion system preferably allows at least movement of the floating structure in a direction transverse or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the floating structure.
These inflatable elements are advantageously received in housings provided for this purpose in the lateral edges of this container. Accordingly, in an emergency, the container may pass from its deployed configuration to its non-deployed configuration without having to deflate these inflatable elements.
Alternatively or additionally, these inflatable elements may be deployed from housings placed in the bottom of the central box and/or the extension units, the inflatable elements then being placed under these elements when they are deployed.
These inflatable elements are preferably sized to ensure the stability and buoyancy of the floating structure.
The container preferably includes a feeder circuit for inflating these inflatable elements independently or otherwise from a power source, for example a pneumatic power source. By way of illustration only, these inflatable elements are inflatable pudding fenders. This power source may be placed in one of the boxes, for example.
In order to compensate the pressure losses that may result from leaks or from variations of temperature, the inflation pressure of the inflatable elements is controlled and adjusted thanks to servocontrol of the power source by probes such as pressure sensors verifying the pressure to which each inflatable element is inflated.
Alternatively, these ramps may not be integrated into the volume of the extension unit, but be demountable to be stored inside the extension units and/or the central box.
This container preferably includes at least two wheels, retractable or not, per extension unit. Of course, the central box can include at least one pair or wheels, retractable or not, for movement of the container in its non-deployed configuration by road.
At least two of the wheels of the container are advantageously steerable. Moreover, at least two of said wheels are preferably driving wheels.
This container then forms an amphibious vehicle in its deployed configuration.
These locking means may comprise locks designed to cooperate with two or more fittings for holding, handling and fixing said container placed face-to-face. They therefore enable fastening of the extension units and the central box in the deployed configuration of the container. By way of illustration, these locks may be rotary double locks (also known as “twist-locks”), mounted tips facing, and disposed between two holding fittings placed face-to-face and put into place before complete expansion of the container.
According to another embodiment, or additionally, the locking means may include attachments such as pins or bolted fixing lugs.
Alternatively, the container may be self-lockable in its deployed configuration, the self-locking being ensured by the force resulting from the expansion actuators.
By way of illustration only, the self-locking may be ensured by load maintaining valves on the hydraulic actuators for expanding the container.
If it is expanded automatically, the container includes one or more probes connected to a hydraulic power circuit, for example, for feeding the hinges and assuring their movement from their open position to their closed position. These probes, detecting the presence of the container in the water, ensure its good stability and, in the affirmative, send a message to the hydraulic power source to feed the hinges to activate them. Their activation causes the container to pass from its non-deployed configuration to its deployed configuration.
If the container is remote-controlled, it includes at least one receiver, or transmitter/receiver, connected to a control unit, the latter controlling activation of the hydraulic source to feed the hinges and activate them.
The invention also concerns a floating craft including at least two containers as described above in their deployed configuration, these containers being connected to each other to form a unitary floating structure.
These containers in their deployed configuration can be assembled end-to-end and/or edge-to-edge.
The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings in which:
This container is constituted only of a central box 1 having a longitudinal dimension and at the ends of which are placed extension units 2, 3 that are connected to the central box 1 by biaxial hinges 4-7.
Each extension unit 2, 3 is constituted of a single box, also referred to as an end box hereinafter, which is connected in an articulated manner to the central box 1 by a pair of biaxial hinges 4-7.
Here these hinges 4-7 include rotary hydraulic actuators. The container therefore includes a hydraulic power source and a circuit for distribution of this hydraulic fluid (not represented) for feeding the various hinges 4-7 and thus enabling opening and closing thereof. The container is consequently perfectly autonomous.
The end boxes 2, 3, which have a truncated triangular profile, are placed in part one on the other, being superposed on the central box 1. Each end box 2, 3 has a length greater than half the longitudinal dimension of the central box 1.
At least one of these boxes 1-3 is advantageously hollow to receive loads and/or equipment or devices necessary for the correct operation of the container.
Each box 1-3, which is watertight, forms a floating box.
In the non-deployed configuration of the container, the free exterior walls of the end boxes 2, 3 and the central box 1 substantially define a right-angle parallelepiped. No structural element of the container is placed projecting from this parallelepiped so that this container can be stacked on and/or placed against other containers with a view to its storage or transport.
Here this right-angle parallelepiped has dimensions equal to those of an ISO 20-foot maritime transport container so that it can advantageously be picked up, transported, manipulated, transhipped or secured like any ISO standard container without necessitating any specific infrastructure or equipment.
This container includes, at each of its corners, a fitting 8 for holding, handling and fixing the container. It therefore includes eight fittings 8 that are placed at the extreme corners of the container in its non-deployed configuration.
The activation of the biaxial hinges 4-7 ensures the passage from the non-deployed configuration of the container to its deployed configuration. In this latter configuration, the end boxes 2, 3 form longitudinal extensions of the central box 1, said assembly expanded in this way then forming a floating structure the hull of which has a longitudinal dimension greater than twice the longitudinal dimension of this central box 1.
Whereas a first end box 2 effects a rotation of 180° between the non-deployed configuration and the deployed configuration of the container, the other end box 3 effects a rotation of less than 180°, here equal to approximately 167°, between these two configurations. These two different rotations ensure the production of a plane or substantially plane deck for the floating structure.
The angle of rotation being less than 180°, the end wall 9 of the central box 1 intended to placed against the end box 3 in the deployed configuration of the container has an inclined shape complementary to the inclined face 10 of this end box 3 coming into contact, so that the angle formed between these two inclined walls 9, 10 is equal to the value of the angle of rotation.
Each box 1-3 has aluminium walls forming its watertight exterior envelope. Each box 1-3 formed in this way is structured by a longitudinal and transverse network of stiffeners designed to withstand the local forces and the overall forces to which the container is subjected as much in the non-deployed configuration as in the deployed configuration.
Each of these boxes 1-3 therefore forms a load-bearing structure able to receive heavy loads such as a hut, vehicles (truck, etc.), equipment and/or personnel. The triangular shape of the end boxes 2, 3 moreover ensures good bearing of loads by the central box 1 allowing the use of the ends, or tips, of these boxes 2, 3 to carry loads. The loading area of the load-bearing structure is therefore significantly increased, which is advantageous. Of course, the biaxial hinges 4-7 are sized to withstand high loads as much in the deployed configuration, i.e. in the floating structure configuration, as in the non-deployed configuration, i.e. in the container configuration.
Alternatively, these boxes 1-3 could be made of steel, stainless steel, copper-nickel alloy, polymer or more generally composite materials.
Each hinge with two axes 4-7, also called a biaxial hinge, includes two fixed parts 12, 13, each attached to a box 1, 3 or forming an integral part thereof and supporting one of the two hinge pins 14, 15 of this hinge. These two hinge pins are connected by one or more links 16, 17 assuring the offsetting of the hinge pins 14, 15.
Abutments 18 limit the relative movement of the hinge when it reaches one of its two extreme positions (open or closed). In these two positions, no element of said hinge projects from the faces of the container, respectively the boat, left visible.
The fixed frame elements preferably include an actuator coaxial with the hinge pins 14, 15 such as a rotary actuator, gear-motor, etc., in order to allow opening and closing of the container without other exterior action. It may equally be a question of a drive such as a chain or belt, in order to be able to site the actuator remotely.
Here the container includes a propulsion system (not shown) so that this floating structure is self-propelled. This propulsion system preferably includes at least one jet propulsion unit such as a pump jet in which the water jet expelled by the nozzle can be oriented to ensure propulsion and steering of the floating structure in varied directions. Alternatively, this propulsion system may be of the propeller or paddle-wheel type.
This propulsion system is preferably placed in the central box 1 of the container and/or in the end boxes 2, 3. The appendages of this propulsion system are advantageously foldable by rotation, translation or demounting to enable not only conformance with the ISO container load gauge but also to ensure folding of the floating structure in an emergency.
Here the floating structure is adapted to be moved in either longitudinal direction (double-ended) and also transversely to the longitudinal axis of the floating structure in both directions.
This boat includes inflatable pudding fenders 19, here shown deployed, for improving its buoyancy and its stability. These inflatable pudding fenders 19 are made from a watertight and strong plastic material such as rubber.
Alternatively, these inflatable elements 19, which may have half-cone shapes, are advantageously produced in one piece so as to increase their mechanical strength. Each inflatable element 19 is then a woven structure produced from a single material which is then coated with a watertight material such as a material based on polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polyurethane or even better a material based on plasticized fireproofed PVC.
This one-piece woven structure can be produced by a weaving process developed by the present applicant. For further technical details reference may usefully be made to the patent applications WO2009/095404 and WO2009/095415.
Briefly, this woven structure includes at least two woven walls connected to each other by at least one non-attached binding thread. The variation of the length between two consecutive sinkers of said at least one binding thread, each of said sinkers corresponding to a riser by a weft thread of a different wall, is continuous over at least part of said structure in the warp and/or weft direction.
The end boxes of this container each include retractable wheels 20, 21 that can be seen in
The pair of wheels 20 of the end box 2 placed in the non-deployed configuration of the container, between the central box 1 and the other end box 3, are advantageously positioned so as to allow folding of the container in an emergency even if these wheels 20 are not retractable. As a matter of fact, the truncated triangular shape of the end boxes 2, 3 leaves a space allowing the passage of non-retractable wheels 20 whilst enabling compliance with the ISO container load gauge.
Here these wheels 20, 21 are steerable and equipped with a braking system.
Alternatively, the container may include only two wheels, retractable or not, that are not motorized. By adding a tractor or pusher vehicle, the container is therefore used as a single-axle trailer. This type of configuration may notably be used to launch the craft (or to remove it from the water), or again to manipulate it in an open area or a storage area.
These locking elements are for example locks designed to cooperate with fittings for holding, handling and fixing facing containers. Alternatively, these locking elements may include bolted fastenings, attachments such as pins or shafts. Using flexible connections, such as straps, rubber collars, braces, etc may also be envisaged.
The container from
The end boxes 2, 3 of the container being deployed laterally of the central box 1, the biaxial hinges 4-7 are disposed on the lateral edges of the central box 1. These biaxial hinges 4-7 are received in housings 11 provided for this purpose in the lateral edges 22, 23 of the central box 1.
In order to give the floating structure a plane deck in the deployed configuration of the container, one of the lateral edges 22 of the central box 1 is inclined toward the interior of this central box 1 while the wall 24 of the end box 3 adapted to be placed against this lateral edge 22 has an inclined shape complementary to this inclined lateral edge 22 of the central box 1 so that the angle formed between these two inclined walls 22, 24 is equal to the value of the angle of rotation of the end box 3 relative to the central box 1, here of the order of 167°.
The container from
These ramps 25, 26 are mounted to rotate about a shaft 29 so that they can be deployed by rotation into the deployed configuration of the container to increase the size of the deck of the floating structure.
Each extension unit 30, 31 is constituted of a single end box the dimensions of which are equal to those of the central box 32, these boxes 30-32 being superposed on each other in the non-deployed configuration of the container, forming a stack of boxes.
These boxes 30-32 are moreover articulated relative to each other so that two consecutive boxes are connected to each other by at least two connecting arms 33-38 mounted on the same lateral edges of these boxes, one of these connecting arms 34, 37 being common to the three boxes 30-32.
Two consecutive connecting arms form with the two consecutive boxes that they connect a deformable regular parallelogram so that the movement of one of these boxes relative to an immediately lower box in the stack from said non-deployed configuration of said container leads to circular translation of that box relative to the immediately lower box of the stack.
The connecting arms 34, 37 connecting the three boxes 30-32 advantageously ensure simultaneous and uniform movement of all of the boxes of the container between the non-deployed configuration and the deployed configuration and vice versa.
These connecting arms 33-38 are advantageously received in lateral housings 39 provided for this purpose in order for no structural element of the container to be placed projecting from the parallelepiped 40 defined by the free walls of the boxes 30-32 so that this container can be stacked on and/or placed against other containers for its storage or its transport. These lateral housings 39 correspond here to recesses in the lateral edges of the boxes 30-32.
The connecting arms 33-38 are mounted to be mobile in rotation on the boxes 30-32 to allow relative movement of each of these boxes. These connecting arms 33-38 include links, for example.
The face or faces 41-43 of the boxes 30-32 intended to come into contact with a face of another box when these boxes are placed end-to-end in the deployed configuration of the container each have a shape complementary to the face with which it is intended to cooperate in the deployed configuration of the container. As a result, the faces of two consecutive boxes coupled in this manner are locked in position.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1151310 | Feb 2011 | FR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2012/052237 | 2/9/2012 | WO | 00 | 10/11/2013 |
