The present invention relates to type buoys comprising an inflatable bladder and at least one cartridge containing a releasable compressed gas to inflate the inflatable bag by means of the gas so that the inflated bag has a float function.

The present invention relates in particular to the type of communication buoys comprising at least one radio antenna adapted to be disposed above the water surface to allow communication with a remote base. The inflatable bag is provided with a radio antenna arranged so that when the bag is inflated by means of gas, the bag rises to the surface so as to bring and maintain the radio antenna above the water surface . Alternatively, the buoy may serve landmark or maintain an object at a predetermined immersion.

These buoys can be releasable from a carrier located above the water surface or from a submarine.

These buoys generally comprise a stack of coaxial cylinders accommodating functional elements of the buoy. This stack is housed in a tubular container before release of the buoy.

The size of the rolls and of the internal equipment is very constrained by the size of the tubular container.

Buoys conventionally comprise a surface unit comprising a sealed container comprising the inflatable bladder and a cylindrical casing, forming a roll of the stack. Inside the casing, are housed electrical equipment including one or more electrical circuits for processing signals from and / or to a radio antenna and / or at least one battery for powering the electrical circuits and / or antenna.

The unit area up to the water surface when the inflatable bag is inflated while the depth unit generally falls depth, for example for transmitting and / or receiving acoustic waves.

To ensure good radio communication or visibility of the buoy when the sea is rough, the pocket

air must be able to reach a sufficient height above the sea level, which implies a satisfactory inflation of the inflatable pocket.

To this end, the releasable buoy prior art comprise a plurality of volume cartridges similar enclosed within the housing. These cartridges are arranged so that their longitudinal axes are perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder formed by the housing. The internal volume of the housing communicates with the internal volume of the inflatable bag. However, the case size is increased so significantly enough added to each cartridge, this volume being greater than the volume of the cartridge leading to a significant enough increase in drag of the housing. However, the drag of the casing should generally be minimized to ensure stability of the position of the surface unit so by limiting the movements of the unit depth under the

The same problems are encountered when it is desired to multiply or increase the size of the equipment housed in the casing.

An object of the invention is to limit at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, the invention relates to a unit area comprising a sealed container comprising an inflatable bag, a tubular wall z axis and a bottom, the tubular wall and bottom defining a volume said internal volume, the unit surface comprising at least one cartridge containing a releasable compressed gas to inflate the inflatable bag so that it has a float function in an operational configuration of the buoy. The sealed container comprises a container projecting projecting on the bottom and away from the internal volume from the bottom.

Advantageously, the buoy includes one or more characteristics taken alone or in combination:

a largest dimension of the container projecting perpendicularly to the z axis being smaller than a smallest dimension of the tubular wall at right angles to the z axis,

- the buoy is configured such that a front surface of a submerged portion of the sealed unit area or the reservoir, when the buoy is in the operational configuration, comprises a projecting part of the container,

- the buoy is configured such that a front surface of a submerged portion of the sealed unit area or the reservoir, when the buoy is in the operational configuration, comprises a portion of the tubular wall,

- the buoy comprises at least one buoy member disposed in a space surrounding the projecting container when the buoy is in a storage configuration in which the gas is confined within the cartridge,

- said at least one member and the unit area are inserted into a container even when the buoy is in the storage configuration,

- the buoy comprises a depth unit connected to the surface unit by a cable, the unit depth and the surface unit being connected, when the buoy is in a storage configuration in which the gas is confined in the cartridge, and separated when the buoy is in the operating configuration,

- at least one of said at least one part of the unit of depth,

- at least one of said at least one element is an active functional element,

- at least one element comprises a tubular container surrounding the projecting container,

- at least one winding comprises a cable,

- the buoy comprises a single cartridge,

- the cartridge is arranged so that the gas is expelled from the cartridge upward when released,

- projecting the container is a part of the cartridge,

- the buoy is arranged so that the cartridge comes into direct physical contact with the water when the buoy is submerged in the water,

- the internal volume receives at least one electronic circuit and / or at least one electrical energy accumulator and / or a gas release system,

- projecting the container delimits a volume communicating with the internal volume when the buoy is in a storage configuration in which the gas is confined within the cartridge,

- projecting receives containing a portion of at least one electronic circuit and / or at least one electrical energy accumulator and / or at least one of the buoy release system and / or the gas cartridge,

- the buoy comprises a radio antenna, the antenna being arranged so that the antenna is brought above the water surface when the pocket has a float function.

The invention will be better understood studying a few embodiments described by way of non-limiting example, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings wherein:

- Figures 1a to 1d show successive stages of deployment of a releasable buoy, dropped from an aircraft,

- Figure 2 schematically shows in perspective a unit area according to the invention in storage configuration,

- Figure 3 illustrates schematically in section on a longitudinal axis, a part of the buoy according to the invention,

- Figure 4 schematically illustrates the buoy in an operative configuration,

- Figure 5 illustrates very schematically another example of a housing according to the invention.

On the one figure to another the same elements are designated by the same numerals.

Figures 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d illustrate the deployment of a buoy according to the invention.

In the nonlimiting example of Figures 1a to 1d, the buoy 1 is a releasable buoy from a carrier 100 located above the water surface. This carrier 100 is for example an aircraft, a helicopter or a surface vessel. Alternatively, the buoy is connected to a submarine and is intended to provide a communication by radio between the submarine and a station located above the level of the sea.

The buoy 1 may comprise, as shown in Figures 1a to 1d a tubular container 4 defining an inner volume of form

generally cylindrical to negative buoyancy and in which is housed a part, called internal buoy from a storage configuration of the buoy shown in Figure 1a. When the buoy 1 is in a stowed configuration, the air bag 3 is not inflated.

The internal volume is preferably but not necessarily of revolution.

When the buoy is released from an aircraft 100 as shown in Figure 1b, a parachute 7 is deployed out of the container 4 so as to slow the fall of the buoy 1 in water.

Once the submerged buoy in the water as shown in Figure 1c, the inflatable bladder 3 inflates which has the effect of ensuring the removal of the parachute 7, outputting a housing 6 of the unit area of ​​5 container 4 and make up the unit surface 5 toward the surface S of the water, as shown in FIG 1 c, so as to cause the float 3 of the surface unit 5 to the water surface .

The inner part of the antenna comprises a stack of several units. This stack comprises the surface unit 5 and a depth of unit 8 to negative buoyancy. The surface unit 5 and the depth of unit 8 are combined when the antenna is in the Figure 1 configuration storage. These elements are conventionally housed in the tubular container generally standard size prior to the release of the buoy, that is to say when the buoy is in the storage configuration. The amount allocated to each unit is very limited and limiting the volume occupied by the different elements within the tube is critical.

The surface unit 5 is connected to a depth of unit 8 through a cable 9 which takes place upon inflation of the inflatable bag 3 so that the surface unit 5 rises to the surface S while the unit depth 8 continues its descent toward the bottom of the water. When the surface unit 5 rises to the surface S, the unit of depth 8 continues to flow and thus separates from the surface unit 5. The cable 9 extends or taught in this phase until the depth unit 8 reaches a predetermined depth. The descent of the depth unit 8 is stopped by stopping the unwinding of the cable 9. The cable 9 is then in tension. The container 4 continuous negative buoyancy sinking, releasing the depth unit 8. The

In the operational configuration, the air bag 3 is supported by a housing 6 of the unit area 5. Part of the surface unit 5 is immersed in the water when the buoy is in the operating configuration

The buoy 1 is for example, but not necessarily, a communication buoy of the type comprising at least a radio antenna 2 for transmitting and / or receiving radio waves. In this case, the buoy 1 is configured so that the radio antenna 2 is kept above the water surface when the buoy 1 is in the operative configuration so as to allow information communication, by radio, between the buoy 1 and a remote station located above the sea level, for example, on board the carrier 100, when the antenna is located above the water surface.

The buoy 1 comprises, for example, one or more sensors for measuring a physical quantity, the buoy being configured such that the sensor is submerged in water when the buoy 1 is in the operating configuration.

The buoy comprises for example one or more for measuring acoustic waves underwater and or one or more temperature sensors to be immersed for measuring a temperature of the water.

A buoy comprising one or more hydrophones is a sonobuoy sonobuoy also known in English terminology.

The buoy is for example for transmitting by radio, by means of the radio antenna information on the acoustic waves underwater detected by at least one hydrophone.

Alternatively or in addition to the sensors, the buoy 1 comprises at least one acoustic wave transmitting antenna. The buoy is so-called active.

At least one hydrophone advantageously located in the unit

depth when the buoy comprises a unit area and a unit depth.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of main elements of the unit area 5 of the buoy 1 according to the invention when the buoy is in the storage configuration. In Figure 3, the inflatable pocket is protected by a cover 13. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the buoy according to the invention in the storage configuration.

The surface unit 5 comprises a gas cartridge 1 1 enclosing a compressed gas.

This gas is, for example, air, carbon dioxide or nitrogen dioxide.

The gas confined in the cartridge is releasably. In other words, it can be released from the cartridge 1 January.

In the configuration of storage of the buoy shown in Figs 2 and 3, the gas is confined in the cartridge 1 1, which is sealed. In other words, the air bag 3 is not inflated. In the operational configuration of the buoy 1, the air bag 3 is inflated by means of gas that was contained in the cartridge 1 1 in storage configuration, the inflatable bag 3 then has a float function.

The gas contained in the cartridge is releasable by means of a gas delivery system which will be described later. The gas delivery system is capable of coming to form an orifice in the cartridge to release the gas.

La cartouche 1 1 et la poche gonflable 3 sont agencées de sorte que lorsque le gaz est libéré, le gaz contenu dans la cartouche 1 1 vient gonfler la poche gonflable 3 afin que la poche 3 devienne un flotteur. Autrement dit, la poche gonflable 3 est liée à la cartouche 1 1 de façon étanche au gaz et le volume interne de la cartouche communique avec le volume interne de la poche gonflable 3 lorsque le gaz est libéré.

Le boîtier 6 est par exemple réalisé en matière plastique qui est légère, bon marché et peut être transparente mais il peut être réalisé en tout autre matériau.

Avantageusement, le boîtier 6 ne se déforme sensiblement pas lorsque la bouée passe de la configuration de rangement à la configuration opérationnelle.

Le boîtier 6 délimite un volume interne 60.

L'unité de surface 5 comprend un réservoir étanche 1000. Le réservoir étanche 1000 comprend la poche gonflable 3 et un boîtier 6. Le volume interne 60 délimité par le boîtier 6 fait partie du volume délimité par le réservoir étanche 1000.

Comme représenté sur les figures 2 et 3, le boîtier 6 comprend une paroi latérale tubulaire 70 d'axe z et un fond 71 transversal à la paroi latérale 70. La paroi latérale 70 et le fond 71 délimitent un volume interne 60 du boîtier 6 appartenant au volume interne délimité par le réservoir 1000. Autrement dit, le volume interne 60 s'étend d'un seul côté du fond 71 selon l'axe z.

Avantageusement, mais non nécessairement, la paroi tubulaire 70 est cylindrique.

Avantageusement, mais non nécessairement, le cylindre est de révolution. Autrement dit, il présente une section circulaire.

La forme de cylindre est avantageusement une forme de la face externe de la paroi tubulaire, c'est-à-dire de la face tournée vers l'extérieur du volume interne 60.

Avantageusement, le fond 71 comprend une face externe, c'est à dire opposée au volume interne 60 s'étendant principalement perpendiculairement à l'axe z.

Dans la réalisation non limitative des figures, le volume est délimité par une autre paroi 76 transversale à la paroi 70.

Avantageusement, la paroi transversale 76 comprend une face externe, c'est à dire opposée au volume interne 60 s'étendant principalement perpendiculairement à l'axe z.

Le volume interne 60 est délimité par les parois 70, 71 , 76.

Dans la réalisation non limitative des figures, le boîtier 6 est globalement cylindrique.

La poche gonflable 3 est fixée de façon étanche au boîtier 6, par exemple par l'intermédiaire d'au moins un joint d'étanchéité 78, et de façon que le volume délimité par le boîtier communique avec le volume interne délimité par la poche gonflable.

Il est possible de loger des équipements devant être protégés de l'eau dans le réservoir étanche 1000.

Avantageusement au moins un circuit électronique 61 et/ou au moins un accumulateur d'énergie 62 et/ou au moins un système de libération d'un du gaz, 102, 104 est logé dans le réservoir étanche 1000, par exemple dans un volume interne 60 délimité par le boîtier 6. Un circuit électronique est par exemple réalisé sous forme de carte électronique.

Ces éléments peuvent comprendre au moins un circuit électronique 61 (par exemple réalisé sous la forme d'une carte électronique) permettant de traiter des informations provenant et/ou à destination des hydrophones ou de façon plus générale, de capteurs situés dans l'unité de profondeur 8, et/ou permettant de traiter des informations à destination et/ou provenant de l'antenne radioélectrique.

L'accumulateur d'énergie est par exemple destiné à alimenter électriquement le(s) circuit électronique(s) et/ou l'antenne radioélectrique et/ou un dispositif d'actionnement d'un système de libération du gaz qui sera décrit ultérieurement.

Selon l'invention, le réservoir étanche 1000 comprend un contenant dit saillant 17 en saillie sur le fond 71 et s'éloignant du volume interne 60 depuis le fond 71 .

Autrement dit, le contenant saillant 17 s'étend du côté du fond opposé au volume interne 60.

Cette configuration permet de loger des éléments supplémentaires dans l'enceinte étanche sans augmenter la hauteur du boîtier 6 cylindrique ce qui permet de limiter sa traînée et est bénéfique pour l'optimisation de l'occupation du volume à l'intérieur du conteneur tubulaire 4. En effet, il est possible de venir loger des équipements autres que ceux devant être logés dans l'enceinte étanche, autour du contenant saillant 17 et ainsi d'optimiser l'occupation du volume délimité par le conteneur 4 comme nous le verrons par la suite.

Cette configuration permet de limiter la taille de la surface frontale de la partie immergée (dans l'eau) du réservoir étanche 1000 ou de l'unité de surface 5 et ainsi leur traînée, lorsque la bouée se trouve dans la configuration opérationnelle, lorsqu'une surface frontale d'une partie immergée (dans l'eau) du réservoir étanche ou de l'unité de surface comprend une partie du contenant saillant et une partie de la paroi latérale tubulaire 70. Lorsqu'un objet est immergé dans un liquide, on appelle surface frontale de cet objet, la surface projetée suivant la trajectoire du liquide sur un plan perpendiculaire à cette trajectoire. Autrement dit, c'est la surface que l'objet oppose à l'eau. Dans notre cas, l'axe z est sensiblement vertical en configuration opérationnelle. Les courants marins sont globalement perpendiculaires à l'axe z.

Par exemple, il est possible de prévoir une cartouche contenant 38g de C02 avec un boîtier présentant une partie cylindrique de 10cm de hauteur selon l'axe z et de 17 cm de diamètre perpendiculairement à l'axe z et une cartouche formant une excroissance de 10 cm de hauteur selon l'axe z et de 3 cm de diamètre perpendiculairement à l'axe z. En prévoyant 2 cartouches contenant chacune 1 6g de C02 et donc 32g de C02 au total, il est nécessaire de prévoir un boîtier présentant 13cm de hauteur et 17 cm de diamètre ce qui représente une surface frontale plus importante.

Dans l'exemple non limitatif des figures, la paroi 70 et le contenant saillant 17 sont immergés dans la configuration opérationnelle.

Avantageusement, une plus grande dimension d du contenant saillant 17 perpendiculairement à l'axe z étant inférieure à une plus petite dimension D de la paroi tubulaire 70 perpendiculairement à l'axe z. Cela permet de limiter la taille de la surface frontale formée par le boîtier et le contenant saillant.

Avantageusement, le boîtier est complètement immergé dans la configuration opérationnelle.

Dans l'exemple non limitatif de la figure 3, ce contenant saillant 17 est une partie de la cartouche 1 1 appelée partie saillante de la cartouche.

Ainsi, la cartouche 1 1 est au moins en partie située en dehors du volume interne 60.

Autrement dit, la cartouche 1 1 comprend une partie saillante 17 s'étendant dans le prolongement du cylindre formé par la paroi 70 et le fond

71 , selon l'axe du cylindre lorsqu'il s'agit d'un cylindre.

Le réservoir étanche 1000 comprend une paroi étanche tournée vers l'extérieur du réservoir comprenant une paroi 12 de la cartouche 1 1 .

Autrement dit, la cartouche 1 1 participe à la fermeture du volume étanche délimité par le réservoir 1000. Cela permet d'éviter d'isoler la cartouche de l'eau, notamment par le boîtier 6 (ce qui est très avantageux lorsque le boîtier est en matière plastique) et l'air contenu dans le volume interne du boîtier.

L'invention permet de libérer un espace à l'intérieur du boîtier 6 et ainsi de réduire le volume du boîtier 6 par rapport à une configuration dans laquelle la cartouche est entièrement logée dans le boîtier 6 de forme sensiblement cylindrique. Elle permet également de prévoir une cartouche 1 1 de volume supérieur à celui des cartouches disposées dans le boîtier sans augmenter le volume du boîtier 6 car la taille des cartouches n'est plus limitée par celle du boîtier. Cela permet, pour un même volume de gaz emmagasiné dans les cartouches, de réduire le nombre de cartouches utilisées sans augmenter la taille du boîtier.

Cette configuration permet d'amener l'antenne radioélectrique 2 à une altitude plus importante au-dessus du niveau de la mer et ainsi assurer des meilleures performances en termes de communication même en état de mer agitée ou bien de prévoir des antennes d'émission sonars et/ou des hydrophones présentant de meilleures performances acoustiques et donc une masse plus importante, sans réduire l'altitude de l'antenne au-dessus du niveau de l'eau.

Cette configuration permet également de réduire le volume total occupé par l'unité de surface 5, pour une même quantité de gaz et ainsi de réduire sa traînée (« drag » en terminologie anglo-saxonne). En effet, du fait d'un volume libre laissé entre les éléments, le volume dont doit être augmenté le volume du boîtier pour loger une cartouche de gaz est supérieur au volume de la cartouche. La limitation de la traînée de l'unité de surface permet de limiter les dérives antagonistes de l'unité de surface et de l'unité de profondeur sous l'effet de courants antagonistes (en surface et au niveau de l'unité de profondeur 8) ce qui permet de stabiliser l'unité de profondeur 8.

When the buoy 1 is immersed in water, water comes into direct contact with the cartridge 1 1 as in the prior art the cartridges housed in the casing are thermally insulated from the water by the casing and by the air contained in the housing. Thus, when the gas is released from the cartridge, the gas cartridge being in direct physical contact with water, the fall of the gas temperature is limited which limits the risk of condensation and freezing of the gas and their consequences described above.

Indeed, during the release of the gas to come inflate the pocket

air, gas, previously contained in the cartridge, undergoes rapid expansion that leads to a reduction in its temperature and that of the wall of the cartridge which causes the condensation of water vapor of the air contained in the housing can thus deteriorate an electronic circuit housed in the casing. The decrease in gas temperature can also cause freezing of the gas which can then come at least partially clog a discharge port of the gas cartridge which delays until a sufficient temperature rise to ensure vaporization of gas, swelling of the inflatable bag and the arrival of the inflatable bladder on the surface of water. Finally, the reduction in the gas temperature causes a decrease of its volume which also delays the arrival on its surface. More lower temperature is important and the time taken by the gas to reach its maximum expansion volume is increased because the gas must come to room temperature to the maximum expansion volume. Thus, the proposed configuration accelerates the swelling of the inflatable bladder and limit the risk of deterioration of electrical equipment disposed in the housing.

Thus, the gas confined in the cartridge 1 1 is intended to be separated from the water by a single wall 12 which is a wall of the cartridge 1 1. In other words, one face of the wall 12 faces a permeable volume. In other words, the cartridge 1 1 is not completely surrounded by a sealed vessel when the buoy is submerged in water.

Advantageously, the wall 12 is metallic. It is for example made of steel to withstand considerable pressure.

Advantageously, the cartridge 1 1 is arranged to come into direct physical contact with the water when immersed in water, in the storage configuration. Thus, the heat exchange between the cartridge 1 1 and the water is from the beginning of the release of gas.

Advantageously, when the buoy 1 is in the storage configuration, the cartridge 1 1 is surrounded by a permeable container allowing water to come in direct contact with the cartridge 1 when the cartridge 1 1 1 is submerged. In other words, the reservoir defines a volume, receiving the cartridge 1 1, which is not closed in sealed manner.

In the nonlimiting example of FIG 3, the cartridge 1 1 is surrounded by a container 14, cable containing called, delimiting a volume in which is housed the cable 9 in the stored position. The cable container 14 is arranged in the container 4. The tank surrounding the cartridge 1 1 is permeable. Indeed, at least one end of the container 4 is open so as to allow the inner part of the buoy 1 out of the container 4. Furthermore, the cable containing 14 delimits a volume receiving the cartridge 1 1 and this volume is not sealed. It is for example not connected sealingly to the housing 6 and / or to the container 4. In this way, the water penetrates inside the container 4 and the cable containing 14 so that the water comes into direct physical contact with the cartridge 1 1. In other words, water is contiguous to the wall 12.

As shown in Figure 3, the housing 6 includes an opening 63 formed in the bottom 71. This opening 63 passes through the cartridge 1 1.

The housing 6 is partly closed by the cartridge 1 1 when the buoy 1 is in the storage configuration. This avoids isolation of the cartridge from the external environment by the housing 6 (which is very advantageous when the casing is of plastics material) and the air contained in the internal volume of the housing.

The cartridge 1 1 is attached to the housing 6 in sealed manner, for example by means of at least one sealing gasket 77.

Advantageously, but not necessarily, the housing 6 comprises a flange 81 having a substantially complementary shape of the cartridge 1 1 and attached to the cartridge 1 1 sealed manner, for example by means of a seal 77. This promotes the sealing of the connection between the cartridge and the housing.

In a variant shown in Figure 5, the housing 600 includes a cylindrical portion 601 and a protrusion 617 forming the projecting container. This projecting container is integral with the cylindrical portion of the housing 6. Alternatively, it is fixed to the housing. This protuberance 617 defines an internal volume 618 which communicates with the internal volume 619 bounded by the cylindrical portion 601 when the buoy is in the storage configuration and in the operational configuration.

The cylindrical portion is delimited by a tubular wall 620, and two transverse walls 621, 622 whose bottom 621 on which the protuberance protrudes away from the internal volume 619 from the bottom 621, along the axis z.

It is for example possible to accommodate, in this portion, at least a portion of one of the equipment housed in the sealed enclosure. It is for example possible to accommodate a part of an electronic map and / or at least a portion of a cartridge and / or at least a part of an electronic circuit and / or at least a portion of a battery electrical and / or at least a portion of a gas cartridge delivery system. This frees up some of the space defined by the cylindrical portion 601 without increasing its height.

The cartridge 1 1 is for example entirely accommodated in the volume defined by the sealed enclosure. In other words, the cartridge 1 1 is completely surrounded by the sealed enclosure.

According to a non limiting embodiment, the inflatable bag 3 extends from a side of the housing 6 along the z axis and projecting containing 17 extends on the other side of the housing relative to the inflatable bag according to the axis z. In other words, containing 17 projecting away from the air bag 3 from the bottom 71. According to non-limiting embodiment of the figures, the internal volume of the cartridge 1 1 communicates, when the gas is released, with the internal volume of the inflatable bag 3 via the casing 6. Alternatively, the cartridge 1 1 is arranged such that the gas is expelled directly into the internal volume of the inflatable bag 3. These two cases are possible when the cartridge 1 1 is completely enclosed by the sealed enclosure.

Communication between the internal volume of the inflatable bag 3 and the internal volume of the housing 6 is for example achieved via at least one orifice 79.

The orifice 79 is here provided in a circuit board 61 closing an opening in the housing 6.

The buoy 1 comprises a gas release system contained in the cartridge. This release system is for example a cartridge perforation Systems 1 1. The cartridge 1 1 comprises for example a cap 101, visible in Figure 3, closing an aperture 103 formed in the cartridge 1 1 and more particularly in the wall 12. The delivery system comprises a perforator 102 having a tip 102b. The delivery system comprises an actuator 104 configured to actuate the punch 102 so that the tip comes 102b perforate the cap 101 so as to form an orifice in the cartridge 1 1 (by opening at least a portion of the opening), where gas release condition is satisfied. actuating device 104 comprises, for example, a resistor and a source of electrical supply to the resistor. The actuating device 104 is configured to electrically supply the resistance when the gas release condition is satisfied so as to release the punch 102 so that it comes perforate the cap 101. The perforator 102 is for example a lever held in a standby position, as shown in Figure 3, by a wire that burns the resistance that heats when energized so that the rocking lever to come to perforate the lid 101. This operating system is by no means limiting. Alternatively, the delivery system comprises for example a pyrotechnic actuator or hydrostatic. actuator 104 is configured to electrically supply the resistance when the gas release condition is satisfied so as to release the punch 102 so that it comes perforate the cap 101. The perforator 102 is for example a lever held in a standby position, as shown in Figure 3, by a wire that burns the resistance that heats when energized so that the rocking lever to come to perforate the lid 101. This operating system is by no means limiting. Alternatively, the delivery system comprises for example a pyrotechnic actuator or hydrostatic. actuator 104 is configured to electrically supply the resistance when the gas release condition is satisfied so as to release the punch 102 so that it comes perforate the cap 101. The perforator 102 is for example a lever held in a standby position, as shown in Figure 3, by a wire that burns the resistance that heats when energized so that the rocking lever to come to perforate the lid 101. This operating system is by no means limiting. Alternatively, the delivery system comprises for example a pyrotechnic actuator or hydrostatic. as shown in Figure 3, by a wire that burns the resistance that heats when energized so that the rocking lever to come to perforate the cap 101. This operating system is by no means limiting. Alternatively, the delivery system comprises for example a pyrotechnic actuator or hydrostatic. as shown in Figure 3, by a wire that burns the resistance that heats when energized so that the rocking lever to come to perforate the cap 101. This operating system is by no means limiting. Alternatively, the delivery system comprises for example a pyrotechnic actuator or hydrostatic.

Advantageously, as shown in Figure 3, the gas delivery system 102, 104 is accommodated in the sealed enclosure, for example in the internal volume 60. Alternatively, the gas delivery system is housed in the projecting containing 17 .

Advantageously, the buoy 1 comprises a single cartridge 1 1 releasably gas so as to inflate the air bag 3. This reduces the drag of the surface unit 5 and to limit the complexity and the number of delivery devices. Moreover, the free space in the housing 6 being larger than when the cartridges 1 1 were housed in the case 6, a single lever is necessary to ensure release of the gas, it is not necessary to provide a cam return ( "cam" in English terminology) to limit the volume occupied by the actuating device 104.

Alternatively, the buoy 1 comprises a plurality of releasable gas cartridges to inflate the inflatable bag 3.

Advantageously, as shown in Figure 3, a set of at least one member of the buoy is arranged in a surrounding volume V containing 17 projecting when the buoy is in the storage configuration in which the gas is confined in the cartridge January 1.

This element is disposed in the container 4 when the buoy is in the storage configuration. In other words, the tubular volume surrounded by the container 4 in the storage configuration. The container 17 is projecting for example surrounded by a winding of cable 9.

Advantageously, as shown in Figure 3, a tubular container 14 surrounds the projecting container 17 when the buoy is in the storage configuration. This tubular container 14 is housed in the container 4 when the buoy is in the storage configuration.

The tubular container 14 is adjacent to the transverse wall 71 along the z axis of the tube.

On the nonlimiting example of FIG 3, the protruding portion 17 is surrounded by a coil surrounding the projecting portion 17 of the cartridge 1 1 and the cable containing 14 surrounding the winding. A cable wound on itself so as to form a coil necessarily leaves free a cylindrical volume for the cable bending radius can not fall below a minimum radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of the cylindrical volume free. Thus, this configuration optimizes the occupation of the volume of the container occupying a naturally left free volume.

The cable container 14 has a generally tubular shape. It is an extension of the housing 6 along the z axis.

The cable containing 14 advantageously comprises an external surface (facing the container 4 or the external environment to buoy) generally cylindrical, preferably of revolution, that is to say having a circular section. Advantageously, the cable of container 14 and the sidewall 70 are coaxial in the storage configuration. The outer surface of the cable containing 14 has for example the same diameter as the housing 6, is to say that the same diameter as the outer surface of the side wall 70 of the housing 6.

The cable container 14 is preferably contiguous to the housing 6 and a portion of the depth of unit 140. Thus, it possible to limit the transmission of forces between the housing 6 and the portion 140 by the cable during storage.

Alternatively, the buoy 1 does not include cable containing 14. Advantageously, at least one active functional member of the buoy is arranged in a tube surrounding the projecting volume containing 17

when the buoy is in the storage configuration in which the gas is confined in the cartridge 1 1. Active functional element by means an electrical or optical element, that is to say to be powered electrically or optically transmitting optical or electrical energy that is to say comprising at least one electric wire or an optical fiber or delivering, accumulating transformant (for example an electrical transformer) or modulating an electrical or optical energy.

The cable forming the winding is such an active element.

The cable 9 can be used to transmit information from the surface unit 5 to the depth of unit 8 and / or vice versa is an active functional element. This is an electric cable.

The cable 9 consists of two parts, a first part 15 which is attached to the depth of unit 8 and whose length is fixed, a second Part 1 6 comprises a tensioning or spring cable to isolate the unit depth movements of the unit area of ​​5 upwardly and downwardly under the effect of the waves. These two units are separated in storage configuration, by a partition 75 in the example of Figure 3.

The surface unit 5 and the unit 8 are connected by connecting means comprising the cable.

The cable 9 is for example connected to the unit area of ​​5 through 74 son means connecting, for example three son 74 of which only two are visible in Figure 4 showing the buoy in the operational configuration. The son 74 attached to the housing on the periphery of housing 6 on one hand and the cable 9 of the other part, so as to ensure a force transfer at the center of the housing 6.

Alternatively, the cable 9 is a passive element.

In in place of the cable or in addition to the cable and / or an electrical transformer may be disposed in the tubular projecting volume surrounding the container 17. The transformer may surround the projecting container. A transformer has usually a ring shape or U bounding a free space into which can be inserted projecting containing 17.

At least one hydrophone may be disposed in the tubular projecting volume surrounding the container 17. The hydrophone is for example supported by an arm adapted to extend longitudinally substantially

parallel to the axis of the tubular wall 70 when the buoy is in the storage configuration. This will provide important arms length.

Advantageously, at least one arm is disposed in the tubular projecting volume surrounding the container 17. This arm extends longitudinally for example substantially parallel to the z-axis when the buoy is in storage configuration and its inclination relative to the axis z is between storage configuration and operational configuration.

Alternatively, for example when the buoy is intended to be dropped from a submarine, a float, for example a floating foam may surround the protrusion 17. The floating foam may have an annular shape surrounding the protrusion. Thus, this float allows the buoy naturally rise to the surface when the buoy is dropped. The inflatable bag is inflated that near the surface.

The float surrounds completely projecting containing e.g. 17 in the storage configuration.

Advantageously, the buoy 1 is configured so that the relative arrangement between the container 17 and projecting the element or elements disposed in the volume V surrounding the buoy is changed between the storage configuration and the operational configuration of the buoy 1.

Advantageously, the buoy is configured such that a front surface of a submerged portion (in water) of the projecting tank or unit area, when the buoy is in the operational configuration, comprises a part of the container projection 17. This configuration has the advantage of limiting the drag of the unit area.

Advantageously, a portion of the depth of unit 8 surrounds the projecting containing 17 in the operational configuration. Thus, the projecting containing enters a part of the depth unit 8 in the storage configuration of the buoy, which is against intuitive but optimizes the occupation of space in the container 4. That is, at least one member of the buoy from the set of at least one element located in the unit depth.

In the particular example of the figures, containing the cable 14 forms part of the depth unit 8 so that it separates from the surface unit during inflation of the inflatable bag, that is to say when unit area rises toward the surface of water. The wire 9 connecting the surface unit and the depth unit takes place so as to release the cartridge.

Alternatively, a part of the surface unit 5 is disposed in the tubular projecting volume surrounding the container 17. For example, cable containing the 14 is fixed to the housing 6 so as to be driven by the housing towards the surface of the water when the housing 6 rises to the surface of the water. This embodiment is less advantageous drag standpoint.

Advantageously, the projecting containing 17 extends longitudinally parallel to the axis z. The container 17 projecting advantageously comprises a cylindrical portion whose axis is parallel to the z-axis and is, for example coaxial with the housing 6 and / or the cable-containing 14 (in the storage configuration).

Advantageously, the cartridge 1 1 gas head is oriented upwards. In other words, the cartridge 1 1 is arranged so that the gas is expelled from the cartridge upward along a vertical axis connected to ground when the buoy is released and immersed in water. When the buoy is dropped into the water, it takes a natural orientation depending on the position of its center of gravity and the buoyancy center.

Thus, the cartridge is preferably arranged so that the orifice 103 through which will escape the gas is at the top of the cartridge 1 1 when the buoy and dropped and when the buoy is submerged in the storage configuration. This limits the risk of damage to the housing. Indeed, as the gas molecules are in the liquid state in the lower part of the cartridge and in the gaseous state in the upper part of the cartridge, upon release of gas when the cartridge is turned head downwards or is elongated, there risk projections gas molecules droplets under the effect of the pressure exerted by the gas on the liquid. These very low temperature droplets (due to the expansion of the gas) may come to exert mechanical stress can damage the housing. They can also corrode electronic circuits. The arrangement called "head-up" of the cartridge can limit this risk.

In the embodiment of the figures, the cartridge comprises a collar 121, ( "neck" in English terminology) defining the opening 103 which is closed by the cover 101 in the storage configuration.

In the embodiment of the figures, the depth of the cable unit 8 comprises container 14 and an operating unit 140. The operating unit comprises at least one active functional element of the antenna.

The operating unit is advantageously substantially cylindrical, and z axis in the storage configuration.

CLAIMS

1. Buoy (1) comprising a surface unit (5) comprising a sealed container (1000) comprising an inflatable bag (3), a tubular side wall (70) of z-axis and a bottom (71), the tubular wall (70 ) and the bottom (71) delimiting a volume said internal volume (60), the surface unit (5) comprising at least one cartridge (1 1) containing a releasable compressed gas to inflate the inflatable bag (3) that it has a float function in an operational configuration of the buoy, the buoy (1) comprising a depth of unit (8) connected to the surface unit (5) by a cable (9), the unit depth (8) and the surface unit (5) being joined when the buoy (1) is in a stowed configuration, wherein the gas is confined in the cartridge (1 1),

2. buoy (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein a greatest dimension of the projecting container (17) perpendicular to the z axis being smaller than a smallest dimension of the tubular side wall (70).

3. buoy (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the buoy (1) is configured such that a front surface of a submerged portion of the unit area (5) when the buoy is in the operational configuration, comprises a projecting part of container (17).

4. buoy (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the buoy (1) is configured such that a front surface of a submerged part of the surface unit (5) when the buoy in the operational configuration, comprises a portion of the tubular side wall (70).

5. Buoy according to the preceding claim, wherein the set of at least one member of the buoy and the surface unit (5) are inserted into the same container when the buoy is in the storage configuration.

6. buoy (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the depth unit surrounding the protruding member in the storage configuration.

7. buoy (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the set of at least one member of the buoy comprises an active functional element.

8. buoy (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the set of at least one member of the buoy comprises a tubular container (14) surrounding the projecting container (17).

9. buoy (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising a single cartridge (1 1).

10. buoy (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the cartridge (1 1) is arranged so that the gas is expelled from the cartridge upward when released.

January 1. Buoy (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the projecting container (17) is a part of the cartridge (1 1).

12. buoy (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the buoy is arranged so that the cartridge (1 1) comes into direct physical contact with the water when the buoy is submerged in water.

13. buoy (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal volume (60) receives at least one electronic circuit and / or at least one electrical energy accumulator and / or a gas delivery system.

14. buoy (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the projecting delimits containing a volume communicating with the internal volume when the buoy is in a storage configuration in which the gas is confined within the cartridge.

15. buoy (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the volume defined by projecting the container (17) receives a portion of at least one electronic circuit and / or at least one electrical energy accumulator and / or at least one delivery system of the buoy and / or the gas cartridge.

1 6. Buoy according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a radio frequency antenna, the antenna being arranged so that the antenna is brought above the water surface when the pocket has a float function.