The present invention relates to a device for towing very long elongate
objects. This device notably makes it possible to put to sea or else raise and
5 stow under deck a very long tubular object of relatively flexible and brittle
structure. Such objects that can notably be cited are submarine cables, pipes
or even linear sonar antennas of "flute" type.
The handling of substantially tubular and very long objects is a difficult
l o operation, particularly when the object handled has a flexible and brittle
structure comprising, for example, a succession of relatively brittle objects
placed in a more flexible tubular sheath, or even when the object exhibits
irregularities of diameter over its length. The problem arises in particular in
the case of the sonar systems, which surface vessels or submarine vessels
15 are equipped with. The effectiveness of the detection of these systems is
greatly dependent on the length of the antenna, and very long tubular
antennas, for example of flute type, are generally used. As is known, such
linear antennas have a length of several hundred meters for a diameter of the
order of a few centimeters. In a mission, the antenna has to be put to sea,
20 deployed to a sufficient length, then raised back on board the vessel at the
end of the mission. This operation is difficult, both in the case of a surface
vessel, likely to be exposed to a choppy sea, and in the case of a submarine
vessel for which the antenna and the towing device are submerged.
Various towing devices have attempted to resolve these difficulties.
25 There is known, for example from the patent published under the reference
US 5,839,636, a device of caterpillar type ensuring the towing of the antenna
by means of two tracks facing one another and in contact with the antenna to
be displaced. Also known from the applicant is the towing device described in
the patent application published under the reference FR 2858309. The
30 principle of this known device is recalled hereinbelow by means of figure 1.
The general idea of the device is to decouple the loads exerted on the object
to be towed by separating means continuously ensuring the gripping of the
object and means ensuring the pulling of the object.
As illustrated in figure I , such a towing device comprises a frame 11
supporting the following two means:
D Pulling means, mainly consisting of two treads 12 arranged on either
side of and along the object to be towed 10. Each tread 12 is wound
5 around two pulleys 13 and 14 fixed onto uprights situated at each of the
ends of the main frame.
D Gripping means, consisting of a first flange 15 and of a second flange
16, in the form of disks, linked to one another by uprights 19. The flanges
15 and 16 are mounted to be rotationally mobile about the longitudinal axis
10 of the device referenced X, by means of holding parts 17 and 18 via
bearings for example. The assembly forms a frame 114 that is rotationally
mobile relative to the frame 11. The central parts of the flanges 15 and 16
and of the holding parts 17 and 18 are holed, so as to be able to be
passed through by the object 10 to be towed and the treads 12.
15 The gripping means ensure the contact between the treads 12 and the
object to be towed 10 by means of a belt 110 helically wound around the
object to be towed and portions of the treads in contact with the object. The
winding is sufficiently tight to keep the object and the treads in close contact.
The ends of the belt are connected together to form a straight strand 11 1
20 which runs in the grooves of the opposing pulleys 112 and 113, fixed
respectively onto each of the flanges 15 and 16. The function of these pulleys
112, 113 is notably to ensure the tension of the belts fixed respectively to
each of the flanges 15, 16. The assembly consisting of the flanges 15 and 16
and of the uprights 19 forms a frame 114 that is rotatior~allym obile about the
25 longitudinal axis of the device.
To perform the towing of the object 10, the device also comprises
means setting the pulling and gripping means in motion. These means
comprise a main shaft 115 and a system of gears and of gearboxes 116 to
which secondary shafts are coupled making it possible to rotate the pulleys
30 14 which ensure the driving of the treads 12, and the pulley 16 which drives
the frame 114 in rotation. In the exemplary embodiment, the pulley 16 is
coupled via a belt 122 to another pulley 121 secured to the shaft 115.
To ensure the displacement of the object 10 in the direction indicated
by the arrow 118, the shaft 115 is actuated by means of a flywheel 117 so
35 that the rotation of the pulleys 14 drives the displacement of the treads 12 in
the direction indicated by the arrows 119. The displacement of the treads
drives an identical displacement of the object 10. At the same time, the
rotation of the shaft 115 rotates the frame 114 in the direction indicated by
the arrow 120. This rotation drives the winding of the belts 110 on the side of
5 the flange 15 and a simultaneous unwinding on the side of the flange 16. The
effect of this dual action is to provoke a relative displacement of the gripping
means along the object 10, in a direction opposite to the real displacement of
the object 10 and of the treads 12. Thus, the object 10 is able to progress
linearly while being kept closely in contact with the treads. The displacement
10 movement of the object is similar to the linear and continuous displacement
of the free jaws of a vice along the worm screw which is used to tighten it,
when the vice is tightened or untightened. Conversely, since the operation of
the device is symmetrical by construction, the displacement of the object 10
in the opposite direction will be able to be ensured by maneuvering the shaft
15 115 in the opposite direction by means of the flywheel 117. For the towing
action to be effectively feasible, the rotational movement of the frame drives
a relative displacement substantially equal to the displacement imparted on
the object by the rotation. of the treads 12. The coordination of the two
movements can be ensured by mechanical means, for example a gearbox
20 device mounted on the shaft 115.
This device presents many advantages compared to the prior devices,
for example of caterpillar type. In particular, the separation of the gripping
and pulling functions into two means makes it possible to decouple the two
loads exerted on the object, making it possible to exert an effective pulling
25 force, without having to exert an excessive, and even damaging pressure on
the object to be towed. Difficulties have however been observed that the
present invention seeks to resolve.
The belt of the gripping means is a key component of the towing
device. During the towing, the belt is wound and unwound by means of the
30 mobile frame and of the pulleys rotating about the object to be towed. To
ensure the gripping of the object, the belt is also stressed in tension
continuously. The belt, generally made of elastomer material, is exposed to
the aggressivity of the marine environment, particularly in the case of a
submerged towing device. For these reasons, a rapid aging of the belt has
been observed. The replacement of the belt is complex and requires difficult
intervention on the device.
The invention aims to mitigate these difficulties encountered by the
towing devices of the prior art, by proposing a device that notably allows for
5 increased reliability and enhanced repairability.
To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for towing of very
long tubular shape, comprising a casing and an assembly which can be fixed
removably to the casing. The removable assembly comprises:
10 - pulling means capable of driving in their movement, by friction, the object in
a towing direction,
- gripping means capable of exerting a load on the pulling means to keep the
pulling means and the towed object in continuous contact, the gripping
means being driven by a relative movement relative to the towed object in a
15 direction opposite to the towing direction,
and in that the casing comprises driving means, connected removably to the
pulling means and gripping means and configured to drive in movement the
pulling means and the gripping means in a coordinated manner to ensure a
continuous and uniform pulling of the object.
20 Advantageously, the pulling means and the gripping means can be
coupled to the driving means by a single translational movement of the
removable assembly with respect to the casing in a plane at right angles to
the towing direction.
25 Advantageously:
-the pulling means comprise a pulley guiding a tread coming into contact
with the object to be towed, produced in a material with strong adhesive
power; the tread being able to be driven in movement by rotation of the
pulley,
30 -the driving means comprise an actuator and a synchronization mechanism;
the synchronization mechanism comprises a shaR configured to drive the
pulley of the pulling means in rotation.
Advantageously, the gripping means comprise: 8
- a frame that is rotationally mobile about the pulling axis of the object,
formed by a first and a second flange linked by longitudinal uprights and
passed through by the object to be towed and the tread;
- a first and a second main pulley fixed respectively onto the first and second
5 flanges,
- a belt taut between the first and second main pulleys and helically wound
around the object to be towed and the tread, so as to exert a load on the
tread and keep the tread in contact on the object to be towed,
- a toothed wheel that can drive the mobile frame in rotation by winding and
10 unwinding the belt respectively on the side of the first and of the second
flange;
-the synchronization mechanism comprising a pinion configured to drive the
toothed wheel.
Advantageously, the gripping means comprise two toothed wheels
secured respectively to the first and the second flanges; the synchronization
mechanism comprising two pinions configured to drive each of the two
toothed wheels.
20 Advantageously, the pulley and the shaft are coupled removably by
means of a dog clutch device allowing for a simultaneous coupling of the
pulling means of the toothed wheels with the pinions, and of the pulley with
the shaft, by translation of the removable assembly with respect to the casing
in a plane at right angles to the towing direction.
25
Advantageously, the removable assembly comprises setting means,
capable of adjusting the load exerted on the pulling means.
Advantageously, the setting means comprise a return pulley that can
30 be displaced relative to the two main pulleys, so as to adjust a tension
exerted on the belt, making it possible to adjust the load exerted by the tread
on the object to be towed. The casing comprises a second actuator which
can be connected removably to the setting means and configured to allow
the return pulley to be displaced with respect to the two main pulleys.
Advantageously, the device comprises several belts and several first
and second main pulleys fixed respectively onto the first and the second
flanges; each belt being associated with a first and a second main pulley, taut
between said first and second main pulleys, and helically wound around the
5 object to be towed and the tread.
Advantageously, the pulling means comprise at least one tread having
a circular arc form, so as to match the shape of the object to be towed over a
portion of its circumference.
Advantageously, the pulling means comprise a spring mechanism
configured to tighten the tread so as to adapt to a variation of diameter of the
object to be towed.
Advantageously, the pulling means comprise several treads coming
into contact with the object to be towed, produced in a material with strong
adhesive power, distributed angularly around the object to be towed.
Advantageously, the device comprises a brake capable of slowing
20 down the gripping means or the pulling means.
Advantageously, the device comprises means for measuring the
movement of the object towed.
25
The invention will be better understood and other advantages will
become apparent on reading the detailed description of embodiments given
by way of example in the following figures.
Figure 1, already presented, represents a device for towing an
30 object according to the known art, comprising pulling means and gripping
means,
figure 2 illustrates the principle of a towing device comprising
means for setting the load exerted by the gripping means on the pulling
means,
figures 3a and 3b represent a first example of a towing device
comprising means for setting the gripping load, respectively in a disengaged
configuration and an engaged configuration,
figure 4 represents, by exploded view, a second example of a
5 towing device comprising several modular subassemblies.
In the interests of clarity, the same elements will bear the same
references in the different figures.
10 The present invention relates to improvements to the towing
device described in the preamble of this application with reference to the
patent application FR 2858309. The towing device according to the invention
comprises a certain number of components in common with this prior art
device. Hereinbelow, the structural or functional definition of the components
15 in common with the prior art device is not systematically repeated, but is
deduced directly from the description of this known device. The device
according to the invention is of particular use for towing a very long linear
antenna, which the sonar systems that are for example embarked on
submarines are equipped with. Obviously, this particular application is not
20 limited to the invention which more broadly covers a device suitable for
handling substantially tubular and very long objects. The device can be
implemented in various fields. The device can be fully submerged in a marine
environment in the particular case of a submarine application, or exposed to
the ambient air and to the weather in the case of a stationary device on land
25 or even in the case of an antenna pulled from a surface vessel.
In order to limit or slow down the wear of the gripping means, the
invention relates firstly to a device comprising means making it possible to
adjust the load exerted by the gripping means on the object pulling means.
30
Figure 2 illustrates the principle of a towing device comprising
setting means, or setting subassembly for making it possible to adjust, during
the towing of the object, the load exerted on the pulling means. As
previously, the towing device comprises: ,
- pulling means, or tractor or pulling subassembly, capable of driving, by
friction, the object 10 in a towing direction 118,
-gripping means, or gripper or gripping subassembly, capable of exerting a
load on the pulling means to keep the pulling means and the towed object
5 continuously in contact; the gripping means being driven in a relative motion
in relation to the towed object in a direction opposite to the towing direction,
- driving means, or driving device, capable of driving the pulling means and
the gripping means in a coordinated manner to ensure a continuous and
uniform pulling of the object.
In a preferred embodiment, the pulling means comprise at least
one tread 12 coming into contact with the object to be towed, and produced
in a material with strong adhesive power. The tread 12 is taut between two
pulleys 13 and 14 and driven in motion by the driving means (not
15 represented). The adhesion of the tread makes it possible to drive the object
to be towed 10 in its movement, by friction. The pulling means and the object
to be towed are kept continuously in contact at least over a section of the
object. The surface of the tread 12 coming into contact with the surface of the
object 10 is preferably rough in order to ensure a better pulling adhesion.
20 A towing device is envisaged in which the pulling means
comprise a single tread, or preferentially a plurality of treads. A device is
notably envisaged that comprises two treads arranged facing one another
and on either side of the object to be towed, as represented in figure 2. A
towing device is also envisaged that comprises more than two treads, for
25 example three or four treads, distributed angularly, in star fashion, around the
object to be towed.
In a preferred embodiment, the gripping means comprise at least
one belt 110 taut between two pulleys 112 and 113, called main pulleys, and
helically wound around the object to be towed 10 and the tread 12. The belt
30 100 forms a straight strand 100 which runs in the grooves of the opposing
pulleys 112 and 113. If the pulling means comprise several treads 12, the
belt is helically wound around the object 10 and each of the treads.
Configured thus, the tension of the belt 110 exerts a load on the tread or
treads, making it possible to keep the pulling means and the object to be
35 towed in continuous contact.
Advantageously, the belt is produced in an elastic material.
Advantageously, the belt is elastically taut. The belt 110 is advantageously
elastically taut between the two main pulleys 112, 113 and helically wound
around the object to be towed so as to exert the load on the tread to keep the
5 tread continuously in contact on the object to be towed. Advantageously, the
belt 110 is elastically taut over its entire length. Thus, the belt automatically
adapts to a change of diameter of the object to be towed. The adaptation of
the diameter of the cable does not require the provision of any dedicated
return device.
10 The gripping means comprise a frame 114 that is rotationally
mobile about the pulling axis X of the object. The mobile frame 114 is in the
form of two flanges 15 and 16 linked by longitudinal uprights 19 and passed
through by the object to be towed and the tread or treads 12. A first main
pulley 112 is fixed onto a first flange 15. A second main pulley 113 is fixed
15 onto a second flange 16.
According to a principle similar to that described in the preamble
with regard to figure 1, the decoupling of the pulling function - produced by
means of the treads 12, and of the gripping function - produced by means of
the belt 110 helically wound around the treads, is obtained by driving the two
20 means in a coordinated manner. The driving means (not represented in
figure 2) ensure, on the one hand, the displacement of the tread 12, for
example by driving one of the pulleys 13 or 14 in rotation; the adhesion of the
tread driving the displacement of the object to be towed in its movement, by
friction. The driving means also ensure the winding and the unwinding of the
25 belt 110 by driving the frame 114 in rotation. The object 10 is then driven in
translation along the axis X, while being kept closely in contact with the
treads.
The driving means are configured to ensure a coordinated driving
of the pulling means and of the gripping means. For example, the driving
30 means comprise an actuator, such as an electric motor, a heat engine or a
hydraulic motor, and a synchronization mechanism capable of converting a
rotational movement generated by the actuator into two coordinated
movements making it possible to drive the pulling means, for example by
driving the pulley 14 in rotation, and the gripping means, for example by
35 driving the mobile frame 114 in rotation. The driving means can comprise a
gearbox device mounted on a main shaft driven by a rotary actuaior,
comprising, for example, a gear and gearbox system I16 to which are
coupled two secondary shafts making if possible to rotate the pulleys 14
which ensure the driving of the treads 12, and the pulley 16 which drives the
5 frame 114 in rotation. Other forms of driving means can also be envisaged
without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the pulling
and gripping means can be driven by independent dedicated actuators and a
control device ensuring the synchronization between the two actuators.
Gripping means comprising several belts are also envisaged. The
l o belts are advantageously helically wound around the object to be towed and
in an entangled manner along the towing direction. Each of the belts can be
taut between two main pulleys linked respectively to the first and second
flanges 15 and 16. Each belt ensures that the pulling means are held on the
object to be towed. The rotation of the mobile frame drives the winding and
15 the unwinding of each of the belts simultaneously. The mounting of each of
the belts is then advantageously similar and identical to that which will be
described hereinbelow, notably with regard to the mounting of the belt with
the main pulleys and the return pulley.
The device according to the invention therefore comprises two
20 distinct means or subassemblies for ensuring the pulling and gripping
functions. The pulling means are driven by a translational movement along
the axis of the object whereas the gripping means are driven by a rotational
movement about the same axis. The separation of the means has the
advantage of ensuring the decoupling of the loads exerted on the object to be
25 towed. That makes it possible to set the force driving the object to be towed
by acting on two independent parameters, namely the tread driving torque
and the tension of the belt.
These two means exerting distinct functions cooperate to ensure a
continuous pulling of the object to be towed and a good distribution of the
30 stresses over its surface. The device as a whole has a fixed position.
According to an aspect of the invention, the towing device also
comprises setting means configured to be able to adjust the load exerted on
the pulling means. In the example represented in figure 2, the setting means
35 comprise a return pulley 30, on which the belt 110 is mounted. The return
pulley 30 can be displaced relative to the two main pulleys 112 and 113, so
as to adjust the tension of the belt 110, making it possible to adjust the load
exerted by the tread on the object to be towed.
Preferentially, the main pulleys 112, 113 are fixed in translation
5 along the longitudinal axis X of the object to be towed relative to the frame
which is rotationally mobile about the axis of the object to be towed. In other
words, the main pulleys are not translationally mobile along the longitudinal
axis of the object to be towed 10 relative to the frame 114. The main pulleys
112, 113 are the first pulleys encountered by the belt 110 at either end of its
10 winding around the object to be towed 10, that is to say on leaving its winding
around the object to be towed at either end of said winding. The return pulley
30 is encountered after the main pulleys on leaving the winding. The return
pulley 30 is translationally mobile relative to the main pulleys 112, 11 3 along
the longitudinal axis of the object to be towed 10.
15 Consequently, when the return pulley is translated along the
longitudinal axis relative to the main pulleys, the pitch of the helix, the angle
of the helix formed by the belt 110, and the length of the helix along the
longitudinal axis of the object to be towed remain unchanged. That makes it
possible to well control the load exerted on the object to be towed by the
20 pulling means (and notably by the tread(s) 12)because it depends only on
the tension of the belt and on limiting the risks of flexing of the object to be
towed, by virtue of the tension of the pulling means. Moreover, because of
retention of the helix pitch and angle formed by the belt 110, the risk of
overlapping of the turns of the helix in the translation of the return pulley is
25 limited which limits the risks of jamming of the object to be towed. Now, once
the object is jammed because of the overlapping of the turns, it is necessary
to dismantle and remount the belt to be able to once again use the towing
device.
Preferentially, the setting means comprise a mobile flange 31,
30 passed through by the object to be towed I0 and the tread or treads 12,
mounted between the two flanges 15 and 16. The return pulley 30 is fixed
onto the mobile flange 31. The mobile flange 31 can be displaced in
translation along the axis X, as represented by the arrow 300, between the
first and the second flanges 15 and 16, so as to adjust the tension of the belt
35 110. For that, the mobile flange 31 comprises openings passed through by
the longitudinal uprights 19. The openings of the mobile flange can be
configured so as to ensure the translational guiding of the flange relative to
the longitudinal uprights.
The mounting of the belt 110 represented in figure 2 is similar to
5 that of tackle generally implemented to reduce the load necessary to bring
two sets of pulleys closer together. In this case, the tackle-mounting of the
belt by means of a return pulley, otherwise known as tackle block, that can
be displaced relative to two fixed pulleys, advantageously makes it possible
to modify the tension of the belt. In the example represented in figure 2, the
10 belt is taut between a pulley 112, a return pulley 30 and a double pulley 113
with two different diameters. The tackle-mounting can implement double
pulleys of distinct diameters, as represented in figure 2, or double pulleys of
the same diameters, as represented in the subsequent figures. Various types
of mounting of the belt around the main pulleys and the return pulleys are
15 possible without departing from the scope of the invention.
In a preferred implementation, the setting means are configured to
make it possible to displace the return pulley between a first and a second
position, determined so as to exert, on the object to be towed, a load lying
between a minimum value close to zero and a predetermined maximum
20 value. In the first position, the belt is very weakly taut around the object to be
towed. The device is in a so-called disengaged position. The tension of the
belt could have been zero in the first position. Advantageously, a low tension
is retained in this position so as to avoid having the belt escape from the
pulleys. In the first position, the tension of the belt is such that the towing
25 device does not make it possible to tow the object to be towed. In other
words, the minimum value of the load exerted on the object to be towed, by
the belt 110 and the tread(s) 12, does not make it possible to tow the object
to be towed by the displacement of the tread(s). The friction load is
insufficient to ensure the towing. In the so-called engaged second position, a
30 maximum tension is imposed on the belt. The load exerted by the belt on the
tread or treads is maximal. This load makes it possible to tow the object to be
towed. Advantageously, the value of the minimum load lies between 5
Newtons and 100 Newtons.
The towing device thus provided with the setting means
35 advantageously makes it possible to adapt the tension exerted on the belt.
The setting can be carried out during the towing, both to increase or reduce
the tension of the belt and therefore the towing load. The towing device can
be configured to make it possible to disengage the object to be towed, by
exerting a gripping load close to zero on the object.
5 The setting means advantageously make it possible to limit the
aging of the belt, generally made of elastomer material. Contrary to the prior
art devices, it becomes possible to adapt the tension of the belt at each
instant according to the needs of the mission. In practice, it becomes
possible to impose a tension on the belt only during a towing operation. For
10 an application to a sonar system, the tension of the belt can be relaxed as
soon as the deployment or the removal of the antenna is completed.
Obviously, the benefits of the prior art device are retained. The
towing device according to the invention thus makes it possible to ensure a
continuous towing movement, avoiding having the towed object undergo
15 jerks that could damage it. The movement is also reversible and can be used
to put the object into the water or remove it. The device according to the
invention can also advantageously be adapted to towing an object whose
section is not constant or even objects made up of rigid portions and more
flexible portions. It can finally operate automatically and thus offers the
20 advantage of limiting the need for human int&~entionin sometimes fairly
perilous conditions.
Figures 3a and 3b represent a first example of a towing device
comprising adjustable gripping means, respectively in a disengaged
25 configuration and an engaged configuration.
This example of towing device 50 applies the principle described
above by means of figure 2. Thus, the device 50 comprises:
- pulling means capable of driving the object to be towed by friction,
- gripping means capable of exerting a load on the pulling means keeping the
30 pulling means and the towed object in contact,
- driving means, capable of driving the pulling means and the gripping means
in a coordinated manner.
The pulling means comprise two treads 12 with strong adhesive
power, taut between two pulleys 13 and 14 that can be driven in rotation by
35 the driving means (not represented). The gripping means comprise a mobile
frame 114. formed by two flanges 15 and 16 linked by longitudinal uprights
19. The flanges 15 and 16 are in the form of a holed disk, and are passed
through by the object to be towed (not represented) and the two treads. The
gripping means also comprise a belt 110 helically wound, between the
5 .flanges 15 and 16, around the object to be towed and the two treads. The
frame 114 is rotationally mobile about the pulling axis X. It can be driven by
the driving means via two toothed wheels 15a and 16a mounted at the
periphery of the two flanges 15 and 16.
The device 50 also comprises setting means capable of adjusting,
10 during the towing of the object, the load exerted on the pulling means. As
previously, the setting means comprise a return pulley 30 fixed onto a flange
31 that is translationally mobile between the two flanges 15 and 16. In figure
3a, the mobile flange 31 is in a first position imposing a low tension on the
belt, the load exerted between the treads and the object to be towed is close
15 to zero as has been described previously. The device is in disengaged
configuration. In figure 3b, the mobile flange 31 is in a second position
imposing a high tension on the belt, the loading exerted between the treads
and the object to be towed is maximal. The device is in an engaged
configuration.
20 The invention envisages switching over between the two positions
by means of a dedicated actuator, such as, for example, an electric or
hydraulic linear actuator, capable of displacing the mobile flange.
Implementing a disengaging mechanism linked to the displacement of the
object to be towed is also envisaged. Thus, the setting means can be
25 configured so that a relief on the surface of the object to be towed, such as,
for example, an end-of-travel stop mechanically drives, by the displacement
of the towed object, the displacement of the return pulley to its disengaged
position, so as to substantially neutralize the load exerted by the tread on the
object.
30 Note also that the device 50 represented in figures 3a and 3b is
distinguished from the devices already described by the architecture of the
gripping means and of the setting means. In particular, the gripping means
comprise several main pulleys 112 and 113 on each of the flanges 15 and
16. In the example represented, the belt 110 is taut between six pulleys 112
35 fixed onto the flange 15 and six pulleys 113 fixed onto the flange 16. The belt
is helically wound around the object to be towed and the treads in six
successive passes. This type of mounting with several entangled helixes
advantageously makes it possible to balance the tension exerted on the belt
and to angularly distribute the load exerted on the treads. It allows for a
5 greater variation of the tension of the belt, that is to say of the length of the
belt.
The setting means also comprise several return pulleys 30 fixed
onto the mobile flange 31. In the example represented, six return pulleys are
fixed onto the mobile flange 31, and cooperate with the six single 112 and
10 double 113 main pulleys of the flanges 15 and 16. The translational
displacement of the mobile flange 31 makes it possible to adjust the tension
of the belt 110 in a balanced manner. The load exerted on the treads is
angularly distributed uniformly.
The invention also envisages implementing pulling means
15 comprising one or more treads 12 having a circular arc form, so as to closely
follow the form of the object to be towed over a portion of its circumference.
According to another aspect of the invention, the device can
advantageously comprise means for adjusting the tension of the treads
wound between the pulleys 13 and 14. As represented in figures 3a and 3b,
20 the pulleys 13 are fixed onto a flange 202 that can slide along the longitudinal
axis X relative to the frame 11. The flange 202 is linked to the frame 11 via a
set of springs 201 tending to separate the pulleys 13 and the frame 114 from
one another, so as to strain the tread 12 in tension. In other words, the
pulling means are provided with a spring mechanism 201 configured to
25 tauten the tread or treads. This configuration advantageously makes it
possible to adapt to variations of diameter of the object to be towed.
The difficulties encountered by the prior art devices in performing
maintenance operations on the towing device were indicated in the preamble
30 to the present application. In particular, the periodic replacement of the
elastomer b'elt of the gripping means is an operation that is difficult to
perform. The invention therefore seeks to facilitate maintenance or repair
interventions on the device.
Figure 4 represents, in an exploded view, a second example of a
towing device comprising several modular subassemblies. In this second
example, the device 60 comprises a casing 61 intended to be mounted for
example on a marine vessel, and a removable assembly 62. The removable
5 assembly similar to the device described previously by figures 3a and 3b. It
notably comprises pulling means 63 and gripping means 64. It can also
comprise means for setting the load exerted on the pulling means. It is
however clearly understood that the principle of a modular towing device,
allowing for improved repairability, is also applicable in the absence of these
10 setting means.
The embodiments previously described for the pulling 63, gripping
64 or setting means are envisaged for this second exemplary device. The
detailed definition thereof is not repeated systematically hereinbelow.
As represented in figure 4, the casing 61 comprises a bottom part
15 61a and a top part 61b that are removable, between which the removable
assembly 62 can be mounted. The casing 61 further comprises an actuator
66, such as a heat engine, an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, and a
synchronization mechanism 67 driven by the actuator 66.
The synchronization mechanism 67 is removably linked to the
20 pulling 63 and gripping 64 means. The synchronization mechanism 67 is
configured to drive the movement of the pulling means 63 and the gripping
means 64 in a coordinated manner to ensure a continuous and uniform
pulling of the object.
The pulling means comprise at least one pulley 14 and one tread
25 12 coming into contact with the object to be towed and that can be driven in
movement by rotation of the pulley 14. The synchronization mechanism 67
comprises a shaft 70, configured to rotationally drive the pulley 14 of the
pulling means. The pulley 14 and the shaft 70 can be coupled removably by
means of two dog clutches 71a and 71b, secured respectively to the pulley
30 14 and the shaft 70. The two dog clutches form a coupling subassembly or a
coupling device. Other coupling means or coupling subassemblies are also
envisaged, in particular a friction coupling. In figure 4, the pulling means
comprise two treads driven by means of two pulleys. The synchronization
means logically comprise two shafts 70 capable ,of driving the two treads, and
coupled with the two pulleys 14 removably by means of two dog clutch
devices.
As previously described, the gripping means comprise a frame
that is rotationally mobile about the pulling axis of the object, formed by a first
5 and a second flange 15 and 16 linked by longitudinal uprights and passed
through by the object to be towed and the tread. Each of the first and second
flanges 15 and 16 comprise a toothed wheel, respectively referenced 15a
and 16a, mounted at the periphery of each of the flanges. The rotation of the
toothed wheels rotationally drives the mobile frame, by winding and
10 unwinding the belt respectively on the side of the first and of the second
flange. The synchronization mechanism 67 comprises a first pinion 75a and a
second pinion 76a configured to cooperate respectively with the first and the
second toothed wheels 15a and 16a so as to.rotationally drive the mobile
frame. Ensuring the rotational driving of the mobile frame by means of a
15 single pinion and toothed wheel assembly is also envisaged. Moreover, the
toothed wheel or wheels can be mounted at the periphery of the flanges, or
more generally be secured to the mobile frame.
In the case where the removable assembly 62 comprises means
for setting the load exerted on the pulling means, by displacement of a return
20 pulley relative to the two main pulleys, the casing can advantageously
comprise a second actuator, for example a linear or hydraulic actuator,
removably linked to the setting means and configured to make it possible to
displace the return pulley.
25 This configuration of a removable towing device is particularly
advantageous. In case of failure of the pulling or gripping means, or in a
periodic maintenance operation, the removable assembly 62 can be
separated from the casing, and transported to a workshop to facilitate the
intervention of an operator. The removable assembly can also be replaced by
30 a second assembly to ensure a continuity of mission during maintenance on
the removable assembly. The structural elements and the more rel~able
components (motor, synchronization mechanism) remain permanently fixed
to the vessel.
Advantageously, the pulling means and the gripping means of the
35 removable assembly can be linked to the driving means by a single
translational movement of the removable assembly relative to the casing in a
plane at right angles to the towing direction. By positioning the towing
direction of the device on a horizontal axis, the removable assembly can be
mounted in and dismantled from the casing by a vertical displacement in a
5 plane parallel to the plane of the toothed wheels, simultaneously coupling the
toothed wheels with the pinions, and the pulley with the shaft by virtue of the
dog clutch device of vertical axis. In addition, the device can advantageously
be provided with lifting means or a lifting device configured to make it
possible to displace the removable assembly relative to the casing in a
10 maintenance operation.
The present invention also envisages providing the towing device
with a brake capable of slowing down the.gripping means or the pulling
means. The brake can be configured to act at the output of the motor or on
15 the rotationally mobile frame.
To improve the capacity to drive the towing device, it is also
envisaged to implement measurement means comprising at least one sensor
making it possible to measure the movement of the towed object, for
example a sensor of displacement or a sensor of speed of the towed object.

claims
20.1A device for towing very long tubular objects (10) comprising a
casing (61) and an assembly (62) which can be fixed removably to the casing
5 (61); characterized in that the removable assembly (62) comprises:
- pulling means (63) capable of driving in their movement, by friction, the
object (10) in a towing direction,
- gripping means (64) capable of exerting a load on the pulling means (63) to
keep the pulling means (63) and the towed object (10) in continuous contact;
10 the gripping means (64) being driven by a relative movement relative to the
towed object (10) in a direction opposite to the towing direction,
and in that the casing (61) comprises driving means (66, 67), connected
removably to the pulling means (63) and gripping means (64) and configured
to drive in movement the pulling means (63) and the gripping means (64) in a
15 coordinated manner to ensure a continuous and uniform pulling of the object
(10).
2. The towing device as claimed in claim 1, of which the pulling
means (63) and the gripping means (64) can be coupled to the driving means
20 (66, 67) by a single translational movement of the removable assembly (62)
relative to the casing (61) in a plane at right angles to the towing direction.
3. The towing device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which:
-the pulling means (63) comprise a pulley (13) guiding a tread (12) coming
25 into contact with the object to be towed (lo), produced in a material with
strong adhesive power; the tread (12) being able to be driven in movement
by rotation of the pulley (13),
-the driving means (66, 67) comprise an actuator (66) and a synchronization
mechanism (67); the synchronization mechanism (67) comprises a shaft (70)
30 configured to rotationally drive the pulley (13) of the pulling means (63).
4. The towing device as claimed in claim 3, in which the gripping
means (64) comprise:
- a frame (114) that is rotationally mobile about the pulling axis (X) of the
35 object (lo), formed by a first and a second flange (15, 16) linked by
longitudinal uprights (19) and passed through by the object to be towed (10)
and the tread (12);
- a first and a second main pulley (1 12, 113) fixed respectively onto the first
and the second flanges (1 5, 16),
5 - a belt (1 10) taut between the first and second main pulleys (1 12, 11 3) and
helically wound around the object to be towed (10) and the tread (12), so as
to exert a load on the tread (12) and keep the tread (12) in contact on the
object to be towed (1 O),
- a toothed wheel (15a) that can drive the mobile frame (114) in rotation by
10 winding and unwinding the belt (1 10) respectively on the side of the first and
of the second flange (15, 16),
and in which the synchronization mechanism (67) comprises a pinion (75a)
configured to drive the toothed wheel (15a).
5. The towing device as claimed in claim 4, in which the gripping
means (64) comprise two toothed wheels (15a, 16a) secured respectively to
the first and to the second flanges (15, 16); the synchronization mechanism
(67) comprising two pinions (75a, 76a) configured to drive each of the two
toothed wheels (15a, 16a).
6. The towing device as claimed in claims 2 and 5, in which the
pulley (13) and the shaft (70) are coupled removably by means of a dog
clutch device (71a, 71b), allowing for a simultaneous coupling of the pulling
means of the toothed wheels (15a, 16a) with the pinions (75a, 7Fa) and of
25 the pulley (14) with the shaft (70) by translation of the removable assembly
(62) relative to the casing (61) in a plane at right angles to the towing
direction.
7. The towing device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, of
30 which the removable assembly (62) comprises setting means (30, 31),
capable of adjusting the load exerted on the pulling means (63).
8. The towing device as claimed in claims 4 and 7, in which the
setting means (30, 31) comprise a return pulley (30) that can be displaced
35 relative to the two main pulleys (112, 113), so as to adjust a tension exerted
on the belt (1 lo), malting it possible -to adjust ihe load exerted by the tread
(12) on the object to be towed (10);
and in which the casing (61) comprises a second actuator which can be
connected removably to the setting means (30, 31) and co~figured to allow
5 the return pulley (30) to be displaced with respect to the two main pulleys
(f 12, 113).
9. The device as claimed in claim 3, in which the gripping means
comprise several belts (1 10) and several first and second main pulleys (1 12,
10 113) fixed respectively onto the first and the second flanges (15, 16); each
belt (1 10) being associated with a first and a second main pulley (1 12, 11 3)
and taut between said first and second main pulleys (4 12, 113) and helically
wound around the object to be towed (10) and the tread (12).
15 10. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, of which
the pulling means (63) comprise at least one tread (12) having the shape of a
circular arc, so as to match the shape of the object to be towed (10) over a
portion of its circumference.
20 11. The device as claimed in claim 3, of which the pulling means
(12, 13, 14) comprise a spring mechanism (201) configured to tighten the
tread (12) so as to adapt to a variation of diameter of the object to be towed
(10).
25 12. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, of which
the pulling means (63) comprise several treads (12) coming into contact with
the object to be towed (lo), produced in a material with strong adhesive
power, distributed angularly around the object to be towed (10).
30 13. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
comprising a brake capable of slowing down the gr~pping means (64) or the
pulling means (63).
14. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
35 comprising means for measuring the movement of the towed object (10)