WO2011073542A1 - Submerged devices suitable for instantaneous surface deployment of various means for useful activities, in particular for protecting port facilities and the environment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to submerged devices suitable for instantaneous surface deployment of various means (25, 26, 36, 37, 41, 56, 62, 65, 68, 69, 70, 71) for useful activities, in particular for protecting port facilities and the environment. The method makes it possible to position, at the bottom of the body of water, an anti-craft or anti-pollution boom having a remote control means suitable for deploying the means almost instantaneously to the surface. Said devices can deploy rigid or flexible booms capable of forming heavy or light stopping means that are capable of stopping boats and ships and containing an oil slick. The activity means are then re-submersible when the threat or risk of pollution is no longer in effect. Furthermore, once the device is positioned at the bottom of the body of water, the control system of the device can be placed in sleep or standby mode.

Description

 Submerged devices adapted to deploy instantaneously on the surface various means of action usable in particular for the protection of port facilities and

 the environment

 The protection of ships at berths and port facilities against terrorist threats and the risks of pollution involves devices that deploy floating means of arrest and / or means of action immersed in envelopes (patent 09/02442 filed INPI on May 20, 2009 by the same author).

The disadvantages of dams floating devices are:

 1) to constitute an obstacle to maritime traffic

 2) sometimes bulky (difficult to transport and handle)

 3) to always ask for significant delays in implementation

 4) to be very exposed to environmental hazards (wind, chop, currents, swell, ...)

 The advantages of submerged solutions are that once the device is positioned at the bottom, the deployment times at the surface are considerably reduced. This solution is therefore particularly suited to risks and threats that only give very short reaction times.

 Moreover, the use of preconditioned means of protection in submerged envelopes (patent N ° 09/02442 filed by the same author at the INPI on May 20, 2009) is limited, on the one hand, by the volume of devices used and secondly that the use of protective envelopes may in some cases have disadvantages. In this sense, the solution, presented here, completes it by widening the range of submerged means to a much larger category of devices and extends it to means that do not require a protective envelope. In the following text descriptions and claims, the following terms are used in the sense indicated below:

 "Device" means globally all means of deployable actions and their means of maintenance and implementation;

 "Means of action" or "deployable means" means that part of the device that is deployed from the bottom of the water and that constitutes the active or passive means directed to a particular task (protection, pollution, measures, fishing, etc.). these means may be used alone or together with similar deployable means (Fig. 1 to 4) or different means (Figs 15 to 18);

 "Ballast" generally means both a rigid volume that can be filled with air and / or water, a flexible and inflatable envelope within a rigid envelope that may contain water which rigid volume is then provided with water inlet and outlet ports for inflation / deflation operations of the flexible envelope.

 "Flexible volume" means any inflatable volume composed of a flexible envelope provided with an inflation / deflation orifice and a pressure relief valve. Said flexible volume may itself be contained in a rigid volume as indicated supra;

 "Agreed signal" means all types of signals (radio electric, electrical, electronic, pyrotechnic, acoustic) agreed by the manufacturer to initiate the process of deployment of the means of action

"Predetermined events" indicates all types of previously selected events that correspond to a situation for which the use of the device is designed. It can be, in protection of site for example, a detection of radar intrusion, sonar or visual, a, behavior, noise or kinematics suspects ... The invention proposes a device (s) immersed (s) adapted (s) to deploy almost instantly on the surface various means of action usable in particular for the protection of the port facilities and the maritime environment and comprising:

 one (or more) means capable of being immersed and to be deployed on the surface (arrows 25, 26, 36, 41, 56, 62, 65, 68, 69), and, connected to the deployable medium (s):

 means (13, 35, 61) for holding underwater the deployable means (s)

 means for raising the surface of the deployable means (s),

 - Holding means (17) in position on the surface of (or) means (s) deployable (s).

 The characteristics listed below, without being exhaustive, are a good summary of the following description:

 According to one embodiment, this device for protecting a water body zone comprises:

 means of action (25, 26, 36, 37, 41, 56, 62, 65, 68, 69, 70, 71), able to be immersed near the bottom of the water, in a submerged position, and to be deployed on the surface, in a deployed position on the surface, to form an anti-ship or anti-boat or anti-pollution dam on the surface of the body of water,

 anchoring means (13, 35) arranged at the bottom of the body of water,

 - retaining means (61, 33) attached to the anchoring means for holding the action means in the immersed position,

 deployment means (14, 15, 27, 29, 33, 43, 48, 58) for carrying out the Archimedes pushing up of the means of action towards the surface of the water plane in the deployed position, on receiving a surface lift order, and

 - Retaining means (17) separate retaining means, which are fixed to the anchoring means, for holding the action means in the deployed position.

 According to one embodiment, the means for raising the means of action comprise buoyancy means associated with a gas intake means (27, 28, 29, 42, 43) in a part integral with the means of action, and / or means for separating (27, 33) the means of action of the anchoring means at the bottom of the water (35, 13).

 According to one embodiment, the buoyancy means comprise a flexible envelope (39), inner and / or outer, intended to be inflated by the gas admission means, in particular an inflatable bead.

 According to one embodiment, the buoyancy means comprise a rigid hollow body (11, 12) intended to be filled with water and / or air to create a more or less positive or negative buoyancy.

 According to one embodiment, the device comprises means for re-immersing the means of action to bring them back from their deployed position on the surface to that immersed at the bottom of the water, in particular a drain orifice (32) and a purge (31).

 According to one embodiment, the gas intake means comprises a reserve of gas under pressure (28) integrated in the device, or placed in proximity or remotely connected by a supply pipe (43) to the buoyancy means ( 11, 12, 39).

According to one embodiment, the means of action has a positive buoyancy and the surface-lift means comprises means for separating (27, 33) the means of action of the anchoring means (13, 35). According to one embodiment, the device comprises a means able to control the return to the surface of the means of action, on the action of a remote operator, and / or to the reception of an agreed signal from a remote operator, and / or upon receipt of an agreed signal from a predetermined event detector.

 According to one embodiment, the device further comprises a receiver (15) of radio waves and / or acoustic waves connected to the surface-up control means (27, 29) of the action means.

 According to one embodiment, the device comprises a connecting means (43, 48, 58) with a remote operator, for example a wire or a cable, a flexible pipe, an optical fiber, an acoustic or radio link.

 According to one embodiment, the means for controlling the surface-lift of the means of action comprises two modes of operation: a mode of standby in which the control of the surface-lift of the means of action is activated and, a mode of sleep in which it is disabled.

 According to one embodiment, the means for holding the action means in submerged position in the vicinity of the bottom comprise at least one anchoring means (13, 35) and at least one immersion retaining means (61, 33) connecting the means of action to the anchoring means.

 According to one embodiment, the device comprises a release means (33, 27) for releasing the means of action of the anchoring means (13, 35) which keep them immersed in the vicinity of the bottom.

 According to one embodiment, the means for holding the action means in the deployed position on the surface comprise at least one anchor (13, 35) and at least one orin (17) whose length is calculated as a function of the depth of the plane water at the location where the device is located and, optionally, depending on a chosen immersion height so that a portion of the means of action remains immersed when the other part is deployed on the surface.

 According to one embodiment, the means of action comprise a net (66) and / or straps (67) and / or floating ropes (67, 74) and / or a cable or rope (70) and / or a web of fiber or synthetic material (71) and / or a mesh or soft mesh, metal or synthetic material, all these equipment being provided with integrated floats or reported, adapted to give them a positive buoyancy.

 According to one embodiment, the length of the holding orifices (17) of the means of action in the deployed position at the surface is less than the depth of the water plane where the device is installed, so that the means of action, once separated from the immersion retaining means in the vicinity of the bottom of the water, have a submerged portion and a floating portion at the surface, greater than the depth of the body of water so that the means of action can be deployed as best as possible on the surface of the water body.

 According to one embodiment, the means of action such as nets and trellises (66), thongs and ropes (67), cables and ropes (70), plies (71) are provided with floats on the part intended for to stay on the surface of the water.

 According to one embodiment, the means of action comprise a sheet of fibers or synthetic materials (71) with internal floats (73) or inserts (57) and, optionally, reinforced ropes (74) and / or straps (67), and / or nets or trellises (66) and / or cables (70) floating.

 According to one embodiment, the means of action comprise grids or trellises (66) made of metal and / or synthetic materials provided with floats to ensure their buoyancy on the surface of the water.

According to one embodiment, the means of action are rigid and comprise stabilization means, such as keels and / or false keels (9) and / or anti-roll keels (55), and / or weights (35, 38) external or internal, which are arranged so as to prevent the means of action from rolling on themselves under the action of the current when they are placed on the bottom.

 According to one embodiment, the method is applicable to the protection of water bodies and installations that are sensitive to pollution risks and to surface maritime threats, comprising the following steps:

 - Immersion and fixing of a device in the vicinity of the bottom according to one of claims 1 to -1;

 - Receiving a signal for surface recovery of the means of action;

 - recovery to the surface of the water body means of action under the effect of the buoyancy of Archimedes,

 - maintaining in the deployed position on the body of water means of action that remain connected to the bottom of the water by orifices (17)

 - Re-immersion and possibly repackaging of the means of action.

 The dual innovative nature of said device described below is, on the one hand, the nature of the action means deployable from the bottom and, on the other hand, their implementation methods.

 The operational applications focus in particular on the protection of port facilities against threats. They also concern environmental protection against the risks of pollution by oil slicks. Other applications stem from the same process, they concern, among others, zone marking, marking, fishing, research and defense.

Said device comprises for example:

 ■ deployable means (or a set of associated means together as shown in Figures 1 to 4) immersed, with the ability to go to the surface to order and maintain the necessary time;

 A means adapted to remotely send a surface-up control signal in the event of a predetermined event,

 Either a receiver (15) adapted to receive the agreed signal to automatically actuate the surface-lift system / or a remote control which by a remote operator directly actuates the surface-lift system

 A control unit of the surface-lift system (27) of said action means connected to the receiver (15) or directly to a remote operator

 At least one means for holding the device under water (12, 13, 35, 61)

 At least one means for holding the device in position on the surface (17, 13)

 ■ and possibly:

 ■ means for re immersing (31, 32) of the device (control of deflation, flooding, release of buoyancy volumes)

 ■ an overpressure device (51)

 ■ a means of standby (system activated, ready for operation) and deactivation (deactivated system) of the surface-lift system (27)

 ■ Swell dampers (85) on the orifices and / or the retainers (61)

 ■ stabilization devices: anti-roll keel (55), keel, false keel or ballast (9, 38),

Or associated means or devices for enhancing anti-intrusion capabilities in the form of anti-ship appendages (54), nets (66) or floating straps (67) as illustrated in Figures 13 to 25. The characteristics common to the devices described in application 09/02442 are that in both cases they are:

^■ submerged underwater, in a standby position, approximately vertically above the surface location,

^■ deployed, then maintained at the surface by the action of the Archimedes thrust, thanks to rigid floats (57), pre-inflated (11) or inflatable (12, 39) flexible volumes, these various means being able to be combined between them,

^■ deployed on command either by a remote operator connected to the device by a material means (wire, pipe, cable, rope ...) or immaterial (radio or acoustic signal) or automatically upon receipt of an agreed signal corresponding to an event predetermined,

 ■ immersible on order in short time

^■ put in sleep (neutralized device) or standby (ready-to-use active device) position,

^■ adapted to receive the control signals of a remote operator or transmitter by a receiver (15) connected to the device, which receiver is located on the surface (Figure 2) or below the surface (Figure 1).

 The specific features of the present invention in relation to the patent application 09/02442 are that:

 The deployable means is used as it is (without a protective envelope).

 ■ the surface rise of the device is done by one action (or several combined actions) consisting of: inflating with a gas under pressure a flexible internal or external volume (provided with a pressure relief valve) and / or admitting a pressurized gas in a ballast (12) in place of the water and / or separating the deployable means with positive buoyancy from the anchoring means (s) on the bottom, and / or drop a ballast that holds the device at the bottom,

 ■ the re immersion is done on command or manual action, by deflation of the flexible volumes and / or admission of water in the ballasts and / or by release of volumes of buoyancy and or by re-ballasting.

 According to particular features, the device which is the subject of the present invention, as briefly described above, can be deployed on the surface by several methods:

 a) by a determined event detector, which upon detection of the predetermined event automatically sends said agreed signal to the receiver (15) -situated on the surface and / or under water- which automatically actuates the system (s) (s) surfacing

 b) by a remote operator that sends said signal directly to the receiver of the device which in turn activates the system (s) surface recovery;

 c) by a remote operator who has a direct hardware connection (electrical wire or other material means such as an inflation hose, a rope, ...) connected to the immersed device and which allows him to directly actuate the surface lift system

 (d) combinations of the above methods (a) (b) (c) and (d)

 The following figures illustrate, without limitation, different variants of devices using the method of the invention.

FIG. 1 represents, schematically, a volume of water in which is represented, immersed at the bottom of the water, a device which is an anti-boat barrier composed of several elements (25) interconnected by connection means (10). ). These elements have positive buoyancy thanks to a ballast filled with gas (11) and are retained at at their anchors (13) by releasable retainers (61). In this figure, the receiver (15) of the surface lift signal (which actuates the release of the reservoirs) is placed under water on the device.

 FIG. 2 schematically represents a volume of water in which is represented an anti-boat barrier composed of several deployable negative buoyancy means (26), the ballast (12) being filled with water. The dam is placed on the bottom of the water next to their anchors (13). In this figure the receiver (15) of the surface lift system is on the surface, connected to the device's surface rise system.

 Figures 3 and 4 show, schematically, a volume of water in which are shown the two deployable means illustrated in the preceding figures, deployed on the surface of the water where they are held in position by orifices (17) attached to their anchors (13).

 Figures 5 to 9 represent submerged, at the bottom of the water, devices that are elements of anti-ship dams and anti-pollution.

 FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation in immersion and cutaway of the systems for maintaining the bottom of the water, raising, maintaining the surface and re-immersing a deployable means (25) with positive buoyancy and filled with gas-filled ballast; (11).

 FIG. 6 diagrammatically shows in immersion and in cutaway, posed at the bottom next to its anchors, the systems of ascent, surface maintenance and immersion of a deployable means (26) provided with a negative buoyancy by a ballast filled with water (12).

 FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation in immersion and cutaway of the water-holding systems (33, 35), the surface-position holding systems (17, 35), and dipping device (31, 32) of a device with deployable means (36) with positive buoyancy by means of a gas-filled ballast (11). It is provided with a releasable ballast (35) which serves as a means of retaining the bottom of the water, and then (after deployment on the surface) means for holding in position on the surface by means of orifices (17) connected to the anchors (13).

 FIG. 8 diagrammatically shows in immersion and cutaway means a deployable means (37) with negative buoyancy, the surface-lift system of which is controlled by a remote control (14) actuated by a remote operator. This control means (14) acts by a connection which may be a wire or a cable or an optical fiber which, in this case, directly transmits the inflation order of the ballast (12) to the control unit (27) of the intake valve (29) of the compressed gas reservoir (28). Thus, via the conduit (42), the compressed gas is admitted into the ballast (12), which has the effect of expelling the water through the orifice (32).

 Figures 9A, 9B and 9C show schematically, in section, a device which is a flexible anti-pollution boom (arrow 41) with an inflatable flexible volume (39) during its various implementation sequences. In Figure 9A, the device is immersed and the coil (39) is deflated (at least in part). The deployable means is held at the bottom by its anchors (13), a drop box (33) and retainers (61). In FIG. 9B, the buoyancy volume (39) is being inflated and the anchor restraints have been released. This raises the dam to the surface while unwinding the orifices (17). In Figure 9C, the dam is deployed on the surface, maintained by its buoyant volume (39) which is inflated complement. It is held in position by its orifices (17) fixed to the anchors (13). Its ballast (38) maintains the immersed portion upright and the emerged wing (40) thus constitutes a dam for a hydrocarbon web.

 FIG. 9D shows, in perspective, a part of this anti-pollution dam, deployed on the surface.

Figures 10A to 10D show in section a deployable means which is an anti-ship barrier element. It has anti roll keels (55) with end heights (38). This stabilizing means can advantageously complete a single weighted keel or a fixed ballast (9) as shown in Figures 5, 6, 8. To prevent the surface of the dam elements "roll" in the longitudinal direction at the risk of breaking the fasteners (10) which them show solidarity. FIG. 10A shows, in section, the operating system of an anti-boat barrier element (arrow 56), placed at the bottom of the water on its anti-roll keels (55), close to its anchors (13). ). The external flexible buoyant volumes (39) are deflated.

 FIG. 10B shows diagrammatically and in section, this same deployable means (56), during ascent, the flexible buoyant volumes (39), placed outside in the longitudinal direction, being in the process of being inflated. During the ascent, the gas pressure inside the flexible volume is controlled by an overpressure valve (51)

 FIG. 10C shows it in the same way rendered on the surface and still held at the bottom by its orifices (17) and a wave damper (85) at its anchors (13). The external lateral floats (39) are this time completely inflated.

 Figure 10D shows this time, in perspective, this anti-ship barrier element. It shows the two side floats (39) which have a form of tubes placed under the appendages (54). Anti roll keels (55) are shown here with recesses.

 Figures 11 and 12 illustrate in perspective another deployable means that constitutes an anti-pollution dam adapted to another type of implementation.

 FIG. 11 shows (partly in section and partly in perspective) a portion of flexible anti-pollution barrier (arrow 62), equipped with rigid floats (57) and deployed at the bottom of the water in the waiting position, maintained above its anchors (13) by retentions (61) which can be dissociated by the release housing (27).

FIG. 12 shows (in perspective and in three dimensions) the same anti-pollution dam (arrow 62) deployed this time on the surface and maintained its orifices (17) above its anchors (13).

 FIG. 13 shows a device (arrow 65) consisting of a propeller trap net (66) made of metal mesh (or of textile or of synthetic material possibly reinforced with metal ropes), equipped with floats (57), and which is maintained in position under the surface of the water by retentions (61) releasable by a housing (27) fixed to the anchors (13).

 FIG. 14, shows in three dimensions and in perspective, the same thread (66) - this time released by releasing its retainers (61) - and deployed horizontally on the surface of the water, supported by its own floats (57) and held in position by orifices (17) fixed to the anchors (13).

FIG. 15 shows in perspective, after its deployment on the surface, a variant of rigid anti-ship device (arrow 65), of the type of those illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 but combined this time with different equipment: floating net (66) and / or floating straps or ropes (67) to also serve as traps for hydrojets turbines. FIG. 16 illustrates another device shown at the bottom: the deployable means (arrow 68) consists of floating straps or ropes (67) attached to rigid floating stiffeners (69) intended to keep them deployed in length. The device is shown held at the bottom by retentions (61) secured to the anchors (13) by release casings (27). The surface lift control system is shown here with a receiver (15) connected to a plurality of drop boxes (27) of the retainers (61). The receiver (15) can be replaced by direct control of the drop boxes (27) by a remote operator. In addition, the jets (27) can be equipped with their own individual receivers. FIG. 17 shows a three-dimensional volume of water on the surface of which the means of anti-ship actions (arrow 68) drawn in FIG. 16 is deployed. It is held in position on the surface by its orifices (17) which after release retainers (61) maintain the dam above its anchors (13).

 Figure 18 shows the same kind of device, in a volume of water in three dimensions. The means of action is this time consisting of a set consisting of a net (66) and straps and / or floating ropes (67). As shown, it was dropped from the bottom but instead of being fully deployed on the surface, the length of the ores was calculated to retain a portion of the net (66) in a vertical position below the surface, the other part is in surface deployed horizontally supported by the floats (57).

 FIG. 19 and 20 diagrammatically shows in a section of water a device consisting of a deployable means which is a cable or rope (70) equipped with floats (57) which gives it a positive buoyancy.

In Figure 19, it is immersed in the standby position. It is retained at the bottom, stretched between the anchors (13) by restraints (61) secured thereto by housings (27) connected to the receiver.

 In Figure 20, the cable was dropped, it is on the surface, maintained by its floats (57) and held in position by its orifices (17) attached to the anchors (13). The deployable means represented here can either be a "stop line" for boats or a zone marking line.

 FIG. 21 is a plan view, in perspective and in three dimensions, of an unfoldable anti-boat means (with propellers and hydrojets), held in position by its orifices (17) above its anchors (13). This action means is a floating web (71) of fiber or synthetic material on which are stitched rows of straps or ropes floating (67). The sheet is maintained extended lengthwise by floating stiffeners (69) interconnected by link arms (10). The buoyancy of the sheet is obtained either by small floats incorporated or reported. A lattice of sewn, glued or embedded strips (73) can reinforce the strength of the web as shown in FIG. 23.

 Fig. 22 shows an exemplary mounting of floats (57) embedded in a mesh or wire mesh (72) used (as shown in Figs. 13 and 14) as a means of action against propeller vessels.

FIG. 23 illustrates in perspective an action means consisting of a sheet (71) having its own buoyancy and reinforced with a mesh (73) on which floating straps or ropes (67) are fixed. It is held taut in the frontal direction of the floating stiffeners (69) -reliés them by links (10) to make a continuous dam- and which are connected to the orins (17).

 FIG. 24 illustrates an example of integration of an internal (73) or external (57) float with rope, webbing or mesh equipment (74) to ensure its buoyancy. A bobbin float (73), rigid preferably, integrated between the fibers or the superimposed films of a sheet is good way to ensure its buoyancy.

 FIG. 25 represents, under water, dam elements above three anchors (13) with their retainers (61) and their housings (27) for releasing anchor restraints. The housings (27) are connected to a main control line (58) which can be connected to several sources of deployment control signals:

 one being a radio and / or acoustic receiver (15) adapted to receive the deployment signal of the action means directly from a remote operator by means of an emitter of radio (13) or acoustic (5) signals ,

the other being a remote control (14) actuated directly by a remote operator, the third being an event detector (7) which, in case of occurrence of a predetermined event justifying the deployment of the action means, sends the agreed deployment signal to the receiver (15) which is pre-set for the automatically identify and trigger the deployment process of the action medium.

Other advantages, aims and features of the present invention emerge from the description which follows for an explanatory and non-limiting purpose.

 The surface-lift of the devices of the invention can take place in several ways:

 - a) by uncoupling (release or unhitching) of the restraints (61) at anchor points (examples in figures 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13, 16, 19)

 - b) by load shedding (example in Figure 7)

 c) by increasing the volume of water displaced by inflating an external buoyancy volume (examples in FIG. 10) and / or internal inflation (examples in FIG. 9),

 - by introducing air into ballasts (examples in Figures 6 and 8),

 e) by combinations of solutions a), b), c), d).

 The following description specifies the operation of the various deployment solutions mentioned in the various cases: ► In the case a) illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 16, 19, in waiting position on the bottom, the deployable elements shown have a positive buoyancy and are maintained on the bottom of the water by retentions (61) to the anchors whose release by controlled systems (27 and / or 33) allows the recovery to the surface.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of an anti-vessel dam element with positive buoyancy, immersible and equipped with a means of release (33) of the reservoirs (61) at the bottom of the water which is controlled remotely. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 on receipt of an agreed signal, the receiver (15) - which can be placed at the surface as in FIG. 2 or at the bottom as in FIG. 1 - transmits an order to the control system of FIG. surfacing (27). In turn, it commands the housings (33) to drop the retainers (61) that previously held the captive device at the bottom of the water on its anchors (13). Released from these reservoirs, the deployable means then rises to the surface by its own buoyancy by releasing the orifices (17). These, equipped with wave dampers (85), hold it in position at the desired location on the surface of the water. The different constituent elements of the dam rise simultaneously. The delivery system (15, 27, 33) can be replaced by a single drop box (27) on each retainer (61) as shown in Figures 16 and 19. This housing can be controlled by one or more receivers (15). ) is controlled directly by a link (48) with a remote operator.

 In FIGS. 11 and 12, the positive buoyancy device shown has an immersible anti-pollution dam (arrow 62) equipped with rigid floats (57) wrapped in a fabric (60) which, provided with internal stiffeners (63), a flexible ballast (38) held in a sheath (59) in the lower part, is a semi-rigid vertical dam with a submerged portion and another emerged. The device when it is placed at the bottom of the water, in a standby situation (FIG. 11), is held at the anchors (13) by restraints (61). Upon reception of the agreed signal, the receiver (15) or the remote operator commands the surface-lift systems (27) to dissociate the portion of the retaining lines (61) integral with the anchors (13) which has the effect of to release the dam which goes up of itself on the surface where it remains maintained above its anchors (13) by ores (17). This device is a variant of the dam (arrow 41), shown in Figures 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D, the rigid buoys (57) being replaced in this case by an inflatable ring (39).

In FIGS. 13 and 14, the device (arrow 65) represented is a net or mesh (66) of metal, made of other synthetic materials or textile, equipped with floats (57) so as to be held vertically under water and horizontally surface. In the standby position, it is at the bottom (Figure 13) maintained by releasable retainers (61) attached to the anchors (13). At the release signal of the reservoirs (61), transmitted to the housings (27), by a receiver (15) or by a direct connection with a remote operator, the net rises to the remaining surface connected to its anchors (13) by its own means. orins that keep it in the desired location on the surface. Carried by its floats (57), it deploys horizontally on the surface of the water constituting a fearsome propeller trap for those who try to cross it. The net (66) may be supplemented by ropes or floating straps (67) which constitute a double trap for the propellers and for the turbines of the hydrojets. The floats of the nets, trellises, thongs and floating ropes can be fixed (57) or integrated in the structure (73) (see the examples of Figures 22 and 24).

Floating nets or trellises as a propeller trap (arrow 65) can also enhance the effectiveness of an anti-ship dam. In this case, instead of fixing it to the anchors as illustrated in Figure 13, simply attach them to the dam with which they unfold. FIG. 15 illustrates this variant with a rigid barrier (25 or 26) represented on the surface, doubled by a net (66) - possibly supplemented by floating straps or ropes (67), deployed horizontally on the surface. The rigid dam (25, 26, 36, 37, 56) can be replaced by a simple inflatable bead or a rigid float (69 / illustrated in Fig.16).

 FIG. 16 shows an immersed device (arrow 68) consisting of inflatable or rigid floats (69) to which floating straps or ropes (67) are attached. At the release signal of the reservoirs (61), transmitted by the receiver (15) or a remote operator to the drop box (27) of the retentions (61) to the anchors (13), the whole deployable means (arrow 68) goes back on the surface by releasing the orifices (17) fixed to the anchors (13).

 Figure 17 shows a device consisting of floating nets (66) and / or floating straps or ropes (67) deployed horizontally on the surface. The float (69) acts as a stiffener to maintain the action means deployed over its surface length. These floats are interconnected by links (10) which allows to constitute a continuous dam. The ores (17) hold it above its anchors (13). The deployable means is positioned in the direction of the current.

 Figure 18 shows another variant of device in a volume of water shown in three dimensions. The medium was dropped from the bottom but instead of being wholly surface, the height of the orifices was intentionally calculated to hold vertically underwater a portion of the net (66) and / or floating straps or ropes. (67) the other surface portion being deployed horizontally supported by its floats (57). The rigid float (69) serves as stiffeners of the longitudinal part of the submerged device. Another technique allows to obtain the same effect without playing on the length of the ores, it consists in endowing the net and or straps or buoyancy ropes only over part of their length, so the other part will remain immersed.

 FIG. 19 shows at the bottom (hatched surface), then FIG. 20, deployed at the surface, another variant of deployable means constituted by a line of synthetic cables or ropes (70) equipped with floats (57) which can be used as strand of stop or mark line / markup zone. This line (70) may be reinforced by nets (66), straps and / or ropes (67) or webs (71) floating to enhance the anti-ship arrest capabilities.

FIG. 21 shows a top view, in perspective and in three dimensions, of deployable anti-ship means (with propellers and hydrojets), deployed on the surface, held in position by its orifices (17) above its anchors (13). The action means is a floating web (71) made of fibers or synthetic material (nylon tarpaulin for example) on which rows of floating straps or ropes (67) are fixed so as to be more easily sucked by the web by a hydrojet turbine or a propeller. The sheet can be made floating by built-in floats (of the kind bubble plastics) or by floats reported. The weft of the web may be reinforced by a net or mesh of textiles or other synthetic materials.

 ► In case b). is described a deployment solution of the action means by load shedding, illustrated in FIG. 7:

In the standby position on the bottom, in a first configuration, the deployable means (36) is provided with a positive buoyancy ballast (11) and a releasable ballast (35). The entire device (36 + 35) has a negative buoyancy, which is the case in the standby position on the bottom of the water. With this solution, the surface rise is done by dropping the ballast (or shot or other heavy object) according to the same process as that described above (Figure 5). If the ballast is partly filled with water and it is necessary to increase the buoyancy, the inflator (27, 28, 29) can provide.

 ► In case c). the deployment of the action means is done by increasing the volume of water displaced by inflating an external buoyancy volume (examples in FIGS. 10) and / or internal (examples in FIG. 9). Figures 9 and 10 show in standby position on the bottom of the water, action means (arrows 41 and 56) which have insufficient buoyancy to be able to go back by themselves. Their buoyancy can be slightly positive (Figure 9), neutral or even negative (Figure 10). In this configuration, the method consists in providing the deployable means with additional buoyancy so that they can be quickly reassembled and held on the surface. This additional buoyancy is provided by inflating a flexible volume, internal (Figure 9, for example) or external (Figure 10, for example)

 In a first case (Figure 10), the device is placed on the bottom of the water on two anti-roll keels (55) each provided with weights (38) so as to maintain the vertical device during the ascent and stable in roll surface. In Figure 10A, is schematized the surface lift system which operates as follows:

Upon receipt of the agreed signal to deploy the action means, the receiver (5) actuates the surface-lift control box (27) which in turn actuates the compressed air inlet (29) of a reserve (28) which by two ducts (42) admit compressed gas in two flexible volumes (39) which then swell. When the volume of water displaced is sufficient to compensate for its weight, the deployable means (here the dam element) begins its ascent as shown in FIG. 10B. During the ascent a relief valve (51) controls the internal pressure of the external buoyancy volume (39). On the surface (FIG. 10C), these longitudinal buoyancy volumes maintain the anti-ship dam which remains positioned above its anchorages by orifices (17) provided with wave dampers (85). In the case of an attempted crossing by a ship or drone launched at high speed, appendages (54) and possibly other active (pyrotechnic) and / or passive means (such as fringes of nets (66) and / or ropes or floating straps (67) anti-helix webs (71 / Fig. 21 & 23), held horizontally by floats, can increase the stopping power of the device (see Fig. 15). a second case, illustrated in Figures 9A to 9D, the device shown has as a means of action an anti-pollution dam which deploys on the surface by inflating a flexible volume which, unlike the previous case, is internal. 9A, is shown in section an anti-pollution dam (arrow 41), immersed and maintained at the bottom on its anchors by releasable retentions (61) In this situation, even after the release of the anti-pollution dam (arrow 41), the rod internal inflatable (39) is not inflated enough to allow be at the barrier to deploy quickly and correctly its surface action means (even if it has a slightly positive buoyancy to keep it in standby position above its anchorages, as shown in Figure 9A). Thus, in the standby position, (FIG. 9A), the submerged dam is maintained above its anchorages by retentions (61) which can be dissociated from the anchors (13) by the action of the surface-lift control box. (33). The inflatable pudding (39) has an orifice (42) connected by a pipe (43) to a pressurized gas reservoir (28) which in this case is on the ground. The pressurized gas supply (28) is either integrated in the device, placed in proximity or placed at a distance (on land, for example) connected by a supply pipe (43) to the inflatable buoyancy means (39).

The control (14) for admitting pressurized gases into the inflating tube (43) is actuated by a remote operator. Thus, on visual detection of a hydrocarbon layer, the anti-pollution dam (arrow 41) can be deployed immediately on the surface (FIG. 9D).

 Another solution, applicable (not shown) to this deployable means, would be that the remote operator sends the agreed signal to a receiver (15) to control an inflation device identical to that shown in Figure 6 which must be associated the operation of the release casing (33) of the retainers (61) to the anchors (13).

Another solution that can also be applied is that the remote operator acts directly on the compressed gas inlet housing (29) by using an ascent device identical to that shown in FIG. 8 with the compressed gas cylinder (28) lying then proximity of the inflatable bead (39), connected to the inflation port (42) by the soup hose (43) long enough for the bottle (28) to remain at the bottom when the deployable means is at the surface, the valve of admission (29) being closed in the standby position. This inlet valve, remote-controlled opening, is also connected to the control unit (14) of the remote operator by means of transmission of the opening order of the intake valve. Thus on detection of a hydrocarbon layer, the deployment of the anti-pollution dam can be controlled at any time by the remote operator by sending directly the opening signal of the valve (29).

 In all cases, simultaneously with the inflation control, the retaining means (61) must be released by the housing (33) to allow the action means to go up, while remaining secured to its anchors by the orifices (17). ). In addition, a pressure relief valve (51) controls the internal pressure of the soft floats during the ascent. Deflating valves (31) make it possible to re immerge quickly and on demand the means of actions.

► In the case d). the deployment of the means of action is introduced air into ballasts as shown in Figures 6 and 8.

 In the waiting position on the bottom, the action means has a negative or insufficiently positive buoyancy to deploy properly by itself. Its rapid deployment on the surface is then by admitting a pressurized gas which by driving water from a ballast creates a positive buoyancy.

 In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6, upon reception of the agreed signal, the receiver (15) actuates the surface-lift system (27) which opens the inlet (29) of compressed gas coming from the reserve (28). which then flushes the water from the inner ballast (12) through a drain hole (32) located in the lower part. This process may be sufficient in itself without ballast, although both methods can be associated.

 In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8, the operation is the same with the difference that the control of the ascent system is made by a remote operator who uses a hardware link (48) by wire, cable, hose, or optical fiber. which it directly sends the operating signal to the lift control device (27). In another variant (not shown), the inflation of the ballast is done directly by a remote operator who has on the ground a reserve of compressed gas connected to the ballast by a flexible pipe and whose it actuates the admission by a valve of pressurized gas inlet, located on the ground.

► In case (e) the surface lift solution uses a combination of the processes described in cases a), b), c), d). In the waiting position, the action system has a positive buoyancy (preferably) and uses a combination of the solutions described above. Thus, a device can associate the release of a ballast and the inflation of a reserve. air.

 In most cases, the device is immersible after it has been placed on the surface by an air purging device (31) of ballasts (11, 12) and / or internal (and / or external) flexible volumes (39). , if necessary, by admission of water through the orifice (32) if the ballast (12) is inflated by the medium soft volume). To re immerge the devices (25, 26, 36, 37) it suffices either to transmit to the immersion control box (27) the signal which opens the purge (31) and, if necessary, the drain orifice (32). ), either to destroy (scuttling), to drop or deflate the main buoyancy means. The device may also be provided with a means that neutralizes it after a given period of time, re-immersing it automatically at the end of this period.

 In addition, the surface lift control system can be put to sleep or awake. The purpose of the sleep mode is to neutralize the operation of the surface-lift control system (27), which may be important to avoid any risk of malfunctioning when these devices are immersed permanently in traffic zones.

 All these protective devices can be deployed in successive curtains which, in terms of protection against threats, offers a range of successive solutions, or even progressive, varied, and adjustable to each type of threat or risk.

 This type of dam may be pre-positioned, for example, around a fixed anchorage zone, in front of the entrance to a port, a dock, around a terminal (unloading of petroleum products, in front of a point (or zone) said to be sensitive to various points of view (safety, security, protection of the environment, fish farming, oyster farming, the marking of punctuated dens ...).

 The method is only partially similar to that of the device object of the patent application filed by the same inventor on May 20, 2009 in Paris and registered under number 09/02442. The difference lies in the fact that there is no opening phase of an envelope to release a deployable means.

 Among the new means of action described in the present invention, some (70, 71, 66) can be deployed by both methods that using a submerged envelope (deposit Γ ΡΙ 09/02442) and that which is the subject of this deposit.

 To stabilize them in roll when they are deployed on the surface, the rigid deployable means such as the anti-ship dams are advantageously equipped with stabilizing means - pins or false keels (9), external (38) or internal weights - which can also be replaced or supplemented by anti-roll keels (55, Fig. 10) arranged so that they can also be prevented from rolling on themselves by the action of the current when they are placed on the bottom (see Fig. 10A) . The keels, keels and anti roll keels can advantageously be completed or replaced by weights (38).

Similarly, the two devices (with or without a protective envelope) can be re-immersed, put to sleep or standby, equipped with the same active and passive means as described in application 09/02442. Moreover, in either case, the system for releasing the reservoirs (61) to the anchors (13) of the deployable means from the bottom of the water can be done by pyrotechnic devices (such as the rupture of the explosive micro-explosive fasteners), pneumatic means (such as the pneumatic opening of the release casing (33, 27) associated with the inflation of the buoyancy means), mechanical means (such as traction and / or release to actuate the device of the device). drop box), chemical (such as reactions of two products brought into contact to produce an effect), electrical (such as the opening / closing of electro valves, the firing of a pyrotechnic chain).

 The surface lift control system is shown in FIGS. 11, 13 and 19 with a surface or underwater receiver (15) which can be connected to a plurality of drop boxes (27) of the retainers (61) at the anchors. This receiver (15) can be replaced by a direct control (14) of the drop boxes (27) by a remote operator using a transmission means (43, 48, 58) for the release (and possibly inflation of the deployable means ( The rising signal can also be communicated to the receiver (15) either by a predetermined event detector (7) or by a transmitter of a suitable signal (13) actuated by a remote operator. 1 or even two of them may nevertheless be sufficient The means of directly controlling the deployment of the action means by a remote operator having a direct command is also illustrated in FIG. 8. In this diagram, the control (14) operates directly remotely the control (27) of the intake valve (29) which introduces the compressed gas into the ballast (12) and, secondarily, the operation of the purge ( 31) and the water drain port (32).

 The pressurized gas reservoir (28) is either integrated inside (FIG. 10) or outside the deployable means (FIGS. 5 to 8), placed in proximity or placed at a distance (on the ground, for example) connected by a supply pipe (43) to the inflatable volume (s) (11, 12, 39)

 On the assembly shown in FIG. 9, it can directly inflate the anti-pollution dam remotely by means of a control valve (14) on the ground (for example) which directly admits the compressed air via a flexible pipe to the orifice of inflating (42) buoyancy volumes (39). In this case, the compressed gas source is no longer downstream of the control (FIG. 8) but upstream (FIG. 9). All these mounts can be applied to other devices with ballasts or flexible inflatable volumes (internal or external)

 In addition, the drop boxes (27) can be equipped with or integrate their own individual receiver. The receivers (15), depending on their location (surface or immersion) are adapted to receive radio signals and / or acoustic signals.

 In order to protect against the threats posed by high-speed speedboats and surface drones, to improve the stopping power of the rigid structure of the folding means, it can be equipped with projecting appendages (54) and can be reinforced with fringes. threads (66) of textile or metal, flexible stopping strands (70), long lines and / or floating straps (67) or synthetic ropes for blocking the turbines of the jet propellers.

 Means of action against vessels and other surface craft, suitable as propeller traps and / or hydrojet propeller turbines, may consist, in whole or in part, of nets (arrow 65), thongs or ropes (67 ), cables (70), trellises or grids (66), plies (71) of fibers or of synthetic materials, the non-metallic materials being able to be reinforced with ropes or metallic or synthetic fibers, the non-floating materials themselves being provided with floats to maintain them, at least in part, on the surface.

 The devices described are likely to have many industrial applications that can be used for military purposes (area defense) or civil (protection), public (communities and public services) or private (professional uses such as fishing, research, zone marking). , the protection of aquaculture sites, environments and sensitive activity areas).

In its protection applications, it can be developed for the protection of water bodies and port installations which according to the instructions of the ISPS code (acronym for "International Ship and Port Security" for safety ships and ports) must be protected, in peacetime, against the threat of terrorist actions, in particular.

 In addition to applications for protection against threats and civil (environmental) risks, the process can be applied to fishing (recovery of gear immersed in traffic areas), scientific activities (recovery of measurement) or sporting events (point delimitation of nautical activity zone)

The method that is the subject of the present invention comprises at least the following four steps:

 ■ immersion of the device,

 ■ receipt of an appropriate order to deploy the average (s) of actions,

 ■ surface rise of the means (s) of actions by using the buoyancy of Archimedes,

■ surface maintenance for a specified period of time of at least part of the means (s) of actions that remain (s) connected (s) to the bottom by orifices (17) attached to anchors (13)

 and optional:

 ■ re-immersion and repackaging of the means of action.

Claims

claims  1. Device for protecting a water body zone, comprising:  means for action (25, 26, 36, 37, 41, 56, 62, 65, 68, 69, 70, 71), able to be immersed in the vicinity of the bottom of the water, in a submerged position, and to be deployed on the surface, in a deployed position on the surface, to form an anti-ship or anti-boat or anti-pollution dam on the surface of the body of water,  anchoring means (13, 35) arranged at the bottom of the body of water,  retaining means (61, 33) fixed to the anchoring means for holding the action means in the submerged position,  deployment means (14, 15, 27, 29, 33, 43, 48, 58) for carrying out the Archimedes pushing up of the means of action towards the surface of the water body, on receipt of an order surfacing, and  holding means (17), separate from the retaining means, which are fixed to the anchoring means, for holding the action means in the deployed position on the surface. 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the means for raising the means of action comprise buoyancy means associated with a gas intake means (27, 28, 29, 42, 43) in a secured portion of the means Action,  and / or means for separating (27, 33) the means of action of the anchoring means (35, 13) which hold them in submerged position. 3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the buoyancy means comprise a flexible envelope (39), inner and / or outer, intended to be inflated by the gas inlet means, in particular an inflatable ring. 4. Device according to claim 2, wherein the buoyancy means comprise a rigid hollow body (11, 12) intended to be filled with water and / or air to create a more or less positive buoyancy or negative. 5. Device according to claim 4, comprising means for re-immersing the means of action to bring them from their deployed position on the surface to that immersed at the bottom of the water, in particular a drain orifice (32) and a purge (31). 6. Device according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the gas inlet means comprises a reserve of gas under pressure (28) integrated in the device, or placed in proximity or remotely connected by a pipe of supply (43) to the buoyancy means (11, 12, 39). 7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the means of action has a positive buoyancy and the surface-raising means comprises means for separating (27, 33) the means of action of the anchoring means (13, 35). ). 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a means adapted to control the recovery of the surface of the means of action, on the action of a remote operator, and / or on receipt of an agreed signal d ' a remote operator, and / or receiving an agreed signal from a predetermined event detector. 9. Device according to claim 8, further comprising a receiver (15) of radio waves and / or acoustic waves connected to the surface up control means (27, 29) of the action means. 10. Device according to claim 8, comprising a connecting means (43, 48, 58) with a remote operator, for example a wire or a cable, a flexible pipe, an optical fiber, an acoustic or radio link. 11. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the surface of the control means for raising the means of action comprises two modes of operation:  - a standby mode in which the control of surface recovery of the means of action is activated and, - a sleep mode in which it is disabled. 12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the means for holding the action means in the immersed position in the vicinity of the bottom comprise at least one anchoring means (13, 35) and at least one means of immersion retainer (61, 33) connecting the means of action to the anchoring means. 13. Device according to claim 12, comprising a release means (33, 27) for releasing the means of action of the anchoring means (13, 35) which keep them immersed in the vicinity of the bottom. 14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the means for holding the action means in the deployed position on the surface comprise at least one anchor (13, 35) and at least one orin (17) whose length is calculated as a function of the depth of the body of water at the location of the device and, possibly, as a function of an immersion height chosen so that part of the means of action remains immersed when the other part is deployed on the surface. 15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the means of action comprise a net (66) and / or straps (67) and / or floating ropes (67, 74) and / or a cable or a rope (70) and / or a ply of fiber or synthetic material (71) and / or a mesh or a flexible grid of metal or of synthetic material, all these equipments being provided with integrated or reported floats, adapted to give them a positive buoyancy. 16. Device according to claims 14 and 15, wherein the length of the holding orifices (17) of the action means in the deployed position on the surface is: is less than the depth of the body of water where the device is installed, so that the means of action, once separated from the immersion retaining means near the bottom of the water, have a submerged portion and a floating part on the surface,  is greater than the depth of the body of water so that the means of action can be deployed as best as possible on the surface of the body of water. 17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the means of action such as nets and trellises (66), straps and ropes (67), cables and ropes (70), webs (71). ) are provided with floats on the part intended to remain on the surface of the water. 18. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the means of action comprise a sheet of fibers or synthetic materials (71) with internal floats (73) or reported (57) and optionally reinforced with ropes (74) and / or straps (67), and / or nets or trellises (66) and / or cables (70) floating. 19. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the means of action comprise mesh or mesh (66) of metal and / or synthetic materials with floats to ensure their buoyancy on the surface of the water. 20. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the means of action are rigid and comprise stabilizing means, such as keels and / or false keels (9) and / or anti-roll keels (55). and / or external or internal weights (35, 38), which are arranged so as to prevent the means of action from rolling on themselves under the action of the current when they are placed on the bottom. 21. A method applicable to the protection of an area of a body of water comprising the following steps:  - Immersion and fixing of a device in the vicinity of the bottom according to one of claims 1 to 20;  - Receiving a signal for surface recovery of the means of action;  - recovery to the surface of the water body means of action under the effect of the buoyancy of Archimedes,  maintaining in the deployed position on the body of water means of action which remain connected to the bottom of the water by orifices (17). 22. The method of claim 21, comprising a step of re-immersion and possibly repackaging of the action means.