EP3978348A1 - Mooring device of a boat - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for mooring a boat, comprising a mooring point such as a mooring buoy (1), a mooring line (7, 9), fixed to the mooring point (1) by a main mooring segment (7 ) and a buoy (11), attached to the mooring line (7, 9) by a complementary mooring segment (9) and assuming a floating state or a state out of the water when respectively, a boat (13) n is not or is moored to the mooring point (1, 17, 19, 21), the buoy being weighted by the mooring line (7, 9) in the floating state while in the out of water state , it is linked to a moored boat (13) by the complementary segment (9), the main segment (7) being the only one intended to be fixed to the boat (13) to support a tensile force exerted by the boat on the point of mooring (1). According to the invention, the buoy (11) comprises means for detecting the floating state and the out-of-water state and communication means (87) for sending in real time to a central management (88), signals (95, 97) establishing a unambiguous relationship between the detected floating or out of water state and respectively, the unmooring or the mooring of a boat at the mooring point.

Description

The invention belongs to the field of mooring devices for boats, in particular pleasure boats.

Today, parking area managers seek to better understand and better control the state of their berths, in order to optimize the occupancy rate and in particular, the provision of points temporarily freed moorings or control of unauthorized occupations.

The invention relates more particularly to a device for mooring a boat, comprising a mooring point such as a mooring buoy, a pontoon, a quay or even a post, a mooring line fixed to the mooring point by a main segment and a buoy, attached to the mooring line by a complementary segment and assuming a floating state or a state out of the water when respectively, a boat is not or is moored at the mooring point, the buoy being ballasted by the mooring line in the state of flotation, while in the state out of water, it is linked to a boat moored by the complementary segment, the main segment being alone intended to be fixed to the boat to support a force of traction exerted by the boat.

The figures 1 to 4 illustrate a mooring device of this type known per se. The main segment of the mooring is counted between an attachment loop at the mooring point, here a mooring buoy, and an attachment loop at a fixed point on a boat. When the main segment connects a boat to the mooring point, the complementary segment makes it possible, for example, to suspend the buoy in a vacuum or to place it on the boat.

The document WO 2016/015089 discloses a mooring device in which a mooring buoy forms a mooring point for a boat. A tether is attached to the mooring point by a first segment. A second segment is intended to be fixed to the boat. The two segments of the mooring line are connected by a buoy to which they are fixed. When the boat is at a distance less than the total length of the mooring line, equal to the sum of the lengths of the two segments (the proper size of the buoy being neglected) the traction exerted by the boat is zero and the buoy is in good condition. of flotation. When the boat is dragged a distance which tends towards the total length of the mooring line, the traction on each segment of the mooring line has the effect of pulling the buoy out of the water. This resumes its floating state when the traction is canceled again, depending on the movements of the boat relative to the mooring point. Thus, the buoy changes from a state of flotation to a state out of water depending on the traction exerted by the boat on the mooring line. The buoy comprises means for detecting the state out of water and communication means for sending to a management center a signal establishing a relationship between the state out of water detected and the mooring of a boat at the mooring point.

The detection of the state out of water according to this mooring device is random, because it depends on the movement of the boat relative to the mooring point. In calm seas, the buoy can remain in the floating state for a long period of time, during which the detection means do not detect any change in state. During this time interval, it is not possible to check a previously established relationship between the detected out of water state and the mooring of a boat. An accidental or intentional unmooring may have occurred without being detected, the buoy having remained in the floating state.

One of the aims of the invention is to increase the reliability of a mooring device.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for mooring a boat, comprising a mooring point such as a mooring buoy, a pontoon, a quay or even a post, a mooring line, fixed to the point of mooring by a main segment and a buoy, attached to the mooring line by a complementary segment and assuming a floating state or an out of water state when respectively a boat is not or is moored at the mooring point, the buoy being weighted by the mooring in the state of flotation while in the state out of water, it is linked to a boat moored by the complementary segment, the main segment being alone intended to be fixed to the boat to support a force of traction exerted by the boat on the mooring line, characterized in that the buoy comprises means for detecting the floating state and the state out of the water and communication means for sending in real time to a management center , signals establishing a one-to-one relationship between the floating or hor s of water detected and respectively the non-mooring or the mooring of a boat at the mooring point.

The detection means are arranged in the buoy to take advantage of the fact that the state out of the water is determined by the single complementary segment of the mooring line. It therefore forms a state independent of the movements of the boat with respect to the mooring point. The different roles played by the main segment and by the complementary segment of the mooring line allow the detection means to detect any change in the state of the buoy over time, whether floating or out of the water. The means of communication can thus send signals in real time which establish a unique relationship between the state of flotation and the unsecured state on the one hand and the state out of the water and the securement of a boat on the other. go.

In a particular embodiment, a part of the buoy by which it is attached to the complementary segment of the mooring includes, below the waterline, a water chamber filling with water in the floating state and a water presence detector interacting with said chamber. In the out-of-water state, the buoy is connected to the boat by the complementary segment, in a position suspended in a vacuum or resting on the boat, allowing the water contained in the chamber to be evacuated. Thus, the presence or absence of water detected by the detection means allows the communication means to send in real time, a water presence signal indicating that no boat is moored at the mooring point. or an out of water signal, indicating that a boat is moored.

The water presence detector preferably implements a measurement of the pressure-static, ultrasonic, propagation of electromagnetic waves or electrical resistance type. It is electrically isolated from the water chamber.

In another particular embodiment, the detection means comprise an inclinometer, capable of detecting an angle variation with respect to an angle specific to the buoy, defined as the opening angle alpha of a bearing cone of the buoy on a horizontal plane, having a vertex determined by means of attachment of the buoy to the complementary mooring segment. The angle specific to the buoy, or a value greater than this angle, is associated with the out of water state. In the floating state, the buoy pivots on itself by an angular value equal to the opposite of its own angle, the means of attachment to the complementary mooring segment being in alignment with the center of mass of buoy and Archimedes thrust. When the inclinometer is located relative to the vertical of the place, the buoy presents at time t an angle beta which oscillates around zero in the floating state and which oscillates around the angle alpha or a value greater than alpha, in the position out of the water, depending on whether it is placed on a support on the boat or suspended in a vacuum. Thus, the alpha angle or the beta angle detected by the inclinometer allows the means of communication to send in real time, an unambiguous signal indicating that no boat is moored at the mooring point - beta angle - or that a boat is moored - angle alpha or greater than alpha.

Since the signals from the accelerometers used by the inclinometer are subject to variations linked to the waves, the invention advantageously provides two methods making it possible to significantly reduce their influence.

One of these methods consists in defining a confidence interval of about ten degrees when measuring the angle variation with respect to the angle specific to the buoy.

According to the other of these methods, the inclinometer is able to process the ratios of the accelerations between two of the three directions in space, for example x / z Where there / z , to reduce the effect of linear accelerations, such as variations in height or horizontal translations, while angular variations, on which the waves have little influence, are eliminated by carrying out a sliding average of the angles measured over a pre-established duration, for example during the five periods of a wave, or by counting a fixed number of complete waves, measured between particular points, such as the maximum.

Preferably, the invention provides for simultaneously activating the detection principles explained previously, by the presence of water and by variation of the proper angle of the buoy.

The technology of connected objects IoT (Internet of Things) makes it possible to implement the mooring device according to the invention in a way adapted to connected devices, by entering in real time the mooring points occupied by a boat and by forwarding them to the various site managers, such as the harbor master's office. An SMS or equivalent message can also be sent to the owner or the user of the boat, each time the buoy status changes, floating or out of the water, informing him in real time respectively of the non-mooring or the mooring the boat and alerting it in the event of accidental or intentional unhooking, theft or unauthorized mooring at the mooring point reserved for it.

Other advantages of the invention are described in the description below illustrated by the following drawings:

The fig. 1 shows a mooring device known per se, comprising a mooring buoy, a mooring line and a buoy attached to the mooring line in a floating state.

The fig. 2 shows the mooring device illustrated by the figure 1 , the buoy attached to the mooring line being out of the water and placed on a boat moored to the mooring buoy.

The fig. 3 shows the mooring device illustrated by the figure 1 , the buoy attached to the mooring line being out of the water and suspended from a boat moored to the mooring buoy.

The fig. 4 shows the mooring device illustrated by the figure 1 , in which the mooring buoy is replaced by a pontoon.

The fig. 5 shows the mooring device illustrated by the figure 1 , in which the mooring buoy is replaced by a quay.

The fig. 6 shows the mooring device illustrated by the figure 1 , in which the mooring buoy is replaced by a pole.

The fig. 7 shows a first embodiment of the invention, in which the buoy attached to the mooring comprises a water chamber and water presence detectors carrying out an ultrasonic type measurement.

The fig. 8 shows different embodiments of the means for detecting the presence of water, of the buoy illustrated by the figure 7 .

The fig. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the buoy illustrated by the figure 7 , in which the detection means carry out an electrical resistance measurement.

The fig. 10 shows the means of detection illustrated by the figure 9 with an enlargement.

The fig. 11 shows in front view, a second embodiment of the invention, in which the buoy attached to the mooring comprises an inclinometer.

The fig. 12 shows the buoy illustrated by the figure 11 , in profile view.

The fig. 13 shows the buoy illustrated by the figures 11 and 12 , resting on a horizontal plane.

The fig. 14 shows the buoy illustrated by the figures 11 and 12 , in a floating state.

The fig. 15 shows the buoy illustrated by the figures 11 and 12 , in a state out of water, suspended in a vacuum.

The fig. 16 shows a buoy adapted to miniature means of detection and communication.

The fig. 17 shows a buoy attached to the mooring line according to the first or the second embodiment of the invention, comprising means of communication sending signals autonomously to a management center.

The fig. 18 shows a buoy attached to the mooring line according to the first or the second embodiment of the invention, comprising communication means sending signals to a management center via a mooring buoy.

A mooring device known per se is illustrated by the figures 1 to 3 . It includes a mooring point, here a mooring buoy 1 connected by a chain 5 to a dead body 3 resting on the seabed 2. A mooring line is attached to the mooring buoy 1 by a main mooring segment 7. A second buoy 11 is attached to the mooring line by a complementary mooring line segment 9, via an attachment means, here a swivel 6. The second buoy 11 assumes a floating state at the surface of the water 4, represented by the figure 1 or a state out of water, represented by the picture 2 or 3 , when respectively, a boat 13 is not or is moored to the mooring buoy 1. The second buoy 11 is weighted by the two segments 7, 9 of the mooring line in the floating state and serves to facilitate taking of the mooring line during mooring. In the out-of-water state, the second buoy 11 is linked to the moored boat 13 by the complementary segment 9, independently of the main segment 7, which alone is intended to be fixed to the boat 13, here by means of a cleat 15, to support a tractive effort exerted by the boat 13 according to its movements in the water around the mooring buoy 1.

It should be noted that the main mooring segment 7 has various names depending on the customs of the place. Thus, it is called hawser (or hawser), a term which encompasses any rope ensuring a connection between a boat and a mooring point such as a pontoon, a quay, or even a post sunk into the seabed. It is also called whip when it comes to the connection between a boat and a mooring buoy. In this case, the second buoy 11 which is attached to the mooring line by the complementary segment 9 is called secondary buoy with respect to the mooring buoy, which is called main buoy.

The figure 2 shows the mooring device illustrated by the figure 1 , the buoy 11 attached to the complementary mooring segment 9 being out of the water and placed on the boat 13 moored to the mooring buoy 1.

The picture 3 shows the mooring device illustrated by the figure 1 , the buoy 11 attached to the complementary mooring segment 9 being out of the water and suspended in a vacuum from the boat 13 moored to the mooring buoy 1. The second buoy 11 is thus made clearly visible for visual inspection. This state in suspension can be imposed through an administrative regulation of a mooring park.

The figure 4 shows the mooring device illustrated by the figure 1 , in which the mooring buoy 11 is replaced by a pontoon 17 to which the mooring line is fixed by its main segment 7. The boat 13 is moored to the pontoon 17 by the main mooring segment 7 caught in the cleat 15. The second buoy 11 is suspended in the void, hanging from the boat 13 by the complementary mooring segment 9.

The figure 5 shows the mooring device illustrated by the figure 1 , in which the mooring buoy 1 is replaced by a quay 19. The figure 6 shows the mooring device illustrated by the figure 1 , in which the mooring buoy 1 is replaced by a pole 21. In these last two figures, the second buoy 11 is in the floating state.

The figure 7 shows a first embodiment of the invention, in which the buoy 11, attached to the mooring line by the complementary segment 9, comprises a water chamber 23 and a water presence detector 25 carrying out an ultrasonic type measurement . The water chamber 23 is formed in a part 27, also called an unbalance, by which the buoy 11 is attached to the complementary segment of the mooring line 9. The unbalance 27 thus comprises an opening 29 serving as a socket for a fixing means, for example the swivel 6 indicated above. The water chamber 23 is arranged below the waterline 31 of the buoy 11 to fill with water when the buoy 11 is in the floating state. Channels 33 opening out through orifices 35 are thus provided to place the water chamber 23 in communication with the surrounding water. The water presence detector 25 is integrated into the unbalance 27 which thus serves as its protection and electrical insulation.

The figure 8 shows different embodiments of the means for detecting the presence of water. A detector carrying out a measurement by wave propagation in the infrared, comprises an emitting diode 37 and a receiving diode 39. It should be recalled that water has a strong effect on infrared propagation. and that thus, it is easy to detect its presence or absence. Another detector performing an electrical resistance measurement comprises two platinum electrodes 41, making it possible to detect the presence or absence of water between the two electrodes.

The figures 9 and 10 show an alternative embodiment of the buoy 11 illustrated by the figure 7 , in which the detection means carry out an electrical resistance measurement. A first electrode comprises, figure 10 , a stainless steel washer 43, housed in a casing made of insulating material 45. A water chamber is formed by a gap 46 between the casing and the wall 61 of the buoy 11. The first electrode 43 is in communication with the chamber water through openings 47. A second electrode is formed by a ring 49 allowing the fixing of the complementary segment 9 of the mooring line. An electronic box 51 is placed in opposition to the fixing ring 49 with respect to the waterline. The electrical connection between the electronic box 51 and the first electrode 43 is provided by an electrical wire 55. The electrical connection with the second electrode 49 is provided by a pin 53 arranged along a diameter of the buoy 11. An antenna 57 emitting a signal detection 59 is also arranged above the waterline 31, to ensure a good emission in the buoy 11 floating state.

The figures 11 and 12 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, in which the buoy 11, attached to the complementary segment 9 of the mooring line, comprises an inclinometer 60. An inflation valve 63 is fixed on a wall 61 of the buoy 11. Means for communication with a management center comprise an electronic circuit 65, powered by batteries 67 and an antenna 69, arranged above the waterline, so as to allow good transmission of the detection signal in the waterline state of the buoy 11. The inclinometer 60 performs an angle measurement using an accelerometer with 3 perpendicular axes. A ring 71 is arranged below the waterline to attach the buoy 11 to the complementary segment 9 of the mooring line.

The figures 13 to 15 illustrate different angular positions of the buoy 11. The figure 13 illustrates more particularly the angle alpha, specific to the buoy 11 and defined as the angle of opening of a support cone of the buoy 11 on a horizontal plane 73, having a vertex determined by the ring 71 serving as 'attaches to the complementary segment 9. The buoy here is spherical or ovoid in shape and the angle alpha depends on the diameter of the buoy 11 as well as the radial extension of the ring 71. The angle alpha specific to the buoy, or a value greater than this angle, is associated with the out of water state.

In the floating state, the buoy 11 pivots on itself by an angular value equal to the opposite of its proper angle, the ring 71 being in alignment with the center of mass of the buoy and the thrust of Archimedes. When the inclinometer is located relative to the vertical of location 77, the buoy present at time t, an angle beta which oscillates around zero in the floating state, figure 14 and which oscillates around the angle alpha or a value greater than alpha, in the out-of-water position, depending on whether it is placed on a horizontal support of the boat or suspended in a vacuum, figure 15 . Thus, the alpha angle or the beta angle detected by the inclinometer allows the means of communication to send in real time, an unambiguous signal indicating that no boat is moored at the mooring point - beta angle - or that a boat is moored - angle alpha or greater than alpha.

In other words, it is detected that the buoy 11 is in the floating state by checking that the angle beta detected with respect to the vertical is less than the angle alpha specific to the buoy. One can for example take alpha equal to 45° and check that the angle beta is less than 30°, with a confidence interval of 15°.

The measurement of the inclination of the buoy 11 is obtained using the three-axis accelerometer attached to the buoy 11. The inclinometer measures the three accelerations Ax, Ay, and Az. The angle is calculated by the formula: $$\mathrm{\beta }=\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="Arctg\; ax"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">Arctg</figure-callout>}\left(\frac{\sqrt{\left({\mathrm{ax}}^{}\right)}}{}\right)\left(\frac{\sqrt{\left({}^2+{\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="Ay"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">Ay</figure-callout>}}^2\right)}}{\mathrm{Az}}\right)$$

Advantageously, the buoy 11 may comprise detection means of the two types described above. Thereby, figures 11 and 12 , the ring 71 is fixed to a part 79 which allows access to the interior of the buoy 11 and which comprises a water chamber 81 and electrodes for measuring the electrical resistance of the chamber or any other means of detection of the presence of water. Thus, in the floating state of the buoy, the detection of the presence of water must corroborate the detection of the beta angle. Likewise, in the waterless state, the detection of the absence of water must corroborate the detection of the angle alpha or a greater value. A lack of concordance will reveal an anomaly of the device, or even attempts at cheating.

The figure 16 illustrates a buoy 11 of non-spherical shape, adapted to the miniaturization of means of communication. The ring 71 for attachment to the complementary mooring segment 9 and means of communication have been shown, in the form of an IoT module 83. This IoT module can be powered by button cells, or even a solar panel. It can be supplemented by a possible transponder 85, fixed near the mooring point or on a boat, the transponder being able to be paired during the first mooring.

The figure 17 and 18 illustrate two modes of communication between the buoy 11 and a management center 88. Communication can be ensured by one of the Lora or Sigfox type IoT networks, directly between the buoy 11 and the management center 88, or via a transponder 85, placed on the mooring buoy 1 or any other mooring point, or even on a boat 13. The detection means are in communication with a microprocessor which emits the signals establishing the unambiguous relationship between the state of flotation and the state out of water detected by the detection means and respectively the non-mooring or the mooring of 'a boat. These means of communication can also exchange administrative data such as an identification number, entered manually or through an RFID module, or even messages from the boat through a proximity connection of the WIFI or Bluetooth type and which can contain other information, such as the list of mooring rights and conditions, the position of the boat given by a GPS module, the water or air temperature, the voltage of the power supply elements, etc. .

The figure 17 more particularly illustrates a buoy 11 comprising a central microprocessor 87, in communication with detection means, here electrodes 89 performing an electrical resistance measurement in the water chamber of the buoy, a WIFI dialogue module 91, an RFID module 93 card reader and an IoT 95 link to an Internet 97 network.

The figure 18 more particularly illustrates a buoy 11 coupled with a transponder arranged on a mooring buoy 1. The buoy 11 comprises a first central microprocessor 99 while the mooring buoy comprises

a second central microprocessor 101 and a GPS module 103. The two buoys communicate by a wired or radio proximity link 105.

An SMS or equivalent message is sent in real time to the owner or user of the boat, each time the buoy 11 changes state detected by the detection means, either floating or out of the water, which allows to highlight an accidental or intentional unhooking of the boat, theft, or even illegal mooring.

Claims (7)

Mooring device for a boat, comprising a mooring point such as a mooring buoy (1), a pontoon (17), a quay (19) or even a post (21), a mooring line (7, 9) , fixed to the mooring point (1, 17, 19, 21) by a main segment (7) and a buoy (11), attached to the mooring line (7, 9) by a complementary segment (9) and taking a floating state or a state out of water when respectively, a boat (13) is not or is moored to the mooring point (1, 17, 19, 21), the buoy being weighted by the mooring line (7 , 9) in the floating state while in the out-of-water state, it is linked to a moored boat (13) by the complementary segment (9), the main segment (7) alone being intended to be fixed to the boat (13) to withstand a tractive effort exerted by the boat on the mooring point (1, 17, 19, 21), characterized in that the buoy (11) comprises means (25, 37, 39, 41, 43, 49, 60) for detecting the floating state and the out of water state and communication means (65, 69, 83, 85, 87, 99, 101) to send in real time to a management center (88), signals (95, 97) establishing an unambiguous relationship between the detected floating or out of water state and respectively, the unmooring or the mooring of a boat at the mooring point. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the buoy (11) comprises means (71) for attaching to the complementary segment (9), placed under a waterline (31) of the buoy (11) and in the alignment of the center of mass of the buoy (11) and the thrust of Archimedes, while the detection means comprise an inclinometer (60), capable of measuring an angle variation with respect to an angle (a) specific to the buoy (11), defined as the opening angle of a support cone of the buoy (11) on a horizontal plane (73), having a vertex determined by the attachment means (71). Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the attachment means (71) extends along a radius of the buoy (11) having a spherical or ovoid shape. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the buoy (11) comprises a water chamber (23, 46) interacting with a water presence detector (25, 37, 39, 41, 43), arranged under the water line (31) of the buoy (11). Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the presence detector is water of the presso-static, ultrasonic type (25), propagation of electromagnetic waves (37, 39) or electrical resistance (41, 43). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the buoy (11) comprises a part (79), arranged under the waterline (31) of the buoy (11), in which a water presence detector (25, 37, 39, 41, 43) is in interaction with a water chamber (46, 81) and to which are fixed a means (71) of attachment to the complementary mooring segment (9), arranged in alignment of the center of mass of the buoy (11) and the Archimedes thrust and an inclinometer (60), capable of measuring an angle variation with respect to an angle (a) specific to the buoy (11), defined as the opening angle of a support cone of the buoy (11) on a horizontal plane (73), having a vertex determined by the attachment means (71). Device according to Claim 2 or 6, characterized in that the inclinometer (60) is capable of processing ratios of the accelerations between two of the three directions in space, for example x / z Where there / z , while angular variations are eliminated by performing a rolling average of the angles measured over a pre-established period, for example during the five periods of a wave, or by counting a fixed number of complete waves, measured between particular points, such as the maximums.

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