FLAT-BOTTOMED FLUVIAL TRANSPORT BOAT COMPRISING INFLATABLE BUOYANCY TANKS

Abstract

A flat-bottom fluvial transport boat comprising inflatable buoyancy tanks consisting of at least one pair of port side and starboard inflatable volumes. The paired inflatable volumes are connected to each other by means of one or more pressure balancing means.

Claims

1. A fluvial boat for transporting goods comprising inflatable buoyancy tanks composed of at least one pair of port and starboard inflatable volumes, wherein the paired inflatable volumes are connected by one or more pressure balancing means, and in that the boat comprises a means for modifying he a W/D ratio where W denotes a maximum width of the boat, and D denotes a draft of the boat, the modifying means controlling an inflation of the buoyancy tanks to reduce the draft and the inflation of the buoyancy tanks to reduce a lateral size of the boat.

2. The fluvial boat for transporting goods according to claim 1, wherein each of the inflatable volumes has a prismatic shape with a cross section widening upward.

3. The fluvial boat for transporting goods according to claim 1, further comprising a rigid plate covering an outer face of the inflatable volumes, the rigid plate being articulated by a longitudinal hinge arranged below the inflatable volume.

4. The fluvial boat for transporting goods according to claim 3, wherein the rigid plate is composed of a shape memory material.

5. The fluvial boat for transporting goods according to claim 1, wherein an upper face of the inflatable volume has at least one hydraulic or pneumatic mechanical shape control means.

6. The fluvial boat for transporting goods according to claim 1, wherein an upper face of the inflatable volume has at least one electronic shape control means.

7. The fluvial boat for transporting goods according to claim 1, wherein an upper face of the inflatable volume has hooking means for a hanger, the opposite end of which is fixed to an upper edge of the hull of the boat.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The present disclosure will be better understood on reading the detailed description of a non-limiting example of the present disclosure that follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

[0033] FIG. 1 depicts a three-quarter front view of a boat according to the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a pair of floats according to the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 3 depicts the deflated bladder; and

[0036] FIG. 4 depicts the inflated bladder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1 depicts an overall view of the boat according to the present disclosure. It is composed of a hull (1) with a flat bottom, carrying inflatable volumes (2, 3) on its side flanks. These inflatable volumes (2, 3) are composed of a sealed envelope, for example, made of neoprene fabrics, and form port-starboard pairs that are symmetrical with respect to the median plane of the boat.

[0038] In the example described, the hull (1) comprises two pairs of inflatable volumes (2, 3), one at the front, the other at the rear.

[0039] These inflatable volumes (2, 3) are not intended to compensate for a loss of buoyancy, for example, in the event of a shipwreck, but to modify the nominal flotation mode between a first mode limiting the lateral size (volumes deflated) and a second mode limiting the draft (volumes (2, 3) inflated) in a balanced manner for the volumes arranged on either side of the center line of the boat.

[0040] The passage between the two navigation modes of the fluvial boat according to the present disclosure is achieved by modifying the W/D ratio where W designates the maximum width of the boat, and D designates the draft.

[0041] This modification is carried out by controlling the inflation of the volumes (2, 3) comprising buoyancy tanks to reduce the draft, or conversely by controlling the deflation of the volumes (2, 3) to reduce the lateral size of the boat.

[0042] Description of the bladders

[0043] In this example, the inflatable volumes (2, 4) have an elongated prismatic shape. The inner face (7) of each inflatable volume (2, 4) has a shape corresponding to the outer surface of the hull.

[0044] The outer face has a convex shape with a lower fold running along the hull. The upper part (9) has an arched shape and may be folded to reduce the width.

[0045] The two inflatable volumes (2, 4) of a pair are connected by one or more ducts (5) in order to balance the pressure in the two inflatable volumes. The inflation is carried out by a pump (6) opening into a duct (5) connecting the two inflatable volumes (2, 4).

[0046] The maximum cumulative volume V of the inflatable volumes is determined to ensure a difference AL in draft between the minimum lateral size mode and the minimum draft mode, such that without inflation, the draft is nominal and compatible with the depth of the canals or waterways, and with inflation, the water level is compatible with the highest areas and the admissible lateral size.

[0047] Alternatively, an electronic circuit may control in real time the inflation/deflation of each of the inflatable volumes of a pair to permanently maintain a balance.

[0048] This pump (6) inflates the inflatable volumes to ensure their deployment symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal plane of the boat, due to the pressure balancing; as well as deflation to reduce the midship. This inflation is controlled either pneumatically by connecting the two paired inflatable volumes via an open duct, or electronically by controlling inflation pumps for each of the paired inflatable volumes.

[0049] The inflatable volumes (2, 4) each have the shape of a port and starboard half-hull, respectively.

[0050] The bottom (10) of the inflatable volume is hemmed and has a width limited substantially to the thickness of the envelope of the bladder. The inflatable volume then becomes broader by a variable bulge (12), closed at its upper part.

[0051] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the inflatable volumes, respectively, in the folded position and in the deployed position.

[0052] The outer surface of the bladder (2) is covered by a metal sheet (11), for example, made of titanium, spring steel, composite, or any other material with high shape memory. This sheet is articulated at its lower part by a hinge (14). The hemmed bottom (10) of the inflatable volume (2) may be housed in a longitudinal cavity (12). The upper edge of the bladder may have anchorages (13) for connection by hangers with a high point of the boat.