U.S. patent application number 14/414758 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-02 for concealment method and apparatus and naval vessel provided with at least such an apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to MICROTURBO SA. The applicant listed for this patent is MICROTURBO SA. Invention is credited to Yohann Bonnet, Antoine Delaunay, Christophe Tardif.
Application Number | 20150183499 14/414758 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47137835 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150183499 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tardif; Christophe ; et
al. |
July 2, 2015 |
CONCEALMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS AND NAVAL VESSEL PROVIDED WITH AT
LEAST SUCH AN APPARATUS
Abstract
A concealment that covers all or a main part of naval vessels
and their surroundings and crew, by making provision for coupling a
flow of air with an injection of fluid to cause formation of a
cloud and to orient the cloud to optimize coverage of the vessel
and the surroundings to be protected. A concealment apparatus
includes a gas turbine coupled to a conduit discharging a flow of
smoke composed of a combustion gas loaded with droplets of fluid in
suspension. The conduit includes two branches that emerge on each
lateral half-hull of the hull of the vessel. The branches are
symmetrical with respect to a vertical symmetry plane of the ship
and, through their curvature, have roughly a direction oriented
towards the rear of the ship. In this way, the flow of smoke is
also oriented towards the rear of the ship.
Inventors: |
Tardif; Christophe; (Sainte
Foy D'aigrefeuille, FR) ; Bonnet; Yohann;
(Lespinasse, FR) ; Delaunay; Antoine; (Toulouse,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MICROTURBO SA |
Toulouse |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
MICROTURBO SA
Toulouse
FR
|
Family ID: |
47137835 |
Appl. No.: |
14/414758 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
July 17, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR2013/051714 |
371 Date: |
January 14, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63G 2013/025 20130101;
B63G 13/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63G 13/02 20060101
B63G013/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 18, 2012 |
FR |
1256931 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A method for concealing a naval vessel including at least one
deck and a hull, the method comprising: integrating in the vessel
at least one gas turbine, the integrating being able to be made on
a deck of the vessel and/or in the vessel, substantially at or
above a waterline; injecting a fluid at a discharge from the gas
turbine; and guiding a flow of gas thus loaded with fluid in
suspension, as a flow of smoke, to at least one outlet formed in
the hull of the vessel, to direct the flow of smoke.
12. A concealing method according to claim 11, wherein an injection
of additives chosen from coloured, powdery, odorous,
smoke-generating additives and/or graphite powder is also effected
at the outlet of the smoke generator.
13. A concealing method according to claim 11, wherein the guiding
the flow of smoke is configured so that the outlet out of the hull
is produced at or above the waterline of the naval vessel.
14. A concealing method according to claim 11, wherein the guiding
is of adaptable orientation, at the outlet from the hull of the
naval vessel, by orientation in a reference plane parallel to the
at least one deck of the vessel and/or in a plane perpendicular to
the reference plane, to orient the flow of smoke at the waterline
according to movement of the vessel and sailing conditions, so that
the flow of smoke and the outlet is directed between the at least
one deck and the waterline.
15. A concealing method according to claim 11, wherein the flow of
smoke is cooled and made denser by humidification before emerging
from the hull of the vessel to cause a vaporization at the outlet
and to keep the smoke placed over a stretch of water that surrounds
the vessel.
16. An apparatus for concealing a naval vessel configured to
implement the method according to claim 11, and comprising a gas
turbine including a gas generator and a pipe for ejecting the
gases, which is connected to a fuel reservoir, wherein the exhaust
pipe includes at least one fluid injector connected to at least one
reservoir, to inject the fluid, or an oil, into the exhaust gases
from the gas turbine and to form a flow of gas with a fluid in
suspension, as the flow of smoke, and is coupled to at least one
conduit or guide conduit branch for the flow of smoke.
17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each conduit or
branch comprises at least one frustoconical divergent portion,
connected to the pipe to substantially reduce a speed of the flow
of smoke.
18. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein an injector
injecting external fluid into the flow of gas is arranged in an end
region of each conduit or branch to cool the flow of smoke and make
it denser, or the external fluid is sea water at a temperature
substantially below that of the flow of gas at the region.
19. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein each conduit or
branch includes at an end with a nozzle orientable in at least one
plane to direct the flow of smoke at the outlet of the conduit or
branch or with a grille orientable in an end region of the pipe,
the grille configured to direct the flow of smoke that passes
through the conduit or branch.
20. A naval vessel comprising at least one deck, a hull, and at
least one apparatus according to claim 16, the apparatus arranged
on a deck or in a hold of the vessel, lengths of the conduits and
branches determined to emerge out of the hull of the vessel through
preformed openings.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a method and to an apparatus for
concealing a naval vessel such as a ship, a pleasure boat or a
watercraft, as well as to a naval vessel equipped with at least one
such apparatus.
[0002] The context of the invention is the protection of a naval
vessel, at rest or in movement, and its surroundings by a cloud for
concealing the vessel at least in the visible radiation range. This
concealment aims to prevent any act of aggression or boarding of
this vessel.
[0003] The field concerns the production of an opaque environment
formed in general from particles, for example liquid particles, in
suspension in the air in order to form a cloud, or, for example,
solid particles also in suspension in the air in order to generate
smoke.
[0004] In the case where the vessel to be protected is moving on
the water, the production of an opaque environment must be able to
coincide with the movement of the vessel. The installation of means
for producing such an environment on or in the vessel is therefore
to be provided. In addition, since the concealment is intended to
cover all or at the very least the main part of the vessel, it is
necessary to ensure that the environment allows such coverage in
space and over time.
PRIOR ART
[0005] The use of smoke-generating cartridges is known for creating
smoke screens. However, these screens remain of small size and are
effective only for a short period and provide only a small output.
In addition, the efficacy of concealment is not sufficient since
the opaque coverage is not uniform.
[0006] In general, pyrotechnics provide smoke that cannot conceal a
vessel satisfactorily (dimensions, duration, efficacy) and which
gives rise to high cost as well as a degree of not insignificant
level of risk in handling.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The invention aims to dispense with these drawbacks by
proposing the production of an effective, long-lasting concealment
which covers all or the main part of vessels and their surroundings
and crew. The aim is also to disorientate and disturb any
aggressors in order to dissuade them from any attempt at boarding.
To do this, the invention makes provision for coupling an airflow
with an injection of fluid able to cause the formation of a cloud
and to orient this cloud in order to optimise coverage of the
vessel to be protected over time and in space.
[0008] More precisely, the present invention relates to a method
for concealing a naval vessel, preferably in movement, comprising
at least one deck and a hull. The method consists in integrating in
the vessel at least one smoke generator, this integration being
able to be achieved on the deck and/or in the vessel, in particular
substantially at or above the waterline, injecting a fluid at the
output of the smoke generator and guiding the gas flow thus loaded
with fluid in suspension, referred to as the flow of smoke, to at
least one outlet formed in the hull of the vessel, so as to direct
said flow, for example, towards the rear or towards to the front of
the vessel, preferably from a position substantially at or above
the waterline of the vessel. The smoke generator or generators can
be integrated at any point on the vessel such as for example at the
bow, amidships or at the stern of the vessel.
[0009] According to preferred embodiments:
[0010] an injection of coloured, powdery, odorous and/or
smoke-generating additives is also effected at the gas outlet or
downstream of the gas outlet;
[0011] an injection of graphite powder is also effected at the
outlet of the smoke generator so as to cause concealment in the
infrared radiation range;
[0012] the guidance of the flow is broadened at the outlet of the
smoke generator in order to substantially reduce the speed of the
smoke;
[0013] the guidance of the flow of smoke is configured so that the
guidance outlet out of the hull is implemented between the middle
and the front of the naval vessel and at or above the flotation
line;
[0014] the guidance is of adaptable orientation, at the outlet from
the hull of the naval vessel, by orientation in a reference plane
parallel to the deck or decks of the vessel and/or in a plane
perpendicular to the reference plane, in order to orient the flow
of smoke discharged at the waterline according to the movement of
the vessel and the sailing conditions so that the flow of smoke
discharged is directed between the deck or decks and the
waterline;
[0015] the guidance is of variable length so that the guidance is
suited to the dimensions of the hull of the vessel;
[0016] the flow of smoke is cooled and made denser by
humidification before leaving the hull of the vessel in order to
cause vaporisation at the discharge and to keep the smoke placed
over the stretch of water that surrounds the vessel;
[0017] the flow of smoke is regulated so that its discharge speed
is almost zero.
[0018] The invention also relates to an apparatus for concealing a
naval vessel, intended to implement the method. This apparatus
comprises a gas turbine composed of a gas generator and a gas
exhaust pipe connected to a reservoir of fuel. The exhaust pipe is
equipped with at least one fluid injector connected to at least one
reservoir, for injecting this fluid, in particular oil, into the
exhaust gases of the gas turbine and to form a flow of gas with
fluid in suspension (F3), referred to as a flow of smoke, and is
coupled to at least one conduit for guiding the flow of smoke.
[0019] According to advantageous embodiments:
[0020] the or each conduit comprises at least one frustoconical
divergent portion, connected to the pipe in order to substantially
reduce the speed of the flow of smoke;
[0021] the or each conduit or branch is equipped with an orientable
grille in a region of a conduit end, the grille being able to
direct and/or mix the flow of smoke that passes through the conduit
or branch;
[0022] an external flow injector in the flow of gas is arranged in
an end region of the or each conduit or branch in order to cool and
make denser the flow of smoke, the external fluid being in
particular sea water, at a temperature substantially less than that
of the flow of gas in said region;
[0023] the or each conduit or branch is equipped at the end with a
nozzle that can be oriented in at least one plane, for example in
any direction, in order to direct the flow of smoke at the outlet
of the conduit or branch, so that the concealment is as effective
as possible according to the conditions (meteorological, movement,
attack, etc.) imposed on the vessel;
[0024] the or each conduit comprises a portion fitted in the
conduit or branch, with telescopic adjustment means in order to
vary and adapt the length of the or each conduit or branch;
[0025] the or each conduit is sized and configured so as to adjust
the pressure drops in the flow below a given ceiling, in order to
avoid overpressure at the turbine;
[0026] the or each conduit can comprise means for regularising the
flow of gas (frustoconical divergent exit cones, valves, shutters,
etc.) in order to reduce the speed of the flow of gas and to make
it tend towards an almost zero value at the discharge from the
conduit;
[0027] an opening flap is arranged at the end of the conduit and
controlled so that said flap opens at the start-up of the gas
turbine, this flap preventing sea water from entering the conduit
as far as the gas turbine and preventing problems of corrosion,
watertightness, etc.;
[0028] the gas generator, the pipe and the reservoirs are
integrated in a protective chamber, the reservoirs preferably being
separated from the gas generator and the pipe by at least one
protective partition;
[0029] the apparatus comprises at least one additive injector
arranged so as to effect an injection of coloured, powdery, odorous
and/or smoke-generating additives at the gas outlet or downstream
of the gas outlet.
[0030] The invention also relates to a naval vessel equipped with
at least one deck, a hull and at least one such apparatus. The
apparatus or apparatuses can be arranged on a deck or in a hold, at
any place in the vessel. The lengths of the conduits and branches
are then determined so as to emerge out of the hull of the vessel
through preformed openings.
[0031] Advantageously, the apparatus is arranged at the front of
the vessel centrally, and comprises a conduit with two branches
having a common end for coupling to the pipe of the gas turbine and
ends emerging on each of the half hulls. The conduit may be
arranged downstream or upstream of the gas turbine, preferably with
branches roughly oriented towards the rear of the vessel in both
cases.
[0032] When the vessel comprises at least two apparatuses, each
apparatus may be arranged laterally close to a half hull and
comprise only one conduit with an end that emerges out of the half
hull.
[0033] The or each apparatus may be integrated in a chamber when
this apparatus is installed on the deck of the vessel, in order to
protect the apparatus from waves and spray and to facilitate
traffic on the deck.
[0034] In addition, the conduit or conduits of the apparatuses are
arranged so that the flow of smoke emerges at the front of the
vessel, for example as close as possible to the waterline.
Preferably the conduit or conduits of the apparatuses comprise at
least one horizontal portion and/or one vertical portion.
[0035] The means for orienting the end nozzle of the or each
conduit may make it possible to adjust the outlet angle of the flow
of smoke, for example according to the movement of the vessel and
the sailing conditions so that the smoke discharged is directed for
example between the deck or decks and the waterline, in a given
direction.
PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES
[0036] Other information, features and advantages of the present
invention will emerge from reading the following non-limiting
description with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings,
in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an auxiliary engine such as for
example a gas turbine of a concealment apparatus according to the
invention;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a ship equipped with a
concealing apparatus in a chamber installed on the deck of this
vessel;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a side view of a short ship equipped with a
concealing apparatus in a forward hold of the ship;
[0040] FIGS. 4a and 4b are partial top views of the ship according
to FIG. 3 with a double conduit of the concealment apparatus
installed in a forward hold of the vessel, upstream and downstream
of the gas turbine, respectively;
[0041] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the apparatus
according to FIG. 4 detailing the structure elements at the end of
a branch of the double conduit; and
[0042] FIGS. 6a and 6b are a side view and a top view of a long
tanker equipped with four concealment apparatuses according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] Throughout the text, the qualifiers "upstream" and
"downstream" relate to relative locations of elements of the naval
vessels in the direction of standard sailing of these vessels. The
front of such a vessel is upstream and corresponds to the bow,
whereas the rear is downstream and corresponds to the stern of the
vessel. In addition, "horizontal" means parallel to the deck or
decks of the vessel and "vertical" means perpendicular to this deck
or these decks.
[0044] With reference to the schematic diagram in FIG. 1, an engine
of the gas turbine type, such as for example an engine of the GPU
(ground power unit) type, is modified in order to serve as a "smoke
turbine" in the concealment apparatus 10 according to the
invention. A GPU is a fixed or movable gas turbine for starting the
main engines and generating non-propulsive power (pneumatic,
electrical or hydraulic power) of a vehicle or aircraft.
[0045] The GPU 1 is composed mainly of a gas generator 2 and a gas
exhaust pipe 3 connected to a fuel reservoir 41 and at least one
reservoir 42 for fluid, oil H1 in the example, which is able to
remain in the exhaust gases in the form of suspended droplets. The
gas generator 2 comprises: an air compressor 21--the air (arrows
F1) entering, axially or radially, through a sleeve 5; a combustion
chamber 22 for a mixture of air and fuel, the fuel coming from the
reservoir 41 being introduced into the chamber 22 through fuel
injectors 23; as well as a turbine 24 for expansion of the burnt
gases and driving of the compressor 21 via a shaft 25. The burnt
gases (arrows F2) are ejected through the pipe 3. These components
are generally enclosed in a casing 6 open at the inlet 5a of the
sleeve 5 and at the outlet 3s of the pipe 3, which is at the same
time the outlet for the GPU 1.
[0046] In order to form a smoke turbine, the GPU 1 is modified by
adding, at the outlet of the exhaust pipe 3, an annular ring 7
coupled to the casing 6 and equipped with fluid injectors 71, for
example, for oil, coming from the reservoir 42. This injection of
fluid is propelled by a pump 72 and atomised by the injector 71 in
the hot fast-moving exhaust gases emerging through the pipe 3.
[0047] Such an atomisation forms a gas flow loaded with droplets of
fluid in suspension (arrows F3), referred to as "loaded gas flow"
or "flow of smoke". The annular ring 7 is coupled to a conduit 11
for discharging smoke gas to the outside in order to conceal the
ship. The conduit 11 is made from stainless steel in the example.
The length of this conduit 11 and its configuration are then
adapted so as to emerge in the hull of the naval vessel for which
the apparatus 10 is intended. This adaptation is in particular
dependent on the dimensions of the vessel and the planned
location--on the deck or in a hold--for this apparatus. FIGS. 2 and
3, which follow, illustrate the installation, on the deck and in
the bottom of a hold of a ship, of such apparatuses, which comprise
conduits, smoke turbines 1 and reservoirs 41, 42.
[0048] Advantageously, apart from oil, coloured, powdery, odorous
and/or smoke-generating additives may also be injected through the
injectors 71 or any other injection manifold, in order to create or
reinforce the surprise and dissuasive effect of the flow of smoke.
It is also advantageous to inject graphite powder, which affords
concealment in the infrared radiation range. Alternatively, it is
necessary to refrain from injecting graphite powder if the aim is
to be able to direct the ship using infrared binoculars through the
flow of smoke after it has formed around the ship.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a ship 100 equipped with a
concealment apparatus 10 according to the invention comprising a
smoke turbine 1, for example the GPU described with reference to
FIG. 1, the reservoirs 41 and 42, and the conduit 11. The smoke
turbine 1 and the reservoirs 41 and 42 are arranged in a protective
chamber 8 installed on the deck 10P of this ship 100.
[0050] The conduit 11 comprises a frustoconical divergent portion
12--referred to as a "divergent exit cone"--connected to the pipe 3
at the discharge from the smoke turbine 1. This divergent exit cone
12 substantially reduces the speed of the gas flow F3 so that, at
the end of the outlet 14 of the conduit 11 through an orifice 13
formed in the hull 101 of the vessel 100, this speed is almost
zero. The conduit 11 has elbows C1 to C3, a horizontal portion P1
and a vertical portion P2.
[0051] The horizontal portion P1 makes it possible to move the
outlet 14 of the conduit 11 towards the front AV of the ship 100,
and the vertical portion P2 emerges at the outlet 14 close to the
waterline LF of the ship 100. It is in fact sought to have an
outlet 14 upstream--in order to enable the smoke to cover the whole
of the ship 100 because of the relative speed of the ship--and
close to the waterline LF since the smoke remains "attached" to the
stretch of water and then rises over time. The outlet 14 remains
above this waterline LF in order to prevent the entrance of waves
or spray.
[0052] The conduit 11 is sized and configured so that the number of
elbows, here three elbows C1 to C3, is reduced to a minimum in
order the minimise the pressure drops in the flow of smoke F3 below
a ceiling, determined in advance for the purpose of avoiding
overpressures at the smoke turbine 1.
[0053] Advantageously, a flap 16 for opening/closing the outlet 14
of the conduit 11 on the hull 103 is arranged at the end of the
conduit. This flap 16 is controlled from the control centre (not
shown) of the ship 100 so that said outlet 14 opens when the smoke
turbine 1 starts up. It would in fact be detrimental to allow waves
and spray to enter the conduit 11 via this open outlet 14 when the
concealment apparatus is not operating. Problems of corrosion,
watertightness or the like, caused by the presence of sea water,
are thus avoided.
[0054] FIGS. 3 and 4a illustrate, in side and (partial) top views
of a short ship 102, another example of installation in a forward
hold 31 of the smoke turbine 1 already described. A ship is said to
be "short" when, for example, it does not exceed 50 m in
length.
[0055] The concealment apparatus 10' comprises, in this case, the
smoke turbine 1 already described, and a conduit 11' with two
branches 11'a and 11'b having a common portion connected at the
outlet of the smoke turbine 1. In this example, the conduit 11' is
installed downstream of the smoke turbine 1. The fact that the ship
102 is short makes it possible to limit the number of apparatuses
to only one, arranged at the front AV of the ship 102 so that the
flow of smoke F3 leaves the conduit 11' also from the front of the
ship 102.
[0056] As illustrated by the top view in FIG. 4a, the two conduit
branches 11'a and 11'b emerge on each lateral half-hull 103a and
103b of the hull 103. The branches 11'a and 11'b are symmetrical
with respect to a vertical symmetry plane Pv of the ship 102 and,
through their curvature, have roughly a direction oriented (arrow
F4) towards the rear AR of the ship 102. In this way, the flow of
smoke F3 is also oriented mainly towards the rear AR of the ship
102.
[0057] In a variant of FIG. 4a, the partial side view of FIG. 4b
shows a conduit 11'' of the same type as in FIG. 4a but connected
upstream of the smoke turbine 1. In this case, the symmetrical
branches 11''a and 11''b are also oriented towards the rear AR of
the vessel 102 so that the flow of smoke F3 is set up along the
vessel, from upstream to downstream.
[0058] FIG. 5 details the structure elements in the end region 15
of the branch 11'a of the conduit 11' improving the directivity and
quality of concealment of the flow of smoke at the outlet of the
branches 11'a and 11'b. The partial view in FIG. 5 is an enlarged
view of the apparatus according to FIG. 4a. As in FIG. 1, the GPU 1
is connected to a ring 7 which is equipped with fluid injectors 71
and itself connected to the conduit 11'.
[0059] The end region 15 of each branch 11a and 11b (only the end
of the branch 11a is visible in FIG. 5) is equipped with an
orientable grille 17g with shutters 17c. The shutters 17c of the
grille 17g have a set of rotation spindles 17a controlled remotely
at the control centre (not shown). The grille 17g is more precisely
installed in this example at the outlet end 14 of the branch 11'a.
The flow of smoke F3 is thus finely oriented in the horizontal
plane of FIG. 5.
[0060] In addition, water injectors 18 are arranged in said region
15, upstream of the grille 17g. Water, sea water in the example, at
low temperature (10 to 20.degree. C.) substantially below the
temperature of the flow of smoke (above 40.degree. C.) is thus
injected via these injectors 18. This injection cools the flow of
smoke F3 and makes it denser in order to make it heavier and
"attach" it to the stretch of water that surrounds the ship 102.
The flow of smoke F3 then detaches from the stretch of water and
conceals the whole of the ship 102.
[0061] In addition, each branch 11'a is advantageously equipped, at
the outlet end 14, with a nozzle 19 that can be oriented in the
horizontal plane of the figure and in a vertical plane
perpendicular to the horizontal plane. To do this, twin-axis
articulation means 19a are integrated in the nozzle 19, close to
the end 19e thereof. The flow of smoke is thus oriented in order to
be able to attach to the stretch of water that surrounds the ship
102. In addition, the nozzle 19 fits telescopically in the branch
of the conduit 11a. The fitting is adjusted by rack-type adjustment
means 19c, also controlled from the control centre. It is thus
possible to vary and adapt the length of the branch 11'a (and, in a
similar manner, the branch 11b).
[0062] FIGS. 6a and 6b are schematic side and top views of a long
tanker 104 (for example with a length greater than 300 m) equipped
with four concealment apparatuses installed at the bottom of a
forward hold 32 and a hold at the middle 33 of the tanker 104. Two
apparatuses 10''a are installed close to the lateral half-hull 105a
of the hull 105 of the ship 104 and two apparatuses 10''b are
installed close to the half-hull 105b of the hull 105. Close to
each lateral half-hull 105a and 105b, the apparatuses 10''a and
10''b are arranged substantially at the middle MI and towards the
front AV of the ship 105.
[0063] The apparatuses 10''a and 10''b are composed of smoke
turbines 1, such as those described previously, connected to
conduits 11''a and 11''b, corresponding respectively to the branch
11'a and to the branch 11'b described above with reference to FIG.
4a or FIG. 5. The lengths of the conduits 11''a and 11''b are
determined so that they can emerge out of the hull 105 of the ship
through preformed orifices 13.
[0064] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described
and depicted. Thus it is possible to add means for regularising the
flow of smoke: valves, shutters, etc. The fluid added to the
exhaust gas to serve as a load in suspension and to form the smoke
may be any liquid of organic or aqueous nature, suited to the
production of such a suspensive effect.
[0065] In addition, in the case of a ship of average length, for
example greater than or approximately equal to 100 m, it is
possible to limit the number of concealment apparatuses to two
installed towards the upstream end of the vessel.
[0066] Moreover, means other than gas turbine compressors may be
used as a smoke generator, for example fans of suitable size and
output.
[0067] Furthermore, it is advantageous to use the existing pipework
of naval vessels to serve as smoke-discharge conduits according to
the invention, at least partly.
* * * * *