Improvements in Instruments for Taking Soundings.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in Instruments for Taking Soundings.
We, ALFRED JOPLING COOPER, captain of a vessel, and EUSTACE ERNEST WIGZELL
Engineer, both of Billiter House, Billiter Street, in the City of London (both lately of
87 Walbrook in the City of London) do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to registering above water by Electrical means, by any
convenient measure, of the depths to which a submarine instrument has descended, an
electrical current being established between the said submerged instrument and a
registering mechanism above water.
For this purpose we employ a tube having a piston with hydraulic cup leathers, or
cups of other suitable material; attached to this piston there is a rod with projecting
pins.
On the top of this piston and round the rod we place a spiral or other spring or
springs made of material which will not corrode. We also employ, if necessary, one,
two, or more, pistons below this, with cup leathers or cups of other material, on either
side, working loose, that is, not attached to the piston above, but with glycerine
between them, forced in at a pressure to expand the cups and keep them expanded,
making a solid body between the top and the bottom piston or pistons, and so preventing
the water passing them and getting into the chamber above, which is sealed or kept
dry. The spring before referred to is of sufficient strength to bear the pressure of the
water as the sounder is submerged, and allows the piston or pistons to travel up the
cylinder as the pressure increases on the descent of the instrument, and as the spring
closes up.
On the bar or rod at the top, we put pins, at proper distances to make and break
the electrical connection at suitable depths as the instrument descends, and the rod is
made to travel upwards or downwards as may be found desirable.-On the descent of
the instrument, these pins lift a lever or levers, pressing on to a double diaphragm, or
two or more pieces of bulged metal, sealed round the edge.
Inside this double diaphragm or pieces of bulged metal, there are two platinum
points; the top point being connected to an insulated wire running to the cable, and

page_text: the bottom fixed to the other or lower diaphragm plate or bulged metal piece, which
is connected to the case for the return current.-When the lever or levers are lifted
up by the pins on the rod which is attached to the inner piston, it makes and breaks
the electrical connection between the two platinum points that are hermetically sealed
inside the double diaphragm or bulged metal pieces, these pieces or diaphragms
forming a spring for separating the two platinum points after each contact.
We also use a single plain or corrugated plate fastened against an insulating
material, say vulcanite, hollowed out, the platinum point being fixed in this hollow,
and in the centre of the plain or corrugated plate, so that when the lever presses
against the plain or corrugated plate it presses it in, causing it to touch the inner
point, and on releasing it the plain or corrugated plate springs back into its former
position and breaks the connection.
On the return motion of the piston, as the pressure decreases when the instrument
rises through the water, the lever or levers which the projecting pins lift allow these
pins to pass, being hinged.
We can also use a rack, which is fixed on the rod attached to the inner piston, this rack
working a toothed wheel, on the spindle of which there are projecting pieces which
press against the double diaphragm or bulged metal pieces, or the plain or corrugated
plate, by the lift levers, in the same manner as already described.
This instrument or Sounder is thrown into the sea, and is attached by cord or
wires to a Winch.-Woven or twisted in or amongst the cord or wires are insulated
wires or wire, connected to an instrument and batteries above water, and as the
hydrostatic pressure of the water causes the piston to rise in the tube, contracting the
spring, it lifts the lever or levers by the projecting pins or rack, as described, causing
the two platinum points in the double diaphragm or bulged metal pieces, or in the
insulating material and plain or corrugated plate, to meet and separate, thus enabling
an electrical circuit to be made and broken under water.
At one end of the submerged vessel we can, if desired, attach the Sand Grippers
referred to in letters patent granted to us May 16th 1887, and numbered 7122.
The instrument above water, which is attached to suitable batteries for generating
the Electric Current, and which is intended to be on board a ship, we purpose con-
structing in the following manner. We use a magnet or magnets with a bar across
the top, with a projecting piece with a pin or punch at the end, this bar is held from
the magnets by a spring-Underneath the projecting piece or punch, a tape of paper
runs worked along by means of a clock movement, and as the electrical connection is
made in the submerged sounder, the bar which works on top of the magnets is drawn to
them and punches a hole or mark on the paper, at a given distance which represents a
fathom or any desired depth, as the Sounder descends.
When the electrical current is broken in the submerged instrument, the spring on
the top draws the bar away from the magnets. At every ten fathoms, or any other
desirable or suitable regular depths that may be required, the instrument makes two
dots or punch holes, to enable the officers to read off the depths quickly.
We do not confine ourselves entirely to this mode, as instead of making punch
holes or dots we make the instrument to print letters or figures, or we use a recording
instrument as described in letters patent referred to above and numbered 7122, May 16th
1887..

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Instruments for Taking Soundings.
We, ALFRED JOPLING COOPER, of Billiter House, Billiter Street, in the City of
London, Captain of a vessel and EUSTACE ERNEST WIGZELL, also of Billiter House,.
Billiter Street, in the City of London, Engineer (both lately of 37 Walbrook in the
City of London) do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to registering above water by Electrical means, by any con-
venient measure of the depths to which a submarine instrument has descended, an
electrical current being established between the said submerged instrument and a
registering mechanism above water.
For this purpose we employ a tube having a piston with hydraulic cup leathers
or cups of other suitable material; attached to this piston there is a rod with projecting
pins.
On the top of this piston and round the rod we place a spiral or other spring or
springs made of material which will not corrode. We also employ if necessary, one,
two, or more pistons below this with cup leathers, or cups of other material, on
either side working loose, that is not attached to the piston above, but with glycerine
between them, forced in at a pressure to expand the cups and keep them expanded
making a solid body between the top and the bottom piston or pistons and so pre-
venting the water passing them and getting into the chamber above which is sealed
or kept dry-The spring before referred to is of sufficient strength to bear the
pressure of the water as the Sounder is submerged and allows the piston or pistons
to travel up the cylinder as the pressure increases on the descent of the Instrument
and as the spring closes up.
On the bar or rod at the top we put pins at proper distances to make and break
the electrical connection at suitable depths as the instrument descends and the rod is
made to travel upwards or downwards as may be found desirable.
On the descent of the Instrument these pins lift a lever or levers pressing on to
a double diaphragm or two or more pieces of bulged metal sealed round the edge.-
Inside this double diaphragm or pieces of bulged metal there are two platinum
points, the top point being connected to an insulated wire running to the cable and
the bottom fixed to the other or lower diaphragm plate or bulged metal piece which
is connected to the case for the return current.-When the lever or levers are lifted
up by the pins on the rod which is attached to the inner piston it makes and breaks
the electrical connection between the two platinum points that are hermetically sealed
inside the double diaphragm or bulged metal pieces, these pieces or diaphragms
forming a spring for separating the two platinum points after each contact.
We also use a single plain or corrugated plate fastened against an insulating
material, say vulcanite, hollowed out, the platinum points being fixed in this hollow,
and in the centre of the plain or corrugated plate so that when the lever presses
against the plain or corrugated plate it presses it in, causing it to touch the inner

page_text: point, and on releasing it the plain or corrugated plate springs back into its former
position and breaks the connection.
On the return motion of the piston as the pressure decreases when the instrument
rises through the water the lever or levers which the projecting pins lift allow these
pins to pass, being hinged.
We can also use a rack which is fixed on the rod attached to the inner piston, this
rack working a toothed wheel on the spindle of which there are projecting pieces
which press against the double. diaphragm, or bulged metal pieces, or the plain or
corrugated plate by the lift levers in the same manner as already described.
This instrument or Sounder is thrown into the Sea and is attached by cord or wires
to a winch. Woven or twisted in or amongst the cord or wires are insulated wires or
wire connected to an instrument and batteries above water and as the hydrostatic
pressure of the water causes the piston to rise in the tube contracting the spring it
lifts the lever or levers by the projecting pins or rack as described causing the two
platinum points in the double diaphragm or bulged metal pieces, or in the insulating
material and plain or corrugated plate to meet and separate, thus enabling an electrical
circuit to be made and broken under water.
At one end of the submerged vessel we can if desired attach the Sand Grippers
referred to in letters patent granted to us May 16th 1887, and numbered 7122., or we
can use the form of grippers as described below and as set forth in the drawings
annexed.
The Instrument above water which is attached to suitable batteries for generating
the electric current and which is intended to be on board a ship, we purpose
constructing in the following manner.- We use a magnet or magnets with a bar
across the top with a projecting piece with a pin or punch at the end, this bar is held
from the magnets by a spring.
+
Underneath the projecting piece or punch, a tape of paper runs, worked along by
means of a clock movement or otherwise, and as the electrical connection is made in
the submerged Sounder, the bar which works on top of the magnets is drawn to them,
and punches a hole or mark on the paper at a given distance, which represents a
fathom or any desired depth, as the Sounder descends.-When the electrical current
is broken in the submerged instrument the spring on the top draws the bar away
from the magnets.
every ten fathoms or any other desirable or suitable regular depths that may be
required the instrument makes two dots or punch holes to enable the officers to read
off the depths quickly.
We do not confine ourselves entirely to this mode as instead of making punch holes
or.dots we make the instrument to print letters or figures or we use a recording
instrument as described in letters patent referred to above and numbered 7122,
May 16th 1887 or as described hereafter.
We will now proceed to describe our invention more particularly in detail and with
reference to the drawings. As we have before stated our complete invention relates
to apparatus for ascertaining or Sounding the depth of submersion of one portion
of the apparatus containing a spring pressed piston, in communication with the
hydrostatic pressure of the sea, the results being registered above water by a registering 4
mechanism operated by an intermittent electrical current established between the
aforesaid two portions of the said Sounding apparatus, and this invention consists in
improvements in construction upon a registering Deep Sea Sounder a patent for
which has been previously granted to us.
The means are essentially these―
5
The submerged portion of the Sounder is contained in a case of such an outline as
to offer least hold upon or resistance to the water. The magnetic intermittent contact
therein is enclosed in an independent sealed or watertight chamber so as to be
protected from the effect of moisture or water that may possibly penetrate the outer
case, such portion of mechanism as may remain so exposed being of a character 5
unaffected by moisture. Further the cap of the submarine portion of the Sounder is
attached, in such a manner as to be secure and yet readily removed and so as to make

page_text: an electrical contact with the interior of the instrument protected from the action of
moisture. Further, an improved form of Sand Gripper is attached at the lower
extremity thereof. The intermediate winch for lowering the Sounder is constructed
in an improved and simplified manner and a simple and more efficient registering
instrument is connected thereto.-In order that our invention may be the better
understood, we now proceed to describe the same in relation to the drawings hereunto
annexed reference being had to the letters and figures marked thereon.
Like letters and figures apply to similar parts throughout the drawings.
On sheet No. 1, fig. 1. is a part vertical section through the submerged portion of
our improved Sounder with Sand Gripper attached.-Fig. 2. is an under plan of the
same. Figs. 3, 4, and 4" are enlarged details of equivalent intermittent contact
mechanism with sealed or watertight contact chamber used therein.-Fig. 5. is a
vertical enlarged section through the cap of the said submerged portion of the
Sounder. Fig. 6. is a vertical section through a slightly modified but equivalent form
of the submerged portion of our Sounder.-Fig. 7. is a modified but equivalent Sand
Gripper attached thereto by wire or cord.-Fig. 8. is a detail slightly modified of the
sealed or watertight electrical contact chamber therein.-Fig. 9 is an equivalent but
slightly modified form of the piston rod, rack, and pinion, producing the intermittent
electrical contact.-In sheet 2. fig. 10. is an end clevation and part transverse section
of the improved Winch from which the Sounder is lowered-fig. 11. is a detail of the
cable used for the submerged portion of the Sounder to prevent twisting-fig. 12. is a
perspective view of the improved registering apparatus contained in a box together
with batteries. fig. 12 is a detail of a hand punch fitted therein-fig. 13 is a large
scale detail drawing of the registering card used therein.-fig. 14. is a front and side
elevation of the operating electro magnet and the registering instrument.-fig. 15.
is a side elevation large scale of a modified but equivalent registering instrument
fig. 16. is an end elevation of the same-fig. 17. is a plan of the registered card
produced therein.
To utilise the hydrostatic pressure of submersion we fit a sliding piston A. provided
with a cup leather a. fig. 1. sheet 1. or a series of pistons A. A¹ provided with cup
leathers a a² fig. 6. sheet 1. the two latter facing towards each other and filled at
pressure with glycerine or other suitable fluid.-Apertures b. are provided for access
of the external water thereto and the piston in its ascending motion re-acts against a
spring B or springs B. B', in which case the second spring B₁ is utilised to re-inforce
the action of the other spring after a certain distance has been traversed by the rod
or stem C. so as to provide higher resistance for great depths.
Upon the stem C. of this piston are provided grooves c. figs. 1, 3. & 4 sheet 1.
or projections c¹ figs. 6 and 9. sheet 1.-In the first case where the grooves are
employed an oval bead D. figs. 1, 3 and 4. sheet 1. is mounted upon a stem d.
In fig. 3. sheet 1, this stem is shown as a fixture at its base the upper portion being
capable of elastic movement.-The bead D. lies between two stops di
Thus when the stem first begins to move it carries the bead 1. opposite to a sliding
cup-headed watertight spring pressed piston E. fig. 3. sheet 1. or a sliding spring
pressed piston E covered with a watertight diaphragm fig. 4. sheet 1. until it is
checked by the top stop -The bead being there arrested intermittently moves
away from the piston stem C. each time that the ridges between the grooves on the said
stem force their way past the said bead.---Equivalently instead of the bead sliding on
the rod d. between two collars the bead may be fixed on the stem, of which the lower
part may be mounted on a sliding crosshead d² so that the first lift of the piston causes
the said bead, rod, and crosshead to rise with it until checked by the bolt-heads d³
fig. 1. sheet 1-In consequence of this arrangement of the said bead D. and
stem d, on the return of the piston the bead D. slides down with the stem d. clear of
the spring pressed piston E. E', during however the ascending stroke of the piston
rod C. the intermittent oscillation of the bead D. when in front of the spring pressed
piston E. E' or spring knob E2 fig. 4ª, it causes a similar reciprocating movement to
be thereby communicated to the said piston or knob, the spring e in figs. 3 and 4.
which forms one pole of the internal circuit through the case producing the required

page_text: recoil, and in fig. 4ª the knob E³ is mounted on a spring tongue.-The reciprocating
movement produced is sufficient to cause the spring e. to touch the extremity of the
other piston spring el which can be adjusted by the set-screw e2 in figs. 3 and 4. the
said spring being the other insulated pole of the internal circuit, the body of the
chamber S. being composed of insulating material.-In fig. 4 the watertight chamber
protecting the said contacts is formed by an elastic tube R. closely bound at either
end to metal plugs, one of which is insulated from the case S. for attachment to the
internal insulated wire H.-The elastic tube R is protected by an external metal
case S. In figs. 6, S. and 9. sheet 1. a mechanically equivalent device is shown.
The projections c¹ provided on the stem C. strike an oscillating lever e³ which by a rod
communicates an upward movement to another lever et pressing against a sliding
piston or diaphragm E3 by which the said piston or diaphragm being in electrical
contact with the case forms one pole of the internal current. The opposite internal
pole of the internal circuit e' is brought into contact with the inner end of the sliding
piston or the inner face of the diaphragm E2 when pressed home by the lever
movement e-The outer end of the lower lever is jointed and spring pressed so
that on the downward travel of the notched piston rod the end of the lever may come
freely without producing further movement, but the joint of the said lever will not
bend upwards.
Fig. 9. sheet 1, shows an equivalent mechanical movement with the projections
reduced to a rack with an intermediate pinion C².
To close the upper end of the Sounder while maintaining electrical contact we use a
conical cap F. fig. 5 with a pin fitted in the cap making an ordinary bayonet
joint in the outer case; over this we apply a loose sleeve which serves to lock the
bayonet joint in place as shown. To release this bayonet joint the cap fis lifted until
it is clear of the locking pin "; the cap is then turned towards the right until the
bayonet pin F comes under the vertical slot above it and the locking pin f comes
under the slot alongside it.
The sliding sleeve f. is then pressed down, the locking pin sliding up the groove
above it and the bayonet pin F1 also sliding up the groove above it until the sleeve is
pressed so far down as to free the bayonet pin F-The external cap F. can then also
be turned to the right and lifted clear as in an ordinary bayonet joint.
Within the cap F. is a central cone G. through which one wire from the cable is
carried in an insulated manner while the other wire or wires from the cable are laid
along the outside of the said cone and make contact with the case through the
cap F.
The aforesaid insulated wire G. is continued through the projecting piston g¹ of an
insulating material and finally to a split metallic piston 2 by which electrical contact
can be made through the metal lining g³ in a cylinder of insulating material y* to the
internal wire H. and then to the contact box S.
To prevent access of moisture to this internal contact plunger g² a cup leather gỗ is
fitted to the plunger above it by which the moisture is prevented from entering the
lower part of the cylinder in which it is working.
The Sand gripper is constructed as follows. The gripping arms K. are in the form
of a cup and petals with the concave side towards the sounder and the petals projecting
outwards beyond the Sounder, a sliding weight is fitted above the grippers so as to
slide down by its natural weight and close the concave mouth of the gripper. This
weight is continued by a cage 1 fig. 1. sheet 1., or a further weight and spindle ¹
fig. 7. sheet 1. so that this projection first strikes the ground as the sounder reaches
the bottom. The upper sliding weight & is thereby lifted from the concave mouth of
the sand gripper and as it is found in practice that the sounder falls upon its side and
is so dragged for a short while, the projecting petals thus scrape up a portion of the
bottom of the sea and upon lifting the sounder from the bottom the weight falls only
to close the mouth of the gripper, and thus to securely retain its contents.
The above described submarine portion of the Sounder is attached by a light wire
rope to a reel L. fig. 10, sheet 2, for convenient lowering out and winding up on
board ship:

page_text: The cable is constructed as follows:--In the centre of the cable is the insulated wire
or wires H. fig. 11. which is laid through the cap of the submerged portion of the
Sounder to the aforesaid insulated pole in the submerged portion of the Sounder.-
Surrounding this wire is an insulated covering of Gutta percha and tape h. and
these are again covered with two coatings of wire 23. wound in opposite directions
to prevent as far as possible any twisting of the cable.-The cable is wound upon a
metallic drum L.-The return current from the submerged portion of the instrument
being taken from the case through the exterior metallic winding 3. and thus to the
metal drum L. thence through the frame 1, to the wire L, one journal of the said drum
being fitted in the usual gun-metal bearing; the other journal of the drum is pro-
vided with an insulated sheath and that again is covered with a metal bush 12 this
being secured to the shaft and revolving with the shaft in a metal frame 13.-The
insulated current to the interior of the submerged portion of the Sounder passes from
the battery or other generator N. through L thence through the insulated standard 13
to the metal revolving bush thence by insulated wire attachments H. passing through
the body or check of the Drum L. to the centre of the cable and thence to the interior
of the submerged sounder. The current when the circuit is closed in the submerged
portion of the instrument may then pass through the wires L' L2 and through
registering dial and batteries as fully described in connection with our previous
patent, or through the registering device and battery as illustrated in figs. 12, 12",
13, 14, 15, 16, & 17. sheet 2.-This device consists of an electro-magnet M. shown in
detail in figs. 14 and 16 sheet 2; the batteries N. being necessarily included in the
circuit as the current is intermittently made and broken in the submerged portion
of the Sounder as it descends each closing of the circuit will operate the electro
magnet M., thus dragging a spring-held armature m. registering the successive
degrees of descent of the submerged portion of the Sounder and thus indicate the
depths of descent.-This may be effected in either of two equivalent ways. In figs. 12,
and 14. sheet 2. the reciprocating armature m. is provided with an arm m' terminating
in a pin or broad point which will fit the registering card O. on which a scale has been
prepared, every successive distance being provided with the scale of depth.
a
A fixed reverse point m² under or over the card prevents the registering card from
travelling backwards on the return throw of the armature. In order to permanently
mark the depth at any required moment of position the hand punch fig. 12" is used to
punch the registering card.-Equivalently in figs. 15 and 16. the armature m. is made
to operate an ink punch m³ which descending on the registering card or tape 01
makes a series of ink dots at scaled intervals with a double dot at every ten as shown
in plan fig. 17. sheet 2. the registering card being fed forward either by clockwork P
or by an electro-magnet device and feed pin as already described in relation to figs. 12
and 14 sheet 2.
If clockwork P it is checked by a lever p. which is disengaged by the lever pl
attached to the restricting armature m. so that the commencement of the iravel of the
registering card O' is caused by the lifting of the check lever p. by the first down-
ward movement of the armature m.--In this case the paper may be conveniently fed
from a drum Q, and the check recess p² in the escapement wheel of the clockwork
is so placed with regard to the circumference of the escapement wheel p³ that
before the recess p² comes round and the clockwork is checked sufficient paper is run
off in order to take any ordinary sounding, should however the feed of the paper
be excessive before the Soundings are finished the continued movement of the
armature m. will immediately again release the clockwork and allow the travel of the
paper to continue.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. In a registering Deep Sea Sounder the combination of a submerged portion,
5 having a spring pressed piston in communication with the sea and moved by hydro-
static pressure; an electrical make and break device contained in a special sealed or

page_text: watertight chamber operated by the movement of the said piston under pressure, in the
one direction only an upper portion provided with electrical registering mechanism
fitted with an electro magnet making a registering pulsation for every make and
break in the current from the submerged portion of the Sounder and with electrical
conductors connecting said make and break device with the said registering mechanism
substantially as hereinbefore specified.
2. In the submerged portion of a registering Deep Sea Sounder the combination
of a spring pressed piston moved by hydrostatic pressure, an electrical make and
break device consisting of indentations upon or projections from the stem of the said
piston, producing intermittent pressure upon platinum points encased in an elastic
tube or a diaphragm, or sliding watertight pin, thereby making an intermittent
electrical contact within a distinct sealed or watertight chamber substantially as
herein before specified.
3. In the submerged portion of a registering Deep Sea Sounder the combination of
a hydrostatically moved piston, spring pressed or pulled by two springs, one re-inforcing
the other during the travel, the piston rod being grooved at suitable intervals and
pressing upon a spring button which on the upward movement of the piston produces
intermittent pressure upon electrical contacts within an adjoining sealed or watertight
chamber, but on the downward travel of the piston, the said button falls clear of the
said electrical contacts and ceases to operate them.
4. In the submerged portion of a registering Deep Sea Sounder the combination of
a cap to which the connecting wires are attaclied the cap being secured to the case by
a locking bayonet joint and an internal projecting plunger making electrical contact
with the continued internal insulated wire, the said plunger being surrounded by a cup
leather working in a chamber of insulating material to prevent contact of the sea
water with the said insulated internal current substantially as hereinbefore specified.
5. In the submerged portion of a registering Deep Sea Sounder the combination of
a Sand gripper in which the gripper arms are a fixture with their cup shaped mouth
presented upwards and provided with a sliding cup heavily weighted which is caused
to lift upon the sounder striking the bottom but thereafter falls and closes the cup of
the sand grippers securing the contents during the ascent substantially as hereinbefore
specified.
6. In a registering deep sea sounder the combination of a submerged portion having
a spring pressed piston moved by hydrostatic pressure operating an electrical make
and break device, a winch provided with one specially insulated bearing conducting
an insulated current, wires connecting said submerged portion and said winch with
electrical registering mechanism so as to maintain complete circuit between the said
sounder and battery and registering mechanism whilst the connecting wire is being
unrolled from the said winch substantially as herein before specified.
7. In the upper portion of a registering deep sea sounder an electrical registering
mechanism comprising a sliding card whereon the register of depth is maintained by
it being fed uniformly forward by an electro-magnet and driving pin operated by the
said intermittent current from the submerged portion of the Sounder, the distance
travelled by the said sliding card being registered at any desired moment by punching
the card, which is provided with a suitable scale, by a stationary hand punch.
Dated this 21st day of Lunn 1000
ALFRED J. COOPER.
E. E. WIGZELL.