Improvements in Instruments for Ascertaining the Depth of Liquids.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 26th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 27th Oct., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Instruments for Ascertaining the Depth of
Liquids.
I THOMAS BASSNETT of 68 Rawson Road Seaforth, near Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster Nautical Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
The invention relates to the well known Bassnett sounders, and the object is to
increase their efficiency and to simplify and cheapen their construction.
Sounders under my invention consist essentially of an internal tube opening into
an external chamber and my improvements consist,
First. In forming or fitting the internal tube with a valve at the end where it
delivers into the chamber so made that water may freely pass into the chamber but
cannot return although air may freely escape therefrom.
Second. In fitting or forming the delivery end of the said tube with an enlarge-
ment or its equivalent provided with openings so disposed that water may freely
enter the chamber but cannot escape whilst separate apertures are provided for the
outflow of air.
Third. In constructing the sounding apparatus of a vessel or chamber provided
with a stopper or cap through which a tube reaches nearly to the end of the said
vessel or chamber. The vessel or chamber may be graduated or the water therein
may be measured with a graduated vessel.
Dated this 27th day of December 1893.
:
Per pro J. T. KING,
J. Johnson,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Instruments for Ascertaining the Depth of
Liquids.
I THOMAS BASSNETT of 68 Rawson Road, Seaforth, in the County of
Lancaster, Nautical Instrument Maker, 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 :-
The invention relates to the well-known Basnett sounders and the object is to
increase their efficiency and to simplify and cheapen their construction.
Sounders under my invention consist essentially of an internal tube opening into
an external chamber and my improvements consist :-
First. In forming or fitting the internal tube with a valve at the end where it
delivers into the chamber so inade that water may freely pass into the chamberibut
cannot return although air may freely escape therefrom.
}
Second. In fitting or forming the delivery end of the said tube with an enlarge-
ment or its equivalent provided with openings so disposed that water may freely
enter the chamber but cannot escape, whilst separate apertures are provided for the
outflow of air.
Third. In constructing the sounding apparatus of a vessel or chamber provided
with a stopper or cap through which a tube reaches nearly to the end of the said

page_text: vessel or chamber. The vessel or chamber may be graduated or the water therein
may be measured with a graduated vessel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is an elevation, part being in section, of a sounder constructed in accordance
with the first part of my invention. a is the internal tube made of metal and
opening into an external chamber b of glass. The glass chamber is enclosed in a
metal case c. The chamber is made watertight by having its open end pressed
against an india rubber or like washer d carried by the plug e which screws into
the case c, and of which the tube a forms part. is an india rubber or like washer
resting on the top of the chamber b, and y, is a plug for forcing the open end of the
chamber against the washer d. h, is a valve surrounding and turning on the.
plug e, for opening and closing apertures leading through the said plug into
the chamber b. j, opening or openings through the case c to allow of observations.
k, scale of depths. 7 valve of thin flexible metal secured at its lower end l', to
the top of the tube a by brazing, soldering or otherwise. The said valve is
preferably made with small apertures or a slit therethrough as shown in Figs. 1^
and 1B.
The action of the apparatus is as follows: The valve is turned so as to close
the apertures i, and the sounder is attached to a sinker in any usual or suitable
way. As the said sounder descends, water flows up the tube a past the valve l,
into the chamber compressing the contained air. The said water is prevented
from flowing out of the chamber again if diving or irregular motions take place by
the said valve l, although as the instrument is drawn up, the air compressed within
the chamber can escape through the apertures or slit shown in Figs. 1ª and 1ª,
or past the valve if the fit is not quite tight. When the sounder is drawn on
board, the depth to which it has descended is read off on the scale k, by noticing
the height of the water in the chamber b. To discharge the water from the
chamber b, it is only necessary to turn the valve so as to open the apertures i.
Fig. 2 is a section illustrative of the second part of my invention,-here the
tube a,
is made with, fitted or provided with an enlargement or head m having
apertures through which water flows into the chamber h, but through which it is
prevented from returning by a valve or valves 1 of india rubber, oiled silk or
equivalent material. 12, are fine apertures in the head or enlargement to allow of the
outflow of air, such apertures being so small and so situated that water cannot find
its way out through them. The tube a may be carried to near the top of the head
or enlargement as shown or may terminate at or near the commencement thereof.
In some cases I make the openings large enough to allow the water flowing up
the tube a to enter the chamber, in this case the apertures n, and valve or valves ?,
are dispensed with.
Fig. 3 is an elevation of sounding apparatus under the third part of my invention.
b, is the vessel or chamber fitted with a stopper or cap e, through which passes
the tube a reaching nearly to the end of the said chamber. o suspension line
attached to a sinker. The above sounder may be inserted in any suitable sinker
if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
First. The inner tube a with a valve or its equivalent 1, combined with an outer
chamber b, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Second. The inner tube a with a valve or its equivalent 1, and apertures or
slit 2, combined with an outer chamber b, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
Third The inner tube a with an enlargement or head m, water valve l, and air
apertures substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12

page_text: Fourth. The combination of a chamber b, stopper or cap e, and tube a,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated the 25th day of September 1894.
J. T. KING,
Agent.