Improvements in Navigational Sounding Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 17th June, 1899
Complete Specification Left. 16th Mar 1900-Accepted. 21st Apr.. 1900
Date of Application, 17th June, 1899
Complete Specification Left. 16th Mar. 1900-Accented. 21st Apr. 1900
Improvements in Navigational Sounding Apparatus.
I, JOHN CLARK DOBBIE, of 45, Clyde Place, in the City of Glasgow, Nautical
Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to navigational sounding apparatus of the kind in which
the sounding or depth of the sea is measured by the admission of water to a
tubular casing against the compression of the air contained within it in proportion
to the depth of immersion of said casing, and it has for its object mainly the
provision of devices by means of which escape of the water entering the casing is
prevented whilst the gradual outflow of the confined air may be permitted in
drawing inboard the sounding apparatus.
The improved apparatus is composed of a tubular casing which may be of
uniform bore or of larger diameter at one end which is closed whilst the opposite
end has in it an orifice through which the water admitted to the casing may be
poured out or its depth measured by a dip rod or scale, and which is normally
closed by a fluid-tight cap or cover. At any point in the casing, but preferably
at the upper end, a small tube is connected to admit water to the casing when
immersed, the said tube terminating inside the casing in a stem piece closed at its
end but having around it a series of small orifices which are covered by a sleeve
of flexible material such as rubber, oiled silk or thin metal to serve as a self-
closing valve which, whilst allowing of free ingress of water, precludes its
escape. Small air holes may be formed in the portion of the inlet tube above the
valve to allow of the gradual escape of air as the sounder is being drawn up,
or a special valve may be provided to release the air after the sounder is brought
on board.
In lieu of the flexible sleeve a parachute valve or a valve in the form of a ball
seated on a rubber face may be used and fitted with a spring to render it self-
closing, such valve being fitted in the casing or in the tube.
Dated this 16th day of June 1899.
.
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER,
Of the Firm of Cruikshank & Fairweather,
Chartered Patent Agents,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Navigational sounding Apparatus.
I, JOHN CLARK DOBBIE, of 45, Clyde Place, in the City of Glasgow, Nautical
Instrument Maker, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
Price Sd.

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to navigational sounding apparatus of the kind in which
the sounding or depth of the sea is measured by the admission of water to a
tubular casing against the compression of the air contained within it in propor-
tion to the depth of immersion of said casing, and it has for its object mainly
the provision of devices by means of which escape of the water from the casing
is prevented whilst the gradual outflow of the confined air may be permitted in
drawing inboard the sounding apparatus, whilst simplifying, rendering more
accurate, and otherwise better adapting such apparatus for taking soundings in
deep water.
The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 being an
elevation of the improved navigational sounding apparatus, Figure 2 a vertical
section at right angles to Fig. 1, and Figure 3a detail view of the non-return
valve employed. Figure 4 shews a modified form of non-return valve.
The improved apparatus is composed of a tubular casing A which may be of
uniform bore or of larger diameter at one end which is closed whilst the opposite
end has in it an orifice B through which the water is admitted to the casing A
may be poured out or its depth measured by a dip rod or scale, and which is
normally closed by a fluid-tight cap or cover A. At any point in the casing A,
but preferably through the cap A' at the upper end, a small tube I) is connected
to admit water to the casing when in process of immersion, the said tube
terminating inside the casing A in a stem piece E closed at its end but having
around it a series of small orifices E which are covered by a sleeve F of flexible
material such as rubber, oiled silk or thin nietal to serve as a self-closing valve
which, whilst allowing of free ingress of water, precludes its escape. Small air
holes may be formed in the portion of the inlet tube D above the valve E to allow
of the gradual escape of air as the sounder is being drawn up, or a special valve
may be provided to release the air after the sounder is brought on board..
A tube B¹ is preferably provided extending downwards, from the upper end of
the casing A to near the bottom of same, to permit of the entrance of air, so that
the water may be poured out.
In lieu of the flexible sleeve F a parachute valve C, as shewn at Figure 4, may
be used and fitted with a spring to render it self-closing against orifices G¹, such
valve being fitted in the casing or in the tube G.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In navigational sounding apparatus composed of a tubular casing having a
closed end and normally closed at its other end by a fluid tight cover and through
which casing a small tube is entered to admit water to the interior of the casing,
the combination with said tube of a non-return valve situated near its inner end
and formed by a flexible sleeve fitted over an orifice or orifices in said tube, sub-
stantially as described.
2. In apparatus of the kind referred to in Claim 1, the modification in which a
parachute valve actuated by a spring to normally close the water inlet is adapted
to serve as the non-return valve, substantially as described.
Dated this 15th day of March 1900.
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER,
Of the Firm of Cruikshank & Fairweather,
Chartered Patent Agents,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow,
Agent for the Applicant.