IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVING COSTUMES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND PROPULSION OF THE VESSEL OR SUBMARINE APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING THE DIVER WEARING SAID COSTUME."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Samuel Joseph Woodhouse, of West View, Dewsbury
Road, Leeds, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVING COSTUMES, AND
IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND PROPULSION OF THE VESSEL OR SUBMARINE
APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING THE DIVER WEARING SAID COSTUME."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Samuel Joseph Woodhouse
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th April 1881.
SAMUEL JOSEPH WOODHOUSE, of West View, Dewsbury Road, Leeds. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN DIVING COSTUMES, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND PROPULSION OF THE
VESSEL OR SUBMARINE APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING THE DIVER WEARING SAID
COSTUME."
This Invention has for its object further improvements upon the Patents granted
to the said Samuel Joseph Woodhouse, June 27th, 1878, No. 2576, also March 7th,
1878, No. .930. In the former Patent I claim for carrying a vessel containing
compressed air, which is affixed to a diving costume. The present improvements
consist in making the upper portion of the diver's dress (reaching from the head
to the waist) of copper or other suitable material, and also so forming the body
part that the front and the back thereof are separate air chambers in which to
store compressed air, each having a separate outlet and inlet, and both communi-
cating with a dish which is placed inside the top of the helmet. This dish contains
a suitable liquid or other material to purify the air which has been breathed.
Thus the air can be used from the front chamber, and after having been breathed
it ascends to the top of the helmet, and passes through the liquid or other suitable
purifying material; it cannot return because of being sealed by the said liquid; it
makes its way through suitable tubes to either chamber at the will of the diver to
be re-used, or it may at the will of the diver be cast out to the sea.
The metal dress containing compressed air enables the diver to descend to greater
depths than ordinary by resisting the pressure of the water upon the body.
To the metal portion I coupled strong leather leg guards to give the legs
protection from the pressure of the water; over these again are placed the ordinary

page_text: diving trousers, which are coupled to the metal portion by means of a union joint,
or any other suitable coupling.
Further improvements consist in connecting to the helmet a telephone for
communicating in deep waters.
In deep waters we provide a cage or dome in which the diver is to be lowered,
in order to blow up wreckage, etc., the cage being a protection for the diver against
the explosives which he may have to employ. The cage is also fitted with air
chamber to feed and purify in a manner similar to the diving dress.
I also apply highly compressed air in propelling a submarine boat which is to be
used for diving purposes.
The manner in which this is to be effected is as follows:-The boat is provided
with two or more cylinders containing compressed air at a high pressure, and being
partly filled with water or other liquid. The air is compressed from one of the
cylinders to the cylinder of the propeller engine; after leaving the cylinder of the
engine it is conducted to a second air cylinder; here it is introduced by means of
a pipe which ascends to the top of the inside cylinder, and then bends down to
the bottom of the water in the form of an inverted U%; here the air escapes and
passes through the water, fills the cylinder, and is again used when the cylinder has
accumulated a high pressure; by this means the boat is propelled by continually
reusing the highly compressed air. The air cylinders are provided with pressure
and water gauges in order that the diver may observe from which cylinder to use
the air. Means are also provided whereby the temperature of the water in the
cylinders is kept low by pumping in the sea water, and allowing the heated water
to escape.
The boat is also provided with lamps to throw a light through the
windows in the sides of the boat, in order that the diver may observe his work
on the outside. The diver has a thorough command of the boat by being able to
steer from the forecastle, and is enabled to leave the boat by means of double air-
tight doors being lowered to the sea by ordinary means, or he may remain on the
outside of the boat upon a lattice platform.
The means which I employ in sinking the boat or in making it rise are as
follows: At the bow and stern of the boat are placed four or more water com-
partments, also two or more air compartments round the sides when it is required
that the boat should sink under the water at any desired angle. The four water
compartments are filled, and the aft compartments are emptied or partly emptied,
thus causing the bow of the boat to dip considerably, and being propelled it
proceeds to the depth required; in order to rise or to proceed in an horizontal
direction, the water in the compartments is reversed or equalized. This is effected
by means of pumps connected to the propeller engine, and which may be worked
separately or in conjunction with the propeller. The whole of the air and water
compartments are connected together by mains provided with suitable valves at
the command of the diver, so that the air compartments may be filled with water,
and the water compartments filled with air, as the case may be.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Samuel Joseph Woodhouse in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
22nd October 1881.
THE
SAMUEL JOSEPH WOODHOUSE, of 207, West View, Dewsbury Road, Leeds,
in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN DIVING COSTUMES, AND IN
CONSTRUCTION AND PROPULSION OF THE VESSEL OR SUBMARINE APPARATUS FOR
CONVEYING THE DIVER WEARING SAID COSTUME."
:
This Invention has for its object further improvements upon the Patents granted
to me, the said Samuel Joseph Woodhouse, June Twenty seventh, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy eight, Number 2576, also March Seventh, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy eight, Number 930. In the former Patent.I claim for
carrying a vessel containing compressed' air which is affixed to a diving costume.
The present improvements consist in making the upper portion of the diver's
dress (reaching from the head to the waist) of copper or other suitable material,
and also so forming the body part that the front and back thereof are separate air
chambers in which to store compressed air, each having a separate outlet and inlet,
and both communicating with a dish which is formed by the outer and inner cases
of the helmet. This dish, which is made of a nonporous mineral;, contains a
suitable liquid or other material to purify the air which has been breathed. Thus
the air can be used from the front chamber, and after having been breathed it ascends
to the top of the helmet, and passes through the liquid or other suitable purifying
material; it cannot return because of being sealed by the said liquid.and nonporous
dish; it makes its way through suitable tubes to either chamber at the will of the
diver, to be reused, or it may at the will of the diver be cast out to sea.
metal dress containing compressed air enables the diver to descend to greater
depths than ordinary by resisting the pressure of the:water upon the body.
The
To the metal portion are coupled strong leather leg guards to give the legs
protection from the pressure of the water. Over these again are placed the
ordinary diving trousers, which are coupled to the metal portion by means of a
union joint or any other suitable coupling.
'
Further improvements consist in connecting to the helmet a telephone for
communicating in deep waters. A second part of my Invention consists in
providing a cage or dome, in which the diver may be lowered in. order to blow up
wreckage, &c. This cage or dome is a protection for the diver against the
explosives he may have to employ. This cage or dome is also fitted with air
chambers to feed and purify in a manner similar to the diving dress, also with a
telephone.
A third part of my Invention consists in applying highly compressed air, in
propelling a submarine boat, which is to be used for diving purposes, in carrying
the said dome and appliances. The manner in which this is effected is as follows:-
The boat is provided with two or more cylinders containing compressed air at a
high pressure, and is partly filled with water or other liquid. The air is conveyed
from one of the cylinders to the cylinder of the propellor engine. After leaving
the cylinder of engine it is conducted to a second air cylinder. Here it is,introduced
by means of a pipe which ascends to the top of the inside of cylinder, and then
bends down to the bottom of the water in the before mentioned nonporous dish in
the form of an inverted U. Here the air escapes, and passing through the water
fills the cylinder, and is again used when the cylinder has accumulated a high
pressure; or I can use from one air cylinder, and pass the exhaust into the same
through the inverted U pipe and the purifying liquid. By this means the boat is
propelled by continually reusing the highly compressed air. The air cylinders are
provided with pressure and water gauges in order that the diver may observe from
which cylinder to use the air.
Means are also provided whereby the temperature of the
is kept low by pumping in the sea water and allowing the
The boat is also provided with lamps to throw a light
water in the cylinders
heated water to escape.
through the windows

page_text: in the sides of the boat in order that the diver may observe his work on the
outside.
The diver has a thorough command of the boat by being able to steer from the
forecastle, and is enabled to leave the boat by means of double air tight doors, and
can be lowered to sea by ordinary means; or he may remain on the outside of the
boat upon a lattice platform.
The means which I employ in sinking the boat or in making it rise are as
follows: At the bow and stern of the boat are placed 4 or more water com-
partments, also 6 or more air compartments round the sides. When it is required
that the boat shall sink under the water at any desired angle, the fore water
compartments are filled and the aft compartments are emptied, or partly emptied,
thus causing the bow of the boat to dip considerably, and being propelled it
proceeds to the required depth. In order to rise or proceed in an horizontal
direction the water in the compartments is reversed or equalized. This is effected
by means of pumps connected to the propellor engines, which may be worked
separately or in conjunction with the propellor. The whole of the air com-
partments are connected together by mains provided with suitable valves; also
the water compartments are connected in like manner.
In order that the Invention may be better understood and readily carried into
effect, I will now, with the aid of the accompanying Drawings, proceed more parti-
cularly to describe and ascertain the same.
Figures 1 and 2 are front and side views of the diving dress, and Figure 3 is a
cross section of the body part of same. A is the body part made of copper or
other suitable material, the front and back parts of which are formed into air
chambers by being made a double case, and are filled with air at the tap A¹. Each
air chamber contains a nonporous vessel band 61, which is made to contain, a
suitable air purifying liquid; 62 and 63 are pipes which convey the vitiated air
from the helmet to the vessel b and b¹. The top part of each vessel b. and b² is
partly perforated to allow the air to escape into the chamber. The chambers. are
also provided with taps cand c¹ to supply the driver with fresh air. The tap. C
communicates with the front chamber, and tap 'C' communicates with the back
chamber. The legs and arms are fastened to the body by means of flanges and
studs.
On the top of the body is a flange d with a groove in it. A suitable flange
is on the helmet, and is fitted with a projection which fits into the groove d..
leather ring is placed between them, and the two are fastened together by means
of bolts or other suitable fastenings. The helmet is made double, and the lower
part of the space between the two shells contains air purifying liquid.
el is a
tube which is within the space named. The lower end of such tube is perforated
with small holes, and dips to the bottom of the liquid named. 62 and 3 are air
tubes, which are also enclosed in the space, and each respectively communicates
with the vessels 6 and 1 in front and back parts. of body a. The pipes. and b³
are each made in two parts, and are joined together at the same level as flanges d,
and in the manner shewn at f. They at the same time pass through the collar. or
flanges d; h is a tap and pipe to let any air out from the top of inside of helmet
as the diver may desire.
The working of the dress and the appliances is as follows:-
The air chambers a being charged with compressed air, the diver turns on the
tap c or c and breathes the air through the mouthpiece c³. When the air is exhaled
it naturally rises, and coming. to the top of inside of helmet has no way of escape
excepting through the tube e¹. It passes down this and through the purifying
liquid, and again rises in the space before named. It cannot return by the pipe e
because it will not pass downwards through the liquid. named. Thus the liquid
acts as a purifying agent, and at the same time effectually seals the air from
returning. It next ascends until it finds means of escape through the tubes 62
and 6. These tubes again conduct the air down into the vessels 6 and 61, which
'contain also purifying liquid. through which it again passes and rises in the air

page_text: In
chamber A; the liquid again acting in like manner as explained in the helmet.
this manner air can be used from one cylinder or chamber and can be passed back
again into the same or can be passed to another.
A telephone is also connected with the inside of helmet by means of a wire which
passes through a stuffing box in the stud h so that the diver may hold
communication with any one above him.
Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views of a diving done which is fitted with
appliances similar to the diving dress for the storing of compressed air and
purifying and, reusing same; Figures 6 and 7 are cross sections of the same;
A and A¹ are compressed air chambers, each being fitted with the vessel b and bi to
contain the purifying liquid; h is a chamber for the diver's use, which is entered
through the air tight door . In the middle of the chamber h is a circular
telescopic hoist C, which may be lowered to sea by means of a winch or other
suitable contrivance. The entrance to the hoist is through air tight door C¹. The
use of this is to convey the diver to sea and bring him back again into chamber h;
d is the foundation or legs on, which the dome stands and is made in the form of a
box in which to store tools or ballast. Lamps are also provided in suitable positions
for lighting the outside of the dome. The air chamber A supplies the air for the
lamps, and the chamber A¹ supplies the air for the diver, or vice versa. A telephone
is fitted inside at d, and is connected in a manner similar to the diving dress
already described.
The chamber may be fitted with every convenience for the diver's necessities.
. The whole of the dome diving apparatus may.be lowered from the land or may be
used, in conjunction with a boat, as hereafter described.
The circulation of the air in the dome is as follows:-The vitiated air rises to
the top and passes through the pipe e, and the liquid in the vessel b into the air
chamber a, and again passes into the chamber. by means of pipes e¹ which are
fitted with suitable taps.
The lamps are also connected to air chambers by means of pipes.
Pressure guages are affixed to each air chamber, both of which are under the
notice of the diver.
Figures 8 and 9 are respectively side and top views of a submarine boat;
Figure. 10 is a sketch of the method of driving the engines and returning the
exhaust.
Round the sides of the boat are placed air chambers A, A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, containing
compressed air, and at the fore and aft are two compartments 6 and 6 containing
water, and connected together by a main, which is itself provided with suitable
taps and is connected to the pump of one of the engines. The water compartments
are used to make the boat dip either fore or aft, or to lie horizontally. Thus, when
it is required to proceed to any depth, the fore compartment is filled with water
and the aft emptied, or partly emptied. This causes the bow of the boat to dip and
the boat is then propelled to the required depth. In order to rise or proceed
horizontally, the water is pumped from the fore to the aft compartment, and the
fore end made the lighter, or they are equalized.
The boat is propelled by means of two engines d and d¹. Engine d drives an
ordinary screw propeller at the aft part of the vessel, and engine d¹ drives paddle
wheels or other suitable propellors at the fore part of the vessel. By means of
suitable apparatus the pumps can be coupled to empty the water from the fore bow
to the aft bow, and vice versa. Both engines derive their motive power in the
same manner.
The manner is as follows:-Figure 10 shews the principle; A is a cylinder
containing compressed air, and a pipe conveys the air to the cylinder d of the
engine, and is fitted with a conical cover to prevent the escape of water. Another
pipe g conveys the exhausted air back again to the cylinder A; this pipe is fitted
with a valve to prevent any back pressure. The air passes from the cylinder
along the pipe g, which when it enters the cylinder A rises to a considerable height,
and is then bent to come down into the cylinder h. This cylinder h contains a

page_text: suitable purifying liquid.
The air then passes out at the bottom of the pipe g
(which is perforated with small holes) and rises through the liquid into the
cylinder A. Thus the air can be used from one chamber and returned exhausted
into the same. The action of the liquid upon the air is exactly the same as in the
diving dress and dome, as previously described.
All the cylinders A, A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, are connected to each other and to the
engines, and all feed and exhaust by suitable mains, as shewn in the Drawings. In
this manner the air can be used from any of the cylinders and exhausted into any
other at the will of the diver. Each cylinder is provided with a purifying tank
and bent pipe, as at Figure 10.
The boat is constructed to carry the dome, Figure 8 and 9, which is shewn at K.
The dome can be lowered to sea by a winch or other suitable means, and falling
doors are provided to close the bottom of the boat when the dome is within the
boat.
Egress to the deck m is obtained by means of a rising telescopic cylinder m³,
which is shewn in the Drawings as partly raised. When it is fully raised it is a
protection for the diver against the current of water, and may also be a place of
Entrance to the
observation by being fitted with suitable lamps and glasses.
cylinder is through double water and air tight doors.
The boat is steered from the fore part, as shewn at o; a strong glass window is
fixed at p so that the helmsman may see the front of the boat and so regulate the
steering. All the cylinders before described are Alled through an air metre s.
The meter 81
Another metre s' is provided for the discharge of any air required.
is connected to the discharge water pipe of engine d; t is the hold of the boat, which
acts as a supplementary tank of water for use of the crew, and to regulate the
boats displacement.
In the upper deck one or more guns are carried, as shewn at n.
used to deliver a vertical or an angular fire into the hull of a
wreckage, &c.
'
The guns are
ship or into
The rails on the outer deck are made so as to be raised and lowered from the
interior of the upper deck by any suitable means.
With reference to the diving dress I find it advisable to make the body in two
parts when it is intended to be used for shallow waters or light land work, such as
tires or going into vitiated air. The joint is made air tight by a flange and groove,
as shewn in the pipe at f
Having now described and ascertained the nature of my Invention and the
manner of carrying the same into effect, I would have it understood that. what I
claim is,
1st. The method by which a diver may carry in his dress a supply of compressed
air, which may be purified and so continuously used.
()'
2nd. The method of carrying and purifying air in a diving dome.
3rd. The method of using compressed air to drive engines of any description in
boats, constructed for diving purposes in the manner already described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Samuel Joseph Woodhouse, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourth day of October, One thousand eight hundred
and eighty one.
Signed, sealed, and delivered
by the said Samuel Joseph
Woodhouse in the presence of
THOMAS TURNER,
Solr., Leeds.
SAMUEL JOSEPH WOODHOUSE. (L.S.).