A NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR MEASURING, RECORDING, AND REGISTERING THE DEPTHS OF LIQUIDS, FLUIDS, 2 PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Annibal Légé, of Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, for an Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR
MEASURING, RECORDING, AND REGISTERING THE DEPTHS OF LIQUIDS, FLUIDS,
2
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Annibal Légé at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th March 1881.
ANNIBAL LÉGÉ, of Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer. "A NEW
OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR MEASURING, RECORDING, AND REGISTERING THE
DEPTHS OF LIQUIDS, FLUIDS, OR GASES."
The object of this Invention is the speedy and accurate measurement, recording,
I
and registering of the depth of any liquid, fluid, or gas, and for this purpose
employ a coil of metal tubing which, when immersed in a liquid, fluid, or gas, is
uncoiled more or less by the pressure acting inside the said coil of tube, according
to the depth to which it is immersed. Instead of a coil of tubing, metallic discs
soldered together round their edges may be employed.
These arrangements are virtually more or less modifications of well known forms
of pressure gauges, but in order to adapt them to the particular use of sounding or
ascertaining the depths of liquids, fluids, or gases, they may be arranged in the
following manner:-A coil of metal tubing, preferably of a helical form, is placed
round a central cylindrical core, and the whole encased in an outer case or tube
large enough to allow sufficient play for the uncoiling of the metal coil of tubing
when the apparatus is in use. The lower end of the metal coil of tube is open,
and communicates with the central core through a small opening near its lower
end. A short length of metal tube perforated with holes is inserted in the end of
the central core in the line of its axis; this short length of perforated tube is
protected from injury by a surrounding casing of metal, which being fitted to the
lower end of the casing surrounding the metal coil completes an air tight chamber
in which the beforementioned coil of tubing works. An elastic bag surrounds the
perforated tube, which together with the metal coil is filled with liquid or air,

page_text: or with liquid and air; or instead of the elastic bag an elastic metallic disc or
diaphragm may be fitted to the outer protecting casing. The apparatus may
however be used without filling the coil, as above described, and in that case a
portion of the liquid, fluid, or gas into which it is plunged enters the said coil.
The solid central core assists to steady the coil of tube surrounding it; it displaces
part of the air in the casing, and gives weight to the instrument, but I do
not confine myself to its use for those objects as they may be effected in
other ways.
The upper end of the coil of tubing is closed and fitted with a short bar of metal
pivoted to the centre of a dial face, which may be divided or graduated so as to
indicate feet, fathoms, or other linear measurements. The coil of tubing in
uncoiling and coiling by the increase or reduction of pressure due to greater or
lesser immersion carries round this bar, which moves a registering hand or pointer
over the upper face of the dial plate. The dial and pointer or index are covered
with a glass plate fitted air tight; through this glass plate a stud may be made to
project, fitted with a handle to set back the pointer or index to zero preparatory
to using the apparatus. The whole instrument is surmounted with a strong metal
cap with a hinged lid, which is kept closed except when it is required to read off
the indications upon the dial when the apparatus is in use.
The apparatus when used for navigational soundings is lowered in the usual
way by a suitable line or wire fastened to the drop bail until the bottom is reached,
when the apparatus is hauled up by hand or any suitable coiling apparatus, or by
the descent of a weight, or of another sounding apparatus from the reel, upon
which another line or wire has been coiled in the descent of the first named
apparatus.
By means of electric, mechanical, or other suitable connections, the indications of
the dial index can be continuously recorded on a registering mechanism placed in
the apparatus or at a distance therefrom, so as to show diagrammatically or other-
wise the various depths to which the said apparatus has been immersed, and by
galvanic or electric means a signal bell may be sounded at a distance from the
apparatus so as to indicate when any prescribed depth has been reached or
exceeded.
The lower part of the apparatus may be armed with the usual arming of tallow,
soap, or grease, or with nippers or grippers usually employed to obtain a sample of
the bottom.
The coil of metal tubing may be made spiral instead of helical, or simply of a
curved form, and when the pressure is admitted to the interior of such coils they
must be enclosed in air tight chambers so as to prevent the pressure from acting
externally on the said coil of tubing, which would neutralize the effect on the
interior thereof; but if preferred the pressure may be exerted on the outside of
such coils so as to coil them up, and in that case they would not be contained in
air tight chambers. In like manner when discs or diaphragons are employed the
pressure may be either admitted to their internal or external surfaces; in the
former case they are enclosed in air tight cases, in the latter in open ones.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Annibal Légé in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th
September 1881.
ANNIBAL LÉGÉ, of Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer. "A NEW
OR IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR MEASURING, RECORDING, AND REGISTERING THE
DEPTHS OF LIQUIDS, FLUIDS, OR GASES."
The object of this Invention is the speedy and accurate measurement, recording,
and registering of the depth of any liquid, fluid, or gas; and for this purpose I
employ by preference a coil of metal tubing which, when immersed in a liquid,
fluid, or gas, is uncoiled more or less by the pressure acting inside the said coil of
tube according to the depth to which it is immersed. Instead of a coil of tubing,
metallic discs soldered or otherwise connected together round their edges may be
employed.
These arrangements are virtually more or less modifications of well known forms
of pressure gauges, but in order to adapt them to the particular use of sounding or
ascertaining the depths of liquids, fluids, or gases, I prefer to arrange and adapt
the various parts composing the apparatus as shewn in Figure 1 of the Drawings
hereto annexed, which said Figure represents a vertical section of the said apparatus.
A is a metal tube, preferably coiled into a helical form, and placed round a central
cylindrical core B, the whole being encased in an outer air and water tight metallic
case or tube C, large enough to allow sufficient play for the uncoiling of the metal
coil or tubing A when the apparatus is in use. The upper end of the coil of
tubing A is hermetically closed, but the lower end thereof is fixed to the lower
part of the central core B by screws, soldering, or otherwise, and communicates by
a small opening or passage D with the chamber E formed in the lower end of the
said core.
Into this chamber E is screwed a hollow plug or tube F, by which the
core B is drawn firmly against the upper end of the casing G, a water or air
tight joint being made by a suitable washer H. The casing G is screwed water
and air tight to the lower end of the outer case or tube C at I. In a recess in the
lower end of the said casing G is placed an india rubber diaphragm J and a
perforated metal disc K, the former being secured air and water tight against the
shoulder L by the ring M screwed against the back of the disc K. Instead of the
indiarubber diaphragm J an elastic bag may be secured over the end of the hollow
plug or tube F. Holes G' are formed in the part of the casing G below the ring M,
as shewn, for the purpose of preventing the formation of a vacuum when the
apparatus is drawn rapidly through the water. N is a cup screwed into the
casing G for the purpose of collecting a sample of the bottom when the apparatus
is used for sounding in the sea or other waters. The casing G, the hollow plug or
tube F, and the coil of tubing A, are filled with liquid, such as a mixture of
glycerine and water, for example, with air, or with liquid and air. If preferred,
however, the apparatus may be used without partially or wholly filling the coil and
casing with liquid, as above described, and in that case the india rubber diaphragm J
or the flexible bag above described may be omitted, and a portion of the liquid,
fluid, or gas, into which the apparatus is plunged enters the aforesaid coil of
tubing A. In order to prevent injury to the coil of tubing A in the event of the
apparatus being subjected to a greater pressure than it is intended to bear, there
is adapted to the upper part of the chamber E a valve O, into the seat of which
the small passage D from the coil of tubing A opens, being closed by the valve O
when the latter is in its seat. P is a second chamber formed above the chamber E,
and Q is a third chamber containing a spring R; S is an india rubber diaphragm
held water and air tight against the shoulder T by the ring U, prsosed against_its
circumference by screwing the upper part of the core B against it, as shewn; V is
a plate against which the spring R bears, and to which is attached a socket W, into
which the stem of the valve O may be screwed more or less so as to adjust the

page_text: distance of the latter from its seat to suit various circumstances of pressure. It
will now be understood that should the apparatus be immersed to such a depth
that further pressure in the coil of tubing A would be injurious thereto, the
pressure exerted on the diaphragm J forces liquid through the hole X which
liquid acting on the diaphragm S against the resistance of the spring R raises
the valve O to its seat and closes the passage D, whereby any further increase of
pressure is prevented from acting on the said coil of tubing A.
The central core B assists to steady the coil of tubing A surrounding it; it
displaces part of the air in the casing C, and gives weight to the instrument as the
upper part of the said core may be made more or less solid, or be loaded according
to requirements, but I do not confine myself to its use for those objects, as they
may be effected in other ways.
The upper end of the coil of tubing A is closed, as before described, and is fitted
with a short bar or finger of metal Y, which acts upon a crank pin Y' fixed in a
disc or crank Y2 pivoted in the centre of a dial plate Z, which may be divided or
graduated so as to indicate feet, fathoms, or other linear measurements.
The coil
of tubing A in uncoiling and coiling by the increase or reduction of pressure due to
greater or lesser immersion carries round this bar Y, which, through the intervention
of the crank pin Y¹ and crank Y³, moves a registering hand, pointer, or index Z¹
over the upper face of the dial plate Z. The dial and pointer or index are covered
with a glass plate Z secured air tight to the upper end of casing C by means of a
screwed cap Z, which may or may not, as preferred, .be surmounted with a hinged
lid 77, kept closed except when it is required to read off the indications upon the
dial when the apparatus is in use. A stud or button Z furnished with an air
tight washer Z³ may be adapted to pass through the glass plate Z³, and be furnished
with an arm Zo whereby the pointer or index 7' may be returned to zero
preparatory to using the apparatus. The bar or finger Y is by preference so shaped
that its free end shall enter the central hole in the disc or crank Y², as shewn, the
coil of tubing A being by this means kept central with the core B. Should the
apparatus be subjected to any sudden shock, such, for example, as would be caused
by its coming in contact with the bottom of the sea, the horizontal portion of the
bar or finger Y would come against the top of the core B, and thus obviate any
undue strain or rupture of the coil of tubing A.
The apparatus when used for navigational soundings is lowered in the usual
way by a suitable line or wire fastened to the drop bail Z8 until the bottom
is reached, when the apparatus is hauled up by hand or any suitable coiling
apparatus, or by the descent of a weight, or of another sounding apparatus from
the reel upon which another line or wire has been coiled in the descent of the first
named apparatus.
Figure 2 shews a longitudinal section of an apparatus adapted so that the descent
of one sounding instrument assists in the hauling up of another; or if preferred
one sounding instrument may be held stationary while the other is raised by hand;
Figure 3, a transverse section of same. A is the base plate and standard of the
apparatus; B, a spindle fixed in a boss on the standard A; C, C, two drums
adapted to turn loosely on the ends of the said spindle B; D, D, toothed bevil
pinions fixed on the sides of the drums C, C; F, F, are two springs which tend to
keep the bevil pinions D, D, in gear with the driving bevil wheel E; G, a forked
lever operated by the handle G₁, by which either of the drums C with its bevil
pinion D may be moved outwards on the spindle B against the action of its
spring F, so as to throw the said bevil pinion D out of gear with the driving
wheel E. It will now be understood that when both bevil pinions D, D, are in
gear with the driving wheel E the two drums revolve in opposite directions when
the said driving wheel is rotated by the handle H, so that as one sounding instru-
ment is lowered from one drum the other sounding instrument is raised by the
other drum, but that if it is desired to draw up one sounding instrument and to
keep the other stationary the drum of the latter is put out of gear with the driving
wheel E by moving the handle G₁ and the forked lever G in the appropriate

page_text: direction. Supplementary handles I, I, may be applied to the drums, as shewn in
dotted lines, if desired, and any suitable revolution indicator may be applied to
each drum to shew approximately by the number of revolutions made by the drum
the length of line paid out. In cases where it is not desired to provide means for
hauling up one instrument while the other remains stationary the disconnecting
gear may be dispensed with.
By means of electric, mechanical, or other suitable connexions, the indications of
the index can be continuously recorded on a registering mechanism placed in the
apparatus or at a distance therefrom, so as to shew diagramatically or otherwise
the various depths to which the said apparatus has been immersed, and by galvanic
or electric means a signal bell may be sounded at a distance from the apparatus
so as to indicate when any prescribed depth has been reached or exceeded.
The lower part of the apparatus may be armed with the usual arming of tallow,
soap, or grease, or with the nippers or grippers usually employed, to obtain a
sample of the botton when the apparatus is used for sounding in the sea or other
waters.
The metal tubing may be made spiral instead of helical, or simply of a curved
form, and when the pressure is admitted to the interior of such tubing it must be
enclosed in an air tight chamber, so as to prevent the pressure from acting
externally on the said tubing, which would neutralize the effect on the interior
thereof; but if preferred the pressure may be exerted on the outside of such tubing
so as to coil or wind it up instead of uncoiling or unwinding the same, and in that
case such tubing would not be contained in an air tight chamber but would open
into such a chamber. In like manner when discs or diaphragms are employed the
pressure may be either admitted to their internal or external surfaces. In the
former case they are enclosed in air tight cases, in the latter in open ones. I have
deemed it unnecessary to illustrate the various alternative arrangements herein
mentioned as I consider they will be sufficiently well understood from an exami-
nation of the arrangements illustrated in Figure 1, and the description herein
contained.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to or may be perforined, I would have it understood that what
I claim as the Invention to be secured to me by the within in part recited Letters
Patent is,
First. The new or improved arrangements, combination, and construction of
apparatus for measuring and recording the depths of liquids, fluids, or gases, in
which the pressure of the column of liquid, fluid, or gas, acting on a helical, spiral,
or curved tube or on discs connected together at their edges causes a pointer or
index to indicate on a dial face the depth to which the apparatus has been
immersed, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figure 1 of the
Drawings hereto annexed.
Second. The arrangement and construction of apparatus whereby the lowering
of one sounding apparatus is caused to assist the raising of another, such apparatus
being furnished or not with appliances for disengaging one or other of the drums
from the driving wheel, substantially as herein before described and illustrated in
Figures 2 and 3 of the Drawings hereto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Annibal Légé, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
ANNIBAL LÉGÉ. (L.S.)