Improvements in Navigational Sounding Apparatus.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 21st Sept., 1900-Accepted, 3rd Nov., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
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 fol-
lows:
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 pro-
vision of devices by means of which admission of water due to sudden shock is
avoided and leakage of the water entering the casing is prevented.
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 oppo-
site 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.
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.
At the outer end of the tube or at any point in its length a second valve or
valves is or are fitted to serve as a check valve or valves and ensure that any
shock due to jerking or sudden pulling up of the sounder and acting to open this
auxiliary valve may not be communicated to the first mentioned valve and allow
of undue ingress of water, the auxiliary valve also serving to prevent leakage.
In order that the length of the sounder tube may be lessened in apparatus for
sounding at great depths a chamber may be formed in the length of the admis-
sion tube between the main and auxiliary valve or valves, or may be added
to the tube either above or below said valve or valves, in which case this chamber
will be first filled with water and on the sounder reaching an abnormal depth
the water in the chamber will be forced or overflow into the tubular casing of
the sounder.
The check valve or valves above referred to may be applied to sounders of
known kinds in which the water passes to a sounder casing through an inlet tube
provided with a non-return valve or other means for preventing outflow of water
entering the casing against the air pressure within.
Dated this 29th day of December 1899.
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER,
Of the Firm of Cruikshank & Fairweather,
Chartered Patent Agents,
Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicant,

page_text: 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
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 proportion to
the depth of immersion of said casing, and it has for its object mainly the pro-
vision of devices by means of which admission of water due to sudden shock is
avoided and leakage of the water entering the casing is prevented.
The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 being a
vertical section of the navigational sounding apparatus, and Fig. 2 a vertical
section of part of the same shewing a modified form of 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 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 A hinged to the casing A. At any point in
the casing A, but preferably at the upper end, a small tube D is connected to
admit water to the casing A when immersed, the said tube D terminating inside
the casing 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 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.
In lieu of the flexible sleeve à parachute valve I, as shewn at Fig. 2, 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.
At the outer end of the tube D or at any point in its length a second non-return
valve or valves G of similar or other construction is or are fitted to serve as a
check valve or valves and ensure that any shock due to jerking or sudden pull-
ing up of the sounder and acting to open this auxiliary valve may not be com-
municated to the first mentioned valve E and allow of undue ingress of water,
the auxiliary valve G also serving to prevent leakage.
In order that the length of the sounder tube may be lessened in apparatus for
sounding at great depths a chamber H may be formed in the length of the admis-
sion tube between the main valve E and the auxiliary valve G or valves, or
may be added to the tube 1) either above or below said valve or valves, in which
case this chamber will be first filled with water and on the sounder reaching an
abnormal depth the water in the chamber H will be forced or overflow into the
tubular casing A of the sounder.
The check valve or valves above referred to may be applied to sounders of
known kinds in which the water passes to a sounder casing through an inlet tube
provided with non-return valve or other means for preventing outflow of water
entering the casing against the air pressure within.
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. Navigational sounding apparatus the several parts of which are constructed
and combined substantially as described.

page_text: 2. In navigational sounding apparatus the combination with a non-return valve
situated at the inner end of the inlet tube, of a non-return valve or valves situ-
ated near the outer end of said inlet tube and serving as a check valve substan-
tially as described.
3. In navigational sounding apparatus the combination with a non-return valve
and a check valve or valves, of an outer clamber into which the water is first
admitted and an inner chamber into which the water is forced or overflows on
the sounder reaching an abnormal depth.
Dated this 20th day of Sentember 1900
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER,
Of the Firm of Cruikshank & Fairweather,
Chartered Patent Agents,
62, Saint Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agent for the Applicant.