An Improved Diving Chamber.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 13th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 13th Apr., 1805
An Improved Diving Chamber.
GEORGE ALFRED RUSSELL of 10 Power Street, Newport in the County of
Mormouth Draughtsman do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my invention is to construct a chamber, to the shape required
by the annexed drawings, with steel or iron plates and so arranged as to resist
enormous pressures, when diving at great depths.
A very important feature is as shewn, a load is attached to the bottom of the
chamber, and this is connected by means of long bolts through the keel to the
interior, this is so arranged, that in case of emergency, that is breaking of wire
ropes, pipes, and other causes the handles, that are attached to the long bolts
could be turned by the operators inside, and so slip the load, then the chamber
would become buoyant.
The following is a reference to the annexed drawings:-
--
A door A is provided near to the top of the chamber, so that when sufficiently
ballasted it will float upright on the water, after the ballast has been loaded as
required, the load is then attached, this may consist of old railway metals, or
other such material.
The portholes B. B. B. B. B. are to be similar to those on board ship, four of
which are to be in the front, one at back, and two as electric light holes, under.
the floor near the bottom.
India-rubber bag joints C. C. of good thickness are to be securely fixed to the
outside of the chamber, with proper collars, nuts and bolts.
In these bag joints, long tongs D. D. or other tools are to be inserted as
required-india rubber rings are to be fastened over the joint of tongs so as to
allow for expansion while the tongs are being worked and at the same time <keep
all watertight.
The electric arc lamps E. E. are to be securely fixed under the floor, these are
to have reflectors, so as to throw the rays through the port holes on to the objects
required.
A brush light F. is to be fixed inside at the top of the chamber..
GGGGGGGGGG is the angle iron bearers stays and frames.
The loop rings on the top H. H. are for to connect; the shackles of the wire
ropes for ascending and descending.
The exhaust pipe J is to have an exhaust pump arrangement, on the surface, so
as to draw the foul air which may accumulate in pipe and chamber during
operations, this and the fresh air pipe K. are to be of rubber, the fresh air pipe is
to connect to the top of the chamber, and deliver the air into the iron pipe K
inside, this conveys the air to the level of the floor. As it rises, it is drawn by the
foul air exhaust and so keep the chamber cool.
L is the load.
The electric dynamo M is to be securely fixed underneath the floor:
The load straps N have a screw nut, into which the ends of the long bolts are
screwed, when-required: these bolts are unscrewed from the straps, and the loadtis
slipped.
·
The handles 00: are to be securely connected to the bolts inside. P is the
trap door in the floor of the chamber, through which accessi is gained to the

page_text: electric store. The floor S is to be of wood laid on the angle irons. A bottom
floor T or shelf is for to fasten the dynamo, to prevent rolling out of place.
Dated this 15th day of December 1894.
An Improved Diving Onamber.
1 George ALFRED RUSSELL of 10 Power Street Newport in the County of
Monmouth Draughtsman 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 object of my invention is to construct a chamber to the shape required by
the annexed drawing, with steel or iron plates firmly rivetted and so arranged as
to resist enormous pressures when diving at great depths.
A. very important feature is as shown, a load is attached to the bottom of the
chamber, and is connected by means of long bolts through the keel to the interior,
this is so arranged that in case of emergency whilst operating, that is breaking of
wire ropes, pipes, and other causes, the handles that are attached to the long bolts,
could be turned by the operators inside and so slip the load then the chamber
would become buoyant.
The remaining particulars describing the nature and construction of my said
diving chamber is shown by the drawings left with the Provisional Specifi-
cation:-
Fig. 1. is the longitudinal section the door A is to be made near the top, a small
rebate is to be formed on the door having india-rubber packing similar to a
porthole on board ship to make it watertight, this is to be provided with suitable
thumbscrews on the inside, so that the operators can open and close the door
at will.
One porthole B. at back similar to an ordinary porthole on board ship.
The electric arc lamps E. E. are shown, as fixed under the floor.
G. is the angle iron bearers stays and frames.
The loop rings H. H. are for to connect the wire ropes for ascending and
descending.
The exhaust pipe J is to be carried up to the surface of the water having an
exhaust pump arrangement and is intended to draw out all foul air, which may
accumulate in the chamber whilst operating. This and the fresh air pipe K are to
be of rubber, having internal bedded spiral wire, and is to connect to the top of the
chamber.
L. is the load which may be composed of old railway metals, or any such heavy
weights.
The electric dynamo M. if required in the chamber or accumulators, is to be
securely bolted to the bottom floor or shelf.
The load straps N. N. are to have a hole tapped and drilled to suit the long
bolts, the ends of which are screwed into them. In case of emergency these bolts
are to be unscrewed from the straps and so slip the load.
The handles O. O. arc to be securely attached to the bolts inside, by means of
which the operators turn the bolts.
The floor S. is to be of wood laid on the angle irons and separates the working
chamber from the electrical store.
The bottom floor or shelf T. is for to fasten the dynamo or accumulators on, and
so prevent rolling out of place.
Fig. 2. represents the plan showing, the shape of the chamber with A indicating
where the door is to be fixed, and with portholes B. in front and back.

page_text: India-rubber bag joints C. C. of good thickness, are to be securely fixed on the
outside of the chamber with proper collars nuts and bolts.
In these bag joints long tongs D. D. or other tools are to be inserted as
required. The angle iron bearers G. are to support the floor.
Fig. 3. is the transverse section showing the vertical shape of the chamber, and
load entire, with A for door opening and the portholes B:-including those under
the floor for the electric light to throw its rays through, on to the objects required
outside. C is the india-rubber bag joint as described in Fig. 2 also the tongs D.
E shows the electric lamps as fixed under the floor.
A small brush light F is fitted inside near the top on the centre stay iron G.
A strengthening stay G is to be fixed internally about two feet, from the floor.
H is the end view of the loop ring.
The exhaust pipe J is shown as attached to the top on the back of the chamber.
Lis where the load is to be secured. M. the electrical apparatus as required.
The end view of the load straps N. are also shown, with the end of the long bolt
screwed in, to this long bolt the handle O, is shown as attached.
A trap door P. is to be formed in the floor, through which access is gained to
the electrical store.
The telephone apparatus R. is also shown with mouthpiece inside the chamber,
so that the operators could give immediate orders to the attendant ship on the
surface. S. is the floor, as described in Fig. 1. T is the bottom floor or shelf.
The whole is to be well painted caulked, and made perfectly watertight.
When in operation before being sunk it is to be ballasted well, so that it will
float upright on the water similar to a buoy, then it is to be hoisted up and the
load attached, which is to be calculated so as to be sufficient to sink it down into
deep places.
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 1
claim is :-
1st. A diving chamber as hereinbefore described made of steel plates securely
rivetted to strong angle irons and turtle shaped, substantially as described.
2nd. A diving chamber having a detachable load, entirely separated from the
chamber.
3rd. A diving chamber having india-rubber bag joints, to enable the operators
to seize outside objects.
4th. A diving chamber having an exhaust pipe for discharging the foul air, with
an exhaust pump arrangement on the surface.
5th. A diving chamber having an electrical store separated from the working
chamber.
6th. The general construction, combination and arrangement of the chamber
entire as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings,
and constituting an automatous diving chamber, for deep sea diving purposes.
Dated this 11th day of March 1895.
GEORGE ALFRED RUSSELL.