IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING AND CLEANSING THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS, PIER WALLS, AND OTHER SUBMERGED STRUCTURES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Pierre François Boisseau, ainé, of Paris, in the Republic of
France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING
AND CLEANSING THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS, PIER WALLS, AND OTHER SUBMERGED
STRUCTURES."
Scaled the 4th August 1876, and dated the 8th February 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Pierre François Boisseau at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th February 1876.
PIERRE FRANÇOIS BOISSEAU, ainé, of Paris, in the Republic of France. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING AND CLEANSING THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS, PIER
WALLS, AND OTHER SUBMERGED STRUCTURES."
This Invention relates to improvements in apparatus for inspecting and cleansing
the bottoms of ships, pier walls, and other submerged structures, and consists in
mounting a water-tight casing upon pivots connected with a frame that is capable,
through the intervention of gearing of movements in various directions to suit any
angle or inclination of the structure to be inspected. This casing, which is of greater
width at the bottom than at the top, has at the bottom a plate of glass as a mirror
set at an angle, and also a plain plate of glass to enable the state of the structure
to be reflected. The casing has at the upper part a prism or lenses with or without
a telescopic eye piece, through which a view can be obtained of the mirror below,
and the exact state of the structure ascertained. A rack and pinion are also fitted
to act in conjunction for raising and lowering the casing as desired.
In combination with the casing just described a similar pivoted apparatus is used,
and in or on which a travelling brush or scraper, or a series of them, can be moved
for cleansing the surface that has been previously examined. The framework of this
latter apparatus is of a given length, and can be pushed outwards at the bottom
from above by tackle to be adjusted to the curve or inclination of the ship's bottom,
wall, or other body..
"
The framework has at the top and bottom chain wheels capable of being moved,
and of winding up and down a chain which may be endless, and thus operate
a "traveller' in or to which a series of brushes or scrapers are attached, the
brushes or scrapers being thus drawn up and down in contact with the surface to
be cleansed. The brushes or scrapers are in separate frames, and have a to-and-fro
motion in slots in the traveller under the action of a reciprocating bar worked by
the chain wheel or whelp into which the chain engages.

page_text: The traveller has a lifting and lowering apparatus separate from the chain, and it
can be fixed temporarily at any part of the frame if desired.
The brushes have springs at the back by which a yield or flexibility can be
obtained; and in cases where, say, the fore or aft quarters or runs of a vessel have
to be cleansed other brushes or scrapers are fitted to the traveller to correspond
with the curves of the vessel below the water line.
The traveller is held to the frame and moves up and down it, guided by rollers,
which run in grooves, other rollers being employed to resist or case any lateral
pressure that
be
may put upon the traveller, and also keep the traveller in position.
The apparatus for inspecting the structure can be employed separately when
desired.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Pierre François Boisseau in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th
August 1876.
( IMPROVE
PIERRE FRANÇOIS BOISSEAU, ainé, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
MENTS IN APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING AND CLEANSING THE BOTTOMS OF SHIPS, PIER
WALLS, AND OTHER SUBMERGED STRUCTURES."
These improvements relate,-
Firstly. To a submarine brush to which a rotating and a to-and-fro motion is
given, and which is mounted on a kind of frame to which any desired inclination
can readily be given, so that the brush may follow all the form or shape of the hull
of the vessel to be cleansed, and any outline that the submerged structure may
present.
Secondly. To the combination therewith of a submarine spy-glass to which any
convenient direction may be given, and which can readily follow the work of the
brush; this instrument, which completes the brush, may however be utilized sepa-
rately in many cases.
The frame which carries the submarine brush and the mechanism which serves
to put it in motion and to move it from place to place is fixed by means of strong
hinges to a support mounted on a raft or floating pontoon, which carries the motive
power and accessory apparatus. This pontoon is provided with screws, two of
which mounted on parallel axes serve to force the pontoon towards the hull of the
vessel or the wall to be cleansed, so that the brush shall always have a good hold,
and apply the required friction. Another screw, placed at a right angle to the
former, serves for the propulsion of the floating raft or pontoon, which may thereby
be moved from place to place with great facility as may be found necessary.
On reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings and to the following
detailed description thereof, the advantages possessed by the improved brush and
spy-glass will be readily understood.
Figure 1 represents in exterior elevation the frame which carries the brush, and
which is fixed to a convenient floating pontoon or raft.
The rotary brush B is mounted on an axle A, the extremities of which turn in
the bearings or frame C, provided with small wheels c, which run on the rails d of
the curved frame D according as the endless cord or chain E attached to a winch e
is drawn in one direction or the other.
The winch is put in motion by a double click f, mounted on the shorter arm of
the lever F, actuated by the rod g of the excentric G, which is keyed on the driving
shaft I; this shaft is itself driven by means of an endless strap or chain J passing
around pulleys j, j'; the latter pulley j¹ is mounted on an axis h, which carries
another pulley H, receiving its motion from the strap L, which is driven by any
motive-power engine carried on the raft or pontoon M. The frame D is mounted
on a hinge at D' in such a manner that it can always be made to oscillate more or

page_text: less to keep the brush constantly in contact with the outline of the hull X of the
vessel to be cleansed, or against the wall of the jetty or other structure.
The rotating movement is constantly imparted to the brush B by the endless
chain N, which works on the pinion O, keyed upon a transverse axis P, which
carries a chain wheel Q driven by a corresponding wheel Q', keyed on the axis A.
The pontoon M is forced towards the hull X by two propelling screws driven by
the motive-power engine, which gives motion to the brush B, which ensures the
complete adhesion of the accessories of the latter. Another screw serves for the pro-
pulsion of the pontoon in any required direction.
A lever R oscillating on a point 7 on one of the frames C is attached by its
extremity to a convenient bell apparatus in such a manner that when tho brush
is not in contact with the object to be cleaned the lever is actuated and the bell
sounded by means of the pin 8.
Figure 2 shows a vertical section of the submarine spy-glass, which serves as a
complement to the brush above described, and which may for that purpose be
mounted on the same floating pontoon; Figure 3 is a corresponding plan view as
seen from above; and Figure 4 is a front elevation. In these three Figures A is
the eye piece forming a dark chamber, and B is a conical tube which support the
box for the object glasses C, which serve to reflect the image of the object or place
to be examined. C is a silvered reflecting glass, and c¹ a plain glass. A rack D
fixed the whole length of the tube B serves to raise and lower it, and it is guided by
pulleys fixed to the frame H. E is a toothed segment for giving to the spy-glass
an inclination in one direction; the other toothed segment F serves to incline it in
the other direction. G is a plank which is fixed on the floating raft or pontoon M
(Figure 1). The screw L connects together the two supports E and H. I is the
cast-iron frame of the winch carrying the gearing of the rack F. K is the gudgeon
on which the segment E turns.
These mechanical arrangements allow of any inclination whatever being given
to the spy-glass, and render it altogether practical to follow the work of the sub-
marine brush.
Having now described the nature and object of my said Invention, together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect, I would remark in conclusion that I claim as my Invention,―
First. The combination of the submarine brush, above described and represented
at Figure 1, for cleansing the bottoms or hulls of vessels or submarine constructions
of any kind.
Secondly. The combination of the submarine spy-glass, shown at Figures 2, 3,
and 4, which allows of following the operations of the brush at any depth, this spy-
glass being capable also of being used separately; the whole substantially as
described and as illustrated on the accompanying Sheet of explanatory Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Pierre François Boisseau, ainé, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Second day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
P. F. BOISSEAU, AINÉ,
(LS.)