Improvements in Instruments for Taking Soundings.
Year: 1885

page_text: Improvements in Instruments for Taking Soundings.
We, ALFRED JOPLING COOPER of 37 Walbrook in the City of London, Captain
of a vessel, and EUSTACE EARNEST WIGZELL, also of 37 Walbrook in the City
of London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of our said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN INSTRUMENTS FOR TAKING SOUNDINGS to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a method of measuring the depth of water at sea,
and in other places, and in picking up a portion of the bottom as an indication that
the sounding has been made. Both of these functions may be performed by one
instrument, suitably arranged for the purpose; or done by means of two distinct
parts. Either of these parts may be used without the other for the purpose named,
or both parts used together at the time or operation of sounding.
In the specification to Letters Patent granted to us, and numbered 13454 of the
11th day of October, 1884, we described our invention for a sounding instrument in
which a pressure gauge is used in such a way that the pressure due to the per-
pendicular depth of the water at the point to which the gauge was lowered was
indicated by a moveable index hand or pointer, carrying with it as the pressure or
depth of water increased, a stop hand, designed to stop at the maximum point to
which the other or moveable hand had moved it; and thus to indicate upon a dial
or scale the depth to which it had been lowered. Combined or connected to this
was a means for picking up a portion of the sea bottom as an indication of the
sounding having been made.
In further addition to this we have also filed an application for Letters Patent
upon the 18th day of May 1885, and numbered 6070 for an improved method of
holding or securing the stop hand at the point to which it may be carried; having
found by experiment that there is danger of the said stop hand moving from the
exact point recording the depth, and consequent uncertainty as to whether its
position has been shifted by a blow or shock to the instrument.
By our present invention we dispense with the separate stop hand or else make
use of the ordinary hand or index finger of a pressure gauge for the same purpose
of indicating the perpendicular depth of water above the instrument. This is
effected by using a check valve, or valve opening only in one direction, in com-
bination with the usual bent tube of a hydraulic pressure gauge. When the
pressure of the water is communicated to the gauge it has to pass this valve, which
closing on the reduction of the pressure retains the hand or pointer at the maximum

page_text: point reached. After the sounding has been read off, a screwed plug, or similar
device, is opened to liberate the water under pressure, which causes the indicator
hand to return to zero.
This valve is made by covering a perforated tube, communicating with the
exterior with a ring or piece of tubing made of india rubber, or other elastic
material. On the water being forced in under pressure, the elastic ring or tubing
expands, and permits the water to pass into a chamber connected with the oval
tube or indicating device of the gauge to move the same; but any return pressure
is prevented by the closing of the small perforations in the tube by the india rubber
casing. The passage closed by the screwed plug also leads to the chamber under
water pressure, and on the removal of the plug the water is drained off, as alluded
to above.
The valve and plug may be placed in any convenient part of the instrument
and the moveable lid formerly used to protect the glass covering the dial may be
dispensed with, and a guarded glass face, preferably made as small as possible, and
of lens form, used instead; through which the sounding may be read.
For the purpose of picking up sand, gravel, stones or other substances at the
bottom, each of three claw like pieces are pivoted at the upper extremity upon
a central rod or bar and arranged to open and close. These claws form sections or
sectors of a hollow sphere, so that wlien closed together the general appearance is
that of a ball placed upon an axle. At the lower extremity of each claw it is
connected by two hinge joints and a bar, to the central rod or to a sleeve upon the
same, thus forming toggle joints. These, when extended, open the claws, and retain
them in position by a pressure intended to exceed that exerted by the water in
lowering the instrument. Springs are also applied in such a manner that when
fully extended their force is expended upon the toggle joints endways, tending to
retain their positions; but when a force is brought to bear upon the joint at right
angles thereto, the tension of the springs causes the extended claws to fold
up or
collapse, and regain the normal form of a hollow ball. The force at right angles
is produced by a projecting piece of the instrument striking against the bottom,
which moving the sleeve, or central end of the toggle joint, causes it, (when
extended), to collapse, the claws gripping and retaining within their interior space,
a specimen of the substance found at the bottom. As previously stated this
apparatus may form a portion of the instrument, or be attached thereto by a line,
wire, rod, or chain; and thus used as a lead or sinker.

page_text: Improvements in Instruments for Taking Soundings.
We, ALFRED JOPLING COOPER, of 37 Walbrook, in the City of London, Captain
of a vessel, and EUSTACE EARNEST WIGZELL, also of 37 Walbrook, in the City of
London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of our invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS IN INSTRUMENTS FOR TAKING SOUNDINGS 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 a method of measuring the depth of water at sea, and
in other places, and in picking up a portion of the bottom, as an indication that
the sounding has been made. Both of these functions may be performed by one
instrument, suitably arranged for the purpose, or done by means of two distinct
parts. Either of these parts may be used without the other for the purpose
named, or both parts used together at the time or operation of sounding.
In the specification of Letters Patent granted to us and numbered 13454, of the
11th day of October 1884, we described our invention for a Sounding Instrument,
in which a pressure gauge is used in such a way, that the pressure due to the
perpendicular depth of the water, at the point to which the gauge was lowered,
was indicated by a movable index hand or pointer, carrying with it, as the pressure
or depth of water increased, a stop hand, designed to stop at the maximum point
to which the other or movable hand had moved it; and thus to indicate upon a
dial, or scale, the depth to which it had been lowered.-Combined or connected to
this, was a means for picking up a portion of the sea bottom, as an indication of
the sounding having been made.
In further addition to this, we have also filed an application for Letters Patent -
upon the 18th day of May 1885, and numbered 6070, for an improved method of
holding or securing the stop hand, at the point to which it may be carried; having
found by experiment that there is danger of the said stop hand moving from the
exact point recording the depth, and consequent uncertainty as to whether its
position has been shifted by a blow or shock to the instrument.
By our present invention, we dispense with the separate stop hand, or else make
use of the ordinary hand or index finger of a pressure gauge, for the same purpose
of indicating the perpendicular depth of water above the instrument. This is
effected by using a check valve, or valve opening only in one direction, in combi-
nation with the usual bent tube of a hydraulic pressure gauge.—When the pressure
of the water is communicated to the gauge it has to pass this valve, which closing.
on the reduction of the pressure, retains the hand or pointer at the maximum point
reached.
After the sounding has been read off, a screwed plug or similar device is opened
to liberate the water under pressure, which causes the indicator hand to return to
zero.
This valve, is made by covering a perforated tube, communicating with the
exterior, with a ring or piece of tubing made of india rubber, or other elastic
material. On the water being forced in under pressure, the elastic ring or tubing,

page_text: expands, and permits the water to pass into a chamber connected with the oval
tube, or indicating device of the gauge, to move the same; but any return pressure,
is prevented by the closing of the small perforations in the tube, by the india
rubber casing. The passage closed by the screwed plug also leads to the chamber
under. water pressure, and on the removal of the plug, the water is drained off, as
alluded to above.
The valve and plug may be placed in any convenient part of the instrument,
and the movable lid formerly used to protect the glass covering the dial, may be
dispensed with, and a guarded glass face, preferably made as small as possible, and
of lens form, used instead, through which the sounding may be read. The dial
may also be placed across the casing instead of being at the side, by taking off the
top cap, which is then fastened on, and is thus made to protect the glass, and if
required can also be made watertight to prevent the water getting near the dial.―
This cap is made, so that when fastened down, it presses upon a metal cover,
placed over the dial, this cover being made loose, so that it can be removed for
reading off the depth recorded on the dial.-The cap may be fastened down by
means of a slotted bolt, which slides on to a taper pin, or it may be fastened by a
hinge or screw or screws.-Small perforations may be made in this cap, if required,
to admit the pressure of the water upon the loose cover referred to above, this
extra pressure being utilised for making the cover perfectly tight.
For the purpose of picking up sand, gravel, stones, or other substances at the
bottom, each of two, three, or more, claw like pieces or segments, are pivoted at
the upper extremity, upon a central rod or bar, and arranged to open and close.-
These claws form sections or sectors of a hollow sphere, so that when closed
together the general appearance is that of a ball placed upon an axle.-At the
lower extremity of each claw, it is connected by two hinge joints and a bar, to the
central rod, or to a sleeve upon the same, thus forming toggle joints.-These, when
extended, open the claws, and retain them in position by a pressure intended to
exceed that exerted by the water in lowering the instrument.-Springs are also
applied in such a manner, that when fully extended, their force is expended upon
the toggle joints endways, tending to retain their positions, but when a force is
brought to bear upon the joint at right angles thereto, the tension of the springs
causes the extended claws to fold up or collapse, and regain the normal form of a
hollow ball. The force at right angles is produced by a projecting piece of the
instrument striking against the bottom, which, moving the sleeve, or central end of
the toggle joint, causes it (when extended) to collapse, the claws gripping and
retaining within their interior space, a specimen of the substance found at the
bottom.
For soft bottoms, the tongue-like projection may be dispensed with, and in
place thereof triggers screwed into the upper portion of the segments, which fit
into a groove which slides on the centre spindle, and which is kept in position by
the tension on the wire. Directly this tension slackens in the least, the groove
slides down the centre spindle and frees the triggers, the instrument immediately
folding up in the manner above described.-The spring or springs in this case may
be placed either inside or outside.
As previously stated this apparatus may form a portion of the instrument, or be
attached thereto by a line wire, rod, or chain, and thus used as a lead or sinker,
suitable eye pieces being made for the purpose.
Fig. 1. shows an exterior view of the Sounder with dial.
Fig. 2. shows a part section of the Sounder with internal arrangement of
pressure gauge, and with sand lifter combined.
Fig. 3. is a full sized drawing of the inlet tube valve, and outlet hole.
Fig. 4. shows a part section with the pressure gauge placed crossways.
Fig. 5. shows a section of sand lifter with trigger arrangement open.
Fig. 6. shows a section of sand lifter with toggle joints.
Fig. 1 is one of the forms of the Sounding Machine A. being the dial and E
the hand. In Fig. 2. B. is the tube which the pressure of the water straightens,

page_text: working the ratchet C. which twists the spindle D and works the hand E round
the dial-Fig. 3. shows a section of the bottom end of Sounder, N. is the opening
or inlet to admit the pressure of the water, the water passing through a sponge,
or other suitable matter, in recess O, and afterwards through the small perfo-
rations P, expanding the tubular valve Q, leading to the pressure gauge through
the pipe R. As the outer pressure is reduced in raising the instrument, the
pressure in the space S closes the valve Q tight over the perforations P, thereby
retaining the pressure in the tube B shown in figure 2, keeping it at the maximum
depth registered by the hand E.-The cap at N, is screwed in, so that it can be
removed for cleaning, or the whole valve appliance can be screwed out of the case
as shown at T.-The plug U is screwed into the case, and by means of the square
key put in recess V, can be twisted outwards to allow the water under pressure to
escape down the recess W. and so pass out of the hole X. freeing the pressure from
the space S. and tube B in Fig. 2. When this has been done the plug U is
tightened, and the instrument is again ready for use.-Fig. 4. shows a part section
of the instrument and the means by which the water is prevented getting inside
the case Y. Y.-This is effected by means of a metal cover or disc Z.-There is a
ring of copper or lead or other suitable metal at N¹ and also at M―The cap C¹
when closed presses firmly down on same by means of a screw or screws.-On the
top of gauge there is a ring D', which screws tight on the top of the glass of the
gauge, so that should any water get into the space E¹, it would be prevented from
getting into the gauge F.
+
Returning to Fig. 2. F is the sand lifter attached to the Sounder, with the
two segments G. G. shown closed.-When the two steel triggers H. H. are placed
in the groove I the apparatus is open, and continues thus so long as the ring J.
is kept on the top of the spindle K, by the strain on the wire, or rope, or whatever
may be used for lowering the instrument into the water.-As soon as the apparatus
touches the ground, the ring J. slides down the spindle K, and releases the two
triggers H. H. out of the groove I, and the segments are pulled together by the
India rubber ring, or other suitable spring or springs, which are fitted on the two
projections L. L. which Led against the bottom part of spindle K, being thereby
kept in a central position.-M is a piece of lead used to weight the instrument.―
Fig. 5. shows the sand-lifter open ready for lowering, and Fig. 6. shows a section
of sand-lifter with toggle joints G₁ G₁; when the spindle H¹ is pulled down, the
jaws open, and are held in position when the toggles are past their centres by the
pressure of the spring I' which passes round the top of the lead ball J¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is
1. The improved instrument substantially as described.
2. In a Sounding Instrument a tubular valve opening in one direction only, for
the purpose specified substantially as described.
3. A screwed plug and seat by which the pressure is released substantially as
described.
4. The combination of the valve Q with the plug U and the Bourdon tube of a
pressure gauge for the purpose specified.
5. The opening N, in combination with the sponge or other suitable material,
and recess O. with the perforations P and the valve Q and plug U. with the
pipe R. and space S, and the Bourdon tube of a pressure gauge, substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
6. A Sounding Instrument having a pointer arranged to record and to be
maintained at the maximum pressure attained substantially in the manner
described.
7. The arrangement for screwing out the cap N. and the whole valve appliance
as marked T substantially as and for the purpose described.

page_text: 8. The arrangement. for screwing and unscrewing the plug U. substantially as
and for the purpose described.
9. The arrangement for preventing the water getting inside the case, and to the
gauge, substantially as described.
10. The apparatus for lifting sand or other substances from the bottom'
substantially as described.
11. The combination of the claws or segments G. G. with the two triggers H. H.
and the groove I the ring J. and spindle K, and the projections L. L. substantially
as and for the purpose described.
12. The combination of the toggle joints G¹ G' with the spindle H¹ and the
spring I, substantially as and for the purpose described.
13. The combination of the improved sounding instrument with an apparatus
for bringing up sand or other substances from the bottom, substantially as
described.