GB2205789A

GB2205789A - Underwater observation craft

Info

Publication number: GB2205789A
Application number: GB08711848A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Werner Egbert Juergen Schulz; Olmen Koenraad Achiel Leon Van
Original assignee: OLMEN KOENRAAD ACHIEL LEONIA V
Current assignee: OLMEN KOENRAAD ACHIEL LEONIA V
Priority date: 1987-03-10
Filing date: 1987-05-19
Publication date: 1988-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2007-05-19
Also published as: DE3707597A1; GB2205789B; GB8711848D0

Abstract

A craft for underwater observation and providing a clear and natural view of the under water world by day and night, and in which users neither need previous knowledge nor are they exposed to physical strain or psychical stress, comprises a carrier and a partly submersible cabin. The carrier which carries the cabin to the location of operation is fitted with a system to maintain constant draught, longitudinal and lateral propulsion units, conning stands, and a weather- and theft-proof super-structure. The cabin is raised and lowered relative to the carrier by lifting means and has fixed and floodable bouyancy cylinders. The cabin is cylindrical, open at the top, partly transparent, and partly submersible. By its rotation in whole or part combined with the simultaneous slow forward movement of the craft the user experiences the impression of a dive. <IMAGE>

Description

Craft for locomotion by water This invention relates to a craft which provides a clear and natural image of under water objects also by means of a simulated dive. by day and night.

In the field where this invention relates to, the following craft are known: - Glass bottom boats - U- boats - Under water sledges - Various diving aparatus either surface-dependent or suface independent - Snorkelling equipment consisting of mask, rins, and snorkel.

Glas bottom boats are box-shaped vessels with bad manoeuvrability. In their centre there is a small horizontal glass window over which people have to bend. Squeezed-in and in an unnatural position viewers are only able to observe under water objects in top-view. This creates a false image and confuses the observer. For reasons of shape and construction glass bottom boats are only able to travel at very low speed. Hence unnecessary long transit durations are unavoidable.

U-boats which might be suited in the field of the invention are only used very rarely because of their complexity and the extremely high cost involved. Only very few people get the op portwiity to take part in such an under water excursion, and by doing so submit themselves to bad air, very confined space, possible claustrophobia, and a danger for life which should not be underestimated.

The remaining known possibilities which we mentioned earlier we will here relate-to as "diving". Diving is a physical activity limited to a very small number of the human race. Only few possess the necessary physical and psychical abilities in order to enjoy a very time-limited stay below the surface.

This they can do only after a lengthy training period combined with the purchase of costly equipment and a still tremendous hazard to life.

Referring to the present invention , anybody, the healthy and the disabled of any age can be taken fast and at very low cost to the individual to the area of operation in order to experience by day and night a clear and natural image of the under water world- in comfort and in the absence of danger, without physical and psychical stress, without previous knowledge, and without a compelling time limit.

This will be achieved by the craft which provides a 61ear and natural image of under water ob5ects also by means of a simulated dive. The craft comprises the partly submersible cylindrical cabin, and the carrier into which the cabin is integrated.

Parts of the cabin are also the passenger room, the lifting device, the buoyancy tank, the stationary and moveable ballast, and the control- and store room, A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, Drawing 1 shows the craft in perspective; Drawing 2 shows the craft in split side view with the cabin in transit- and operation positions.

Drawing 3 shows the craft in split front view with the cabin in transit- ant operation positions.

Invirtue of its most effective hydrodynamically shaped carrier the craft has reached the operation area after only a short transit time. The procedure of d e 5 c e n t of the c a b i n begins.

The passengers are situated on deck of the c:a r r i e r whose superstructure serves as protection against wheather, The 1 i f t i n g d e v i c e (A2) takes the cabin weight off the c a r r i e r and the p a w 1 s which secure the cabin during transit are released. A gradual decrease of the buoyancy of the lifting device lowers the cabin to its displacement draught. The passengers are seated in the passenger room of the cabin opposite its transparent outer wall.

The valves for flooding and venting of the b u o y a n c y t a n k (Al) are opened. The rate of the escaping air governs the rate of descent of the cabin. Hence the downward movement of the cabin can be effectively controlled at all stages. As the stationary b a 1 1 a 5 t (B1) is not sufficient (safety) to submerge the cabin to its operational position, m o v e a b 1 e b a 1 1 a s t (B2) is being added. With the increase of (32) the cabin reaches its operational position where it is locked, During the above procedure the carrier's draught is being maintained constant by an automatic system.

The skipper of the craft now chooses one of the c o n n i n g s t a n d s from where he is able to control the craft most effectively in order to ensure the best possible position of the cabin in relationbatheunjir water objects.

Now the passenger room begins to ro t a t e slowly, In connection with the slow forward movement of the craft this roO tation creates the image for the spectator as if he himself dived e.g. along a coral reef, descended over the reef's edge and finally after a brief voyage through dark blue water climbed the steep ascent to the colourful tropical reef. This effect will be amplified dramatically when the craft is operated at night when the under water scenery is illuminated by the craft's u n d e r w a t e r 1 i g h t s y s t e m.

Here the vertical, transparent cabin wall in connection with reflex-neutralizing superstructure of the craft are to be regarded as absolute necessities.

During this phase excellent manoeuvrability of the craft is of utmost importance. It is granted by propulsion units as well as units moving the craft in a perpendicular direction to its longitudinal axis.

Everything which has been described fo far ensures that the users of the craft experience a clear and natural image of the under water world - in comfort and in absence of danger, without physical and/or psychical stress, without the necessity of previous knowledge, and without a compelling time limit.

The a s c e n t of the cabin is the reciprocal procedure of the descent, During the de- and ascent as well as during operation the cabin is being constantly guided by the especially shaped carrier into which the cabin is integrated, After completion of the cabin's ascent the carrier re-gains its hydrodynamically effective shape by the cabin bottom's special features.

With the invention of this craft all the herein postulated conditions nave been fulfillea.

Claims

1 A craft for locomotion by water which provides by day and night a clear and natural image of under water objects also by means of a simulated dive.

It comprises a) a cabin which is cylindrical, open at the top, and partly submersible. It encloses the passenger room, the lifting device, the buoyancy tank, the stationary and the moveable ballast, the control- and store room, and b) the carrier into which the cabin is integrated.

2 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claim 1, wherein a v e r t i c a 1 t r a n s p a r e n t c a b i n w a 1 1 is provided in order to view under water objects,

3 A crart for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2, wherein a 1 i f t + n g d e v i c e is provided which may be operated mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically, electrically, or by a combination of any of the above in order to ensure the safe lifting of the cabin.

4 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3, wherein a m o v e a b 1 e b a 1 1 a s t is provided in order to adjust the buoyancy of the cabin.

5 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3,4, wherein a b u o y a n-c y t a n k is provided which is flooded during the partial submersion of the cabin and which is emptied mechanically and/ or pneumatically during the ascent of the cabin.

6 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims t, 2,3,4,5 wherein a r o t a t i n g m o v e m e n t of the passenger room or of part thereof is provided in order to partly simulate a dive,

7 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3,4,5,6, wherein 5 i m u 1 t a n e o ú 5 m o v e m e n t 5 consisting of the rotation of the passenger room or of part thereof and the slow forward movement of the carrier are provided in order to complete the s i m u 1 a t i o n o f a d i v e.

8 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7, wherein d e v i c e s are provided in order to 1 o c k t h e c a b i n w i t h t h e c a r r i e r at various descent- or ascent stages, a) mechanically b) electrically c) pneumatically d) magnetically e) hydraulically, or by a combination of a) to e) in order to maintain stiffness, safety, and stability of the craft throughout the operation.

9 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8, wherein a c o n t r o 1 - a n d s t o r e r o o m is provided in order to store all necessary controland safety equipment.

10 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, wherein an e s p e c i a 1 1 y s h a p e d c a b i n b o t t o m is provided in order to create the carrier's effective hydrodynamic shape whilst the cabin is in transit position.

11 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, wherein a hydrodynamically most effective c a r r i e r is provided in order to transport the cabin to the operation area at a set draught.

12 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11, wherein a c a r r i e r is provided whose d r a u g h t is maintained c o n s t a n t in order to ensure optimum manoeuvrability at all stages of operation.

13 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,314,5,6,7,8,910,11,12, wherein a p r o p u 1 s i o n unit in p e r p e n d i c u l a r d i r e c t i o n to t h e l-o n g i t u d i n a 1 a x i s of the craft is provided in order to ensure optimal manoeuvrability during slow speeds,

14 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13, wherein c o n n i n g s t a n d s at the extreme outer limits of the craft are provided in order to enable the skipper to position the cabin most effectively in relation to under water objects,

15 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14, wherein at least two individually controllable p r o p u l s i o n u n i t s of any sort are provided in order to maintain good manoeuvrability of the craft.

16 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims t, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15, wherein 1 i g h t S 0 u r - c e s are provided in order to illuminate under water objects.

17 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,1X12t13141516, wherein a s u p e r s t r u c t u r e for the carrier is provided in order to subdue light reflexes within the cabin and to protect the cabin against wheather and burglary.

18 A craft for locomotion by water as claimed in claims 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 ,12,13,14,15, 16,17, wherein the practicability is provided that the craft may be constructed and/ or manufactured from any suitable materials which are on the market now - or from any suitable materials of yet unknown origin and/ or quality.