GB2075581A

GB2075581A - Observation of objects in opaque liquids

Info

Publication number: GB2075581A
Application number: GB8014912A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-05-03
Filing date: 1980-05-03
Publication date: 1981-11-18

Abstract

A method of and device for observing an object (20) submerged in opaque liquid are disclosed wherein a clear liquid is supplied to fill a container (10) having an observation window (13) and a viewing window (12) and to form a zone (21) of clear liquid contacting the object (20) adjacent the observation window (13). The observation window (13) can be a transparent sheet or an opening in the container (10). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Observation of objects in opaque liquids This invention relates to a method of and a device for use in observing objects immersed in opaque liquids such as dirty water and is particularly concerned with the observation of submerged objects by divers.

British Patent No. 155051 3 discloses the use of a flexible transparent container which can be filled with a transparent liquid (e.g.

clean water), the wall of the container pressed against a submerged object and the object observed through the liquid in the container.

This has the disadvantage that the object can 'only be observed when the material of the container touches it. Further, the user cannot perform any operations on the object, as is "often desirable.

An aim of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved method of and device for observing an object in opaque liquid.

The invention provides a method of observing an object submerged in an opaque liquid comprising supplying transparent liquid firstly to fill a container having a viewing window, and an observation window, and secondly to create a zone of transparent liquid in contact with the object and adjacent the observation liquid, and observing the object through the windows and the interior of the container.

The invention also provides a device for use in observing an object submerged in opaque liquid comprising a container having a viewing window on one side and an observation window on the other side and a supply conduit for supplying transparent liquid firstly to fill the container and secondly to create a zone of transparent liquid outside the container adjacent the observation window.

The observation window can be open, or can be closed by a transparent, rigid sheet, the volume of transparent liquid being created outside the sheet, there being separate clear liquid supplies to the zone and the interior of the container.

Alternatively, the observation window can be an opening communicating with the interior of the container, clear liquid flowing from the container to the zone.

The viewing window can be a sheet of rigid transparent material. Conveniently it can constitute or be attached to a screen of a driver's face mask. In the latter event, a separate supply of clean liquid can be provided to flow between the viewing window and the screen to create a second zone of clear liquid.

The container can have lights to facilitate observation.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of device of the invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the device of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of device of the invention; and Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the device of Fig. 3.

A first preferred device of the invention comprises a container 10 defined by side walling 11, a transparent rigid viewing window 1 2 at one side and a larger observation window 1 3 at the other side. The observation window 1 3 is constituted by an opening in the container 10. Shoulders 14 on the side walling 11 mount lights 1 5 which can be supplied with power from batteries or from the surface via cable.The sidewalling has liquid supply means in the form of two hollow annulae 16, 1 7 surrounding sidewalling 11 and connected to a supply conduit 1 8 by a valve 1 9. Annulus 1 6 supplies liquid to the interior of the container adjacent the viewing window and annulus 1 7 supplies liquid to the surround of observation window 13, liquid flowing out of the container 10 creating a zone 21 of clear liquid in contact with an object 20 to be observed or manipulated. The window 1 2 can be a screen of a diver's face mask or attached thereto. The supply of clear liquid can be from the surface or from a selfcontained pump/filter unit carried by the diver.

A second preferred device 22 of the invention (Figs. 3 and 4) is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2, in that it has a container 10, sidewalling 11, a viewing window 1 2 an observation window 13, lights 1 5 and liquid supply means including annulae 16 and 17. However, the observation window 1 3 is a rigid transparent sheet 23 and a zone 24 of clear liquid between window 1 3 and an object 25 to be observed is created by liquid flowing from annulus 1 7 via differently angled apertures to give flow as indicated by the arrows 26. A second zone 27 can be similarly created, by flow from annulus 16, between viewing window 1 2 and a screen (not shown) of a diver's face mask. A branch conduit 28 supplies clear liquid to the interior of the container, pressure being equalised by a valve (not shown) in an aperture 29.

It will be appreciated that both embodiments allow objects submerged in opaque liquid, e.g. dirty water, to be observed and manipulated or treated without disturbing the quality of the observation.

1. A method of observing an object submerged in an opaque liquid comprising supplying transparent liquid firstly to fill a container having a viewing window and an observation window, and secondly to create a zone

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Observation of objects in opaque liquids This invention relates to a method of and a device for use in observing objects immersed in opaque liquids such as dirty water and is particularly concerned with the observation of submerged objects by divers. British Patent No. 155051 3 discloses the use of a flexible transparent container which can be filled with a transparent liquid (e.g. clean water), the wall of the container pressed against a submerged object and the object observed through the liquid in the container. This has the disadvantage that the object can 'only be observed when the material of the container touches it. Further, the user cannot perform any operations on the object, as is "often desirable. An aim of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved method of and device for observing an object in opaque liquid. The invention provides a method of observing an object submerged in an opaque liquid comprising supplying transparent liquid firstly to fill a container having a viewing window, and an observation window, and secondly to create a zone of transparent liquid in contact with the object and adjacent the observation liquid, and observing the object through the windows and the interior of the container. The invention also provides a device for use in observing an object submerged in opaque liquid comprising a container having a viewing window on one side and an observation window on the other side and a supply conduit for supplying transparent liquid firstly to fill the container and secondly to create a zone of transparent liquid outside the container adjacent the observation window. The observation window can be open, or can be closed by a transparent, rigid sheet, the volume of transparent liquid being created outside the sheet, there being separate clear liquid supplies to the zone and the interior of the container. Alternatively, the observation window can be an opening communicating with the interior of the container, clear liquid flowing from the container to the zone. The viewing window can be a sheet of rigid transparent material. Conveniently it can constitute or be attached to a screen of a driver's face mask. In the latter event, a separate supply of clean liquid can be provided to flow between the viewing window and the screen to create a second zone of clear liquid. The container can have lights to facilitate observation. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of device of the invention; Figure 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the device of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of device of the invention; and Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through the device of Fig. 3. A first preferred device of the invention comprises a container 10 defined by side walling 11, a transparent rigid viewing window 1 2 at one side and a larger observation window 1 3 at the other side. The observation window 1 3 is constituted by an opening in the container 10. Shoulders 14 on the side walling 11 mount lights 1 5 which can be supplied with power from batteries or from the surface via cable.The sidewalling has liquid supply means in the form of two hollow annulae 16, 1 7 surrounding sidewalling 11 and connected to a supply conduit 1 8 by a valve 1 9. Annulus 1 6 supplies liquid to the interior of the container adjacent the viewing window and annulus 1 7 supplies liquid to the surround of observation window 13, liquid flowing out of the container 10 creating a zone 21 of clear liquid in contact with an object 20 to be observed or manipulated. The window 1 2 can be a screen of a diver's face mask or attached thereto. The supply of clear liquid can be from the surface or from a selfcontained pump/filter unit carried by the diver. A second preferred device 22 of the invention (Figs. 3 and 4) is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2, in that it has a container 10, sidewalling 11, a viewing window 1 2 an observation window 13, lights 1 5 and liquid supply means including annulae 16 and 17. However, the observation window 1 3 is a rigid transparent sheet 23 and a zone 24 of clear liquid between window 1 3 and an object 25 to be observed is created by liquid flowing from annulus 1 7 via differently angled apertures to give flow as indicated by the arrows 26. A second zone 27 can be similarly created, by flow from annulus 16, between viewing window 1 2 and a screen (not shown) of a diver's face mask.A branch conduit 28 supplies clear liquid to the interior of the container, pressure being equalised by a valve (not shown) in an aperture 29. It will be appreciated that both embodiments allow objects submerged in opaque liquid, e.g. dirty water, to be observed and manipulated or treated without disturbing the quality of the observation. CLAIMS

1. A method of observing an object submerged in an opaque liquid comprising supplying transparent liquid firstly to fill a container having a viewing window and an observation window, and secondly to create a zone of transparent liquid in contact with the object and adajcent the observation liquid, and observing the object through the windows and the interior of the container.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the observation window is a sheet of transparent material, and the said zone is created outside the container in front of the observation window.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the observation window is an opening in the container and transparent liquid flows from the container to create said zone.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, including supplying transparent liquid to create a second zone of transparent fluid in contact with an outer surface of the viewing window.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including illuminating the object to be observed by lights mounted on the container.

6. A method of observing an object submerged in an opaque liquid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

7. A device for use in observing an object submerged in opaque liquid comprising a container having a viewing window on one side and an observation window on the other side and a supply conduit for supplying transparent liquid firstly to fill the container and secondly to create a zone of transparent liquid outside the container adjacent the observation window.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the observation window is a sheet of rigid transparent material.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the observation window is an opening in the container.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the supply conduit connects with a hollow annulus surrounding the observation window and perforated to allow a flow of liquid to form said zone.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the supply conduit connects with a hollow annulus surrounding the observation window and perforated to allow flow of clear liquid into the container.

1 2. A device as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11 and including a second annulus surrounding the container adjacent the viewing window and perforated to allow the supply of fluid to the interior of the container.

1 3. A device as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11 and including a second annulus surrounding the container adjacent the viewing window and perforated to allow the flow of clear fluid to a second zone outside and contacting the viewing window.

14. A device as claimed in any of claims 7 to 1 3 and mounting lights for illuminating an object to be observed.

1 5. A device for use in observing an object submerged in opaque liquid substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.