Self-propelled, cable-supported diving bell

Claim 1

A diving bell comprising: 1. a water-tight body symmetrical about a vertical plane; 2. a pair of propellers both of which are mounted on the watertight body in positions above the center of gravity of the bell and one of which is located on each side of the plane of symmetry; 3. means for rotating said propellers independently of each other in either direction, which means are controlled from within the water-tight body; 4. a ballast tank positioned on top of the water-tight body and subdivided into a plurality of compartments; 5. means for controlling the buoyancy of the ballast tank, said means including: a. a first outlet means providing fluid communication between the upper portion of the ballast tank and the exterior of the diving bell; b. a first valve located in said first outlet means and adapted to control fluid communication through said first outlet means; c. means located within the water-tight body for controlling said first valve, whereby water may be let into the ballast tank by an operator located within the water-tight body; d. a second outlet means providing fluid communication between the lower portion of the ballast tank and the exterior of the diving bell; e. a second valve located in said second outlet means and adapted to control fluid communication through said second outlet means; f. means located within the water-tight body for controlling said second valve, whereby water may be evacuated from the ballast tank by an operator located within the water-tight body and employing also a first source of compressed air to be recited; g. a first source of compressed air; h. a first path of fluid communication between said first source of compressed air and the ballast tank; i. a third valve located in said first path of fluid communication and adapted to control fluid communication between said first source of compressed air and the ballast tank; j. means located within the water-tight body for controlling said third valve, whereby compressed air may be supplied to the ballast tank by an operator located within the water-tight body, thereby forcing water out said second outlet means; k. a second source of compressed air; l. a second path of fluid communication between said second source of compressed air and the ballast tank; m. a fourth valve located in said second path of fluid communication and adapted to control fluid communication between said second source of compressed air and the ballast tank; n. means located within the water-tight body for controlling said fourth valve, whereby the passage of compressed air through said second path of fluid communication may be blocked by an operator located within the water-tight body; o. a pressure regulator valve located in said second path of fluid communication externally to both the water-tight body and the ballast tank and adapted to block the passage of compressed air through said second path of fluid communication when the pressure inside the ballast tank is equal to or greater than the pressure outside the diving bell; and p. an indicator of the level of the water inside the ballast tank, said indicator being readable inside the water-tight body, whereby an operator located within the water-tight body can control the horizontal motions of the diving bell by means of the above-recited propellers and the vertical motions of the diving bell by means of the above-recited means for controlling the buoyancy of the ballast tank while said pressure regulator valve prevents the ballast tank from being imploded by external pressure.