The weight of the vehicle in air was about UOO pounds and 

 about one-half as much when submerged. This required an extra cable 

 for suspension in order to free coaxial television and vehicle control 

 cables from excessive strain. 



While not offered in any way as a final or ultimate design 

 the resulting relatively uncomplicated combination of pressure vessels, 

 mechanical devices and circuitry performed quite well. 



USE OF VEHICLE IN UNDERSEA RESEARCH 



With the television vehicle suspended overboard the operator 

 on the ship above is afforded almost studio-like scene control under 

 favorable water conditions. Whether placed on the bottom, just above 

 the bottom or under tow, the power control assembly allows scanning of 

 360° in azimuth and 90° in elevation. The operator can manipulate all 

 control functions from a single position and record observations by 

 caiTiera at will, free from human limitations of time, depth, and danger 

 placed upon the diver. With the automatic or manually operated scanning 

 facility the camera may be trained on moving objects. 



The camera vehicle has been tested at depths to 62-1/2 fathoms 

 when pressurized. Pressurization is not required at depths of to 10 

 fathoms. In clearer water conditions, such as in the Gulf Stream, 

 objects may often be viewed at distances of 60 to 70 feet. The diffused 

 light underwater causes little or no shadow, resulting in somewhat flat 

 Images. While the camera is in motion, however, some impression of 

 stereopsis may be present. 



In water conditions where natural light levels are too low for 

 the human eye the extra sensitivity of a television camera is often 

 able to achieve higher resolution by the ability to integrate light. 

 V/ith the use of underwater lighting the television camera's useful depth 

 range can be extended when water conditions permit (fig. 8). Regular 

 photo-flood and photo-spot lamps can be used satisfactorily in depths 

 to 10 or 11 fathoms, however, the individual ability of these lights to 

 withstand pressure varies considerably.' Quite satisfactory results for 

 greater depths can be obtained by the use of Navy 1000 watt diving lamps. 

 Care in p'ositioning of the underwater lamps to the side of the camera' 

 can res^olt in a good field of view, though back scattering of light due 

 to turbidity of the water may reduce the effective viewing range to 10 

 feet or less. Tests thus far indicate that best resi0.ts may be obtained 

 by placing the underwater lamps to the side and as far as practicable 

 ahead of the camera and at a. converging angle to the line of camera 

 view. This reduces illumination-to-object distances and assists in re- 

 ducing back scattering of light to a minimum. 



12 



