cameras are controlled through a pushbutton switch located 

 inside the sphere. The frequency of operation is of the order 

 of one photo cycle every 15 seconds. The bathyscaph is 

 also fitted with a timing device that allows four pictures 

 per minute to be taken automatically, and counts the number 

 of pictures taken. This arrangement relieves the busy crew 

 of the craft from manually operating the equipment and 

 timing the sequences. 



Hydraulic Pressure 



The hydraulic pressure system is used to sense the 

 depth and to take in situ water samples in the sphere. The 

 system consists of pressure tubing that enters the sphere 

 through one of the hull connectors and then is connected to 

 a manifold system for gauges, transducers, and sampler. 

 The sampler ("aquatap ) for taking in situ samples is 

 located in the water-filled section of the manifold. The 

 operator can take water samples at any point by merely 

 opening the valve and filling a container. The system is 

 fitted with a surge check so that, if the valve should fail, 

 a free-floating check would automatically secure the line. 

 The hydraulic depth- sensing system operates through 

 water pressure that is admitted to one side of a free piston 

 that operates on the other side against hydraulic fluid. 

 The water pressure operating on the piston pressurizes 

 the hydraulic fluid; the pressure is then transmitted to 

 the direct -reading depth (pressure) gauges and to the 

 strain- gauge -type pressure transducers that drive the 

 pen recorder located in the sphere. 



Air Blow 



The function of this system is to evacuate the entrance 

 tube of the bathyscaph after surfacing. The system utilizes 

 four pressure-resistant air flasks located outside and be- 

 neath the entrance tube; they carry air at 3000 lb per square 

 inch and contain a total volume of 550 cubic feet at atmos- 

 pheric pressure. The blow valve is actuated from the 

 interior of the sphere by means of a switch which starts 

 a small electric motor located inside a pressure-resistant 

 case in the entrance tube. As the valve opens, it gradually 

 uncovers the blow line allowing the high pressure air to 

 escape into the entrance tube and force out the water. It 

 takes six minutes to blow the antechamber. 



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