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1916 – Machine for Submarine Salvage Operations by Alexander J. Bergeron

MACHINE FOR SUBMARINE SALVAGE OPERATIONS
Publication number    US1304012 A
Publication type    Grant
Publication date    May 20, 1919
Filing date    May 11, 1916
Inventors    Alexander J. Bergeron

Description
The object of my invention is to provide a machine for sub-marine salvage operations, adapted at all times to be connected with boats or the like on the surface of the water, and to carry one or more operators below the water…….
A further object is to provide such a device having means outside the shell controllable from within for illuminating any part of the water around the shell.

A further object is to provide in such a machine, a plurality of tools operatively connected with the shell, controllable from within the shell, and adapted to be moved to a variety of positions and to perform a variety of operations, such as striking, pulling, pushing, gripping and so on.

A further object is to provide means, controllable from within the shell, for supplying power to and operating said tools for working them, said means including a cylinder and pistons therein, exposed to the water pressure on one side, a pair of pumps, means for alternately operatively connecting said pumps with said cylinder on the other side of said piston for alternately subjecting said piston to greater pressure and less pressure than the water pressure………..

See other early Underwater Robots here.

1930 – Submarine Salvage Robot by Harry L. Bowdoin

Artists depiction of Salvage tank. Really a cross between Bowdoin's Armoured Suit and the Diving Bell. Source: The Ogden Standard Examiner, Feb 21, 1932.

Another artists depiction of the diving apparatus. Source: Modern Mechanics and Invention, Sept 1931.

Large Robot Diving Bell to Explore for Lost Treasure

AFTER fifteen years of patience and industry, Harry L. Bowdoin, marine engineer and inventor of Saybrook, Connecticut, has finally perfected diving equipment which will permit him to descend to depths of over 600 feet in search of lost treasure and new scientific data.

Part of his equipment is the observation tank shown on the left. The tank is an elaborated diving bell powered with its own propellers and is equipped with searchlights to light the depths. Quartz windows on all sides permit observation.

The diving bell will be used by Bowdoin in connection with his diving suit. The diver, descending in the suit, will attempt to locate the sunken treasure from outside the bell. The necessary dredging, dynamiting, and other heavy work, may then be performed by the three men inside the tank. Owing to the enormously strong construction of the bell, the men will be able to work under ordinary atmospheric pressure.

Source: Modern Mechanix, October, 1930

Submarine salvage apparatus.

Publication number    US1004552 A
Publication type    Grant
Publication date    Oct 3, 1911
Filing date    Aug 10, 1909
Priority date    Aug 10, 1909
Inventors    Harry Livingston Bowdoin
Original Assignee    Harry Livingston Bowdoin

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus and mechanism by means of which two or more men may be lowered to any depth, and explore, wreck, salvage or hook on and float any vessel or valuable object.

Wrecking operations, up to the present time, so far as I am aware, have been confined to vessels sunk in not over 125 feet, (a divers limit), so that all vessels sunk in greater depths remain untouched. As some of these still contain large amounts of gold and unperishable cargo a vast untouched field of great wealth may be opened up by means of this submarine salvage apparatus.

By its use submarines may be quickly raised from any depth, saving life and property.

See Bowdoin's 1914 Submarine Armour here.

See other early Underwater Robots here.

1909 – Apparatus for Submarine Operations – Pierre Eugene Galoffre

Apparatus for submarine operations.

Publication number    US935485 A
Publication type    Grant
Publication date    28 Sep 1909
Filing date    8 Jan 1909
Priority date    8 Jan 1909
Inventors    Pierre Eugene Galoffre
Original Assignee    Pierre Eugene Galoffre

Be it known that I, PIERRE EUGENE GALOFFRE, citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Paris, in France, have invented certain new and useful Apparatus for Submarine Operations, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for submarine operations and has for its object to provide an arrangement which can be used for investigations and work at a great depth.

According to this invention the apparatus comprises a spherical body provided with devices on its outside for shifting or seizing submerged materials, such devices comprising one or more pairs of pincers or the like capable of being moved in any direction and operated separately or together from within the diving sphere.

See other early Underwater Robots here.

1879 – Diving Bell Mechanical Arm – Chas Pike

ARM AND ATTACHMENT FOR DlVlNG-BELLS

Publication number    US228556 A
Publication type    Grant
Publication date    Jun 8, 1880
Filing date    May 27, 1879
Inventor    Charles F. Pike

CHAS. F. PIKE

Be it known that I, CHARLES F. PIKE, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Prosthetic Arms for Diving-Bells.

My invention has for its object to provide a diving bell or car, having exteriorly affixed thereto an improved prosthetic or mechanical arm or device constructed to rotate on its axis, while its individual component parts are free to move independently in many directions by the application of mechanism which is under the control of and operated by the diver within the bell or car.

My invention consists, primarily, in the provision of a prosthetic arm for a diving-bell provided with a pair of jaws which are opened and closed by means of atmospheric or hydraulic pressure controlled by the operator within the bell; second, in the provision of said jaws secured to a cylinder which is pivotally attached to a pivoted supporting-frame, upon the latter of which is secured and supported mechanism for oscillating said jaws and cylinder on the pivotal bearings of said cylinder and for rotating the same independently of said supporting-frame; third, in the provision of said jaws and cylinder with the supporting-frame, the latter being pivoted upon arms projecting from the main shaft or drum of the apparatus, and having a gear-connection therewith, and also with a gear-wheel placed upon a shaft which extends into the bell, by means of which said supporting-frame, cylinder, and jaws are together simultaneously oscillated on the pivotal bearings of the said supporting-frame; fourth, in the provision of the main shaft or drum of the device, formed with a spur-wheel which meshes with a rack secured to a piston-rod which is operated by hydraulic or atmospheric pressure to rotate said drum and carry with it the supporting frame, cylinder, and jaws, all of said parts being simultaneously rotated together; fifth, in the general combination, arrangement, and construction of parts, as hereinafter more particularly set forth.

Chas Pike had two other related patents at the time:

Operating Submarine-Grapplng Tool.
Publication number    US228557 A
Publication type    Grant
Publication date    Jun 8, 1880
Filing date    Dec 2, 1879
Inventors    Charles F. Pike
Original Assignee    The International Submarine Company

DIVING-BELL
Publication number    US230197 A
Publication type    Grant
Publication date    Jul 20, 1880
Filing date    Apr 26, 1880
Inventors    Charles F. Pike
Original Assignee    The international Submarine Company

See other early Underwater Robots here.

1849 – Diving Bell  – Avery Richards and John Walcott

Deep-sea-diving bell
Publication number    US6250 A
Publication type    Grant
Publication date    Apr 3, 1849
Inventors    J. Avery Richards and John W. Walcott

Description
To all whom t may concern Be it known that we, J. AVERY RICHARDS and JOHN W. WALCOTT, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Diving and Working in Deep Water, called a "Deep-Sea-Diving Bell"; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making part of this specification, by which it may be distinguished from all other machines for like purposes.

Figure 1, of the drawings is a perspective view of the bell with its accompanying apparatus, mounted upon a scow and ready for operation. Fig. 2, is an elevation of the bell to a larger scale showing more particularly the manner of its construction. Fig. 3, is a vertical section of the same through the center. Figs. 4, to 14, represent the different parts of the apparatus in detail, and, will be severally referred to in the description as occasion shall require.

The letters refer to the same parts in all the figures.

The main part of the bell is formed of two large hemispherical pieces of cast iron A, B, of the form shown in the drawing, which are bolted together by flanges at a, as shown; and are made sufficiently strong to resist any required pressure.

…….. F d is a ball and socket joint made of brass and ground to fit each other watertight, and firmly bolted to the bell as shown at Fig. 4;, and in detail at Figs. 9, and 10; through which the rod G passes. G is the working rod (so called) by means of which external objects are operated upon. It is made at its outer end i in the form of a hook, pike, scoop, forceps or other shape as experience shall show to be most convenient. The rest of the roll is turned straight and polished and passes through the ball F and is made water tight in the same by the leather packing b, or other similar contrivance which shall effect the same purpose. By this means the rod G can be drawn in or out or moved laterally in any direction. ……

See other early Underwater Robots here.