Watertight housing

• US 4,312,580 A
• Filed: 12/17/1979
• Issued: 01/26/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eumig Elektrizitats- Und Metallwaren-Industrie Gesellschaft M.B.H.
• Inventors: Raimann, Gerhard, Breit, Hans P., Schwomma, Otto
• Primary Examiner(s): GONZALES, JOHN F
• Application Number:
  US06/104,649
• Time in Patent Office: 771 Days
• Field of Search: 354/64, 352/242, 358/99, 358/229, 250/227, 340/603-605, 150/52 J, 116/DIG. 7, 116/DIG. 8, 73/40, 73/49.2, 73/49.3, 73/52, 324/65 R
• US Class Current: 396/26
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/22 Underwater equipment for submarine periscopes G02B23/08; arrangements on floating structures of underwater viewing devices B63C11/49; arrangement of visual watch equipment on submarines B63G8/38
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/08 Waterproof bodies or housings

Abstract

A watertight housing, preferably for photographic or cinematographical dees, which has a cover sealed against the penetration of water, which cover can be opened for access to at least one part that is important for putting a device arranged in the housing into operation. Viewed from the outside--behind the cover seal a moisture detector is provided. At least one evaluating device with a warning or signal device is connected to the moisture detector.

Claims

1. A watertight housing, preferably for photographic or cinematographical devices, which has a cover sealed against penetration of water, the cover being openable for access to at least one part that is important for putting a device arranged in the housing into operation, comprising

cover sealing means for sealing the cover,

a moisture detector being disposed--viewed from the outside--behind said cover sealing means,

at least one evaluating device including a signal device being connected to said moisture detector.

2. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said moisture detector is mounted on said cover and extends over the entire periphery of said cover sealing means.

3. The watertight housing, as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said housing includes a cover receiving wall, said cover is mounted in said receiving wall,

said moisture detector is mounted on said cover receiving wall and extends over the entire periphery of the said cover sealing means.

4. The watertight housing, as set forth in claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein

said moisture detector comprises two conductor tracks which are approximately equidistantly separated from each other and define a space therebetween communicatable to water penetrating into the housing, whereby electrical characteristics of the moisture detector change upon penetration of the water.

5. The watertight housing, as set forth in claim 4, wherein

said mositure detector is formed as a ready-to-install unit and is insertable into the housing.

6. The watertight housing, as set forth in claim 4, wherein

said space between said conductor tracks is filled with dry, water-absorbing material.

7. The watertight housing, as set forth in claim 6, wherein

said water-absorbing material is provided with an electrolyte.

8. The watertight housing, as set forth in claim 6, wherein

said water-absorbing material is made of at least two adjacent layers, at least one of said layers is provided with water-soluble color, said color upon penetration of water into said at least one layer difuses into another of said layers.

9. The watertight housing, as set forth in claim 8, wherein

said another of said layers is normally colorless,

one of said conductor tracks is formed with openings adjacent said another of said layers, whereby through said openings adjacent portions of said another of said layers are visible, said portions becoming colored upon penetration of water into said at least one layer which is provided with said water-soluble color.

10. The watertight housing, as set forth in claim 8, wherein

said at least one layer which is provided with water-soluble color on one side thereof surrounds one of said conductor tracks, and on the other side is surrounded by said another of said layers.

11. The watertight housing, as set forth in claim 4, wherein

said conductor tracks comprise adjacent light guides,

means for projecting light into one of said light guides,

a photo-sensitive element being arranged at an end of another of said light guides, whereby upon penetration of water into the watertight housing onto a surface of said one light guide, the light in said one light guide crosses over at the water-moistened surface of said one light guide with elimination of total reflection and enters into said other light guide.

12. The watertight housing, as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said moisture detector comprises,

a light guide,

means comprising a light source operatively disposed at one end of said light guide for projecting a defined quantity of light into said light guide,

means comprising a photo-sensitive element operatively disposed at the other end of said light guide for detecting a loss of light in said light guide due to exiting of light at a water-moistened surface of the light guide with simultaneous elimination of the total reflection upon a penetration of water into the watertight housing onto the surface of said light guide.

13. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said signal device includes a lamp.

14. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 13, wherein

said lamp is mounted on an exterior of the housing.

15. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said signal device comprises a sound generator means for producing for signals audible under water.

16. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 15, wherein

said sound generator means includes a toothed ratchet,

a claw-motor of an underwater film camera in the housing,

means for operatively engaging said motor with said toothed ratchet.

17. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 15, wherein

said sound generator means includes a ram means for striking against a wall of the housing,

a claw-motor of an underwater film camera,

means for operatively engaging said motor with said ram means.

18. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 15, wherein

said sound generator includes a means actuatable by said moisture detector for operatively producing a banging noise on the housing.

19. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said signal device comprises two parts adapted to be grabbed by the operator upon handling of the housing,

an electric circuit includes a voltage source having poles, a switch and said two parts,

said parts are insulated from each other and are operatively connected to respectively each one of said poles of said voltage source,

said electric circuit is closed by the operator and by said switch,

said switch is operatively connected to said moisture detector, and the latter constituting means for actuating said switch when water enters the housing, whereby upon water penetration into said housing a palpable voltage signal is given to the operator.

20. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 1, wherein

said evaluation device includes a gas pressure chamber formed inside said housing,

conduit means for connecting said gas pressure chamber with additional chambers formed in said housing, and

valve means for being opened by said moisture detector when water penetrates into the housing, said valve means is disposed in said conduit means.

21. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 20, further comprising

said valve means comprises a rotary valve disposed in said conduit means,

mechanical gearing means operatively connected to said moisture detector for being activatable by said moisture detector for switching said rotary valve into a rotary position which opens said conduit means.

22. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 20, wherein

said valve means comprises a diaphragm,

pin means for piercing said diphragm is disposed opposite to said diaphragm,

spring means for prestressing said pin means toward said diaphragm,

said pin means is operatively connected to and releasable by the moisture detector.

23. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 20, further comprising

an additional conduit is connected with said gas pressure chamber via said valve means, said additional conduit leads from the housing into the open, whereby upon penetration of water into the housing and the exiting of gas through said additional conduit into the open, the penetration of water into the housing is signalized.

24. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 23, further comprising

a whistle disposed in said additional conduit.

25. The watertight housing as set forth in claim 23, further comprising

a balloon inflatable toward the outside is communicateably disposed in said additional conduit.