Patent GB-191415367-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Flying Machines.
Inventor: MCWORTER JOHN EDWARD
IPC: B64C1/00
Filed: 1914-06-26
Granted: 1914-10-29
Abstract: 15,367. McWorter, J. E., and Dodge, G. H. June 26. Aerial machines without a e r o s t a t s ; propelling; s t e e r i n g.-A flying- machine is provided with oppositely rotating feathering propellers B', B', Fig. I, arranged on each side of the machine above its centre of gravity, and with similar rear pro - pellers C<1>, C<2> serving as elevators. The main propellers B<1>, B<2> are controlled automatically so that the direction of lift is vertical during lateral tilting of the machine. The direction and speed of rotation of the rear propellers are controlled automatically in order to maintain the longitudinal stability of the machine. The automatic controls may be scperseded by manual operation. The propellers comprise rims 12, 13 stayed to a hub 10 and rotating about spindles 18. The spokes of the wheels carry four blades which feather about axes parallel to the spindle 18 in such a manner that the blade turns through half a rotation during each rotation of the propeller. The feathering is obtained by chains 30 passing around sprockets 31 on the axis of the blades and around stationary sprockets 32 of half the diameter of the sprockets 31 secured to the spindle 18. The propellers are driven in opposite directions by chains 24, 25 passing around sprocket - wheels 26, 27 driven through a differential gear from the motor shaft 8. The spindles 18 of the propellers may be turned automatically or manually in order to vary the position of the effective stroke of the propeller, by cords 55 passing around a drum 33, Figs. IX and X, of the controlling- apparatus. The automatic control comprises a pendulum 41 pivoted at 41<a> to the drum 33 and actuating through a bellcrank lever 40 a clutch 39, whereby one or other of continuously rotating pulleys 37, 38 is moved against a friction pulley 43. The pulley 43 drives the drum 33 through worm gear by actuating a pinion 51, secured to a shaft journaled in the drum, and gearing with a toothed wheel 35 secured to the frame of the machine. In operation, assuming the machine tilts to the right and that the pulleys 37, 38 are driven according to the direction shown on the belt 44, the pendulum 41 swings to the right and moves the pulley 37 against the pulley 43. The drum 33 is then rotated in a counter-clockwise direction until the pendulum is moved to the left into its normal position, when the pulleys 37, 43 are separated. The drum rotates the spindles 18 in the same direction through an angle equal to the tilt of the pendulum, so that the lift of the propellers is maintained vertical. In order manually to control the direction of lift, a rim 57 rotatably mounted on the side of the drum 33 is controlled by a cord 59 actuated by the rotation of the steering-wheel 65, Fig. VII. The rim 57 is connected to the drum by a centralizing-spring 69, and when the rim is turned, one or other of projections 57<a>, 57<b> on the rim engages with the pendulum 41 and moves it so as to control the feathering-devices as described above. The rear propellers C<1>, C<2> are rotated by cords 71, 72, Fig. I, passing around drums 12<a> on the propellers and pulleys 74 on a shaft 75. The shaft 75. Fig. XIII, is driven by a friction pulley 76 from a disk 48 on the motor shaft. The pulley 76 is moved relatively to the disk 48, either automatically or by the aviator through a pendulum device similar to that described above, whereby the direction and speed of rotation of the shaft 75 and consequently of the propellers C<1>, C<2> are varied. The steering-pillar 66, Fig. VII, of the band-wheel 65 for controlling the feathering of the propellers B<1>, B<2> is mounted on a universal joint 68 and passes through a sleeve 91 mounted on a universal joint 92. The sleeve 91 is provided with four sectors 93, 94, 95, 96 at right-angles to one another, to which are secured the cords controlling the elevators 89, 90 and rudder 88. In place of the elevators and rudder, the propellers C, C<1> may be arranged to tilt longitudinally and laterally. The motor throttle valve is controlled by a hand-wheel 102 on a shaft 101, passing through the pillar 66 and provided with a universal joint 103 concentric with the joints 68, 92. Planes, construction of.-The steering planes and propeller blades 21, Fig. VI, are each braced and supported by a rectangular frame 20 arranged adjacent to each side.