Patent GB-190511748-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Flying Machines
Inventor: BLUNT ARTHUR HENRY PHILIP
Filed: 1905-06-05
Granted: 1906-03-15
Abstract: 11,748. Blunt, A. H. P. June 5. Aerial machines without aeroslats; aeroplanes; propelling; steering; starting.-Relates to flying- machines such as are described in Specifications No. 346, A.D. 1901, and No. 9706, A.D. 1902, which are supported and propelled by wings. The wings A<1>, Figs. 8, 11, and 13, are carried in pairs on short longitudinal shafts E<2>, on which they are oscillated by connecting-rod, N' from eccentrics H<5>. The shafts E' are carried in bearings in semicircular forks E<3>, mounted on short transverse pivots E<9>, which are carried in longitudinal frames E<8>, which are supported by their trunnions D' in the framework D<5> to which the car is attached. The forks E<3> have secured to them pillars E<4>, the forked ends H<3> of which form bearings for the short transverse shafts carrying the eccentrics and the worm-wheels H<4> which drive them. and which are driven by worms H<6> on longitudinal shafts E<7> carried in brackets E<6> swinging on the eccentric shafts. Transverse bars D<1> bearing on the shafts E<7> enable all the parallel pillars E<4> to be inclined sideways about the trunnions D' for lateral steering, while the.swinging brackets, between the fore and aft branching arms of which the worms H<6> are carried on the shafts E', allow the pillars E' to be inclined fore or aft, about the pivots E<9>, so as to alter the slope of the wing surfaces for vertical steering. Each wing framework conists of a pair of main ribs A, A<2> of stiff inflexible material, such as steel, secured to a longitudinal frame F<1>, and having their ends bent nearly together, or joined as shown. These ribs support other radiating flexible ribs A<3>, which keep taut the covering above and below of silk, canvas, indiarubber, or the like, which is attached preferably in separate bag-like pieces. The spring ribs A<3> are held in position by cords joining them. The frame F<1> is rigidly connected to a pair of rings E', the connexion being further strengthened by vertical brackets A<5>, Fig. 13, also rigidly fastened to the rings E'. These rings E' are carried so as to oscillate on the shafts E<2>, each by a pair of rods D', on which are threaded compressed springs D'. The rods D' are secured to a block D<2> on the shaft E<2>. The position of the ring is adjusted so as to incline the plane of the wing to the shaft E<2> by a nut C' on the lower threaded rod D'. The wings are oscillated by the connecting-rods N<7>, the forked upper ends T' of which embrace rods N<9>, which are carried by blocks D', Fig. 11, on the shaft E<2> and which engage longitudinal slots in the frames F<1>. By this means the wings can be moved fore or aft along the shafts E<3> so as to alter their position with respect to the actuating-rods N<9> around which they are also movable as pivots when their inclinations are being adjusted by means of the rings E' and nuts C<1>. The wings are strengthened by cords attached to the frame A<5> and to the main ribs A, A<2>. The eccentrics on each shaft E<5> are secured by pins H<7> through the hubs, and can be set to flap each pair of wings up and down together, or to flap one up and the other down so that the two oscillate on the shaft E' as one double wing, in which case the vertical brackets are rigidly connected by struts A<6>, the vertical bars D<1> being fitted with caps. The motor B<1>, a steam, petrol, or other gas high-spsed engine, is supported by the vertical pillar D<9> carried by the transverse bara D<7>, and transmits the power through suitable change-wheels H<9>, the shafts L', and chain-wheels L<2> to the shafts E<7>. Steering is effected by means of a bar D<8> secured to the pillar D<9> and engaging a socket N<4> on an endless chain N <3> carried by a pair of wheels N<1> mounted on bearings in a frame L<9>, which is carried rotatably on a pedestal L<7> secured to the car. A crank handle N<5> is attached to one of the wheels N<1>, by turning which and swivelling the frame L<9> around its support the pillars E<4> are inclined as required. If there is only one set of wings, no parallelmotion bars D' are required, and the vertical pillar D<9> has a bearing for the shaft E<7> and extends upwards and is supported by the frame E<8>. Two or more machines as described above may be combined together, their steering-gears being connected as shown in Figs. 7 and 14. The frame L<9> of each machine carries pivots T<3> on which are two chainwheels A<8>, A<9>, an endless chain T<4> passing round all the wheels A<8>, and each pair of wheels A<9> having a chain T<5> linked by a piece T<6> to the corresponding steering-chain N<3>, so that, by deflecting one frame L<9> and turning any handle N<5>, all the machines are steered simultaneously. A motor may be employed for steering. The machine may be supported on eccentric-wheels, for starting, such as are described in Specification No. 8019, A.D. 1899, which may be driven by gearing from the motor or by a separate motor. The speed of the upward and downward strokes may be regulated automatically by suitable gearing connected with the admission valves of the motor.