Patent GB-191006959-A (GB)
Title: Improvements relating to Flying Machines.
Inventor: BARCLAY JOSEPH
IPC: B64C39/00
Filed: 1910-03-19
Granted: 1911-03-16
Abstract: 6959. Barclay, J. March 19. Steering and balancing; planes, arrangement and construction of; aerial machines without aerostats.-In an aeroplane provided with a number of pivoted supporting-planes interconnected so as to obtain equal support from each plane, pneumatic devices or spring cables are provided to act as a counterpoising-pressure to control the inclination of the planes. Means are provided whereby the counterpoising- pressure may be varied simultaneously on all the planes and for voluntary adjustment of the pressure on the separate planes. The planes may consist of superposed narrow vanes g, Fig. 1, of wood, metal, or fabric stretched in a rectangular or circular frame so as to diminish the change in the centre of pressure of the planes due to changes in velocity and incidence. The vanes g pass through slots in vertical ribs f. Vanes of fabric or metal are tensioned by an inflated rubber tube contained in the central rib a and threaded between the vanes. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, four frames k carrying the supporting-planes are secured to longitudinal bearers e pivoted at the front end l and guided at the rear by vertical guides m. An arm 13 is secured to each bearer e, which is connected by guided cords 11 to the pistons of compressed-air cylinders y, z. The cylinders are connected to each other and to an air reservoir 16 by pipes 15. The cylinders z are of slightly less crosssectional area than the cylinders y, but the consequent reduction in the force exerted on the forward arms 13 is compensated for by small cylinders connected to a reservoir 20 through cocks 19. The pistons of the cylinders j are connected by cords to the arms 13, and the pressure is adjusted manually to control the incidence of the forward planes for steering and balancing. The pressure in the cylinders y, z can also be adjusted by a cock 17 for steering vertically. Auxiliary cylinders j may also be provided for the rear lifting- planes; and the cylinders y, z are then made of the same size. The central frame n may be covered with canvas to form a supporting- plane. Springs may be used instead of the compressed-air cylinders to control the planes, and, in one arrangement, springs 34, Fig. 3, are connected to the arms 13. In addition, an endless cord 30 passing over guide-rollers 12 and having tension or compression springs 27 inserted in its length is passed over pulleys on the arms 13. The endless cord 30 serves to equalize the lift of all the planes k. The tension in the cord can be adjusted by a hand-wheel 29 and the lift of the individual planes can be adjusted by spring cords attached to each of the arms 13 and separately adjusted. In a modified arrangement the endless cord 30, Fig. 8, is passed around pulleys 32 which are connected by cords 33 to the ends of the arms 13, and the variation in lift of the individual planes is obtained by spring or other cords connected to the cords 33. The frames k carrying the planes may be fixed at any point on the bearers e, preferably at the rear. The vanes may be arranged stepwise in the frames, which are then fixed in an inclined position on the bearers e. Modified arrangements of supporting-frames k are described in which a single frame is employed instead of the front or rear pair of frames. In another arrangement, instead of the supporting-frames k, ordinary wide planes are disposed at the front and rear and at the sides of the machine. The pneumatic or the spring control of the front and rear planes may be separate from that of the side planes, and separate manual control is provided. The steering and all controls may be effected by small electromotors. Propelling.-Propellers of variable pitch may be placed laterally of a central front or rear driving-propeller r, Fig. 2.