Patent GB-190927476-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Fying-machines or Aeroplanes.
Inventor: PUPIN EMILE
IPC: B64C3/38
Filed: 1909-11-25
Granted: 1910-11-25
Abstract: 27,476. Pupin, E., and Denaus, M. Nov. 25. [Cognate Application, 14,351/10.] Aerial machines without aerostats.-A flying- machine comprises a number of pairs of supporting-planes a, Figs. 1 and 2, detachably and adjustably mounted on shafts b; a rear rudder j and one or more vertical balancing- keels l, both operated from a foot-lever k; and a pair of propellers n. Planes, arrangement of.-The front and rear pairs of supporting-planes a are arranged at a higher level than the middle pair. The planes are connected to brackets a', Fig. 3, and are braced by wires a<4> connected to arms a<2>, a<3> extending below and above the brackets. These brackets are detachably mounted on tubes b, each pair of planes being connected together by wires a<5>. The tubes b are mounted in bearings c, which are formed in halves so that they may be clamped to any part of the main frame d of the machine. The angle of incidence of either of the pairs of planes a may be adjusted before flight by means of tension devices f<1>, Fig. 1, which are interposed in the operating- cable f. Detachable auxiliary planes r, r<1>, Fig. 13, may be arranged between each pair of main planes a, the front portion r being provided with a flap r<2>, which is placed over the tube b, and with hollow extensions r<4>, which receive the adjacent corners of the planes a. The rear edge of the planes r, r<1> is laced at r<5> to the main frame. A rudder j is provided at the rear, and one or more vertical adjustable fins l. The engine radiator t also serves as a supporting-plane. Planes, construction of.-The planes a are formed with a rear flexible edge by making the cross-ribs of two parts h, h<2>, Fig. 7, the lower of which is longer than the upper. The auxiliary planes arranged between the main planes comprise a front rigid part r and a rear flexible part r<1>, Fig. 13. The engine radiator t, Figs. 1 and 2, may consist of a number of tubes placed side by side to form a supporting- surface, or of a single tube bent back upon itself several times; or it may consist of sheets of corrugated metal arranged face to face to provide passages for the water between them. According to the Provisional Specification, the petrol and water tanks can be used as supporting-surfaces. Propelling. -Two propellers n are mounted as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and driven in opposite directions by chains o, the tension of which may be adjusted by mounting the propeller shafts n<1> in eccentric bearings. The arms n<2> which carry the propellers may be detachable from the main frame, so that the position of the propellers may be adjusted. Steering and balancing.-Vertical steering is obtained by simultaneous adjustment of the main planes a about their axes b. Lateral balancing is effected by means of one or more vertical keels l which are twisted about a longitudinal axis by means of a foot-lever k, which is also used for operating a rear rudder j. The keel l may be arranged to serve as a rudder, in which case its rear portion would be arranged to swing laterally. The main planes a, Fig. 1, are adjusted by means of cables f connected to arms a<2> depending from the planes and to drums e<5> provided on a cross-shaft e<4>, which is operated by bevel-gear e<2>, e<3>, Fig. 6, and a hand-wheel e. The gear is locked by a sliding shaft e<6>, which engages holes e<8>, and is operated by a second hand-wheel e<7>. The planes may be adjusted by rack-and-pinion, screw, or worm gearing. The auxiliary planes r, Fig. 13, arranged between each pair of main planes, move with such main planes. The keel l, Figs. 1 and 8, is pivoted at its front end on a longitudinal axis l<1> and fixed at its rear end, and is twisted by swinging an arm l<2> depending from its front edge, about the axis l<1> by means of cables l<3> connected to a foot-operated bar k which is moved in a vertical plane for this purpose. The keel is further controlled by spring connexions l<7>. In a modification, the rear end of the keel may be twisted in the opposite direction to its front end. The rudder j is operated by movement of the foot-lever k in the horizontal plane. Framework. - The stiffening-wires for the main frame of the machine are passed through holes in the frame, which are lined with soft metal so as to reduce jar or shock.