Patent GB-191023303-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Aeroplanes.
Inventor: BURGA ROMULO FELIX
IPC: B64C39/00
Filed: 1910-10-08
Granted: 1911-10-09
Abstract: 23,303. Burgra, R. F. Oct. 8. [Cognate Application, 11,031/11.] Aerial machines without aerostats; planes, arrangement and construction of.-Diamondshaped frames A, A' carrying planes a', a<2> on each side are mounted at the front and rear of the frame B of a monoplane. Adj u s t a b l e supporting- planes E, E<1> extend from the side edges of the e diamond - shaped frames. The planes E, E' are formed of a front spar C, to which is attached a series of crossribs, each comprising a socket e<1>, Fig. 4, secured to the shaft C and front and rear portions e<2>, e<3>. The front pieces e<2> are of wood lightened by drilling, and are connected by a transverse beam e' forming the cutting-edge of the plane. The rear pieces e<3> are made up of a number of flexible wooden rods 1, 2, 3 of unequal length and strengthened by a metallic tape 4. The under surface of the plane forms a series of steps s', s<2>, s<3>. According to the Provisional Specification 23,303/10, the vertical diagonals of the diamond frames A, A' are longer than the horizontal ones, and the pairs of sides may be unequal. The main planes have front and rear spars connected by flat steel ribs, which tend to curve upwards at the centre. The rear spar is pivoted at its outer extremity and its inner end may be moved forwardly or rearwardly to vary the curvature of the plane. The pivot of the rear spar may be located at some distance from the tip of the plane so that a balancing-plane may be fitted along the outer part of the rear edge. Steering and balancing.-The machine is steered and balanced (1) by adjusting the curvature and inclination of the main and tail planes E, E<1>; (2) by displacing the tail planes and the seat of the aviator longitudinally; (3) by a rudder P arranged above the main plane and, according to the Provisional Specification 11,031/11, above the normal centre of gravity of the machine. (1) The spar C of the main planes E is mounted in bearings on the frame B; and is provided with a sprocket-wheel g<1> connected by a chain G to a smaller wheel g<2> on a shaft F. Arms f<1> secured to the shaft F are connected to the rear part s<3> of the plane E and are guided in quadrants f<2>. The shafts C, F are rotated by turning the hand-wheel H and adjust the inclination of the plane. At the same time, the curvature is varied owing to the rate of turning of the shaft F being greater than that of the shaft C. The planes E<1> are adjusted by a similar mechanism. According to the Provisional Specification 23,303/10, the inner end of the rear spar is moved forwards and rearwards to vary the curvature. (2) The seat N for the aviator and the rear diamond frame A' are adjusted longitudinally on the frame B by a chain q<1>, connected at its ends to the frame B, and passing around a hand-wheel Q mounted on the sliding frame of the seat. On turning the hand-wheel, the seat frame is displaced and its movement is communicated to the frame A' by an endless cord q<3>. According to the Provisional Specification 23,303/10, endlong motion of the tail planes is obtained by making the frame B telescopic. (3) The rudder P is actuated by a cord p<1> connected to a bracket h<6> through which the telescopic hand-lever h<2> passes. The lateral movement of the wheel H about the pivot h<5> displaces the bracket h<6>. On rotating the handwheel, the planes E are inclined and curved by means of a worm-gear h<1>. Shock of landing, deadening.-The front skids L, Fig. 1, are connected to the frame b by spring telescopic rods l<2> and pivots l<1>. The wheels l<3> are carried in bearings connected to the skid by elastic bands l<4>. The rear skid consists of a curved wood piece M rigidly connected at the forward end to the tail frame k<1>. The rear end can move loosely in a guide-socket m<2>. According to the Provisional Specification 23,303/10, a fixed skid is attached to the inner edge of the tail, and an outwardly-splayed twopart skid carrying the wheels is attached to the body. The wheels are mounted so as to be capable of being raised off the ground by the aviator.