Patent GB-190918899-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to Aerial Machines.
Inventor: HICKS WILLIAM GOATLEY
IPC: B64C39/00
Filed: 1909-08-17
Granted: 1910-09-19
Abstract: 18,899. Hicks, W. G. Aug. 17. Aerial machines with or w i t h o u t aerostats; adapted o travel on land; shock of landing, d e a d e n i n g .-Flying - machines are provided with rotary propellers comprising series of feathering planes or wings m mounted on arms q carried by the frame a, d, Figs. 1 and 2, which is pivoted at j to pairs of wheeled frames i connected by springs k. In a modified form, Fig. 5, a pair of propellers is mounted on a frame 7 pivoted at 9 to the main frame 8, which is connected to a wheeled frame comprising jointed portions 18, 19 fitted with springs 20. In the application to monoplane machines, two rotary propellers are arranged to extend through a single central supporting-plane. In another modification, a single propeller of the type described may be arranged centrally between two frames. Fig. 4 shows the application of such propellers to a dirigible balloon, being arranged at opposite sides of the aerostat and supported by a frame a. Planes, construction of.-The planes or wings m of a rotary propeller are curved, as shown, in crosssection, and may be composed of light rods of wood connected by jointing-pieces of metal, such as aluminium, the required rigidity being obtained by guys and struts. They are pivoted or secured to rotary shafts n either at one edge or at an intermediate point, as shown. In a modification, the wings are provided with hinged louvers. Propelling.-Rotary propellers for flying-machines or dirigible balloons are composed of a series of planes or wings mounted on rotary shafts, which are provided at the ends of radial arms extending from a central driving-shaft and are rotated by sun-and-planet gearing so as to maintain the wings in the same angular position during the rotation of the propeller. The wings are, however, mounted with a ceitain amount of free movement on the rotary shaits to give a feathering action; or they may be provided with hinged louvers. Figs. 1 and 2 show a flying - machine having two pairs of propellers mounted on crossshafts r, which are driven by bevel gearing t, u and a shaft v geared to the motor by a chain. Each propeller comprises three curved wings m mounted on shafts n at the ends of radial arms q, the shafts n being rotated by sprocket gearing s from the shafts r. The wings fall into a feathering position during the backward and upward part of the rotation, their free movement upon the shafts n being limited by pins o secured to the shafts n and cooperating with the ribs p of the wings. In modifications, pins or projections on the wings may engage limiting-segments on the shafts n ; or the wings may be attached by flexible connexions to arms secured upon the rotary shafts, these connexions being alternately placed under tension depending upon their positions during the rotation of the propeller. Fig. 4 shows a dirigible balloon with propellers mounted at opposite sides of the aerostat upon shafts 4 driven by chains 3 from the motor shaft 2. '1 he shafts n are rotated through bevel-gearing 5 and shafts extending through the tubular arms 6. Steering is effected by simultaneous adjustment of the plane of action of rotary wings or propellers m, at opposite sides of the machine. In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, two pairs of propellers m are mounted on shafts r which are supported by a frame a pivoted at c to the frame d. The shaft a is adjusted about its pivot c by worm-wheels e, which are mounted on the frame a and gear with worms f operated from a hand-wheel g through chain gearing h. In a modification, the bearings of the shafts r may be arranged to move in slotted guides curved about the motor shaft as centre, the movement being obtained by worm gearing, pulleys and flexible connexions, &c. In the form shown in Fig. 5, a pair of propellers are mounted in a frame 7, which is pivoted at 9 to the frame 8 and adjusted by worm gearing 10, 11. Balancing laterally is effected by moving a weight transversely of the machine. The radiator and water-tank of the motor may serve as the movable weight, flexible piping being employed to connect the parts to the motor. Fig. 5 shows a weight 14, which is moved by means of a handwheel 17 and an endless rope 16. Fig. 1 shows a radiator y, which is moved across the machine by worm gearing z.