Patent GB-190930183-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Aerial Machines.
Inventor: BALASSANIAN BARQUIR HOVANES
IPC: B64C3/38
Filed: 1909-12-24
Granted: 1911-01-24
Abstract: 30,183. Balassanian, B. H. Dec. 24. Aerial machines without aerostats.-Relates to the construction of a soaring flying-machine which, after being started by its propeller, continues its flight in a rising path in calm or moving air independently of the propeller. In order to effect soaring flight, the sustaining- planes of the machine are of a special shape and are maintained in a position of least resistance, which is the position that a plane freely pivoted at its forward end takes up under the action of an air current. In a flying-machine, the planes are fixed or elastically connected by springs to the body, and the planes are maintained in the position of least resistance by conforming to the following conditions: (1) the centre of gravity of the machine is always to be in front of the centre of pressure. (2) The normal position of the tail plane and any other surfaces is to be parallel to the supporting- planes. (3) The propelling-force is to be parallel to the planes so that they are propelled edgewise through the air. (4) The supporting-planes are given special forms in longitudinal and transverse cross-section and are formed with a flexible rear part the area of which is determined by the load to be carried. Planes, construction, of. - The supporting- planes are either formed with a front dipping- edge so as to produce whirls in the concavity, which whirls have a propulsive and lifting effect on the plane, or the plane is convex on the upper side and concave on the lower side, as shown in Fig. 8, and a lifting effect is obtained by the difference between the pressures of the relative air current on the two sides. Fig. 2 showns an example of the plane with a dipping front edge. A whirl W is formed in the concavity by the air current C and a second whirl is formed at the rear by the air current passing along the upper surface of the plane. The plane has a flexible rear part c, d, and when the plane is loaded this part is curved upwardly and the rear whirl is not formed. Other forms of this type of plane are shown in Figs. 13, 14. The front and rear edges r, u, Fig. 17, of the planes W are curved as shown, and the camber of the plane decreases from the centre to the tips. In the construction of the tail plane T, Fig. 16, a frame q supports a fabric which is free at the rear edge. In a modified form, the flexible frame a, Fig. 20, of the tail supports two pieces of fabric b d e, c f d which can be moved over one another under the control of wires attached at the points b, c. In another form, the tail comprises three or more rods a, b, Fig. 21, which support the fabric of the tail, are hinged at the point f to the frame d of the machine and connected by springs s to the frame members e. The parts 1, 2 of the tail are formed so as to be variable in area like the tail plane shown in Fig. 20. Planes, arrangement of; steering and balancing.-The flying-machine shown in Figs. 16 and 17 is provided with supporting-planes W shaped as described above, with an adjustable tail plane T and a screw propeller p. The planes are hinged to the uprights c of the frame of the machine and are connected by stays w. Spring telescopic rods d, e connecting the uprights c at the top and bottom and the insertion of springs in the stay-wires w allow the transversal inclination of the planes W to vary in order to obtain automatic lateral balance. The spars s, t of the planes are hinged to rods f, g, which may be made of two parts drawn together by springs so as to allow the planes to swing backwards and forwards to obtain longitudinal balance. The tail plane T is carried by a shaft l which is movable backwards and forwards in the hollow shaft m of the propeller p so as to vary the position of the centre of pressure. The tail is also inclinable about a horizontal hinge p and the shaft l can be rotated about its own axis. The operating-wires are secured to a lever o secured to the tail and pass through the hollow shaft l. In the modification of the tail shown in Figs. 20 and 21, steering is effected by varying the area of the tail. The tail shown in Fig. 21 is also adjustable about the horizontal hinges f to act as an elevator. The planes are maintained in a position of least resistance by compliance with the conditions set out above. To maintain the centre of gravity in front of the centre of pressure, the seat s, Figs. 16, 17, for the operator is slidable along the central beam b of the body and the distance between the centre of pressure and the centre of gravity is increased as the velocity increases. The body comprises an open frame so that the operator can mount or dismount when the machine is running on the ground. Propelling.-The machine may be propelled (1) by a screw propeller, (2) by flapping-wings, (3) by a sliding-propeller. (1) The screw propeller p, Fig. 16, is carried by a hollow shaft m through which passes the rod carrying the tail. The propeller is driven through a freewheel clutch so that the propeller is free to rotate after the motor has stopped. (2) The flapping-propeller consists of two blades movable in a manner similar to a bird's wings. (3) The gliding-propeller comprises a single plane G, Fig. 30, freely hinged about an axle 1 in front of the centre of pressure. The axle is carried by arms 2 which are vibrated by a rod 3. The plane may be controlled by springs so as to take up a position of least resistance to the air current when not vibrating. In a modified arrangement the plane G, hinged about an axle 1, is reciprocated on vertical guides 6 mounted in front of the machine. The propeller is moved by hand or by a motor.