Patent GB-190908531-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Aeroplanes and the like.
Inventor: WALKDEN SAM LEONARD
IPC: B64C1/00
Filed: 1909-04-08
Granted: 1910-04-07
Abstract: 8531. Walkden, S. L. April 8. [Cognate Applications, 14,031/09, and 18,138/09.] B a l a n c i n g ; propelling.- Aeroplanes, gliders, &c. are balanced automatically by (1) means adapted to resist sudden changes of longitudinal pose, comprising a powerful wind-driven fan or a propeller which may be (a) merely mounted on the main supporting-plane or on an auxiliary elevating-plane, or (b) mounted on the main frame of the machine and connected by linkage, with or without intermediate differential gear or electric devices, to an elevating-Plane; (2) means for opposing slow changes of longitudinal pose, comprising small wind driven propellers geared to elevating-planes; (3) means for preserving lateral equilibrium, consisting in constructing the machine with flat surfaces without vertical planes, except for the provision of a single vertical plane above the centre of the machine ; (4) means for preventing the machine from circling round in a substantially horizontal plane ; and (5) means for opposing sudden changes both in the lateral and longitudinal pose, comprising weights or gyroscopic fly-wheels mounted on vertically springy rods extending longitudinally from the lateral edges of the machine. (1a) Fig. 1 shows a fan f mounted on a standard c fixed to the main plane a. When change of longitudinal pose occurs, the aeroplane tends to gain or lose speed relative to the air according as the machine sweeps downwards or upwards. The fan, however, by reason of its inertia, resists a corresponding change of speed, whereby a longitudinal force is introduced, tending to oppose the longitudinal tilt. The axis of the fan may be on a level with, or slightly below, the plane a. The fan may be weighted, as at the tips f<1>, or coupled to a fly-wheel. When the fan is replaced by the propeller, this is fitted with a fly-wheel and coupled to the engine through a free-wheel clutch. In a modification, the standard c is secured to a pivoted elevating-plane, and is counterpoised by a weight, or a fly-wheel geared with the fan, arranged below the plane. (1b) In another form, the standard c is secured to the mtin frame as shown in Fig. 4, and drives one wheel of a differential gear p, the opposite wheel of which is connected to a flywheel f<2>, the intermediate pinions being connected by links f<3> to an elevating-plane a<2>, so that variations in the speed of the fan occasion the required movement of the plane a<2>. The rear plane a<2> may be fixed, or linked to the plane a' so as to tilt simultaneously with it, but to a less extent. In a modification, the standard c carries a counterweight at its lower end, and is pivoted intermediately to a bracket secured to the main frame and connected by links to the plane a<2>. In another modification, the differential gear is replaced by some mechanical equivalent, for example the fan may drive a dynamo-electric machine, acting as a generator and supplying current to a motor which drives the fly-wheel, so that the current in the circuit, which is positive or negative in direction according as the speed of the fan is accelerating or slowing, may be used in an electro-magnetic device for operating the elevating-plane. (2) To prevent slow and permanent change of the longitudinal pose of the machine, one or more small wind-driven fans i, Fig. 1, are connected to a plane m, so as to tend normally to retain the plane in a definite position, this position being varied in accordance with variations in speed of the fans occasioned by the tilting of the machine. For example, the propeller i may tend to wind a cord on a drum k, the cord being connected to a vertically springy rod o carrying the plane m ; or the fan may tend to wind a cord q, Fig. 4, which is fixed at one end and connected through a spring q<1> with another cord p<1>, which is lapped round the axle of the plane a<2> and connected through another spring q<2> to a fixed point or hand-operated device. The fan i may be damped by air vanes. (3) For lateral stability, the supporting-planes a, Fig. 1, are constructed as substantially flat surfaces, being preferably slightly arched from one lateral edge to the other, in order to allow free lateral sliding when the machine tilts sideways. Further, any lateral tilting is resisted by a vertical plane b arranged at a sufficient height above the plane a so as not to interfere materially with the lateral sliding movement. (4) In order to resist the tendency of the machine to circle round towards the side to which it leans, which may be caused by the action of the plane b, wind-driven fans g are mounted at opposite sides of the plane a, the difference in the speeds of rotation of these fans, due to the circling movement, being used to distort the plane b so as to ensure a maximum lateral wind pressure thereon, or to actuate a rudder, to produce a warping of the main planes, or to tilt auxiliary planes or flexible extensions h, so as to oppose the circling movement. For example, the two fans may be geared to winding-drums, or may drive the gear-wheels of a differential gear in opposite directions, cords being led from the drums or the intermediate pinions of the differential gear to the plane or rudder .to be operated. Further, the lateral tips of the main plane may be weighted, such weights acting to prevent sudden changes of wing-tip velocity and thus to retard circling. (5) Sudden changes of lateral and longitudinal pose may be further resisted by weights e, which are mounted on springy rods d connected to the plane a and by their inertia produce a warping of the plane a which induces a couple opposing the tilting movement The weights may be counterbalanced by a tail-piece m. They may be arranged to tilt auxiliary planes instead of warping the main plane. Further, they may be replaced by small horizontal fly-wheels rotated, preferably in opposite directions, by wind-driven fans so as to act gyroscopically; or a single fly-wheel may be used. Steering.-The cord p<1>, Fig. 4, after passing round the axle of the elevating-plane a<2>, may be connected through the spring q<2> to a hand-operated device, by which the tension of the springs may be varied to alter the normal inclination of the plane a<2>. Planes, construction and arrangement of. - The main plane a, Fig. 1, is preferably slightly arched from one lateral edge to the other. A vertical plane b is arranged longitudinally at a height above the plane a, and a tail-plane m may be provided, being carried by a springy rod o. In the form shown in Fig. 4, the machine is provided with a front adjustable plane a<2> and with a rear plane a<3>, which may be fixed or adjustable.