Patent GB-213379-A (GB)
Title: Variable propeller and sustaining apparatus for aircraft
IPC: B64C11/00
Filed: 1922-09-27
Abstract: 213,379. Brune, C. M. Sept. 27, 1922. Paddle wheels; screw and like propellers.-An aircraft is supported by pairs of fans rotating within adjustable screens and normally giving a vertical lift, means however being provided for warping the blades of the fans to produce a forward or backward axial thrust. Fig. 33 shows one element of a machine in which there may be a number of such elements placed end to end and side by side. Radial blade frames are carried from axles 22 which are driven by worm gear 82 and shafts 81 geared to an engine shaft 89. The blades are flexible and non-jointed, or they may be divided into sections 1<1> hinged together along diagonal lines, the central section being fixed. Fingers 112, on shafts 107, 111 geared together and to a shaft 5, are adapted to depress the sections at either pair of diagonally opposite corners of the blades when the shaft 5 is turned in one or other direction. The shafts 5 are turned by gear wheels 99 engaged' by racks 98 connected to a sliding collar 32 on the axle 22, this collar being moved by a collar 33 connected by bars 35 to worm gears 96 actuated through shafts 9, 92<a> from the pilot's' seat. The fans are partially enclosed by cylindrical surfaces 69 the lower inner edges of which are adjustable by means of braces 128. A cylindrical plane 70 is arranged beneath each fan and is adjustable from the pilot's seat through connections to braces 115, 116. The planes 70 also may be swung laterally about the axles 22. The position of the planes 69, 70 is similar to that described in Specification 154,929. Various alternative means for warping the blades are described. The corners of each blade may be secured to levers pivoted to a rigid frame surrounding the blade. the levers being moved in pairs to depress diagonally opposite corners of the blade by cords led over pulleys on adjacent blades and on the axle 22. Or levers or cams of progressively increasing throw from centre to edge of the blade may act upon the various sections or parts, the levers or cams being operated by cords. Fig. 11 shows a modification in which the blade frames are supported by pairs of arms 5 beneath which bear stepped cams 17 connected by links 16 to opposite points on a pulley 15. The pulley 15 is turned by cords 12 passed around a pulley 38 and pulley 29 to a sliding collar 32 on the axle. This collar is moved bv a collar 33 connected by a link 35 to a pulley 36 turned by the pilot through a cord 12a. The cams 17 act upon the sections or parts 1<1> of the blades and their stepped portions run against roller bearings on the cams 5. As an alternative or addition to the blade warping means described, the arms 5 may be so mounted on the axle 22 that when they are displaced axially along the axle, or, in a further modification, when intermediate sleeves are displaced axially, cam grooves affect an opposite angular displacement of the two arms 5 so as to give a helical twist to the blade. In another modification, blade warping means are operated by cable secured to pulleys on the arms 5 which are capable of being rotated by levers thereon secured to cords connected to collars similar to the collars 32.