Patent GB-110407-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Flying Machines.
Inventor: SPRINGER RUTER WILLIAM
IPC: B64C39/00
Filed: 1916-10-24
Abstract: 110,407. Springer, R. W. Oct. 24, 1916. Aerial machines without aerostats; planes, arrangement of; propelling.-Relates to flying- machines of the kind propelled by rotary propellers or flapping wings arranged so that the blades or wings assume a positive incidence during the up-stroke and a less or negative incidence during the down-stroke. Figs. 7 and 10 show a machine of the flapping-wing type, in which the wings 7 are carried by spars 5 hinged to transverse arms 4 of L-shaped frames 3, which are hinged longitudinally to the machine and are reciprocated bv means of links 14 connected to the free ends of the arms 4 and to levers 13, which are rocked about central pivots. There are preferably two sets of wings arranged one behind the other and so that the rear pair inclines upwards rearwardly and the front pair inclines upwards forwardly. Springs 6 press the spars 5 downwards and give the wings a positive incidence during the upstroke. The spread of the wings may be varied by raising or lowering all the wings together by means of levers 12 adapted to adjust a bar 10 to which the levers 13 are pivoted. A fixed plane or canopy 28, Fig. 7, and an adjustable tail-plane 15, Fig. 12, carrying a vertical fin 27 and arranged to be initially set by a lever 16, are provided. The machine shown in Fig. 13 is supported by a pair of rotary propellers, one at each side of the machine, and each comprising a series of planes or blades 42 arranged to have a limited and spring- controlled movement about pivots 44 near their front ends. The planes are feathered by chain gearing 36, the inner wheels of which engage idler wheels 38 rolling on a fixed central wheel 37. During the up-stroke, the planes move about their pivots into a position of positive incidence, as shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 13. The machine is provided with rudders at each side, a central balancing-rudder 52, and an adjustable tail. Planes, construction of.-The transverse camber of the wings is preferably concave downwards at the middle and convex downwards at the edges, and the longitudinal camber is preferably a sine curve. Fig. 2 shows the transverse camber in its simplest form, and Fig. 3 shows that for a pair of flapping wings. The ratio of the longitudinal to the transverse dimensions of the wing is made greater or less according as the machine is intended to fly at higher or lower speeds. The tail 15, Fig. 12, is curved upwardly at the rear. Steering and balancing.-The tail 15 is initially set according to the speed desired, by means of a lever 16, and is adjusted, during flight, by a lever 17. The levers 16, 17 are connected to the tail by cords 18, 20, respectively, springs 22 being interposed in the cords 18. A lever 23 is connected at one end to one of the cords 18, and at its other end to the lever 16 by a cord 24. Similarly, another lever 25 is connected at one end to the other cord 18, and at its other end to the lever 16 by a cord 26. The machine shown in Fig. 13 is fitted with a central rudder 52 and also with rudders at each side. Land wheels.-Wheels 39, Fig. 13, are provided on the machine and arranged to be driven by the engine.