Patent GB-191302895-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Aeroplanes.
Inventor: GRANT RUDOLPH REDELL
IPC: B64C39/00
Filed: 1913-02-04
Granted: 1914-01-22
Abstract: 2895. Grant, R. R., and Morse, C. O. Feb. 6, 1912, [Convention date]. Aerial machines without aerostats; planes, arrangement and construction of; propelling.-The supporting-planes of an aeroplane are pivoted on transverse axes, and comprise one or more pairs of front planes 13, Fig. 1, arranged at the sides of a skeleton fuselage 1 and a single rear plane 14 mounted on the lower members of the fuselage. The parts of the machine are arranged so that the lines passing through the centres of head resistance and thrust coincide and the centre of gravity is either in or slightly below these lines. The centre of lifting effort is located in the line of thrust slightly forward of the centre of gravity. The planes are mounted on axes slightly in front of their centres of pressure for all incidences from zero to the maximum used in flight. The planes are shaped in longitudinal section to the curve of the cissoid of Diocles so that the centre of pressure travels rearwardly as the angle of incidence increases. The planes 13 comprise front and rear spars 19, Fig. 4, carrying ribs 20 and attached at their inner end to the horizontal bar 17, Fig. 5, of a framework comprising a vertical bar 16 and ties 18. The spars 19 are connected by upper and lower ties to the ends of the rods 16. The planes are also provided with a thrust post 33, Fig. 4, arranged in line with the pivotal axis of the planes and connected at its outer end with the ends of the bar 17 by means of stays 34. The planes 13 are mounted on the ends of a tubular thrust-bar 24, Fig. 10, extending across the fuselage and provided with thrust-blocks 25 against which the plates 26 bear. The rods 16 are connected together at their upper and lower ends by stays so that the lifting effort on one plane is balanced against that on the other. The pivotal shaft 35, Fig. 1, of the rear plane 14 is carried in bearings 36 capable of being clamped in position to the lower longitudinal members of the fuselage 1. The skeleton fuselage between the front planes carries the engine and its accessories which drive the propeller situated immediately to the rear of the front planes. The air from the propeller passes through an openended cellular structure 88, whereby the engine torque on the machine is neutralized and the air issues therefrom to the rudders 40 and elevators 37 in a comparatively undisturbed condition. Steering and balancing.-The main planes 13, 14 are simultaneously adjustable for varying the lift, and the front planes 13 are movable oppositely for balancing. The uprights 16 at the inner end of each front plane are connected to an endless chain 48, 49, Fig. 6, passing around pulleys 47 mounted on a traveller 46 slidable on a guide at each side of the fuselage. The travellers 46 are connected by cords 58 to the elbow of toggles 59, Fig. 1, connecting the rear edge of the plane 14 to the fuselage, and are moved longitudinally by screws 54, Fig. 6, rotated by cords 55<a>, actuated through gearing by a hand-wheel 66. The cord 49 is connected to the pivoted post 51 carrying a yoke 52 to the shoulders of the aviator. By inclining his body sideways, the aviator moves the planes 13 oppositely. When uncontrolled, the cords 49 permit the pressures on the planes to balance automatically. The double elevator 37 pivoted to the rear end of the fuselage is provided with a duplex control actuated by a hand-wheel 62. Rudders 40 connected together for simultaneous operation are controlled by a duplex system of cords 44 actuated by a hand-wheel 69. Ailerons 74, Fig. 4, are mounted on forwardly converging axes at the ends of the front planes, and are controlled by the cords actuating the front planes oppositely The axis of the aileron is arranged in front of the centre of pressure and slightly in the rear of the curved front edges. Shock of landing, deadening; aerial machines adapted to travel also on land.-The machine is supported by skids 4, 5 and wheels 8. The front skids 4 are curved upwards, and the centre of curvature is located above and in front of the centre of gravity of the machine in order to prevent the machine from pitching forward on landing. The engine frame and fuselage are connected by struts and wires to the front skids. The axle of the ground-wheels 8 is connected by rods 9 to the skids. The front end of the rods 9 is hinged to the skids, and the rear end is connected to the skids by elastic cords 10. In order rapidly to brake the machine on landing, a band of canvas is let down in front of the wheels, which run on the band and are skidded.