Patent GB-1066049-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the propulsion of marine and supra marine vessels or craft
IPC: B63H11/12
Filed: 1965-10-30
Abstract: 1,066,049. Hydraulic jet-propulsion apparatus; hydrofoil craft. A. P. PEDRICK. Oct. 30, 1965], No. 46018/65. Headings B7A and B7V. An hydraulic jet-propulsion apparatus or unit for a water-borne craft comprises a cylinder (23), Fig. 4 (not shown), through which a hot fluid flows from a pipe (20) into another pipe (22) to generate steam in water flowing externally of the cylinder in the opposite direction, the water-steam mixture being ejected at the rear end of the apparatus so as to effect a reactionary thrust thereon. Water of flotation, e.g. sea water, is drawn into the apparatus and directed towards the rear end thereof by a reciprocating pump (29) which is at the forward end and driven by a shaft (26) carrying a turbine (25) in the path of said mixture. The pipes (20, 22) may be connected to a nuclear reactor. The cylinder (23) is rotatable and carries turbine blades (24) at either end, the external surface of the cylinder being kept free of salt deposits by a stationary scraper-blade (24<SP>1</SP>), Fig. 4c (not shown). In a modification. Fig. 5 (not shown), the water is propelled through the apparatus by a multi-stage centrifugal pump (39) which is connected to a turbine at the rear end of the apparatus by a shaft (36). In another modification, Fig. 6 (not shown), air and fuel are supplied to a combustion chamber (41) through a pipe (40) and a nozzle (43), respectively, to generate steam in water which is propelled through the apparatus by a centrifugal pump (48) driven by a gas turbine (45) in the path of hot gases flowing out of the chamber (41). In yet another modification, Fig. 7 (not shown), hot gases are generated externally of the apparatus e.g. within the body of the craft, and delivered through a pipe (50) to the inlet end of the apparatus to mingle with water passing through a centrifugal pump (55) which is driven by a turbine (58) at the rear end of the apparatus. The apparatus may be lodged within a nozzle or tapered housing (66), Fig. 9 (not shown), through which water is drawn by the water-steam mixture. Alternatively, a turbine (67), Fig. 10 (not shown), is situated in the path of the water-steam mixture and carries a screwpropeller (69). Jet-propulsion units (70), Fig. 11 (not shown), of the aforementioned kind may be mounted above the surface of the water on either side of the stern of the craft, water being directed into each unit through a scoop (71). Alternatively, such units (72), Figs. 12 and 13 (not shown), may be attached to sponsons (73) below the water-line at the stern of the craft. A plurality of such units (76, 77), Figs. 14a and 14b (not shown), may be attached to the hull of a ship which is provided with a plurality of hydrofoils (78) on either side thereof, said units being supplied with air for fuel combustion purposes through scoops (74, 75). In a modification, Figs. 16a and 16b (not shown), the units (85) are lodged in a duct (86) situated at the stern of the craft and provided with a water inlet (87) in the bottom of the hull, the units being supplied with hot air for steam generation purposes by a nuclear reactor (80) having an air inlet (84).