Patent GB-190916707-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Aerial Craft.
Inventor: WATSON HARRY
IPC: B64C3/54
Filed: 1909-07-17
Granted: 1910-07-18
Abstract: 16,707. Watson, H. July 17. Balancing flying - machines and dirigible balloons by planes, each adapted to be moved about an axis inclined to the plane in order to vary the angle of incidence. In the case of monoplane machines, the auxiliary planes may be mounted to turn about more or less vertical axes at the outer ends of the main planes ; while in the case of multiplane machines, one or more auxiliary planes may be mounted to turn about axes arranged between the ends of the main planes. The auxiliary planes at opposite sides of the machine may be operated simultaneously or independently, for example by pulleys and cables. The planes may be flat or curved. Figs. 1 and 2 show a biplane machine a with axes f mounted to rotate in bearings g and carrying planes e fixed at an inclination. The planes e may be strengthened by struts h and wire stays i. In the form shown, the planes are operated simultaneously in the same sense, in order to correct lateral tilting of the machine, by an open cable k connected to pulleys on the axes f and to an operating-wheel m fitted with a handle n. If the right side of the machine is raised by a side gust of wind, the planes e are moved to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, thereby introducing a righting-couple. The planes e may be so designed and arranged that, within their ordinary limits of movement, the resistance to motion in the line of flight presented by them at opposite sides of the machine remains practically the same, so that there is no marked tendency for one side of the machine to lag behind the other. There is introduced, however, a lateral thrust upon the machine when the planes e are moved as described above, and this thrust may serve to counteract the tendency of the machine to slide laterally when struck by a side gust. There may be only one plane e at each side of the machine ; or there may be more than two planes at each side, and in this case they may be mounted on separate axes. The lateral thrust referred to above may be neutralized by using a second set of planes p, Figs. 3 and 4, arranged on separate axles t at an opposite inclination to that of the planes e by crossed cables q and pulleys r, s. In a modification, the planes e, p may be fixed to sleeves which are mounted one above the other on the same axis and connected by bevel-gear so as to rotate in opposite directions. In monoplane machines, the cables for operating the balancing-planes are preferably arranged between the upper and lower coverings of the main planes. Steering.-The lateral thrust referred to above as being introduced when laterally-disposed auxiliary planes are rotated in the same sense about axes inclined to the planes may be used with or without the co-operation of one or more fixed vertical planes, or a movable rudder, or both, to effect lateral steering, and such auxiliary planes may be used for vertical steering by rotating them in opposite senses. Figs. 8 and 9 show two sets of planes e fixed upon axes f, which are mounted in an outrigger B and adapted to be rotated by cables k and pulleys l. When the planes are moved in the same sense, say, to the positions e<1>, e<3>, a lateral thrust is introduced which effects lateral steering. This steering effect may be increased by arranging a fixed vertical plane at the rear of the machine, or by using the planes e in conjunction with a vertical rudder. When the planes e are moved in opposite senses, the machine is raised or lowered.