Improved Means for Propelling Vessels.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 29th Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
Improved Means for Propelling Vessels.
I, JUAN ANGLÉS Y GIBERT, of Barcelona, in the Kingdom of Spain, Engineer,.
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to improved means for propelling ships and other vessels,
and consists in the employment of a propeller which bears a certain resemblance and
acts in a somewhat similar manner to the tail of a fish. The propeller is fixed to a
rocking shaft, arranged vertically and actuated in any known manner.
The propeller:
when vibrating assumes a curved form, the curve being inclined to the direction in
which the vessel is moving, and is thus enabled to act on the water so as to urge the
vessel forward or backward as the case may be. The propeller may, however, be made
of an unyielding material.
In the accompanying diagrams,
Fig. 1 illustrates in side elevation a propeller formed of two scalene triangles
arranged with their bases a a in a straight line with one another; the dotted line.
indicating the shape of the tail of a fish in order to shew the resemblance thereto.
Fig. 2 represents a propeller built up of two such triangles placed side by side;
the part a being intended for attachment to the vibrating shaft whence motion is
derived.
Fig. 3 serves to explain the action of the propeller-blade in moving through the
water from left to right; the curved lines representing different positions of the blade.
The crossed lines at the right-hand end of the diagram illustrate the reaction
which takes place on the direction of movement being changed from the left to
the right.
Fig. 4 is a similar diagram which explains the action of the propeller-blade in
moving from right to left instead of from left to right.
Fig. 5 is a combination of Figs. 3 and 4, and represents the action and reaction
of the blade in moving in both directions.
Fig. 6 illustrates the application of my invention to a steamer.
The improved propeller is preferably placed at the stern of the vessel, though it
may be placed at the bow. Two propellers, one on each side of the vessel, may be
employed but in the open sea, in port or on rivers where there is a large traffic,
propellers so placed are liable to injury. The arrangement of the propellers at
the sides of the vessel is best suited to small pleasure boats for use on still waters.
One propeller placed at the stern of the vessel is sufficient for effecting both the
forward and the backward movement, though two propellers D and D', Fig. 6, may
be employed; one (D) serving to urge the vessel forward and the other (D¹) back-
ward. When one of the propellers is in action, the other remains stationary in a
neutral position. When only one propeller is used, such propeller should be arranged
so as to vibrate in either of two positions, according to whether the vessel is required
to move forward or backward-that is, one position should correspond with the
position in which the propeller D is shewn, and the other position with the position
of the propeller D¹. The movement of the single propeller from the one position into
the other is effected by reversing gear.
In Figs. 3 to 5, the line A C shews the position of the propeller-blade when first
fully bent in moving from left to right; the line BC shewing the similar position
of the blade in moving from right to left. The blade when moving bends in con-
sequence of the resistance of the water. At the moment when the direction of
straight, and then bends in the opposite
movement is changed, the blade becomes
lirection.

page_text: The mechanism employed in actuating the propeller or propellers, or in fixing one
propeller (when two are used) while the other works, varies according to the kind of
motor employed and is not described in detail, because such contrivances are well
known to those versed in the art.
A flexible propeller such as above described does not cause the vessel to rock, but
the vessel, when at full speed, advances in a straight line.
I prefer to construct the propeller of sheet steel. It should be very strong where
secured to the vertical shaft, and gradually become thinner and more and more
flexible until the tip of the blade (which should be the thinnest part) is reached. The
propeller-blade may be bordered with caoutchouc or equivalent material.
.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
1. The improved means for propelling vessels, comprising a propeller-blade attached
to a rocking shaft and operating substantially as herein described.
2. The improved means for propelling vessels constructed and operating sub-
stantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 6; such means comprising two
propeller-blades D and D', one serving to produce the forward and the other the
backward movement of the vessel.
3. The improved means for propelling vessels comprising a single flexible vibrating
reversible propeller adapted to work in either of two positions so as to make the
vessel move forward or backward as desired, substantially as herein described.
Dated this 04th dow of Octahan 1800
JUAN ANGLES
GIBERT.
Per G. G. M. Hardingham,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent.
JUAN ANGLES
GIBERT.
Per G. G. M. Hardingham,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agent.