A PADDLE WHEEL OF A NEW AND USEFUL CONSTRUCTION FOR THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS, AND OTHER MOTIVE PURPOSES
Year: 1834

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, wc, WILLIAM
SYMINGTON, of Bromley, in the County of Middlesex, Cooper, and ANDREW
SYMINGTON, of Falkland, in Fifeshire, in that part of the United Kingdom
called Scotland, Watch Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-third day of June, in the fourth year of His reign,
did, for Himself, Ilis heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
William Symington and Andrew Symington, His especial license, full power,
sole privilege and authority, that we, the said William Symington and Andrew
Symington, our exors, adiuors, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
William Symington and Andrew Symington, our exors, adiiors, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention of "A PADDLE WHEEL OF A NEW AND
USEFUL CONSTRUCTION FOR THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS, AND OTHER MOTIVE PURPOSES;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that we, the said William
Symington and Andrew Symington, or one of us, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
William Symington and Andrew Symington, do hereby declare that the
naturo of our said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be
performed, are fully described and ascertained in and by the several Drawings
or Figures numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, hereunto annexed, and by the
following description thereof, that is to say:-
We declare that our Invention consists of a wheel for the propulsion of
vessels, the paddles of which are made so to vary their positions as the wheel
revolves that they shall oppose the greatest breadth of surface to the water at
that point only where they can exert the greatest power of leverage in the
direction of the vessel's way, and at the same time occupy throughout less
breadth of space than paddles of equal superficial area do in paddle wheels of
the common construction; which wheel is also applicable to water-mills, wind-
mills, and generally all machines in which the motive power is obtained by the
action of solid surfaces on water, air, steam, gas, or other yielding medium.
Figure 1 of the annexed Drawings is a representation, in isometrical per-
spective, of a paddle wheel on our plan with its requisite framework; Figuro 2
is an isometrical view without the framework; Figure 3 is a vertical section
of the wheel and framework. In each of these Figures, as also in the Figures
herein-after described, the same letters indicate the same parts.
A, A, are pairs of paddles, or one paddle consisting of two separate leaves;
B. B, are arms, of unequal lengths, to which the pairs of paddles are affixed,
which arms turn in pivot holes at both their extremities; C, C, are cogged
quadrants, which are attached to the paddle arms B, B, and work into cach
other;
D) is a solid disc, fixed immediately under the largest of the paddle arms
B, B, and close to the inner side of the wheel, but inclined at an angle of about
minc degrees to the main axis; E is a groove cut in the periphery of the disc D;
F, F, are small guide wheels, which run in the groove E, and are made to fit
it exactly, and are attached by cranks G, G, to the inner ends of the longest
of the paddle arms B, B, that is to say, there is one of these guide wheels
attached to each of the said longest paddle arms.
When a wheel thus con-
structed is set to work, each pair of paddles enters edgewiso into the water, but
as the revolution of the wheel proceeds, each guide wheel F causes, by its
rotation in the groove E, the pair of paddles with which it is connected by means
of the crank G and cogged quadrants C, C, to approach gradually towards
cach other, till at their lowest point of depression they meet at an angle of
about forty-five degrees, and after that to open again in the same gradual way,
till they resume, on emerging from the water, their original endlong position.
The manner in which the different parts of the machinery co-operate to pro-

page_text: duce these effects are elucidated by the several antional
annexed.
ཟTBསTS ATཙuaཅv
Figure 4 is an elevation of so much of the wheel as shows the face of the
solid disc D, the groove E, and the modo in which the guide wheels are con-.
nected with their respective pairs of paddles; Figure 5 is a side view of part
of the groove E, showing the angle which it forms with the vertical plane;
Figure 6 is an isometrical view of part of the groove E and one of the guide
wheels, shewing how the latter are connected by the cranks G with the paddle
arms; Figure 7 shews the position of the cogged quadrants and the paddles
when shut; Figure 8 shews the position of the cogged quadrants and the
paddles when open.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, we further declare that it is not essential
the disc D should be solid, nor that the same should be permanently fixed,
but that the same may be also of a hollow form, and adjustable at pleasure;
and that we do not limit ourselves to the adoption of any particular angle of
inclination for the said disc, but that the same may be placed at any angle that
shall be found in practice best calculated to make the paddles enter and emerge
from the water with the least waste of power. We declare also that we do not
confine ourself to the employment of any particular angle at which the pairs of
paddles ought to close at their lowest point of immersion, but that our Inven-
tion in this part consists only in closing them at such an angle as shall
diminish the breadth of the space they would occupy if brought to a perfectly
horizontal position. And, further, we declare that the use of the cogged
quadrants C, C, may be dispensed with by having two inclined discs and sets
of guide wheels instead of one, that is to say, one on each side of the wheel, in
which case, however, the paddle arms must be both of the same length.
We declare further, that we do not claim as our Invention any of the parts
of the wheel which are old or have been before used, neither do we claim any
of the parts separately; but we claim, as our Invention, the combining of the
whole of these parts in such a manner that the paddles of our wheel oppose
the greatest breadth of surface to the water at that point only where they are
required to exert the greatest leverage power, and at the same time occupy less
breadth of space, than paddles of equal superficial area in wheels of the common
construction.
And, finally, we claim a right to vary the said combination in any manner
we may deem proper, as long as the principle of the said combination is not
departed from and the same effects are produced.
And such our Invention being, to the best of our knowledge and belief,

page_text: entirely new, and never before used within that part of His said Majesty's
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, His said
Dominion of Wales, or Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, we do hereby declare
this to be our Specification of the same, and that we do verily believe that
this our said Specification doth comply in all respects fully and without reserve
or disguise with the proviso contained in the said herein-before recited Letters
Patent.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Symington, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, WILLIAM
SYMINGTON, of Bromley, in the County of Middlesex, Cooper, and ANDREW
SYMINGTON, of Falkland, in Fifeshire, in that part of the United Kingdom
called Scotland, Watch Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letter Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Twenty-third day of June, in the fourth year of His reign,
did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the said
William Symington and Andrew Symington, His especial license, full power,
sole privilege and authority, that we, the said William Symington and Andrew
Symington, our exors, adiñors, and assigns, or such others as we, the said
William Symington and Andrew Symington, our exors, adfñors, or assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times during the term of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of
Berwick-upon-Tweed, our Invention of "A PADDLE WHEEL OF A NEW AND
USEFUL CONSTRUCTION FOR THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS, AND OTHER MOTIVE PURPOSES;"
in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, that we, the said William
Symington and Andrew Symington, or one of us, shall cause a particular
description of the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be inrolled in His said Majesty's High Court of
Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately after the late
of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference
being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
William Symington and Andrew Symington, do hereby declare that the
nature of our said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be
performed, are fully described and ascertained in and by the several Drawings
or Figures numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, hereunto annexed, and by the
following description thereof, that is to say:-
We declare that our Invention consists of a wheel for the propulsion of
vessels, the paddles of which are made so to vary their positions as the wheel
revolves that they shall oppose the greatest breadth of surface to the water at
that point only where they can exert the greatest power of leverage in the
direction of the vessel's way, and at the same time occupy throughout less
breadth of space than paddles of equal superficial area do in paddle wheels of
the common construction; which wheel is also applicable to water-mills, wind-
mills, and generally all machines in which the motive power is obtained by the
action of solid surfaces on water, air, steam, gas, or other yielding medium.
Figure 1 of the auuexed Drawings is a representation, in isometrical per-
spective, of a paddle wheel on our plan with its requisite framework; Figure 2
is an isometrical view without the framework; Figure 8 is a vertical section
of the wheel and framework. In each of these Figures, as also in the Figures
herein-after described, the same letters indicate the same parts.
A, A. are pairs of paddles, or one paddle consisting of two separate leaves;
B. B, are arnis, of unequal lengths, to which the pairs of paddles are affixed,
which arms turu in pivot holes at both their extremities; C, C, are cogged
quadrants, which are attached to the paddle arms 3, B, and work into each
other; D is a solid disc, fixed inmediately under the largest of the paddle arms
B, B, and close to the inner side of the wheel, but inclined at an angle of about
nine degrees to the inain axis; E is a groove cut in the periphery of the disc D;
F, F, are small guide wheels, which run in the groove E, and are made to fit
it exactly, and are attached by cranks G, G, to the inner ends of the longest
of the paddle arms B, B, that is to say, there is one of these guide wheels
attached to each of the said longest paddle arins.
When a wheel thus con-
structed is set to work, each pair of paddles enters edgewise into the water, but
as the revolution of the wheel proceeds, each guide wheel F causes, by its
rotation in the groove E, the pair of paddles with which it is connected by means
of the crank G and cogged quadrants C, C, to approach gradually towards
cach other, till at their lowest point of depression they meet at an angle of
about forty-five degrees, and after that to open again in the same gradual way,
till they resume, on emerging from the water, their original endlong position.
The manner in which the different parts of the machinery co-operate to pro-

page_text: duce these effects are elucidated by the several additional Figures hereunto
annexed.
Figure 4 is an elevation of so much of the wheel as shows the face of the
solid disc D, the groove E, and the mode in which the guide wheels are con-
nected with their respective pairs of paddles; Figure 5 is a side view of part
of the groove E, showing the angle which it forms with the vertical plane;
Figure 6 is an isometrical view of part of the groove E and one of the guide
wheels, shewing how the latter are connected by the cranks G with the paddle
arms; Figure 7 shews the position of the cogged quadrants and the paddles
when shut; Figure 8 shews the position of the cogged quadrants and the
paddles when open.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, we further declare that it is not essential
the disc D should be solid, nor that the same should be permanently fixed,
but that the same may be also of a hollow form, and adjustable at pleasure;
and that we do not limit ourselves to the adoption of any particular angle of
inclination for the said disc, but that the same may be placed at any angle that
shall be found in practice best calculated to make the paddles enter and emerge
from the water with the least waste of power. We declare also that we do not
confine ourself to the employment of any particular angle at which the pairs of
paddles ought to close at their lowest point of immersion, but that our Inven-
tion in this part consists only in closing them at such an angle as shall
diminish the breadth of the space they would occupy if brought to a perfectly
horizontal position. And, further, we declare that the use of the cogged
quadrants C, C, may be dispensed with by having two inclined dises and sets
of guide wheels instead of one, that is to say, one on each side of the wheel, in
which case, however, the paddle arms must be both of the same length.
We declare further, that we do not claim as our Invention any of the parts
of the wheel which are old or have been before used, neither do we claim any
of the parts separately; but we claim, as our Invention, the combining of the
whole of these parts in such a manner that the paddles of our wheel oppose
the greatest breadth of surface to the water at that point only where they are
required to exert the greatest leverage power, and at the same time occupy less
breadth of space than paddles of equal superficial area in wheels of the common
construction.
And, finally, we claim a right to vary the said combination in any manner
we may deem proper, as long as the principle of the said combiuation is not
departed from and the same effects are produced.
And such our Invention being, to the best of our knowledge and belief,

page_text: entirely new, and never before used within that part of His said Majesty's
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland called England, His said
Dominion of Wales, or Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, we do hereby declaro
this to be our Specification of the same, and that we do verily believe that
this our said Specification doth comply in all respects fully and without reserve
or disguise with the proviso contained in the said herein-before recited Letters
Patent.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Symington, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of December, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-second day of December,
in the year of our Lord 1834, the aforesaid William Symington came beforc
our said Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification
aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specificatiou aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.