Improvements in Vibrating Plate Propellers.
Year: 1897

page_text: Improvements in Vibrating Plate Propellers.
I, ALFRED REYNOLDS, of 31, Moray Place, Dunedin, in the Colony of New Zealand,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to produce a propeller that works with a direct action
either directly from the cylinder in which case it would be an extension of the
piston rod, or the same motion may be given by any such means as through cranks
or the like when it would be inconvenient to place the cylinder in position for the
direct action.
The rod so worked out astern parallel with the axis or longitudinal centre line of the
ship, has a paddle or blade at the outer end working on a hinge in such a manner
that when the stroke is being made the blade stands out at right angles and offers
the greatest resistance to the water and consequently urges the ship to the best
advantage and when the return stroke is being made the blade lies flat, or edgewise
and thus offers the least resistance. By a mechanical arrangement, both forward and
back strokes can easily be effected.
Referring to the accompanying drawing:-
Figure 1, is a diagram of the plan of the propeller as arranged for the forward
stroke, which is in the direction of the arrow while the dotted arrow shows the return
stroke.
Fig. 2, is the same but in position for the back stroke to cause the ship to move
backwards.
Fig. 3, is an end view of the paddle and rod.
Fig. 4, shows the invention in position in the stern of a steam-ship and as will be
shown forth is represented as working the ship forward.
A, is part of the hull of any suitable ship and A¹ is a stuffed hole for the rod to
work in.
B, is the main rod working in a suitable manner by power from the pistons of the
engines, there would preferably be a set on each side of the stern post where one
is shown.
C, is another rod working against B, if desired these could work one within the
other, one being hollow, and they may be of any section other than square as
indicated; this rod C, has two slots D, and D¹, arranged so that one is in action at
one time; in Figures 1, and 4, a pin E, is placed through a hole in B, and the
rod C, works within the limits of the slot D, which allows the paddle F, to assume
either of the positions indicated in these figures, when B, is moved alternately in
opposite directions as shown by the arrows in Figure 1, which motions would work
the ship forward. If the pin E were withdrawn and the pin E¹ inserted in the
hole E, the opposite movements of the paddle would result and the ship would be
moved backwards, the slot D' being then engaged.
F, is the paddle of any suitable shape hinged at G, to a connecting rod to the
rod C, hinged to it at H¹, the paddle F, is also hinged to B, at H.
Clearance in the connecting rod and paddle for the paddle to lie flat both ways is

page_text: provided but not shown on the diagrams. Provision may be made for the with-
drawal of the whole into the ship for repairs or into a watertight compartment which
would subsequently be pumped dry.
The whole may be made of any suitable sizes or materials.
Springs may be used to prevent concussion, where required.
Improvements in Vibrating Plate Propellers.
I, ALFRED REYNOLDS, of 31, Moray Place, in the City of Dunedin, in the Colony of
New Zealand, 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:-
The object of this invention is to produce a propeller that works with a direct
action parallel or nearly so with the longitudinal axis of the boat, the said propeller
being one or more hinged blades so arranged that when making a stroke the blade
stands out at about right angles offering the greatest resistance to the water and so
urging the boat to the best advantage, while when making the return stroke the
blade swings so as to be in a line with the propeller rod, and so offers the least
resistance to being moved to the position for the next stroke.
By a mechanical arrangement, both forward and back strokes can easily be
effected.
Referring to the drawing lodged with the Provisional Application and also to the
accompanying drawing:-
Figure 1, is a diagram of the plan of a propeller as arranged for a forward stroke,
which is in the direction of the arrow, while the dotted arrow shows the positions
for the return stroke.
Fig. 2, is a similar diagram showing the positions reversed and arranged for
working the back stroke, or moving a boat backwards.
Fig. 3, is an end view of the paddle and rod.
Fig. 4, shows the invention in position in the stern of a steam-ship, or boat,
and shows the forward stroke.
Fig. 5, shows the invention as arranged for working at high speeds and it is found
that blades of the proportion somewhat as there shown work more effectively in that
way. The rod is shown as being of the same size as the blade for the purpose of
diminishing resistance during the return strokes.
Fig. 6, while showing a plan, or edge view of the rod and blade shown in Fig. 5,
and the positions of the blade for a forward stroke, also shows the arrangement that
would be used if a blade were required to work in other than the side movement
arrangement before indicated.
A, is part of the hull of any suitable ship and A¹, is the stuffing box packed water-
tight, for the rod to work in.
B, is the main rod worked with a reciprocating stroke as direct from a cylinder
when convenient, or through any usual gearing, and B¹, is an enlargement of the
rod for purposes mentioned.
There would preferably be at least two rods, usually one on each side of the stern,
of the boat.
C, is another rod working against B, if desired these could work the one within

page_text: the other, one being hollow, and they may be of any section other than the square
indicated, this rod Č, has two slots D, and D¹, arranged so that one is in action at
one time; in Figures 1, and 4, a pin E, is placed through a hole in B, and the rod C,
works within the limits of the slot D, which allows the paddle F, to assume either
of the positions indicated in these figures, when B, is moved alternately in opposite
directions as shown by the arrows in Figure 1, which motions would work the ship
forward.
If the pin E, were withdrawn and the pin E, inserted in the hole E", the opposite
movements of the paddle would result and the ship would be moved backwards, the
slot D¹, being then engaged.
F, is the paddle of any suitable shape hinged at G, to a connecting rod connect-
ing to the rod C, (when such rod is used,) at H', the base of the paddle F, is hinged
to B, at H.
When only a forward motion is required only one rod B, is used there may be
stops similar in action to the stops in stop hinges to prevent the paddle working
more than from F, to F¹, as shown in Figure 6.
Any suitable mechanical motions for allowing the paddle to alternately assume
the two positions for the forward stroke, and then the other two positions for the
backward stroke, other than the rods, slots and pins shown in the diagrams, may be
adopted in this invention.
Clearance in the rods and paddles for the paddle to lie as flat as possible both ways
as required is provided for but is not shown in the drawing.
Provision may be made for the withdrawal of the whole into the ship for repairs
or into a watertight compartment, which would be subsequently pumped dry.
The whole may be made of suitable sizes or materials.
Springs may be used to prevent concussion, if required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In any ship or boat propelled by power, the combination of such boat with a
rod (such as B,) having a paddle (such as F',) hinged to the outer end, the said
paddle working from broadwise, or about right angles to B, to edgewise or nearly in
à line with B, and its movements being controlled by stops, or by such an arrange-
ment as C, D, E, D¹, E¹, E, G, H, I¹, all substantially as shown and described
herein and for the purposes specified.
2. In combination with a hull, part of which is shown A, a rod (such as B, working
parallel or nearly so with the longitudinal axis of the said hull, and the rod C, and
its gear, or stops for controlling the action and working of the paddle F, for
propelling the boat in either direction substantially as described and explained and
as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated the 12th day of March A.D). 1898.
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.