Improvements in or connected with the Propulsion of Boats and other Vessels.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Nov., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 13th Aug., 1897--Accepted, 16th Oct., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Propulsion of Boats and
other Vessels.
I WILLIAM HENRY DUNKLEY of The World's Factory and 61 Jamaica Row Birmingham,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to so arrange and construct ships, boats, and other
vessels, that the same may be conveniently fitted with and propelled by gas engines,
which latter may drive cable, chain, or screw propellers, paddle wheels, etcetera.
According to my invention I construct the shell of the boat, which is or may have
any usual or preferred external contour, with a double bottom and sides or with only
a double bottom or only double sides.
This space I divide into any suitable number of air or gas tight chambers to contain
compressed gas, say for example coal gas, and I provide pressure regulators by which
the gas is delivered at proper pressure to the gas engine which is fitted on board the
boat.
I generally provide suitable apparatus on board the boat by which the gas
may be compressed into the containers or chambers.
In some cases the shell of a vessel of ordinary construction or design, may be
conveniently supplied and fitted with the chambers and apparatus as aforesaid.
Dated this 12th day of November 1896.
W. H. DUNKLEY.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with the Propulsion of Boats and
other Vessels.
I, WILLIAM HENRY DUNKLEY, of The World's Factory," and 61 Jamaica Row,
Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, 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 my invention is to so arrange and construct ships, boats, and other
vessels, that the same may be conveniently fitted with and propelled by gas engines,
which latter may drive screw propellers, paddle wheels or the like.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 illustrates in section, and Fig. 2 in plan view,
a boat constructed and arranged according to my invention; Fig. 3 is a cross section
on the line X Y of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 illustrates in cross section another constructional
arrangement of a boat made in accordance with my invention.
1.

page_text: According to my invention I construct the shell A of a boat, which may have any
usual or preferred external contour. Within the shell A, I provide a number of
partitions B, so arranged as to form between the partitions B and the shell A,
chambers C. In Figs. 1 2 and 3, I have illustrated a boat provided with bow and
stern chambers C, and intermediate chambers C so arranged as to form seats. The
chambers C are preferably lined with metal, the outer covering being formed of wood.
Referring to Fig. 4, a boat is shewn having a double bottom and sides, by which
there is formed a Chamber C, this chamber C may be stayed and subdivided into any
number of compartments.
The chambers C are provided with valves and connections whereby gas may be
supplied to same in a compressed state and retained therein, connections are
provided between the various chambers C, so that the gas from one chamber may be
admitted to another or cut off from same.
Within the boat I provide a gas engine or engines not shewn in the drawings,
which receive a supply of gas from the chambers C, the pressure of the gas being
reduced as required, by passing the gas from the chamber C, through a pressure
regulator, and from there into the cylinder of the gas engine. Pumps are provided,
and are driven by means of the gas engines, and are capable of being uncoupled from
the engine when the pumps are not required to be used, or in the case when it is
desired to work the pumps by hand. The crank shaft of the gas engine or engines
is coupled to the propeller or paddle shaft by means of say a friction clutch.
The before-mentioned pumps are employed to deliver the gas as received from say
the gas main into the chambers C in a highly compressed state.
The compressing, pressure regulating, and general arrangement of the mechanism
may be arranged and constructed as described in my previous Specification of British
Letters Patent No. 18520 dated 21st August 1896.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I would have it understood that
I do not limit myself to the particular arrangement of the chambers C as illustrated
in the drawings, but what I claim is-
The improvements in or connected with the propulsion of boats and other vessels,
the employment of chambers within the boat, for holding gas, having valves through
which the gas can be admitted into the said chambers and therein retained at a high
pressure, in combination with means for compressing the gas, and delivering same at
a reduced pressure to a gas motor, by which the propelling means of the boat are
driven, all substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 12th day of August 1897.
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for the Applicant.