APPLICABLE TO SHIPPING AND MILLS, UNDER THE TITLE OF THE NAUKINETIC OR SHIP-MOVING MACHINE
Year: 1855

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Soelman at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and Declara-
tion, on the 2nd February 1855, pursuant to the 9th Section of the
Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
SOELMAN, of 3, Bennett Street, Fitzroy Square, Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention "APPLICABLE TO SHIPPING AND
MILLS, UNDER THE TITLE OF THE NAUKINETIC OR SHIP-MOVING MACHINE," and have
petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, Her Royal Leters Patent for the same, and have made solemn decla-
ration that I verily believe myself to be the first and true Inventor thereof:
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Soelman, do hereby declare
that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and seal, fully
describes and ascertains the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, in and by the following statement (that
is to say) :-
The naukinetic or ship-moving machine, for occasional or frequent use in
propelling vessels on water, the said machine being composed of a propeller of
an improved form, which form is also applicable for motive machines for water,
air, or other fluids, and of machinery for moving the propeller by means of
man labour or wind, or both combined.
The propeller is a disc of inclined planes attached to a horizontal shaft

page_text: revolving in the direction of the line of motion. A line representing the
height of each plane forms a right angle with the revolving. axis, and a line
representing the breadth forms an oblique angle with the plane of the same
axis. In order to derive full advantage from such a propeller it is necessary
that the disc be exactly continuous. For this purpose, the lateral edges of
each plane must coincide with, or be in the same planes as, the lateral edges
of the adjoining planes, and this result is attained by making all these edges
radiate from one common centre. The planes are inclined, at the angle of
forty-five degrees, that being the most powerful one; or more such planes
may be used in propelling a vessel if made to revolve at a high degree of
velocity. A complete disc must consist of at least three planes; one of eight
planes, however, will, perhaps, be found more convenient than one of any other
number. There are different modes of determining the proper proportions of
each plane, but the method by which the following example is worked is so
simple, that any person possessing a slight knowledge of practical geometry
will be able to understand it, and to apply the principle to the construction of
a propeller of any required size and number of planes. Suppose it to be pro-
posed to construct a wheel or propeller four feet in diameter, and of eight
planes each, at an angle of forty-five degrees: from a scale of equal parts
construct the eighth part of an octagon A, B, C, (Figure 1), making the central
height C, D, equal to two, or half the given diameter, and describe the arc
E, D, F, a portion of the inscribed circle. We have then to construct a
triangle, the sides of which, when elevated at the point A, at the angle of
forty-five degrees from the side D, C, shall coincide with or be in the same
planes as those of the triangle A, D, C, the side D, C, being stationary, and
forming one of the sides of the second triangle: ascertain the length of the
side A, D, then take the square root of twice the square of that length for
S, T, in the coincidental triangle S, T, U, (Fig. 2), draw the line T, U, at
a right angle with it, and equal to the line D, C, then draw the line S, U,
which gives the required triangle S, T, U. We have then to construct a
similar triangle T, V, U; produce the line S, T, to V, making T, V, equal to
S, T, then draw the line V, U, which completes the rudimentary form of each
plane S, V, U; but if it be required that no part of the wheel shall exceed
the given diameter, the external angles S and V must be ex-cised. For this
purpose, ascertain the length of the line S, U, by taking the square root of
the sum of the squares of S, T, and T, U, and in like manner find the length
of A, C, (Figure 1); then, as A, C, is to S, U, so is E, C, to W, U; mark
off this distance from U on the line S, U, and a like distance on the line V, U,
at X; then, through the points W, T, and X, describe in the usual way from

page_text: the point Y the arc W, T, X, which represents the external edge of the plane.
We have then to consider how much is to be deducted for the purpose of
attaching the plane to the nave or shaft. If the nave be octagonal, the
inscribed circle of which is one foot in diameter, mark off half that length
at Z in the line T, U, and draw the line o, Z, o, at right angles with T, U;
if the nave be cylindrical of like diameter, describe the arc p, Z, p, from the
point Y, and the plane is complete, either S, V; o, o, or S, V, p, p, as the case
may be. The arc must be cut obliquely to make the plane fit. If the breadth
of each plane thus determined be exceeded, a portion of the water thrown off
by one plane will be cast on the back of the adjoining plane, and thus. retard:
the progressive motion of the propeller. This retro-active force appears to have
been overlooked by the ingenious inventors of the screw propeller, as well as
by those who have written on the subject. It is to the reducing of this force
that the screw owes its increase of power, by being diminished in length, and
brought in closer approximation to a disc. For this reason also two wheels
should not be made to revolve on the same shaft; if used in combination, they,
should be in the same plane, that is, abreast of each other, and on separate
shafts..
Figure 6 represents a front view of an eight-plane propeller. In this
Figure the dotted lines' represent the heights of the planes, and are perpen-
dicular to the axis, the external edges forming oblique angles with it. In
Figure 5 a four-plane propeller is shewn in profile. In both these cases the
outer tube or cylinder is omitted. The principle on which this propeller is
constructed is founded on the assumption that the resistance of fluids is direct,
like parallel rays, and not in curves, and therefore that plane and coinci-
dental surfaces are better calculated to act with effect on that resistance than
spiral and other curved forms. This is one advantage that my propeller has
over the screw propeller. Another advantage is, that the whole of the working
surfaces are inclined at the most advantageous angle, while in the screw there
is an unavoidable deviation from it.
While adverting to the screw propeller, I take the opportunity of acknow-
ledging my obligation to Bennett Woodcroft, Esquire, of the Patent Office,
himself a distinguished Patentee, of the screw principle, for his kindness in
submitting to my inspection his valuable collection of documents and papers,
relating to curious and patented Inventions, when I was engaged in making
inquiries respecting the novelty of my Invention.
I have every reason to believe that my propeller is not only more powerful
than any other propeller yet invented, but that it is as powerful as a submerged
propeller of a simple form can possibly be made.

page_text: . As action and reaction are always equal, it follows that as my propeller is so
well adapted for an active motor, it must be equally proper for a passive
recipient of motión from fluids, as a windmill, or a submerged water wheel.
As a windmill, it would be much more powerful than those at present in use;
and as a water wheel, either wholly or partially'submerged, and exposed to
the direct action of a current of water, it would in suitable situations become
an engine of considerable power.
It would be an improvement if the wheel or propeller were made to revolve
within a short tube or hollow cylinder, and in the case of a propeller so thin
as to offer as little resistance to the water as possible, this rim or tube being
either attached to the extremities of the planes or detached from them. The
latter mode is preferable in the case of a propeller; this tube would not only
increase its power, but would also serve as a protection from floating ice and
other obstructions. In the case of a windmill or a submerged water wheel,
this tube should be longer and wider at the entrance, tapering inwards, so as
to create a sort of draft, and thus increase the power of the wheel.
The planes may be attached to a nave of large diameter, and this nave
shielded by a cone, in order to break the resistance of the water at that part,
the cone being cut with deep oblique grooves for the same purpose; or the
planes may be fastened to a broad rim, either cylindrical or polygonal, and that
rim supported by strong iron arms, having the same inclination as the planes.
In all cases it is best to strengthen the wheel at the centre, so as to leave the
extremities unencumbered. The size of the wheel should never be so great as
to make it drag heavily in its action.
The other parts of the machine are thus described:-Two concentric cranks
A and B (Figure 5), at an angle of ninety degrees, turning in two fixed
supports c and d, are worked by two bars e and f, with sockets g and h; the
other end of each bar is attached with sockets i and j to a horizontal handle
k, l, and m, n. These handles are fastened to bars o, o, and p, p, which at the
upper end are attached by moveable joints q, q, to a fixed point or points. The
axis of the crank bar r, r, should be placed in the curve or curves described by
the handles (Figures 3 and 4). The persons employed are placed in rows
opposite to each other, as in working the common fire engine, and by moving
the handles cause the crank bar r, r, to revolve; this 'gives a rotary motion to
the drums. This motion is communicated by a band, chain, or other material
s, t, to a smaller drum t, and thus the propeller u is made to act.
Instead
of the drums and band, wheels and a shaft may be used. The relative sizes of
the drums should be so 'regulated as to secure the highest possible velocity
attainable by any given motive power. If desired, an intermediate druin may

page_text: be used for the same purpose. The labour required would not be distressing, as
in cases in which only one set of muscles is constantly on the strain, but rather
pleasurable than otherwise, as bringing so many sets of muscles alternately into
play. The crank bar would be most advantageously placed at a level rather
below the middle of a man's height. In large machines it would be advan-
tageous to have another double crank near the other end of the crank bar, and
so placed that there would be a crank for each quarter of a revolution. This
addition would be found to conduce greatly to the power and facility of work-
ing the machine. The handles for the second double crank must be separate
from the others. The machine may be placed on a platform above the water
line, supported by horizontal rails attached to the vessel, or by two boats, or
other means. The rails may be attached by moveable elbow joints, and put
up on end when not wanted. When not in use, the machine may be taken to
pieces and stowed away in a small space; when in use, it may be covered in
as a protection from the weather, and railed in to prevent accidents. By this
mode much of the ship's room would be spared, otherwise it may be used
either in or on the vessel itself or on a raft.
The Invention may be of occasional use in river navigation, but it will be
extremely useful to ships in the absence of steam' in cases of emergency; for
instance, when becalmed, or dismasted, leaving or entering harbour; working
against wind or currents, or beating off a lee shore or rocks. It will be useful
to passenger ships in fair weather, and in crossing the calms, frequent in equi-
noctial latitudes. In case of shipwreck it would be a useful appendage even
to steam ships. In such a case the machine should be lashed athwart two
boats to give it steadiness, or to a raft, and, by taking the other boats in tow,
be a means of preserving the lives of the crew and passengers. From the
simplicity of its construction, the machine may be supplied to ship-owners at a
cheap rate. I may also remark, that it is not liable to two of the objections
to the use of steam engines in sailing vessels, namely, the weight of the
engine, and the space required both for the engine and the necessary stock"
of coals.
If the machine be required for frequent use, a windmill of the same form
as the propeller may be used as an additional motive power, and would be
found available for at least three points of the wind out of the four, and with a
fair wind there would be the double advantage of the pressure of the wind and
an active motor at the same time, without in any way interfering with the
working of the ordinary sails of the vessel. The whole of the framework
might be made of screw-jointed iron rods, for the purpose of taking it to
pieces when necessary, and the planes might be formed of stretched sail cloth

page_text: or other material. In order to adapt a windmill to this purpose, there must
be an extra drum A on the propeller shaft (Figure 7), and the mill drum B
must be immediately over it, in whatever direction the mill may be set. To
this effect the following plan may be adopted, although I do not bind myself to
the particular form:-A broad iron ring C, D, E, F, is firmly secured to the
deck of the platform by strong iron arms at C, D, E, and F, and slightly
elevated above it. On this ring rides a tripod G, H, I, on castors.J, K, L,
underlapping the ring to prevent it from being thrown off; additional castors
at the sides and underneath may be used to diminish friction. This tripod is
braced by horizontal bars M, M, M, near the base, and supports, a triangle
N, N, N, on which revolves the mill shaft o, o, and the mill drum B. The
mill may be shifted to the wind by means of levers, and when set in position
secured by screws or iron pins. In the Drawing (Figure 7) the mill is repre-
sented to face the wind directly astern. It may be shifted a quarter of the
circle either way without much strain on the band, provided it have a
slight degree of elasticity, otherwise it must be slipped off and another
substituted.
I claim for the Invention as a whole, either as I have described it, or with
a different arrangement of its parts, whether working with my propeller or
any other propeller, or with cranks, at any other angle than ninety degrees;
and-I claim for the propeller, whether at an angle of forty-five degrees or at
any other angle, and to whichever of the before-named purposes it may be
applied.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Soelman, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Second day of February; in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.
WILLIAM SOELMAN.
(L.S.)