IMPROVEMENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION, AND IN APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE SAME.
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Moy, of 1, Clifford's Inn, in the City
of London, Engineering Draughtsman, and Richard Edmund Shill,
of Mile End, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION, AND IN APPARATUS
FOR EFFECTING THE SAME.
"
Sealed the 2nd February 1872, and dated the 30th November 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Moy and
Richard Edmund Shill at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 30th November 1871.
We, THOMAS Moy, of 1, Clifford's Inn, in the City of London,
Engineering Draughtsman, and RICHARD EDMUND SHILL, of Mile End,
in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION, AND IN
APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE SAME," to be as follows:-
Our Invention consists in the adaptation and application to the
purpose of aerial navigation of acroplanes or extended surfaces mounted

page_text: be controlled and regulated by means of an excentric, or by. weights
or loads, or by other suitable means, as in the case above described.
The revolving aeroplanes may also be arranged in front and behind
instead of on each side of the body, and driven from the centre in
opposite directions.
Other extended surfaces or aeroplanes may be added to give additional
support, and suitable aeroplanes are added for steering.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Thomas Moy and Richard Edmund Shill in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 30th May 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, THOMAS
Moy, of 1, Clifford's Inn, in the City of London, Engineering
Draughtsman, and RICHARD EDMUND SHILL, of Mile End, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in
the thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto us, the said Thomas Moy and Richard
Edmund Shill, Her special licence that we, the said Thomas Moy and
Richard Edmund Shill, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as we, the said Thomas Moy and Richard Edmund Shill,
our executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION, AND IN APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING
THE SAME, upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said
Thomas Moy and Richard Edmund Shill, our executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under our, or their, or one of
و,

page_text: their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be
performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Thomas Moy and Richard
Edmund Shill, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference
being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon (that is to say) :—
39
Our Invention of " Improvements in Aerial Navigation, and in
Apparatus for Effecting the same, consists in the adaptation and
application to the purpose of aerial navigation of aeroplanes or extended
surfaces mounted and driven in such a manner as to cause such
aeroplanes or extended surfaces to take or assume such successive angles
of inclination to the line of onward motion, that in their downward motion
or stroke (whether rotary or reciprocating) they will be caused to act upon
the air so as both to raise and propel, while in their upward motion or
stroke their under surfaces will be impinged upon by the air with only a
lifting tendency. The said aeroplanes, are driven by steam or other
motive power, a sufficiently light engine for the purpose being mounted
on or in a body to which the said aeroplanes are connected, in such a
manner as to be suitably actuated by the motive power.
The aeroplanes are sometimes combined and arranged so as in com-
bination with circular hoops to form two wheels, one on each side of the
body, such wheels being driven from the periphery, in which case, the
aeroplanes as they successively arrive at a vertical position in each
aeroplane wheel are in a neutral position as to pressure on their surfaces,
while those on the inward or descending and propelling side of the said
line are so inclined as to act on the air with their under surfaces as they
revolve, and those on the outer or ascending side are so inclined as to
have their under surfaces acted upon by the air. By this combined
mode of action of the aeroplanes there is a constant tendency to lift the
apparatus while it is being propelled through the air.
The required inclinations are given to the several aeroplanes
successively by means of a stationary excentric to each aeroplane wheel,

page_text: on which revolves an excentric strap with a connection leading to each
aeroplane, so that as the strap is carried round the excentric by the
revolution of the wheel it acts on cach aeroplane in succession and
brings it to the required angle of inclination.
If preferred the several aeroplanes may be brought to their required
angles of inclination by means of weights, loads, or springs applied to
them, or by other suitable means.
The aeroplanes are or may be in some cases combined and arranged so
as to be worked upon vertical rods rising from and over the body of the
machine, and to receive a reciprocating instead of a revolving motion,
above described. In such cases the aeroplanes are respectively worked
at such angles as will cause them in their downward stroke to act on the
air, both with a lifting and propelling effect, and in their upward stroke
to be acted upon by the air with a lifting tendency only, similar in
effect to the rotary motion of aeroplanes above described. And the
angles of inclination of the aeroplanes will be controlled and regulated
by means of excentrics, or by weights, loads, or springs, or other suitable
means, so as to obtain thereby effects similar to those of the rotary motion
above described.
The revolving acroplanes may also be arranged in front and behind
instead of on each side of the body, and driven from the centre in
opposite directions.
Other extended surfaces or aeroplanes may be added to give additional
support, and suitable acroplanes are added for steering.
The horizontal position and course of the apparatus may be main-
tained by a vertical pendulum connected with horizontal steering
aeroplanes, or the said horizontal steering aeroplanes may be moved by
manual power as required.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, we will proceed
to describe more particularly in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, by the aid of the accompanying Drawings, in which are
represented an aerial machine constructed in one of the modes above
referred to.
T
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
f L
Th
0

page_text: zontal position for the sake of clearness; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section
on an enlarged scale, shewing the mode of driving the aeroplane wheels
by the prime mover; and Fig. 4 is a perspective elevation with the
aeroplane wheels removed. In all these several Figures the same letters
of reference indicate corresponding parts.
a is the body containing the steam engine or prime mover and cabins
for the accommodation of the travellers. This body is elongated in
form, circular in end view (or section), and pointed at each end, as
shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 4. The engine is placed at or near the centre
of the body a, and turns at a suitable speed one or both of the axles b, b
(Fig. 3). Two driving wheels c, c, are keyed to each axle, making four
wheels altogether, shewn in section in Fig. 3. Each wheel is grooved to
suit the form of the hoop of the large acroplane wheels. If the engine
is used to actuate both axles, and consequently the four driving wheels,
then the four driving wheels must be all of an equal size; but if only
one axle and two wheels are so driven, the other two may be of any
other convenient size, and merely caused to turn by the friction of their
rims against the aeroplane wheels, the object being to confine the inner
edges of the aeroplane wheels so as to steady them while working.
d, d, are the aeroplane wheels, which are driven at their circumference
by the wheels c, c, in the direction shewn by the arrows in Fig. 1. The
hoops of these wheels may be of the form shewn in section in Fig. 3, or
may be rectangular, or of any other suitable sectional form, the grooves
of the driving wheels being suitably formed so as to drive the aeroplane
wheels by friction, the aeroplane hoops entering an opening formed in
each side of the body for the purpose. e, e, are two other hoops placed
at convenient distances apart, in the manner shewn (more particularly in
Fig. 4) before and behind the aeroplane wheels, to which hoops the body
is attached by wire rods stretched taut as shewn, the lower ends of such
frame hoops being finished with an axle and two wheels. These frame
hoops e, e, form a convenient support for the body, and give a good
wheel base for the machine when on the ground, and also furnish firm
and light supports for the axles to the aeroplane wheels at each end of
such axles. The frame hoops e, e, merely form with the wire rods a
light and convenient support and frame, and do not themselves revolve.
A suitable number of aeroplanes are mounted in the aeroplane wheels,
which aeroplanes may be in the form shewn in Fig. 2, but other con-
venient forms may be used. In Fig. 1 cight acroplanes are shown to

page_text: ****
each wheel, but the number may be varied and adapted to the power of
the engine or prime mover. The aeroplanes are so mounted as to
equalise the strain upon the axle, and thus keep the axle of the aero-
plane wheels central to the hoops. The aeroplanes may be made of
canvas or other suitable material. The outer ends of the aeroplanes are
connected at one central point to the hoop, so that each aeroplane may
be braced to any required angle.
Four ground wheels f, f, f, f, Figures 1, 2, and 4, are fitted to the
frame hoops e, e, as shewn, in order to bear the weight of the machine,
and run on the ground when starting or alighting.
Four stays of wire 9, 9, are fitted from the head and stern of the
body a to the hoops e, e, of the frame to keep them square to the body.
The stays at the stern may be used as centres of motion for the rudders.
Two other stays (h, h, Fig. 4) connect the tops and bottoms of the frame
hoops e, e, and the axles i, i, Figures 2 and 4, act as stays as well as
axles. By these arrangements a firm framework is obtained, upon which
the aeroplane wheels can work efficiently.
The several aeroplanes are caused to take the necessary angles. in
relation to the line of motion of the machine by the means now to be
described.
Each aeroplane is stretched partly by the pull or strain from centre to
periphery, and partly by a spar fitted to it as shewn, such spar being on
one side only, or byt wo spars, one on each side thereof, or the aeroplanes
may be made of double material with a spar between. Each spar has
two braces attached to it, one being an inelastic brace and the other an
elastic or spring brace. In Fig. 1 k, k, are the spring braces, and 1, 1,
the controlling braces. The spring braces simply draw the spar towards
its attachment. The controlling braces are acted upon in two ways;
first, one end is fixed to the after end of the spar or its aeroplane in an
opposite direction to the spring brace, so as to counteract the action of
the latter as required; secondly, the other end of the controlling brace
is rove through an eye at m, through which it passes to a ring on the
axle (Figures 2 and 4). This ring (herein-after described) is made
cabable of travelling from n to o (Fig. 2), and when drawn towards o it
is caused to draw and tighten all the controlling braces, and thereby to
decrease the pitch of all the aeroplanes, the spring braces yielding
thereto. Another part of the controlling brace is acted upon by another

page_text: cord or brace leading to the excentric p (also herein-after described).
This excentric acts with its maximum force upon the controlling braces
of the aeroplanes at 5, 5, (Figures 1 and 2), and with its minimum force
upon the aeroplanes at 1, 1, (Figures 1 and 2), and upon the inter-
mediate aeroplanes above and below in accordance with their respective
positions in relation to the excentric. The result of this combined
action of braces and excentric is such that each acroplane is successively
in its course caused to take a certain angle to the line of motion of the
machine, so that in the position numbered 1 (see Fig. 1) the acroplanes
are caused to press on the air downwards with their under side, no
pressure being received from the air on their upper sides, while at the
same time the angle taken is sufficient to produce forward motion, and
in this position (numbered 1) the pitch of the aeroplane is at its
maximum. When the aeroplanes arrive at the position No. 2 the pitch
becomes reduced; the pressure of air is still on the under side, and
continues until the acroplanes arrive at the vertical position No. 3,
where they are arranged with still decreasing pitch; and in the position
No. 3 no pressure is taken on either side, the pitch here being equal to the
forward motion at the speed realized. When the aeroplanes successively
arrive at the positions 4 and 5 their pitch is decreased by the action of
the excentric and braces, so that the air is allowed to act upon the under
side of such aeroplanes, and at the position No. 5 the aeroplanes attain
their minimum pitch. From the position No. 5 the pitch of each
aeroplane becomes successively increased until it arrives at the position
No. 7, receiving during these several changes of position pressure from
the air on the under side. At the position No. 7 the pitch becomes
neutral (as in the position No. 3), the aeroplane receiving no pressure
from the air on either side. In the position No. 8 the pitch is again
increased so that the under side of the aeroplane is caused to press or act
on the air, until at the position No. 1 such pressure attains a maximum,
exceeding the lifting pressure at the position No. 5.
And it is to be understood that this principle of revolving aeroplanes
with suitably varying angles as described. being caused to act on the air
so as to give upward and onward motion to the machine by the revolu-
tion of the internal half of the revolving aeroplanes, and also caused to
receive from the air upward pressure on the external half of the
revolving aeroplanes, forms or constitutes the essence of this part of
our Invention.

page_text: i, i, Fig. 5 is a side view of the axle i, i, (Figures 2 and 4) on an
enlarged scale with the rings and the excentric p; q is the central ring,
which revolves easily in a collar 1. The collar is fixed on the axle,
and the ring takes the cords which are fixed to the centre of the
aeroplanes. Fig. 6 is a transverse view of the ring and collar. §¹ and ¸²
are two similar collars and rings fixed to the two ends of the axle to
stretch the inner ends of the aeroplanes as required. The collar and
ring is capable of being slidden along the axle from n to o (see also
Fig. 2) by means of the cord t, which passes round the pulley u and
leads to the body a. Fig. 7 is a section of the axle i (of drawn or rolled
steel or other suitable material); Fig. 8 is a transverse view of the
excentric p. This can be made more or less excentric by means of the
rod x, by which it is caused to slide across the after end of the axle as
shewn, and thereby vary the pitch and the angle of the aeroplanes as
required. This excentric consists of a light frame with antifriction
wheels v, v, the excentric strap w revolving round the said antifriction
wheels, and as it revolves acting upon the controlling braces as shewn at
Fig. 1.
The two horizontal aeroplanes at the hinder part of the machine are
connected with the pendulum for the purpose of automatically preserving
the horizontal motion of the machine. This is effected by means of
cords leading from the pendulum y to the said horizontal steering
aeroplanes. If the head of the machine inclines downward the pen-
dulum moves forward, and by means of the said cords brings the angle
of the said steering acroplanes to a downward inclination, and so
continues until the machine again assumes a horizontal course, the
contrary effect taking place on the head of the machine inclining
upwards. It is preferable in practice to trim the machine slightly by
the stern, so that the horizontal steering aeroplanes may take some
pressure on their under side. Cords are also suitably connected to these
aeroplanes so as to move them by manual power independently of the
pendulum. The vertical rudder is worked only by manual power by
means of suitably attached cords. The pendulum is made to clip the
stay rope / sufficiently to prevent undue oscillation, but leaving it free to
act as above described.
h
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, we hereby declare that what we
claim as of our Invention is,―

page_text: First. The construction of acrial machines capable of being lifted and
propelled by the motive power therein contained by means of revolving
aeroplanes the surfaces of which are successively caused to be inclined
to the line of onward motion of the machine in such a manner that the
aeroplanes on one side of the neutral line will be caused to act down-
wards on the air with both a raising and propelling effect, while those
on the other side thereof will in their upward course be impinged upon
by the air with only a lifting tendency.
And secondly. The construction of acrial machines with vertically
reciprocating aeroplanes, adapted and worked so as to raise and propel
by the downward stroke and to receive on their under side a lifting
pressure from the air on their upward stroke.
In witness whereof, we, the said Thomas Moy and Richard Edmund
Shill, have hereunto set our hands and scals, the Twenty-ninth
day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-two.
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane,
Patent Agent.
THOS. MOY. (L.S.)
R. E. SHILL. (L.S.)