IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING AERIAL LOCOMO- TION, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO ROTARY STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1868

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Philip Edward Masey at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
6th February 1868.
I, PHILIP EDWARD MASEY, of Regent's Park, in the County of
Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY OR APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING AERIAL LOCOMO-
TION, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO ROTARY STEAM ENGINES
AND BOILERS FOR OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in machinery or apparatus
for obtaining aerial locomotion by means of a series of rotating vanes
or blades mounted on axes (above the machine) actuated by a rotary
steam engine and boiler of improved construction, such rotary engine
and boiler being applicable for obtaining and transmitting motive
power for other purposes.
The rotating mechanism for actuating the axes of the series of
rotating vanes or blades mounted on the framework of the aerial
machine is fixed on the top of the steam boiler, the central shaft or

page_text: axis having a drum or pulley mounted thereon, around which a hollow
flexible or other endless strap passes and drives four or other suitable
number of axes, by preference of tubular steel, upon which a series of
blades or vanes are mounted, by the rapid rotation of which the machine
is caused to rise, and is kept suspended in the air. The blades or vanes
may be of wood, feather edged and strengthened with iron straps (or
of other materials) fixed to a collar upon the rotating axis; four or more
of these blades may be mounted on each axis.
The aerial machine is propelled in a horizontal direction by means
of a revolving fan or fans mounted on a horizontal shaft furnished with
similar blades or vanes to those above described, and actuated by one
or more of the vertical axes arranged with suitable reversing gear, the
direction of the machine being guided by means of a rudder mounted
behind one of the fans on the horizontal propelling axis. To the lower
ends of the vertical axes the floor or platform of the machine is
attached, upon which the steam engine and boiler is mounted. Wheels
or rollers are mounted on the under side of the platform for the
machine to move upon when required.
The improved arrangement and construction of boiler which I employ
for suppling steam to the rotary engine which actuates the series of
rotating blades or vanes of the aerial machine, consists of a number
of vertical tubes with internal tubes to increase the circulation, such
tubular boiler being somewhat similar in construction to what is
generally known as "Field's" boiler; but in my improved arrangement
I omit the "bafller," and occupy the central space with tubes the
same as the rest of the boiler. To the top edge of the fire-box I apply
a conical flue which conducts the smoke and products of combustion
through or in contact with the water chamber or spaces terminating
in an ordinary smoke funnel. Four or other number of water spaces
are formed accross this cone by means of tubular connections. Or I
conduct the flue perpendicularly from the edge of the fire-box, such
flue surrounding the water space and passing over the top of the boiler,
So as to make a double casing to which the escape funnel may be
attached. The effect of this alteration is to obtain a much greater
amount of heating surface and a more perfect subtraction of heat.
The improved rotatory machine or steam engine which I employ for
actuating the vanes or blades of the series of revolving fans for elevating

page_text: and propelling the aerial machine constructed according to my In-
vention, consists of two short circular cases placed one inside the
other at a short distance apart, the intermediate space between their
peripheries constituting the steam cylinder. The outer case is fixed
to a frame upon the boiler, the inner case to which the axis or shaft
is attached revolving therein. The inner case has two projections on
its outer surface and at opposite points, which act as pistons moving
round in the space before mentioned. Both cases have bottom plates,
that of the outer revolving in contact with the fixed plate, both of these
plates having holes in them for the admission of steam, thus acting as
rotating valves. To form a base or stop for the steam to act against
a valve is hinged on the outer case, and rests with its opposite edge
on the inner case, thus crossing and tightly fitting the cylinder. On
steam being admitted, the piston together with the inner circular
case makes half a revolution within the circumference of the outer
case, when the steam escapes through a waste port in the outer case..
Directly the piston begins to move the action of the bottom plate cuts
the steam off and the rest of the movement is due to the expansion of
the steam. At the time the piston aforesaid is reaching the waste
port, a second piston has by means of a projecting incline from it
opened the hinged valve, and having passed it arrives in position for
the entrance of the steam, which again enters the steam chamber,
and so on in succession during the revolution of the inner case. The
hinged valve as the piston passes it is forced into a recess in the outer
case, and by steam which is admitted into a small chamber at the
back of it is again driven back into its normal position. Or the pin
of the hinge or joint is brought through the outer case and moves the
valve by a spring attached to the pin; or I place a spring in a recess
formed inside the outer case which presses against the valve to close it.
In order that the valve may move freely it is kept clear of the top
and bottom plates by these plates being slightly sunk, this sinking
forming a rebate against which the valve shuts. If necessary I propose
putting an edging of leather or other suitable material on the valve
to make a more perfect fitting joint. The edges of the piston are
constructed of metal packing kept tight by steam admitted to the
back of same.
The rotary engine above described may be arranged with three pistons
if desired. Inclines may be placed on each side of the pistons with

page_text: suitable arrangements of inlet and exhaust ports for reversing the
engine when required. And rotary engines and boilers of the improved
construction previously described may be applied for transmitting power
for other purposes than that herein described for propelling aerial
machines.