Improvements in and relating to Reciprocating Propellers for Vessels.
Year: 1889

page_text: • Complete Specification Left, 14th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 3rd May, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Reciprocating Propellers for
Vessels.
I, SAMUEL SNELLENBURG, residing at the corner of Market and Twelfth Streets, in
the City and County of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, one of the United
States of America, Manufacturer, 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:―
My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in reciprocating or
vibrating propellers for vessels.
The object of the invention is to provide a propelling means for vessels, which
consists of a sliding or reciprocating frame connected with actuating means, as the
piston of an engine, the said frame being mounted on guides and carrying a series of
floats or paddles which are mounted in the sliding frame to contact with transverse
bars or stops carried by vertically moving bars, said bars engaging with a rod for
raising the same so that the paddles will be permitted to move past the stops when
it is desired to reverse the action of the floats or paddles; the whole being mounted in.
suitable frames secured to the vessel between the keels thereof, and also between the
twin propellers; as will be hereinafter more fully set forth and particularly pointed
out in the claims.
Referring to the accompanying Drawings:
Figure 1, is a side view, partly in section, of my improved reciprocating propeller:
showing its application to a vessel;
Figure 2, is a vertical longitudinal sectional view;
Figure 3, is a rear elevation, and―
Figure 4, is a detail view of one of the paddles or floats.
A, refers to the hull of the vessel, which may be constructed in the usual manner,
though it is preferably provided with two keels at its rear portion and with twin
screws or propellers.
In front of the twin screws or propeller blades and between the same in the arch.
formed in the hull between the keels are secured by any suitable means two frames, B, B,.
having open ends and bottoms, the front ends of the side walls being inclined as
shown. It is immaterial as to how these frames are secured to the vessel, as they may
be built to suit the special construction of the vessel, though it is essential that the
supporting frames should be rigid and provided with vertical sides, B¹; these side:
pieces which in practice are four in number, two casings being used upon a vessel, are'
provided with inwardly extending guide rails, b, and, 61, the upper guides having
their inner edges bent over to extend downwardly while the lower ones extend
upwardly. These guides serve as direct supports for the reciprocating frames, C.
The reciprocating frames, C, are made up of side pieces, C₁, to the outer edges of
which are rigidly secured strips, c, and, c', the upper and lower edges of which extend
in opposite directions to retain in place anti-friction rollers, d, upon which the
frames, C, slide. The side pieces, C³, of the reciprocating frame, C, are rigidly.
connected to each other by transverse plates, e, e, e¹, and, f, as well as the cross-bars, f
1 Price 811

page_text: upon which the paddles or floats are hinged. The transverse bars, f¹, are preferably
made of flat or rectangular metal and their edges are beveled to offer but little
resistance to the water, and flat bars with beveled edges can be substituted for the
rods, ff, where desired. The rod connecting with the actuating mechanism or piston
rod is bolted or otherwise secured to the transverse bars; e¹. The transverse bars, f),
have their edges cut away at suitable points to provide rounded portions-upon which
are hinged the paddles or floats, F, said paddles being made of metal or wood re-
enforced with metal when it is desired to provide buoyancy, and when such are
employed the rests or stops, f, may be dispensed with: The floats, F, ordinarily rest
upon the rods or supports, f, when the propeller is being moved to an operative position,
and it will be observed that these rods or supports are located slightly above the plane
of the bars, f, so that the floats will be held at a proper angle which is of about one
inch to the foot, and will catch against the water so as to be immediately raised to a
vertical position when the frames, C, are moved either backward or forward...
G, refers to the vertical bars secured to the sides, C', by bolts which pass through
slots, g, and these vertically moving bars have offsets, h, to which are secured trans-
verse rods, i, with which the ends of the blades.contact. The upper ends of these
vertically moving bars, G, are connected by transverse pieces; 91, upon which are:
secured straps, g, and within these straps plays a sliding bar, I, supported by means
of the depending loops or straps, j, adjacent to which the under edge of the bar, I,
is cut away at two different points to provide the recesses, ¹, which recesses are
close to each other to provide a short intermediate space. The horizontally sliding
bar. I; and vertically sliding bars, G, provide a means for reversing the floats so that
the vessel can be propelled either backwards or forwards. The loops or straps which
maintain the bar, I, in position are beveled or shaped to correspond with the
configuration of the recesses, ¹. To reverse the action of the paddles but one stroke
of the reversing bar or lever is necessary, as by throwing the said lever it will move
the bar, I, to elevate the frame, G, and permit the blades to pass under the stops, i,
after which the frame, G, drops by reason of the other recess, 2, fitting over the
loop, j, which operation will cause the paddles to exert an opposite pressure upon the
water to propel the vessel in an opposite direction.
When desired the sliding bar, I, can be supported within the loops, j, at the flat
space between the angular recesses, ¹, which will retain the frame, G, in an elevated
position and allow the paddles to have free movement. backward and forward, thus
rendering them inoperative.
It will be observed that the blades or paddles are very narrow in proportion to their
length, and when they are so shaped they will be thrown quickly, in position, and a
larger number of paddles may be used than are shown in the drawings.
The paddles are provided with loops, as shown in Figure 4; which form the hinges
so that they can be readily attached and detached.
When in operation one of the sets of paddles may be set to propel the vessel forward,
while the other set acts in the reverse direction, which operation will assist in bringing
the vessel about.
Heretofore. it has been proposed to provide propellers for vessels which consist of:
two or more reciprocating paddles which have either been pivoted centrally; or hung.
upon pivotal. supports; such. construction in practice has proved objectionable for.
many reasons which it is deemed unnecessary to herein. mention. It has also been
proposed to pivot the floats near their centres and provide stops which engage with
the lower portions of the floats so that the same floats may be used for propelling, the
vessel either backward or forward. In practice I propose to employ a number of
floats in each frame or casing arranged in both horizontal and vertical series, and said
floats are pivoted at their ends. so that those on the reverse stroke will' incline
upwardly.
By this construction and arrangement many advantages are attained, among which
may be mentioned: First, that-the blades act quickly to be brought into an operative
position'; Second, should there be any obstructions in the water they will either slide
over the floats or contact with the rigid transverse bars so as not to interfere or

page_text: obstruct the operation of the paddles; also by providing a large number of narrow
paddles in a vertical series they will have more area and will act more quickly and
effectively upon the water, and greater power is obtained from the use of a series of
paddles than from one paddle of the same area, and there is less strain upon the engine
and greater power developed.
This device is adapted to be used in connection with twin propellers located on each
side of the stern-post, and by properly gearing the parts the same engine or motor
can be used for operating the reciprocating propellers as is used for rotating the
screws.
In order to give a uniform motion to the vessel two frames are used, one being
geared to move forward, while the other is moving aft.
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-
First: In a reciprocating propeller for vessels, the combination of a suitable frame
having horizontal guideways, a sliding frame mounted on said guideways and provided
with a series of transverse bars upon which are hinged floats or paddles, vertically-
sliding bars carrying transverse rods or stops against which the ends of the blades
abut, so as to be held in a vertical position, and a notched bar supported in hangers
having V-shaped portions upon which said notches lie for vertically moving said
sliding bars, so that the floats may pass under the transverse bars or stops carried
thereby, substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.
Second: The combination, in a reciprocating propeller, of a casing having an open
bottom and ends, sliding frames carrying a number of paddles or floats arranged in
vertical or horizontal series, said floats or paddles being hinged to rigid cross-bars,
bars, ff, and movable bars carried by vertically-movable bars, G, and means for
adjusting said bars the sliding frames being mounted upon inter-locking ways having
anti-friction rollers, substantially as shown, and for the purpose set forth.
Third: The combination of two or more sliding frames carrying vertically-
adjustable bars having stops thereon, said bars having stops for limiting the vertical
movement thereof, a series of hinged paddles carried by the frames, so as to swing
upwardly upon the said pivots, a notched bar, I, supported in loops, j, said bar
passing beneath transverse bars attached to the vertically sliding bars, G, so that
said bars, G,, may be raised when the bar, I, is moved rearwardly to permit the
paddles to swing under the stops, i, substantially as shown and for the purpose
set forth.
Fourth The combination, with a sliding frame, carrying a series of paddles, of a
vertically moving frame, G, and a sliding bar, I, for operating the frame, G, said
bar having adjacent to its support two notches to engage with the loops, j, so that
when the bar, I, is moved the frame, G, will be raised and lowered, substantially
as described.
Fifth The combination, with the sliding frame, carrying a series of hinged paddles
and permanent or immovable stops therefor, of a vertically-moving frame, G, carrying
stops or cross-bars, and loops through which passes the sliding bar, I, said bar being
suspended in loops, j, the cross-pieces of which are angular, said bar, I, having two
sets of notches to engage with the loops, j, and a lever for operating said bar, the parts
being organized substantially as set forth.
14 of D
1000
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.