IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLERS FOR NAVIGABLE VESSELS, AND IN ENGINES FOR ACTUATING THE SAME, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Spencer, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLERS
FOR NAVIGABLE VESSELS, AND IN ENGINES FOR ACTUATING THE SAME, PARTS OF
WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Sealed the 7th August 1862, and dated the 12th February 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Spencer at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th
February 1862.
I, THOMAS SPENCER, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRO-
PELLERS FOR NAVIGABLE VESSELS, AND ENGINES FOR ACTUATING THE SAME, PARTS
OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows (that is to
say:-
This Invention consists of a new form of propelling apparatus for navigable
vessels, and a peculiar description of rotary steam engine for actuating the
same, which engine is also applicable to other purposes, and the propeller may
be used as a substitute for the common under-shot water wheel. The propeller
consists of a number of paddle floats, each formed with three long narrow
leaves or feathers radiating from the longitudinal face of an axle or common
centre, and fixed at an angle of 120° to each other. These paddles are mounted
loosely on their longitudinal axis, parallel to each other, baving their bearings
at each end supported on two endless chains, which are stretched out in an hori-
zontal direction and work over pulleys. The outer pair of pulleys are mounted
in moveable bearings, so that the outer or stern end of the apparatus may be

page_text: lowered down or elevated at pleasure, according to the load draught of the
vessel. This propelling apparatus is placed in a well or recess formed in the
stern of the vessel to which it is applied. The driving power used to actuate
the propelling apparatus consists of a rotary steam engine, having a fixed
cylinder consisting of a hollow ring, in which revolves one or more pistons
mounted on radial arms springing from a centre transverse shaft, having its
axis in the centre of the so formed cylinder. The cylinder is fitted with one,
two, or more inlet, and one, two, or more outlet valves; a sliding diaphragm
is introduced between each inlet and outlet valve, forming surface pieces
dividing the cylinder, and the sides of which act alternately as an abutting
surface for the steam, and to divide it from the exhaust. These sliding
diaphragms are actuated from the centre shafts by a cam or eccentric motion.
The engine is connected to the propelling apparatus by a cog wheel keyed on
to the centre shaft, from which the radial arms carrying the pistons spring
and gears into a second cog wheel on the shaft containing the two inner
pulleys, over which the endless chains carrying the propeller floats work.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Spencer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
August 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
SPENCER, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Ier heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Thomas Spencer, Her special licence that I, the said Thomas Spencer, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas
Spencer, my 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
PROPELLERS FOR NAVIGABLE VESSELS, AND IN ENGINES FOR ACTUATING THE SAME,
PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition,
(amongst others) that I, the said Thomas Spencer, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands

page_text: 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 I, the said Thomas Spencer, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement (that is to say) :-
This my said Invention consists of a new form of propelling apparatus for
navigable vessels, and a peculiar description of rotary steam engine for actuating
the same, which engine is also applicable to other purposes, and the propeller
may be used as a substitute for the common under-shot water wheel. The
propeller consists of a number of paddle floats, each formed with threo long
narrow leaves or feathers radiating from the longitudinal face of an axle or
common centre, and fixed at an angle of 120° to each other. These paddles I
mount loosely on their longitudinal axis parallel to each other, having their
bearings at each end supported on two endless chains, which are stretched out
in an horizontal direction, and work over pulleys. The outer pair of pulleys I
mount in moveable bearings, so that the outer or stern end of the apparatus
may be lowered down or elevated at pleasure, according to the load draught of
the vessel. This propelling apparatus I place in a well or recess formed in the
stern of the vessel to which it is applied. The driving power I use to actuate
the propelling apparatus consists of a rotary steam engine, having a fixed
cylinder consisting of a hollow ring, in which revolves one or more pistons
mounted on radial arms, springing from a centre transverse shaft, having its
axis in the centre of the so formed cylinder. The cylinder is fitted with one,
two, or more inlet, and one, two, or more outlet valves. I introduce a sliding
diaphragm between each inlet and outlet valve, forming surface pieces dividing
the cylinder, and the sides of which act alternately as an abuting surface for
the steam, and to divide it from the exhaust. These sliding diaphragms are
actuated from the centre shafts by a cam or excentric motion. The engine I
connect to the propelling apparatus by a cog wheel keyed on to the centre
shaft, from which the radial arms carrying the pistons spring, and which gears
into a second cog wheel on the shaft containing the two inner pulleys, over
which the endless chains carrying the propeller floats work.
That this my said Invention may be the more readily seen and understood,
I have hereunto annexed Drawing in partial illustration of one modification of
my improved steam engine and propeller. Similar letters and figures marked
on the Drawing are intended to indicato like parts.

page_text: Figure 1 is a partial side elevation of my improved steam engine, and
Figure 2 is an end elevation of the same, constructed with four inlet and two
outlet or exhaust ports; Figure 3 is a plan of an excentric or cam rod for
actuating the diaphragm through; Figure 4, a cam which is keyed on to the
main shaft (B) and which in conjunction with the stud (d, on the rod seen at
Figure 3), works the diaphragm.
A, cylinder and frame; B, main shaft, which carries C, revolving piston;
D, sliding diaphragm or abutment plates actuated by the cam (e) and stud (d)
from the main shaft; E, the crosshead or cross bar of diaphragms; F, steam
inlet valves, seen with rods broken off, but which are actuated by a cam
motion from the main shaft G; the dotted lines down the centre of the
diaphragm show the passage for the admission of steam on both sides of tho
dividing plate; H, packing; I, the exhaust pipes, fitted with K, a throttle
valve, which is actuated by the main shaft through cam or excentric gear; L,
first driving wheel on the main shaft.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of propeller fitted with gear for elevating or
lowering the hinder pulleys over which the endless bands or chains carrying the
floats work; and Figure 6 is an end clevation of the same..
M, the body of the vessel; N, pulleys; O, endless chains, carrying P, the
floats; Q, circular guide or slot, in which the axis of the hinder pulleys travel;
R, screw gear for elevating or depressing the hinder part of the propeller; S,
cog wheel which gears into the first driving wheel (L. Figure 2).
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of this my said
Invention, and how the same may be performed, I wish it to be understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details or relative dimensions, as
the same may be varied without departing from the Invention; but what I do.
claim is, the peculiar arrangement and combination of the various parts, sub-
stantially and in the manner and for the purposes herein-before described and
set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Spencer, have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my seal, this Eleventh day of August, in the
vear of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
THOMAS (L.s.) SPENCER.