New or Improved Apparatus for Propelling Navigable Vessels.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1896-Accepted, 27th Feb., 1397
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Apparatus for Propelling Navigable Vessels.
I, CARL WILHELM ROMULUS ECHTERMEYER, of 3 Julienstrasse, Cassel, in the-
Empire of Germany, Building Contractor, 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:-
The object of the present invention is an apparatus by means of which the motive-
power of the wind may be made use of in a manner more convenient than has been
possible by the sails hitherto employed. The new apparatus is illustrated in the
accompanying drawings:
Figure 1. is a view showing the arrangement of the machinery and appliances for
propelling the vessel.
Figures 2. and 3. are details.
For the propulsion of the vessel wind-wheels are employed, these being placed at
different heights as may be suitable for taking advantage of the prevalent wind
currents at such heights and utilizing them for the purpose of propulsion. The
lattice pole or mast a which is strengthened by the stays b. b, and up to which the
guiding stay c is carried, supports the wind motor d which is brought up against.
the wind by means of the steering wing or sail e. The rotation of the wind wheel
causes a rotation of the perpendicular shafts f and f, which by means of the bevel
wheels y, h, g, h, cause a rotation of the shaft i extending lengthwise along the
ship.
The rotation of this shaft is transmitted to the actual propelling shaft k in the
following manner :-
On the end of the shaft is keyed a bevel wheel which engages with the bevel
wheel m, the last named being keyed to the same axle as the larger bevel wheel n..
On the propeller shaft & is seated a coupling o supporting the two bevel wheels pand g.
The coupling o is attached to the propeller shaft in the usual manner by means
of a groove and a spring in such a way that it can be pushed out sideways by
means of the handle r, but nevertheless takes part in the rotary movement of the.
shaft k. According to whether the bevel wheel p or the bevel wheel 9 is brought
into engagement with the bevel wheel n by means of the hand lever r, the shaft k
is rotated to the right or to the left, the screw S being accordingly worked forwards
or backwards. It has been already observed that the two wind wheels work at
different heights, in order to take advantage of the corresponding wind currents..
Under certain circumstances this may cause the two wind wheels to have different.
speeds of rotation, which would exercise an unfavourable effect on the propeller
shaft k. Accordingly the bevel wheel g is not keyed to the shaft but is connected
therewith by means of a coupling specially illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.
bevel wheel sits loosely on the shaft and is provided on its upper surface with
a toothing which corresponds with the toothing of a couplings (Figure 3);
this toothing participates in the rotation of the shaft f, by means of the projections t.
The toothing may, however, be pushed upwards against the compressed spring u
which tends to keep the couplings and the bevel wheel g engaged. Supposing
now, that the wind wheel amidships, in the position of the main mast, should have a
greater speed of rotation than the foremast wheel, the shaft i would have a certain.
The-

page_text: degree of rotation in excess of that of the shaft of the foremast wheel; therefore,
as the teeth of the coupling are arranged obliquely in a downward direction, the
couplings would be pressed upwards and the coupling of the bevel wheel would
be released from the shaft of the foremast. If the speed of rotation of the shaft
of the mainmast be diminished again, the spring u will again complete the
mentioned coupling.
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 :-
degree of rotation in excess of that of the shaft of the foremast wheel; therefore,
as the teeth of the coupling are arranged obliquely in a downward direction, the
couplings would be pressed upwards and the coupling of the bevel wheel g would
be released from the shaft of the foremast. If the speed of rotation of the shaft
of the mainmast be diminished again, the spring u will again complete the
mentioned coupling.
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 :-
1. The new or improved apparatus for propelling navigable vessels substantially
as set forth.
2. In apparatus for the purpose specified, the employment of coupling gear
substantially as set forth with reference to Figures 2 and 3.
For the Applicant,
J. G. LORRAIN, M.I.E.E., M.I. Mech. E.,
Norfolk House, Victoria Embankment, London, W.C.,.
Chartered Patent Agent.