Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 13th July, 1886
Complete Left, 13th Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 13th May, 1887
I, GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the General Patent Office No. 4, South Street,
Finsbury, in the county of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention comprises a horizontal engine with cylinder in a line parallel with
the keel of the vessel, and a large fly wheel lying flat at the bottom of the ship: the
piston rod passing through both ends of the cylinder, is united to a shaft which passes
through a stuffing box in a large cylinder fixed at the stern of the vessel below the
water line and having one end open to the water. A close fitting piston works in the
large cylinder at the same speed and travelling the same distance as the piston of the
steam cylinder. The effect of this arrangement is that a direct thrust against the
water is obtained at each stroke of the engine and the vessel is propelled forward at a
considerable speed. In large vessels, when an auxiliary cylinder is used for starting,
the main steam cylinder may be single acting, thus greatly economising the steam.
The experiments hitherto made, give promise of a great increase in speed. An air
shaft from back of large cylinder is carried up to any desired distance above the deck;
the air which is continually pumped in and out, could be utilized for ventilation of
all parts of the ship.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Propelling Ships.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK REDFERN, of the General Patent Office, No. 4, South Street,
Finsbury, in the county of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention (a communication from abroad by George Alfred Poole, of Boulogne-sur-
Mer, in the republic of France,) and in what manner the same is to be performed to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention comprises an improved marine engine, having its cylinder placed
horizontally and parallel to the keel of the vessel. A fly-wheel is used and fixed
near the lower end of a vertical crank shaft, the wheel lying horizontally and as low down
in the vessel as possible. The wheel may be permanently boxed in or decked over, the
bearings being above it and easily got at for tightening up or oiling. The fly wheel is
securely attached to the crank shaft by a pin passing through the crank shaft, and
projecting on each side, the projections being about equal to the diameter of the pin
which should be one-fifth or one-sixth of the diameter of the shaft. Recesses are cut
in the hub of the wheel, on its lower side, exactly fitting the projecting ends of the
pin, and when in place, the pin is completely embedded, and can neither work loose,
nor be accidentally broken off. The piston-rod of the steam-engine passes through
a stuffing box in each end of the cylinder, and the end of the piston-rod furthest away
from the fly-wheel is coupled to the piston rod or shaft of the propelling-piston, which
being fitted with non-corrosive piston rings, should work perfectly water-tight in the
large cylinder placed in the stern of the vessel and called hereinafter the stern
cylinder. An air-shaft is connected with the closed end of the stern cylinder, and carried
to any desired height above the deck of the vessel. By means of the said air-shaft, free
ingress and egress of air is allowed between the closed end of the stern cylinder and
the propelling piston, as it moves rapidly backwards and forwards at the same rate
and with the same length of stroke as the piston in the steam cylinder. The pro-
pelling piston thus deriving its motion direct from the steam-cylinder, is forced out-
wards against the water at the vessel's stern, with the full power of the steam-engine,
in the direction most favorable for overcoming the inertia of the vessel. In other
words the whole resistance of the water to the propelling piston is in a direction
towards the stern of the vessel, and in overcoming the said resistance, the whole
power of the steam engine is utilised in propelling the vessel.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will proceed to describe how
the same can be carried into practise by reference to the accompanying drawings.
In figure 1, A is the fly-wheel, B the crank shaft, C. C. the piston rod, D the steam
cylinder, E the shaft or piston rod of the propelling piston, F, the 'stern cylinder,
Gis the air-shaft, and Ha small tap for drawing off any water that may leak past the
propelling piston, or, if necessary a small force-pump can be attached to it.

page_text: In figure 2, K is the frame, B the crank shaft, M M the bearings and A the fly-
wheel, which is supported entirely from above, and is intended to be decked over.
Figure 3 illustrates the method of securely attaching the fly wheel to the crank
shaft, AA are the ends of the pin passing through the shaft, and B B the recesses
cut in the hub of the wheel to receive them.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :——-
1. A horizontal marine engine, having a horizontal fly-wheel, and coupled to a pro-
pelling piston, as and for the purpose described.
2. The manufacture and use of the improved machinery hereinbefore described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.