IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANICAL APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING, NAVIGATING, AND GOVERNING SHIPS AND OTHER PROJECTILE BODIES, APPLICABLE ALSO TO VENTILATION
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Welch, of No. 27, King Street, Southsea,
Portsmouth, in the County of Hants, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN MECHANICAL APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING, NAVIGATING, AND GOVERNING
SHIPS AND OTHER PROJECTILE BODIES, APPLICABLE ALSO TO VENTILATION."
Sealed the 5th July 1864, and dated the 12th January 1864
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Welch at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th
January 1864.
I, WILLIAM WELCH, of No. 27, King Street, Southsea, Portsmouth, in
the County of Hants, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANICAL APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING, NAVIGATING, AND
GOVERNING SHIPS AND OTHER PROJECTILE BODIES, APPLICABLE ALSO TO VENTILATION,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in mechanical apparatus
for propelling, navigating, and governing ships and other projectile bodies,
applicable also to ventilation, and relates to the principles of construction,
method of working, and the positions and forms described by the acting
surfaces thereby produced. The acting surfaces or blades of the apparatus
shall consist either of geometrical, plane, or curvilinear surfaces, whose
configurations and perimeter shall be produced from entire or sectional
figures derived from the points of osculations and intersections of right or
curved lines, traced within the circu:nference of a spherical surface or a cir-
Price 8d 1

page_text: cumscription equal to the diameter of the propelling or steering apparatus
required.
The combinations of such entire or sectional figures either in one fixed or
in separate and circumrotary forms producing a series of single or double
action centrifugal, centripetal, or parallactic refracting surfaces capable of
being used on any part of the projected body, or at any angle incidental with its
centre of rotation, acting either in a fixed or retroflex position during its cycle
on the principles of the "screw," and combining the elements of a progressive,
retrograde, stationary, and neutral power, ranging over any intermediate
angle of degrees in the capacity of propelling or steering apparatus either
in separate or combined forms. The amount of effective pressure being thus
immediately realized, applied, and adjusted at pleasure to suit any angle of
gradation or position without loss of power, and where applied as a steering
power alone for ships, a greater amount of effective, protrusive, or reacting
surface can be realised with less expenditure of power than with the common
rudder forms, and a more clear and effective run secured for the action of the
propeller when applied "astern" on the principle of the "screw."
The object of this improvement is the practical resolve and developement of
the descriptive geometrical theory as propounded in my previous Patent,
(dated 17th October 1861, No. 2584), for the purposes of producing by the
action of centripetal, centrifugal, or parallactic forces a more universal,equable,
and effectual mechanical apparatus for propulsion, steering, and governing
ships and other projectile and fluid bodies acting on the principles of the
"screw," and also for ventilating mines, ships, and other scientific and practical
purposes s conformable with the principles of dynamics, hydraulics, and pneu-
matics, acting either in separate or combined forms in single, duplicate, or
other power in any position or angle of gradation with its centre of rotation,
and thereby realizing a forward, backward, right-handed, left-handed, neutral,
or polarizing power, obtainable either with or without a reversion of the
driving axis,as also placing the propelled or projected body under effective and
immediate control by the point or power of action or re-action being pro
duced in the centre of motion, or as otherwise desired.
In order that my Invention may be fully and practically comprehended, I
hereby proceed to describe the same, reference being had to the illustrative
Sheet of Drawings hereto annexed, and the references as marked thereon.
Figure 1, the originating form represents a sphere equal to the diameter of
the required propeller or apparatus on the surface of the sphere, I describe six
equal circleswhose circumferences shall be tangible to each other,their centres
constituting a triple axes through the spheres, such as would be produced from

page_text: <
the "cardinal" and polar points of the "globe" as thereby shewn on Figurel.
Through the central and tangible points of these intersections I describe
great circles" intersecting in the centres of the circumjacent triangular
spaces between the circumferences of the six circles and equidistant from their
centres furnishing central points for eight smaller circles tangible to those
already described, as also supplying additional axial or polar points; any ot
which, including also the triple axes, shall form fixed central points of projection
or axes of revolution, either of the curved or right lines thus produced being
traced around the entire circumference will divide the surface of the sphere
into two equal parts from the lines thus determined; the curvilinear or plane
surfaces of revolution are produced intersecting in the centre of the sphere at
the point where the axes unite in the following manner, videlicet, from any
point of intersection or osculation set off on any determined line (right and
left) any number of equal distances meeting on the opposite side from these
points, draw straight lines parallel with the opposing axis, the intersections of
which will produce the desired curvilinear or plane surfaces of the blades for
the apparatus. An entire curvilinear form as described from the lines of pro-
jection of the six equal circles, and the triple axes producing a complete
universal spherical helix, as shewn on Figures 2, 3, and 4, either axes of
revolution supplied with a suitable "boss" at the line of shafting shall con-
stitute the driving axis, and the entire or any sectional portion of the surfaces
shall be used. The form or configurations depending upon the working
position and requirements, the revolutions per minute, and the amount of
driving power to be consumed. Sectional surfaces are shown on Figures
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
. In order that the apparatus as described may be made conducive to the
practical purposes of steering,governing, and ventilation, and blowing, I supply
a mechanical arrangement at the driving axis of cylindrical or other figure
as shown in Figure 16, to which the entire or sectional acting surfaces of
revolution are attached and secured, and by which means they are caused to
revolve by single or double action about one of the opposite line of axis, and
thus producing by combined operations either a progressive, retrograde,
stationary, or neutral power as shewn on Figures 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, the
surfaces are thus adjusted at pleasure to suit any required angle of gradation,
power, or position by the operation of governing rods or arms as shewn on
Figure 17 made applicable by fittings on the shafting as shewn on Figures
13, 14, 15, or by screw, slide lever, or other common method, and acting
also for regulating the stop or throttle valves for checking or admitting the
required steam or other power to be exerted on the driving shafting.

page_text: Any number of the apparatus may be used on one body, either with or
without a reversionary action of the engines or shafting, and will be equally
effective in vertical, horizontal, or other positions, and especially applicable
to bodies for marine and atmospheric propulsion and navigation as shewn
on Figure 24.
Where specially applied for steering and governing purposes only, I
prefer the form of surfaces and method of working as produced on Figures
22, and 23.
For purposes of ventilation and blowing, the apparatus is simply driven at
the entrance or exit of the openings of one or more passages or conduits, and
by its continued revolutionary and reversible action a constant, equable, or
other desired temperature or current is produced and regulated at pleasure.
And for the purposes of directing and governing projectile bodies, such as
propelled from ordnance, I furnish the front of the projectile with either
form of the apparatus as described, being attached within or at its leaving
the "muzzle" by an axis of revolution supplied at its centre, the velocity of
the projected body producing the necessary rotation, division, and easier
displacement of the atmosphere, and thereby in its passage of flight more
effectively directed and propelled.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention of improvements
in apparatus for propelling, steering, and governing purposes, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed and applied, I would remark that
what I claim as my Invention is, the mode of construction and action of the
parts described so as to combine the forms of their acting surfaces and
configurations produced in the manner shown by the accompanying Draw-
ings, as herein described for the purposes set forth.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Welch in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
July 1864,
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
WELCH, of No. 27, King Street, Southsea, Portsmouth, in the County of
Hants, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of Her

page_text: reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Welch, Her special licence that I, the said William Welch
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Welch, 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 MECHANICAL
APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING, NAVIGATING, AND GOVERNING SHIPS AND OTHER
PROJECTILE BODIES, APPLICABLE ALSO TO VENTILATION," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Welch, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands 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 William Welch do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
My improvements apply to the configurations or form of the blades and
mode of action of apparatus for propulsion, steering, and governing ships
and other bodies (floating or projectile) in fluid or atmospheric medium, and
also for ventilation and blowing purposes.
In order that my Invention may be fully and practically comprehended, I
hereby proceed to describe the same, reference being had to the illustrative
Sheet of Drawings hereto annexed and the references as marked thereon.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1, the originating form, represents a sphere equal to the diameter
of the required propeller or apparatus on the surface of the sphere, I describe
six equal circles whose circumferences shall be tangible to each other, their
centres constituting a triple axis through the sphere such as would be pro-
duced from the "cardinal and polar points of the globe" as shown on Figure 1.
Through the central and tangible points of these intersections I describe
"
great circles" intersecting in the centres of the circumjacent triangular
spaces between the circumferences of the six circles and equidistant from their
centres, furnishing central points for eight smaller circles tangible to those
already described as also supplying additional axial or polar points, any of which

page_text: including also the triple axes shall form fixed central points of projection or
axes of revolution. Either of the curved or right lines thus produced being
traced around the entire circumference will divide the surface of the sphere
into two equal parts. From the lines thus determined the curvilinear or plane
surfaces of revolution are produced,intersecting in the centre of the sphere at
the point where the axes unite in the following manner, vizt., from any point of
intersection or osculation set off on any determined line (right or left) any
number of equal distances meeting on the opposite side, from these points
draw straight lines parallel with the opposing line of axis, the intersections of
which will produce the desired curvilinear or plane surfaces of the blades for
the apparatus. An entire curvilinear form as described from the lines of
projection of the six equal circles and the triple axes producing a complete
equatorial or universal spherical helix as shewn on Figures 2, 3, and 4.
Either of the axes of revolution supplied with a suitable "boss" at the line of
shafting shall constitute the driving axis and the entire or any sectional
portions of the surfaces or numbers of blades thereof shall be used, the form
or configurations depending upon the working position and requirements, the
revolutions per minute, and the amount of driving power to be consumed.
Sectional surfaces are shown on Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.
In order that the apparatus may be made conducive to the practical purposes
of steering, governing, and ventilation and blowing, 1 supply mechanical
arrangements at the driving axis of cylindrical or other figures as shown on
Figures 18, 19, 20, to which the entire or sectional surfaces of revolution are
attached and secured,and by which means they are caused to revolve by single
or double action about one of the opposing line of axes,and thus producing by
their combined operation's either a progressive, retrograde, stationary, or
neutral power as shewn on Figures 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, the blades are thus
adjusted at pleasure by engine or other power to suit any required angle of
gradation, power, or position by the operation of governing rods or arms made
applicable by fittings on the line of shafting as shown on Figures 15, 16,
and 17,or by means of screw,slide lever, or other common method, and acting
also for regulating the stop or throttle valves for admitting the required steam
or other power to be exerted on the driving shafting. Any number of the
apparatus may be used on one body with or without a reversionary action of
the engines or shafting and will be equally effective in vertical, horizontal, or
other position, and especiallyapplicable to bodies for marine and atmospheric
propulsion and navigation as shewn on Figures 26 and 27, where specially
applied for steering and governing purposes of ships, only I prefer the forms
of surfaces and method of working as produced on Figure 26. Ard for

page_text: purposes of ventilation and blowing the apparatus is simply driven at the
entrance or exit of the openings of one or more passages or conduits, and by
its combined revolutionary and reversible action a constant, equable, or other
desired temperature or current is produced and regulated at pleasure. And
for the purposes of directing and governing projectile bodies, such as propelled
from ordnance, I furnish the front of the projectile with either form of the
apparatus described being attached within or at its leaving the muzzle by an
axis of revolution supplied at its centre. The velocity of the projected body
producing the necessary rotation, division, and easier displacement of the
atmosphere, and thereby in its passage or flight more effectively directed and
propelled.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention of improvements
in apparatus for propelling,steering, and governing purposes, and the manner
in which the same is to be performed and applied, I would remark that what
I claim as my Invention intended to be secured to me by the herein part
recited Letters Patent is, the mode of construction and action of the parts
described so as to combine the forms of their acting surfaces and configura-
tions produced in the manner shewn by the accompanying Drawings, as
herein described and for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Welch, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fourth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
WILLIAM WELCH. (L.S.)