IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS' PROPELLERS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in
the County of Middlesex, and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of
Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SHIPS' PROPELLERS."-A communication from Benjamin Hill, at present
rosiding at Rochester in the Tinited States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson, at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
3rd April 1858.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North
Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SHIPS' PROPELLERS," a communication from Benjamin Hill,
at present residing at Rochester, in the United States of America, to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar construction and arrangement of that
class of ships' propellers known as paddle wheels; the objects of the Invention
being the obtainment of greater speed with a more steady movement of the
paddle wheels, and avoidance of loss of power from back lift, so objectionable

page_text: under the ordinary existing arrangements of propellers of this class. In fact,
the whole of the advantages derived from the use of feathering floats are
obtained by these improvements without the complexity of construction of the
ordinary feathering paddle.
According to this Invention, the floats which may be more properly
designated as valves or wings, are hinged either singly or in pairs to the radial
arms of the paddle wheels at right angles, or nearly so, with the paddle shaft.
And in order to secure their correct action, suitable springs of any convenient
and serviceable form, are fitted to the hinges of the valves or wings, which
springs tend always to keep the valves or wings open, or in such a position as
As
to present their edges to the water on entering and leaving the same.
these wings, however, become further submerged, the resistance of the water
overcomes the springs, and causes the wings to close and present their entire
flat surfaces to the action of the water. The valves or wings being supported
at both extremities, there is no peculiar force exerted on the hinges tending to
wrench them off their arms. The springs which have been found most
serviceable are constructed on the torsional principle, and consist of two or
more rods or wires twisted together in a manner similar to a wire rope; one
end of the spring is secured firmly into the hinge of the valve or wing, whilst
the other is held fixed in a socket on the arm of the paddle wheel. A covering
of india-rubber or gutta percha is employed to protect the springs from
corrosion. The force of these springs can be nicely adjusted by having an
intermediate socket capable of sliding along the arm and of gripping the spring
at any desired part, so as virtually to lengthen or shorten it according as less
or more force is required. Suitable rests for the wings are attached to any
convenient part of the wheel, so as to keep them at a slight angle when open,
and cushions of vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable material are placed
at those parts where the valves or wings rest when closed, so as to prevent
concussion. In order to render effective the reversing action of the wheel, it
is proposed to use fixed floats attached at any suitable angle to the centre rim
of the wheel. This arrangement would only be used, however, when single
valves or wings are employed, but it will be found preferable to use double
valves or wings acting in opposite directions, so that either set is brought into
action according to the direction of rotation of the wheel.
For river navigation, it is proposed to make the wheels conical, that is to
say, the sides of the wheels next the shore are of smaller diameter than the
sides next the boat, so that the increased shallowwness or gradual shelving of
the bed of the river from its banks will be allowed for, the paddle running less

page_text: risk of being injured by striking the bottom. Spiral guards may be placed
round the wheels, for the purpose of warding off ice or other floating bodies
Jikely to injure the valves or vings.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
and of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, by the said John Henry Johnson
in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th October 1858.
.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex, and
of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters.
Patent, bearing date the Third day of April, in the year of our Lord. One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, in the twenty-first year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Henry Johnson, Her special license that I, the said John Henry
Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said John Henry Johnson, my executors, dministrators, or 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 "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SHIPS' PROPELLERS," a communication from Benjamin Hill, at present
residing at Rochester, in the United States of America, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, 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 seven calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, 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, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and.
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-

page_text: The said Invention relates to certain peculiar constructions and arrange-
ments of that class of ships' propellers known as paddle wheels, the objects of
the Invention being the obtainment of greater speed with a more steady move-
ment of the paddle wheels, and avoidance of loss of power from back lift, so
objectionable under the ordinary existing arrangements of propellers of this
class. In fact, the whole of the advantages derived from the use of feathering
floats are obtained by these improvements without the complexity of con-
struction of the ordinary feathering paddle.
According to this Invention, the floats, which may be more properly
designated as valves or wings, are hinged either singly or in pairs to the
radial arms of the paddle wheels, at right angles or nearly so with the paddle
shaft. And in order to secure their correct action, suitable springs of any
convenient and serviceable form are fitted to the hinges of the valves or wings,
which springs tend always to keep the valves or wings open, or in such a
position as to present their edges to the water on entering and leaving the
same. As these wings, however, become further submerged, the resistance of
the water overcomes the springs, and causes the wings to close, and present
their entire flat surfaces to the action of the water. The valves or wings
being supported at both extremities, there is no tendency to wrench the floats
off their hinges. The springs which have been found most serviceable arc
constructed on the torsional' principle, and consist of two or more rods or
wires twisted together in a manner similar to a wire rope. One end of the
spring is secured firmly into the hinge of the valve or wing, whilst the other
is held fixed in a socket on the arm of the paddle wheel. A covering of
india-rubber or gutter percha may be employed to protect the springs from
corrosion by contact with the salt water. The force of these springs can be
nicely adjusted by having an intermediate socket capable of sliding along the
arın, and of gripping the spring at any desired part, so as virtually to lengthen
or shorten the spring according as less or more force is required. Suitable
rests for the wings are attached to any convenient part of the wheel, so as to
keep them at a slight angle when open, and cushions or pads of vulcanized
india-rubber or other suitable material are placed at those parts where the
valves or wings rest when closed, so as to prevent any jarring or violent
concussion.
In order to render effective the reversing action of the wheel, it is proposed
to use fixed floats attached at any suitable angle. to the centre rim and set of
arms of the wheel. This arrangement would only be used, however, when
single valves or wings are employed; but it will be found preferable to use

page_text: double valves or wings acting in opposite directions, so that either set is
brought into action according to the direction of rotation of the wheel.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose I shall
refer to the several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts throughout all the
corresponding Figures.
Figure 1 of the annexed Sheet of Drawings represents a complete side view.
of one modification of the improved propeller whilst in action, shewn partly
in elevation, and partly in section; and Figure 2 is a corresponding edge view
of the same. The framing of the propeller is similar to that of an ordinary
paddle wheel, consisting of a number of radial arms A in three series, arranged
side by side, and fitted into a central boss B on the propeller shaft C. The
arms of each series are connected at their outer ends by the wrought-iron
rings D, and each series are connected with the other by cross bars or tic
rods D'. In this modification a single set of wings E of wrought iron, wood,
or other suitable material, is hinged or jointed at F to the radial arms A of
the two outer series, the axial line of the hinge of each wing being in the
direction or nearly so of a radial line drawn from the centre of the wheel, so
as to be at or near a right angle to the paddle shaft. G, G, are torsional
springs, which serve to maintain the wings open, or in such a position as to
present their edges obliquely to the water on entering and leaving the same.
These springs are of a peculiar construction, and from their cheapness and
simplicity are well adapted to the purpose for which I propose to apply them.
They consist each of two or more slender steel rods or wires twisted together
in the form of a wire rope, as shewn in the enlarged detail at Figure 3. One
end of this spring is held fast, so as to prevent it from turning round in a socket
I fixed to one of the radial arms, whilst the opposite or outer end of the spring
is firmly held in the knuckle of the hinge at g, formed on the wing at its
inner end, or that nearest to the centre. An intermediate socket K. grips the
central portion of the spring, and is capable of being adjusted by sliding along
the radial arm A, so as virtually to lengthen or shorten the spring according
to the power required. The several sockets or holders for the springs may be
furnished with suitable set screws for the purpose of facilitating the gripping
or holding of the spring in a firm manner, and thereby prevent it from turning
or slipping round in its holders. It is thus obvious that the whole of the
several hinged wings will have the power of closing down, so as to make their
surfaces form a plane at right angles to the pressure of the water, on meeting

page_text: with sufficient resistance therefrom, and of again resuming (by the action of
their respective springs) an open position on the resistance of the water being
diminished. or removed. When closed, the wings may rest upon cushions or
pads of vulcanized india-rubber or other suitable material carried by the
central set of radial arms, and similar buffing pads or cushions, as shewn at d,
may be fitted to the rings D for the wings to strike against when open, by
which means all shocks or jars which might arise on the closing and opening
of the several wings on entering and leaving the water will be obviated.
A series of fixed floats L, L, are attached to the radial arms of the central
series, with the view of affording a means of backing the vessel when desired.
The use of the fixed floats for backing the vessel may, however, be dispensed
with by using a double set of winged propellers acting in opposite directions,
as I shall herein-after describe. When the wings are open, they should
incline slightly inwards, so that on striking the water they will, by reason of
the pressure upon them, gradually close, and by the time they have arrived at
their greatest submersion, and are in the most advantageous position for
exerting their power, the increased pressure will have fully closed them, and
they will present one even surface to the water, but as they rise again out of
the water, the pressure upon them will gradually diminish, and the wings will
assume their open position again, so that they enter and leave the water edge-
wise. The loss of power arising from the use of the ordinary form of float is
by this contrivance in a great measure avoided.
In place of each float being divided into a pair of hinged wings closing
together upon the central set of radial arms, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2, it
is obvious that one single wing of double tho width may be employed for each
float, and these wings might be hinged on opposite sides alternately. Figure 4
represents a side elevation and partial section of a modified form of radial
winged propeller; Figure 5 is a corresponding edge view of the same; and
Figure 6 is an enlarged detail, shewing the mode of hinging the floats, and
applying the springs thereto. In the modification to which Figures 4, 5, and
6 refer, a double set of hinged wings are employed, acting in opposite direc-
tions, so as to enable the vessel to be moved either ahead or astern, as
required, each set of wings being brought into action separately, according
to the direction of rotation of the paddle wheels. A, A, are the radial arms,
to the central series of which are jointed or hinged the double set of wings
E, E, which act in opposite directions, that is to say, when the paddle wheels
are rotated for the purpose of going ahead, the wings E will come into action,
and when the engine is reversed for the purpose of going astern, the wings E

page_text: will operate, whilst the first set E will be out of action. These two sets
of wings are jointed or hinged to metal straps F (Figure 6), which embrace
the arins A of the wheel; G, G¹, are the respective springs of the two sets
of wings E, E. These springs may be of any convenient form, but I prefer
to use coiled springs, as shewn in the Drawings, with a projecting.tail or
free end which bears upon the back of the wing. The strength of these
springs may be adjusted, by so arranging them as to enable them to be
wound more or less on to a central drum or barrel H, as shewn in the
detail, Figure 6, such barrel being covered by cast-iron or other brackets
bolted to the sides of the radial arms A. D' are transverse tie bars for
connecting each series of arms A as herein-before described, and against
these bars each set of wings rest or bear when closed. Suitable pads or
cushions d, d, fitted in the central ring D, serve as stops to the wings
when open, and maintain them at a sufficient inclination, to enable them to
be readily closed by the pressure of the water against them, the springs, as
before described, serving to open them again when the pressure ceases. The
arrows in Figure 6 represent the direction of motion of the paddle wheels
requisite for bringing the two sets of wings E and E¹ into operation. I may
here observe, that as in propellers of the description berein-before given, the
floats or wings must pass through the water a distance greater than their
width, in order to be fully closed, and as they should attain this position before
the radial arms to which they are attached become vertical in the water, the
width of the wings should be regulated to the size and ordinary submersion of
the wheel. For river navigation, it is proposed to make the paddle wheels of
a conical form, the sides of the wheels next the shore being of smaller diameter
than the sides next the boat. By this contrivance the conditions of a river
bed will be better suited than by paddle wheels of the ordinary construction.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict myself to
the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to describe or
refer to, as variations may be made therefrom without deviating from the prin-
ciples or main features of the said Invention; but what I consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general constructions and arrangements of ship propellers, as
herein-before described.
Second, the application and use to and in the propelling of ships and boats,

page_text: of propellers composed of wings or floats, which are hinged or jointed radially
to the arms of paddle wheels, and are acted upon by springs, as berein-before
described.
Third, the mode of supporting feathering floats of ships' propellers at the
side or edge opposite to the hinge or joint thereof, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the application and use of torsional metal springs to and for the
propeller floats of vessels, as herein-before described.
Fifth, the application and use of conical paddle wheel propellers to and in
vessels employed on rivers or canals, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-eight.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)