IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Ogle Rogers, of Old Broad Street, in the City of
London, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE
PROPULSION OF VESSELS." A communication from abroad by William
Shakespeare Welton, of Malpaso, United States of Columbia.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Ogle Rogers at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th December 1880.
CHARLES OGLE ROGERS, of Old Broad Street, in the City of London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS.' [A commu-
nication from abroad by William Shakespeare Welton, of Malpaso, United States
of Columbia.]
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for the propulsion
of vessels.
For this purpose submerged elastic feathering vertical paddles are employed.
These paddles may be placed on each side of the vessel, or at the stern in the place
in which the screw works in vessels propelled by single screw propellers.
The paddle blades are constructed of flexible plates of spring steel of such
thickness and temper that upon starting the vessel they shall be bent back and
shall only assume their ordinary straight form when the vessel shall have attained
its full velocity.
Each paddle is placed in a vertical position in relation to the side of the vessel,
and revolves upon an axis situated at the distance of about one sixth of the total
length of the paddle measured from the root end or that end nearest to the vessel.
They thus work as an ordinary door, alternately opening and closing, closing against
the side of the vessel for the forward stroke, and opening out from the side of the
upon the return stroke.
Each paddle is made in width about two thirds of its total length.
When the paddles are placed to work by the side of the vessel each paddle is
hung upon a cross-head, which serves as a hinge upon which to revolve, and which
is driven backwards and forwards by a working rod passing into the vessel through
an ordinary stuffing box.
When the paddles are placed at the stern of a vessel one working rod and cross-
head serves for the two paddles.

page_text: For further security or support to the paddle guides may be placed at the top
and bottom of each paddle in a line with the cross-head actuating them, fitted with
sliding brasses, into which gudgeons or pivots placed upon the paddle work in such
a manner that the paddle may freely turn vertically upon these as centres.
When the paddles are applied to the side of a vessel they work within a shallow
recess in the side of the vessel; when applied at the stern they work in an aperture
similar to that required in a vessel propelled by a single screw propeller.
The centre of the working rod by which the paddle is actuated is placed at the
centre of pressure of the paddle, or at about two thirds of its depth measured from
its top edge.
The feathering or opening and shutting of the paddles is produced by the
movement of the paddle itself against the water, assisted slightly by spring buffers
placed within the vessel, which serve also to prevent any concussion in the opening
and closing of the paddles.
For maintaining the paddles at their proper angle, reversing their action, and
assisting in feathering them, the root end of each paddle is connected with a cross-
head (which I distinguish by the name "feathering cross-head") by means of
connecting rods. This cross-head is joined to a tube sliding upon the working-rod,
and passing into the vessel through the same stuffing box (or it may communicate
with the interior of the vessel by means of separate rods), and connected with a
cross-head sliding upon the working-rod, and actuated by coming in contact with
two buffers temporarily fixed upon the working rod, one on each side of this cross-
head.
By altering the position of these buffers upon the working rod the paddle is
allowed to completely turn upon its centre, and by fixing the buffers at this point
the paddle will be reversed and propel the vessel astern.
For the purpose of reversing the paddle the buffers are made to slide upon the
working rod, and rods attached to these, with notches for forward or backward
motion, pass through a cross-head attached to the working rod. A plug made to
drop into either of these notches secures the buffers in their proper position for either
going ahead or astern.
The reversing gear attached to the working rod cross-head moves with the cross-
head, and to facilitate reversing a pin from the reversing lever moves in a slot
formed in a stationary link, which link by being raised or lowered acts upon the
reversing gear, although the paddle may be moving.
The above mentioned working-rod cross-head slides between horizontal guides,
and is actuated by connecting rods attached to a swing beam worked by the steam
engine.
The swing beam, working the paddle is of such length, and the connection with
the steam piston at such a distance from its axis, that the stroke of the paddle may
be seven times as long as that of the steam piston.
As each paddle reverses there is no occasion to reverse the engine, and one
cylinder may drive two paddles, one moving ahead and the other moving astern
alternately when necessary to turn the vessel quickly.
The steam engine employed for driving this paddle may be similar to that used
for actuating a steam-hammer, the valves being so adjusted that for the return
stroke of the feathered paddle a small quantity of steam only is admitted into the
cylinder, and a full supply of steam admitted into the end of the cylinder from
which the stroke of the opened paddle commences. When the paddles are reversed
for going astern the valves are adjusted to admit a full supply of steam at the
opposite end of the cylinder to which a full supply would be admitted for going
ahead. In this manner the paddle will be moved with great velocity when open,
and the vessel driven by the intermittent blows of the paddle upon the water. The
paddle being elastic nearly the whole power expended in driving it would be given
out in effective propelling force.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and of
an Order of the Lord Chancellor, filed by the said Charles Ogle Rogers in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th June 1881.
CHARLES OGLE ROGERS, of Old Broad Street, in the City of London.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS." A commu-
nication from abroad by William Shakespeare Welton, of Malpaso, United States
of Columbia.
This Invention bas for its object improvements in apparatus for the propulsion
of vessels.
For this purpose submerged elastic feathering vertical paddles are employed.
These paddles may be placed on each side of the vessel, or at the stern in the
place in which the screw works in vessels propelled by single screw propellers.
The paddle blades are constructed of flexible plates of spring steel of such
thickness and temper that upon starting the vessel they shall be bent back, and
shall only assume their ordinary straight form when the vessel shall have attained
its full velocity.
Each paddle is placed in a vertical position in relation to the side of the vessel,
and revolves upon an axis situated at the distance of about one sixth of the total
length of the paddle, measured from the root end, or that end nearest to the vessel.
They thus work as an ordinary door, alternately opening and closing; closing
against the side of the vessel for the forward stroke, and opening out from the side
of the vessel upon the return stroke.
Each paddle is made in .width about two thirds of its total length.
When the paddles are placed to work by the side of the vessel, each paddle is
hung upon a cross head which serves as a hinge upon which to revolve, and which is
driven backwards and forwards by a working rod passing into the vessel through
an ordinary stuffing box..
When the paddles are placed at the stern of a vessel, one working rod and cross
head serves for the two paddles.
For further security or support to the paddles, guides may be placed at the top
and bottom of each paddle in a line with the cross head actuating them, fitted
with sliding brasses, into which gudgeons or pivots placed upon the paddle
work in such a manner that the paddle may freely turn vertically upon these
as centres.
When the paddles are applied to the side of a vessel they work within a
shallow recess in the side of the vessel. When applied at the stern they work
in an aperture similar to that required in a vessel propelled by a single screw
propeller.
The centre of the working rod by which the paddle is actuated is placed at
the centre of pressure of the paddle, or at about two thirds of its depth, measured
from its top edge.
The feathering or opening and shutting of the paddles is produced by the
movement of the paddle itself against the water, assisted slightly by spring buffers
placed within the vessel, which serve also to prevent any concussion in the opening
and closing of the paddles..
For maintaining the paddles at their proper angle, reversing their action, and
assisting in feathering them, the root end of each paddle is connected with a cross
head (which I distinguish by the name "feathering cross head") by means of
connecting rods. This cross head is joined to a tube sliding upon the working rod
and passing in to the vessel through the same stuffing box (or it may communicate
with the interior of the vessel by means of separate rods), and connected with a

page_text: cross head sliding upon the working rod, and actuated by coming in contact with
two buffers temporarily fixed upon the working rod, one on each side of this cross
head.
By altering the position of these buffers upon the working rod the paddle is
allowed to completely turn upon its centre, and by fixing the buffers at this point
the paddle will be reversed and propel the vessel astern.
For the purpose of reversing the paddle the buffers are made to slide upon the
working rod, and rods attached to these, with notches for forward or backward
motion, pass through a cross head attached to the working rod. A plug made to
drop into either of these notches secures the buffers in their proper position for
either going ahead or astern.
The reversing gear attached to the working rod cross head moves with the cross
head, and to facilitate reversing a pin from the reversing lever moves in a slot
formed in a stationary link, which link by being raised or lowered acts upon the
reversing gear, although the paddle may be moving.
The above mentioned working rod cross head slides between horizontal guides,
and is actuated by connecting rods attached to a swing beam worked by the steam
engine.
The swing beam working the paddle is of such length, and the connection with
the steam piston at such a distance from its axis, that the stroke of the paddle
may be seven times as long as that of the steam piston.
As each paddle reverses there is no occasion to reverse the engine, and one
cylinder may drive two paddles, one moving ahead and the other moving astern
alternately, when necessary to turn the vessel quickly.
The steam engine employed for driving this paddle may be similar to that used
for actuating a steam hammer, the valves being so adjusted that for the return
stroke of the feathered paddle a small quantity of steam only is admitted into the
cylinder, and a full supply of steam admitted into the end of the cylinder from
which the stroke of the opened paddle commences. When the paddles are reversed
for going astern the valves are adjusted to admit a full supply of steam at the
opposite end of the cylinder to which a full supply would be admitted for going
ahead. In this manner the paddle will be moved with great velocity when open
and the vessel driven by the intermittent blows of the paddle upon the water.
The paddle being elastic, nearly the whole power expended in driving it would be
given out in effective propelling force.
At Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings hereunto annexed I have shewn a plan and
elevation of a paddle adapted to the side of a vessel and worked in the manner
above described. The arrangement shewn is suitable, say, for a steam launch, of a
length of about 42 feet; breadth, 11 feet; draught of water, 3 feet.
For working each paddle an engine is provided, preferably with a cylinder of
about 8 inches diameter, a stroke of about 6 inches, velocity of piston, say, 300 feet
per minute, boiler of locomotive construction, cylinders attached to each side of fire
box, and swing beams hanging from axis fixed across top of fire box.
A is the working rod.
a is the working rod cross head upon which paddle is hung.
b are guides at top and bottom of paddle.
c are spring buffers.
B is the feathering cross head.
d are connecting rods.
e is the feathering cross head tube.
C is a cross head actuated by buffers sliding upon working rod A and fixed to
feathering cross head tube.
D is the working rod cross head sliding within guides, and connected with
swing beam by connecting rods.
fis the plug for fixing position of buffers for going ahead or astern.
5
5

page_text: is a stuffing box for cross head tube.
In the Drawing the reversing plug is lifted out of the notch No. 1 for going
ahead, and the paddle is about to make a forward stroke. Upon the return stroke
the paddle would turn its centre and reverse, and notch No. 2 would come under
the plug, then by pushing the plug down and locking the handle h the paddle
would be ready for going astern.
The long black lines represent the side of the vessel, and the recess in which the
paddle works, but by having a separate working rod and working the paddle by
off sets from cross heads C and D the recess in the vessel might be much. reduced
in depth, and the side of the vessel be as shewn by the dotted line x, x.
The guide frame for cross head D is shewn in dotted lines, and has pieces rising
from its upper edge to support the link E.
Figure 3 represents the paddle upon its centre, and its relation to the side of the
vessel.
Figure 4 represents the movement of the paddle during its forward and backward
strokes.
Figures 5 and 6 shew a plan and elevation of the propeller applied to the stern
of the vessel. In these Figures the parts which are similar to those shewn in
Figures 1 and 2 are marked with the same letters of reference, and the action
of the propelling apparatus will be fully understood from the description above
given.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 shew details of some of the parts.
Having thus described the nature of the Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that I claim the combination of apparatus,
substantially as herein before described, for the propulsion of vessels.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Ogle Rogers, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
C. O. ROGERS. (L.S.)