Improvements in Flying Machines.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Jan., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 9th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 11th Sept., 1897
Improvements in Flying Machines.
I, JAMES DUNDAS WHITE, of 3, Paper Buildings, Temple, in the County of London,
Barrister-at-Law, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :--
A flying machine of which the mechanism, resembling a paddle-wheel, consists of
a horizontal axle fitted with a vertical frame-work, on which rigid sails are pivoted by
horizontal pivots, each sail being so hung that its axis of rotation is sufficiently far
from its centre of lateral resistance as to make feather as the revolution of the axle
and framework carries it round. As regards balance, each sail should be in equilibrium
about the pivots. The pivots are rigid with the sails and each pivot terminates
outside the frame-work in a crank, which is turned (approximately) in the direction of
the larger side of the sail.
Each of the cranks is connected by a line (which can revolve freely round it) to a
circular ring fitted to revolve round an eccentric, which is placed round the shaft (but
moving on a non-revolving bearing which projects from the supporting structure) and
between the revolving frame-work and that structure. The lines are all of the same
length, are fitted to the ring at equidistant points, and are effective in tension only.
As the axle and framework revolve, those which are in tension draw the ring round
the eccentric.
The various parts are so proportioned that, as the ring is drawn round the eccentric,
the lines on passing the narrow side of the eccentric are consecutively in tension and
the sails consecutively angled across the direction of revolution, while at other stages
the lines are slack and the sails feather.
The proportions should be such that the arc of tension is less than half the circle of
revolution. The position of the arc of tension depends on the position of the eccentric
which is regulated by suitable gear within certain limits, one extreme making the
revolution give a dead-lift and the other giving the maximum of propelling
movement.
There are suitable appliances for starting stopping and regulating the revolution.
Steering is effected by a vane carried from the supporting structure by a horizontal
shaft, and so constructed that it may be moved horizontally within certain limits.
The size of the vane is sufficient to keep it to leeward of the rest of the machine, so
that steering turns that by the vane rather than the vane by that.
クニ
1907
1, JAMES DUNDAS WHITE, of 3 Paper Buildings, Temple, in the County of London,
Barrister-at-Law, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
Price Rd 1

page_text: the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in flying machines. In the accompanying
rawings Fig. 1 represents a front and Fig. 2 a side elevation of such a flying machine
as is herein described, and Fig. 3 represents a transverse section of one of the sails.
A is the main structure; B is a framework consisting of a horizontal axle from
which radiate four pairs of arms and which is caused to revolve at high speed by
suitable machinery.
Between each pair of arms is a sail (C1 C2 C3 and C4 respectively) hung on
pivots DD, the pivotal axis of each sail being sufficiently far from the centre of
resistance that the sail, when swinging freely, feathers as the revolution of the frame-
work carries it round. As regards balance, each sail should be in equilibrium about
its pivotal axis. The sails may be curved longitudinally, as shewn in Fig. 2, that
curve being, preferably, an arc of the same radius as the circle which, in revolving,
they describe. They may be curved transversely also, as shewn in Fig. 3.
Eccentrics E E are fitted on bearings (which are part of the main structure and
encircle the axle) in such a way that they may be revolved within certain angles.
The two eccentrics are connected by the united levers F F which keep them in
unison and by means of which they may be caused to revolve together.
The eccentrics are encircled by the rings G G, each of which is connected at
equidistant points to suitable points on the sails by the lines H H H H which are all
of the same length and which are effective to guide the sails only when in tension.
The rings revolve round the eccentrics, and are caused to do so by the tension of the
lines.
The various parts of the air-wheel (as I call the revolving framework and these
adjuncts thereto) are so proportioned that, as it revolves, each pair of lines when
passing round the larger sides of the eccentrics are sufficiently slack to let the
corresponding sail feather (as shewn on the right-hand side in Fig. 2) but on
approaching a certain arc they come into tension and so draw the sail from the
feathering position and cause it to beat upon the air (as shewn on the left-hand side
in Fig. 2) as it passes through what I call the arc of tension, gradually letting it
draw to the feather again as it leaves that are.
The air-wheel both lifts and propels the machine, the apportionment of its effect
as between lifting and propulsion depending on the position of the arc of tension,
which depends on the angling of the eccentrics and is governed by means of the
united levers. The eccentrics should be so fitted that, either by their own weight or
by the operation of springs, their tendency is always to that extreme which gives the
maximum of lift, while by drawing in the united levers the effect may be modified
into propulsion.
If the orbits of the rings are circular, as in the drawings, the rings may be either
solid or flexible. If the orbits are elliptical, oval or of other non-circular character,
the eccentrics may be of the required shape and the rings flexible so as to follow
corresponding orbits.
The rudder-vane J is fitted on the bearing K so that it can be turned from side to
side within certain angles by suitable apparatus. By means of this rudder-vane
horizontal steering is effected, and the rudder-vane is sufficiently large and so. placed
as to be always to leeward, thus keeping the machine always heading within certain
angles to the apparent wind. The weight of the rudder-vane may be further
supported by a spring or by a counterpoise, or by a rod or line, attached to the
after part of the main structure, on which it can travel freely.
M indicates the position of the passenger or burden, the weight of which,
as well as that of the machinery, is sufficiently low to preserve the poise of the
machine.
The arrow R indicates the direction of the rovolution of the air-wheel.
The arms of the revolving frame work are connected together, those on each side
in series, by braces not shewn in the drawings.

page_text: The number of the arms and sails may be as desired; a system of four, as shewn
in the drawings, is probably the best.
A pawl and ratchet may be fitted to prevent the air-wheel reversing.
To facilitate starting and alighting and also transport, a pair of light wheels may
be fitted to the machine, one on each side of it, being attached to the main structure
above the centre of gravity of the machine and being sufficiently large to carry the
machine clear of the ground.
As an alternative arrangement for the air-wheel and to avoid the lines traversing
the paths of the arms, the pivots of each sail may be terminated outside the arms
in cranks rigid with the sail and the lines be connected to these cranks instead of
to the sails direct, the various parts of the air-wheel being proportioned accordingly.
The dotted lines, several of which are marked X, Y, indicate the cranks and lines in
such an arrangement.
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:
For a flying machine an air-wheel, having feathering sails revolvable eccentrics
connecting lines which are effective to guide the sails only when in tension and the
like, substantially as herein described.