IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES AND AUXILIARY RUDDERS for VESSELS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John, Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Patent Agents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BRAKES AND AUXILIARY
RUDDERS for VESSELS." A communication from abroad by John Hutton, of
New York, State of New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 13th April 1877, and dated the 20th February 1877.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th February 1877.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Patent Agents,
of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BRAKES AND AUXILIARY RUDDERS FOR VESSELS." A communication from abroad
by John Hutton, of New York, State of New York, United States of America.
This Invention consists of a pair of rudder-shaped brakes attached to the side of
a vessel, and adapted to be closed up against the sides of the vessel, or to be
opened for use and to be turned to any desired angle, either for checking the
motion of the vessel, or for assisting the rudder in turning the vessel round.
With each of my rudder-shaped brakes is combined a mechanism for raising and
lowering the same, and also a mechanism for turning the same to and retaining it
in the desired position.
This Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1
represents a side elevation of the bow of a vessel provided with my brake and
auxiliary rudder, when the same is raised out of action; Fig. 2 is a similar view
of the same when the brake and rudder is in action; Fig. 3 is a plan or top
view.
Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.
In this Drawing, the letter A designates the hull of a vessel, to which are
attached two blades B, B, one on each side. These blades are secured to shafts C,
each of which is supported by two or more curved or V shaped arms D, so that it
can be freely turned in either direction; from the ends of these arms extend
[Price A71

page_text: gudgeons a which have their bearings in boxes 6 that are firmly secured to the
sides of the hull A, so that the arins together with the blades B can be swung out
to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, or turned up to the position shown in Fig. 1.
To the upper end of each of the shafts C is secured a tiller E, from the ends of
which extend ropes or chains c to a drum F which has its bearings in standards G
secured to the deck of the vessel, and on the axle of which is firmly mounted a
steering wheel H.
The two drums F may be detached from each other as shown in the Drawing, or
they may be geared together by cog wheels or belts, so that they turn together
either in the same or in opposite directions. The blades B, B, are raised or lowered
by means of levers I which have their bearings in standards J secured to the deck,
and which in the example shown in the Drawing connect by intermediate bell-
crank levers K and rods L, M, each with a crank d secured to the gudgeon of one
of the V shaped arms D.
If desired the gudgeons of the several arms on the same side of the vessel may be
connected to the levers I, or said levers may be connected to the shafts C, so that
by moving the same the blades B are raised or lowered.
For the purpose of facilitating the operation of raising and lowering the blades,
their weight may be balanced by springs N or by weights.
When the blades are raised to the position shown in Fig. 1, they do not interfere
with the motion of the vessel in either direction, but when the arms D are brought
in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the blades can be turned, so that they act
either as brakes, or that they assist in turning the vessel round.
The V shaped arms D which I have shown in the Drawing consist each of three
parts, that is to say, two arms and an intermediate ring or roller which fits the
shaft of the blade which said arms support, and which swivels in the arms, so that
when the arms are moved down said collar can turn and accomodate itself to the
position of the arms. By these means a firm and durable connection is produced
between the blades B, B, and the hull of the vessel, and said blades can be readily
adjusted in any desired position.
By adjusting the blades in the proper position the forward motion of a vessel
can be checked and arrested in a comparatively short space, and furthermore by the
action of my blades in conjunction with the rudder a vessel can be turned in a
much shorter distance than it can by the action of the rudder alone. By these
means collisions and running aground can be avoided, and a vessel can be handled
with much more ease than it can with the rudder alone.
Furthermore, my blades can be used for steering the vessel in case the rudder is
injured or carried away.
In a fog a vessel provided with my blades is more safe going at full speed than
when going at half speed without them.
My blades are convenient and useful in making dock, turning in a river, in
navigating a narrow passage, in taking soundings, and they can be used with equal
advantage in backing as in going ahead.
A sailing vessel provided with my blades can sail closer to the wind and the
danger of drifting on a lee shore is materially reduced.
The advantages of my blades to a man of war will be apparent without further
explanation.
I claim,―
1. In combination with a vessel a set of frames pivoted to the sides of the vessel,
and having mechanism for turning them in against or out from the vessel, and a
rudder-shaped brake pivoted vertically in said frames and adapted to turn in the
same to any desired angle, substantially as described.
2. The combination with the rudder-shaped brakes B of the V shaped frames D
pivoted to the sides of the vessel, and in which frames the brakes B are adapted to
turn to any angle, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the rudder-shaped brake of the frames D, D, pivoted

page_text: to the sides of the vessel, and carrying the brake which can be turned in the frames
to any desired angle of the crank d attached to one of the frames D, the links M,
rod L, and bell-crank lever K, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
H. J. HADDAN. (L.S.)