Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Propulsion of Navigable Vessels.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1889-Accepted, 22nd June, 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for the Propulsion of
Navigable Vessels.
We, PIETRO GIOPPO C.E. of 3532 Passo Graffaro Shipbuilder, STEFANO
CANAVESIO, of 4207 Campo Santa Sofia Shipowner and MARCO COSSOVICH of
3617 San felice Insurance Agent all of Venice Italy, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to
be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object an improved apparatus for propelling vessels,
and consists of a paddle wheel revolving in a chamber of compressed air vertically
located amid ships."
The lower part of the wheel projecting from the chamber acts upon the water
in an outside channel beneath formed in the keel lengthwise, this channel being
high and broad enough for the immersion of the paddle of the wheel. The vertical
walls of the channel extending to the stern of the vessel have pivoted to their after
ends two oscillating wings acting as twin steering rudders.
The invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying
drawing, wherein the apparatus is shown as practically applied to a vessel, it being
clearly understood that the apparatus can be applied to any other kind of vessels of any
desired size.
In the said drawing
Figures 1, 2 and 3 show an end view, side elevation and half plan respectively of a
vessel.
Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section.
Евд
is the longitudinal channel; c, is one of the twin rudders; d shows the chamber
of compressed air, which contains the paddle wheel e.
With the arrangement shown the paddle wheel e, acts as if it was in the open air,
pressing upon the water which is enclosed in the channel a, b, therein being formed a
current which is used by the twin rudders c, for the steering of the vessel.
The pressure of the air in the chamber d cannot exceed the limits required by the
depth of the channel's roof below the outside lovel of the water, no matter what be the
quantity of air introduced in the chamber.
The quantity of air to be introduced in the chamber d for each revolution of the
wheel cannot be less than the quantity taken up by the channel in the form of froth,
during the revolution of the wheel.
The size of channel a, b, air chamber d, and paddle wheel e depends upon the
speed at which the vessel is intended to run.
The two revolving wings acting as twin rudders are of a length according to the
height of the channel, so that they may pass under its roof, when they are inclined
towards the axis of the vessel, and their width varies according to the length of the
vessel in order that they may have the same effect as a common rudder.
The shaft of each of these rudders which forms its axis of rotation corresponds with
the vertical end wall of the channel and goes through the vessel for a sufficient length
to allow the bar to be arranged in the usual manner.
Such bars or shafts must be connected with each other so as to have the same move-
ment and at the same time.
Both rudders must always be moved at the same time and in the same direction.
In case the balanced rudders should be preferred it will be necessary to change the
position of the shafts, but all the other arrangements remain the same.
The propelling apparatus may be used for navigation at sea or on rivers or lakes,
with greater advantage than any other kind of propelling apparatus so far known, in
vessels of any desired kind and size.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :
First. An apparatus for propelling vessels which consists of a paddle wheel revolving
in a chamber of compressed air, preferably located amidships in a vertical position,
substantially as described.
Second. An apparatus for propelling vessels, in which the paddles of the propelling
wheel work upon the water of an outside channel underneath formed lengthwise in
the keel of the vessel, with two revolving wings extending to the stern of the vessel,
and working as two twin rudders for steering the vessel, substantially as described.
Third. An apparatus for the propulsion of vessels formed of a paddle wheel
revolving in a chamber of compressed air, and working upon the water of an outside
channel underneath, which may be applied to any kind of vessels for the purpose of
navigation in the seas, rivers or lakes, substantially as described.
Dated this 21st day of March 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicanis.