An Improved Machine for Aërial Navigation.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 7th June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 7th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 30th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL
SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Machine for Aërial Navigation.
I, HENRY MARMADUKE HARRIS, of 70 George Street, Plymouth, in the
County of Devon, Artists Colourman, Painter and Decorator, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The improved machine for aërial navigation in which this invention consists is
constructed in the form of a boat partly decked at each end and at each side of a
central well or cavity. The vessel may be made of sheet metal, thin wood or silk
or other suitable material. The parts decked over, constitute chambers or com-
partments. By charging these chambers with gas in proper proportion the appliance
is brought to and maintained in a state of equilibrium. In the well or hold are
carried bellows or a blowing engine, fan, or other blast-producing apparatus
communicating by a pipe with a conical funnel situated at one end of the vessel.
The funnel, the smaller end of which is outwards, is mounted on a pivot on which
it is capable of being turned in any direction. By means of the blast directed into
the funnel, as aforesaid, the machine is caused to ascend and to move in any
required direction according to the position which the funnel is made to assume.
Wires, ropes or chains are attached to the steering cone and are extended back
to the well of the vessel to enable the latter to be steered therefrom. A balloon
or other inflated appliance may be tethered to the vessel to assist in its ascent and
control.
Dated this 6th day of June 1890.
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol Bank Buildings, Bristol, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Machine for Aërial Navigation.
I, HENRY MARMADUKE HARRIS, of 70 George Street, Plymouth, in the
County of Devon, Artists' Colourman, Painter and Decorator, 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:-
The improved machine for aërial navigation in which this invention consists is
constructed in the form of a boat partly decked at each end, and at each side of a
central well or cavity. The vessel may be made of sheet metal, thin wood or
silk or other suitable material. The parts decked over, constitute chambers or
compartments.
By charging these chambers with gas in proper proportion the appliance is
brought to and maintained in a state of equilibrium. In the well or hold are
carried bellows or a blowing engine, fan, or other blast-producing apparatus
communicating by a pipe or pipes with a conical funnel situated at one end of the
vessel.
The funnel, the smaller end of which is outwards and is closed, is mounted on a
pivot on which it is capable of being turned in any direction. By means of the
blast directed into the funnel or conical chamber, as aforesaid, the vessel is turned
in any desired direction according to the position which the steering cone is caused
to assume.
The cone is turned on its pivot by means of cords, chains or the like attached at
one end to the cone and carried back to the well or to any convenient point from

page_text: As an auxiliary in steering, a rudder may be used. In order to assist and control
the ascent and descent of the vessel a balloon is attached to it.
The accompanying drawing represents, partly in section and partly in clevation,
my improved vessel for aerial navigation. The vessel a is in the form of a boat
and is represented as constructed of wood. It may be made of silk stretched on a
suitable frame, or it may be made of any other suitable material or materials. In
the fore part 6 and the after part care chambers which are to be charged with gas.
In the central part or well d of the vessel are carried the blast-producing appliances.
In the example illustrated the blast is produced by a fan e driven from a wheel f
operated either manually or otherwise. By a pipe 9 the blast derived from the fan
is directed into the steering cone which is mounted on a pivot i so arranged as to
permit the cone to be turned, through the medium of the steering lines l, attached
one at each side of the cone, in any desired direction.
At m are eyes for the attachment of a balloon. The direction of motion of the
vessel is governed by the position of the steering cone which, as aforesaid, is
controlled by steering lines carried back to a steersman's scat n or to any other
convenient point. The outer or smaller end of the cone is closed and the blast
delivered by the blast pipe y acts on the cone and causes the vessel to be propelled
in any direction regulated by the steersman. As an auxiliary in steering, a rudder
may be employed and fixed at the end of the vessel opposite to that at which the
cone is mounted.
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
-
A machine for aërial navigation, consisting of a boat-like vessel with chambers
for receiving gas so as to bring the vessel to a state of equilibrium when such
chambers are charged, said vessel being fitted at one end with a conical steering
appliance pivotted to the vessel and with a blowing engine, fan or other blast-
producing apparatus from which a forced blast of air is directed through a tube or
tubes into the steering cone to which latter are attached ropes or chains by which
the cone is turned and the direction of notion of the vessel controlled, substantially
as hereinbefore set forth with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 20th day of May 1891.
HENRY M. HARRIS.