improvements in Flying machines, with Steering Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 16th Feb., 1895
improvements in Flying machines, with Steering Apparatus.
A communication to me from CARL FRIEDRICH BILLWILLER, of IV. Rigistrasse 6,
Zurich, Switzerland, Merchant.
I, EDMUND EDWARDS, of the Firm of Edwards and Co., Patent Agents and
Engineers, of 65 and 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
leclare 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, and accompanying drawing, that is to say :—
The improved flying machine which forms the subject of the present invention
has the form of a truncated cone and is raised in a vertical direction independently
of an ordinary gas balloon, by means of revolving vanes driven by arms upon a
suitable revolving case or cylinder.
In the accompanying drawing, which is in illustration of the invention,
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the flying machine, upon the line ―e,
Figure 2, which is upon a smaller scale;
Figure 2 is a view from below;
Figure 3 shews upon a larger scale the machinery room with the helical elevating
vanes;
Figure 4 is a view of the same from below;
Figure 5 sliews, upon a smaller scale, the arrangement of the steering fans or
vanes, in a section through the line y-y, Figure 2.
The body of the machine has the form of a truncated cone A, B, C, C³, round
which is arranged the annular hollow chamber D, the bottom of which serves as a
parachute in descending. The outer surface of the parachute is not made at right
angles, but at an angle of about 30° as shewn, the resistance of which, and the
effect upon which of a side wind, are less than if it was made at right angles.
The propulsion of the machine in a horizontal direction, is effected by means of
fans or blades P, driven by shafts c operated by the main driving shaft i.
This shaft is in two parts, so that the ranes P and those P¹ can be worked
independently of each other."
The lower part of the shaft i carries a drum which is provided with radial
arms, Figures 3 and 4. These arms carry round by the revolution of the drum,
the blades or vanes P', which are suspended to them at a determined angle with
the horizontal, regulated by the fixed arms so that they raise the machine
vertically.
The lifting power of a gas balloon contained in the space O,C, is thereby
considerably increased.
The fans or blades Pare so suspended, that two-thirds of their surface are
below the axis on which they are suspended, and one-third above the latter, so that
they always automatically return to their original position when at rest.
As already explained, the raising of the machine is effected, first by the pressure
of the blades or fans upon the air below them, and second by the strong sucking
action of the air above the machine through the air admission passage M³, and the
discharge of the same below.
The conical case Z is for the steersman, and is fitted with two hand wheels Z',
by means of which the steering blades or plates P2 fixed upon the spindles or

page_text: shafts Z are operated. In Figure 5 one blade P' is shewn vertical, and the other
in a horizontal position.
In order not to interfere with the parachute action already described, the
space D of the steering blades is not open. r, s are supports which cross the air
entrance passage, and support the central cylindrical space which receives the
machinery and passengers.
.
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 !
claim is :-
-
A flying machine with steering apparatus, the body of the machine being in the
form of a truncated cone A, B, C, C, which is raised by fans or vanes Pi which
are suspended upon centres and set in revolution by a revolving cylinder & provided
with arms &', substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 18th day of December 1894.
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.