IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE PROPELLERS AND APPARATUS USED FOR PROPELLING VESSELS
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Buchanan; of Leamington Priors, in the County
of Warwick, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Buchanan at the
Office of the Commissioners: of Patents, with his Petition, on the 11th
March 1854.
I, JOHN BUCHANAN, of Leamington Priors, in the County of Warwick,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PROPELLERS AND APPARATUS USED FOR PROPELLING VESSELS," to be as
follows:-
This Invention consists of arranging a series of propelling blades or surfaces
in pairs, in such manner that the two blades or surfaces constituting a pair are
fixed one above and the other below the axis, and revolve in the same plane,
which in itself is not new; but the succeeding pairs of blades or surfaces are
fixed one in advance of the other, so that when at rest they will all be vertical,
or nearly so; and it is preferred that the blades or propelling surfaces should
not exceed in width the diameter of boss to or on which they are applied. And
in order to prevent cordage, sails, and other matters winding round the axis or
boss of the propellers, I cause each pair of the propeller blades to work

page_text: through an adjustable frame, in such manner that the bars of which the frames
consist shall come near to the forward edge of each propeller, and act as or
become with the forward edges of the propellers pairs of cutting edges, which
in case of cordage, sails, or other matters coming between them, that such
matters shall be severed thereby. And in order to accommodate propellers for
different depths of immersion of the ships or vessels to which they are applied,
I employ in each ship or vessel two shafts or axes, one below the other, in such
manner that the engines will give motion to either, and I arrange the pro-
pellers and frames, or apparatus, in such manner that they may be raised or
lowered into correct positions, when the propeller blades or surfaces are to be
driven by one or other of the shafts or axes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Buchanan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th September 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1, JOHN
BUCHANAN, of Leamington Priors, in, the County of Warwick, Gentleman,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eleventh day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Buchanan, Her special licence that I, the said John Buchanan,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John
Buchanan, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROPELLERS
AND APPARATUS USED FOR PROPELLING VESSELS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Buchanan, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calen-
dar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Buchanan, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof (that is to say):-
This Invention consists of arranging a series of propelling blades or surfaces
in pairs, in such manner that the two blades or surfaces constituting a pair are
fixed one above and the other below the axis, and revolve in the same plane,
which in itself is not new, but the succeeding pairs of blades or surfaces are
fixed one in advance of the other, so that when at rest they will all be vertical,
or nearly so; and it is preferred that the blades or propelling surfaces should
not exceed in width the diameter of boss to or on which they are applied.
And in order to prevent cordage, sails, and other matters winding round the
axis or boss of the propellers, I cause each pair of the propeller blades to work
through an adjustable frame, in such manner that the bars of which the frames
consist shall come near to the forward edge of each propeller, and act as or
become with the forward edges of the propellers pairs of cutting edges, which
in case of cordage, sails, or other matters coming between them, that such
matters shall be severed thereby. And in order to accommodate propellers for
different depths of immersion of the ships or vessels to which they are applied,
I employ in each ship or vessel two shafts or axes, one below the other, in such
manner that the engines will give motion to either, and I arrange the pro-
pellers and frames or apparatus in such manner that they may be raised or
lowered into correct positions when the propeller blades or surfaces are to be
driven by one or other of the shafts or axes.
Having thus stated the nature of my said Invention, I will proceed to
describe the means pursued by me.
Figure 2, an end view of same; Figure 3, a sectional plan of stern post and
propeller. A, A, represents the stern part of the hull of a vessel. B, B, a
strong metal frame fitted with brass bushes C, C, in which the propeller axis D
works. The frame is capable of being lowered at pleasure from the position
shewn in the Drawing to that indicated by the dotted lines, by means of a
chain E passing over a pulley F to a capstan or windlass, or any equally con-
venient means. The frame B, B, is guided vertically at the front edge in a
groove formed in the stern post of the vessel, to which it is firmly secured by

page_text: strong staples or straps G, G, the heads of which are bevilled on the inside to
fit the corresponding bevelled projections H, H, H, H, on the frame B, B, for
the purpose of. tightening it in either position. I, a guide and bearing roller
to sustain the upper part of the frame B, B. The back edge of the frame is
guided by side cheeks J, J, united at their lower ends by a hoop strap K.
L, L, are retaining bolts working in brass nuts M, M, secured to the frame
work of the vessel, the points fitting into holes or recesses N, N, N, in the
back part of the frame B, B, at distances corresponding to its rise and fall. O
the rudder, secured to the frame B, B, by pintles, so that it may rise and fall
with it. The rudder stem P is grooved to slide freely on a feather Q, which
is rivetted to the inside of a tube R (as seen in the section), upon which a
tiller S is fixed, the ends being guided in collars T, T. U, U, the propeller
blades. V, V', two driving shafts fitted with thrust boxes, and working in
metal tubes and stuffing boxes let in to the stern. of the vessel, and placed at a
distance from each other corresponding to the rise and fall of the propellor
frame B, B, so that the axis D may connect itself with either of the driving
shafts V, V¹, by the insertion of the feather on its end into a groove on the end
of the shafts V, V₁. W, an intermediate shaft with pinion X working into
corresponding pinions X, X", on the shafts V, VI, X' on V being made to
slide by means of a clutch when required to be thrown out of gear. Y, a
strong iron framework secured to the keelsons of the vessel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ENLARGED DRAWING B OF PROPELLER.
'
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, are enlarged views of the propellor and its
frame., a, a, the propeller, the blades of which are bevilled on both edges;
b, axis of same, on the end of which is a feather b', by which it is turned by
the driving shaft c, c, the main frame fitted with brass bushes for the axis 6 to
work in. The head piece should be made loose and bolted to the sides to
facilitate the insertion of the inner frame d, d, the lower part of which is
formed with cutting edges at e, e, or fitted with cutting strips at f.f, so as in
conjunction with the bevilled edges of the propeller to dissever any obstructing
matter, as weeds, cordage, &c. that may come in contact with the propeller.
blades. The frame d, d, is kept in its place at the head by retaining screws g, g,
and studs ; h; the lioles in the frame d, d, into which the studs are inserted
being elongated, to allow of its adjustment and wear. The lower ends are fitted
to the curvature of the axis b; the collars i, i, holding the cutting edges of the
inner frame d,'d, in contact with those of the propeller blades. :

page_text: Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I make no claim to the
parts of the mechanism separately. But what I claim is, the combination of
machinery herein described for propelling vessels.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Buchanan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four.
Witness,
J. S. TONGUE.
JOHN BUCHANAN. (L.S.)