Improvements in Devices for Aerial Navigation.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 5th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 15th Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Aerial Navigation.
I WILLIAM JOHN BREWER of (c/o C. Mason C.E.) 10 Lyndhurst Square
London S.E. Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be
as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide an improved device for aerial navigation
that shall be light capable of being steered in any direction with ease, and shall
also to a great extent, be capable of resisting the effects of wind currents; and
which shall also be provided with circular fans for raising the machine. These
fans will automatically form themselves into a form of parachute when the
apparatus is descending; so bringing the car and its occupants gently to the
gronnd.
The sides of the car will contain or be fitted with wings to open out or otherwise
at the discretion of the operator or director in charge of said balloon. These wings
may be made to take various angles.
In carrying my invention into practice I provide a balloon of any suitable size or
shape, but preferably of cigar shape. This balloon is of any suitable material, and
is only made of a size sufficient to contain the quantity of gas to lighten the whole
apparatus, and to make it very buoyant, and it is not intended to cause the whole
apparatus to ascend into the air.
Below (or above or both if desired) the balloon, I construct a suitable light
framework adapted to support the electro-motor, or other motive power, used for
propelling the fans. On this frame is mounted two or more horizontal pulley
wheels, and these wheels connected by suitable gearing to the motor driving the
raising fans, which are placed over or below the balloon, or in any other suitable
position.
These fans are of peculiar construction and form a special feature of my invention.
They are placed horizontally and are made with a flap valve between the wings
thereof, so that when the apparatus is descending the air will close the flaps, and
so form the fans into parachutes, thus allowing the whole apparatus to come
gradually to the ground.
These fans are for the purpose of raising the machine vertically into the air and
suitable fans are provided for propelling the machine when it is at the desired
altitude. All these are driven by a motor mounted on the frame as before described
and suitable apparatus is connected therewith so that they may be controlled by
the occupants of the car. At one or both sides of the apparatus I fit a long flat
piece of metal wood or other suitable material, pivotted in a suitable position and
manner so that it may be turned to point upwards, downwards, or to either side so
acting as a rudder.
In addition to this I it a rudder or tail to the end of the balloon for the same
purpose. The car containing the occupants and storage batteries or other motive
power is so arranged that in case of accident seats may be attached to the frame-
work before described on which the occupants could seat themselves and then
release the car so lightening the apparatus considerably.
Suitable apparatus can if desired be provided for generating gas when required
and I may also when necessary provide additional chambers or balloons to be
attached to the main balloon for the purpose of further safety. may if found
desirable, place the working parts, side or propelling fans and steering gear on or
in the car or boat and legs may be provided to enable said car or boat to rest firmly
on the ground to protect any external mechanism.
In some cases I propose to make the balloon captive, sending propelling currents
from the ground.

page_text: Propellors from the side and tail end operating in conjunction for obtaining
perfect direction.
Dated this 6th day of November 1891.
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Aerial Navigation.
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER Civil Engineer care of Charles Mason C.E.,
10 Lyndhurst Square London S.E. 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 consists in the application of improved devices for aerial
navigation, that all parts shall be light yet of sufficient strength to ensure safety
in working. Owing to this improved construction it will be found that this
navigator will to a considerable extent resist adverse air currents.
Horizontally disposed fan or fans are employed to raise the balloon and they
will also act as parachutes when descending.
In carrying my invention into practice I provide a balloon of any suitable size or
shape but preferably of cigar shape; it can be constructed of any suitable material;
and is only made of a size sufficient to contain the requisite quantity of gas to
lighten or counterpoise the whole apparatus, to ensure its buoyancy, but it is not
intended to be so light as to ascend without the aid of the horizontally disposed but
vertically acting propellors. Below or above (or both if desired) or at the sides of
the balloon, I construct a light framework forming a car or boat preferably of light
steel (or other suitable metal) rods or hollow tubes adapted to support an electro-
motor or other motive power to be used for operating the fans or propellors.
Upon the frame or frames is or are mounted the motor or motors connected to
pulley wheels driving the horizontal and vertical propellors. When fixing the
horizontally disposed fan or fans or propellors over the balloon I pass the centre rods
supporting the said fan or fans through the body of the balloon, providing suitable
openings or sleeves for same; to further increase the stability of said centre rods I
pass light metal tubes round the body of the balloon the same being connected with
the frame or car body. The pulley or pulleys driving the horizontally disposed
propellor or propellors is fixed to the said centre rod or rods, and connected to the
motors by suitable bands or gearing. On the frame of the car body is fixed a
propellor at the end or ends for horizontal movement. When fixing two motors
one above and one below the balloon, the two motors and the gearing with the
horizontal fans can be distinct from each other, or they may be connected by the
centre rods passing through the body of the balloon, but in all cases the side wings
must be fixed as described below.
The horizontally disposed fans or lifting propellors are of peculiar construction
and form a special feature of my invention, I construct them with flap valves
between the blades or wings thereof, so that when the apparatus is descending the
air will close the flaps and so form the fans into parachutes when the said fans
are not revolving, thus allowing the balloon to descend gradually to the ground
aided by the side wings as provided for, which are brought to a horizontal position
at the same time. The horizontally disposed fans are simply to help the balloon to
take a vertical direction and as recited above to aid in the descent by forming a
sort of parachute. The sides of the car will be fitted with wings pivoted to the
car body either in the centre of said wings or at one end thereof as experience may
dictate. These wings will be operated by quick working screws near the side of
the car or boat, completed with suitable means for raising said wings, preferably a
light wire rope or ropes fastened to the body of the car and held in position by
cleats or other suitable contrivance. There will be supplied ropes above and below
these wings so as to keep them in any desired position, or the wings may be held in

page_text: position by working them in a semicircle constructed of light steel ribs having a
ratchet and paul.
To the tail of the balloon or apparatus I fit a large fish shaped tail; this I control
from the car by suitable small strong lines to hold said tail or rudder in the desired
position. That part of the car or frame supporting the motor, storage batteries, or
other source of power is held in position by clips or cleats which can be released at
the will of the occupants of the car, thus in case of the balloon bursting the heavy
parts can be released therefore giving greater safety to the passengers.
Round the sides of the car seats will be provided with. all working parts close to
the hands of those working the balloon. According to a further improvement in such
balloons there are provided separate chambers within the skin of the body which
can be filled at pleasure, said chambers being provided with nozzles through which
gas can be supplied.
Suitable means will be provided so that the balloon in taking the ground will be
prevented from receiving damage as to which I make no claim.
Compressed gas in suitable cases will be carried for use when required.
When my balloon is used as a captive balloon, the rope holding it will contain
the electric conductor, and therefore the only heavy part that will be carried by
the balloon will be the motor and horizontally disposed propellors.
In very large balloons I fit or fix propellors at the sides operating in conjunction
with a propellor at the tail.
My invention will be more particularly described in reference to the accompanying
drawings, similar letters of reference indicating like parts.
Figure 1, shows a side elevation of the balloon or aerial navigator complete with
car, fans and wings.
Figure 2, end view of same the dotted lines showing another position of wings
arranged at the side of the car.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the balloon or aerial navigator with motor above
and below said balloon.
Figure 4 shows a car with wings on each side pivoted at one end, with screw for
adjusting inclination of same.
Figure 5, end view of same.
Figure 6, shows also a car only with wings pivoted at their centres.
Figure 7, shows a plan of the horizontally disposed fans.
Figure 8, section of same showing flap valve between the blades, the end of said
flap valve working in a guide J, as shown.
A, is the balloon; B, the car or boat; C, C, the horizontally disposed fans or
propellors; D, the propellor for lateral movement; E, E, the wings fitted to the
sides of the car or boat. (In Figs. 1, and 2, the wings are indicated in full lines.)
F, the screws for adjusting said wings; G, the flap valve between the blades or
wings of the horizontally disposed fans; H, the motor; I, the fish shaped tail or
rudder fitted to the ends of the balloon.
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 :-
==
First In balloons or aerial navigators such as herein described the body for
containing a quantity of gas of buoyancy to counterbalance or slightly exceed the
poids of body, appendages and load provided with horizontally disposed fans or
propellers such as C, for securing vertical motion and resistance to descent, said
propellers having flap valves or flexible lips, to close the spaces between the blades
in descending, constructed and operating as and for the purpose herein specified.
Secondly: In a balloon or aerial navigator such as claimed under the preceeding
head of claim the combination with the motor or motors operating the horizontally
disposed propellers C, of the end propellers I, for effecting lateral or vertical
movement together or separately as set forth.
Thirdly: In a balloon or aerial navigator such as herein described the adjustable

page_text: side wings E, constructed and operating substantially as and for the purpose herein
set forth.
Fourthly In a balloon or aerial navigator such as herein described the
chambered body with gas holding sections within the skin as set forth.
Dated 5th August 1892.
WILLIAM JOHN BREWER.
In the presence of
:
WALTER A. BARLOW,
46, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Expert.