Improved Means for the Propulsion of Marine Vessels.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Nov.. 1896-Accepted, 9th Jan., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means for the Propulsion of Marine Vessels.
I, EUGENE DUBRR of East Mohawk Street, Buffalo, State of New York, U.8.A.,
Clerk, do hereby declaro 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 object of this invention is to provide means whereby all kinds of marine vessels
can be propelled at a very high speed at a comparatively low oxpenditure of fuel.
The means consist mainly of a revolving shaft projecting at the bow of the vessel
and carrying one or more tubes wound spirally around it.
In the accompanying drawing
I is a sectional side elevation of a marine vessel provided with my improvements.
Fig. 2 a plan view of the same.
Fig
Fig. 3 an enlarged side elevation of the shaft provided with two spiral tubes shown
partly in section. Fig. 4 an end elevation of the same.
Fig. 5 a side elevation of the shaft with a single spiral tube shewn partly in
section.
Fig. 6 a cross section of the fastening device for the tubes and Fig. 7 a plan
view of the same.
The vessel A, of any approved construction, is provided with a suitable motor B,
in the form. of steam engines or the like, connected with the main shaft C, arranged
longitudinally in the vessel A and connected by gear wheels C and D with a
shaft D, extending through a suitable stuffing box at the bow A' of the vessel A.
The outer end of this shaft D is journalled in a suitable framework F, supported
on the vessel A, the said framework being provided with base beams F, attached
to and projecting forwardly from the koel A of the vessel A. The top beans F
of the frame F connect with the bowsprit A' and the foremast A', as plainly
shewn in Fig. 1, and the top and bottom beams F and F are connected with each
other by suitable braces F, so that a very substantial framework for the proper
support of the shaft D is obtained. On this shaft D are secured one or more
tubes G, G, arranged spirally on the shaft, as plainly shewn in Figs. 1, 3, 5,
the said tubes being open at both ends so that the water can enter the front ends
of the tubes and pass through the same to be finally discharged at the rear end
a suitable distance from the bow A' of the vessel.
In order to secure the device in place on the shaft D), 1 may provide various
means, preferably, however, bands H, secured at their ends to lugs H' of a hub H',
keyed or otherwise fastened to the shaft (Figs. 6, 7).
On the extreme front end of the shaft D is formed a point I and a small
propeller wheel J to push floating objects in the path of the shaft to one side to
prevent such objects from passing into the tubes G, G', or entangling with the same.
Now it is evident that by the arrangement described the shaft D, when driven
from the engines B, as described, causes the tubes G and G¹ to revolve with the
shaft, so that the spiral tubes readily take up the water in front by the tubes
screwing into the water so as to cause a forward propulsion of the vessel at a very
high rate of speed.
If desired, the motor B may be connected with a propeller K at the stern of
the vessal A, but this is not absolutely necessary, as the tubos G and G' are
principally relied upon to propel the vessel forward.

page_text: The tubes G and G' screw into the water on the revolving of the shaft D, and
the water passing into the tubes is bound to follow the windings thereof, so as to
produce a continuous stream not influenced by the outer water, as the latter is
separated from the stream by the wall of the tubes. By having the tubes in front
of the vessel it is evident that the tubes work into water not influenced by the
displacement of the ship.
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 1
claim is :-
1. A marine vessel, provided with a revoluble shaft extending through the bow
of the vessel, and one or more longitudinal spiral tubes open at both ends and
secured to the said shaft, substantially as described and shewn.
2. A marino vessel, provided at its bow with a framework, a shaft journalled
in the said framework and passing at its rear end to the inside of the vessel to
connect with machinery for rotating the shaft, and ono or more open ended tubes
secured on the said shaft outside of the vessel and arranged in spiral form on said
shaft, substantially as described and shewn.
3. A marine vessel provided at its bow with a framework, a shaft journalled
in the said framework and passing at its rear end to the inside of the vessel to
connect with machinery for rotating the shaft, one or more open ended tubes
secured on the said shaft outside of the vessel and arranged in spiral form on said
shaft, and a point and propeller on the extreme front end of said shaft, substantially
as described and shewn.
Dated this 17th day of November 1900
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.