IN PROPELLING AND STEERING VESSELS, AND IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of Chancery Lane, in the
IMPROVEMENTS
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
IN PROPELLING AND STEERING VESSELS, AND IN OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FOR
OTHER PURPOSES." A communication from abroad by Henri Félix Louis
Worms de Romilly, of Paris, France.
ealed the 17th December 1878, and dated the 18th July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th July 1878.
"
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING AND STEERING VESSELS, AND IN
OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FOR OTHER PURPOSES." [A communication from abroad
by Henri Félix Louis Worms de Romilly, of Paris, France.]
This Invention relates to the application of a column of water set in motion,
either by the pressure of a gas (such as air, steam, steam and air, or steam and
vapor of volatile liquids), for propelling vessels, or as a motive power for driving
machinery, the system of substituting air for steam being applicable for driving all
kinds of machinery.
The Invention will be clearly understood from the following description and
accompanying Drawings, which illustrate it as applied for the propulsion of vessels,
although the Invention may be readily applied to any kind of motive-power
apparatus.
The following is a description of the Invention:-Figure 1 is a longitudinal
section of a vessel, and Figures 2, 3, 4, and 7 are part longitudinal sections showing
modifications, whilst Figures 5, 6, and 8 show details.
T, Figure 1, is a large horizontal tube traversing the vessel from stem to stern
below the water line. This tube T is enlarged at the stern end in the shape of a
cone F of 6°, with its base outwards; this cone should be in length about ten times
the diameter of the tube; the tube is closed at the forward end by a valve S
opening inwards; a cylinder V is connected to the upper side of tube T near the

page_text: bow end. In this cylinder pressure is produced, which acting on the whole hori-
zontal column of water in the tube sets it in motion and expels it at the stern of the
vessel for the purpose of propulsion.
The pressure may be obtained in various ways, of which I will herein-after specify
the most practical, viz. :-
1st. By the impulsion of the air by a jet of steam. In this case the cylinder
would be terminated at top by a receiving cone R of 6°, above which at a suitable
distance is placed centrally a steam nozzle L communicating with the boiler C, and
operating on the principle described in a former Patent, No. 1848, 1875. The air
compressed or driven in by the steam causes a pressure in the vertical tube, which
is partly situated below the water line, and this pressure is transmitted to the
column of water in the horizontal tube T, whereby the water is forced backward
along said tube, and flows out at the stern, its passage towards the bow being pre-
vented by the valve S. The water once set in motion the jet of steam is cut off,
but the water continues to flow through the tube by virtue of its inertia, the
valve S at same time opening to admit more water to take its place. A valve D is
placed at the base of the cone R, which opens inwards as soon as the external
pressure exceeds that in the cylinder. Thus the valve opens under the influence of
the steam jet, and as soon as the jet ceases the valve again closes. Expansion then
takes place in the cylinder until the pressure falls to that of the atmosphere, when
the internal pressure tending to fall still lower the valve opens, thus admitting air
freely to the tube, so that no vacuum will be produced behind the column of water
in motion, which allows of a prolonged expansion, as on the one hand the air
enters by the valve D, and on the other hand the water enters through the valve S.
As however at a certain moment the level in the vertical tube, which has fallen
below the normal level to an extent corresponding to the pressure and expansion,
will tend to rise again, the valve S must be large enough to supply both the cylin-
der V and the horizontal column, the motion of which is continuous. The water
without ceasing to flow through the tube T enters the vertical tube, attains and
exceeds by the effect of its momentum its former level, to which it then returns.
At this moment the steam jet acts again, exerts on the water a second pressure,
which gives a new impulse to the horizontal column of water, and so on inde-
finitely:
The tube T from the extremity where the valve is placed to the point where the
vertical tube is situated must be sufficiently large to keep the tube T always full
and supply the cylinder V. The valve must also have a large enough thoroughfare
to meet these two requirements.
The
The cylinder V may be connected with the tube T by two tubes B, H, one for
the inflow, the other for the outflow of the water, these tubes being inclined in the
direction of the tube T, and each provided with a valve, the one allowing of the
inflow, and the other of the outflow only of the water. The stem of the inflow
valve B is connected to a valve or plug E provided at the top of the cylinder V,
and which allows of the escape of the air displaced by the inflowing water.
valve E instead of being connected to the inlet valve B may be otherwise operated;
for instance, by the slide valve gear hereafter described. When the cylinder V
is thus connected by two branch tubes to the tube T the valve S is situated in the
portion of the tube T between the two branch tubes, by which water is admitted to
and discharged from the cylinder, as indicated in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the inlet
branch pipe being provided at its junction with the cylinder with a valve to pre-
vent the return of the water which has entered the cylinder. The quantity of air
and steam to be employed may in this, as in the following cases, be varied according
to the size of the vessel, the dimensions of the tubes, and the speed to be attained.
2ndly. The general arrangement above described may be applied with steam
only, as illustrated in Figure 3. In this case there is no communication with the
atmosphere, and the air valve E is therefore dispensed with. The steam acts alone,
and the same movements of the water in the tube and cylinder are produced as by
the steam and air jet before described.

page_text: The cylinder V should be of such height that the upper portion or layer of water
therein will not be driven out with the rest, but will remain always the same, and
so form a kind of liquid piston, having sufficient head to avoid any considerable
condensation of the steam, and render necessary the use of a jet of cold water
injected at the moment when the water should rise again in cylinder V.
The slide
valve opens and closes at the proper time, a suction pipe communicating at one end
with the portion of the cylinder filled with steam, and at the other with the tube T.
It is however necessary to leave a certain constant quantity of air in the cylinder V
to form a cushion to avoid concussion on the inflow of the water.
3rdly. With the same arrangement (Figure 3) as for steam alone I may supply
on the surface of the water in the cylinder V a highly volatile liquid, not miscible
with water readily, but which is vaporised by the heat of the steam. The alternate
vaporization and condensation of this volatile liquid will replace wholly or partly
the steam, and give the same results as those already obtained in steam engines
using the same volatile liquids.
4th. I may also employ a new method of working with air specially designed
for the present system of propulsion, and which may be applied to any machine to
be worked by the pressure and expansion of a gas. This method consists in sub-
stituting compressed air for steam.
I will first describe the general arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 6 applicable
to any machine, and then describe its application for propelling purposes.
A steam pipe C enters a receiver E capable of containing a volume of air equal
to the volume of the steam when its pressure has by expansion-fallen-to-the atmo
spheric pressure. A jet of steam introduced and discharged in the upper part of
this receiver drives before it the air contained, which it compresses both by its
initial pressure and by its expansion until it falls to the pressure of the atmo-
sphere.
The air escapes at an outlet communicating by a tube with the engine to be
driven, which it works in the same way as steam. As soon as the air is expelled
from the receiver it requires to be replaced, and to this effect the steam slide valve
may be made to open wide the reservoir both at top and bottom at the required
moment, or the pressure of the steam itself may be employed for closing or opening
the receiver.
The action is as follows (see Figure 5):-The steam is introduced into a cylin-
drical receiver E of dome shape at top formed by a circular valve A opening
outwards, and tending by its own weight or by a spring to fall and open the upper
part of the receiver, its motion being limited by stops B, on which it rests. The
steam pipe C passes steam-tight through the side of the receiver, is bent upwards,
and terminates within a small distance of the centre of the said valve, so that tho
jet of steam raises the valve, and thus cuts off all communication with the external
air. So long as the steam jet is on, and whilst the steam is being expanded down
to atmospheric pressure, this valve remains closed.
The lower part of the receiver is contracted to form a discharge nozzle or cone,
whose sides form an angle of 30°. This outlet may be placed at a small distance
from a receiving cone R of same diameter, having at its larger end a valve for
allowing air to enter only. In this case when the discharge nozzle and the
receiving cone have the same diameter the pressure is transmitted almost without
loss, notwithstanding the interval between the two cones. The steam having been
expanded and the re-entry of air determined the interval between the nozzle and
the receiving cone communicating with the machine will, conjointly with the
opening of the valve, which is calculated accordingly, allow the air to enter to be
again compressed. If however this interval causes any loss of pressure the two
cones may be connected directly together. The position of this apparatus may be.
reversed, as shown in Figure 6. In cones E and U outlets are provided for the
condensed steam controlled by a cock. Thus steam may be replaced by air in any
kind of engine wherein stean is now used; this presents the advantage of a cold gas
capable of acting at any distance without condensing.

page_text: :
I will now proceed to explain the special application of air acting in lieu of steam
on a column of water for propelling a vessel. The vertical cylinder V, before
mentioned, carries at its upper part the apparatus wherein air is substituted for
steam just described, and which need not terminate in a cone at the lower part, as
the compressed air acts directly (see Figure 4). This conical lower part would
however be retained when the apparatus. is situated at a distance from the
cylinder wherein water is to be submited to its action, and with which it would
communicate by a tube.
The object of this description is to set forth merely the general nature of the
improved method of propulsion, which, without departing from the same principle,
may be altered in many ways in detail. For instance, the horizontal tube may be
bifurcated and form two parallel tubes; or instead of a single tube two such tubes
parallel to one another, side by side, or one above the other, and each provided with
its own jet apparatus. Thus the propelling apparatus may be multiplied at will,
and may either be kept separate or may converge in one large conical tube at the
stern. When two separate parallel tubes in the same horizontal plane, one at
either side of the keel, are used, the vessel may be steered without the use of the
rudder. It may also be steered with a single central tube by causing the column of
water to be deflected to the one side or the other by a movable pallet placed at the
outlet of tube T.
The same result may be obtained by prolonging said tube at one side.
In either case the pallet or the movable extension should be capable of being
withdrawn within the hull when not in use. A movable pallet may be placed
directly opposite the outlet of tube T at a certain distance therefrom for the purpose
of deflecting the water towards the bow, and thus propelling the vessel astern.
This might also be used instead of bending the tube T at the bow when it is desired
to eject the water at the bow instead of the stern. This deflector for reversing the
flow of the water may be in the form of a hollow hemisphere Q, Figure 8, applied
over the end of the tube T, as shown. The water on impinging against the concave
deflector flows out in the opposite direction at the annular opening, as indicated by
the arrows.
The same method of reversing the direction of the flow is applicable to the outlet
of the multiple tubes or of a single bifurcated tube. The shape to be given to the
pallet or deflector and the distance at which it is placed must alwas be regulated by
the form of the vessel, whose sides also to a certain extent influence the direction of
the outflowing water.
The jet of steam may be turned on and off at the proper moment by any of the
various means already adopted, or by the aid of an auxiliary engine of small size
compared to the power produced.
An extremely simple method consists in utilizing the motion of the water itself
for operating the slide valve, either by means of a float or by a piston acted upon
by the water in a small cylinder A, Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, annexed to the cylinder V,
or connected to the tube T. This slide valve, which should open and shut alter-
nately when the water reaches two levels which have been previously determined,
may be connected to a small fly wheel M, by which its working is regulated. The
slide valve may be adjustable or not.
It should be mentioned that the tubes connecting cylinder V with tube T should
be gradually brought to the same diameter as tube T to avoid loss of power by
eddies. The water instead of passing to cylinder by a branch pipe from pipe T
may be supplied direct through a special pipe W, as shown in Figure 7.
The part of tube T containing the valve may be extended and bent down
vertically so as to dip more deeply to guard against the mouth of the tube rising
out of the water in rough weather.
"
The valve S does not necessarily open in the direction of the longitudinal axis ;
it may open upwards or otherwise, and the inlet tube might be bifurcated and pro-
vided with valves opening at the two sides of the ship. The tube T may also be
bent down near the outlet so as to be more deeply immersed, provided it is again.

page_text: bent so as to direct the water horizontally. These extensions may be movable so
as to enable them to be added or removed according to circumstances.
It should be observed that the curves must not be too abrupt in order to prevent
eddies. The diameter of the tube T depends on the size of the ship; its length may
be equal to the length of the vessel, or as the expansion depends on this length it
may even be made longer by bending it as many times as is thought fit, provided
the outlet be in the required direction and the curves be as gradual as possible.
It must be observed however that there is a loss of power at each bend, and it will
be necessary to consider whether this is compensated by the increased expansion
owing to the larger mass put in motion.
The tube or tubes T may be placed externally at the bottom of the vessel, and it
may be made to conform to the shape of the bottom of the vessel, but in a tube of
circular section the friction is proportionately less than in any other form of
tube.
The tube T may also be used to lighten the vessel in some cases. To this effect
the valve S is closed and fastened, and air is injected by a continuous jet of steam,
as stated above in clause I., Figure 2, until it drives all the water out of tube T,
and escapes at the stern.
The air filling the tube T will lighten the ship considerably, and by fixing a
pallet at its outlet in any convenient position the ship may be at same time pro-
pelled also.
'

page_text: "
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters. Patent filed. by
the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th January 1879.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING AND STEERING VESSELS, AND IN
OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication from abroad
by Henri Félix Louis Worms de Romilly, of Paris, France.
This Invention relates to the employment of a column of water, set in motion
either by the pressure of a gas (such as air, steam, steam and air, or steam and vapor
of volatile liquids) for propelling vessels, or as a motive power for driving machinery,
the pressure obtained by the system of substituting air for steam being applicable
for driving all kinds of machinery.
The Invention will be clearly understood from the following description and accom-
panying Drawings, which illustrate it as applied for the propulsion of vessels, and
from these the Invention may be readily applied to any kind of motive-power
apparatus.
The following is a description of the Invention:-Figure 1 is a longitudinal
section of a vessel, and Figures 2, 3, 4, and 7 are part longitudinal sections showing
modifications, whilst Figures 5, 6, and 8 show details.
T, Figure 1, is a large horizontal tube, traversing the vessel from stem to stern
below the water line. This tube T is enlarged at the stern end in the shape of a
cone F of 6° with its base outwards. This cone should be in length about ten
times the diameter of the tube. The tube is closed at the forward end by a valve S
opening inwards. A cylinder V is connected to the upper side of tube T, near the
bow end. In this cylinder pressure is produced which, acting on the whole horizontal
column of water in the tube, sets it in motion, and expels it at the stern of the vessel,
for the purpose of propulsion.
The pressure may be obtained in various ways, of which I will herein-after
specify the most practical, viz.,-
1st. By the impulsion of the air by a jet of steam. In this case the cylinder
would be terminated at top by a receiving cone R of 6°, above which, in the same
axial line therewith, and at the distance at which the maximum effect will be pro-
duced, is placed a steam nozzle L communicating with the boiler C, and operating on
the principle described in a former Patent, No. 1848, 1875. The air compressed or
driven in by the steam causes a pressure in the vertical tube, which is partly situated
below the water line, and this pressure is transmitted to the column of water in
the horizontal tube T, whereby the water is forced backward along said tube and
flows out at the stern, its passage towards the bow being prevented by the valve S.
The water once set in motion the jet of steam is cut off, but the water continues to
flow through the tube by virtue of its inertia, the valve S at same time opening to
admit more water to take its place. A valve D is placed at the base of the cone R,
which opens inwards as soon as the external pressure exceeds that in the cylinder;
thus the valve opens under the influence of the steam jet, and as soon as the jet
ceases the valve again closes. Expansion then takes place in the cylinder until the
pressure falls to that of the atmosphere, when the internal pressure tending to fall
still lower the valve opens, thus admitting air freely to the tube, so that no vacuum
will be produced behind the column of water in motion, which allows of a prolonged
expansion, as the air enters by the valve D and the water enters through the
valve S. As, however, at a certain moment the level in the vertical tube, which
has fallen below the normal level to an extent corresponding to the pressure and
expansion, will tend to rise again, the valve S must be large enough to supply
both the cylinder V and the horizontal column, the motion of which is continuous.

page_text: The water, without ceasing to flow through the tube T, enters the verticalstube,
attains and exceeds by the effect of its momentum its former level, to which it then
returns. At this moment the steam jet acts again, exerts on the water a second
pressure, which gives a new impulse to the horizontal column of water, and so on
indefinitely.
The tube T, from the extremity at which the valve is situate to the point where
the vertical tube is situated, must be sufficiently large to keep the tube T always
full and supply the cylinder V. The valve must also have a large enough thorough-
fare to meet these two requirements.
The cylinder V may be connected with the tube T by two tubes B, H; one for the
inflow, the other for the outflow of the water, these tubes being inclined in the
direction of the tube T, and each provided with a valve, the one allowing of
the inflow and the other of the outflow only of the water. The stem of the inflow.
valve B is connected to a valve or plug E provided at the top of the cylinder V, to
allow of the escape of the air displaced by the inflowing water. The valve E
instead of being connected to the inlet valve B may be otherwise operated, for
instance, by the slide valve gear hereafter referred to, or any other part actuated by
the water. When steam alone is used the orifice and valve are dispensed with.
When the cylinder V is thus connected by two branch tubes to the tube T the
valve S is situated in the portions of the tube T between the two branch tubes by
which water is admitted to and discharged from the cylinder, as indicated in
Figures 2, 3, and 4, the inlet branch pipe being provided at its junction with the cylin-
der with a valve to prevent the return of the water which has entered the cylinder.
The quantity of air and steam to be employed may in-this, as in the following
cases, be varied according to the size of the vessel, the dimensions of the tubes, and
the speed to be attained.
2ndly. The general arrangement above described may be employed with steam
only, as illustrated in Figure 3. In this case there is no communication with the
atmosphere, and the air valve E is therefore dispensed with. The steam acts alone,
and the same movements of the water in the tube and cylinder are produced as by
the steam and air jet before described.
The cylinder V should be of such height that the upper portion or layer of water
therein will not be driven out with the rest, but will remain always the same, and
so form a kind of liquid piston, having sufficient heat to avoid any considerable
condensation of the steam until a jet of cold water is injected at the moment when
the water should rise again in cylinder V. This is effected by the slide valve
operating at the proper time a slide or plug valve or cock, a suction pipe communi-
cating at one end with the steam space of the cylinder and at the other with the
tube T. It is, however, necessary to leave a certain constant quantity of air in
the cylinder V to form a cushion, to prevent concussion on the inflow of
the water. This amount of air may, however, be increased by successive increments
of air held in solution in the condensing water, and to get rid of this excess a
valve may be placed at the top of the cylinder V and connected with the valve B
in the inflow pipe, as in Figure 2, the air valve thus opening on the influx of the
water, and the amount of air retained for cushioning the water being regulated by
adjusting the air escape valve.
3rd. With the same arrangement (Figure 3) as for steam alone there may be used
on the surface of the water in the cylinder V a highly volatile liquid not mixable
with water, and which is at once vaporised by the heat of the steam. The alternate
vaporisation and condensation of this volatile liquid will replace wholly or partly
the steam, and give results similar to those already obtained in steam engines using
the same volatile liquids.
4th. The explosion, deflagration, or combustion of gases may also be adopted, as
in gas engines, by using the arrangement last described, with the addition of certain
appropriate modifications in details, such as means of igniting the gases, &c. The
right is therefore reserved of applying to the surface of water in the cylinder any

page_text: mottve power applied to the piston of an engine; in a word, any power capable of
producing a mechanical effect.
5th. A new method of working with air specially designed for the present
system of propulsion may also be employed, and may be applied to any machine
intended to be worked by the pressure and expansion of a gas. This method consists
in substituting compressed air for steam. The general arrangement shown in
Figures 5 and 6, applicable to any machine, will be first described, and afterwards its
application for propelling purposes.
A steam pipe Centers a receiver E, capable of containing a volume of air equal
to the volume of the steam when its pressure has by expansion fallen to that of the
atmosphere. A jet of steam injected in the upper part of this receiver drives
before it the air contained, which it compresses, both by its initial pressure and by
its expansion, until it falls to atmospheric pressure.
The air escapes at an outlet communicating by a tube with the engine to be
driven, which it works in the same way as steam.. As soon as the air is expelled
from the receiver it requires to be replaced, and to this effect the steam slide valve
may be made to open wide the reservoir, both at top and bottom, at the required
moment, or the pressure of the steam itself may be employed for closing or opening
the receiver.
The action is as follows (see Figure 5):-The steam is introduced into a cylindrical
receiver E, of dome shape at top, formed by a circular valve A opening outwards,
and tending by its own weight, or by the stress of a spring, to fall and open the
upper part of the receiver, its motion being limited by stops B, on which it rests.
The steam pipe C passes steam tight through the side of the receiver, is bent
upwards, and terminates within a small distance of the centre of the said valve, so
that the jet of steam raises the valve, and thus cuts off all communication with the
external air. So long as the steam jet is on, and whilst the steam is being expanded
down to atmospheric pressure, this valve remains closed.
The lower part of the receiver is contracted to form a discharge nozzle or cone
whose sides form an angle of 30°. This outlet may be placed at a small distance
from a receiving cone R of same diameter, having at its larger end a valve for
allowing air to enter only. In this case when the diameters of the discharge nozzle
and the receiving cone are equal the pressure is transmitted almost without loss,
notwithstanding the interval between the two cones. The steam having been
expanded and the re-entry of air determined, the interval between the discharge
nozzle and the receiving cone communicating with the machine will, conjointly
with the opening of the valve, which is calculated accordingly, allow the air to
enter, to be again compressed. If however this interval should cause any loss of
pressure, the two cones may be connected directly together. The position of this
apparatus may be reversed, as shewn in Figure 6. In cones E and U outlets are
provided for the condensed steam controlled by a cock. Thus air may be substituted
for steam in any kind of engine wherein steam is now used, air possessing the
advantage of being a cold gas capable of being conveyed for use as motive power to
any distance without condensation.
To describe now the special application of air acting in lieu of steam on a column
of water for propelling a vessel. The vertical cylinder V before mentioned carries
at its upper part the apparatus wherein air is substituted for steam just described,
and which need not terminate in a cone at the lower part, as the compressed air acts
directly on the water in the cylinder (see Figure 4). This conical lower part would
however be retained when the apparatus is situated at a distance from the cylinder
wherein water is, to be submitted to its action, and with which it would com-
municate by a tube.
The object of this description is to set forth merely the general nature of the
improved method of propulsion, which without departing from the same principle
may be altered in many ways in detail. For instance, the horizontal tube T may bo
bifurcated and form two parallel tubes, or the whole system may be duplicated or

page_text: multiplied so that instead of a single tube there would be two or more such tubes
parallel to one another, side by side or one above the other, each provided with its
own jet apparatus, and the tube may either be kept separate or may converge in
one large conical tube at the stern. When two separate parallel tubes in the same
horizontal plane, one at either side of the keel, are used, the vessel may be steered
without the use of the rudder. It may also be steered with a single central pro-
pelling tube, by causing the column of water to be deflected to the one side or the
other by a moveable pallet placed at the outlet of the tube T.
The same result may be obtained by prolonging said tube at one side.
In either case the pallet or the moveable extension should be capable of being
withdrawn within the hull when not in use. A moveable pallet may be placed
directly opposite the outlet of tube T at a certain distance therefrom for the purpose
of deflecting the water towards the bow, and thus propelling the vessel astern.
This might also be used instead of binding the tube T at the bow when it is desired
to eject the water at the bow instead of the stern. This deflector for reversing the '
flow of the water may be in the form of a hollow hemisphere Q, Figure 8, applied
over the end of the tube T as shewn. The water on impinging against the concave
deflector flows out in the opposite direction at the annular opening, as indicated by
the arrows.
'
The same method of reversing the direction of the flow is applicable to the
outlets of multiple tubes or of a single bifurcated tube. The shape to be given to
the pallet or deflector, and the distance at which it is placed, must always be regu-
lated by the lines of the vessel, whose sides to a certain extent influence the
-direction-of- the outflowing water caused to impinge against them by the pallet or
deflector.
The jet of steam may be turned on and off at the proper moment by any of the
various means already adopted in similar cases, or by the aid of an auxiliary engine
of small size compared to the power produced.
An extremely simple method consists in utilizing the motion of the water itself
for operating the slide valve either by means of a float or by a piston acted upon by
the water in a small cylinder A, Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, annexed to the cylinder V or
connected to the tube T. This slide valve, which should open and shut alternately
when the water reaches two levels which have been previously determined, may be
connected to a small fly wheel M, by which its working is regulated. The slide
valve may be adjustable or not.
It should be mentioned that the tubes connecting cylinder V with tube T should
be gradually brought to the same diameter as tube T to avoid loss of power by
eddies. The forward portion of tube T is of sufficiently large sectional area to
supply both the moving horizontal column of water and the cylinder V, but from'
the point where it connects with the outflow tube from the cylinder its area is only
equal to that of said tube, and remains the same throughout its length to a point.
about 10 diameters from its extremity, where it is gradually enlarged in the form
of a cone, as before described. The water instead of entering cylinder V by a
branch pipe from pipe T may be supplied direct through a special pipe W, having
a separate opening to the water at the bow, as shown in Figure 7.
The part of tube T containing the valve may be extended and bent down ver-
tically, so as to dip more deeply to guard against the mouth of the tube rising out
of the water in rough weather.
The valve S does not necessarily open in the direction of the longitudinal axis of
the vessel. It may open upwards or otherwise, and the inlet tube might be bifur-
cated and provided with valves opening at the two sides of the ship. The tube T
may also be bent down near the outlet só as to be more deeply immersed, provided
it is again bent so as to direct the water horizontally. These extensions may be
movable, so as to enable them to be added or removed according to circumstances.
It should be observed that the curves must not be too abrupt, otherwise there
will be eddies and loss of power. The diameter of the tube T, on which depends
.

page_text: the mass of the column of water whose motion is to propel the ship, varies according
to the size of the ship. The length of said tube may be equal to the length of the
vessel, or as the expansion depends on this length it may even be made longer by
bending it as many times as is thought fit, provided the outlet be in the required
direction and the curves be as gradual as possible. It must be observed however
that there is a loss of power at each bend, and it will be necessary to consider
whether this is compensated by the increased expansion obtained by the greater
mass put in motion.
The tube or tubes T may be placed externally at the bottom of the hull, and it
may be made to conform to the shape of the hull, but in a tube of circular section
the friction is proportionately less than in any other form of tube.
The tube T may also be used to lighten the vessel in some cases. To this effect
the valve S is closed and fastened, and air is injected by a continuous jet of steam,
as stated above in clause 1, Figure 2, until it drives all the water out of tube T,
and escapes at the stern.
The air filling the tube T will lighten the ship to an amount equal to the differ-
ence of specific gravity of the air and water, and by fixing a pallet at its outlet in
any convenient position the ship may be at same time propelled also in the same
way as by the water.
It should be added that the propulsion of a vessel by the column of water above
described may be effected not only by the system of injector herein described, but
also by a pump of known construction driven by a steam engine. In this case a
part only of the Invention would be adopted, the whole of that portion relating to
the direct action of steam or of air impelled by steam being dispensed with, but
the part so applied would none the less fall within the scope of this Patent.
Having described the nature of the Invention and the manner of performing the
same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The employment for propelling vessels of a column of water passing
through a tube traversing the whole length of the vessel, and being drawn in at the
bow and expelled at the stern by power applied in a cylinder connected to the tube
through which the propelling column of water passes, substantially as herein
specified.
Second. The employment for actuating the water in the said cylinder of (a) air
alone, (b) steam alone, (c) steam and volatile matters held in suspension on the water
in the cylinder, (d) steam and air together, (e) the combustion of gases, as in gas
engines, all as herein described.
Third. The continuous motion of the column of water obtained by the expansion
of the mass in motion.
Fourth. The employment of a number of the apparatus herein described in the
same vessel.
Fifth. The arrangement of the column of water in parallel columns for pro-
pelling.
Sixth. Steering the vessel by means of the propelling water when two or more
columns are provided at opposite sides of the keel.
Seventh. The employment of a movable pallet or deflector acted on by the water
ns it flows from the tube as herein described.
Eighth. The motive steam, controlled by a small engine specially provided for
the purpose, or by a slide valve worked by a piston actuated by the column of
water itself once it is in motion, and regulated by a fly wheel, as described.
Ninth. The intake of water at the bow controlled by a valve, whose position in
the tube may vary, as specified.
Tenth. Supplying the water to the cylinder by a separate tube having an intake
independent of the column of water in motion, as set forth.
Eleventh. The employment of air injected into the horizontal tube instead

page_text: of a column of water for at same time lightening, propelling, and steering the
vessel.
• Twelfth. The employment in lieu of the direct action of air and steam as herein
described of a pump or engine forcing water for setting in motion a column of
water for propulsion, as herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine.