Improvements in Vessels and Propellers therefor.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Nov., 1893--Accepted, 28th July, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Vessels and Propellers therefor.
We, RICHARD BENJAMIN PAINTON, and WILLIAM GIBSON ELLIOT, of
Williamsport, in the County of Lycoming and State of Pennsylvania, United
States of America, Gentlemen, 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 relates to improvements in vessels and particularly to the
propellers therefor.
The objects of the invention are to provide a vessel with propellers so arranged
as to avoid impeding the movements of the vessel by the surge of the propellers,
and to locate the latter at such points as to obtain the best results; to provide for
conveniently repairing any one of the propellers while at sea and without stopping
the vessel; and to provide for a ready stoppage of the propellers so as to overcome
their momentum.
With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain features
of construction hereinafter specified and particularly pointed out in the claims.
Referring to the drawings
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a vessel constructed in accordance with the
invention.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a detail in perspective of one of the twin propellers employed at the
bow of the vessel.
Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.
The hull of the vessel is provided with a series of water-tight compartments 1
and 2, the same being divided by the intermediate compoundly curved wall 3.
From a point in rear of the bow to a point some distance in advance of the
stern, the side of the vessel below the water-line is provided with arches or caves 5,
and over any one of these may be detachably secured a curved shutter or plate 4
(see Fig. 3) whereby the cave is converted into a compartment.
Passing transversely through the hull opposite each of these arches, is a
propeller shaft 6, the said shaft terminating at its ends in said arches. Upon the
ends of the shaft propeller wheels 7 are located, so that, as shown in the present
instance we have eight propeller wheels of this character, four on each side, though
the number may be increased or diminished as desired. The blades of these
propeller wheels may be flat, as shown, or they may be given a slight twist if
preferred for the purpose of throwing the water away from the sides of the vessel,
and their upper portions operate in comparatively dead water.
A transverse shaft 8 is journalled in bearings immediately in rear- of the bow of
The outer ends of the
the vessel, and provided at its centre with a crank 10.
shaft carry twin propellers 11 which we have shown in detail in Fig. 4 of the
drawings. The blades 12 of each of these propellers 11 are arranged in an annular
series, there being a space between the same, and the blades of one series alternate
with those of the other and are given a slight twist so as to deflect the surge
water from the bow of the vessel and not impede by its back pressure the
movements of the vessel.
Adjacent to each of the transverse shafts 6 there is located an electrical
motor 14, and the same is connected with a cranked portion 15 in the said shaft 6.
These motors are operated through the medium of a dynamo 16, preferably located
in the bow of the vessel, the said dynamo being operated through the medium of

page_text: the engine 17. The engine 17 operates a connecting rod 18 which is connected
with the crank of the shaft 8.
A rear engine 20 is located in the stern and operates a connecting rod 21 that is
connected with a transverse shaft 22, and the latter is provided with propellers 25
located at the sides of the stern of the vessel and having the blades thereof
slightly twisted so as to dispose of the surge water.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that the two sets of wheels 7 are
arranged at the sides of the vessel so as to secure the best results and propel said
vessel with greater speed through the water. The bow and stern propellers have
their blades twisted so as to dispose of the surge water and in a manner cleave
the same, throwing it to each side of the vessel, and being located in rear of the
cut water of the vessel no surge water is thrown into the path and serves to.
impede the progress of the vessel.
We do not of course limit the invention to the employment of electricity as a
motive power for operating these propellers, but we prefer the same, in that we
obviate the use of so many engines for this purpose and therefore economize to a
great degree the space that would be otherwise necessary. Attention is called to
the fact that by the employment of the propellers and their locations as herein
shown and described, the engine for operating the motors, the motors themselves,
or if steam be used, the engines and boilers may all be located far below the water-
line, which is not the case in vessels now built, and hence we would obviate the
necessity in war vessels of the excessive armour with which each vessel is
provided for the purpose of protecting these vital parts, in that in such vessels it
is customary by reason of the location and disposition of the propeller shaft to
locate the said vital parts above the water-line, whereas, by this invention they are
located below the water-line the water serving as a protector for the parts.
Under each of the shafts we locate brake-cylinders 26, connecting the same by
steam-pipes 27 to the engine. These cylinders have their pistons connected at
their upper ends to brake-shoes 29 that embrace the shafts 6, so that when steam
is admitted from the engine into the cylinders and the pistons forced upward the
shoes are applied to the surface of the shaft, and hence the momentum of the
latter overcome, and a quick reversal of the engine may take place and immediately
be effective. These brake devices are to be operated similar to the ordinary air-
brake for railway cars, but as said devices do not form part of this invention we
do not describe the same in detail.
We do not limit the invention to the various details of construction herein shown
and described, but hold that we may vary the same to any degree and extent within
the knowledge of the skilled mechanic without departing from the invention or
sacrificing the advantages thereof.
If by accident any one of the propellers 7 should become impaired it will be
seen that the outer plate 4 may be positioned over the arch in which the shaft is
located, the water pumped out after which the repair is made within the vessel, the
shaft or propeller placed in position and the plate elevated aboard.
In this manner it will be seen that repairs may be made upon the high seas, and
this, too, without stopping the vessel, which may continue on its way under the
influence of the remaining propellers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is: :-
1. The combination with the hull of a vessel provided with arches or cavities at
intervals along its sides, of a series of transverse shafts arranged coincident with
the cavities and terminating in the same, propellers carried by the shafts, and
means for operating the shafts, substantially as specified.
2. The combination with a vessel provided at intervals along its side with
arches or cavities, of a series of transverse shafts arranged coincident with and
terminating in the arches, propellers mounted on the shafts within the arches, and

page_text: front and rear-propeller-carrying shafts arranged at each side of the bow and stern
of the vessel and at an angle to the remaining shafts, propeller wheels arranged
upon the outer ends of the front and rear shafts, and blades of said wheels being
twisted, and means for operating the transverse and the front and rear shafts,.
substantially as specified.
3. The combination with the hull of a vessel, the sides of which are provided
with cavities, of a series of propeller-carrying shafts arranged coincident with.
and terminating in the cavities, front and rear shafts arranged at the bow and stern
respectively, means for operating the same and the transverse shaft, twin propeller
wheels mounted upon each of the front and rear shafts, said wheels having their
blades spaced apart and arranged in annular series, the blades of one series
alternating with those of the other, substantially as specified.
4. The combination with a vessel, a series of transverse shafts arranged therein
and extending from its sides, and front and rear shafts carrying propeller wheels,.
of a rear engine for operating the rear shafts, the front engine for operating the
front shafts, an electric motor arranged adjacent to each of the transverse shafts, a
dynamo connected therewith, and connections between the front engine and the
dynamo and from the dynamo to the motors, substantially as specified.
5. The combination with a vessel, and a series of transverse shafts, of an engine
arranged in the vessel, brake shoes upon the shafts, brake cylinders for operating
the shoes, and a steam-pipe leading from the engine to the cylinder, substantially
as specified.
6. The vessel having a double wall, combined with an intermediate partition or
wall compoundly curved and alternately contacting with the inner and outer
walls of the vessel, forming a series of water-tight compartments substantially as
specified.
7. The combination with a vessel having a double wall and an intermediate
partition compoundly curved and alternately contacting with the walls thus forming
a series of watertight compartments, the outer compartments being provided with
arches, of transverse shafts terminating in the arches, propellers carried by the
shafts and means for operating the shafts, and an outer wall for removably covering.
the arches, substantially as specified.
Dated this 28th day of November 1893.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.