Improvements in Paddle Wheels.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, ou 10.
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Nov., 1894-Accepted, 19th Jan., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Paddle Wheels.
I, WILLIAM THOMAS LANGLEY-SMITH of Spring Lodge, Dean Road, South
Croydon in the County of Surrey Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide a self-acting feathering paddle wheel
to dispense with all the cumbersome lever gearing at present used for feathering
paddles and also to so construct a paddle wheel as to greatly economise the driving
power by only doing that part of the work which is effective in propulsion, and
occupy much less space than ordinarily required.
And to carry my invention into effect I construct my improved paddle wheel as
follows.
The wheel itself is composed of a light disc of the required diameter strengthened
by ribs the whole rigidly attached to a central boss which is keyed upon the
shaft.
This disc carries at suitable intervals the automatic feathering floats.
The
The disc is slotted radially at suitable intervals from its periphery to about one-
third the distance towards the centre and through these slots the floats work.
floats are formed of plates the centre part of which are Z shaped in section. About
two fifths of such plate project on one side of the disc and three fifths on the
opposite side, the top and bottom of the Z shaped part of these floats is cut away
a little, so that when this part is placed in the slotted spaces in the disc the part
nearest the centre of the disc will overlap the end of the slot, a piece of metal is
then bolted across the top or outer end of the slot and this piece of metal comes
between the other part of the float which is cut away thus keeping the floats in
position but allowing them to swivel round to nearly a right angle with the plane
of the disc, or if preferred a bolt may be pressed through the float longitudinally
and fitted in bearings at each end the object being to provide a simple and effective
hinge or swivel for the floats to turn upon. The floats are so shaped that the
shorter or two fifths part when closed lies nearly parallel to the disc forward of the
hinged part on one side and the larger or three fifths part lies nearly parallel to
the disc behind the hinged part on the opposite side. The proportions of the floats
projecting on either side of the disc may be varied according to requirements. The
action of this paddle is as follows-When the disc is revolved the forward and
smaller part of the float first comes in contact with the water and is thereby forced
open to nearly a right angle with the disc and that side being forced open brings
the back or larger part of the float also open in line with it, and the float continues
its course in this position a quarter of a revolution or thereabouts. The front
smaller part balancing the back larger part by reason of the angle of the former
being against the direction of travel in the water of the disc and the latter being at
an angle with the direction of travel, when however the floats reach the bottom of
the revolution the balance is overcome by the larger side and as it continues to
revolve the balance being once overcome the float gradually closes until it reaches
the half revolution where it leaves the water closed as near as it will go to the
plane of the disc. Thus it will be seen that the full effect of the floats is obtained
from the time the floats enter the water until the bottom position is reached and
they then gradually close in proportion to the actual service they are rendering till

page_text: they are closed during the upward stroke which has no effect upon the propulsion,
and they leave the water with scarcely any disturbance whatever.
I preferably place my paddles in the after run of the vessel one on each side of
the keel a suitable distance from it and such other parts of the vessel as to be clear
of the water which is carried by the vessel, but they may be used in the usual place,
on either side amidships or at the stern if desired.
The total width of my improved paddle is much less than the ordinary paddle so
that it may be placed on either side of a vessel as usual and be fitted at a greater
distance from the sides to clear the water carried along by the vessel and even then
not take up so much room as an ordinary paddle wheel.
As there is no resistance in bringing the floats up out of the water I can drive
my wheel at a much greater speed than is usual.
A paddle of this construction may be also much deeper submerged than the usual
form thus preventing much of the racing which has hitherto been so detrimental to
the use of paddle wheels at sea.
Various modifications may be made and any suitable materials used always
preserving the essential features of my invention.
Dated this 6th day of February 1894.
H. T. TALLACK,
10, Great Turnstile, Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Paddle Wheels.
I, WILLIAM THOMAS LANGLEY-SMITH of Spring Lodge, Dean Road, South
Croydon in the County of Surrey, Gentleman, 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 :—
The object of my invention is to provide a self-acting feathering paddle wheel to
dispense with all the cumbersome lever gearing at present used for feathering
paddles and also to so construct a paddle wheel as to greatly economise the driving
power by only doing that part of the work which is effective in propulsion, and
occupy less space than ordinarily required.
And to carry my invention into effect I construct my improved paddle wheel as
follows:-
The wheel itself is composed of a light disc of the required diameter strengthened
by ribs, the whole rigidly attached to a central boss which is keyed upon the
shaft.
This disc carries at suitable intervals the automatic feathering floats.
The disc is slotted radially at suitable intervals from its periphery to about one-
third the distance towards the centre and through these slots the floats work. The
floats are formed of plates the centre part of which are Z shaped in section. About
two fifths of such plate project on one side of the disc and three fifths on the
opposite side, the top and bottom of the Z shaped part of these floats is cut away
a little so that when this part is placed in the slotted spaces in the disc the part
nearest the centre of the disc will overlap the end of the slot, a piece of metal is
then bolted across the top or outer end of the slot and this piece of metal comes
between the other part of the float which is cut away thus keeping the floats in
position but allowing them to swivel round to nearly a right angle with the plane
of the disc, or if preferred a bolt may be passed through the float longitudinally,
and fitted in bearings at each end, the object being to provide a simple and effective
hinge or swivel for the floats to turn upon.
The floats are so shaped that the shorter or two fifths part when closed lies
mearly parallel to the disc forward of the hinged part on one side and the larger

page_text: or three fifths part lies nearly parallel to the disc behind the hinged part on the
opposite side. The proportions of the floats projecting on either side of the disc
may be varied according to requirements. The action of this paddle is as follows,
when the disc is revolved the forward and smaller part of the float first comes in
contact with the water and is thereby forced open to nearly a right angle with the
disc and that side being forced open brings the back or larger part of the float also
open in line with it, and the float continues its course in this position a quarter of a
revolution or thereabouts. The front smaller part balancing the back larger part
by reason of the angle of the former being against the direction of travel in the
water of the disc and the latter being at an angle with the direction of travel, when
however the floats reach the bottom of the revolution the balance is overcome by
the larger side and as it continues to revolve the balance being once overcome the
float gradually closes until it reaches the half revolution where it leaves the water
closed as near as it will go to the plane of the disc.
Thus it will be seen that the full effect of the floats is obtained from the time the
floats enter the water until the bottom position is reached and they then gradually
close in proportion to the actual service they are rendering till they are closed
during the upward stroke which has no effect upon the propulsion, and they leave
the water with scarcely any disturbance whatever.
I preferably place my paddles a little aft of the centre of the vessel, one on each
side of the keel or suitable distance from it or such other parts of the vessel as to
be clear of the water which is carried along by the vessel, but they may be used in
the usual place, on either side amidships or at the stern if desired.
The total width of my improved paddle is less than the ordinary paddle so
that it may be placed on either side of a vessel as usual and be fitted at a greater
distance from the sides to clear the water carried along by the vessel and even then
not take up so much room as an ordinary paddle wheel. As there is no resistance
in bringing the floats up out of the water I can drive my wheel at a much greater
speed than is usual.
A paddle of this construction may be also much deeper submerged than the usual
form thus preventing much of the racing which has hitherto been so detrimental to
the use of paddle wheels at sea.
Various modifications may be made and any suitable materials used always
preserving the essential features of my invention."
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of my improved paddle shown with the floats
in the various positions they would be in at work.
Fig. 2 shows the reverse side of Fig. 1, this side would preferably be next to the
vessel.
Fig. 3 is an end elevation looking forward and Fig. 4 a plan.
All the drawings show the floats in the same position as in Fig. 1 and the arrows
the direction of rotation. Similar letters denote corresponding parts throughout
the drawings. A A is the disc. B B the strengthening rim. C C the boss.
DD the strengthening ribs. EE bosses for carrying the ends of the spindles upon
which the floats work. F F the floats. GG the openings through the disc to
allow of the passage of the water when the floats close. H the main shaft.
I a part of the side of the vessel. The water line is presumed to be at the
dotted line J.
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 :-
(1.) The use in combination with paddle wheels for ships or vessels of radially
pivotted floats, working in bearings attached to a suitable disc. The said Hoats
opening and closing by the action of their passage through the water on either side
of the disc and the said floats preferably having a larger superficial area on one
side than the other.

page_text: (2.) The use in combination with paddle wheels for ships or vessels with radially
pivoted floats, of the openings G G through the disc to allow of the passage of
water, thereby facilitating the closing of the floats.
(3.) The improved paddle wheel substantially as herein described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of November 1894.
H. T. TALLACK,
10, Great Turnstile, Holborn, London, W.C., Agent for Applicant.