An improved method of Construction and Application of Wings and Aeroplanes, and Appliances connected therewith, for the purpose of Aerial Navigation.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Apr., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 15th Jan., 1898-Accepted, 16th Apr., 1898
An improved method of Construction and Application of Wings and
Aeroplanes, and Appliances connected therewith, for the purpose
of Aerial Navigation.
I, JOHN MARSHALL, of 23, Rockingham Terrace, Birdwell, Barnsley, in the County
of Yorkshire, Contractor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
:-
This invention has for its object certain special and important improvements on
the specification of a previous Patent granted to me and numbered 10239-1895
and relates more particulary to the construction of the nessesary wings, or
Happers, also to the construction and employment of additional aeroplanes and to
the combination of the said wings and aeroplanes in such a manner that the full
power and effect requisite for flight is obtainable.
:
Also I devise a special form of motor which in combination with the particular
arrangament of the wings and aeroplanes give in the most effectual manner the
nessesary elevating sustaining and propelling properties to render the machine
navigable and capable of rising from a position of rest.
For this purpose I employ a car or receptacle of oblong or other convenient
shape provided with one or more hollow uprights as described in my previous
specification, and to each upright where more than one is employed I connect
thereto at suitable points one or more pairs of wings or flappers each of these wings
or flappers is connected either direct or through the medium of a connecting rod
to the rod of a piston, these pistons are arranged to work in the opposite ends of
a common cylinder said cylinder also supported by the uprights and are pro-
vided with suitable ports for the entrance and exhaustion of the operating fluid.
Each pair of wings are arranged to work at different elevations consistant with
the length of stroke of the two pistons, and one on each side of the upright the
point of attachment of the pistons to the wings is so fixed that the wings form
levers of different orders the upper wing being hinged on to the upright and pro-
vided with a projecting arm or lever to which is attached the piston rod. This
arrangment converts the wing into a lever of the first order, where the fulcrum
is between the power and the resistance. In the lower wing of a pair the point of
attachment is at an equal distance on the front rib of the wing to the length of
the lever arm of the upper wing, in this case the power is applied between the
fulcrum and the resistance. The result of this arrangment is that the resistance
encountered by the lower wing during the down or effective stroke forms the sup-
port or fulcrum which enables the operating fluid to act on the piston connected
to the higher wing and so produce on the fulcrum or hinged joint of the higher
wing the maximum effect of both the power and the resistance which is a direct
elevating one.
To further enhance the value of this arrangment it is provided that the root
end of the lower wing shall be jointed or hinged on to a slieve or sliding collar
provided with suitable ball or other antifriction bearings and said collar shall be

page_text: free to move in an upward and downward direction on the upright, and depending
from this collar and held by suitable stays I attach an aeroplane which is also
provided with a collar of similar construction and is also free to move on the upright,
and acts after the manner of a kite and supports. the root end of the lower wing.
The lower wing is provided with a catch or lock at its junction with the sliding
collar which will by fastening the wing in an horrizontal direction convert the said
wing into a superimposed aeroplane, and in some cases the lower wing can be
dispensed with and the movable aeroplane coupled direct, to the rod of the lower
piston. I also provide a spiral spring or rubber cushion to be attached at suitable
points on the uprights, to take any shock that may be caused at the termination
of either stroke of the lower wing and movable aeroplane. The sliding collars
being partly regulated as to the extent of their upward and downward motion by
the said spiral springs or rubber cushions.
In the construction of the wings and aeroplanes several important objects have to
be considered, first that during the elevation and depression of the wings and
aeroplanes and particulary in the recovery at the termination of each stroke, all
dead points or stopages are to be avoided, and a continuity of motion maintained,
also that the angle presented to the horizon or direction of travel by the wings and
aeroplanes shall conform to the rate of speed and also to the various wind currents,
and that they shall seize the air with avidity during the down stroke and dis-
entangle themselves with equal facility in the up stroke, to effect which the
framework of the said wings and movable aeroplanes are formed of flexible, tapering
steel tubes or rods, the front or anterior edge shall taper gradualy from the root
to the extremity and in its normal state to curve slightly downwards and backwards
this anterior edge to form the main rib, from which rib like rods radiate at suitable
points, and have a curvature from the front downwards, and present to the horizon
an angle of about twenty five degrees. The framework to carry the covering which
may be of silk canvas or the like. In the higher wings the root end is continued
past the hinged joint and forms a suitable lever, and in the lower wings and
movable aeroplanes the root terminates in or on a sliding collar.
A gas or oil engine may be employed for the purpose of compressing air into the
hollow keel and uprights of the vessel or car which said keel and uprights act as
recievers for the air said compressed air to be used as the actuating fluid.
The cylinders draw their supply of air from the uprights, and are governed by
a sliding valve motion actuated by and from the projecting arm of the upper wing,
the valve action being precisely similar to that employed on an ordinary cylinder,
said cylinders are provided with three ports for the entrance and exhaustion of
the operating fluid one in the centre and one at each end. The two end ports
however, form a junction before entering the air chest, so that by this arrangment
both the up and down strokes of the two pistons are simultaneous.
I also provide that the ports entering the cylinders at the ends shall at a point
where the junction is formed, before entering the air chest contain a valve or cock,
to regulate the supply of air to the cylinders as it will be found that after the
initial velocity has been acquired to elevate the machine that the power nessesary
to raise the wings to their elevated possition will be reduced to a minimum on
account of the reciprocity between the weight of the machine and the power em-
ployed in its elevation, the wings during their descent elevating the machine, and
the machine by its momentum and slight fall elevating the wings thus a remarkable
saving of energy is obtained.
The underlying principle involved in this invention is that the atmosphere must
be made into a basis of support before locomotion or the navigation of the air can
be practical. That this has been attempted to be accomplished by the vertical
flapping of wings as illustrated, by the many patented inventions, I am aware, but
the real secret has never up to the present time been fully grasped or realized.
The laws regulating this branch of science are the same that govern all other forms
of locomotion, and the disasterous failures hitherto, have been caused merely by the
substitution of laws that had no bearing on the subject.

page_text: It is well known that action and re-action are equal and oposite and that force
expends itself in the plane of least resistance, consequently it is obvious that the
power applied to the lever of a wing, must by the very nature of, and in accordance
with, all known law, react on the machine with equal effect, and so neutralize the
elevating power.
This invention is intended to overcome this difficulty and by the adaption of
laws suited to this particular object provide a means by which aerial navigation
may be brought to a practical issue, and to accomplish which it is first nessesary
to sever all connection with the machine proper, in so far as finding a support for
allowing the actuating fluid to operate is concerned. This is effected by the lower
wing of a pair, together with the movable aeroplane and their several connections,
including the lower piston resting for their support on the air alone, while they
are at the same time under perfect control by reason of the actuating fluid being so
regulated as to work the two pistons simultaneously.
It will also be seen that, owing to the manner of construction and by the fact
that the lower wings and movable aeroplane present to the horizon or direction of
travel the under or concave surface, the said lower wing and movable aeroplane,
form true kites, and in a fair breeze or when the machine is being propelled for-
ward will often support the lower piston and although no stroke is effected by the
lower piston the support available to enable the higher piston to operate is kept
constant and in cases where the wind currents are intermittant, the actuating fluid
at once supplies the deficiancy, this kite like action of the lower wings and aero-
planes thus tend to greatly conserve the motive power.
The action of the two pistons may be thus described. The higher piston is
designed chiefly to assist in the elevation of the machine and owing to the manner
in which the piston rod is coupled to the lever or arm of the higher wing, and to
the fact that the hinged joint is between the power and resistance, the elevating
power is obvious. The lower piston on the contrary is designed to operate chiefly
in finding a support or fulcrum to enable the higher piston to succesfully accom-
plish the work for which it is intended thus the power is equaly divided one half
finding a support to enable the remaining half to operate.
The propelling mechanism has already been described, but to more particularize
the same, I rely entirely on the back or up stroke of the entire set of wings and
aeroplanes the pistons during this stroke recieve their impulse from each end of
the cylinder, and the said wings and aeroplanes owing to the manner of construc-
tion strike the air with a convex surface, or at an angle of about twenty five degrees.
This angle however varies owing mainly to the elastic nature of the wings and
aeroplanes, and also to the amount of force expended, but the effict is that the
wings strike the air with a wedge like action in precisely the same manner as a
screw propellor.
Dated this 14th day of April 1897
An improved method of Construction and Application of Wings and
Aeroplanes, and Appliances connected therewith, for the purpose
of Aerial Navigation.
I, JOHN MARSHALL, of 23, Rockingham Terrace, Birdwell, Barnsley, in the County
of York, Contractor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
-
This invention has for its object certain special and important improvements on
the specification of a previous Patent granted to me and numbered 10239-1895
and relates more particularly, to the construction of the necessary wings or
flappers, also to the construction, and employment, of additional aeroplanes, and to
the combination of the said wings and aeroplanes in such a manner, that the full
power and effect necessary for flight is obtainable.
Also I devise a special form of motor, which, in combination with the particular
arrangment of the wings and aeroplanes, gives in the most effectual manner the
necessary elevating sustaining and propelling properties to render the machine
navigable and capable of rising from a position of rest.
For this purpose I employ a car or receptacle of oblong or other convenient
shape, provided with one or more hollow uprights as described in my previous
specification, and to each upright where more than one is employed, I connect
thereto at suitable points, one or more pairs of wings or flappers. Each of these
wings or flappers are connected either directly or through the medium of a con-
necting rod to the rod of a piston in such a manner that those of each pair may
be operated to move in the same or opposite direction.
The pistons of each pair are arranged to work in the opposite ends of a vertical
cylinder said cylinders are supported by the uprights and are provided with suit-
able ports for the entrance and exhaustion of the operating fluid.
Each pair of wings are arranged to work at different elevations, consistant with
the length of stroke of the two pistons and their connections, and one on each side
of the upright. The point of attachment of the piston rods to the wings is so fixed
at the wings form levers of different orders. The upper wing of each pair being
hinged on to the upright and provided with a projecting arm or lever to which is
attached the piston rod. This arrangment converts the wing into lever of the
first order, where the fulcrum is between the power and the resistance.
'
On the lower wing of each pair, the point of attachment is preferably, at an
equal distance on the main rib of the wing, to the length of the lever arm of the
upper wing, in this case the power is applied between the fulcrum and the resis-
tance. The result of this arrangment is that the resistance encountered by the
lower wing of a pair forms the support or fulcrum, which enables the operating
fluid to act on the piston connected to the higher wing, and so produce on the ful-
crum or hinged joint of the higher wing, the maximum effect of both the power
and the resistance, which is a direct elevating one.
To further enhance the value of this arrangment, it is provided that the root
end of the lower wing shall be jointed on to a sliding collar, said collar to be
provided with suitable all or other antifriction bearings and shall be free to move
in an upward and downward direction on the upright. Depending from this
collar, and held by suitable stays I attach an aeroplane which is also provided
with a collar of the same construction, and said aeroplane is also free to move on
the upright, and acts after the manner of a kite and supports the root end of the
lower wing.
It is also provided that spiral springs or rubber cushions are placed at suitable
points on the uprights, to recieve the sliding collars at the termination of both
the up and down strokes of the lower wings and movable aeroplanes. The full
length of stroke of the same being thus determined.
The lower wing or flapper of each pair is provided with a catch or lock at or
about its junction with the sliding collar which will when in operation fasten the
wing in an horizontal direction, and so convert the said wing into a superimposed
aeroplane while in some cases the lower wing can be dispensed with, and the
movable aeroplane coupled direct to the lower piston.
In the construction of the wings and aeroplanes several important objects have
to be considered. First that during the depression and elevation of the same, and

page_text: particularly at the recovery. at the termination of each stroke, all dead points or
stoppages, are to be avoided and a continuity of motion maintained. Also that the
angle presented to the horizon or direction of travel shall conform to the rate of
speed and also adapt themselves to the various wind currents.
To effect which the framework of the said wings and aeroplanes are preferably-
formed of flexible steel tubes or rods, or of other suitable material the front or
anterior edge to taper gradualy from the root to the extremity, lengthwise and.
form the main rib, from which rib, like rods of lighter section radiate at suitable
points to carry the covering which may be of silk canvas or the like.. The front.
rib in its normal state to curve slightly downward, and backward and the radiat-
ing stays, to have a curvature from the front downward. and backward, the finished
wings and aeroplanes to present to the horizon, a concave surface of about 25
degrees, and, the main ribs of the lower wings and movable aeroplanes shall
terminate at the root, in or on a suitable sliding collar, while to prevent undue
twisting strain on the main rib, the radiating stays may be carried beyond the.
main rib, in a forward direction, from one-fifth, to one third, of the full width
of the wings and aeroplanes...
-
A gas or oil engine, situate in the body of the car may be employed, for the
purpose of compressing air into the hollow keel and uprights, said keel and up-
rights act as recievers for the air, said compressed air to be used as the actuating
fluid.
I also design a special form of motor as applicable to the particular arrang-
ment of the several wings and aeroplanes, and consisting of a double cylinder
containing four pistons, two in each cylinder each piston working from or about
the middle to the end of said cylinder, and whose motive power is compressed air.
generated on the machine, the cylinders are provided with three ports, one at or
about the middle and one at each end, the end ports however, form a junction
hefore entering the air chest, this arrangment of the ports ensures, that both the
up and down strokes of the four pistons are simultaneous.
The cylinders draw their supply of air from the uprights and are governed by
a slide valve actuated by and from the projecting arm or lever of the upper
wing. The valve action being. similar to that employed on an ordinary or common
cylinder.
I also provide that the ports entering the cylinders at each end shall at a point.
where the junction is formed before entering the air chest, contain a valve or
cock, to regulate the supply of air to the cylinders, during the up stroke of the
wings as it will be found that after the inetial velocity has been acquired to elevate
the machine, the power necessary to raise the wings to their elevated. position will
be greatly reduced, mainly on account of the reciprocity between the weight of
the machine and the power employed in its elevation.
It should also be understood that the lower piston of a pair will often be sup-
ported by the kite like action. of the aeroplane, and lower wing, especialy, in a
fair breeze, or when the machine is being propelled forward, and, although no
stroke may be effected, the support available to enable the higher piston to
operate is kept constant; and in cases where the wind currents are intermittent,
the actuating fluid at once supplies the deficiency, this of course tends to greatly.
conserve the motive power.
The underlying principle involved in this invention is, that the atmosphere,
and not the vessel or car, must be made into a basis of support, before locomotion
in, or the navigation of the air can be practical. The air owing to its mobility.
and elasticity needs to be worked up into a comparative solid fulcra or foundation,
capable of receiving and distributing the reaction of the necessary motive power,
which fact, when thoroughly realized will place the navigation of the air, under the
same simple mechanical laws, that govern all other forms of locomotion.
To this end it is absolutly necessary to sever all direct connection. with the
machine proper, in so far as finding a mechanical support, for allowing the actuat-
ing fluid to operate is concerned. To effect which, the lower wings together with

page_text: the movable aeroplanes and their several connections, including the lower piston,
must rest for their support, on the air alone.
The action and mode of operation of the two wings forming one pair, together
with the supplementary action of the movable aeroplane may be thus described.
Each wing of a pair is connected either directly or through the medium of a
connecting rod, to the rod of a piston, and each of the said pistons are arranged
to work from or about the middle to the opposite ends of a vertical cylinder the
ports of which are so constructed that the actuating fluid is admitted between the
two pistons to force them apart, during the down or elevating stroke, the effect of
which is that the resistance encountered by the lower wing and movable aeroplane
during their descent, coupled with whatever ascentional force may be derived from
the impact of the air currents, on the under or concave surface of said wings and
aeroplanes forms the support or fulcrum, which enables the operating fluid to act
on the higher piston, and thus transmit to the higher wing in the most effectual
manner a force whose reaction is distributed on the atmosphere under the most
favourable conditions.
In the up stroke, or recovery of the wings, to their raised position the reverse
action takes place, the pistons receive their impulse simultaneously from each end
of the cylinder. The ports governing this arrangment form a junction after leaving
the cylinders and before entering the air chest, thus reducing the necessary valve
motion to its simplest form. In this stroke the wings and aeroplanes strike the air
with a convex surface in precisely the same manner as a screw propellor, and so
wedge the machine forward, while at the same time, the under or concave surface
is presenting a supporting area to the line of progression. The reaction of the
power employed in the up stroke, is equaly distributed between the top and bottom
covers of the cylinders, thus no extra weight is added to the machine.
In order that my invention may be more readily understood, and carried into
practice I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying
drawings, of which,
Fig. 1, is a transverse section of the upper wing.
Fig. 2, a transverse section of lower wing.
Fig. 3, a view of main rib and lever of upper wing.
Fig. 4, view of main rib of lower wing, shewing attachment to sliding collar.
Fig. 5, part view of main rib of aeroplane fastened to sliding collar.
Fig. 6, end elevation of machine.
Fig. 7, part sectional end elevation, embracing the principle features of my
invention.
Fig. 8, sectional elevation of compressed air motor.
As illustrated, the machine consists of a car a, constructed of wirework or other
suitable material.
Projecting from this car and supported by stays B, are one or more hollow
uprights c, each having hinged to it two elevator wings d, said wings are provided
with an arm or lever e, to which is attached the connecting rod f of the higher
piston g.
The lower pistons H are coupled either direct or through the medium of a con-
necting rod, to two wings J, working at a lower elevation, said lower wings, are
jointed on to a sliding collar K, from which collar is suspended an aeroplane
fastened to a collar of like construction.
These collars are provided with ball or other antifriction bearings and are free
to move on the uprights in an upward and downward direction, the length of
stroke being determined by spiral springs or rubber cushions, fastened to the up-
rights at suitable points.
The lower wings J, are also provided with a catch or lock at the point of attach-
ment to the sliding collars, which will by fastening the wings in an horizontal
direction, convert the same into a superposed aeroplane. The wings or flappers
work in pairs one on each side of the upright. The operation of each pair con-
sisting of an higher and lower wing, together with the supplementary aeroplane, 1,

page_text: are affected by two pistons arranged to work in in the opposite ends of a cylinder m,
attached to and supported by the upright c and connected each, to one of the
wings or flappers, in such a manner, that these latter, together with the aeroplane
move simultaneously in the same direction.
The actuating fluid is compressed air, generated on the machine, by the employ-
ment of a gas, or oil engine, said compressed air is forced into the hollow keel and
uprights, from which the motors draw their supply (through pipe c. Each motor
is constructed with two cylinders m, fitted each with two pistons g and H, designed
to reciprocate from the middle to the ends of said cylinders. The air chest O, is
precisely similar to an ordinary or common steam chest but the ports, after leaving
the air chest, diverge, and supply both cylinders, the top port R of the air chest
is arranged to convey the actuating fluid to the middle of each cylinder and between
the two pistons and so force them apart, while the lower port S, of the said air
chest is connected to each of the four end ports of the cylinders by side pipes T,
and so transmits the necessary power to each end of the two cylinders simul-
taneously. The port u is the exhaust, the whole arrangement being governed
by the slide valve W actuated by, and from the lever arm of the higher wing,.
Fig. 7.
It will be seen from this arrangement, that the lower piston of each pair, is
analogous to, and answers the same purpose, as the lower cover of an ordinary
cylinder, in that it receives and distributes on the air the reaction of the power
necessary to operate the elevator wings, d.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
1.) An aerial machine or vessel provided with one or more pairs of wings or
flappers, each pair consisting of an higher and lower wing, and one on each side
of the upright, and whose fulcrum is so arranged that they form levers of different
orders.
2.) An aerial machine or vessel, in which the lower wings, are hinged on to a.
sliding collar, and are free to move on the uprights in a vertical direction.
3.) An aerial machine or vessel, whose lower wings may be fastened in an hori-
zontal direction, by the employment of a catch, or lock, at the junction with the
sliding collar.
4) An aerial machine or vessel, provided with one or more aeroplanes, fastened
to sliding collars, and suspended from the collars of the lower wings, the length
of stroke of the same being regulated by spiral springs or rubber cushions on the
uprights.
5.) An aerial machine or vessel in which the combination of higher and lower
wings, together with the supplementary aeroplanes, are operated as described,
each wing or flapper, of each pair, being connected to the rod of a piston, and the
pistons of each pair of wings or flappers, arranged to work in the oposite ends of
à cylinder, m, which cylinder has its inlet, and outlet ports so arranged, that the
actuating fluid may operate both pistons simultaneously.
one-
6.) An aerial machine or vessel consisting of a car a, one or more uprights c
or more pairs of wings or flappers, in combination with one or more movable.
aeroplanes, one or more double ended cylinders having pistons g and H connected:
to each pair of wings or flappers, the whole arranged, constructed, and operated"
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
l'ated this 14th day of January 1898.
JOHN MARSHALL,
(Applicant.)