Improvements in Feathering Paddle Wheels.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Mar., 1886.
Complete Left, 23rd Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 25th Jan., 1887.
I, ALEXANDER CARNEGIE KIRK, of the firm of Robert Napier and Sons, Lancefield
House, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this Invention, to be as follows, that is to say :-
My said Invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction of
feathering paddle wheels; and it relates principally to the wheel-like frames which
carry the floats.
In carrying out the Invention each radial arm of the wheel frame is cut from a
single steel plate of suitable size and thickness, and the parts to receive the bearings
for the journals of the floats are formed by folding or doubling the plate close upon
itself at the end of the arm. For this purpose the piece to form the arm is cut with a
part projecting on one side or with parts projecting on both sides. Each projecting
part is subsequently folded over upon the middle part, a double thickness being thus
formed if there is one projecting part, or a treble thickness if there are two projecting
parts. The folded parts may be welded together if thought desirable.
The improved arms may be bolted to the ring in the usual way, or the arms may be
so cut or shaped out of the steel plates as to have segments or portions of the ring on
each, and the ends of such segments may be joined by double butt straps or otherwise.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Feathering Paddle Wheels.
I, ALEXANDER CARNEGIE KIRK, of the firm of Robert Napier and Sons, Lancefield
House, Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engineer, 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, that is to
say :-
My said Invention has for its object to improve and simplify the construction of
feathering paddle wheels; and it relates principally to the wheel-like frames which

page_text: Two sheets of explanatory drawings are hereunto appended to be referred to in
hereinafter describing my improvements; and in these drawings the same reference
numerals are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.
In carrying out my Invention each radial arm, 20, of the wheel frame is cut from a
single steel plate of suitable size and thickness, and the parts, 21, for receiving the
bearings for the journals of the floats are formed by folding or doubling the plate close
upon itself at the end of the arm, 20. For this purpose the piece to form the arm, 20,
is cut with a part, 22, projecting on one side as shown in figure, 2, or with parts, 22, 23,
projecting on both sides as shown in figure, 5; or if extra thickness is required with
three projecting parts, 22, 23, 24, as shown in figure, 9, there being one at each side
and one at the end. Each projecting part is subsequently folded over on the middle
part a double thickness being thus formed if there is one projecting part, 22, as shown
in figures, 1, and 3; or a treble thickness as shown in figures, 4, and 6, if there are
two projecting parts, 22, 23; or a quadruple thickness as shown in figures, 8, and 10,
if there are three projecting parts, 22, 23, 24. The folded parts may be riveted or
welded together; and where considerable thickness is desired pieces, 25, may be
inserted between the folded parts, 22, 23, and the middle part, as shown in figure, 7,
the whole being welded together.
The improved arms may be bolted to the ring of the wheel frame in the usual way,
or the arms may be cut or shaped out of the steel plates in the manner shown in
figures, 11, to 13, and so as to have segments, 26, 27, or portions of the ring on each;
and the ends of such segments may be joined by double butt straps, 28, as shown in
figures, 13, and 14, or otherwise. Or instead of the straps, 28, on one or on both sides
of the wheel frame there may be a complete ring of suitable strength combined with
the ring segments, 26, 27, formed on the arms. When there is a second or outer ring
it may be formed in the same way by means of segments upon the arms.
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-Cutting each arm of the wheel frame of a feathering paddle wheel from a single
steel plate, and forming the part to receive the bearings of the float journals, by
folding upon and riveting or welding to the middle part one or more projecting parts
provided for the purpose substantially as hereinbefore described.
2-Forming the ring or rings of the wheel frame of a feathering paddle wheel by
means of segments formed on the arms substantially as hereinbefore described.