IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR
Year: 1884

page_text: Apparatus therefor.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS
AND APPARATUS THEREFOR" to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the propulsion of vessels, and has for its object to
provide means whereby a more direct application of the power may be made than
is ordinarily possible.
The said invention consists essentially in the combination-in an apparatus for
propelling a vessel of a combustion-chamber, a conduit extending from the com-
bustion-chamber to the water a valve controlling the admission of gas or a liquid
hydrocarbon into the combustion-chamber, a valve for controlling the passage of
the contents of the combustion-chamber into the said conduit, and mechanism for
igniting the contents of the conduit and combustion-chamber.
An air-compressor can advantageously be employed for forcing air into the
conduit at the same time as the gas or hydro-carbon.
An engine will preferably be used to work the valves, and the ignition of the
contents of the conduit and combustion-chamber will best be effected by an electric
spark-producing mechanism operating automatically. A branch conduit may also
be employed to provide for reversing or backing the vessel.
Periodically operating valves controlling the admission of air and gas or the
hydrocarbon, are opened for an instant to permit the passage of air and gas or
hydrocarbon into the combustion chamber. After the closing of these valves the
valve controlled communication between the combustion chamber and the conduits
which extend to the water, is opened and the mixture of air and gas or hydro-
carbon ignited. Explosions then occur and impart impetus to the vessel.
The main and branch conduits may be opened and closed at pleasure by means
of valves or gates according as it is desirable to propel the vessel forward or
backward,

page_text: Apparatus therefor.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS
AND APPARATUS THEREFOR 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 the propulsion of vessels and has for its object to
provide means whereby a more direct application of the power may be made than
is ordinarily possible.
The said invention consists in the combination in an apparatus for propelling a
vessel of a combustion chamber, a conduit extending from the combustion chamber
to the water, a valve controlling the admission of gas or a liquid hydrocarbon into
the combustion chamber, a valve for controlling the passage of the contents of the
combustion chamber into the said conduit and mechanism for igniting the contents
of the conduit and combustion chamber. An air compressor can advantageously be
employed for forcing air into the conduit at the same time as the gas or hydro-
carbon. An engine will preferably be used to work the valves and the ignition of the
contents of the conduit and combustion chamber will best be effected by an electric
spark-producing mechanism operating automatically. A branch conduit may also
be employed to provide for backing the vessel.
Periodically, valves controlling the admission of air and gas or the hydrocarbon
are opened for an instant, to permit the passage of air and gas or hydrocarbon into
the combustion chamber. After the closing of these valves the valve controlling
communication between the combustion chamber and the conduits which extend to
the water is opened and the mixture of air and gas or hydrocarbon ignited.
Explosions then occur and impart impetus to the vessel. The main and branch
conduits may be opened and closed at pleasure by means of valves or gates
according as it is desirable to propel the vessel forwards or backwards.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a vertical section of a vessel and a
sectional elevation of an apparatus embodying our improvement for propelling the
vessel; and Figure 2 is a plan of the said apparatus. Similar letters of reference
designate corresponding parts in both figures.
A designates air compressing engines of which there may be any suitable number.
We have shown three of them in the present example of our invention. Each has
two air-compressing. cylinders a a¹ and an interinediate engine cylinder a³ in which
steam or other suitable motive agent can be used. Pipes a³ a' extend from the
air compressing cylinders aa¹ and communicate with a pipe a. One rod aº may
be connected to the piston of all three cylinders. The valve-gear of the engine
cylinder a³ may be of any suitable style and operated from an eccentric on a rotary
shaft a. The rod as is connected by a link or rod a³ to a crank a³ on the shaft a².
On the shaft a' is a fly-wheel a¹º.
The pipe a of each air compressing engine communicates with a chamber B
here shown as of cylindrical form. This chamber may be made of boiler iron.

page_text: The communication of each pipe a³ with the chamber B is controlled by a cock or
valve al By closing any of the valves all the air compressing engine with whose
pipe a³ that valve is combined may be rendered useless for the purpose for which
it is intended.
C preferably made of similar
Pipes B¹ establish communica-
Valves b are combined with the
chamber B and the chambers C.
The chamber B coininunicates with chambers
material. Three of these chambers C are shown.
tion between the chamber B and the chamber C.
pipes B¹ and control communication between the
The chambers C may be furnished with pressure gauges C² if desirable.
Pipes C establish communication between the chambers C. and a chamber D
which is similar to the chamber B. With the pipes C³ are combined_valves o
whereby the communication between the chambers C and the chamber D can be
controlled at pleasure.
From the chamber D extend pipes F.
but two are here shown.
These pipes F lead to propellers of which
We will now describe the propellers. Each has a combustion chamber E which
may be approximately of spherical form. One of the pipes F communicates with
each of these chambers under control of an air-induction valve E¹ here shown as
consisting of a rotary plug having a transverse port. On the stem of this valve is
a toothed sector e engaging with a toothed rack-bar e'. This rack-bar e' slides in
bearings e and is provided with a too e³. A rocker e arranged on a shaft e acts
on the toe e³ raising and lowering it so as to cause the rotation of the induction
valve El suitably for establishing and cutting off communication between the
pipe F and the combustion chamber. The rocker is operated by means of a
steam or other engine F¹ of any suitable kind. From an eccentric on a rotary-
shaft comprised in this engine F¹ a link or rod F extends to an arm on the shaft
of the rocker and thus motion is imparted to the latter.
The combustion chamber E also has an eduction valve E shown as similar to
the induction valve E¹. On the stem of the eduction valve E³ is a toothed
sector e which engages with a toothed rack bar e sliding in bearings e³. The
rack-bar e' is provided with a toe e on which the rocker e' acts. The rocker e*
simultaneously raises the rack-bar e and lowers the rack-bars e¹ and vice versa.
The ports of the valves E¹ E' are so arranged that when one valve communicates
with the chamber the other does not.
G designates a pipe through which gas or any suitable hydrocarbon is forced
into the combustion chamber by means of a pump or pressure generated in any
other suitable manner. In this pipe G is a valve G¹ here shown as consisting of a
rotary plug provided with a transverse port. This valve permits escape of the gas or
hydrocarbon into the combustion chamber when the valvo E¹ permits the passage
of compressed air into the said chamber. It is opened when the valve E' is opened,
and closed when the valve E' is closed. On its stem is a toothed pinion g which
engages with a toothed gear-wheel g₁ arranged on a shaft g². The shaft G² is
provided with a ratchet wheel g³. On this shaft g³ is loosely mounted an arm g'
carrying a pawl g* which engages with the ratchet wheel g³. A rod 9º connects the
arm g with the arm of the rocker e, hence when the rocker is operated the
valve G will be partially rotated. The gear wheel g¹ and pinion g'are used to
afford the valve G¹ the requisite amount of motion.
From the combustion chamber E a conduit or pipe H extends to the rear of the
vessel and opens into the water in rear of the vessel. When the eduction valve E'
is opened the contents of the combustion chamber pass into the conduit EL. The
communication of the conduit H with the water in rear of the vessel is controlled
by a valve H¹, here shown as having a screw-threaded stemn engaging with a nuth
whereby the valve may be raised and lowered.
A branch conduit H extends forwardly from the conduit H, and communicates
with the water below the vessel under control of a valve H³ operated by a screw h¹
connected with it through a link h³ and a nut h³ engaging with the screw.
A valve H controls communication between the conduit H and branch conduit H³,

page_text: It may be operated by an arm on the pivot pin. When the vessel is to be
propelled forward the valve H' is thrown over against the upper end of the branch
conduit H, the valve H³ is closed and the valve H' is opened. When, however,
the vessel is to have its forward motion quickly stopped or when it is to be
backed the valve His thrown over across the conduit H, as shown in dotted
outline, the valve H³ is closed and the valve H³ is opened.
We do not wish to be restricted to the form of valves shown as others can be used.
I designates an electric battery, 1' 1' designate electric circuit wires extending
therefrom to the ends of the primary wire of an induction coil I³. The ends of the
secondary wire of this induction coil have connected to them wires I' I' provided
with terminals here shown as arranged within the conduit H just below the
combustion chamber E.
The wire is connected to a metal contact piece I' which is pivoted to a support
and adapted to be swung into and out of contact with the contact piece 1º
A. rod I connects the contact piece 17 with the arm g' extending from the shaft g².
This rod will preferably be made of metal and in such case it will be made of two
sections united by a coupling i of insulating material.
Instead of employing this electrical apparatus for igniting the contents of the
conduit and combustion chamber we may ignite the same by any other suitable
means.
When the air-induction valve Et, and the valve G³ are closed the electric circuit
will be closed and thereupon an electric spark will be produced in the conduit H.
The contents of the conduit and the combustion chamber will be thereby ignited.
Immediately upon the ignition of the contents of the conduit and combustion
chamber an explosion will occur. The force thus generated acting upon the water
will impart motion to the vessel.
The two propellers may be made to act alternately.
It will be seen that by our invention power may be utilized more directly than
ordinarily.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is
First In an apparatus for propelling vessels the combination of a combustion
chamber, a conduit extending from the combustion-chamber to the water, a valve
controlling the admission of gas or a liquid hydrocarbon into the combustion
chamber, a valve for controlling the passage of the contents of the combustion
chamber into the said conduit, and mechanism for igniting the contents of the
conduit and combustion chamber, substantially as specified.
Second. In an apparatus for propelling vessels, the combination of a combustion
chamber, a valve controlling admission of air into the combustion chamber, a valve
controlling the admission of gas or a liquid hydrocarbon into the combustion
chamber, a conduit leading from the combustion chamber to the water, a valve
controlling communication between the combustion chamber and the conduit, a
branch conduit extending from the main conduit, valves whereby either conduit
may be adapted for use and the other rendered useless, and a mechanism for
igniting the contents of the conduit, substantially as specified.
Third. In an apparatus for propelling vessels the combination of a combustion
chamber, a valve controlling the admission of gas or a liquid hydrocarbon into the
combustion chamber, a conduit leading from the combustion chamber to the water,
a valve controlling communication between the combustion chamber and the
conduit, means for igniting the contents of the conduit and combustion chamber,
and a mechanism whereby the said valves and the igniting mechanism will be
operated at the proper times, substantially as specified.
Fourth. In an apparatus for propelling vessels, the combination of an air
compressor, a combustion chamber, a valve controlling the admission of compressed
air to the combustion chamber, a valve controlling the admission of gas or a liquid

page_text: hydro-carbon into the combustion chamber, a conduit leading from the combustion
chamber to the water, a valve controlling communication between the combustion
chamber and the conduit, and a mechanism for igniting the contents of the conduit
and combustion chamber, substantially as specified.
Fifth. In an apparatus for propelling vessels, the combination of air com-
pressors A, pipes a, cock a", chamber B, pipes B¹, valves b chambers C, pipes C³,
valves c, chamber D, pipes F, combustion chambers E, valves E¹, valves G³,
conduits H, valves E3, substantially as specified.
Sixth. In an apparatus for propelling vessels, the combination of a combustion
chamber E, valve E³, toothed sector e, toothed rack-bar e', toe e³, rocker e', valve E²,
toothed sector es, toothed rack-bar e?, toe e, pipe G, valve G³, pinion g, toothed
gear-wheel g', shaft g³, ratchet-wheel g³, and arm g', carrying pawl go, substantially
as specified.