Improvements in or relating to Propelling Means Suitable for Use in Flying Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Propelling Means Suitable for Use in
Flying Machines.
I, DAVID MALCOLM BOWYER-SMYTH, of 20, Piccadilly, in the County of London,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:---
This invention has reference to improvements in or relating to propelling means
suitable for use in flying machines and according thereto I provide one or more
rotary propellers wherein a blade or each of a set of blades is formed with a
forward or advancing edge of such form or construction that, during rotation,
there will be immediately behind it and on the active side of the blade a cavity
whose greatest depth will be in the forward portion of the blade and of the cavity
itself.
In order that the nature of my invention may be understood I will describe it
with reference to a flying machine but it is to be noted that it is also applicable
to marine or submarine or other locomotive purposes.
One form of flying machine according thereto comprises a rigid framework
fitted with aeroplanes such as referred to which are so arranged as to revolve
reversely about axes arranged in the same normally horizontal plane, the axes
being for example parallel, in line, or at equal angles to the centre line of the
framework, and the arrangement being such that the two or more aeroplanes
counterbalance each other and maintain the equilibrium of the machine. The
blades or aeroplanes are so constructed that their foremost or advancing edges
are more rigid, or not less so, than the rear parts of the aeroplanes, the strongest
parts being where these advancing edges are joined rigidly to the axles and from
which they become gradually more flexible towards their extremities or free ends.
In these somewhat flexible aeroplanes, cavities will be formed just behind
these advancing edges on the air receiving sides of aeroplanes when revolving (the
cavity consisting of part or the whole of the rear part of the material forming the
advancing edge, if necessary). Or these aeroplanes may also be made in a rigid
form with concavities of greatest depth on their air receiving or pressing sides
just behind their advancing surfaces or edges.
The form and concavity of each aeroplane, or each aeroplane blade (if the
aeroplane consists of more than one blade) may be copied from the wing of a
bird, bat or insect, according to the lifting or flying power required.
Either moving ballast controlled by the aeronaut is provided so that the axles
of the aeroplanes may be caused to assume any necessary angle for ascent.
descent, or horizontal flight; or an aeroplane, which may be in the shape of a
bird's tail, is jointed to the framework so that it can be kept rigidly at any
necessary angle; or both.
Aeroplanes with rigid or flexible advancing surfaces may be rigidly fixed in
such a manner that they will offer least resistance to. their forward motion, and in

page_text: such a manner that they will not alter the centre of vertical resistance of the
whole machine.
Propelling means according to this invention may take various forms as regards
the shape of aeroplanes, or framework, or the position of aeroplanes relatively,
and the materials of which the various parts are composed or the driving gear
may be varied according to requirement.
Improvements in or relating to Propelling Means Suitable for Use in
Flying Machines.
T
I, DAVID MALCOLM BOWYER-SMYTH, of 20, Piccadilly, in the County of London,
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:
-
This invention has reference to improvements in or relating to propelling means
suitable for use in flying machines and according thereto I provide one or more
rotary propellers wherein a blade or each of a set of blades is formed with a
forward or advancing edge of such form or construction that, during rotation,
there will be immediately behind it and on the active side of the blade a cavity
whose greatest depth will be in the forward portion of the blade and of the
cavity itself.
In order that the nature of my invention may be understood I will describe it
with reference to a flying machine but it is to be noted that it is also applicable
to marine or submarine or other locomotive purposes.
Referring to the accompanying illustrative drawings.
Fig. 1 shows in side elevation and Fig. 2 shows in front elevation one con-
struction of flying machine according to my invention.
a, a is a rigid framework built up of light tubes, composed for instance of
aluminium, fitted with two aeroplanes b such as referred to, which are so arranged
as to revolve reversely about axes d arranged in the same normally horizontal
plane and in line with each other the arrangement being such that the two aero-
planes b counterbalance each other and maintain the equilibrium of the machine.
The aeroplane axles are mounted to rotate in bearings such as ball bearings c
and each axle at one end is formed in one with, or, has fixed thereto a turbine
drum fadapted to rotate in reverse directions in a cylinder g fixed to centrally
arranged vertical members of the framework and provided with a suitable pipe h
for motive fluid which is admitted to the cylinder between the adjacent ends of
the turbine drums f. In the example under notice each aeroplane b has a front
portion the foremost or advancing edge k of which is of greater thickness and con-
sequently more rigid, than the rear parts which are constructed of laminated
plates so arranged as to render the aeroplane, which, in the example, has, as it
were, two blades, of gradually increasing flexibility towards its rear edge, the
strongest or most rigid parts being where 'the advancing edges are joined rigidly
to the axle d and from whence they become gradually more flexible towards the
extremities or free ends. The forward edges of the aeroplanes may be castings of
aluminium and the plates may be of thin spring steel. In these somewhat flexible

page_text: aeroplanes, cavities nas shewn in Fig. 1b, are formed just behind the advancing
edges on the air-receiving sides of the aeroplanes when revolving in the direction
of the arrows.r
o. is an aeroplane, which may be in the shape of a birds tail,
jointed to the rear portion of the framework at p, and is provided with means
such as two flexible connectors secured one to each end of a lever s, as shown.
in Fig. 1, pivoted to the framework, and passing over suitably arranged guide.
pulleys, the other ends of the connectors being secured, one to each of two armsy
fixed to the aeroplane.o; by varying the attitude of the aeroplane o the axles of
the main aeroplanes b can be caused to assume any necessary angle for ascent, or
descent, or horizontal flight. A spring pawl t or other device may be provided
in connection with the lever s so that the aeroplane can be kept rigidly in. any
required attitude. In conjunction with the aeroplane o, or in lieu of same,
ballast carried by and adapted to be moved along the lower members of the
framework a may be provided,, the position of the ballast being controlled. by
the aeronaut.
1
o at the
Jointed at 1 to the front portion of the framework a is an aeroplane 2, provided
with arms 3, connections 4, lever 5, and pawl 6 (see Fig. 1a) similarly arranged to
the arms y, connections and leyers in connection with the aeroplane
rear of the machine, and operating in a similar manner so as to cause the aero-
plane 2 to move in an approximately horizontal direction and to be held at any
desired angle to, or in line with, the centre line of the main framework of the
machine so that the machine can be guided to the right or to the left or be
kept straight ahead as desired.
7 is a seat fixed to the framework in such a position that the aeronaut when
sitting thereon can easily handle the regulating levers s and 5 and a cock or
valve (not shown) for admitting motive fluid to the cylinder g. 9, 9 are wheels of
light construction pivoted to the framework and adapted to support the machine
when on the ground in such a manner that it can run easily thereon while the
speed necessary for rising or flying is being obtained.
The motive fluid may conveniently be compressed air which may be stored in
the tubes forming the frame-work, or otherwise; storage receptacles may also be
secured to the framework in the space 10. at the back of the seat 7.
Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views to Figs. 1 and 2 showing a modified con-
struction of flying machine according to my invention. In this construction there
are four propellors having aeroplanes b; the propellers are arranged two, towards
the front of the machine and two to the rear thereof, the axles d, being arranged
to revolve in a reverse direction as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
The aero-planes are in this construction of rigid form with concavities n on
their air receiving or pressing sides which cavities are greatest depth just
behind their advancing surfaces or edges k. The rear aeroplane o and forward
aeroplane 2 are arranged in line with the axles d, and means such as herein-
before described are provided whereby an aeronaut situated in a car 12 can
control the movement of the machine. Fig. 5 shows a further modification in
which two propellors having rigid aeroplanes b with concavities n on their air
receiving sides, are arranged with their axes parallel and rotating in bearings e in
a framework consisting of an oblong loop or link of tubing with curved ends.
The motor cylinder g is arranged centrally in the framework and parallel to the
propellor axles, a single turbine drum being fixed direct to the spindle of a
driving pulley 13 having two grooves in its periphery adapted to receive driving
ropes which are passed around pulleys 14 on the propeller axles d so as to drive
in reverse direction. The ascending or descending aeroplane o, and the guiding
aeroplane 2 are arranged in line with the motor cylinder g, and are jointed to the
framework a in a similar manner to that described with reference to the fore-
going examples and provided with means as hereinbefore described whereby they
can be operated from the aeronauts car 12. To enable the necessary speed to be
attained preparatory to the machine leaving the earth I pivot in depending

page_text: portions 15 of the framework, wheels 16 adapted to run upon suitable ways 17
shown in dotted lines in Figure 5.
The form and concavity of each aeroplane, or each aeroplane blade (if the aero-
plane consists of more than one blade) may be copied from the wing of a bird,
bat or insect, according to the lifting or flying power required. For instance, in
Figs. 1 and 2 the aeroplanes resemble the wings of a bird in so far that they are
connected to the pivots or axles d near their forward portions only; in Figs. 3
and 4 the tips or free ends of the aeroplanes are behind their points of connection
with the pivots or axles. In Fig. 5 the aeroplanes resemble the wings of a bat
in that the tips or free ends are not behind the points of connection with the
pivots or axles.
Additional aeroplanes with rigid or flexible advancing surfaces may be rigidly
fixed to the framework in such a manner that they will offer least resistance to
their forward motion, and in such a manner that they will not alter the centre of
vertical resistance of the whole machine, nor the power of the revolving aero-
planes.
Propelling means according to this invention may take various forms as regards
the shape of aeroplanes, or framework, or the position of aeroplanes relatively;
and the materials of which the various parts are composed or the driving gear
may be varied according to requirement.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. Propelling means suitable for use in flying machines, comprising one or
more rotary propellers wherein a blade, or each of a set of blades, is formed with
a forward or advancing edge of such form or construction that, during rotation,
there will be immediately behind it and on the active side of the blade a cavity
whose greatest depth will be in the forward portion of the blade and of the cavity
itself, substantially as described.
2. A rotary propeller suitable for use in flying machines provided with a blade,
or set of blades, having or each having, its foremost or advancing edge more rigid
than its rear part, the strongest part being where the advancing edge is joined
rigidly to the axle and becoming gradually more flexible towards their rear
extremities or free ends, and a cavity being formed just behind the advancing
edge, substantially as described.
3. A flying machine comprising a framework fitted with propelling means con-
sisting of aeroplanes so arranged as to revolve reversely about suitable axles and
to counterbalance each other and maintain the equilibrium of the machine sub-
stantially as described.
4. My improved flying machines provided with propelling means constructed,
arranged and operating substantially as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2,
to Figs. 3 and 4 or to Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 6th der of Robzuase 1000
Dated this 6th day of February 1000.
4
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.