Improvements in Aërial Machines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 9th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 4th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Aërial Machines.
I, FREDERICK BUCHANAN, of Scinde Villa, Denville's Havant, in the County
of Hants, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to aërial machines of the class in which the buoyancy of a
gas lighter than atmospheric air is utilized for the purpose of overcoming gravity.
The gas-container is of an elongated roach-backed' form, and carries, suspended
therefrom by means of netting and a cane-work frame partly embracing the con-
tainer, a car or platform, which is occupied by the aeronauts, and whence the
apparatus for propelling and directing the machine is worked. Fore and aft of the
platform are gas-chambers charged with gas adapted for the production of motive
power, and capable also of being used for balancing purposes.
From each side of
the platform there extends an outrigger on which is mounted a screw-propeller.
Each propeller-shaft rotates in bearings carried by a disc, the periphery whereof is
formed as a worm-wheel, and has gearing with it a worm, which, by means of
suitable connections, may be operated from the platform for the purpose of turning
the disc, and so altering the inclination of the propeller-shaft. The propellers are
driven by means of a main shaft, which passes through the two discs; the shaft
being worked from a motor engine on the platform. To each end of this shaft is
keyed a bevel-wheel, which gears with and drives a bevel-wheel on the corresponding
propeller-shaft. With the object of imparting stiffness to the outriggers and other
framework without sacrificing lightness of construction, these parts are preferably
formed of double sheet metal; with cork, papier-mâché, or other light but solid
material, interposed. The propellers revolve by preference in opposite directions;
and, for steering the machine, a vertical rudder is employed. Horizontal rudders
may also be used, if desired; but the course of the machine in a vertical plane
may be controlled or varied by regulating the angular position of the propeller-
shafts.
Dated this 4th day of March 1809
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Aerial Machines.
I, FREDERICK BUCHANAN, of Scinde Villa, Denville's Havant, in the County
of Hants, 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 stateinent :—
This invention relates to aërial machines of the class in which the buoyancy of a
gas lighter than atmospheric air is utilised for the purpose of overcoming gravity.
In the accompanying drawings, which serve to illustrate the way in which I prefer
to carry out my invention,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved aërial machine.
Fig. 2 is a cross section on the line 2, 2 (Fig. 1); the screw-propellers being
shown, however, at right angles to the position occupied by the propeller seen in
Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a view drawn to a larger scale, and serving to illustrate the means
employed for varying the positions of the screw-propellers.

page_text: The gas-container A is of an elongated 'roach-backed' form, and carries,
suspended therefrom by means of netting stretched over it and a cane-work frame
partly embracing it, a car or platform B, which is occupied by the aëronauts, and
whence the apparatus for propelling and directing the machine is worked. Fore
and aft of the platform there may be gas-chambers charged with gas adapted for
the production of motive power, and capable also of being used for balancing
purposes. From the sides of the platform there extend' outriggers C and C¹ on
which are mounted screw-propellers D. and D'. Each of the propeller-shafts d
aud d' rotates in bearings carried by a disc Etor E. The peripheries of the discs
are formed as worm-wheels, and have gearing with them worms, which, by means
of suitable connections, such as, the rods G and G' and the universal joints g, may
be operated from the platform B for the purpose of turning the discs E and E¹, and
so altering the inclination of the propeller-shafts d and d. In Fig. 3, F is the
worm which gears with the disc E. The rods G and G' may be turned by. the
hand-wheel O or the shaft, G2 connecting these rods may be put in and out of
gear, as required, with the motor engine B. The propellers D and D' are driven
by means of a main shaft H, which passes through the two discs E and E; this
shaft being worked from any suitable motor engine B' on the platform B. Com-
munication between the shaft H and the motor engine may be effected by a belt, a
chain or gearing. To the ends of this shaft.are keyed two bevel-wheels K and. K¹,
which gear with and drive the bevel-wheels K2 and K³ on the propeller-shafts,d
and d. With the object of imparting stiffness to the outriggers C and C¹ and other
framework without sacrificing lightness of construction, these parts are preferably
formed of double sheet metal, with cork, papier-mâché, or other, light but solid
material, interposed. The propellers D and D' revolve by preference in opposite
directions; and, for steering the machine, a vertical rudder L is employed, which is
operated by a cord or chain l. Horizontal rudders may also be used, if desired,
but the course of the machine in a vertical plane may be controlled or varied by
regulating the angular position of the propeller-shafts d and d'. M are sight-
apertures, and N is a door.
In Fig. 1, the propeller D is shown in position for driving the machine forward
or backward, while in Fig. 2 the propellers are represented in position for causing
the machine to ascend or descend. Any intermediate position of the propellers can,
however, be obtained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim :-
-The improved aërial machine constructed substantially as described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. In an aërial machine, the employment of propellers, such as D and D, the
position of which relatively to the car can be varied from the platform of the
machine, substantially as herein described.
3. In an aerial. machine, the employment of propellers, such as D and. D',
mounted on shafts carried by discs which can be partially rotated from the platform
of the machine, so as to vary the relative position of the propellers with respect to
the car, substantially as herein described.
1
4. An aerial machine comprising a gas-container A, a car or platform B, an
engine.B', a main driving shaft H, two worm-discs E and E', worms for partially
rotating the discs, connecting rods and accessory parts for turning the worms from
the car or platform, propeller-shafts d and d¹ carried by the discs, gearing K, K', K'
and K for connecting the propeller-shafts, with the main driving shaft, and
propellers D, and D', substantially as herein described.
Dated the 9th day of Jan 1902
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191; Fleet Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agent.