AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE
Year: 1852

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Charles Hervier, Civil Engineer,
of Paris, in the Republic of France, and 4, South Street,
Finsbury, London, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE
"
Sealed the 16th March 1858, and dated the 27th October 1852.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Charles
Hervier at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 27th October 1852.
I, ALFRED CHARLES HERVIER, Civil Engineer, of Paris, in the
Republic of France, and 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "Ax IMPROVEMENT IN THE
APPLICATION OF CENTRIFUGAL FORCE TO PROPELLING ON WATER" to be as
follows:-
My invention consists in the application of the principle of centrifugal
power to the construction of a machine for propelling boats, ships, &c.
Centrifugal power applied upon a mass of water produces a strong

page_text: current in a space of given form or dimension; under the influence of
the pressure in that space the water escapes outwards, and by virtue of
the general principle of equality of pressure it produces a resistance in
a reverse direction to the current, which produces an advancing motion
in the same direction as the ship, and makes it advance.
The apparatus as shewn in the Drawings is placed in the interior of
the boat, and is composed of circular plates A, formed of cellular
curves. The apparatus allows the admission of water underneath,
and is in direct communication with the external water at the lower
part of the boat.
The box A, receives a rotary motion round an
axis perpendicular to the keel of the boat. This box may receive
motion direct from a steam engine by means of a shaft.
The cellular plate being generally under the level of the external
water, the cells are full of water when the machine is put in motion,
and the water contained in the cells, subservient to the law of centri-
fugal force, will escape from the plates A, and will be projected con-
tinually into the space B, which surrounds the plate, and conducts the
water through an orifice out of the boat.
To work the boat backward, water gates are disposed internally near
the exit orifice of the water from the apparatus, which allow that orifice
to be closed by a special communication; two other water gates C, are
opened at the side of the boat, which produce a current in an opposite
direction to the first, and effect a retrogade motion. By means of a
lever acting upon these vanes the different tackings of the ship may be
performed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alfred Charles Hervier in the Great Seal Patent
Office, on the 27th April 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
ALFRED CHARLES HERVIER, of Paris, in the Republic of France, and g
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of October,

page_text: One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the sixteenth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Alfred Charles Hervier, Her special licence
that I, the said Alfred Charles Hervier, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alfred Charles Hervier,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times' there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an In-
vention for "AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE APPLICATION OF CENTRIFUGAL FORCE
TO PROPELLING ON WATER," upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said Alfred Charles Hervier, by an instrument in writing under
my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
:
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alfred Charles Hervier, do hereby
declare the nature of my said 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 Invention consists in combining an apparatus for applying centri-
fugal force to the propulsion of boats, ships, and vessels."
For a long time past attempts have been made to propel boats, ships,
and vessels on seas, rivers, and canals by the reaction produced by
water and gases made to escape from suitable apparatus, such as
rotatory and other pumps in which the same were compressed. But
the small amount of working power hitherto obtained from such
apparatus, owing to the insufficiency of the quantity of projected fluid
and to the great velocity with which it was projected, has been the cause
of their rejection. Now, by means of the mechanical arrangements
herein-after described, I am enabled to act upon a very large quantity
of liquid, and project the same at a small speed, by means of which all
the necessary and required results are obtained.

page_text: DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Drawing 1, Figure 1, longitudinal section passing through the axis
of the boat and propelling apparatus. Figure 2, a plan of the crown
of the centrifugal apparatus. Figure 3, view of the stern of the boat
with the orifice of the egress canal and fly gates.
Drawing II., Figure 4, plan of the centrifugal apparatus; I, K, section
through a plan of the egress canal, and P, Q, horizontal section of the
boat. Figure 5, section through m, n, of Figure 1, shewing the crown
withdrawn, and section through u', v', of Figure 1, shewing the apparatus
for moving the boat backward, shewing the ingress orifice of the canal
of the valve S. Figures 1, & 2, A, B, bottom disk or plate of the
crown; b, b, b, curved paddles fixed to the disk A, B. C, E, F, D,
annular plate uniting the paddles b, b, together, and forming with the
disk A, B, the centrifugal cellular crown M. X, Figures 1, & 4,
motive shaft supporting the crank arm of the steam engine. G, G,
Figures 1, & 5, widening sides of the canal I, for the ingress of water
underneath the boat. K, K, Figures 1, 4, & 5, envelope or metal case
containing the centrifugal crown M. P, P, Figures 1, & 5, bottom
of the envelope. T, T, Figures 1, & 4, cover of several parts bolted
to the envelope. N, Figure 1, stuffing box guide bolted to the cover.
O, Figure 1, circular shoulder of the stuffing box guide for supporting
the ring R. R, R, ring or washer placed on the shoulder O, at a
small distance above the crown or plate A, B. i, i, small flat paddles
fixed to the exterior of the plate A, B, and turning with the latter
before the ring R, R, fixed on the shoulder O. U, U, Figures 1, 3, 4,
& 5, egress canal. The water projected by the crown passes through
this canal in order to egress at the back of the boat. Q, Q, Figures
1, 3, & 4, fly gates for stopping the escape of water through the
egress canal U, or to modify the direction of the egress current for
manoeuvering the boat. m', m³, Figures 1, & 4, small levers joined
together by a rod for the simultaneous direction of the fly gates Q.
S, Figure 1, valve, the under face of which forms the continuation of
the admission canal when shut, and which when it is lowered to S',
directs the water in the direction of , u, as shewn by the arrow in
order to backward the boat. Y, Figures 1, & 5, canal for conducting

page_text: water to the valve S. 1', orifice of the canal made in the bottom of
the envelope. V, screw for working the valve S, passing in a metal
cylinder or pipe provided with a stuffing box for preventing external
water from entering the boat. Figure 3, view of the egress canal U,
at the back part of the boat and the fly gates Q, Q, Q. The principal
part of the apparatus is a crown, analogous in its form to a centrifugal
turbin; it is composed of the circular plate A, B, and has at the centre
of its upper part a nave Z, to which the motive shaft of the steam
engine is fixed perpendicularly to its plane. This plate A, B, is provided
with a series of curved paddles b, b, which are joined by a ring
C, E, F, D, which composes the cells forming the crown M. The
external diameter of the ring or perforated plate C, E, F, D, is the
same as that of the plate A, B, and its orifice E, F, is for the admission
of water into the apparatus. The height of the paddles diminishes
from the center to the external circumference, which causes the surface
of the ring to be slightly conical. In order that the water may enter
the crown without shocks, and egress from the cells with an absolute
speed directed as nearly as possible according to the radius of the
crown, the paddles are made very inclined at their tangents (corre-
sponding with each paddle) to the admission and external circles.
The angle of the admission circle is about twenty-eight to thirty degrees.
The angle of the egress circle is smaller than the first. The length of
cach of the cells is determined according to the diameters C, E, F, D,
but on account of the inclination of the paddles the cells are longer
than the difference of their radius. The part 9, of the paddles near the
disk A, B, is lengthened internally towards the center of the disk, and
acquires an almost helicoidal form, which commences at about half the
height of each of the paddles. The paddles are rivetted to the disk or
plate A, B, and upon the ring C, E, F, D, by means of tenons and
mortises, or by other convenient means. The plate A, B, may be
rivetted to a forged iron ring Z, and if the apparatus is made of brass,
copper, or cast iron, it is composed of a single piece. The cellular
crown set upon its motive shaft composes the motive part of the
apparatus. The rotatory motion of the crown takes place in an
envelope of sheet iron or other metal which surrounds it, except over
the exit canal U, and before the admission orifice L. A free passage

page_text: is left by the envelope all round and above the crown for the passage
of water in motion, so as to avoid increasing uselessly its speed. The
bottom of the envelope K, is near the lower part of the crown, and is
fixed to the admission canal L, which rises a little higher towards the
crown, but allows sufficient play so that the crown in turning should
not touch it. The edge of the admission canal is turned down, and
furnished with a corner piece so as to form a flat part before which
the crown turns, by that means the escape of water will be of small
extent.
The admission canal is joined to the underneath part of the boat,
and has its lower extremities widened all round, but more so at the
part in the direction of the fore part of the boat, to facilitate the
ingress of water into the apparatus, as seen in Figure 1, of the Drawing.
The egress orifice U, which also forms part of the envelope is joined
to the stern, which acquires the form shewn in the Drawing.
The crown being surrounded by the envelope is entirely covered
with water, which enters at both the admission and egress openings. To
permit the crown to be inspected or repaired the envelope is provided
at its upper part with an opening stopped by a cover made of several
pieces, and large enough to allow the passage of the crown. The
motive shaft passes through the cover after traversing a stuffing box
guide of the form shewn in the Drawing. That guide must be provided
with suitable means for tightening and regulating the brass bearing.
A shoulder O, is fixed at its lower part, upon which is fitted a ring
R, R, of the same metal as the other part of the apparatus. This
ring is parallel to the disk A, B, and placed very near the latter,
without, however, being in contact or touching the small flat paddles
i, i, fixed upon the exterior of the disk A, B. The diameter of the
ring R, R, is a little smaller than the diameter of the crown. The
ring being fixed to the cover by means of the stuffing box guide does
not turn. The circular joint P, is water-tight, and the crown is able to
turn without touching the disk R, R. The object of this ring is to
suppress entirely the use of the pivot of the motive shaft of the crown,
which, however, may be employed at discretion.
Now, if I give rotary motion to the motive shaft, and thence to the
crown, the water contained in the cells under the influence of the

page_text: centrifugal power will fly off at the external circumference into the
envelope; the pressure will increase in the apparatus, and force the
water to flow away through the egress canal out of the boat; and the
pressure diminishing in the cells, the external water under the influence
of its own weight, aided by atmospheric pressure, will flow through the
central ingress canal into the cells; this process being continued, the
transmission of water from the center to the external circumference
will continue during all the time the machine is in motion. The
pressure in the apparatus will be maintained by the action of the
centrifugal crown, and by virtue of the principle of equality of the
pressure of fluids a strong reacting pressure will be produced in the
apparatus in opposition to the direction of the egress of the water.
The water between the ring R, R, and the disk A, B, of the moveable
crown M, is put it motion by the small external paddles i, i, Figure 1,
and receives a circular motion between the ring and the disk, from
which it results that as there is no other central opening, and that the
stuffing box guide and circular joint or junction P, are air and water
tight, the pressure will diminish by the tendency of the water to escape
under centrifugal power; now the pressure diminishing between the
ring R, R, and the disk A, B, this latter will be raised with a force
which will be in proportion to the dimensions of the surface of the ring
R, R, and to the number of turns in the crown. By utilising that
depression I am enabled to set the pivot of the motive shaft and of its
socket above the said motive shaft, instead of placing it underneath, as
is usually the case; and by regulating the dimensions of the ring R, the
weight of the crown M, and that of its motive shaft X, may be made
to counterbalance, so as to avoid the use of a pivot and socket. The
ring R, R, serves to relieve the crown of any vertical pressures from
top to bottom. It retains the middle of the cover, and prevents it from
rising on account of its internal pressure. The ingress of water into
the admission canal is perfectly free. In the Drawing the crown M, is
seen in an inclined position towards the stern, but it may be placed
horizontally, and in that case the motive shaft will be vertical. When
the crown M, is inclined, the water gliding into the admission canal
presents itself perpendicularly to the crown, and is taken in equally by
all points of its circumference.

page_text: The motive shaft is able to assume a great number of positions in
relation to the boat. If two centrifugal apparatus were employed, and
made to communicate in one canal set in the middle of the boat, the
shafts might be inclined to each other so as not to be parallel. The
whole apparatus is placed at the stern of the boat; it may be placed at
the prow, provided the water be thrown in the same direction; but in
this case an important modification of the keel would be rendered
necessary, as the water would have to be taken from the fore part of
the boat.
Ordinary fly gates are employed to close the openings of the apparatus
water-tight to facilitate its inspection. By compressing the air in the
envelope the apparatus might be converted into a diving bell, and tho
inspection and repairs could be made in the same manner as if the
apparatus was above the level of the external water. A man hole may
be made for that purpose upon the upper part of the envelope or upon
the cover.
The transmission of power from the steam engine to the
motive shaft of the crown is made direct by the application of any
power or means of transmission. The apparatus is provided with
girdles, and is strongly fixed to the boat by braces of sheet iron or
other metal. The egress canal may be separated in two parts by a
longitudinal partition which would increase the resistance of the canal.
The backward motion of the ship is effected by the same means as
the forward motion, it being only necessary to change the direction of
the egress current. I use for that purpose fly gates Q, Q, Q, to shut
the egress canal U, which are acted on collectively by crank arms or
levers m, n, see Figures 1, & 4, and united by a connecting rod;
afterwards I lower the valve S, which occupies all the breadth of the
ingress canal by means of a screw V, or by means of levers, and the
water not finding any escape by the canal U, passes through the orifice
formed by the descent of the valve S, to St. The current thus created
in the opposite direction of z, u, of Figure 1, will cause the boat to
retrograde. The envelope forms a canal above the valve which com-
municates with the interior of the apparatus, but does not allow the
external water to incroach upon the boat. When the valve is raised
to its place it becomes level with the ingress canal, of which it forms a
part. It is to be observed that the steam engine must turn always in

page_text: the same direction, and that it is not necessary to stop it to change the
motion of the boat from forward to backward. The egress current may
be inclined in relation to the boat, as desired, by means of the fly
gates QQQ, and I can obtain lateral effects which, when combined
with the forward or backward action, will produce combined motions
capable of effecting all the required evolutions of the boat. The egress
orifice may receive the most variable forms for the purpose of being
joined to the stern of the boat. To apply the said apparatus to a ship
with a steam engine of two hundred and twenty horse power, and the
midship frame immersed twenty-two square yards, the crown must be
about seven feet and a half in diameter internally, and about eleven
feet in external diameter, and the egress orifice about four and a half
square yards. The quantity of water given out would be about eleven
cubic yards per second, and the number of revolutions performed by the
crown would be from twenty-five to thirty per minute.
The Drawings joined to this Specification shew the boat intended for
river navigation.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner of performing the same, I wish it to be understood that I do
not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein-before
described. But what I claim as my Invention, and intended to be
protected by the said Letters Patent, is,―
The combination of an apparatus for the application of centrifugal
force to the propulsion of vessels and boats, as herein-before described
and referred to in the different Figures of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Charles Hervier, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, the Twenty-third day of
April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and fifty-three.