Improvements in and connected with Hydraulic Propulsion of Vessels, and in the Arrangement of Machinery therefor.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 16th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Dec., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Hydraulic Propulsion of
Vessels, and in the Arrangement of Machinery therefor.
I, EDWARD DAVIES, of Cambridge Cottage, Wood Green, Middlesex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
According to this invention water is forced out in a large stream at the stern of
a vessel to propel it ahead and out at the sides to propel it astern.
The arrangement of machinery for forcing the water is substantially as
follows:-1 fix a bed plate or foundation in a suitable part of the vessel, and upon
it arrange one or more rotary or centrifugal pumps for forcing out the water: and
prefer to attach the engine to drive the pumps to the same bed plate.
This class of pump I use where speed for the vessel is required: where power
more than speed is required, I prefer to use direct acting pumps, worked direct
from the engine.
The water for propulsion may be taken in either through the bottom or sides.
The water way pipes are connected with a box, chest, or chests, in which is
arranged a double acting valve, which controls the two outlets for the propelling
water: so that one outlet is always closed while the water is being expelled from
the other.
The valves can be operated by any suitable mechanism from any part of the
vessel. When the vessel is required to be turned, the valves are so operated as to
cause the water to go astern on one side of the boat, and ahead at the stern. The
outlets for the water at the stern of the vessel are preferred to be from two pipes,
one on each side of the rudder: these pipes would do for steering in the event of a
break-down of the rudder gear. The pipes which pass from the water-chest to
convey the side water have an even curve, so as to avoid angles in the passage of
the water: consequently by the use of an intermediate box, to first collect the
water, the engines can always run the same way whichever way the boat is moving,
and a pressure can be imparted to the water by it acting upon an air cushion: and
any of the usual well known means can be used in the water-box to control the
supply of steam to the engine so as to keep up a uniform pressure of water in the
box if necessary.
If a vessel should spring a leak the water supply for the pumps can be taken
from the incoming water: so that a ship provided with this means of propulsion
need not be fitted with the usual pumps and machinery to work same.
Dated this 16th day of February 1894.
FREDERIC PRINCE,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in and connected with Hydraulic Propulsion of
Vessels, and in the Arrangement of Machinery therefor.
I, EDWARD DAVIES, of Cambridge Cottage, Wood Green, Middlesex,
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:-
According to this invention water is forced out in a stream or streams at the
stern of a vessel to propel it ahead, and out at the sides to propel it astern.
The water for propulsion may be taken in either through the bottom of the
vessels or sides. The water pipes are connected to a box or chest in which is
arranged a double acting valve to control the two outlets for the propelling water;
one outlet being always closed while the other is open. When it is desired to turn
the vessel quickly, the valves are so operated as to cause the water to go ahead
from one side of the boat, and from the stern from one of the stern outlets. The
outlets for the water at the stern of the vessel are preferred to be from two pipes,
one on each side of the rudder. These pipes would enable the vessel to be steered
if the steering gear broke down, by having the water coming out from only one of
the pipes according to which way the vessel was desired to be turned.
important point in this invention is that in whichever way the vessel is going, the
engines always run in the same direction, so that no stopping or reversing is
necessary. Another important advantage would be that if the vessel sprung a
leak, the incoming water could be pumped out by the pumps instead of drawing
water in, consequently ships provided with this forin of propeller need not be fitted
with pumping machinery.
An
To enable the invention to be fully understood and the mode of carrying the
same into practice, I will proceed to describe the same with aid of the accompanying
drawings.
Figure 1 is plan view of hull of a boat fitted with this invention.
Figure 2 side view of pumps and stern exit water pipes.
Figure 3 plan view shewing valve arrangement in section.
Figure 4 view of modified form of valves.
A is bull of vessel. B centrifugal pumps arranged to draw water in through
bottom of vessel through pendent pipe C. This pipe can be fitted with any suitable
valve arrangement to shut off the inlet of water through bottom of vessel, and
take in the supply from within the vessel, and so pump the vessel out if she should
leak. To the outlet of these pumps is fitted a pipe D, connected to a chest E.
On the other side of the chest E, is counected another pipe F, the outer end of
which passes through the stern of vessel. Two such sets of pumps and pipes are
preferred to be used, arranged for the outlet to be one on each side of rudder,
consequently the vessel can be steered by alternately shutting off the exit of water
from one of the pipes F. On the side of each chest is a curved pipe G, having
an exit for water from side of boat towards the bow, for the purpose of propelling
the vessel astern. If the vessel is desired to be turned quickly, one of these pipes.
would be operated, and the stern pipe on the opposite side. The arrangement of
valve for changing the direction of the outlet of water is ftted in the chest E. The
kind of valve prefer to use is a two way tap plug H, operated by outside hand
wheel or crank J. In the view shewn in drawing at Fig. 3, the valve H, is set for
a straight exit of water at the stern. When it is desired to divert the water to a
side exit the valve is sufficiently turned to connect the curved water way H' with
the exit from pump and mouth of pipe G. Instead of the arrangement of valve
shewn at Fig. 3, litt valves may be employed, such as is shewn at K, Fig. 4, which

page_text: are lifted by a screwed stem operated from the outside by the hand-wheels L.
The raising of the curved valve lowers a flat one M that shuts off the side pipe G.
It will be readily understood that the engine to drive the pumps can be fitted
direct to the axles of same. Where power more than speed is required from the
vessel, I prefer to use direct acting pumps connected to the piston rods. It will
also be understood, that the water valves can be arranged to be worked from
the deck as well as from below. The exit for the water will be below the surface.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
"In the hydraulic propulsion of vessels."
1. The arrangement of means for the hydraulic propulsion of vessels,
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
2. The combination with suitable pumps arranged to take in a proper supply of
water, of straight exit pipes from pumps, having an exit of water on each side of
rudder.
3. The combination with suitable pumps arranged to take in a proper supply of
water, of an intermediate valve arrangement between the pumps and exit of water,
by which the water from the pumps can be diverted from the stern to the sides, or
sides to the stern, as described.
Dated the 16th day of November 1894
FREDERIC PRINCE,
37, Cursitor Street, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for Applicant.