A NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANNER OF CONSTRUCTING MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING VESSELS AND OTHER MACHINERY, WHICH THEY TERM A CRANK PROPELLER
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph H. Penny and Thomas B. Rogers, of
the City and State of New York, America, for the Invention of
"A NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANNER OF CONSTRUCTING
MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING VESSELS AND OTHER MACHINERY, WHICH
THEY TERM A CRANK PROPELLER."
Sealed the 30th November 1853, and dated the 14th June 1853.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph H. Penny
and Thomas B. Rogers at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with their Petition, on the 14th June 1853.
We, JOSEPH H. PENNY & THOMAS B. ROGERS, of the City and State
of New York, America, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "A NEW AND USEFUL IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANNER OF
CONSTRUCTING MACHINERY FOR PROPELLING VESSELS & OTHER MACHINERY,
AND WHICH WE TERM A CRANK PROPELLER," to be as follows:-
The nature of our Invention or Improvement consists in increasing

page_text: the extent & strength of the paddle surface of the propeller (which
paddles are made to enter & leave the water in a vertical position),
and consequently increasing the effective power of such propeller, and
in so arranging the different series of paddles upon the cranks or
excentrics that as one series begins to leave the water another series
begins to enter it, so that one series shall be continually in the water
for effective action.
The Drawings accompanying this Provisional Specification give a
general view & idea of our Invention & improvements, & of the
manner of arrangement of our propeller and of its various parts.
Our propeller generally consists of three sets or series of paddles
A, A, A, (though the number of them may be varied) parallel to each
other, & lying horizontally, & to which motion is communicated from
the shafts B, 1B, by means of the cranks C, C, C, or the excentrics, as
hereafter referred to. We make the paddles about four feet deep by
two feet wide, either of wood or iron, and with flat surfaces c, or curved d,
or angular e, or with side flanges f, as shown in Figure 1. Each series
of paddles is usually about twenty-eight feet long, of the same depth and
width as the paddles, and is intended to include five or more paddles
beside the connecting heads b, b, which are a strong frame work of
wrought or cast metal, with faces corresponding to the paddles, and
which are also effective as additional paddles. They are of the same
depth as are the paddles, but of less width, so as to pass between the
sides of the crank, and they are also thicker, so as make a stronger
support for the connecting arms h, h, and the connecting rods I, I, I.
There are four connecting rods, though their number may be increased,
all of which pass through the several paddles, which are firmly & se-
curely fastened to them (the rods), and these rods are also firmly
attached to the connecting heads b, b, & each connecting head is
attached to the cranks or excentric by two connecting arms h, h, fitting
the crank pink, at the shoulders m, m. These several series of paddles,
with their connecting heads and connecting rods, are equivalent to
reciprocating bars, joining the opposite cranks or excentrics.
The construction of the paddles, however, may be varied, as shewn

page_text: in Figure 3, where the paddle consists of a strong frame work p, p, P.
to the cross bars of which valves n, m, n, are hung, which are kept
tight to the frame by the springs 0, 0, 0, or they may be hung on
journals with stops to act without springs. These valves & springs are
fastened to the back side of the paddles, &, together with the pressure
of the water, the springs keep the valves firmly closed, so that under
ordinary circumstances such a constructed paddle is just as effective as
a solid one.
In cases of rough weather, however, when the vessel is
making her way against the waves, or when the propeller is submerged,
if a wave or swell strikes the paddle the springs yield and the valves
open somewhat, and thus the force of the wave or swell is broken, &
the vessel less retarded in its course.
Each series of paddles is distinct from the others, & moves in a
seperate frame work, the timbers D, D, running entirely across the
whole length of the propeller, thus giving additional support to the
cranks and shafts, & lessening the probability of serious injury or delay
should a single one of them be broken or damaged. The cranks are
also each distinct, and are attached seperately to the shafts, and they
are generally made of such a length that the paddles when in motion
are elevated only about four feet above the deck of the vessel, though
they may be so arranged that the paddles will move entirely beneath
the line of the deck. These cranks may be made of seperate parts, so
that in the event of the fracture of any part it can easily be removed
and another substituted in its place.
In place of the cranks, however, we often prefer to use our anti-friction
excentric, represented at Figure 4. It is attached at one of its sides to
the shaft B, & revolves with the shaft, so that a like motion is given
to the series of paddles as when cranks are used. It is composed of
four wheels 1, 2, 3, 4, revolving on seperate journals, and around the
several circumferences of which moves a solid ring R, to which the
connecting heads b, b, are attached. No. 4, encircles the shaft, and in
On either side of the excentric
fact is but a moveable ring around it.
is a pillar block F, which are firmly fastened to the shaft B, and
which sustain the journals of the wheels 1, 2, 3. These pillar blocks are
not solid, but are made as shewn in the Drawing, or of some similar

page_text: shape combining lightness, and at the same time strong points of
support for the several wheels. The periphery of each wheel has in it
a square groove, shewn at s, s, in which the ring R, revolves; and
generally our excentric consists of two series of wheels with two revolving
rings, but a single series may be used, if desired.
By constructing our excentric as above described we unite great
strength with comparatively little weight, and at the same time, by the
use of the several wheels of which it is composed, prevent any great
amount of friction. And we also are enabled to make use of a con-
tinuous shaft extending through all the excentrics, and which is con-
sequently stronger than when broken by the insertion of cranks.
The entire frame work by which the propeller is supported, and in
which it works, is intended to be placed nearer to the vessel than in
cases of ordinary wheels and wholly within the guards, so that the side
lines of the vessel are straighter, & she can be brought nearer the
wharf, & her cargo more easily discharged.
It is not, however, intended to confine the use of our propeller, either
with or without the excentric, to vessels, but they may be substituted in
the place of ordinary water wheels, whether over or under shot or tide
wheels, in all of which applications their excellence will be tested. The
propeller may be applied under water on either side of the keel when
the valve paddles are used.
Our Invention consists not so much in the general form we have
given to our propeller as in the manner of the construction of the
several parts, and their combination, & in the device & arrangement
of the excentric to be used in place of the cranks.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph E. Penny and Thomas B. Rogers in the
Great Seal Patent Office, on the 14th December 1853.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, 3
JOSEPH H. PENNY & THOMAS B. ROGERS, of the City and State of
New York, America, send greeting.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the 14th day of June, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the
16th year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs & successors,
give and grant unto us, the said Joseph H. Penny and Thomas B.
Rogers, Her special license that we, the said Joseph H. Penny and
Thomas B. Rogers, our executors, administrators, or assigns, or such
others as we, the said Joseph E. Penny and Thomas B. Rogers, our
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter 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 Invention for "A NEW AND
USEFUL IMPROVEMENT IN THE MANNER OF CONSTRUCTING MACHINERY FOR
PROPELLING VESSELS AND OTHER MACHINERY, WHICH WE TERM A CRANK
PROPELLER, upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said
Joseph H. Penny and Thomas B. Rogers, by an instrument in writing
under our hands and scals, 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 we, the said Joseph H. Penny and Thomas
B. Rogers, do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had
to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters of reference marked
thereon.
Figure 1, is a plan of such propeller, & Figure 2, is a side eleva-
tion of the same.
The nature of our Invention or improvement consists in increasing
the extent and strength of the paddle surface of the propeller, and
consequently increasing its effective power, and in so arranging the
different series of paddles upon the cranks or excentrics that the

page_text: paddles shall enter and leave the water in a vertical position, and
that as one series of paddles begins to leave the water another series
begins to enter it, so that one series shall be continually in the water
for effective action. We generally make our propeller to consist of
three sets or series of paddles A, A, A, (though the number of them
may be varied) parallel to each other, and lying horizontally, and to
which motion is communicated from the shafts B, B, by means of the
cranks C, C, C, or by excentrics hereafter described. We make the
paddles about four feet deep by two feet wide, either of wood or iron,
and with flat surfaces, as shewn at c, Figure 1, or curved as at d, or
angular as at e, or with side flanges as at f. A perspective of one of
the paddles with a flat surface is shewn at Figure 8. Each series of
paddles is usually about twenty-eight feet long, of the same width and
depth as the paddles, and is intended to include five or more paddles in
addition to the connecting heads b, b, Figure 1, & 2, which are a strong
frame work of wrought or cast metal, having faces corresponding to the
paddles, and which are also effective as additional paddles. These
connecting heads are of the same depth as are the paddles, but have a
less width, so as to pass between the sides of the cranks C, and they are
also thicker, so as to make a stronger support for the connecting arms
1, h, and the connecting rods g, g, g, Fig. 1, 2. We generally make
use of four connecting rods 9, 9, 9, 9, but their number may be varied,
all of which pass through the several paddles a, a, a, a, Figures 1, 2,
which are firmly fastened to them: these connecting rods are also
securely attached to the connecting heads b, b, and such connecting
heads are also firmly secured to the cranks C, C, by means of the con-
necting arms, h, which connect with the crank pink, at the
shoulders m, m. The several series of paddles, with the connecting
rods and connecting heads, are worked like reciprocating bars, connect-
ing the opposite cranks or excentrics.
The paddles are generally made solid and of a single piece, as shewn
at a, Figures 1, 2; but their construction, however, may be varied, as
shewn in Figure 3, where the paddle consists of a strong frame work
P, P, P, to the cross bars of which valves n, n, n, are hung, which are

page_text: kept close to the frame by the springs 0, 0, 0; or these valves may be
hung on journals with stops and without springs, as shown at v, v,
Figure 3. Such valves are pressed closely to the frame work by the
springs against them, or by the pressure of the water, and under ordi-
nary circumstances such a constructed paddle is just as effective as a
solid one.
In case, however, of rough weather, when the vessel is
making her way against the waves, or when the propeller is sub-
merged, if a wave or swell strikes the paddle the valves open more
or less, according to circumstances, and thus the force of the wave or
swell is broken, and the vessel less retarded in her course.
Each series of paddles is seperate and distinct from the others, and
moves in a seperate frame work, the timbers D, D, D, D, which furnish
bearings for the shafts B, B, running entirely across the whole length
of the propeller from guard to guard, thus giving additional strength
to the cranks, and lessening the probability of detention should one of
the series be broken or injured. The cranks are also each distinct, and
are attached seperately to the shafts, and they are generally made of
such a length that the paddles when in motion are elevated only about
four feet above the deck of the vessel, though they may be so arranged
that the paddles will move entirely beneath the line of the deck.
These cranks may be made of seperate parts, so that in the event of
the fracture of any part it can be removed, and another such part
substituted in its place. The cranks, as before stated, are so connected.
with the different series of paddles that one set or series is continually
kept in the water for effective action.
In place, however, of the cranks C, C, made in the usual manner,
we often and generally prefer to make use of an anti-friction excentric,
represented at Figure 4, and of which we are also the true and first
Inventors. Figures 4, 7, gives a side and edge view of such excentric.
It is attached to the shaft B, in the position shown in the Figure,
and revolves with it, so that a like motion is given to the series of
paddles which are connected with it as when an ordinary crank is
used. This excentric is composed of four seperate wheels 1, 2, 3, 4,
Figure 4, revolving on seperate journals, and around the several cir-

page_text: cumferences of which moves the solid ring R, to which the connecting
heads b, b, are attached; 1, 2, & 3, are actual wheels, but 4, is in
fact only a ring encircling the shaft B, and moving around it, and is
confined between 1, a shoulder on the shaft, & the pillow block F,
which makes the outer side of the excentric, and furnishes a support
for the other wheels. The journals of the wheels 1, 2, 3, work in
the pillow blocks F, one of which is placed on either side of the
excentric, and which are also firmly fixed to the shaft B.
These
pillow blocks are not solid, but are made as represented in the
Drawing, or of some similar shape combining lightness of structure,
and at the same time giving strong points of support for the several
wheels. Over the journals of these pillow blocks, and on which the
wheels revolve, are fitted caps a, Fig. 4, which retain the wheels in
their proper places, and at the same time add strength to the excentric.
The periphery of each wheel has in it a square groove, shewn at s, 8, 8, 8,
Figure 7, to which the ring R, is fitted, and in which it moves. Gene-
rally we make our excentric to consist of two series of wheels, which
are seperated from each other by the studs u, u, Fig. 7, with two
revolving rings, connected and braced by horizontal rods, set diagonally
from one to the other; but a single series of wheels may be used, and
a single ring, when desired. Usually, also, we use four anti-friction
wheels in our excentric, but the number of such wheels may be
increased, according to the size of the excentric and to the strain to
which it is to be subjected. By means of sett-screws passing through
caps over the ends of the axles of the wheels 1, 2, 3, and turning
against the ends of such axles, we can easily adjust these several
wheels, and thus prevent any unsteadiness of motion which might be
caused by their lateral wear. By means, also, of set-screws under-
neath the boxes in which the axles of these wheels revolve we are
enabled to elevate these wheels, and counterbalance and overcome any
wear which they may have received on their circumferances, and thus
make such wheels continually available and effectual until they are
nearly worn out.
By constructing our excentric as before described we unite great

page_text: strength with comparatively little weight, and at the same time, by
the use of the several wheels of which it is composed, prevent any
great amount of friction. We also substitute it in the place of the
old excentrics, thus entirely doing away with the necessity of their use.
The use of our propeller, whether with or without the excentric, is
not intended to be confined to vessels, but it may be substituted for
ordinary water wheels, whether over or under shot or tide wheels. The
propeller may also be used as a submerged wheel on either side of the
keel when the valve paddles are used.
We are aware that frequent attempts have been made so to con-
struct the wheels or propellers of vessels that the paddles should enter
and leave the water vertically, and that in some such experiments a series
of horizontal bars, with attached paddles, has been arranged somewhat
in the manner in which we have arranged the series of paddles in our
propeller. Though all such contrivances and experiments are radically
different from our Invention in every important particular, and are like
only in general resemblance, yet we desire to disclaim as our Invention
the general form of the propeller, and mean to confine our claims to
such features and such arrangement as are new and useful.
We, therefore, claim as our Invention,-
1st. The peculiar construction of the several sets and series of
paddles, made substantially as before set forth, and the combination
in these series of the paddles, connecting rods, and connecting heads
with each other, and with the cranks or excentrics, as before described.
2nd We claim also the peculiar construction, substantially as
before set forth, of the connecting heads and arms, by which the
connecting head serves the double purpose of a paddle and of a
support for the connecting rods and paddles.
3rd. We claim also the peculiar construction of the valve paddle,
Figure 3, made substantially as before described, and for the purposes
above set forth.
4th. We claim also the peculiar construction of the anti-friction
excentric, made substantially as before set forth, and whether used in
connection with our propeller or seperately, by which we unite great

page_text: strength with little weight and friction, and are enabled to wholly
dispense with the ordinary excentric.
5th We claim also the combination, as substantially before set
forth, of the excentric with the series of paddles for the purposes
aforesaid.
In witness whereof, we, the said Joseph H. Penny and Thomas B.
Rogers, have hereunto set our hands and scals, this 14th day of
November, A.D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.
In presence of
S. D. LAW.
W H. JENNISON.
JOSEPH II. PENNY. (L.S.)
THOMAS B. ROGERS. (L.S.)