Improvements in Hydraulic Propellers for Propelling Ships and for Pumping Water.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Jan., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 2nd June, 1899-Accepted, 8th July,
1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hydraulic Propellers for Propelling Ships and for
Pumping Water.
I, ANDREW PLECHER, of Savannah, in the County of Chatham, and State of
Georgia, United States of America, l'astor, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention pertains to that class of "jet" or hydraulic propellers for vessels
in which a rotatable screw or spiral-blade propeller is arranged in a tube that
traverses the vessel from stem to stern and takes in water at its front end and
discharges it at the other and the invention consists in certain improvements in
the construction of the propeller proper and in valved attachments for the jet
or water-conducting tube whereby certain important advantages are attained.
The construction and arrangement of parts are as hereinafter described.
A jet" or water-conducting tube extends longitudinally of the hull from
stem to stern. It is composed of fixed sections and an interposed rotatable section,
that is to say at some point in the length of said tube-preferably at the middle
-it is divided transversely and a rotatable section is inserted, the same being
aligned with the others. This section has an interior spiral or screw blade which
is preferably formed integrally with the tube proper that surrounds it or its
side edges are permanently and rigidly attached to the tube in some suitable
manner. The ends of this rotatable screw section are mounted in stuffing boxes
upon the adjacent ends of the fixed sections. The screw section is provided
exteriorly with a concentric annular spur gear which meshes with a gear forming
part of driving mechanism connected with a steam engine or electric or other
form of motor. The said gear not only serves as a driving medium but also as a
fly or balance wheel which steadies the rotation of the screw section..
It is apparent that the rotation of such screw section drives a current of water
through the tube which issues as a large jet at the stern or at the bow, if required
to arrest the motion of the vessel or to propel it sternwards. The screw proper has
practically a uniform thickness at all points in its cross section. In consequence
of this construction and the attachment of the screw or spiral directly to the tube
proper, the propeller offers the least possible obstruction to the water passing
through it whereby a proportionally greater propulsive effect is produced.
In case of a leak or the accumulation of the water in the hold of the vessel
from any cause, it may be removed through the tube. For this purpose I provide
the fixed sections with a slidable cut-off valve between the rotatable section and
the bow and stern. These valves may be operated by a screw rod or shaft and the
latter may be provided with a hand wheel or be connected with other mechanism
under the control of the engineer. Short tubes extend downward from the main
tube provided with globe valves which are operated by a worm shaft. The latter
may be manipulated by hand or connected with mechanism under the control of

page_text: It is apparent that by closing the bow or forward cut-off valve and opening
either globe valve and then rotating the screw section, water may be rapidly
removed from the vessel's hold either forward or aft. The mechanism thus con-
stitutes a very effective ship's pump with the advantage that the water removed
may be utilized for the propulsion of the vessel.
To enable the apparatus to be conveniently utilized for extinguishing fires, or
rising water for washing the deck or other purposes, I provide the tube sections
with two fire-hose attachments one being arranged between the screw section and
each of the cut-off valves. By closing one of the latter, water may be driven through
the adjacent hose, and by closing both cut-off valves, and one globe valve, water
may be taken from the hold and forced through either hose.
A rotary engine may be applied to the tube section for rotating it. In such case
the wheel proper will be attached directly to the tube and the casing of the wheel
fixed concentrically.
As a means for avoiding a direct backward current in the stern water, or for
aid in steering the vessel, I may provide a swivelled extension of the fixed tube
section, a suitable device being provided for directing such section at any angle.
The tube sections may be arranged with their inlet and discharge openings in
rear of the bow and in front of the stern, respectively, if desired.
Dated this 17th day of
1000
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.
Improvements in Hydraulic Propellers for Propelling Ships and for
Pumping Water.
I, ANDREW PLECHER, of Savannah, in the County of Chatham and State of
Georgia, United States of America, Pastor, 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 :-
My invention pertains to that class of "jet" or hydraulic propellers for vessels
in which a rotatable screw or spiral-blade propeller, is arranged in a tube that
traverses the vessel from stem to stern and takes in water at its front end and
discharges it at the other; and the invention consists in certain improvements in
the construction of the propeller proper, and in valved attachments for the jet
or water-conducting tube, whereby certain important advantages are attained.
The construction and arrangement of parts are as hereinafter described with
reference to the accompanying drawing in which :-
Figure 1 is in part a side view and in part a vertical section of the hull of a
vessel provided with my improvement.
Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective and partly sectional view of the tube and
propeller proper.
Figure 3 is a side view showing a modification.
Ajet" or water-conducting tube extends longitudinally of the hull X from
stem to stern. It is composed of fixed sections 1, 1" and an interposed rotatable
section 2, that is to say, at some point in the length of said tube-preferably at
the middle it is divided transversely, and a rotatable section 2, is inserted, the
same being aligned with the others 1 1º, as shown in Figure 1. This section 2,
has an interior spiral or screw blade 3-see Figure 2-which is preferably formed
integrally with the tube proper, that surrounds it, or its side edges are permanently
and rigidly attached to the tube in some suitable manner,

page_text: The ends of this rotatable screw section 2, are mounted in stuffing-boxes 4
applied to the adjacent ends of the fixed sections 1, 1ª, as shown in Figure 2.
The screw section 2 is provided exteriorly with a concentric annular spur
gear. 5, Figure 1, which meshes with a gear (not shown) forming part of driving
mechanism connected with a steam engine or an electric or other form of motor.
The said gear 5, not only serves as a driving medium, but also as a fly or balance
wheel, which steadies the rotation of the screw section 2.
It is apparent that the rotation of such screw section 2 drives a current of water
through the tube, which issues as a large jet at the stern, or at the bow, if required
to arrest the motion of the vessel or to propel it sternwards. The screw_proper 3,
has practically a uniform. thickness at all points in its cross section. In conse-
quence of this construction and the attachment of the screw or spiral 3 directly
to the tube proper, the propeller offers the least possible obstruction to the water
passing through it, whereby a proportionally greater propulsive effect is produced.
In case of a leak or the accumulation of the water in the hold of the vessel
from any cause, it may be removed through the tube. For this purpose I provide
the fixed sections 1, 1, with a slidable cut-off valve 6, between the rotatable
section 2 and the bow and stern as shown. These valves 6 may be operated by a
screw rod or shaft 7, and the latter may be provided with a hand-wheel, or be
connected with other mechanism under the control of the engineer. Short tubes 8
extend downward from the main tube, provided with globe valves 9, which are
operated by a worm shaft 10. The latter may be manipulated by hand, or con-
nected with mechanism under the control of the engineer.
It is apparent, that by closing the bow or forward cut-off valve 6, and opening
either globe valve 9, and then rotating the screw section 2, water may be rapidly
removed from the vessel's hold either forward or aft. In brief, the mechanism
shown constitutes a very effective ship's pump, with the advantage that the water
removed may be utilized for the propulsion of the vessel.
To enable the apparatus to be conveniently utilized for extinguishing fires, or
raising water for washing decks or other purposes, I provide the tube sections 1, 1°,
with two fire-hose attachments 11, one being arranged between the screw-section 2
and each of the cut-off valves 6. By closing one of the latter, water may be driven
through the adjacent hose 11, and by closing both cut-off valves 6, and one
globe valve 9, water may be taken from the hold and forced through either
hose 11. The advantages of this combination and arrangement of parts are
apparent.
As shown in Figure 3, a rotary engine 12 may be applied to the tube section 2,
for rotating it. In such case, the wheel proper will be attached directly to the
tube, and the casing of the wheel fixed concentrically.
As a means for avoiding a direct backward current in the stern water, or for
aid in steering the vessel, I may provide a swivelled extension 13, Figure 1, of
the fixed tube section 1, a suitable device being provided for directing such
section 13, at any angle.
It will be understood, that the tube sections 1 and 1ª may be arranged with
their inlet and discharge openings, in rear of the bow and in front of the stern,
respectively, if desired.
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. The combination with a vessel's hull, of a jet or water conducting tube
traversing the same from stem to stern, a rotatable screw section, aligned with
fixed tube sections, and journalled on the latter, such rotatable section being
composed of a tube proper and a spiral blade or screw proper whose side edges
are secured to the tube, substantially as shown and described.
2. The combination with a vessel's hull, of fixed tube sections traversing the
same as described, an interposed aligning tube section arranged rotatably in

page_text: stuffing-boxes and having an interior spiral or screw proper, and a rotary driving
wheel applied to such tube section exteriorly, as shown and described.
3. The combination with a vessel's hull and a tube traversing the same, of a
propeller located in mid-length of the tube, cut-off valves arranged on each side
of the screw, and other valves for controlling admission of water from the hold,
substantially as shown and described.
4. The combination with a vessel's hull, and a tube traversing the same, of
valves for controlling admission of water from the hold and a rotatable screw
tube section as shown and described.
5. The combination with a vessel's hull, and a tube traversing the same, of
cut-off valves, valves for controlling admission of water from the hold, fire-hose
attachments, and a rotatable screw section, substantially as shown and described.
6. The combination with a vessel's hull, and a tube traversing the same, of fire
hose attached to the latter, cut-off valves arranged in said tube exterior to such
fire-hose, and a propeller, substantially as shown and described to operate as
specified.
7. The combination with a vessel's hull, and a tube traversing the same, of a
cut-off valve arranged in said tube, a propeller connected with the cut-off valves
located exterior to the propeller, hose attachments arranged between the cut-off
valves and the propeller, and short tubes pendent from the main tube, and having
valves for regulating the inlet of water, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1899.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.