Apparatus for Propelling and Steering Boats and other Navigable Vessels.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 15th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Propelling and Steering Boats and other Navigable
Vessels.
I, HENRY BARCROFT, of The Glen, Newry, in the County of Armagh, Ireland,
Director of the Dundalk and Newry Steam Packet Company, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
In the Specifications to my former Patents Nos. 13019 and 20638 of 1889 |
described apparatus for propelling and steering boats and other navigable vessels
wherein two sets of oblique propeller blades, mounted on axes situated above the
water line, were made to revolve in contrary directions so that the side thrust
exercised by the one set of blades neutralised that exercised by the other set.
In order to render the apparatus applicable with a considerably varying water
line of the vessel, the arms of the propeller blades were made extensible in length,
and this construction had the disadvantages that in the cases of a low water line the
diameter of the propellers became inconveniently large, required to be made of
considerable strength, and entailed a comparatively expensive construction of the
apparatus.
According to my present invention I obviate these inconveniences by employing
the following construction of the apparatus.
I mount between strong overhanging bearers at the stern of the vessel a vertically
sliding frame at the lower end of which is a fixed horizontal shaft, by preference
constructed precisely the same as the wheel-axle of a waggon or omnibus, the two
ends being made to overhang on each side of the frame, and on these overhanging
ends are mounted loose the bosses of the propellers confined between suitable
thrust-collars on the axle, which bosses each carry two opposite arins with oblique
propeller blades. The arms are made adjustable in the bosses by any suitable
means so as to enable the angle of the blades to be varied according to requirements,
but by preference they are simply screwed into the boss, the screw thread being
extended along the arm beyond the boss, so as to enable a jam-nut to be screwed on
to it, which nuts, after the arms and blades have had their position adjusted, are
jammed tight against the boss so as to lock the arm in position.
To the inner faces of the bosses are fixed bevil wheels which gear with opposite
sides of a horizontal bevil wheel fixed on a shaft passing up vertically through the
middle of the sliding frame, so that by the rotation of the shaft its bevil wheel
drives the two bosses round in contrary directions.
The vertical shaft is made either of square or polygonal cross section or with a
longitudinal feather or groove and is carried in suitable bearings at the upper and
lower ends of the sliding frame, and upon it is fitted a bevil wheel through which
the shaft can slide longitudinally, but which when driven carrics the shaft round
with it. This bevil wheel is suitably held by a bracket or otherwise so that it can
rotate but cannot shift its position, which is such that it can be driven by a bevil
wheel on a shaft driven by a motor on deck, or on the swivelling platform carrying
the above described apparatus, when such is employed. Thus it will be seen that
the vertical sliding frame can be shifted vertically in the bearers so as to bring the
propeller blades to any degree of immersion in the water, according to the position
of the water line of the vessel, and whatever that position may be, the propeller
will always be properly driven by the motor engine on deck.
The above described apparatus being more particularly intended for propelling
barges on canals, I prefer, in this application, to construct the same in as strong
and simple a manner as possible, so as to effectually resist rough usage.
For this purpose I make the overhanging bearers of strong baulks of timber, and

page_text: I also make the sliding frame of two strong baulks of timber, connected at top and
bottom by strong transverse pieces of metal. The guides between which the frame
slides in the overhanging bearers may also consist of a strong transverse metal
piece on the outersile of the frame, against which the latter slides, and against
which it is securely fixed in position by a strong clamping plate secured by screw
bolts, so that on slacking the latter the frame can readily be slid up or down between
the fixed transverse piece and the clamping plate.
The vertical adjustment of the frame may be effected by any suitable known
means, such as by a rack and pinion or screw spindle, or by means of a small crane
temporarily placed on the overhanging bearers, from which the frame is freely
suspended, when the before described clamping device is released.
The outer ends of the bearers have by preference a plate hinged thereto, which,
against the ends of the bearers and secured, serves as a protective
when turned clamping device on the outside, and which, when turned down iuto
enclosure for
a horizontal position serves as a platform from which the clamping device can be
operated.
The overhanging bearers may either be fixed on the deck of the vessel so that
the apparatus only serves for propelling the vessel, the steering being effected by
an ordinary rudder, but by preference they are mounted on a pivotted platform or
turntable, so that the whole propelling apparatus can be moved into an angular
position for steering as well as propelling, by turning the platform either by an
ordinary tiller or by other suitable steering gear in a similar manner to that
described in my Patent No. 206388.
With this arrangement the motor engine for driving the propellers can either be
fixed on deck and the power transmitted through shafting in the manner described
in the said Specification, but by preference I mount the motor engine with its
boiler, if any, upon the rotatable platform, on the opposite side of the pivot, so that
its weight more or less balances the weight of the overhanging bearers and
propeller frame. When used for canal navigation the propellers may be
conveniently driven by an electromotor, receiving its current from a conductor
extending along the bank of the canal by means of a sliding contact hauled along
by the barge. Such electromotor may either be fixed on the platform as described,
or it may be mounted direct on the upper end of the sliding frame the shaft of the
rotating armature being suitably connected with or without gearing to the vertical
propeller shaft. This arrangement of the motor engine may also be employed when
using rotary engines worked by steam or other fluid pressure.
It will be evident that in order to obtain increased propelling power, two or more
such propelling apparatus may be mounted either side by side or in line with each
other at the stern of the vessel.
Dated his 20th d.
1001
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Propelling and Steering Boats and other Navigable
Vessels.
I, HENRY BARCROFT, of The Glen, Newry, in the County of Armagh, Ireland,
Director of the Dundalk and Newry Steam Packet Company, 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 present invention relates to an improved arrangement of the two oppositely
revolving sets of propeller blades carried by a platform overhanging the stern of
the vessel, described in the Specification to my previous Patents No. 13019 of 1889
and No. 20638 of 1889, whereby the axis on which the propeller blades revolve is
made adjustable vertically so as to be brought close to the surface of the water, and

page_text: thus the comparatively great length of the propeller arms, and the necessity for
making them telescopic as described in the said Specifications is obviated, and as a
consequence the apparatus is rendered more compact, which is of importance in
canals and other narrow waterways.
For this purpose the two sets of propeller blades are mounted in a vertically
sliding frame carried by a platform that overhangs the stern of the boat, so that by
raising or lowering the frame, the vertical position of the propeller blades can be
adjusted accurately to the draught of the vessel, so as to insure their proper
immersion.
At the same time the platform carrying the frame is by preference mounted on a
pivot on the deck or other support on the vessel, so that on turning it together with
the frame and propeller blades into a more or less angular position relatively to the
centre line of the vessel, the propellers, in acting at such angle, will effect the
steering of the vessel.
I will proceed to describe the construction of the said apparatus with reference
to the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 shews a longitudinal section of one arrangement, applicable more
particularly to barges or canal boats, Fig. 2 shews a part sectional plan, and Fig. 3
shews an end view.
Figs. 4 and 5 shew plan and elevation of a modified construction.
A and A' are two sets of propeller blades, the arms B B of which are mounted
in bosses revolving loose upon the overhanging ends of an axis D which is
fixed upon the bottom transverse piece E' of the vertical frame E supported by the
overhanging bearers K. The bosses CC have bevil toothed rings or wheels F F
which may either be formed thereon, or by preference fixed thereto by screw bolts
as shewn, with which wheels gears a bevil wheel G fixed on a vertical shaft G¹
carried by the frame E; this shaft is of square or polygonal or grooved section
and passes through a bevil wheel H, which is supported by a bracket I, embracing
a neck thereon, the shaft being free to slide through the wheel, but is carried round
thereby on the wheel being rotated by means of the bevil wheel J on the shaft L
carried by the platform M on which is mounted a suitable motor engine N for
driving the shaft L. Thus on rotary motion being imparted to the vertical
shaft (, the bevil wheel G will effect the rotation in contrary directions of the
bosses and propeller blades A A' which, being suitably inclined, will effect
the propulsion of the boat, either forward or asteru, according to the direction in
which they are rotated.
By preference I construct the shaft D as an ordinary carriage axle, and the
bosses CC of the propeller blades as ordinary wheel naves, constructed with
enclosed spaces for lubricant in the well known manner, by which arrangement the
lubricant will be prevented from becoming washed away by the water, and the
bosses be kept well lubricated for a length of time. If necessary a bearing might
be provided to the outer ends of the shaft D, supported by transverse bearers from
the frame E.
The platform is mounted on a pivot O, on which it can be turned, either by a
hand tiller P, or by suitable steering gear, so as to cause the frame E and propeller
blades to assume any angular position relatively to the centre line of the vessel, and
thus to effect the steering thereof.
The rear end of the platform M is supported by a rail Z fixed firmly to the deck,
the end of the platform being formed with a groove which embraces the head of
the rail as shewn. This rail would be fixed in position after placing the platform,
and would be easily removeable when the platform requires to be removed.
The frame E is, in this construction, shewn formed of two strong wooden beams
framed together at top and bottom by cast iron transverse pieces E' E.
The lower one carries the propeller axis as described, and also supports by means
of the bearer E' the lower end of the vertical shaft G, the upper end of which runs
in a bearing in the transverse piece E'.

page_text: The frame E is held adjustably between the bearers K by being clamped tight
against a strong transverse metal plate Q fixed to the bearers by means of a
clamping plate Q' and bolts Q, so that on loosening the bolts, the vertical frame E
is free to be slid up or down between the bearers for adjusting the position of the
propeller blades relatively to the water level. The adjustment of the frame to the
exact position required for the propellers can be conveniently effected by
temporarily placing a a winch upon the bearers K K and, on suspending the frame
by its eye from the rope or chain, raising or lowering the frame until the
propellers are in the requisite position relatively to the water level, whereupon
the frame is clamped tight as above described.
Any other convenient arrangement may be employed for effecting the raising and
lowering of the frame. For conveniently effecting the clamping and loosening of
the frame, a hinged platform R may be provided at the end of the bearers K, which
is let down into the dotted position for the operator to stand upon, and which is at
other times secured in the raised position by suitable catches.
As the bevil wheel H is always held in the same position by the bracket I, ne
matter what the position of the frame E with the propeller blades may be, it will
be seen that the latter will always be correctly driven by the motor engine N.
The bearers K might also be fixed on the deck instead of being mounted on a
turntable as described.
In that case the steering of the vessel would be effected by an ordinary rudder,
or large oar in the case of a barge; also, instead of driving the propellers by an
engine mounted on the turntable, this may be effected by an engine situated at any
other part of the vessel, and connected by suitable transmission shafting and
gearing to the shaft L.
When used for canal navigation the propellers may be conveniently driven by an
electro motor receiving its current from a conductor extending along the bank of
the canal by means of a sliding contact hauled along by the barge.
Such electro motor may either be fixed on the platform M or it may be mounted
on the upper end of the sliding frame and the shaft of the rotating armature be
suitably connected through speed reducing gear to the propeller shaft G¹.
This arrangement might also be employed when using rotary or other engines
worked by steam or other fluid pressure.
Figs. 4 and 5 shew respectively a plan and front elevation of a modified con-
struction of the frame E E and raising and lowering gear. In this arrangement the
frame E E and the bearers K are made of metal; the general construction is
otherwise similar to the first described arrangement the parts being indicated by
the same letters of reference.
The frame slides between angle iron guides S S fixed on the bearers K, and the
raising and lowering is effected by pinions T T on a shaft U carrying a worm
wheel gearing with a worm W on a shaft X carried by the bearer and rotated
by a hand wheel X', the pinions T being in gear with racks Y fixed on the
frame E.
This may also be held in the position to which it is adjusted by suitable catches.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Apparatus for propelling boats consisting of two oppositely revolving sets of
propeller blades mounted upon a vertical frame carried by supports overhanging
the stern of the boat, the said frame being made vertically adjustable in its supports
so as to adjust the propeller blades according to the water level, while the sets of
propeller blades are so connected by suitable gearing to a motor engine that they
receive the requisite rotary motion, in contrary direction in whatever position they
may be placed.
2. In apparatus for propelling boats such as is referred to in the preceding claim,

page_text: constructing the bosses carrying the propeller arms as ordinary wheel naves with
receptacles for lubricant, while the shaft on which they run is made as an ordinary
carriage axle.
3. In apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim, mounting the motor
engine for driving the propellers on the upper end of the vertical frame so as to
drive the propellers direct or through suitable gear.
4. In apparatus for propelling boats, the combination of propeller blades such
as A having arms B carried adjustably in bosses C mounted loose on an axis D
fixed on the lower end of a vertical frame E, the bosses being fixed to bevil
wheels F gearing with opposite sides of beril wheel G fixed on a vertical shaft G¹
carried by the frame E and driven by bevil gear H J from a motor engine on board
the boat.
Dated this 15th day of January 1892.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.