IMPROVE- MENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION, AND IN APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE SAME.
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Moy, of 37, Farringdon Street, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION, AND IN APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE
SAME.
"
Sealed the 30th October 1874, and dated the 14th August 1874.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Moy at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, `on the
14th August 1874.
I, THOMAS MOx, of 37, Farringdon Street, in the County of Middle-
sex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION, AND IN APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE
SAME," to be as follows:-
My Invention has reference to improvements in the apparatus
described in the Specification of a Patent granted to me and Richard
Edmund Shill, bearing date 30th November 1871, No. 3238, and con-
sists, in the first place, in dispensing in some cases with the need of
excentrics for altering the angles of aeroplanes, whether, revolving or.

page_text: reciprocating as therein described, by placing the whole machine at such
an angle to the line of flight as to obtain an equivalent effect.
The angle of the machine in relation to its line of flight is rendered
automatical by adapting the centre of gravity in such a manner as to
cause the pressure of air on the under side of the fixed aeroplanes at the
hinder part of the machine to bear up a certain proportion of the total
weight, thereby reducing the angle of incidence (or approaching the
horizontal) as the speed increases, and the pendulum always hanging
vertically is so connected with the revolving or other aeroplanes as to
cause (by suitable mechanism) the angles of the aeroplanes thereon to
be altered in the same relative proportion.
Also, instead of steering to the right or left by the vertical rudder, as
described in the Specification referred to, this may be effected by altering
the angles of the aeroplanes while in motion.
The driving gear of the motive power is also connected with the
ground wheels in such a manner that the machine is caused to travel
along the ground at the necessary speed to compel it to rise in the air.
Also, instead of circular frame hoops, such frames may be made in
the form of double bow string girders.
Also, instead of working the aeroplanes by means of stays or ropes I 2
use in some cases partially revolving spokes adapted to the revolving
aeroplane wheels, which spokes contol the angles in the manner
required.
And, lastly, in cases wherein excentrics are necessary or desirable,
various modes of producing equivalent effects on the aeroplanes may be 2
employed.

page_text: WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fourteenth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the thirty-eight
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Thomas Moy, Her special licence, that I,
the said Thomas Moy, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Thomas Moy, my executors, administrators,
and 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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN AERIAL NAVIGATION, AND
IN APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Thomas Moy, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, 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 Thomas Moy, 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, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say) :-
My Invention of "Improvements in Aerial Navigation, and in Appa-
ratus for Effecting the same," has reference to improvements in the
apparatus described in the Specification of a Patent granted to me and
Richard Edmund Shill, bearing date Thirtieth November, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-one, number 3238, and consists, in the first
place, in dispensing in some cases with the need of eccentrics for altering
the angles of aeroplanes, whether revolving or reciprocating as therein
described, by placing the whole machine at such an angle to the line of
flight as to obtain an equivalent effect.
The angle of the machine in relation to its line of flight is rendered
automatic by adapting the centre of gravity in such a manner as to

page_text: cause the pressure of air on the under side of the fixed aeroplanes at the
hinder part of the machine to bear up a certain proportion of the total
weight, thereby reducing the angle of incidence (or approaching the
horizontal) as the speed increases, and the pendulum always hanging
vertically is so connected with the revolving or other aeroplanes as to
cause (by suitable mechanism) the angles of the aeroplanes thereon to
be altered in the same relative position.
Also, instead of steering to the right or left by the vertical rudder, as
described in the Specification referred to, this may be effected by altering
the angles of the aeroplanes while in motion.
The driving gear of the motive power is also connected with the
ground wheels in such a manner that the machine is caused to travel
along the ground at the necessary speed to compel it to rise in the air.
Also, instead of circular frame hoops, such frames may be made in
the form of double bow string girders, and other suitable forms.
Also, instead of working the aeroplanes by means of stays or ropes I
use in some cases partially revolving spokes adapted to the revolving
aeroplane wheels, which spokes control the angles in the manner
required.
And, lastly, in cases wherein excentrics are necessary or desirable,
various modes of producing equivalent effects on the aeroplanes may be
employed.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I will proceed to
describe more particularly in what manner the same is to be performed
by the aid of the accompanying Drawings.
I will first describe apparatus in which horizontal velocity is required
to enable the machine to rise in the air :-
In the Specification of the Patent granted to me and Richard Edmund
Shill, dated Thirtieth November, One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-one, number 3238, the excentrics are shewn at one end of the
axles of the revolving aeroplane wheels. Such excentrics may be better
applied at or near the centre of such axles, with lines for bearing the
planes to different angles, and increasing the pitch of the planes near
the engine, and decreasing the pitch thereof on the opposite side, so as
to continuously vary the pitch from the inner sides, where the longest

page_text: pitch occurs, to the outer sides, where the shortest pitch occurs. The
aeroplanes are caused to approach to a horizontal position by means
analogous to those in the previous Patent, as far as the excentric will
allow.
Another mode of varying the angles of the aeroplanes consists in
having two circular rings mounted on each axle, one at each end of each
axle, pivoted across the diameter.
The spokes of the wheel have short levers, which are jointed to rods.
These rods have antifriction rollers at cach end to roll on the faces of
the excentrics. The excentrics cause the rods to move to and fro as they
rotate between the excentrics; the rods by means of levers cause the
spokes to partially rotate on their centres; the outer part of each
rotating aeroplane is fixed to its spoke, and therefore performs the same
partially rotative movement; and lines or rods passing from the outer
portion to the axle through the revolving aeroplanes control the
remainder of each aeroplane, and cause it to take the necessary form.
Tho rotating aeroplanes are sometimes for convenience of construc-
tion divided into suitable portions, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, so as
to approximate to a true screw and be easy of setting at various angles.
a, a, Figures 1 and 2, are the axles; b, b, a portion of the hoop of one of
the rotating acroplane wheels; c, c, is a divided aeroplane; and d, d,
are lines or rods running cither through or across each portion of the
acroplane.
When rods are employed they are made telescopic so as to allow of
the pitch being altered.
The rest of the apparatus, such as springs, braces, and pullies, are
omitted to make the figures clearer, and such matters having been
described in the former Specification.
In the Drawing the several portions of the aeroplane are shewn of a
straight form, but I prefer to make them curved to segments of the
hoop b.
I sometimes dispense with the use of the excentrics by placing the
axle itself at a suitable angle to the line of travel, and thereby obtain an
effect equivalent to the foregoing, such angle being carefully arranged
according to the speed and power at command. In some cases the

page_text: whole of the machinery may also be placed at such suitable angle in lieu
of the axles only; and in the latter cases the pitch of the whole of the
rotating aeroplanes is altered simultaneously by means of sliding sleeves
formed in grooves to gear into suitable pinions in such a manner that
the angles may be varied without stopping the engine.
I mount such machines on wheels for travelling along the ground, as
described in the Specification of the Patent before referred to, and in
addition thereto I drive one or more of such wheels by suitable gear
connected to the engine in order to obtain a rapid forward motion, and
thereby assist in raising the machine from the ground.
I sometimes mount such machines on pontoons, instead of wheels, so
as to enable them to float on water when at rest; and I sometimes
combine pontoons and wheels, so as to fit such machines for land and
water, keeping them head to wind when anchored or moored.
E
1
In the said former Patent frame hoops are shewn of a circular form, 1
or hoops having a portion of the circle removed. In some cases I form
such frames elliptical, and sometimes as bow string girders, and in other
suitable forms.
It is necessary that aerial machines should travel in a horizontal
direction, or nearly so, except when rising from or descending to the 2
ground. I control such horizontal motion by means of a pendulum in
such manner that as long as the pendulum is at right angles (or per-
pendicular) to the line of motion of the travelling machine, no action.
takes place; but when the machine alters its course by varying from the
horizontal from any cause, the pendulum causes the opening of suitable 2
valves, which put in motion suitable mechanism, whether of steam, air,
or hydraulic pressure or vacuum, and such mechanism alters the angle
of a balancing plane, and thereby promptly forces the machine to
resume the horizontal course by the pressure of the air on the upper or
under side of such plane.
3
I also control the angle of one, or more, or all of the rest of the
aeroplanes by means of a loaded aeroplane, which aeroplane is made of
sufficient weight to cause it to take a suitable angle, and to sustain a
similar weight per square foot to that which the whole machine is
required to sustain; and by the action of the pressure of the air on its 3
under side it is caused automatically to take the necessary angle, and by

page_text: similar power and means to the foregoing it causes the remainder of the
acroplanes, or one or more of them, as desired, to take or assume a similar
angle to the line of motion, by which means the speed is increased
without the necessity of increasing the power exerted.
I will now proceed to describe aerial machines which are capable of
rising from the ground without requiring previous horizontal velocity.
I construct the body of any suitable form in order to reduce resistance.
from the air. I arrange the rotating aeroplane wheels so that they can
be made to assume any suitable angle, from horizontal to vertical, while
being driven by the engine or while stationary. In this form of machine
the revolving aeroplanes are placed so as to rotate on a horizontal orbit
or plane for immediately rising from the earth, and when a suitable
altitudo has been attained the orbit is altered so as to hover, travel
slowly, or travel swiftly, as may be desired, the swifter motion or higher
speed being obtained when the revolving acroplanes approach the
vertical position.
In this form of machine also I sometimes use only one aeroplane for
balancing and rising or descending, and dispense with other fixed acro-
planes, and control such acroplane as herein-before described; and in
other cases use a horizontal vane or windmill with a spindle, which is
vertical when the machine is travelling in a horizontal position, and
which is kept vertical by means of a pendulum, but which vane or
windmill is caused to assume a suitable position by its connection with
such pendulum, so as to control the machine in case it becomes out of
balance or leaves its horizontal position. By means of the action of the
pendulum on the axis or spindle of such vane or windmill, the said axis
is caused to assume a greater degree of angularity from the horizontal
than the machine itself does in relation to the pendulum; this causes
the vane or windmill to rotate in the necessary direction, and by means
of suitable lines or ropes to cause the balancing or controlling acroplane
or aeroplanes (described in the said former Patent) to leave their hori-
zontal position, and then, by the action of the air upon their surface
or surfaces, to cause the whole machine to resume its proper course and
position..
I sometimes dispense with axles to the engines for greater simplicity
and to save weight by arranging a suitable wheel or wheels (sce
Figure 3) on the end of the piston rod f, and driving such wheel or
"

page_text: wheels
upon surfaces or edges of a wave-line form, into which the hoops
of the aeroplane wheels may be formed, as shewn in Figures 3 and 4,
the valve being worked by analogous means proportioned to the requisite
amount of stroke of such valve, and the distribution of the steam is
controlled in a similar manner as to effect as with ordinary cranks and
excentrics.
In Figures 3 and 4, h, h, are the aeroplane hoops, Figure 3 shewing
double waved surfaces, and Figure 4 one edge only waived, and each
requiring four strokes of the engine or engines to complete one revolution
of the aeroplane wheels g. Figure 4 acts as a counter thrust to the 1
piston rod and roller.
Figures 5 and 6 are forms of driving wheels also for dispensing with
cranks in a manner analogous to that shewn at Figure 3, but revolving
once to each stroke of the engine; and Figures 7 and 8 are different
views for the same purpose, analogous to Figure 4.
In all the preceding cases I sometimes drive the revolving aeroplane
wheels with two driving wheels instead of four wheels (as shewn under
the former Patent), and keep the hoop of the revolving aeroplane wheels
in contact with the driving wheels by means of friction wheels, which
press the hoops into contact with the drivers.
I sometimes drive such revolving aeroplane wheels by means of bands
passed round such wheels as far from the centre as is necessary, and in
other cases such bands pass round the hoops, such last-mentioned means
being employed as a substitute for edge frictional driving.!
]
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what a
manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that what I claim
as of my Invention is,-
First. The variation of the angles of the fixed and revolving aeroplanes
in the manner described.
Secondly. The balancing of the machine in order to preserve its hori-8
zontal course by the means described.
Thirdly. The steering of the machine by the means described.
Fourthly. The alteration of the orbits of the aeroplane wheels to
various angles, either while being driven by the engine or while sta-
tionary, in the manner described.

page_text: Fifthly. The application of the various modes described of balancing
nd controlling the course of the machine.
And, Lastly. The means described for driving without cranks.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Moy, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Thirteenth day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five.
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane.
THU, TUI.
(L.S.)