A Flying Machine.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Jan., 1895-Accepted, 9th Mar., 1895
A Flying Machine.
I ROSS FRANKLIN MOORE Major, Royal Engineers (Retired' List) 39 Brigstock
Road Thornton Heath Surrey 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 :-
It consists of a pair of wings, liko those of a flying fox fixed to a central frame
to carry the motive power and load, see Figures 1 Sheets 1, 2 and 3.
The wings are balanced when suspended at the centres of pressure against the
load of the machine by springs.
The springs are actuated by manual, steam, electrical or other power.
The action of the springs causes the wings to flap in imitation of Nature and so
produce flight.
The shape and proportions for the wings are shown in Figures, 1, 2 and 3
Sheet No. 1.
The framing for the wings is made of light and strong material such as bamboos,
hollow drawn steel tubes, ribbed steel and aluminium.
The framing is stayed and strutted so as to strengthen the parts as shown to be
necessary in the natural wing of the flying fox.
bow
The rod "A," see figures Sheet No. 1 forms the hinge for the wing. "B" is
the main arm for the wing, this is supported on each.side by ribs "C" and "D."
"C" is extended and bent to form the concavity under the wing like in Nature
when distended; the extension represents the fore-arm in the wing. "E" is
for extending the wing as shown in the drawing Figure 1 Sheet 1. This bow
distends and stiffens the wing. "F," "G" and "H"are ribs in imitation of those
in the natural wing. These are rigidly fixed to the end of the fore-arm "C" but
are flexible towards their tips. The rib "H" is extended beyond the fore-arm to
form the strut "S" to the bow "E."
The rods "A" which form the hinges for the wings are extended to the rear to
form the tail as shown Figure 1 Sheet 1. The extended parts are flexible.
"J" forms the backbone and is extended to the front to forin the head. The
extended portion is flexible.
Stays of steel wire are fixed to the bows "C" and "E." The one for the.
bow "E" forms the front cutting edge for the wing. A stay also extends from
the end of rib "E" to the second joint in rib "F." Stays also extend to the head
and at the tail as shown in Figure 1 Sheet 1.-
The framing is covered with some light strong material such as silk, brown
holland or Messrs. Charles Green Spencer & Sons' special balloon material.
The covering material is stretched over the framing of the wing and strained to
bring the parts into the natural shape of the wing as shown in Figures 1, 2 & 3
Sheet 1.
The covering material also covers the space between the wings so that there is
no opening. .
The wings are mounted on the central frame as shown in Figures 1 Sheets 2
and 3. To save friction the hinges "A" for the, wings are fitted with ball bearings
carried on a central saddle "Z" see Figures 3 and 4 Sheet 3.
The size of the wings depends on the weight they have to fly, this may be taken
at not less than one pound per square foot of area.
The strength of the wings must be proportioned to their size and the velocity of
motion which is to be imparted to them when flapping in the air. They should be

page_text: able to support a distributed load of not less than three pounds per square foot
when the wings are turned over on their backs and balanced horizontally at the
hinges.
The central framing to carry the motive power consists of uprights fixed at their
tops to the saddle "Z" see Figures 3 and 4 Sheet 3.
The framing has cross stays and also platforms at intervals and at the base to
keep it firm and rigid. The base is fitted with wheels for convenience of transport
on the ground. These wheels can be adjusted for running the machine on sloping
or horizontal ground see Figures 2, 3 & 4 Sheets 2 & 3.,
Stays are fixed as shown in Figures 1 & 2 Sheets 2 and 3 to steady the framing
for the wings to the central frame.
The backbone "J" is stiffened by a stay across the upper side of the saddle "Z"
Bee Figure 2 Sheet 3.
Ties run from the four corners of the base plate of the central framing to four
points in the wings, namely the 2nd joint in the rib "H" and its junction with the
fore-arm "C" see Figure 1 Sheet 2. These ties are flexible, being of cord, and
prevent the wings rising above a horizontal position so that the inner halves of the
wings form a parachute in the event of any accident when the machine is in the air.
Similar ties are also fixed to the end of the head and ends of the tail to prevent
them rising above their proper highest levels.
The wings are strained down' by springs. The springs must be strong enough to
balance the weight of the machine when fully loaded when the whole machine is
suspended at the centres of pressure of the wings.
The resilience of the springs when under the correct strain must be in accordance
with the number of oscillations or flaps to be given to the wings per minute to
cause flight.
The amplitude of the springs must be arranged for that of the wings to suit the
distance out of the point of attachment on the main arm "B."
The springs may be pneumatic ones, spiral steel acting in tension or compression
or springs of any nature that will give suitable resilience, amplitude and
strength.
The springs may be actuated by manual, steam, electrical or other power.
If spiral springs are used they may be attached to the base plate of the framing,
see Figure 1 Sheet 2.
The other ends would be attached to the arms of the wings "B" and be worked
in tension.
If rotatory power is used for actuating the springs, the arms "B" of the wings
may be connected by crank rods to the crank shaft "X" see Figure 1 Sheet 2.
The position of attachment on the arm must be adjusted to suit the power, and
amplitude of the motor and springs.
The crank "X" may be driven by an electro motor with suitable gearing or by
shafting from a steam engine or by a foot treadle as from a lathe or bicycle.
The motive power is carried in the space "Y," see Figure 1 Sheet 2, on the
lowest platform of the central framing.
The weight of the driving power is thrown on the points of non-oscillation in the
wings as much as possible by suitable stays.
The springs may be actuated by direct pull or push. They may be conveniently
worked by electro magnets in which the electric current is alternated to cause
a direct reciprocating action see Figure 4 Sheet 4.
The electric current is furnished from accumulators or primary batteries. Theso
batteries are stored in the space "Y," Figure 4 Sheet 3. They may be suspended
by stays from the arm "B" so as to throw their weight on to the wings to ease the
balance.
The electric current is alternated in the top or lower electro magnet of any pair
or pairs M N O, P; and the like, see Figure 4 Sheet 4, by the commutator shown
in Figures 1, 2 and 3 Sheet 4.
The commutator is shown in end and side-elevation and plan respectively in

page_text: 31-
Figures, 1, 2 and 3 Sheet 4. It consists of two small electro magnets "" and ""
fixed horizontally and parallel to each other in a frame "f". An armature"".
is fitted to a rocking bar "w" and is free to oscillate between the electro.
magnets"," " and " 8. A soft iron bar with enlarged ends as shown in Figures 2
and 3 Sheet 4, is fitted at the head of the armature "t." The rocking bar " 20
is made of some electrical insulating material. It is fitted with four metallics.
pins ""at both ends. These are bridged across in pairs with strips of metal.
The pius "d" dip into mercury cups
"made in the base plate ""
The mercury cups are fitted with metal terminals which pass through the base-
plate "On one side, longitudinally of the base plate, the terminals of the outer
and inner cups respectively are joined metallicly for electrical continuity.
16
G
28
On the other side, longitudinally, one outer terminal and one inner and the
remaining inner and outer are similarly connected.
"N."
"
66 "
a
and "
The electric current for the commutator is furnished by the battery "a" see.
Figure 6 Sheet 4. One pole of this battery is connected to a mercury cup in
electrical connection with the upper magnet-"M" of the motor Figure 4 Sheet 4.
The other pole of the battery is connected electrically to one of the ends of.
each of the electrical coils "
"of the commutator see Figure 2 Sheet 4..
The other ends of these coils ", "" " and "s" are connected, one to the dipping
needle "c" of the motor Figure 4 Sheet 4, and the other to the metal of the
lower magnet
By this arrangement the electric current from the
battery "a" flows either through the coil "" or through the coil "s" according
as the electro magnet "M" comes into electrical contact with the lower
magnet "N" or the electro-magnet "M" comes into electrical contact with the
dipping needle Each time this happens the electro magnet
electro magnet "s attracts the soft iron head of the armature t in the com-
inutator and causes the rocking bar " 20 to clip the pins "" into the mercury
cups 28 either to the left or right as the case may be.
66 "
"
.
31
"
or the
The olectro magnets for the motor are fixed and arranged as shown in Figure 4
Sheet 4. The lowest is bolted to the platform of the frame. The one, or ones,
above is, or are, strained down by the tension of the springs at the sides see
Figure 4 Sheet 4. Their power and amplitude when working must be sufficient to
suit for the resilience of the springs. The former is obtained by having the
magnets large enough; the latter by having a sufficient number in series and by
fixing them by adjustment at the most efficient position on the springs.
1
Any form of electro magnet may be used that gives the best weight efficiency
for themselves inclusive of the weight of the electrical battery required for exciting
them.
The magnets shown in Figure 4 Sheet 3 and Figure 4 Sheet 4 are cup shaped.
The coil of insulated wire is inside the cup and wound round a central core.
The outer rim of the cup forms one pole of the electro magnet and the core the
other. The rims and the ends of the cores of any pair are bevelled so as to fit.
each other when together. A hole is made in the centres of the coils for a guiding
rod. This rod is made of ivory or some similar electrical insulating material.
When there are more than one pair of electro magnets, the intermediate ones,.
such as "N" and "O" are joined base to base with one yoke in common, see
Figure 4 Sheet 4.
The electrical current to excite the electro magnets M N, O, P Figure 4 Sheet 4,
is supplied from the electrical battery "" Figure 7 Sheet 4. One pole of this
battery is connected to the terminal "e" of the commutator and the other pole to
the terminal " g," Figure 3 Sheet 4. From the terminal " "the electrical current
flows in two ways; one way through the. coil of the electro magnets "N"
and "O" by the terminals "" and "" and back by the terminal "g" of the
commutator to the other pole of the battery "b."
e
The other way the electric current passes by the mercury cups of the com-
mutator to the coils of the upper and bottom electro magnets "M" and "P," and
the like, from the terminals "m and "" of the commutator.
"3

page_text: If the rocking bar ". 20 is down on the right the current passes from the
terminal "e" through the right hand pair of mercury cups and bridge to the
terminal "m," from "m" the electric current passes through the coils of
the electro magnet "P" to the terminal "J" of the top magnet "M," after
passing through the coils of the electro magnet "M" and the terminal "" the
current passes to the terminal "1" of the commutator and back through the left
band pair of mercury cups and bridge of the right hand set of cups to the
terminal "g" and so back to the other pole of the battery "b."
If the rocking
bar is down on the left, the electrical current is reversed in the circuit
through the electro magnets "M," "P" and the like.
By the reversal of the electric current as described above the electro magnets
alternately attract and repel each other and so actuate the spiral springs to which
they are attached.
The electric current that is alternated by the commutator through the
'magnets "M" and "P" is so directed that the maguets push apart when the
springs are extending and pull together when the springs are shortening.
The reversal of the polarity of the magnets "M" and "P" takes place at the
extreme throw of the inagnets due to the action of the commutator.
The man 'to be conveyed in the machine is seated in the lowest portion of the
central framing in the space "Y" see Figure 4 Sheet 3, where he can guide and
direct the machine by balance and also connect and disconnect the motive power
for the springs as necessary.
The man's weight is thrown on tlie wings by suitable stays attached to the
arm "B" to ease the balance as for the electric batteries or parts of the steam
engine or other motive power.
For starting the machine it is allowed to run down an incline till it obtains
sufficient buoyancy on the air. The wings are raised by the pressure of the air
under them. The electric current or driving power is then turned on and the wings
caused to flap.
The wings by their flexibility and shape give the horizontal driving force when
flapped and so cause flight.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. A flying machine with wings in imitation of a flying fox substantially 38
bercin described.
2. A method of balancing the flying machine at the centres of pressure of the
wings, when fully loaded, by springs so that the flying machine may be actuated by
manual, electrical, steam or other power substantially as herein described.
3. A direct acting electro-motor and commutator arranged for actuating springs
when loaded substantially as herein described.
Dated this 1st day of January 1895.