IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND VENTILATING BOATS VESSELS & SHIPS.
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Robinson of Coleraine in the county of Londonderry
Ireland for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING
AND VENTILATING BOATS VESSELS & SHIPS.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION loft by the said John Robinson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th June 1883.
JOHN ROBINSON of Coleraine in the County of Londonderry, Ireland,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND VENTILATING BOATS,
VESSELS, AND SHIPS
"
This invention has for its object the construction of apparatus whereby boats,
vessels, or ships, in which a steam or other motive power engine can be employed
to propel them, by the action of compressed air, and at the same time to ventilate
the said vessel most efficiently, thereby reducing the danger attending the carriage
of some kinds of cargoes, especially that of coals
The invention consists in the arrangement of two series of pipes connected to
any suitable air pumping or forcing apparatus, to be worked by steam, electricity,
or compressed gas. If the rotary form of pump be employed, it will require two
entrances for the atmospheric air and two exits for the compressed air, and the
entrances for the air should be at least of thirty per cent groater capacity than
the exit pipes
One of the main pipes is provided with a number of branches the open ends of
which terminate just outside the hull of the vessel, and of these there are at least
one on each side of the stern, and one on each bow,-together with other inter-
mediate ones placed in suitable positions according to circumstances. The outer
ends of these pipes are so fixed as to make the air forced through them impinge
upon the water in the most effective manner for propelling retarding or steering
the vessel, and for these purposes they are furnished with valves which on being

page_text: opened or closed will direct the course of the air and so govern the motion of the
ship at the will of the navigator
The other main pipe is connected to the pumping apparatus and has numerous
branches leading to all parts of the vessel requiring to be ventilated These
branches are perforated with a number of holes at suitable distances apart so that
on putting the machinery in motion the foul air is drawn from every part of the
vessel, such foul air being compressed by the pumping apparatus and ejected on
the outside of the vessel, thus utilizing the air it is so desirable to get rid of, as a
means for propelling the vessel. The branches are provided with valves placed in
suitable positions so as to control the amount of draught and thus also regulate the
admission of fresh or cold air into the different parts of the vessell
The pipes may be made of any suitable metal or material and may have flexible
connections so as to adjust the pipes to varying and particular positions.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Robinson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th December 1883.
JOHN ROBINSON of Coleraine in the County of Londonderry, Ireland,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PROPELLING AND VENTILATING BOATS,
VESSELS, AND SHIPS
"
This invention has for its object the construction of apparatus whereby boats,
vessels or ships in which a steam, or other motive power engine, or engines can be
employed to propel them by the action of compressed air, and at the same time to
ventilate the said vessel most efficiently, thereby reducing the danger attending
the carriage of some kinds of cargoes, especially that of coals.
The invention consists in the arrangement of two series of pipes connected to
any suitable air pumping or forcing apparatus to be worked by steam, electricity,
or compressed gas. If the rotary form of pump be employed, it will require two
entrances for the atmospheric air and two exits for the compressed air, and the
entrances for the air should be at least of thirty per cent greater capacity than
the exit pipes.
One of the main pipes is provided with a number of branches, the open ends of
which terminate just outside the hull of the vessel, and of these there are at least
one on each side of the stern, and one on each bow, together with other inter-
mediate ones placed in suitable positions according to circumstances. The outer
ends of these pipes are so fixed as to make the air forced through them impinge
upon the water in the most effective manner for propelling, retarding or steering
the vessel, and for these purposes they are furnished with valves which on being
opened or closed will direct the course of the air and so govern the motion of the
ship, at the will of the navigator.
The other main pipe is connected to the pumping apparatus and has numerous
branches leading to all the parts of the vessel requiring to be ventilated. These
branches are perforated with a number of holes at suitable distances apart, so that
on putting the machinery in motion the foul air is drawn from every part of the
vessel, such foul air being compressed by the pumping apparatus and ejected on
the outside of the vessel, thus utilizing the air it is so desirable to get rid of, as
a means for propelling the vessel. The branches are provided with valves placed
in suitable positions, so as to control the amount of draught and thus also regulate
the admission of fresh, or cold air into the different parts of the vessel,-and
prevent the influx of water.
The pipes may be made of any suitable metal or material and may have flexible
connections so as to adjust the pipes to varying and particular positions.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this invention
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that I do not confine, or restrict myself to the precise
details or arrangements which I have described or referred to, as variations may
be made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of this
invention, but what I consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as the
invention secured to me by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,-The

page_text: construction, combination and arrangement of apparatus whereby vessels may
be propelled or retarded, and at the same time effeciently ventilated and steered
by the said apparatus, as herein described.
In witness whereof I the said John Robinson have hereunto set
my hand and seal this Fifteenth day of December in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty-three.