Improvements in the Mode of and Means for Propelling Vessels.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1890-Accepted, 24th May, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Mode of and Means for Propelling Vessels.
I, JOHN SKETCHLEY MORTON, of No. 206 Broadway, in the City and State of
New York, United States of America, Gentleman, 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 relates to the propulsion of vessels by reactionary force, which is
transmitted to a reactionary motor or motors, and said invention consists chiefly in
transmitting the full pressure exerted on the piston of an engine to the interior
surface of a reactionary motor, by means of a given quantity of water forced into the
motor, when solidly full of water, by an intermediate force pump, and simultaneously
the same quantity of water is thereby forced out of the motor through a nozzle in
the small end thereof in pulsatory currents or jets into the surrounding water, that is,
the water in which the vessel floats, thereby generating in the rear and enlarged end
of the motor a reactionary force for the propulsion of vessels, equal to, the force with
which the water is ejected therefrom, that is the entire engine force exerted, or, in
other words, it consists in transmitting all of the available force from whatever source
derived, to the interior surface of a motor or motors, and utilizing it in the propulsion
of vessels at any desired speed, limited only by the exerted force of the engine.
In applying my invention to a vessel, I would first ascertain by a proper method,
what weight, suspended over a palley and falling in space, would draw a vessel of any
given tonnage through the water at the required speed. I would then construct the
engine and pumps for the vessel of such size that on each square inch of the area of
the piston of the pumps, the force exerted would equal in pounds said suspended
weight, plus the force necessary to overcome the friction of the working parts of my
invention. A vessel provided with such an engine and pumps in connection with my
special devices, would move a vessel at the same speed under like conditions as said
weight falling in space would draw it.
I preferably use a duplex engine, which consists of two steam. cylinders and two
pumps, and to the pumps I connect four driving motors at the stern of the vessel,
four backing motors at its bow, and two steering or turning motors, one on each side
of the vessel near its bow. For the purpose of imparting even and steady propelling
force to the vessel, the motors are arranged therein, so that in operation the
reactionary force is simultaneously exerted on each single stroke of the engine upon
the two inside motors, and in like manner on each single return stroke of the engine
upon the two outside motors at the stern and bow of the vessel.
In the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, and in which
the same letters refer to corresponding parts.
Figure 1 is a plan of a vessel, showing a duplex engine, pumps, and reactionary
motors and pipes connecting said pumps with the motors. Figure 2 is a vertical
longitudinal section of a vessel showing the same parts, also a water-tank and an air
escape-pipe. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a duplex engine and pumps, and the
induction and eduction pipes connected therewith. Figure 4 is a side elevation of a
duplex engine and pumps, showing a pump in section, and the induction and eduction
pipes connected therewith. Figure 5 is a horizontal section of two reactionary motors
with the pumps directly connected therewith, showing induction pipes and valves, and
a shoulder inside of the motors. Figure 6 is a broken section of the bottom of a
vessel, showing a water-tank, valve, orifice, strainer, scoop, pipe connections and the
air escape pipe. Figure 7 is an elevation of a reactionary motor, showing an
induction pipe connected thereto, at the side thereof, and a draw cock at its
bottom.
The motors, D, are provided with suitable thrust blocks, E, in the rear of their

page_text: .'
enlarged ends, and in their small ends, with nozzles a, as shown. The pipes d,
shown in figures 2, 3, 4 and 6, connect the water-tank to the pumps and have check-
valves, placed in them, as shown in figure 3, and are the induction pipes to
pumps C, from water-tank H, shown in Figures 2 and 6. The pipes e, f, h, e",
¹, h, k, f, f" and el, shown in figures 1 and 3, are the eduction pipes from
pumps Cand the induction pipes into motors D; froin pumps C. In 'action, these
pipes, as also the pumps and motors, are solidly full of water at the beginning and end
of each stroke. All of these pipes, except pipes d, as also the pumps and motors, are
constructed, and arranged. without check-valves, as shown, to avoid obstructions
therein. The nozzles a, are the water eductors from motors D, into the surrounding
water. One of the induction pipes d, and one of the eduction pipes e, f, h, ell,
³, hk, ff, and e, is directly or indirectly connected with each end of the
cylinders of pumps C, as shown in the drawings. These eduction pipes are made larger
in area than the displacement of the pistons in the cylinders of the. pumps, in order
to lessen the friction generated by the water in passing rapidly through them under
heavy pressure. They are also made larger as aforesaid, so that the full force of the.
engine throughout its entire stroke will be exerted directly upon the water forced by
the pistons of the pumps out of their cylinders into their respective connected
motors D, and out thereof through nozzles a, into the surrounding water, thereby
generating in the rear and enlarged end of the motors a reactionary force for
utilization in the propulsion of vessels equal to the force exerted by the pistons of the
engine in cylinders B.
In some instances, and particularly in small vessels, only two motors are connected
with the pumps at the stern of the, vessel for propulsion, and two motors at the bow
of the vessel for backing; but in any case, as previously mentioned, check-valves are
dispensed with, in the pumps and motors and in the pipes leading from the pumps to
the motors. The motors may be of different forms, but to avoid carrying an undue
quantity of dead water around their nozzles, I prefer those of the conical form, with
one end of an enlarged area proportionate to the force to be exerted, while their sides
converge to a small nozzle at the opposite end, so that the entire force exerted
against the rear and enlarged end is concentrated on the nozzle thereof, and more
perfectly reacts against the enlarged end directly opposite the nozzle, for reactionary
propulsion.
have arranged, as shown in figure 3, four two-way valves marked respec-
tively g, g, g and gil, and two two-way valves marked respectively g' and i, to'be
used for diverting the water from one pipe to another pipe, and to the connected
motor of the latter, for the purpose of changing or altering the vessel's course, as
desired, without abating the speed of the engine. The four two-way valves g, g
and are used for diverting the water from the- four motors in the stern of the
vessel to the four motors in the bow of the vessel, and vice versa, in the forward or
backward movement of the vessel. The two two-way.valves g', i, are used in con-
nection with the valves g, g¹¹ for diverting the water from one of either the stern or..
bow motors to one of the side or steering motors near the bow of the vessel to assist
the rudder in turning the vessel either to the right or left, as may be required. The
four motors D, in the stern of the vessel, A, as shown in figure 1, connected with the
pumps C, by pipes e, f, h and eare for propelling the vessel..
The operation of propelling the vessel is as follows;-The water is supplied to the
cylinders of the pumps through-orifice W, in bottom 'G, of the vessel, water-tank 'H,
and induction pipes d, shown in figures 2 and 6, and is forced 'by 'the engine and
pistons of the pumps simultaneously through the pipes e, el into their respective con-
nected outside motors D, in the stern of the vessel, and simultaneously through
pipes, into their respective connected inside motors D; in the stern of, the, vessel,
and 'through their respective eduction nozzles a, into the surrounding water, thereby.
generating in the rear and enlarged ends of the motors'directly opposite their nozzles,
a reactionary force equal to the power exerted by the engine, and thereby 'propelling
the vessel. The two motors D, one on each side of the vessel near its bow, are to
assist the rudder in steering the vessel either to the right or left, while in either its
:

page_text: forward or backward movement. These two side motors are indirectly connected
with the pumps C, by pipes f, ", as shown in figure 1 of the drawings.
11
The operation of steering or turning the vessel while going ahead, is as follows;
By properly adjusting the rudder, and by turning the valves y, g' on pipes f," the
water is diverted from pipe.f and its connected motor D, in the stern of the vessel,.
and is forced through pipe finto steering motor D, on the left side of the vessel:
near its bow exerting the force therein, and assisting the rudder in steering, the
vessel to the right; or by turning valves ", i on pipes ', h, the water is diverted
from pipe and its connected motor D, in the stern of the vessel, and is forced
through pipe into. the steering motor D, on the right side of the vessel near its
bow, exerting the force therein, and assisting the rudder in steering the vessel to the
left. By turning the valves into their former position, the water is again diverted:
through pipe or el into its connected motor D, in the stern of the vessel, from;
which it is discharged as aforesaid, thereby assisting the other stern motors in "pro-
pelling the vessel ahead.
The four motors D, in the bow of the vessel, connected with the pumps C, by
pipes h, k, and el, are for backing the vessel.
The operation of backing the vessel is as follows;By turning the valves g
and-g the water is diverted from pipes ell and e-and their respective connected out-
side motors in the stern of the vessel, and is forced through pipes ', and their
respective connected outside motors in the bow of the vessel; and by turning, the
valves g, the water is diverted from pipes, and their respective connected
inside motors in the stern of the vessel, and is forced through pipes. f, and their.
respective connected inside motors in the bow of the vessel. The four stern motors
being thus cut off, and the four how motors connected, the engine force is exerted
upon the four bow motors to back the vessel.
The operation of steering or turning the vessel while backing is as follows;By.
properly adjusting the rudder, as aforesaid, and by turning the valve g³, and diverting
the water from pipe 1, and its connected inside bow motor, into and through pipe fi
and its connected side or turning motor on the left side of the vessel, near its bow,
the force is exerted therein, assisting the rudder in steering the vessel to the right;
or by turning valve i, and diverting the water from pipe and its connected outside.
bow motor, into and through pipe and its connected side or turning motor on the
right side of the vessel near its bow, the force is exerted therein, assisting the rudder.
in steering the vessel to the left. By turning the valves into their former position,
the water is again diverted through pipes for into its connected motor in the bow
of the vessel, from which it is discharged as aforesaid, thereby assisting the other
bow motors in backing the vessel. By turning the several valves g, g, and
and cutting off the four bow motors, the four stern motors are again brought into
action in driving the vessel ahead.
All the pumps, pipes, pipe connections, valves, motors, and the tank used in this.
invention, should be made of, or be lined with, a non-corrosive substance, to obviate.
any deteriorating effect produced by the chemical action of the salt or sea water upon
corrosive metals.
:
Check-valves u, are placed in induction pipes d, as shown in figure 3.
These
induction pipes connect pumps C, witli water tank H, over orifice W, in bottom G of
the, vessel as shown in figures 2 and 6, and supply pumps C, with water from the tank.
The check-valves u, will rise in the induction pipes, and allow the water to fill said.
pipes and the cylinders of the pumps, but when in action the pressure caused from
forcing the water from the cylinders of the pumps into the eduction pipes and motors,
will close check-valves u, against the pressure of the water in which the vessel floats.
A pipe H is connected with the top of water tank. H, to carry off the air that would.
otherwise collect therein, together with a portion of the water, and leads to the.
stern of the vessel below the water line, thereby assisting somewhat in propelling the..
vessel..
A rib or scoop. X, is placed at or near orifice W, projecting from the bottom of the
vessel, as shown in figures 2 and 6, to force the water into and through the orifice

page_text: into water-tank H, in the forward movement of the vessel. A grating or strainer ✗!,.
extends across orifice W, to prevent extraneous matter from entering the water-tank,
as is shown.
When desirable; the in-flow of water into tank H, can be stopped or
shut off, by closing orifice W with valve W'.
When the vessel is not in use, it may he desirable to drain the water from the
pumps, motors and pipes, which is done by closing nozzles a, by a stop-cock or other:
suitable device, and closing orifice W, in water tank H by valve W, and by opening
draw cocks n, which are placed at the lowest points on the underside of the motors;
and all other parts to be drained.
In the interior of each of the motors, at or near the nozzles thereof, a small
ring projection or shoulder o, is provided for the purpose of forming a water
packing inside of the motors, to obviate the friction, which the water would otherwise
generate while moving under heavy pressure along the interior surface of the
motors, in the course of its ejection into the surrounding water, through the eduction
nozzles a.
Substantially, but not so satisfactorily, the same result in propelling a vessel, as is
herein set forth and described, could be produced by the use of pumps S, directly
connected with the motors D, as arranged and shown in Figure 5, and in case the
pumps should be so used, I would replace the water forced out of the motors, from
water in which the vessel floats, through and by the induction pipes and check-
valves r, in connection with a water tank, orifice, strainer, rib or scoop, and valve,
shown in Figures 2 and 6 of the drawings.
The induction pipes may be connected with the motors, either at their rear ends, as
herein described, or at their sides, as may be most convenient.
The motors, pipes and cylinders of the pumps, to be prepared for immediate and
effective service, should always be solidly full of water, as well at the end as at the
beginning of each stroke, and it is desirable that they should, in all cases, be placed
in a vessel as much below its water line as practicable.
Two additional turning or steering motors, one on each side of the vessel near its
stern may be used in connection with the bow turning or steering motors, in steering,
turning, or manoeuvreing the vessel, as found to be desirable.
I do not limit myself to the precise shape, number or arrangement of the motors in
a vessel, or to steam as the motive force, or to the construction of either the engine,
pumps, pump pistons, induction pipes, eduction pipes, valves, motors or other parts as
herein described and shown in the drawings, but I use whatever is best adapted to
carry out the principles of my invention.
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―
First. In the herein described invention for the propulsion of vessels, the mode of
transmitting force to a reactionary water motor, wherein an intermittent reactionary
impelling force is obtained by forcing water into the motor, having one of its ends
terminating with a reduced nozzle, while the opposite enlarged end is provided with
an induction pipe, through which water is intermittently forced into the motor, and
impulsively forced therefrom through its nozzle into the surrounding water, that is,
the water in which the vessel floats, whereby the reactionary force derived from
the discharge of the water reverts to the opposite enlarged end of the motor for an
impelling force.
Second. In the herein described invention for impelling vessels by reactionary
force, the mode of impelling vessels, consisting in concentrating the full force of an
engine upon the piston of a pump, and thence transmitting the force by forcing
water with the engine and pump into a reactionary water motor, solidly filled with
water, and from which the same amount of water as is forced therein by the engine
and pump is forced therefrom into the surrounding water through a small nozzle
in the small end of the motor, from whence the force reverts to, and is exerted upon
the rear or enlarged end of the motor for an impelling force.

page_text: Third: In the herein described invention for impelling vessels by reactionary force,
the herein described mode of impelling vessels by intermittent reactionary impulses;
consisting in intermittently concentrating the full force of an engine upon-the piston
of a pump, and thence intermitting the force by intermittently forcing water by means!
of the engine and pump into a reactionary water motor, solidly filled with water, from'i
which the water is intermittently forced into the surrounding water, from and through
a reduced nozzle in the small end of the motor, wherein the force reacts to, and
is exerted upon the rear or enlarged end of the motor for an intermittent reactionary.
impelling force.
Fourth. In the herein described invention for the propulsion of vessels by inter-
mittent reactionary force, a reactionary water motor, having its large end of an area:
proportionate with the force to he exerted, while the sides thereof converge to a
reduced nozzle at the opposite end, the large end being provided with an induction:
pipe for the admission of water under pressure, to be discharged from the nozzle
in the small end of the motor into the surrounding water in pulsatory currents or jets,
for an impelling force.
:
Fifth. In the herein described invention for the propulsion of vessels, the com-I
bination of a reactionary water motor as described, for the propulsion of vessels by
intermittent reactionary force, with the vessel, and an engine and pump for forcing
water into the motor in pulsating currents, and intermittently discharging the same.
therefrom through its reduced nozzle into the surrounding water, whereby reactionary
force is generated for propelling vessels.
Sixth. In the herein described invention for the propulsion of vessels, the com-
bination of a pump cylinder and its piston, with the water motor, small nozzle and
an engine, for the purpose and substantially as described.
Seventh. In the herein described invention for the propulsion of vessels, ther
reactionary water motor, solidly filled with water, as well at the end as at the
beginning of each stroke of the engine and pump, having an induction pipe leading
thereto, and a reduced eduction nozzle therefrom, and a forcing device for forcing..
water into the motor, to be discharged in pulsating currents therefrom through said.
eduction nozzle into the surrounding water, for the purpose specified.
Eighth In the herein. described invention for the propulsion of vessels, the
reactionary water motor, having a conical form, and provided with an eduction nozzle :
at the small end thereof, and an induction pipe at the rear or enlarged end thereof,
into which water is forced, and therefrom discharged in pulsating currents through
the eduction nozzle, whereby a reactionary force is developed and exerted upon the
rear or enlarged end of the motor for an impelling force.
Ninth. In the herein described invention for the propulsion of vessels, the com-:
bination of a reactionary water motor, which is kept solidly filled with water at the
end as at the beginning of each stroke of the engine and pump, having a conical form,
and provided with an eduction nozzle at the small end thereof, and an induction pipe
at the rear or enlarged end thereof, into which water is forced in intermittent currents,
and intermittently discharged therefrom through the eduction nozzle, whereby a
reactionary force is developed and exerted on the rear or enlarged end of the motor
for an impelling force, with a forcing device for forcing the water-into and out of the
motor, as described, and for the purpose specified.
Tenth. In the herein described invention for propelling vessels, the mode of
propelling vessels by reactionary force or forces, which consists in forcing water under
the full force of an engine into a reactionary water motor, kept solidly filled with
water while in operation, and displaced in an amount equal to the in-flow by being
discharged through a reduced nozzle into the surrounding water in pulsatory inter-
mittent currents or jets, thereby generating a reactionary force for propulsion.
Eleventh. In the herein described invention for propelling vessels, a reactionary
water motor of substantially conical form, having an inward ring projection or
shoulder inside thereof, at or near its eduction nozzle, to form a water packing inside
of the motor, for the purpose of obviating the friction which the water would otherwise

page_text: generate while moving under heavy pressure along the interior surface of the motor
during its discharge therefrom, through its nozzle, into the surrounding water.
Twelfth. In the herein described. invention for the propulsion of, vessels by
reactionary force, the mode of transmitting motive power, for a reactionary impelling
force, which consists in concentrating the entire force exerted by an engine upon the
piston of a pump; and in transmitting said force from said pump directly to a
reactionary water motor solidly.filled with water, whereby the interior surface of the
motor sustains the full aggregated force exerted by the piston of the engine.
Thirteenth. In the herein described invention for impelling vessels by reactionary
force, the combination of the reactionary water motors, pumps, induction and, eduction
pipes, with a water tank to be located at or near the bottom of the vessel, and
provided with an air escape-pipe leading from said tank to the outside water below
the water line at the stern of the vessel, substantially as described.
Fourteenth In the herein described invention for impelling vessels by reactionary.
force, the combination of the engine, pumps, and the pipes connecting the pumps with
the stern, bow, and side reactionary water motors, and the controlling valves con-
necting said pumps and motors, for diverting the water forced by the pumps through
the pipes into the motors in the stern, bow and sides of the vessel respectively; and
therefrom through their respective reduced nozzles into the surrounding water, as and
for the purpose herein specified and set forth.
Fifteenth. In the herein described invention for the propulsion of vessels by
intermittent reactionary force, a reactionary water motor, with its sides. converging.
to a small nozzle at one end, and its other end being provided with a solid..piston
to be forced by an engine into the water motor filled with water, forcing an
amount of water equal to its displacement out of said motor through the nozzle into
the surrounding water in pulsatory currents or jets, for a propelling force.
Sixteenth. In the herein described invention for propelling vessels, the com-
bination of the vessel, engine, pump or pumps, reactionary water motor, or motors,
induction pipes, eduction pipes, pipe connections, nozzles, two-way valves, .check
valves in the induction pipes connecting the water tank to the pumps; with the tank in
the bottom of the vessel from which water is supplied to the pumps, through the
induction pipes, and forced by the pumps, through the eduction pipes into the motors,
and out of and from the said motors, through their reduced eduction nozzles into the
surrounding water, the orifice at the bottom of the vessel, for the admission of the
water into the tank, the valve in the tank for shutting off its in-flow of water,
the strainer over the orifice to prevent extraneous matter from entering the tank, the
rib or scoop projecting from the bottom of the vessel, at or near the orifice, to force
the water into and through the orifice into the tank in the forward movement of the
vessel, the air escape pipe leading from the tank, the draw cocks, the ring projection
or shoulder inside the motors, at or near the reduced. nozzles thereof, and the thrust
blocks, as specified and for the purpose herein set forth.
Dated this 18th day of March 1890.
JOHN SKETCHLEY MORTON.