An Improved Combined Steering and Propelling Apparatus for Ships.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Combined Steering and Propelling Apparatus for
Ships.
I, CARL COERPER of Köln-Ehrenfeld in the Empire of Germany, Director of
Public 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 :-
This invention relates to a new or improved combined steering and propelling
apparatus for ships propelled by mechanical means. According to the present
invention, the propelling mechanism (screw propeller, paddle wheel, centrifugal
pump or the like) is directly connected with an electro-motor, which is so mounted
in a frame fixed immovably to the hull of the ship that said propelling mechanism
may be rotated on its own axis which is vertical to the armature shaft.
The invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in two forms of
construction,
In these,
Figure 1 is an end elevation, showing one of the forms of construction ;
Figure 2 is a side elevation of same in section ;
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the other form of construction to which a paddle
wheel shown diagrammatically in Figure 3A is attached ;
Figures 4 and 5 show the arrangement at the stern of the ship of the apparatus
shown in Figures 1 and 2 ;
Figures 6 and 7 show the arrangement at both sides of the ship of the apparatus
shown in Figure 3.
A shaft a is revolubly mounted in a frame which is immovably fixed to the
ship's hull and said shaft is formed with a loop or stirrup c to act as a steering frame
to carry an electro-inotor which is directly connected with the propelling mechanism.
This steering frame c is provided with bearings d to receive the armature shaft e
of the electro-motor.
The ship's propeller f, according to Figures 1 and 2 (or paddle wheels m
according to Figure 3), is fastened on the shaft e. The magnetic field his firmly
connected to the steering frame c so as to surround the armature g, the steering
frame c being revoluble with the shaft a. Current is supplied to the magnetic field
through the shaft a, which, for this purpose is perforated, whilst the short-circuit
armature g requires no current supply. The current supply may take place in the
manner shown in Figure 4 by means of brushes k, whilst the shaft a may be
provided with steering wheel i alone as shown in Figures 4 and 5, or with tillers
as shown in Figures 6 and 7.
In the above described manner it is possible, by means of the steering
wheel i, to turn, on the axis a which is vertical to the armature shaft, the system
consisting of the propelling mechanism and electro-motor, even during the working
of the apparatus.
The whole apparatus must of course be as far as possible protected from the
deleterious action of the water.
If the motor be set in motion, the screw shown in Figures 1 and 2 drives the ship
like an ordinary ship's propeller. If the device be turned 180° the movement
becomes a reverse one, if it be turned to right or left the ship is moved sideways at
the stern. Thus, the ship can not only be driven forward or backward, but also
D

page_text: during this movement be guided in any suitable manner, and even when not
"under way" the ship may be turned on the spot or moved sideways. Nothing is
altered in the essential part of this invention if the ship's propeller be replaced by
a paddle wheel or paddle wheels, a centrifugal pump or any other known or
suitable propelling mechanism. The only essential point is that the system, which
consists of propelling mechanism and electro-motor, should be capable of being
turned on its own axis which is vertical to the armature shaft in order simulta-
neously to propel and steer the ship. By this invention there is also attained in
addition to the great advantage of steering immediately with ease and speed, an
extremely valuable advantage, namely, that the speed of rotation of the propelling
mechanism may be as rapid as required; the dimensions of the ship's screw
may therefore be made according to the best rules of technology or the art. It is
therefore no longer necessary to depend on the piston speed of the steam engine in
designing the screw. Further, by this invention, it is possible to arrange the
propelling machines at any suitable point of the ship, because the shaft of the
propelling mechanism no longer requires to be directly driven from a power engine,
and because of it being unnecessary to employ any unreliable intermediate parts,
such as cogwheels, belts or the like.
Finally, by this invention sufficient reserve pieces of those parts most in wear
(screw and rudders) may be carried on board, and put in position or replaced in the
shortest time.
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. An improved combined steering and propelling apparatus for ships,
characterised by an electro-motor being directly connected with the propelling
mechanism, said motor being, by means of a steering frame (c) and a shaft (a)
vertical to the armature shaft, revolubly mounted in a frame (b) which is immovably
fastened to the ship for the purpose of propelling and turning the ship in every
suitable direction substantially as described.
2. In an apparatus of the kind described, the combination with the screw fof a
casing (9) formed as an armature of an electro-motor and fastened on the periphery
of said screw, said armature and screw being adapted to be set in rotation by a
magnetic field (h) mounted in a steering frame (c), substantially as described.
Dated this 6th day of November 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.