Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 25th July, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Apr., 1895-Accepted, 13th July, 1895
I, THOMAS SOHOOLING of 60, Gillespie Road, Blackstock Road, Highbury,
London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in the propulsion of steam vessels and has
for its object to reduce the power required for operating same and further to
increase the speed.
In carrying my invention into practical effect I furnish the ship on either side
and towards each end with a wheel, suitably mounted and furnished with a number
of faces or flats around the outer periphery of same. I also provide an endless
chain formed of plates suitably hinged or joined together and carrying blades
placed diagonally across same and at right angles to the surface of the plates.
These plates are built up of any suitable material and strengthened as found
necessary to withstand the strain of passing through the water. The vessel is thus
provided on either side with an endless band or chain, the lower part of which is
continually under water while the wheels are connected in any suitable manner
with the engines, so as to be rotated and thus propel the ship. Each wheel is
provided with small teeth projecting one from each face or flat, and designed to
engage with corresponding holes or perforations formed in the plates of which the
endless chain is composed, so as to prevent sideway motion.
I further form between the chain and secured to the side of the ship a suitable
frame-work supporting a floor or platform so that ready access may be had to the
chain and wheels. etc. for the purpose of inspection or repairs while the whole
device may be furnished down to within a short distance of the water line with a
casing or cover.
In some cases instead of having one broad wheel at each point I may replace
same by two or more wheels placed side by side but each having only a narrow
face or surface so that in the case of three being used at each point the two
outside ones would support the sides of the chain and the middle wheel would
support the centre of same.
It is obvious that the length of the chain may be varied according to
circumstances and requirements.
Tol Jn of T., 1901

page_text: THOMAS SCHOOLING 60 Gillespie Road Blackstock Road Highbury London
Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what mauner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My invention relates to improvements in the propulsion of steam vessels and
has for its object to reduce the amount of power required for operating same, and
further to increase the speed.
In carrying my invention into practical effect I furnish the ship on either side
and towards each end with wheels, suitably mounted and furnished with a number
of faces or flats around the outer periphery of same. I also provide an endless
chain formed of plates suitably hinged or joined together and carrying blades
placed diagonally across same and standing at right angles to the surface of the
plates. These plates are built up of any suitable material and strengthened as
found necessary to withstand the strain of passing through the water and beating
against the same. The vessel will thus be provided on both sides with an endless
band or chain the lower part of which is continually under water. The wheels
are connected in any suitable manner with the engines so as to be rotated and will
with the "water-grips" or paddles of the travelling chain propel the ship.
The travelling-chain carrying-wheels are provided on each of the faces of their
peripheries with studs or teeth designed to engage with corresponding holes or
hollows formed in the plates whereof the endless chain is composed or made up, in
order to secure due action of the travelling chain and paddle blades in relation to
the carrying and driving wheels. Between this travelling paddle device and the
side of the vessel a floor or platform or platforms is provided, so that ready access
may be had to the wheels, chains, paddles and other portions of the propelling
device outside the vessel for purpose of inspection or repairs. The whole device
will when required be furnished with a casing cover or shrouding consisting of a
suitable framing carrying sheet metal or wooden skin or covering and this shrouding
may extend to within a short distance of the water line; or in some cases it may
extend below the water line or partially so in the form of a praw, or continuation
of the cut-water of the vessel, as may be found desirable.
The driving-carrying-wheels may be made each as a broad wheel, or may be
made of sections, or of wheels placed side by side each having a face or peripheral
surface of width required.
The outer portions of the wheels will be made with a projecting rim or flange
and intermediately projecting from the peripheral surface (standing out radially)
will be provided or set studs or pins for engaging with the hollows or divells in
the travelling chain.
In case of the wheels being made up of three sections the two outside sections
would support the sides of the chain and the middle of the wheels would support
the middle of the chain of "
water-grips or paddles.
"
"
* water-grip-
It is obvious that the length of the travelling-paddle-chains or
chains may be varied according to circumstances and requirements and distance
apart of the driving-carrying-wheels.
In some cases it will be necessary to support the "water-grip" or travelling
paddle chains immediately of the driving-carrying-wheels.
In order that my invention may be well understood, I have annexed hereto four
sheets of drawings illustrating more or less diagramatically the means and method
of application.
Fig. 1 represents in side view the general arrangement of side driving-paddle-
chain-carrying-wheels with endless chain of paddles or "water-grips," side framing

page_text: inspection platform and opening at the ship's side, (one end wheel of the endless
chain of paddles only is shown).
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sections or plates (50 called hereinafter) which
are hinged or linked together and carry the "water grips" or paddles to form the
endless chain.
Fig. 3 is a side view partly in section of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 illustrates, in face view, the driving-carrying-wheels with four circular
frames braced together, the two outside frames being larger than the peripheral
faces of the wheel and forming side flanges thereto.
A indicates the carrying driving wheels which will be carried conveniently upon
ends of shafts passing out and working through proper stuffing boxes in the side
of the vessel (similarly to the fitting of shafts of ordinary paddle wheels).
The general arrangement of the wheels A is shown in side view in Fig. 1; and
in Fig. 4 looking upon the peripheral surface of the wheel. The chain is made up
of plates B carrying paddle blades C.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the complete wheel is framed in sections of four
skeleton wheels a and a braced across and bolted together. The two outer wheels
or circular frames a are made larger than the two inner frames a¹ so as to form a
rabbet, recess, or side guides, between which the chain B, with the paddle plades
or "water grips" C, will travel in their course. a² are studs or sprockets which are
made with or are bolted on to the intermediate wheel frames a', a³ are the filling
pieces of the peripheral surface of the wheels, which faces a³ are arranged
tangentially between the wheel frames a a', and solidly secured in position.
Thus the periphery of the wheel will be of pologonal form but with the teeth,
pins or studs a² standing out therefrom.
The chain plates B are hinged together by end lugs b, and hinge rods bas
shown.
The studs a engage with holes * in plates B.
In Fig. 2 ³ indicates wire rope which may be employed along with the paddle
chain.
D is opening in ship's side. E inspection platform. Foutside framing carrying
support G shown fitted with rollers g.
The paddle blades or "water grips" C are placed diagonally upon the chain
plates B to facilitate their entry into the water.
Supports are indicated to the paddle blades C and may be of convenient
character to clear the water and to properly strengthen the blades C.
The appliance may be used upon river boats or launches electrically or other-
wise driven.
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 :-
The improvements in the propulsion of vessels as and for the purpose herein set
forth and substantially as illustrated by the drawings and described in reference
thereto.
HUGHES, ELI & HUGHES,
76, Chancery Lane, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.