Improvements in Appliances for Effecting Aerial Navigation.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Aug., 1899
1000
24h
1
4000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances for Effecting Aerial Navigation.
I, BURTON BROWN, of Gladstone Terrace, Greenend Lane, Earby, in the
County of York, Warp Dresser, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in appliances for effecting
aerial navigation.
The object of my invention is to maintain the apparatus in a state of equili-
brium during its propulsion through the air, the aeroplane and screw propellers
being so arranged that they will automatically adapt themselves to maintain
or regain the balance.
con-
At the top of the machine I mount a large aeroplane, which is pivotted in
the centre like a beam to the frame of the machine. The aeroplane
structed of a number of light bars of wood, metal or other suitable material
with air-spaces between. Arranged to slide against roller bearings in side grooves
over the face of the plane is a lightly constructed frame formed with light cross
bars to correspond with the cross bars of the plane, and also having air-spaces
between.
This sliding frame is connected at one end to a rod pivotted to the machine,
so that on the plane rocking on its pivots, the sliding frame will slide back-
wards or forwards as the case may be, owing to being connected to the said
pivotted rod. The relationship of the cross bars of the sliding frame with the
cross bars of the aeroplane is such that the cross bars of the former will close
the air-spaces between the latter at that end of the plane, which is down, but
will open the air-spaces at that end which is raised. Thus, should the air pressure
at one end of the plane be greater at that end than the other, the plane will
rise at that end, and the sliding frame will open the air-spaces to allow the air
to pass through, and at the same time the other end of the plane will be lowered,
and the air-spaces closed at that end to give greater area thereto, against which
the wind will impinge.
From the aeroplane is a rod connection to an arm fixed to a shaft having a
bevel wheel gearing into another bevel wheel on a vertical shaft to which the
rudder or tail is fixed. As the plane is moved by the air in one direction or
the other, the rudder will direct the course of the machine.
Below the aeroplane, I mount in the frame of the machine a central rocking
beam carrying at its each end a smaller rocking beam mounted at each end of
which is a screw propeller, or four screw propellers in all. These propellers
may be driven by acetylene gas, stowed for convenience in a state of liqui-
faction or liquid air, or electricity or other source of motive power may be used.
The object of the arrangement of propellers on the rocking beam as described
is to further maintain the balance of the aerial machine. This is effected by
the rocking of the several beams carrying the screw propellers, and according
to the movement of each, the driving of the propellers is regulated by suitable
mechanism. To vary the amount of liquid air or gas let into the engines or

page_text: mechanism. To vary the amount of liquid air or gas let into the engines or
to regulate the speed of the electria motor, as the case may be, according as
one screw propeller lifts the beam, more or less than the other, I employ
cutting-off motion in the shape of rods, which are connected to the said beams,
and operate the gas or air inlets to the engines, or vary the speed of the electric
motor.
a
To the central beam, on each side of its pivot, is connected by rods a vessel
or car capable of rocking on a centre, whereby should the individual in the car
change his position, the car will rock on its centre, and operate the rod connections
to the central beam, thereby increasing the speed of the particular propeller
or propellers at the particular point to which he might have moved, to com-
pensate for the change in position of the weight, and maintain the balance.
A receptacle with a bottom formed with inclined sides may be fixed to the
machine near the car or vessel to contain such articles as may be required.
A large central screw propeller may be employed in addition to those described
for propelling the machine forward.
Dated this 30th day of August 1899.
RICHMOND & Co.,
Chartered Patent Agents, 12, Standish Street, Burnley.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Appliances for Effecting Aerial Navigation.
I, BURTON BROWN, of Gladstone Terrace, Greenend Lane, Earby, in the
County of York, Warp Dresser, 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 certain improvements in appliances for effecting
aerial navigation.
The object of my invention is to maintain the apparatus in a state of equili-
brium during its propulsion through the air, the aeroplane and screw propellers
being so arranged that they will automatically adapt themselves to maintain
or regain the balance.
At the top of the machine I mount a large aeroplane, which is pivotted in
the centre like a bean to the frame of the machine. The aeroplane is con-
structed of a number of light bars of wood, metal or other suitable material
with air-spaces between. Arranged to slide against roller bearings in side grooves
over the face of the plane is a lightly constructed frame formed with light cross
bars to correspond with the cross bars of the plane, and also having air-spaces
between.
This sliding frame is connected at one end to a rod pivotted to the machine,
so that on the plane rocking on its pivots, the sliding frame will slide back-
wards or forwards as the case may be, owing to being connected to the said
pivoted rod. The relationship of the cross bars of the sliding frame with the
cross bars of the aeroplane is such that the cross bars of the former will close
the air-spaces between the latter at that end of the plane, which is down, but
will open the air spaces at that end which is raised. Thus, should the air pressure
at one end of the plane be greater at that end than at the other, the plane will
rise at that end, and the sliding frame will open the air-spaces to allow the air
to pass through, and at the same time the other end of the plane will be lowered,
and the air-spaces closed at that end to give greater area thereto, against which
the wind will impinge.
From the aeroplane is a rod connection to an arm fixed to a shaft having a

page_text: bevel wheel gearing into another bevel wheel on a vertical shaft to which the
rudder or tail is fixed. As the plane is moved by the air in one direction or
the other, the rudder will direct the course of the machine.
Below the aeroplane, I mount in the frame of the machine a central rocking
beam carrying at each end a smaller rocking beam, mounted at each end of
which is a screw propeller, or four screw propellers in all. These propellers
may be driven by acetylene gas, stowed for convenience in a state of liqui-
faction or liquid air, or electricity or other source of motive power may be used.
The object of the arrangement of propellers on the rocking beam as described
is to further maintain the balance of the aerial machine. This is effected by
the rocking of the several beams carrying the screw propellers, and according
to the movement of each, the driving of the propellers is regulated by suitable
mechanism. To vary the amount of liquid air or gas let into the engines or
to regulate the speed of the electric motor, as the case may be, according as
one screw propeller lifts the beam, more or less than the other, I employ a
cutting-off motion in the shape of rods, which are connected to the said beams,
and operate the gas or air inlets to the engines, or vary the speed of the electric
motor.
To the central beam on each side of its pivot, is connected by rods a vessel
or car capable of rocking on a centre, whereby should the individual in the car
change his position, the car will rock on its centre, and operate the rod connections
of the central beam, thereby increasing the speed of the particular propeller
or propellers at the particular point to which he might have moved, to com-
pensate for the change in position of the weight, and maintain the balance.
A receptacle with a bottom formed with inclined sides may be fixed to the
machine near the car or vessel to contain such articles as may be required.
A large central screw propeller may be employed in addition to those described
for propelling the machine forward.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation, and Fig. 2 a side
elevation of a flying machine constructed in accordance with my invention.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the aeroplane, while Fig. 4 is a plan view
thereof.
The apparatus is intended to be self-adapting to various atmospheric conditions,
such as unequal density of the air and wind pressures, so that under such cir-
cumstances, it will regain its equilibrium. The aeroplane is mounted or pivotted
like the beam of a weighing machine, and is free to move in such a way as to
alter the area of itself, or to bring into action another plane on its lowest side,
so as to increase the area at that side, whilst its area is simultaneously decreased
on the side, against which there is the greatest wind pressure.
The screw
propellers for lifting the machine are so arranged in connection with the car
carrying the individual in charge of the machine, that should he change his
position in the car, the latter will rock on its pivot, and control the inlet valve
to the gas or other light engine for operating the screw propeller at that side
to compensate for the variation in weight.
The construction of the aeroplane, which I prefer to employ in connection with
my improved flying machine will be understood by reference to the drawings.
The aeroplane is provided with pivots A, and is mounted in standards B of
the machine, so as to be capable of rocking upon its centres or pivots. Above
the aeroplane is the shaft (, fitted in bearings in the said standards, and upon
such shaft is fixed one end of the lever D, its other end being jointed to a bracket
fixed to the slide E (see Fig. 3). The said lever I may have two arms as shewn,
both being similarly secured to the slide. The aeroplane is furnished with
grooved side rails (see Fig. 4), against roller bearings in which slides the
slide E, in which is formed air spaces G. By again referring to Fig. 3, it will
be seen that the aeroplane is also formed with similar air spaces G¹. The cou-
struction of the tars H of the slide E is such, that they will close the inter-
stices G on one side of the aeroplane, and open them at the other side, so that

page_text: should there be the greatest wind pressure at the higher side, the beam
will rock on its centre, and thereby cause the slide to open the air spaces at the
higher end of the aeroplane, by the air spaces therein coming in proximity to
the holes or interstices in the aeroplane, but will close the interstices at the lower
end, with the object of increasing its area, and enabling the machine to keep
its balance.
The aeroplane may be connected by the link J to the arm K mounted on
shaft L, so that the rocking motion of the aeroplane in either direction will be
communicated to the rudder M, through the medium of the bevel gear wheels N
and N, whereby the course of the machine through the air is directed.
The machine is raised from the ground by four screw propellers O, carried
by shafts P. These shafts are operated so as to turn the propellers at a great
velocity by suitable light engines, worked by gas oil, or other source of motive
power, or they may be turned by electric motors. The engines are fixed to
the beams Q, carried by a strong shaft or support R fixed to the car T, which
is capable of rocking on the centre 1. It will be seen that should the individual
in the car change his position, the car will rock on its centre. That end of
the car which is depressed by this means may be arranged to act upon the supply
valve to the engine, so as to drive the screw propeller at a greater speed, and
consequently compensate for the unequal burden cast upon it.
A large central propeller V may also be used for the propulsion of the machine
through the air in a forward direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
1. The improved construction of apparatus for effecting aerial navigation,
substantially as described and shewn.
2. In a flying machine, an aeroplane pivotted like a beam, and so arranged
that on a change of its position by varying wind pressures, it will alter the area
of itself, substantially as described and shewn with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
3. In a flying machine, a car pivotted or suspended in such a manner that the
change of position of the individual in the car will affect the driving or propelling
mechanism, substantially as described and illustrated.
4. In a flying machine, the combination of an aeroplane such as described with
a rudder, screw propellers and pivotted car, all arranged and operating substan-
tially as described for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 20th dor of M 1000
RICHMOND & Co.,
Chartered Patent Agents, 12, Standish Street, Burnley.