Improvements in Aerial Machines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Sept., 1892-Accepted, 15th Oct., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Aerial Machines.
I, SUMTER BEAUREGARD BATTEY, Physician, of 39, West 27th Street, in the
City,ounty, and State of New York, United States of America, 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:-
The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved aerial machine,
which is extremely simple and durable in construction, arranged to be propelled at
a high rate of speed, and adapted to be easily steered in any desired direction.
The invention consists of a balloon supporting a car and having an aluminum shell
and an interior framework for strengthening the shell. The invention further
consists in imparting a forward motion to the machine by firing explosives within a
suitable holder attached to the machine. The invention also consists of certain
parts and details and combinations of the same, as will be hereinafter described and
then pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this,
Specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts
in all the figures. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improvement; Figure 2
is a plan view of the same; Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same, with parts
in section; Figure 4 is a rear end view of the same; Figure 5 is a transverse
section of the same, on the line 5-5 of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a plan view of
a modified form of propeller; Figure 7 is a side elevation, with parts in section,
of a modified form of the improvement; Figure 8 is a transverse section of the
same, on the line 8-8 of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a transverse section of one of the
oars, on the line 9-9 of Figure 8; and Figure 10 is a similar view of the same
with the wings closed.
The improved acrial machine is provided with a balloon A having a shell B
preferably made in the shape of a double cone with the bases united, as plainly
shewn in the drawings. This shell B is preferably made of light sheet metal, such
as aluminum, and is strengthened inside by a suitable framework C preferably
composed of vertical and transversely disposed braces, as indicated in Figure 2.
The balloon A supports at its under side at or near the nichile a car or basket D
provided in its sides and front end with windows, the said car being sufficiently large
to accommodate navigators, passengers, freight, etc. In order to render the balloon
buoyant in the air I preferably exhaust the air in the shell B through a valved
pipe E held in the said shell and adapted to be connected with a suitable exhausting
device for exhausting the air from the shell, to form a vacuum therein. A second
valved pipe is also arranged on the shell and is adapted to be connected with a
suitable source of gas supply, to permit of filling the empty shell B with a suitable
gas, such as hydrogen, after the air has been withdrawn from the shell as above
described. The shell of the balloon being filled with gas is sufficiently buoyant, so
that it requires but little power to propel the balloon forward or to steer the same
in any desired direction.
:
In order to propel the machine I provide the following apparatus. On the rear
end of the shell A is secured a bar F on which is pivoted an arm G' mounted to
swing transversely and supporting the propeller G provided with a holder or firing
cup G2 having its open base extending rearwardly, as plainly shown in the drawings.
Explosions are caused in this cup-shaped holder G, by means of suitable explosives,
preferably in the shape of pellets H fed into the said holder Ġ* at suitable intervals
and ignited therein to cause the explosion, the reaction of which in the holder G
causes a forward motion of the balloon A and the car D supported thereon.
The

page_text: pellets H, of nitro-glycerine or other suitable explosive material, can be fed into
the holder of the said propeller G by any suitable device, but I prefer the apparatus
illustrated in the drawings and presently to be described. This feeding device is
provided with a magazine feed pipe I vertically disposed and slightly curved at its
lower end, the said pipe being filled with pellets and opening at its lower end into
a cylinder J extending in and supported from the holder G2 at or near the top
thereof. In this cylinder J is mounted to slide a piston J' formed with a recess for
receiving a single pellet at a time from the pipe I. At the downward stroke
this piston J carries a pellet downward to finally drop the pellet out of the
casing into the cup G2 to be exploded therein. Any suitable mechanism may
be employed to impart the necessary sliding motion to the piston J' so as to
move a single pellet at a time into the cup-shaped propeller, but I prefer a clock-
work K of any approved construction and connected with the said piston J' to
deliver a pellet at regular intervals to the holder G2 of the propeller G. After
the pellet leaves the cylinder J it drops into a receiver L pivoted within the
holder and mounted yieldingly on a spring L' so that the force of the
explosion of the pellet does not injure the receiver L. The pellet discharged
into the receiver L is fired by electricity, and for this purpose, the said cup is
connected by electric wires N with a battery O under the control of the operator
in the car D. When the pellet drops into the receiving cup L it acts as a circuit
closer for the wires N so that the electric charge will ignite the pellet and an
explosion will take place, the reaction of the explosion in the propeller G causing a
forward motion of the aerial machine. The propeller G also acts as a rudder and
serves for steering the balloon sidewise and for this purpose the holder G² of the
propeller is connected at opposite sides with cords or ropes P and P passing over
pulleys P2 journaled on suitable brackets extending from the bar F.
The ropes
and extend from the pulleys P² downwardly and pass into the car D at the rear
end thereof, the inner ends of the said ropes passing over pulleys P³, and being
connected with the ends of a sprocket chain P' passing around a sprocket wheel P³
secured on a vertically disposed shaft Pe mounted to turn in suitable bearings within
the car D. On the upper end of the shaft P is secured a bevel gear wheel P7 in
mesh with a bevel gear wheel P8 fastened on a shaft carrying a hand wheel P
under the control of the operator within the car, so that on turning the said hand
wheel a rotary motion is imparted to the shaft P by means of the gear wheels Pa
and P7 and the motion of the shaft Pe causes a travelling of the chain 14 by the
sprocket wheel P3 so that a pull is exerted on one of the ropes P or P¹ according to
the direction in which the hand wheel P is turned. This pull on the rope P or P¹
causes a swinging of the arm G and the propeller G to one side, so that the
propeller acts as a rudder and the balloon is caused to travel in the same direction.
In order to permit an ascent and descent of the aerial machine, I provide two
steering wings Q and Q located on opposite sides of the shell B and pivoted on
studs projecting from the sides of the shell B at or near the middle thereof.
The ends of the steering wings Q are connected with ropes or chains R and R' and
similar ropes R and R³ are connected with the ends of the other wing Q. The
ropes extend downwardly and through the ends of the car into the latter to pass
under pulleys S, as shown in Figure 3, the ends of the ropes R and R' being
connected with each other by a sprocket chain R and a similar sprocket chain R³
connects the other ropes R2 and R3 with each other. The two sprocket chains R'
and R³ pass over the sprocket wheels T and T' respectively, secured on a trans-
versely-extending shaft T2 journaled in suitable bearings within the car D. On the
shaft T is secured a lever U provided with a hand lever Ul adapted to engage a
notch of a series of notches formed on a segment V arranged concentric with the
shaft and supported on a suitable bracket attached to the bottom of the car D.
This device serves to lock the wings Q Q in any desired position, either horizontally
or inclined, for the ascent or descent of the machine.
•
It will be seen that by disengaging the hand lever U₁ from the respective notch
on the segment V the lever U can be moved forward or backward, so as to turn

page_text: the shaft T, the motion of the latter being imparted to the sprocket wheels T
and T which thus impart a forward or backward travelling motion to the sprocket
chains R and R, according to the direction in which the lever U is moved. By
moving the lever U forward; the wings Q and Q are swung upward at their
forward ends and downward at their rear ends, for the ascent of the aerial
machine, and when a rearward movement of the lever U is made the wings Q
and Q are caused to swing from their normal horizontal position into an
inclined position with the front ends downward and the rear ends upward, for the
descent of the aerial machine. Thus it will be seen that the aerial machine can
be readily steered in any desired direction by the action of the steering wings Q
and Q and the sidewise swinging motion of the propeller G. The devices for
steering, as well as for causing the explosions, are fully under the control of the
operator located within the car D.
Instead of propelling the machine by means of explosives as before described, or
in addition to the said means for propelling, I may employ oars d and extending
with their handles d2 through windows or openings formed in the sides of the car D.
The oars d and d¹ are supported on suitable oar-locks e arranged on the sides of the
car D as plainly illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. Each oar d or d¹ is provided on its
outer end with a blade d³ made of a rectangular or other suitable shape and
containing pivoted wings d adapted to open at the rearward movement of the blade
and adapted to close at the forward movement of the same, so that the air can
pass through the open blades at the rearward stroke, but on the forward stroke
the closed wings offer resistance and thus serve to propel the aerial machine
forward. Each wing is adapted to be seated on lugs projecting from the
blade frame in which the wings d' are pivoted. The inner ends of the handles d² of
the oars d and d are manipulated by the operator located within the car D and
seated on a suitable seat D'.
Instead of the holder GI employ a rudder G³ (Figure 7) and provide the same
with transversely extending arms G' connected with the ropes P passing into the
car D as above described. The inner ends of the said ropes are connected with_a
transversely-extending treadle j pivoted at its middle on the bottom of the car D.
The treadle is adapted to be actuated by the feet of the operator, so that the
rudder G³ can be swung transversely to the right or left to steer the balloon A in
a corresponding direction.
For the ascent and descent of the aerial machine I again employ the wings, Q
and Q fulcrumed on studs Q2 and connected with ropes R, R', and R2, R³, respec-
tively. The inner ends of the ropes are connected with each other by sprocket
chains R* and R' respectively, which pass over sprocket wheels T, T' respectively,
secured on a transversely extending shaft T journaled in suitable bearings within
the car D as above described. On this shaft T2 are secured the gear wheels
and r arranged alongside the sprocket wheels T, T', and in mesh with racks s and s¹
respectively, mounted to slide longitudinally in suitable bearings arranged in the
bottom of the car D. The racks s and s¹ mesh with gear wheels t t respectively,
secured on a transversely-extending shaft u mounted to turn in suitable bearings
within the car D. On the shaft is secured a lever v provided at its handle end
with a hand lever v¹ carrying a pin 2 adapted to engage one of a series of notches
formed in a segment w concentric with the shaft u and secured within the
car D.
When the several parts of this steering mechanism are in position shewn in
Figures 7 and 8 and the operator desires, for instance, to steer to one side, be
manipulates with his feet the treadle j so as to change the position of the rudder G³
accordingly, and when it is desired to make an ascent or descent, the operator
within the car moves the lever v forward or backward after the lever is unlocked
by withdrawing the pin by means of the hand lever v¹ from the notch in the
segment w. By the forward or backward movement of the lever v, the shaft u
is turned and the gear wheels and thereon impart a longitudinal sliding
motion to the racks and s¹ respectively which in turn impart a rotary motion to
J

page_text: t;
the gear wheels and respectively, secured on the shaft T3 so that the latter
is turned. The motion of the latter shaft T causes a turning of the sprocket
wheels T and T' respectively, which by their connection with the sprocket
chains R R respectively, cause the latter to travel forward or backward
according to the direction in which the lever is turned. On the forward travelling
motion of the sprocket chains R and R' the wings Q and Q' are simultaneously
turned on their studs Q so that the front ends of the wings swing upward and
the rear ends downward, to cause the aerial machine to travel upward in the air,
it being understood that at the same time a forward movement is given to the
machine, by manipulating the oars d and d in the usual manner. When it is
desired to make the descent, the wings Q and Q are turned in the opposite
direction, so that their front ends point downward this movement being accomplished
by moving the lever in the opposite direction, that is rearwardly. As the
balloon A is formed with a vacuum, or is filled with a light gas as above
described, the balloon A readily floats in the air and it requires but a slight exertion
on the part of the operator, to propel the machine forward while manipulating
the oars d and d¹.
It is understood that the wings Q and Q are set to the desired angle and
locked therein by the locking mechanism shown and described. As shown in
Figure 3 this locking mechanism is connected with the shaft T2 and consists of the
handle U, the hand lever U¹ and the notch segment V. As shown in Figures 7
and 8 the locking mechanism is connected with the shaft and consists of the
lever U, the hand lever v', the pin engaging the notch on the segment w.
According to the position of the wings Q and Q₁ the machine will ascend or
descend at a greater or less angle, it being understood, however, that a forward
motion is given to the machine at the time by the operator manipulating either
the oars d or d¹ or causing the explosions in the holder as above explained or by
combining both explosions with the working of the oars.
I do not limit myself to any particular construction of mechanism for accom-
plishing the latter result, the main features being that pellets are exploded in a
suitable cup or other vessel so that the reaction of the explosion propels or drives
the machine forward and the latter is moved forward by manipulating the oars,
as above described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. An aerial machine provided with a balloon supporting a car and having an
aluminum shell and an interior framework for strengthening the shell, substantially
as shown and described.
2. An aerial machine provided with a balloon shell and means for withdrawing
the air from the said shell, substantially as shown and described.
3. An aerial machine provided with a balloon shell and devices for forming a
vacuum in the said shell and subsequently charging the shell with a gas, substantially
as shown and described.
4. An aerial machine provided with a propeller adapted to act as a rudder,
substantially as shown and described.
5. An aerial machine to which a forward motion is imparted by the firing of
explosives within a suitable holder attached to the machine, substantially as shown
and described.
6. An aerial machine provided with a propeller in the shape of a holder and
pellets exploded at suitable intervals in the said holder, substantially as shown and
described.
7. An aerial machine provided with a cup shaped holder mounted to swing side-
wise to act as a rudder, substantially as shown and described.
8.1 An aerial machine, a propeller provided with a cup-shaped pivoted holder, and
means, substantially as described, for imparting a sidewise motion to the said

page_text: propeller so that the latter is adapted to act as a rudder for the machine, as
set forth.
9. An aerial machine provided with a propeller and a feeding device to deliver
explosives to the propeller, substantially as shown and described.
10. An aerial machine provided with a propeller having a holder, a feed pipe
secured on the said holder and containing the explosives, and a delivery mechanism
connected with the said pipe and adapted to deliver one explosive at a time from
the pipe to the said holder, substantially as shown and described.
11. An aerial machine provided with a feeding device for the explosives to feed
the latter to the propeller, as set forth.
12. An aerial machine provided with a feed pipe for containing the explosives and
a delivery piston for carrying one explosive at a time from the feed pipe to the
propeller, substantially as shewn and described.
13. An aerial machine provided with a propeller having a holder and an explosive
receiver mounted yieldingly in the said holder, substantially as shown and
described.
14. An aerial machine provided with an electric circuit adapted to be closed by
an explosive, the latter being ignited by the electric current on closing the circuit,
substantially as shown and described.
15. An aerial machine provided with an explosive delivery mechanism actuated
by a clock-work, substantially as shown and described.
16. An aerial machine provided with an electric igniting device for firing the
explosives, substantially as shown and described.
17. An aerial machine provided with a propelling mechanism comprising a holder,
a feed pipe for containing the explosives and connected with the said holder, an
automatic delivery device for discharging the explosives one at a time from the pipe
into the said holder, and an igniting device for firing the explosive after its delivery
to the holder, substantially as shown and described.
18. An aerial machine provided with a propelling mechanism comprising a holder,
a feed pipe for containing the explosives and connected with the said holder, an
automatic delivery device for discharging the explosives one at a time from the
pipe into the said holder, an igniting device for firing the explosive after its delivery
to the holder, and a yieldingly-mounted receiver arranged in the said holder and
adapted to support the explosive for firing the same, substantially as shown and
described.
19. An aerial machine comprising a balloon a car supported thereon, a propeller
arranged on the said balloon and provided with a holder for firing explosives, and
an explosive feeding mechanism for feeding and delivering the explosives to the
said holder, substantially as shown and described.
20. An aerial machine comprising a balloon, a car supported thereon, a propeller
arranged on the said balloon and provided with a holder for firing explosives, an
explosive feeding mechanisin for feeding and delivering the explosives to the said
holder, and an electric firing device extending from the said car to the said holder
for firing the explosives therein, substantially as shown and described.
21. An aerial machine provided with a balloon supporting a car and a propeller
held on the rear end of the car, and made in the shape of a holder, and pellets
adapted to be exploded within the said holder to propel the machine forward,
substantially as shown and described.
22. An aerial machine provided with a balloon supporting a car and a propeller
held on the rear end of the balloon and made in the shape of a holder, pellets
adapted to be exploded within the said holder to propel the machine forward, and
an igniting device for exploding the pellets in the said holder, substantially as
shown and described.
23. An aerial machine comprising a balloon supporting a car, a propeller pivoted
on the rear end of the said balloon and receiving a forward motion by the explosion
of pellets in the said propeller, and steering wings, fulcrumed on the sides of the
said balloon, substantially as shown and described.

page_text: 24. An aerial machine provided with a balloon having side wings and adapted to
be turned to any desired angle, substantially as shown and described.
25. An aerial machine provided with a balloon having side wings and adapted to
be turned to any desired angle, and means, substantially as described, for moving
the said wings into an angular position, substantially as set forth.
26. An aerial machine provided with a balloon having side wings and adapted to
be turned to any desired angle, means, substantially as described, for moving the
said wings into an angular position, and a locking device to hold the wings in a
locked position, substantially as shewn and described.
27. An aerial machine comprising a balloon supporting a car, a propeller pivoted
on the rear end of the said balloon and receiving a forward motion by the explo-
sion of the pellets in the said propeller, steering wings fulcrumed on the sides of the
said balloon, and means, substantially as described, for imparting a swinging motion
to the said propeller to steer the machine sidewise, and means, substantially as
described, for imparting a swinging motion to the said steering wings to cause the
aerial machine to ascend and descend, substantially as shown and described.
28. An aerial machine comprising a balloon, a car supported on the balloon, and
oars held on the said car and manipulated by the operator located within the car,
substantially as shown and described.
29. An aerial machine comprising a balloon, a car supported on the balloon, and
oars held on the said car and manipulated by the operator located within the car,
the said oars being provided with blades having movable wings adapted to open and
close, substantially as shown and described.
30. An aerial machine provided with an oar having a blade and wings pivoted
in the said blade and adapted to open and close, substantially as shown and
described.
31. An aerial machine comprising a balloon, a car supported by the said balloon,
oars supported on the said car and provided with blades having movable wings,
wings pivoted on the side of the balloon and adapted to be manipulated from within
the car, and a rudder arranged at the rear end of the said balloon and adapted to
be manipulated from within the car, substantially as shown and described.
32. An aerial machine comprising a balloon, a car supported by the said balloon,
oars supported on the said car and provided with blades having movable wings,
wings pivoted on the side of the balloon and adapted to be manipulated from within
the car, a rudder arranged at the rear end of the said balloon and adapted to be
manipulated from within the car, and means, substantially as described, for moving
the said balloon wings into an angular position and locking them therein,
substantially as shown and described.
33. An aerial machine comprising a balloon, a car supported by the said balloon,
oars supported on the said car and provided with blades having movable wings,
wings pivoted on the side of the balloon and adapted to be manipulated from within
the car, a rudder arranged at the rear end of the said balloon and adapted to be
manipulated from within the car, and a treadle mechanism arranged in the said car
and adapted to be actuated by the operator's feet to impart a swinging motion to
the said rudder, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 6th day of September 1892.
S. B. BATTEY,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.