An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Propelling Vessels and other Bodies.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd May, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Feb. 1891-Accepted, 11th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Propelling Vessels and
other Bodies.
--
I, GEORGE WILSON, of 113, The Grove, Ealing, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
I cause what is termed an inelastic fluid such for example as water and mercury
(water only will be the fluid mentioned in this Specification) to flow, under a head
of pressure in a solid compact stream or streams out of (what I term) a bottom tank
and through a suitable shaped nozzle or nozzles fitted thereto at a suitable altitude
angle or angles to the horizon, either wholly or partly up and along a smooth
straight or curved plane or planes, channel or channels, inclined at a suitable angle
or angles to the horizon, and the said efflux stream or streams of water in flowing
to a higher level partly or wholly up and along the said inclined plane or planes
channel or channels will lose their velocity or momentum by the action of gravitation
on or before the efflux water reaches the level of the head of water generating the
efflux.
The efflux stream or streams are caused to flow, in the manner just described, as
much as may be practicable to the level of the head of water generating the efflux.
In theory efflux streams of water issuing under pressure flow vertically or up
inclined planes to the level, or nearly to the level, of the head of water generating
the velocity of efflux; but in practice owing to friction of the particles of the water,
resistance and friction in flowing through the atmosphere, and against the smooth
surfaces of the hereinbefore mentioned inclined planes or channels the efflux
streams of water will not flow to and reach the height or level of the head of water
generating the velocity of efflux. I term this, loss of head, and to overcome the
same I apply steam or any other suitable power whatsoever, either to work pumps
or other suitable apparatus or to force the water into the bottom tank hereinafter
described, or hydraulic wheels, scoops, vanes, pumps, or other suitable apparatus to
cause impulse to, or force, push or lift, the streams or efflux water up to a higher as
desired than the level of the head of water.
The efflux water being thus brought to or higher than the level of the head of
water the same is then caused to flow at that, or any desired higher, level into the
mouth of a tank or tanks fixed vertically or inclined to the horizon and communi-
cating with and joined to the bottom tank, herein before mentioned, to which the
efflux nozzle or nozzles are fitted; and the said inclined or vertical tank or tanks
down and through which the water flows or falls from the head of water to the
bottom tank or tanks is or are of such capacity that the velocity of the water
flowing or falling down the same is considerably less than the velocity of the water
flowing out of the efflux nozzle or nozzles, in order that the pressure of water within
the bottom tank or tanks may be constantly maintained, as much as may be practi-
cable, at the pressure due to the head of water, and the velocity of the water through
the efflux nozzle or nozzles be such as to cause the streams of water to flow up
towards the level of the head of water as high as may be practicable, and thus effect
economy in the steam or other power used to overcome the work in pushing, forcing
or lifting, the efflux water through the least possible loss of head.
In such cases when an apparatus is not arranged for the efflux streams of water
to flow entirely up and along inclined planes or channels I cause the streams, firstly,
to flow freely through the atmosphere the path of which will be a parabolic, or
approximately a parabolic, curve due to the angle at which the efflux nozzles may
be fixed relative to the horizon combined with the head of pressure generating the
velocity of efflux. At any desired point or points of the rising part of the parabolic
path of the flowing stream or streams of water I fix an inclined plane or planes,

page_text: channel or channels, in such a manner that the efflux stream or streams may come
in contact with the same at tangent points to the parabolic path, in order that there
may be no shock and the least possible disturbance to the solidity of the stream or
streams, and that the latter may flow or glide smoothly up and along the inclined
plane or planes, channel or channels, towards the head of water.
The acting force or forces tending to cause propulsion to the vessel or other body
to which the apparatus may be fixed and form part of the mass is dependent on the
arrangement of apparatus which may be adopted. For example, in case the efflux
streams of water may be pushed or forced up and along an inclined plane or planes,
channel or channels, through the loss of head hereinbefore described by the steam
or other power used, that the water from the level of the head flows or falls down
an inclined tank or tanks to the bottom tank joined thereto, and to the latter the
efflux nozzles are fixed at the desired angle to the horizon, the hereinafter mentioned
forces will act tending to cause motion and propulsion, namely
(1). A component of the force of the reaction of the efflux streams due to the
cosine of the angle at which the nozzles may be fixed to the horizon combined with
the head of pressure generating the velocity of efflux.
(2). A component of the force of reaction in pushing or forcing the efflux water
up and along the inclined plane or planes, channel or channels due to the loss of
head to the level of or higher than the head of pressure.
(3). A component of the force of the water in flowing or falling, from the height
of the head of pressure, down the inclined tanks to the bottom tank to which the
efflux nozzles are fixed.
On the other hand, against the above mentioned acting forces tending to cause
motion or propulsion to the vessel or other bodies must be deducted the component
of the force or forces due to the unbalanced weight of the efflux water flowing
up and along the inclined plane or planes, channel or channels, to the head of
water.
The apparatus is fitted generally in such a manner that the water will flow out
of the efflux nozzles in a contrary direction in a plane to the direction the vessel or
other bodies is to be propelled or moved. The efflux nozzles may be rectangular,
circular or any other desired sectional area, but the same should be shaped in such
a manner so as to mould and cause the water to issue out of them with the least
possible friction and in solid compact streams of water, in order that the latter may
How with minimum dispersion as high, as may be practicable, towards the head of
water hereinbefore described, thereby diminishing to a minimum the loss of head
and effecting economy in the steam or other power required.
There may be fitted one or any desired number of apparatus arranged to act
separately or combined as required, depending upon the nature and size of the vessel
or other bodies to be propelled or moved and also the magnitude of propelling
thrust required to be developed.
My said invention is applicable for steering vessels or effecting motion to bodies
for any other purpose whatsoever.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Propelling Vessels and
other Bodies.
I, GEORGE WILSON, of 113, The Grove, Ealing, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, 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 :-
I cause what is termed an inelastic fluid such for example as water and mercury
(water only will be the fluid mentioned in this Specification) to flow, under a head of

page_text: pressure in a solid compact stream or streams out of (what I term) a bottom tank
and through a suitable shaped nozzle or nozzles fitted thereto at a suitable altitude
angle or angles to the horizon, either wholly or partly up and along a smooth
straight or curved plane or planes, channel or channels, inclined at a suitable
altitude angle or angles to the horizon and the said efflux stream or streams of
water in flowing to a higher level partly or wholly up and along the said inclined
plane or planes channel or channels will lose their velocity or momentum by the
action of gravitation on or before the efflux water reaches the level of the head of
water generating the efflux.
In some arrangements of apparatus the efflux stream or streams are caused to
flow, in the manner just described, as much as may be practicable to the level
of the head of water generating the efflux. In theory efflux streams of water
issuing under pressure flow vertically or up inclined planes to the level, or nearly
to the level, of the head of water generating the velocity of efflux; but in practice
owing to friction of the particles of the water, resistance and friction in flowing
through the atmosphere, and against the smooth surfaces of the hereinbefore
mentioned inclined planes or channels the efflux streams of water will not flow to
and reach the height or level of the head of water generating the velocity of
efflux. I term this, loss of head, and to overcome the same I apply steam or
any other suitable power whatsoever either to work pumps or other suitable.
apparatus or to force the water into the bottom tank hereinafter described or
hydraulic wheels scoops vanes, pumps or other suitable apparatus to cause impulse
to, or force, push or lift the streams or efflux water up to or higher as desired than
the level of the head of water.
The efflux water being thus brought to, or higher than the level of the head of
water the same is then caused to flow at that, or any desired higher level
into the mouth of a tank or tanks fixed vertically or inclined to the horizon
and communicating with and joined to the bottom tank, hereinbefore mentioned,
to which the efflux nozzle or nozzles are fitted; and the said inclined or
vertical tank or tanks down and through which the water flows or falls
from the head of water to the bottom tank or tanks is or are of such capacity
that the velocity of the water flowing or falling down the same is considerably
less than the velocity of the water flowing out of the efflux nozzle or nozzles,
in order that the pressure of water within the bottom tank or tanks may be
constantly maintained, as much as may be practicable, at the pressure due to the
head of water, and the velocity of the water through the efflux nozzle or nozzles
be such as to cause the streams of water to flow up towards the level of the head
of water as high as may be practicable, and thus effect economy in the steam or
other power used to overcome the work in pushing, forcing or lifting the efflux
water through the least possible loss of head.
In some cases when an apparatus is not arranged for the efflux streams of water
to flow entirely up and along inclined planes or channels I cause the streams, firstly
to flow freely through the atmosphere the path of which will be a parabolic, or
approximately a parabolic, curve due to the angle at which the efflux nozzles may be
fixed relative to the horizon combined with the head of pressure generating the
velocity of efflux. At any desired point or points of the rising part of the
parabolic path of the flowing stream or streams of water I fix an inclined plane
or planes, channel or channels, in such a manner that the efflux stream or streams
may come in contact with the same at tangent points to the parabolic path, in
order that there may be no shock and the least possible disturbance to the solidity
of the stream or streams, and that the latter may flow or glide smoothly up and
along the inclined plane or planes, channel or channels, towards the head of water.
The channel or channels may also be fixed tangential to the parabolic path of
the flowing stream or streams at the highest point. In this case the stream or
streams on coming in contact with the channel or channels flow horizontal or nearly
horizontal, and the same may either be caused to continue to flow horizontally, or
be deviated in any desired direction, into the top tank.

page_text: For the purpose of annihilating partly momentum of the water flowing into the
top tank, or annihilating partly or wholly water, flowing, or effluxion, in other parts.
of the apparatus, I cause the water to flow against, or through what I term, a
breaker, which is composed of numerous wires, or rods of brass, iron or other
suitable material fixed in a suitable manner in rows, across, and extending on all
sides beyond the sectional, area of the stream or flowing water the momentum of
which is to be partly or wholly annihilated. The required number of rows of wires
or rods is dependent on the magnitude of momentum of the water to be annihilated.
The wires or rods may be fixed vertical, horizontal or diagonal, and promiscuously
across the stream; but, by preference, I arrange the breaker in the following
manner. The wires or rods to be of round, smooth, uniform section, and small
diameter but consistent with the requisite strength to withstand the strains against
them. The first and second rows are to consist of smaller wires or rods than the
following rows respectively and to be fixed vertical and horizontal, and the wires or
rods of the following rows are to be mostly fixed vertical. The wires or rods in
the first row are to be fixed in such a manner that a space between them will exist
about 5 times the diameter of the wire or rod. The same for the second row.
For the following rows the space between the wires or rods is to be 2 or 3 times
the diameter. The distance between and number of the rows of wires or rods is
dependent on the sectional area of the stream and its momentum.
In some cases apparatus may be arranged for the efflux stream to flow at an
altitude angle to the horizon up and along an inclined plane or channel to any
desired height (below the normal head of pressure within the top tank) and the
said stream then deviated horizontal or nearly horizontal into a tank fitted with a
breaker; or the stream may be caused to efflux (in a contrary direction in a plane
to the direction the vessel or other body is propelled) horizontal or nearly
horizontal out of the bottom end of an inclined or vertical tank into a tank fitted
with a breaker. The water thus flowing into the said tanks fitted with breakers is
raised or lifted therefrom into the top tank constituting the head of pressure by
suitable pumps or other implements.
The acting force or forces tending to cause propulsion to the vessel or other body
to which the apparatus may be fixed and form part of the mass is dependent on the
arrangement of apparatus which may be adopted. For example, in case the efflux
streanis of water may be pushed or forced up and along an inclined plane or planes,
channel or channels, through the loss of head hereinbefore described, by the stream
or other power used, and that the, water from the level of the head Hows or falls
down an inclined tank or tanks to the bottom tank joined thereto, and that to the
latter the efflux nozzles are fixed at the desired angle to the horizon, the
hereinafter mentioned forces will act tending to cause motion and propulsion,
namely
(1) A component of the force of the reaction of the efflux streams due to the
cosine of the angle at which the nozzles may be fixed to the horizon combined with
the head of pressure generating the velocity of efflux.
(2) A component of the force of reaction in pushing or forcing the efflux water
up and along the inclined plane or planes, channel or channels due to the loss of
head to the level of or higher than the head of pressure.
(3) A component of the force of the water in flowing or falling from the height
of the head of pressure, down the inclined tanks to the bottom tank to which the
efflux nozzles are fixed.
On the other hand, against the above mentioned acting forces tending to cause
motion or propulsion to the vessel or other bodies must be deducted the component
of the force or forces due to the unbalanced weight of the efflux water flowing
up and along the inclined plane or planes, channel or channels, to the head of
water.
The apparatus is fitted generally in such a manner that the water will flow out
of the efflux nozzles in a contrary direction in a plane to the direction the vessel
or other bodies is to be propelled or moved. The efflux nozzles may be rectangular,

page_text: circular, or any other desired sectional area, but the same should be shaped in such
a manner so as to mould and cause the water to issue out of them with the least
possible friction and in solid compact streams of water, in order that the latter may
flow with minimum dispersion as high, as may be practicable, towards the head of
water hereinbefore described, thereby diminishing to a minimum the loss of head
and effecting economy in the steam or other power required.
There may be fitted one or any desired number of apparatus arranged to act
separately or combined as required, depending upon the nature and size of the
vessel or other bodies to be propelled or moved and also the magnitude of propelling
thrust required to be developed.
The apparatus together with the engine or other power used may in some suitable
cases be placed on the platform of a turntable.
Under this arrangement, by rotating the turn-table, the apparatus (without
ceasing to work) will cause propulsion in any desired direction in a plane to the
vessel or other body to which the apparatus is fixed.
My said invention is applicable for steering vessels or effecting motion to bodies.
for any other purpose whatsoever.
Under the existing methods and apparatus in practical use for propelling vessels,
locomotives on railways, or other bodies, the steam or other power, through the
mechanism, reacts upon some body or bodies external to and forming no part of
the mass of the vessel, locomotive, &c. My said invention differs therefrom inas-
much as under the action of gravitation or causing the water to flow through or
against breakers I annihilate partly or wholly the momentum of the efflux streams ;
forces then react on bodies carried with and form part of the mass of the vessel or
other bodies propelled, by means of the method and apparatus herein described;
moreover, under the existing methods and apparatus in practical use for propelling
vessels or other bodies, the greater the speed may be at which the same are
propelled the more the quantity of steam or other power used must be augmented
in order to maintain a propelling thrust to overcome and balance the forces of
resistance against the vessel or other bodies at a given speed, whereas in the
application of my said invention no such augmented power will be required
inasmuch as the steam or other power which may be used, as herein described, will
not through the mechanism react against bodies or matter external to and forming
no part of the mass of the vessel or other bodies propelled; consequently, in the
application of my said invention great economy of power may be effected, especially
at high speeds.
In order that my said invention may be clearly understood I now proceed to give
general illustrations of the same.
Referring to the hereinbefore description and, to the drawings hereunto
annexed
Figure 1 shows a vertical longitudinal section of an apparatus wherein the efflux
water flows wholly up and along an inclined channel to the head of water.
a is the
efflux nozzle fitted to the bottom tank b, at a vertical angle to the horizon; y is the
efflux stream flowing up and along the inclined channel to the top tank f; g is an
inclined tank down which the water flows or falls to the bottom tank b; h shows
the normal level of the head of water. 1 shows an arrangement of an endless
working waterproof band or chain, running over drums or pulleys, furnished with
vanes or palets for pushing or forcing the efflux water through the loss of head and
higher as may be desired (by the steam or other power used) into the top tank f.
The nozzle a is furnished with a suitable valve to open and close quickly. A valve
may also be fitted at m, to close the mouth of the inclined channel leading into the
top tank f; n shows an arrangement of air chamber or reservoir fitted with the
necessary valves or cocks. The air chamber is partly for the air, which may be
carried with the water into the bottom tank b, to escape without passing through
the nozzle a, and causing disturbance to the solidity of the stream; but mainly as a
reservoir for water to be used and stored respectively on opening and closing the
nozzle valve in order that the water within the top tank, may not be unduly

page_text: lowered under or raised above the normal working head of pressure. The quantity
of water and air in the reservoir n, is regulated for the purpose required by
means of the valves or cocks fitted thereto, and also by an air pump when
required.
The apparatus is fixed in a suitable manner to the vessel or other body to be
propelled or moved in the direction of the arrow æ.
Under this arrangement of apparatus the forces developed tending to cause motion
in the direction of the arrow c, are as follows:-
(1). The force of reaction of the efflux through the nozzle a, due to the cosine of
the angle which the nozzle is fixed to the horizon.
(2). A component of the force of the water falling or flowing down the inclined
tank g.
(3). A component of the force of the reaction in pushing or forcing the water
(through the loss of head and higher as desired) up and along the inclined
channel y by means of the endless working vanes or palets running on the
band or chain over the drums or pulleys worked by the steam or other
power used.
Against these forces must be set the component of the unbalanced weight of
water of the efflux stream flowing up and along the inclined channel to the top
tank f.
The surfaces of the inclined channels are, in all cases, made as even and smooth
as practicable in order that the friction of the flowing water up and along the same
may be retarded to a minimum and the loss of head may be mainly due to the
friction of the motion among the particles of flowing water, which causes no
resistance or force to act against the apparatus.
Figure 2 shows an arrangement of apparatus whereby the efflux stream, through
the nozzle a, flows freely through the atmosphere the path of which is approximately
a parabolic curve s. At a point t, the stream is caused to come in contact with the
surface of an inclined channel e, and flow up and along the same to the top tank f.
The point t, is tangential to the parabolic path s. The bottom part of the lower
end of the inclined channel at y, is curved in a suitable manner to cause the stream
on coming in contact with the same to glide smoothly when flowing (within a
limited range) under a lower or higher head than the normal working head of
pressure. The water flowing or falling down the inclined tank g, is caused to efflux
through apertures at k, into the chamber, flow along the conducting pipe or
chamber m, round a grooved wheel force pump n, into the bottom tank o, and
through the nozzle a.
By means of the grooved wheel pump n, (which may be a
centrifugal or any other suitable pump worked by the steam or other power used)
the water is forced into the bottom tank o, at a pressure sufficient in magnitude to
cause the efflux water through the nozzle a, to flow direct into the top tank f, and
thus effect a constant circulating flow of the water through the apparatus. The
apertures of the efflux at k, chamber, conducting pipe or channel m, channel
through the pump n, and bottom tank o should all be sufficient in sectional area to
cause a minimum loss of head to the water flowing through the nozzle a, otherwise
the duty of the force pump will have to be augmented and power lost. In order
to minimize such loss of power the sectional area of the apertures at & should in no
case be less than twice the sectional area of the nozzle a; in other words, the said
efflux apertures at k should be such that at least twice the quantity of water will
efflux through them for a given time and head of pressure as would be the case
through the efflux nozzle a, under like conditions. At w, z, breakers (herein before
described) are fitted and if required a breaker may also be fitted in the top tank f,
for the efflux water to flow through or against in order to annihilate momentum
remaining in the water.
The bottom tank 0,
and efflux nozzle a constitute an arrangement whereby the
flowing water is gradually moulded into a solid compact stream on issuing out of the
nozzle a.
Under this arrangement of apparatus the following forces developed tend to

page_text: cause motion to the vessel or other body to which the apparatus is nixed in the
direction of the arrow x :-
(1) A component of the force of the water flowing or falling down the inclined
tank 9.
(2) The force of reaction of the efflux at k, less the force of the water against
the breaker w.
(3) The force of the water being deviated round the pump n, less the force of the
water against the breaker, fitted within the bottom tank o.
(4) The component of the force of reaction of the efflux through the nozzle a,
(due to the cosine of the angle which the same is fixed relative to the horizon) less
the component of the force due to the unbalanced weight of water flowing up and
along the inclined channel v.
Figure 3 shows an arrangement of apparatus whereby the efflux stream through
the nozzle a, flows up and along the inclined channel, and is deviated round the
bend r, into the tank y. The momentum of the water is partly annihilated by
gravitation and partly by flowing against or through the breaker b, fitted within
the tank y. From the last mentioned tank the water is raised to the top tank f
by means of a grooved wheel, centrifugal, or lift pump, or any other suitable
implement.
The purpose and advantage of the breaker b, or where otherwise used in
apparatus under my said invention, is to effect propelling force, inasmuch as the
force of reaction of an efflux stream or flowing water is equivalent to the weight of
a column of water due to the sectional area of the stream and twice the head of
water generating the velocity; but if the breaker be properly constructed and fitted,
as herein before described, the force of the water (annihilated) flowing through or
against the same is considerably diminished and practically may be nearly as low as
the weight of a column of water due to the head only. The momentum of the
stream thus annihilated is dissipated as heat consistently with the mechanical
equivalent of heat.
Figures 4 and. 5 shew respectively a plan and longitudinal vertical section of
an arrangement of apparatus whereby the efflux water through the nozzles a
flows freely through the atmosphere (the path of the flow being approximately
a parabolic curve) on to the horizontal or nearly horizontal channel c leading
into the top tank f. Figure 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through A. B.
Figure 4. This arrangement as shewn in Figure 4 consists of two apparatus
joined together, are grooved wheel force pumps (which may be centrifugal or
other suitable pumps) worked by one shaft s by means of the steam or other power
used, and arranged in a manner that either pump can be put in or out of gear, and
consequently the two apparatus may be worked combined or separately as may be
desired. A similar method may be adopted for the desired number of apparatus.
The efflux streams p. p. shown on plan Figure 4 are wider as they flow from the
nozzles a a. This is due to the physical law that efflux streams, whether flowing
vertical, freely through the atmosphere at a vertical angle to the horizon, or up and
along inclined planes augment in sectional area.
It is therefore necessary in the
arrangement of apparatus that the inclined or horizontal channels and top tanks
should be the proper width and size otherwise eddies will be formed in the flowing
water and the compactness of the streams broken, which is detrimental to the
proper and economical working of the apparatus.
The forces developed for propelling in the direction of the arrow a, are similar
to those herein before described relative to Figure 2, except in this case there
is no back action to deduct from unbalanced weight of water on an inclined
channel.
I do not limit myself to the arrangements of apparatus hereinbefore described
and illustrated. Numerous other arrangements can be adopted depending mainly
on the size and shape of the vessel or other body to be propelled, and the magnitude
of propelling thrust to be developed.
I wish it to be clearly understood, as hereinbefore mentioned, that I do not limit

page_text: myself to water as the liquid or inelastic fluid to be used. Any other suitable
inelastic fluid may be used, especially mercury.
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 method of and apparatus for propelling vessels or other bodies
developing propelling force by causing an inelastic fluid (such for example as water
and mercury) to efflux under a head of pressure in a stream or streams through a
nozzle or nozzles or apertures at altitude angles to the horizon, the velocity or
momentum of the said stream or streams being partly or wholly annihilated by
the action of gravitation in flowing to a higher level and through or against the
breakers.
2. Developing propelling force by causing the inelastic fluid to fall or flow down
an inclined tank or tanks (larger in sectional area than the efflux nozzle) from the
head of pressure to, or channels leading to, the bottom tank or tanks, to which the
nozzle or nozzles are fixed.
3. Developing propelling force by causing the efflux stream or streams to be
pushed or forced up and along inclined planes or channels to or higher than the
head of pressure.
4. Developing propelling force by causing the inclastic fluid after falling or
flowing down the inclined tank or tanks to efflux (in a contrary direction in a plane
to the motion of the body being propelled) through nozzles or apertures into a
chamber, leading to the bottom tank, fitted with a breaker or breakers.
5. Developing propelling force by causing the inclastic fluid after falling or
flowing down the inclined tank or tanks, or after flowing through the efflux chamber
joined to the bottom end of the same to be forced (in a contrary direction in a plane
to the motion of the body being propelled) into the bottom tank, through or against
breakers.
6. My improved method of and apparatus for propelling vessels or other bodies,
by developing propelling force by means of inclastic fluid carried with and forming
part of the mass of the vessel or other body propelled, and not as heretofore
by causing the steam or other power used to react through the mechanism upon
external bodies.
7. My improved method of and apparatus for propelling vessels or other bodies,
substantially as hereinbefore described or any mere modification thereof.
Dated this 16th day of February 1891.
GEORGE WILSON.