Propellers in Water and Air.
Year: 1885

page_text: Propellers in Water and Air.
I, LADISLAV VOJACEK, of Smichov Prague, Bohemia, in the Empire of Austria,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is the construction of a propeller by which any
fluid, water or air is caused to rotate energetically in screw thread streams after it
has left the wheel, the blades and sides of which are so formed, that the double
inclination acts in combination with the centrifugal force.
My wheel is composed of a number of equal and equally distant blades, enclosed
between two concentrical casings, so as to form helical conduits of a sinusoidal
shape. If the fluid could flow only in planes laid through the axis, it would enter
the inlet near the axis and parallel to the same, then it would proceed with
continually increasing inclination till a certain limit were reached, after which this
inclination would gradually diminish till at the outlet it would be nil.
The blades are helical, their surfaces being formed through a combined move-
ment of. a curve. This is a plane curve; it is drawn in a plane which is
perpendicular to the axis of rotation. This plane is supposed to move in the
direction of the axis, and at the same time to rotate around it, both movements
standing in a geometrical connection to each other.
I form this surface with a horizontal plate pattern which contains the generatrix,
which turns on a vertical spindle with pin, allowing free motion in the direction of
the axis of rotation. The generatrix pattern alides at the same time on a screw
thread pattern fixed to the same horizontal plate or board with the spindle.
By the combination of these patterns with the rotating patterns for the con-
centrical casements-these patterns being of the said sinusoidal shape-it is easy to
produce the exact form for casting the blades.
In other cases the blades are cast of the required shape or they are shaped by
pressure or by hammering. If the blades have the correct form, corresponding to
the velocity, the fluid or air enters without shock in the centre of the wheel
Owing to the form of the blades and casings in my propeller, the centrifugal
force produced by the rotation of the wheels is utilised.
The propeller wheel throws out the streams of liquid in such a way that they
form a hollow cylinder round the axis of rotation, though their direction is not

page_text: parallel to that axis. Their inclination to the axis depends on the shape of the
wheel and blades; on the velocity of rotation and on the difference of pressures.
In the case of a pump or a ventilator the streams of liquid or of an escape into a
concentrical tube or casement. If the diameter of this tube remains constant i.e.
Dearly the same as the largest diameter of the wheel, the pitch of the thread will
remain nearly constant. The pitch will increase if the diameter decreases and
vice-versa.
If a considerable height of delivery is required, the vertical cylinder casement is
shaped so as to diminish gradually to the diameter of a vertical tube or pipe,
mounted in the axis and upon the said casement. By this arrangement the pitch
of the thread in which the water rises from the wheel will steadily increase, till on
its arrival and entry into the pipe, it will be so steep that practically it will flow
straightway through the pipe which may then have any desired direction.
The screw thread motion of the issuing liquid has not heretofore been utilised.
It is to be understood that my propeller wheel will act as a reaction propeller
whether in water or in air.
.
In some cases either the internal or the external casement of the propeller may
be dispensed with so that the blades will be open either outwardly or inwardly.
In other cases again the outward casement need not cover the whole line of the
blades; a hoop or band only being left to connect and hold the blades together.

page_text: Propellers in Water and Air.
I, LADISLAV VOJACĚK, of Smichov, Prague, Bohemia, in the Empire of Austria,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 my Invention is the construction of a new description of propeller
by which water, air, or any other fluid, may be caused to rotate energetically in
helical streams, after leaving the wheel or propeller, the blades and sides of which
are so formed, that the two fold result acts in combination with the centrifugal
force.
My improved propeller which is composed of a number of equal and equi-distant
blades, enclosed between two concentric casings, so as to form helical conduits of-a
sinusoidal or sinuous form. If the fluid could flow only in planes laid through the
axis, it would enter the inlet near the axis, and travel parallel to the same'; then
it would proceed, with continually increasing inclination until a certain limit were
reached, after which this inclination would gradually diminish until at the outlet
it would be nil.
The blades are helical, their surfaces being formed through a compound
delineation of a curve. This is a plane curve; and is drawn in a plane which lies
perpendicular to the axis of rotation. This plane is supposed to move in the
direction of the axis, and at the same time to rotate around it, both movements
standing in a geometrical relation to each other.
I form this surface with a horizontal template cut to the curve necessary for
obtaining the required form, and which template is revolved on a vertical spindle
with a pin, allowing free motion in the direction of the axis of rotation. The
generating pattern or template slides at the same time on a screw thread fixed to
the same horizontal plate or board with the spindle. By the combination of these
patterns or templates with the rotating patterns or templates for the concentric
casing the patterns being of the said sinusoidal form, the exact forms for casting
the blades are obtained.
In other cases the blades are cast of the required shape or they are shaped by
pressure or by hammering. If the blades have the correct form, corresponding to
the velocity, the fluid or air enters without shock in the centre of the wheel.
Owing to the form of the blades and casing in my propeller, the centrifugal force
produced by the rotation of the wheels is utilised.
The propeller wheel throws the streams of liquid outwards in such a manner
that they form a hollow cylinder round the axis of rotation, though their direction
may not be parallel to that axis. Their inclination to the axis depends on the
form of the wheel and blades: on the velocity of rotation; and on the difference
of the pressures.
:
In the case of a pump or a ventilator, the streams of liquid or of air escape
into a concentric tube or casing. If the diameter of this tube remains constant,
that is to say, nearly the same as the largest diameter of the wheel, the pitch of
the helice will remain nearly constant. The pitch will increase if the diameter
decreases, and vice-versa.

page_text: If a considerable height of delivery is required, the vertical uptake or pipe is so
formed as to diminish gradually in diameter, thus forming a vertical tube or pipe,
mounted concentrically above the casing. By this arrangement the pitch of the
helice in which the fluid rises from the wheel, will steadily increase until, on its
arrival and entry into the pipe, it will be so great that, practically, it will flow,
straight through the pipe, which may thus have any desired direction.
This helical motion of the issuing fluid has not heretofore been utilised.
It is to be understood that my propeller wheel will act as a reaction propeller,
whether for water or air.
In some cases either the internal or the external casing of the propeller may be
dispensed with so that the blades will be open either outwardly or inwardly. In
other cases again the outward casing need not cover the whole line of the blades, a
hoop or band only being left to connect and hold the blades together.
And in order that my said invention may be more particularly described and
ascertained, reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, in which
similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1. is a sectional elevation of a propeller-wheel-pump, with vertical axis,
suitable for small heights of delivery..
Fig. 1 is a horizontal section of the same shewing the directing blades a
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a propeller-wheel-pump for considerable beights
of delivery.
Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly in section of a propeller-wheel-pump with vertical
axis and low pitch.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal view of the propeller wheel, shewn in Fig. 3.
Fig. 4. shews the application of my propeller-wheel to a boat.
Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a propeller-wheel for a ventilator.
Fig. 6 is a front view and section of a propeller-wheel shewing the shape of
the blades and case; and Figs. 7. 7 & 7b show the geometrical construction for
practically obtaining the exact forms of blades and casing of the propeller.
My propeller wheel is composed of equal and equi-distant blades a a enclosed in
two concentric curved discs m m³, n n¹, forining the casing, so as to furnish helical
passages of a special form. This form is shewn in Fig. 7; 2 x being the axis of
rotution, m m¹ the inlet ports, and n n¹ the outlet. The inclination of the curve
to the axis is made very small, in the inlet as well as in the outlet, and it gradually
increases towards the middle between the two ends.
The blades a a are formed by a horizontal generating template u shown in
Fig. 7. This template in turning round its axis, slides at the same time on a
screw thread (Fig. 7b) which is cut out from a cylindrical plate, each point of which
is at an equal distance from the axis of rotation.
The forms of the propeller wheel, shown in Fig. 6 and other figures, ensue
through the combined action of the before mentioned templates, with the rotating
patterns or templates for the concentric casing. It is therefore easy to construct
the geometrical forms for castings, or to cast matrices for pressing or hammering.
In other cases matrices or templates of wood or other suitable material may be
prepared by turning bodies of the form m n n¹ m², in Fig. 7, with circles I, II,
III etc. It is easy to draw meridians on the surface of such bodies and to construct
the outward lines of the blade as shewn in Fig. 7. After this the facing of the
blade can be cut to the exact form.
:
The forms of the patterns are dependent on each other, and calculated in such a
way that the body of the fluid which by the rotation of the wheel, is caused to
pass through the same, does not exercise any pressure on the casing. Each
particle of this fluid in passing through the wheel, is supposed to describe a line
which lies completely in a rotating surface of the form ´m n, m¹ n¹ or between
the same.
The fluid enters the wheel without shock, and it leaves it with a certain
inclination, which depends on the velocity of the wheel: on the pressure: and on

page_text: the snape of the blades. This inclination can therefore practically be varied, from
about five to about sixty degrees.
If machines of the kind known as centrifugal pumps, or ventilators, are required,
the blades are arranged so that the inclination will be sinall. In such cases, the
liquid will flow out in a spiral curve or helice, which is nearly perpendicular to the
axis of rotation. Otherwise if the inclination of the spirally ascending body is
considerable, say exceeding 30 degrees, for instance, it is preferable to replace the
outlet tube by a cylinder B, in the manner shown in Figs. 1 & 2. The particles of
fluid will ascend in such a manner, as to form a hollow cylinder, concentrically-to
the axis of rotation, and each particle of fluid is caused to ascend spirally, thus
exercising great pressure in the direction of the axis of rotation.
In some cases fixed distributing blades a¹ a¹ are used as shown in Fig. 1. The
whole arrangement resembles a turbine, the fixed blades of which are placed behind
the wheel instead of before it.
Fig. 2. shows an arrangement for effecting a considerable height of delivery.
The vertical case B is shaped so as to diminish gradually into a vertical tube or
pipe, which is mounted above the case. The pitch of the helice, with which the
particles of fluid ascend, will steadily increase, and after its arrival into the pipe, it
will be so vertical that practically it will flow straight through the pipe, which will
then conduct the flow upwards.
The helical motion is also produced in those forms of my machines, which act
similarly to the ordinary centrifugal pumps, ventilators or exhaustors; and of
which two examples are shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The effect of this arrangement
will be the production of the helical motion of the fluid in the tube C, which is the
chief feature of my invention. By this arrangement the head of liquid is increased,
in the like proportion as the weight lifted on an inclined plane increases, in
proportion to the weight which would be lifted by the same power in a vertical
direction. This is especially the case in turbine-like arrangements which are
represented in Fig. 1 The helical motion in the tube C (Figs: 2 3 and 5) ha3,
besides this, an effect similar to the rotary motion of projectiles from rifled guns,
or the vortex motion of a cyclone in proportion to that of an ordinary storm. By
this arrangement, liquids can pass through the tubes with a velocity of 3 to 5
meters a second, while in the ordinary way hardly the half of that speed can
practically be reached.
Fig. 4 shows my wheel attached to a boat as a propeller, which will be under-
stood without further explanation. It can also be used either in water or in air.
The dimensions and the details differ. The centrifugal force, which in ordinary
propellers is injurious, will thus be used up, and will cause a considerable increase
of the effect. The particles of liquid or air will not disturb each other on their
way, and the whole will act as a complete propeller, which is very well protected
by the outer case, and strengthened by the inner one.
It is obvious that some portion of the case may be dispensed with in some of the
applications of my invention.
In using my propeller wheel for pumps or ventilators, I arrange it so that the
liquid or air under pressure shall not be allowed to escape on the outward surface
of the propeller. This object is secured by providing the inlet with a metallic
collar, to fit the case; and is lubricated, if necessary, so as to produce the least
friction possible. These collars may also be adjustable for diminishing the wear
and tear.
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 manufacture and use of propeller wheels, with two concentric plates
forming a casing of the form shewn with specially shaped blades, substantially as
bereinbefore described and shown on the drawings.

page_text: 2. The method and means of obtaining the exact geometrical forms of the blades,
substantially as herein before described and shewn on the drawings.
8. The method of and means and appliances for producing in pumps, ventilators
and exhausters, the helical motion of liquid or air, and of utilising such motion for
the transmission of the fluid, either in the direction of the axis of rotation or in
any other direction, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown on the
drawings.
4. In connection with pumps, ventilators or exhausters, as aforesaid the use of
the collar fittings to the propeller, with its fixed casing, to prevent the liquid or air,
under pressure, from escaping on the outward surface of the propellor, substantially
as hereinbefore described and shewn on the drawings.
5. The application of my said wheels as propellers of boats or ships in water or
air, substantially as herein before described and shown in the drawings.
GEO. DOWNING,
Agent for Applicant.