An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Reducing the Surface Frictional Resistance of Steam Ships to Propulsion.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 9th Jan., 1893-Accepted, 18th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Reducing the Surface
Frictional Resistance of Steam Ships to Propulsion.
WILLIAM YOUNG, Ship Draughtsman, 100 Buccleuch Street, Glasgow, W. I do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
By means of a supply of compressed air delivered under bottom of ship when
in motion, by pipes having suitable orifices and so placed that by the combined
action of the pipes in delivering the air, and the pressure of the water, air shall
be spread under the bottom of the ship, and which interposing between the water
and the bottom shall greatly reduce the surface frictional resistance of the ship to
propulsion. This invention is applicable to new and also existing ships, and shall
be applied in conjunction with projections on bottoms of ships to guide the air when
occasion requires.
Dated this Seventh day of March 1802
WILLIAM YOUNG.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for Reducing the Surface.
Frictional Resistance of Steam Ships to Propulsion.
I WILLIAM YOUNG of 100 Buccleuch Street, Glasgow, W., Ship Draughtsman,
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:―
By means of compressed air delivered under bottom of ship when in motion, by
pipes so placed that by the combined action of the pipes and the pressure of the
water, air shall be spread under bottom of ship which, interposing between the
water and the bottom of the ship shall greatly reduce the surface frictional
resistance of the ship to propulsion. This invention is applicable to new and
existing ships and shall be applied in conjunction with projections on bottom of
ships to guide the compressed air when occasion requires.
The accompanying drawing shows an application of my invention to a paddle
steam ship.
Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal clevation of same.
Fig. 2 a plan of bottom of vessel.
Fig. 3 a transverse section.
Index letters A denote orifices of pipes supplying the compressed air. B denoting
pipe from compressing apparatus. Short dotted lines represent air under bottom.
C denotes boundary line of flat (or nearly so) bottom. D denoting in this case
ordinary bar keel. E representing projections to guide the air as a means of
preventing same from escaping from underneath the bottoin of vessel except at near
after end.
These projections may be of any shape as may he effectual for their purpose as
just described, and may be omitted in vessels in which I may consider the ordinary
arrangement of "out and in" strakes of the shell plating sufficient to guide the
air, or in vessels in which the plating has been specially arranged to suit this
invention.
I reserve the right to vary the number of projections, (when such are fitted) to
suit each vessel to which my invention may be applied, and to fit such projections

page_text: at ends of vessel in other than a fore and aft direction as I may in actual practice
find desirable.
The orifices of the pipes supplying the compressed air to underneath the bottom
of ships shall be shaped so as to deliver and assist in spreading the air under bottom
as I may find desirable. I also reserve the right to fit more than one air supply
orifice in length of vessel, and also more than one between each set of projections
when such are fitted, and to fit portion of pipes delivering the air, outside of the
ship if I consider snch desirable.
In order to assist the more perfect application of my invention to vessels under
some conditions of service in which there is liability to change of transverse trim,"
I shall cause to be fitted when I consider necessary an arrangement such that the
vessel may be brought level transversely. This effect being produced by filling or
emptying tanks in wing of vessel, or by moving weights.
This invention is not restricted in application to paddle steamships but may be
applied to any vessel with any of the ordinary methods of propulsion.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
The application by means of a pipe or pipes, of compressed air underneath the
bottom of ships as far forward as may be found desirable and allowing same to
escape only toward the after end, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore
described and shown on accompanying drawing, and fitting in conjunction with same,
projections on the bottom of ship when I consider such necessary, substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described.
Dated this Seventh day of January 1893.
WILLIAM YOUNG,
Applicant.