Improvements in and relating to Paddle Wheels.
Year: 1894

page_text: COMPLETE DIECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Paddle Wheels.
I, RICHARD JAMES HAMMOND of the Infant Orphan Asylum, Wanstead,
Essex, Engineer and Fitter 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:-
My present invention relates especially to the floats of paddle wheels, which
floats in accordance with my improvements assume the form of double curves.
That is to say, by taking part section of two curves (supposing each curve to be
completed into a circle) the outer curve to be about, say one fifth, and the inner
curve, about one seventh of the completed circumference. The diameter of the
two carves to be proportionate to the depths of floats, according to the require-
ments. The improved floats would be made of any suitable metal (preferably
plates of thin cast steel) or material, bent, or cast, to the radius of the curve of
bent or cast steel frames to which said curved floats are adapted, these frames being
in turn secured to the paddle wheel framing.
The improved floats above described may also be adapted to existing paddle
wheels; and, in certain cases side floats might be adapted to either or both of the
outer rims of paddle wheel framing.
Amongst other advantages accruing from the use of the curved floats above
described, I may mention that in cases when sailing without steam the "drag" will
be reduced; the floats being practically in "lead" with the vessel.
And in order that my invention may be clearly and readily carried into effect, I
have appended the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figure 1 represents a
side view of a paddle wheel constructed in accordance with my invention, Figure 2
is a plan of same, and Figure 3 a detached view to an enlarged scale of one of the
improved floats above referred to.
Referring to these several figures, the improved floats are indicated at a, that is
to say, the central floats, in substitution for the flat floats hitherto used. The side
floats above referred to as being and, when, if desired, adapted to the outer rim
or rims of the wheel framing, are indicated at a¹ Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 1,
the wheel framing is shewn to the left at A partly broken, to allow of one of the
central floats a being more particularly seen and is referred to and identified on
the plan Figure 2, at line A, A. A part of the framing is also shewn removed to
the right of Figure 1, at B, so that the supplementary side curved floats a¹ may
be seen in situ, relatively to the main, or floats proper a.
As will be readily understood on reference to Figure 1 of the drawings and as
above stated, the floats a, a', assume the form of a double curve lengthwise, their
inner surfaces at the end at which they are connected to the wheel framing,
being concave; and, convex at the outer or free end. Hence, when the floats
enter the water a good grip of the latter is ensured by the concave portion; and,
as each float leaves the water, the latter is thrown off easily and smoothly from
the floats at the convex portion thereof.
Paddle wheels with the improved floats according to my present invention may
also be advantageously employed for stern wheel propelled vessels constructed in
accordance with the Specification of my Patent Number 11119 of the year 1893.

page_text: 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 :-
In paddle wheels, the use of curved floats, substantially as, and for the purposes