Improvements in Feathering Propellers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 10th Aug., 1900-Accepted, 10th Nov., 1900
Improvements in Feathering Propellers.
1, CHARLES ERNEST DAWSON, of Hogarth Works, Chiswick, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to propellers having feathering blades especially such
as are used in launches driven by explosion engines where the propeller is required
to rotate in one direction only, and where reversing is accomplished by altering
the angle of the blades from within the launch.
The object of my invention is to produce a propeller with feathering blades
which blades are operated from the interior of the vessel by durable and effective
mechanical devices capable of actuating two or more blades simultaneously.
My invention consists in feathering blades upon a central hollow boss, each
blade carrying within the boss a bevel wheel, this bevel wheel geared into
another bevel wheel, also within the boss, which latter wheel is mounted on an
internal shaft passing through a hollow or sleeved shaft. The hollow shaft
carries the boss and the propeller blades, the internal shaft carries the bevel
wheel which operates the bevel wheels attached to the inner ends of the blades
and the internal shaft is given a relative motion to the external one, by means
of a lever operated sliding sleeve which sleeve actuates an inclined slot by a
twisted pieco.
By this device the blades are adjusted to any angle from within
the vessel.
In carrying my invention into effect in accordance with one modification, I
provide a hollow propeller boss made in two parts bolted together, and divided
in a plane passing through the axis of the propeller blade. I form a bevel wheel
at the inner end of each propeller blade, cast solid on the blade and I turn a
recess above the bevel wheel, having collars in both directions. The feathering
blade is held by this recess. The bevel wheel within the hollow boss and attached
to the inner shaft is together with the shaft slipped into position before the
introduction of the blades with their bevel wheels, which latter retain same
in position. I provide a turned projection from the inner surface of each bevel
wheel and propeller blude and cause this projection to pass into a bored separating
piece which connects the inner ends of the two or more propeller blades. The
supporting piece reinforces the hold given by the recess adjacent to each bevel
wheel. The support may be made to carry the inner ends of 2, 3, or 4 propeller
blades. I bolt or screw the boss firmly on a hollow shaft, which hollow shaft I
pass into the vessel through any convenient packing device. I gear into the
propeller bevel wheels another bevel wheel mounted on a shaft, which passes
through the hollow shaft. By this construction it is evident that a relative rota-
tion of the inner to the outer shaft will rotate the propeller blades, and place them
in the position to go ahead, go astern, or to stop. I effect the relative motion by
providing upon the shaft a square or like section which I give a sufficient
twist to form a long spiral. I surround this twisted part with a sliding block,

page_text: sliding in slots placed in the rotating shaft. This block is preferably filled with
white metal and which forms a strong sliding nut controlling the twisted part
of the square shaft. I provide projecting pins from the outer part, which pins
carry blocks rotating within a turned sleeve. This sleeve carries projecting
pins which are operated by a fork on the end of a controlling lever. The motion
of this lever on a quadrant permits the feathering of the blades and sets them
in any desired position to go ahead, go astern or to stop. Instead of using a twisted
square with an enclosing nut, may also use inclined slots, but I prefer the nut
device. This method of carrying my invention into effect may be modified but
the construction given is very effective.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, and
25, Cross Street, Manchester,
Agents.
I, CHARLES ERNEST DAWSON, of Hogarth Works, Chiswick, in the County of
Middlesex, 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 :—
My invention relates to propellers having feathering blades, especially such
as are used in launches driven by explosion engines, where the propeller is required
to rotate in one direction only, and where reversing is accomplished by altering
the angle of the blades from within the launch.
The object of my invention is to produce a propeller with feathering blades,
which blades are operated from the interior of the vessel by durable and effective
mechanical devices capable of actuating two or more blades simultaneously.
My invention consists in feathering blades upon a ceutral hollow boss, each
blade carrying within the boss a bevel wheel, this bevel wheel gearing into
another bevel wheel, also within the boss, which latter wheel is mounted on an
internal shaft passing through a hollow or sleeved shaft. The hollow shaft
carries the boss and the propeller blades; the internal shaft carries the bevel
wheel which operates the level wheels attached to the inner ends of the blades,
and the internal shaft is given a relative motion to the external one, by means
of a lever operated sliding sleeve which sleeve actuates an inclined slot by a
twisted piece. By this device the blades are adjusted to any angle from within
the vessel.
In the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a central transverse section through a propeller boss constructed
and fitted according to one modification of my inention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the boss and part of the propeller shaft,
showing the actuating device for feathering the propeller blades.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of Figure 2 on the line 1, 1.
Figure 4 is a partial longitudinal section of a modified construction of pro-
peller boss.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of an alternative form of the actuating device
illustrated in Figure 2; and
Figure 6 is a section of Figure 5 on the line 2, 2.

page_text: Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a hollow propeller boss is provided which is divided
into two parts a and b in a plane at right angles to the axis of the propeller
shaft, the parts being secured together by screwing (as shown) or in any Buitable
manner. The propeller blades are mounted so as to be capable of rotation round
their axes on ledges e by means of which they are supported on the part 6 of the
boss. The inner ends of the blades are fitted with pinions & and e through which
the blades are rotated for feathering or reversing. The bevel pinion is held in
position on the lower blade between a shoulder on the rod f, the lower extremity
of which screws into the blade, and a key or feather is provided to prevent
rotation of the pinion relatively to the blade. The upper end of the rod f is
provided with a nut entering into a recess in the blade and forming an abutment
for a clamping nut or sleeve which screws into the recess and holds the
pinion d against the inner end of the propeller blade, a feather g' being fitted in
this case also to prevent relative movement between the pinion and blade.
b
Ball bearings are provided between the ledges of the blades and the part b
of the propeller to admit of easy rotation of the blades about their axes iu
feathering. The part 6 of the boss is secured to, or forms part of, the propeller
shaft which consists of a sleeve a driven by the motor and the part a forms a
cap or end cover which can be readily removed for examination of, or dismounting,
the feathering gear.
Meshing with the pinions and e is a bevel wheel which is secured to the
extremity of a short feathering shaft i passing through the hollow propeller
shaft g.
An inclined groove or flute is formed in the shaft within which groove
engages a pin projecting through an inclined slot in the propeller shaft,
from the interior of a collar which revolves with the propeller shaft within
a grooved ring 7. To this ring are connected drag links which are in turn
connected to suitable hand operating gear (not shown) by means of which the
collar is caused to slide along the shaft g. When longitudinal movement of the
collar takes place the pin engaging in the inclined slot and groove i
produces rotation of the shaft i relatively to the sleeve g: the pinions" and e
are thus caused to revolve and feathering of the propeller blades is effected.
Referring to Figure 4 which illustrates a simpler construction of feathering
propeller than that above described the boss is made in two parts m, n, which
are held together by means of screws m³ engaging with plates nª³ projecting
from the interior of the part n of the boss, or the parts may be held together in
any suitable manuer. The pinions d, e, are cast solid upon the inner extremities
of the blades and on these pinions, projections o, o, are provided which fit within
a sleeve p to form a rigid guide for the blades. A further support for the blades
is afforded by the grooves q in which the edges of the parts and n of the boss
engage.
It is obvious that, instead of two blades, three or more blades may be fitted
to the propeller boss each blade being provided with a bevel pinion meshing
with the bevel wheel h.
In place of employing a single propeller the sleeve p may be dispensed with
and the shaft i extended through the conical extremity of the boss and one or
more propellers arranged one behind another upon it, so as to increase the pro-
pelling power.
Referring to Figures 5 and 6 which represent an alternative device for pro-
ducing the relative rotation of the feathering shaft i aud sleeve g, which device
is in some cases preferable to that illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, as it admits
of easy disconnection from the line of shafting, a short detachable twisted or
spirally fluted shaft al one extremity is tapered into, or other-
wise suitably formed for engagement with the feathering shaft and
is surrounded by a nut composed preferably of a gun metal ring t
lined with white metal 1. The gun metal nut is secured by screws (2 to blocks (³
which pass through slots in the sleeve and are provided on their outer
surfaces with pins t engaging in holes formed in a split ring v which is separated

page_text: on the line 22 of the figure. A grooved external operating collar w embraces
the ring loosely so that the ring can revolve freely within it when driven by
the slotted sleeve u which is secured to the engine shaft . This sleeve is also
secured to the propeller shaft g by means of a screw or in any suitable manner
which admits of ready removal. The collar to is fitted with drag links z by
means of which the gun metal nut may be caused to travel along the shaft s
and thereby produce rotation of the feathering bevel gear by the engagement
of the internal surface of the ring with the fluted parts of the shafts. By
producing relative rotation of the shaft i and sleeve 9 by either of the devices
illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 or in Figures 4 and 5 it is obvious that the
feathering of the blades of the propeller may be effected so as to cause the vessel
to travel either ahead, astern, or to stop altogether.
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. A propeller in which the feathering of all the blades is simultaneously
accomplished by means of a bevel gear wheel fixed on a central shaft passing
through the main propeller shaft substantially as herein before described.
2. A feathering propeller having a hollow boss divided into two parts in a
plane perpendicular to the axis of the propeller shaft, one of the parts carrying
the blades fitted with the bevel pinion feathering gear, and the other part forming
a cap or end cover, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of
the accompanying drawings.
3. A. feathering propeller in which the boss is divided into two separate shells
in a plane passing through the axes of the blades substantially as described.
4. The improved feathering propeller herein before described with reference to
Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.
5. In feathering propellers a feathering shaft operating device consisting of a
detachable spirally fluted shaft embraced by a nut having projections passing
through slots in an enlarged portion of the propeller shaft and moved by an
external operating ring, substantially as described.
ד
00 1 1
1000

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 10th Aug., 1900-Accepted, 9th Feb., 1901
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Clutches for Operating Propeller Shafts.
I, CILARLES ERNEST DAWSON, of Hogarth Works, Chiswick, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to clutches connecting the explosion engine used for
driving a vessel with the propeller shaft.
The object of my invention is to provide a clutch of the friction type between
the explosion engine and the propeller shaft so that in the event of the propeller
being fouled from any cause, the clutch slips and break-down is avoided.
My invention consists in a clutch applied to an inner turned surface of the
engine fly wheel. This clutch consists of a stiff ring which is expanded to
grip the interior of the fly wheel by means of springs. The propeller shaft is
attached to a boss operated from the ring clutch and the springs produce the
pressure required to give the requisite driving force. The clutch is released by
means of a toggle joint which is operated to contract the interior ring and free
the fly wheel.
In carrying my invention into effect, I provide a turned internal surface
on the engine dy wheel. Within this turned surface I place a turned split ring
which can be expanded outwards from the split by means of a spiral spring or
springs placed within the ring between suitable legs on the ring. This spring,
when at liberty to act, forces out the split ring, and causes it to grip the internal
periphery of the fly wheel with a regulated pressure. At another part of the
internal periphery of the split ring I provide a recess with lugs, and into this
recess I fit a projecting driving piece projecting from a boss linked on or sleeved
to the propeller shaft. This boss also carries a spring which thrusts the split
ring in one direction and holds the ring clear of the fly wheel when the expanding
spring is compressed. To compress the expanding ring to release the clutch I
provide two toggles attached to suitable pins in the internal surface of the split
ring and I operate the toggle links by means of a sliding sleeve actuated by a
lever. The sliding sleove acts on a pin in a link connected to the toggle links.
When the clutch is in action, the toggle is inoperative and the spring or springs
thrust out the split ring and grip the engine fly wheel with a regulated pressure.
There is then no pressure upon the pin in contact with the rotating sliding pieco
so that no wear of this pin occurs when the propeller is operated. The rotating
sliding piece is attached to the propeller shaft boss, and, when the toggle links
are in action compress the springs, the propeller shaft at once stops and thus
there is no wear of the pin actuating the toggle links when the clutch is out
of action. This device has many advantages from a practical point of view
and the springs pressing out the split ring are aljusted to give only a moderate
excess hold on the fly wheel and they thus render the engine and its propeller free
from liability to breakage in the event of the sudden stoppage of the propeller.
. 017

page_text: The method of carrying out my invention may be modified as long as the leading
features are maintained.
To
1
+ "
1000
MARKS & CLERK,
18. Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street. Birmingham, and
25, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents.
Improvements in Clutches for Operating Propeller Shafts.
I, CHARLES ERNEST DAWSON, of Hogarth Works, Chiswick, in the County of
Middlesex, 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; --
My invention relates to improvements in connection with the driving gear of
propeller shafts, and has for its object to provide means whereby breakage or
excessive straining of the driving motor or engine or of the propeller or its
shaft is avoided in the event of fouling of the propeller, or from any other cause
tending to produce a sudden abnormal loading of the motor.
My invention consists in interposing between the driving engine and the
propeller shaft, a friction clutch, the pressure of the engaging parts of which
in regulated, so that the clutch automatically operates to disconnect or partially
disconnect the driving motor and propelling shaft when the resistance to the
rotation of the propeller exceeds a predetermined maximum.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the method of carrying my
invention into effect.
Figure 1 is an end elevation of the clutch device applied to the fly-wheel of an
explosion engine.
Figure 2 is a section of Figure 1 on the line,
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the clutch device.
and
The rim of the fly-wheel a fixed to the driving motor shaft b is formed with
an internal groove within which is placed a turned split ring c which can be
expanded outwardly from the split by means of a spring d fitted between abut-
ments e, e, formed upon the internal surface of the ring. Upon the inner ex-
tremity of the propeller shaft frigidly secured, a sleeve or boss g which carries
a projecting spider arm engaging between cheeks el formed upon the split
ring. This arm serves to transmit the driving effort of the motor to the propeller
shaft when the clutch ring is in engagement with the fly-wheel a. When the
spring is at liberty to act, it forces out the split ring causing it to grip the
internal periphery of the fly-wheel with a regulated pressure dependent upon the
maximum power required to be transmitted.
To maintain the clutch ring concentric with the axis of the propeller shaft and
out of contact with the rim of the fly-wheel when the clutch is inoperative and
also to relieve the side strain upon the propeller shaft on actuating the toggle
links hereinafter mentioned the extremity of the boss g is hollowed out and fits
on to a projecting head i formed upon the central boss of the fly-wheel of the
engine.
In order to release the clutch from, or to bring it into operative engagement
with, the fly-wheel in starting or stopping the motion of the propeller manually,
two toggle links jj are jointed to the inner surface of the ring and these links

page_text: aro connected at their inner ends to an operating link which is formed with a
slot engaging with a pin m projecting from a collar sleeved upon the boss
This collar is formed with an external groove in which a loose ring o is fitted so
that the collar can revolve within the ring. Upon the interior of the collar n
is provided a longitudinal groove in which engages a guide feather > attached to
the boss g, and thus the collar is revolved by the propeller shaft but at the same
time it is free to slide longitudinally upon the boss g. Longitudinal movement
is imparted to the sleeve by means of a forked band lever (not shown), of any
ordinary construction, which engages the pins upon the ring o.
When the clutch is in action the toggle is inoperative and the spring & thrusts
out the split ring which grips the fly wheel with a regulated pressure. There is
then no pressure upon the pin m so that no wear of this pin occurs when the pro-
peller is operated. When the collar is moved so as to bring the toggle links
into action compressing the spring d, the propeller shaft at once stops and thus
also there is no wear of the pin m when the clutch is out of gear. A stop g
projecting from the boss g is provided to limit the travel of the toggle links j, j,
in releasing the clutch.
When the propeller encounters an obstacle the clutch operates automatically
to disconnect the propeller shaft from the motor as slipping takes place between
the clutch ring and the fly wheel owing to the pressure being insufficient to main-
tain them in engagement, working against the increased load. The pressure of
the spring d is adjusted to give only a moderate excess hold on the fly-wheel.
The device thus renders the engine and propeller free from liability to breakage
in the evont of sudden stoppage of the propeller or increased load upon the driving
motor.
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. In combination with the driving gear of a propeller shaft, a clutch devico
interposed between the driving motor and the propeller shaft, and automatically
operating to disconnect partially or wholly the motor when the resistance to the
motion of the propeller exceeds a predetermined maximum, substantially as
ereinbefore described.
2. A friction clutch for transmitting the motion of an engine to a propeller
shaft consisting of a split ring the extremities of which are forced apart by
neans of a spring or its equivalent when the clutch is in operation, substantially
s and for the purpose hereinbofore described.
3. The combination of a friction clutch (as claimed in Claim 2) with a toggle or
imilar releasing device, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this 10th day of August 1900
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, &
25, Cross Street, Manchester, Agents.