IMPROVED MEANS FOR PROPELLing and STEERING VESSELS SUCH MEANS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE REMOVAL OF BANKS AND BARS IN SHALLOW WATERS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, ARTHUR WILLIAM LOVELL REDDIE, of the Office for Patents 6, Bream's
Buildings Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVED MEANS FOR PROPELLing and
STEERING VESSELS SUCH MEANS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE REMOVAL OF
BANKS AND BARS IN SHALLOW WATERS, to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to the propulsion and steering of vessels and
consists in the application to this purpose of a turbine propeller or series of
revolving nozzles from which water is expelled by centrifugal action below the
water line, and the invention also relates to the partial removal by the action of
the turbines of the resistance offered by the water in front of the vessel whereby
the progress of the vessel is facilitated, and to the use of the centrifugal propellers
for deepening the beds of rivers and removing sand banks and bars.
According to this system the water centrifugally ejected from the revolving
nozzles or apertures of the turbine propeller, is brought by the regular and
continued movement of the outlet orifices, in contact with a fresh portion of the
liquid mass, and a constantly renewed fulcrum or bearing of uniform resistance is
thereby obtained.
Several sets of turbines coupled or not may be used and the water chamber
which encloses or surrounds them may be divided in two. The driving shaft may
be divided into two sections which may be connected or disconnected by means of
a clutch in order to steer or turn the vessel, by driving one set of turbines in one
direction or the other on one side of the keel, while the set of turbines on the other
side of the keel are stationary or are driven in a contrary direction.
Each turbine propeller may be made in two halves fitting together around the
shaft and secured by bolts an arrangement. which facilitates their being mounted or
dismounted. Moreover when required the turbines can be removed or replaced by
raising or lowering them through a well communicating with the water chamber
and this operation can be safely undertaken in mid ocean.

page_text: The turbines and their respective cylindrical casings are enclosed in a single
water chamber rivetted or secured in any suitable manner to the bottom of the
vessel, so as to cover the openings therein through which the turbines protrude, or
eject the water, and keep the interior of the vessel watertight.
This water chamber may be open at top, but its top must in this case be above
the level of the water line.
The water chamber in connection with a well or shaft extending above the
water line may be hermetically closed in above, and then by closing the water inlet
channels and forcing air under pressure into the well, or the water chamber
connected therewith, the water therein may be expelled through the discharge
orifices in the bottom of the vessel and the water chamber be converted into a
diving bell allowing of the inspection and repair of the turbines. The water
chamber draws its water through two channels situate below the water line and
leading obliquely from the bows where they take the water from the sides of the
vessel, thereby slightly decreasing the pressure thereon. These water channels are
fitted with sluices for closing them when it is desired to eject the water below the
vessel from the water chamber.
The turbine propellers eject the water obliquely with such force in a downward
direction that in shallow waters they violently agitate the mud, sand, gravel and
shingle which are there accumulated. They scatter these deposits and facilitate
their removal by the scour of the stream or the ebb and flow of the tide.
Thus the deepening of channels and the removal of banks or bars from the
mouths of rivers of small depth and from the entrances to ports and canals may be
effected by vessels or barges fitted with centrifugal propellers.
To ensure the removal or displacement of the water I mount one or two sets of
turbines towards the front of the vessel on vertical hollow axes open at both ends
to the water which is ejected by centrifugal force in a slightly oblique direction
rearwards.
These turbines draw in water on their upper and lower sides, their small height
permitting the said water to find easy access through the spaces which separate the
several turbines in a set.
Each of these turbines is surrounded by a cylinder rivetted to the inner wall of
the vessel towards the bows so as to enclose the water passage formed in the hull.
These turbines have no external projection so that nothing can damage them.
They are enclosed in a water chambe formed in or by the extreme prow of the
vessel which is left sufficiently open at its lower part beneath the water line to
permit of the free entrance of the necessary supply of water.

page_text: I ARTHUR WILLIAM LOVELL REDDIE of the Office for Patents, 6 Breams
Buildings Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for IMPROVED MEANS FOR PROPELLING
AND STEERING VESSELS SUCH MEANS BEING ALSO APPLICABLE TO THE REMOVAL
OF BANKS AND BARS IN SHALLOW WATERS, & communication to me from abroad by
Aristide Paul Blanchet of Monterioux, (Loir et Cher) in the Republic of France,
Civil Engineer, and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:―
The present invention relates to the propulsion and steering of vessels and
consists in the application to this purpose of a turbine propeller or series of
revolving nozzles, from which water is expelled by centrifugal action below the
water line and the invention also relates to the partial removal, by the action
of the turbines of the resistance offered by the water in front of the vessel
whereby the progress of the vessel is facilitated, and to the use of the centrifugal
propellers for deepening the beds of rivers and removing sand banks and bars.
According to this system, the water centrifugally ejected from the revolving
nozzles or apertures of the turbine propellers is brought, by the regular and
continued movement of the outlet orifices in contact with a fresh portion of the
liquid mass, and a constantly renewed fulcrum or bearing of uniform resistance is
thereby obtained.
Several sets of turbines coupled or not may be used, and the water chamber
which encloses or surrounds them may be divided into two.
The driving shaft may be divided into two sections, which may be connected or
disconnected by means of a clutch in order to steer or turn the vessel by driving
one set of turbines in one direction or the other on one side of the keel, while the
set of turbines on the other side of the keel are stationary, or are driven in a
contrary direction.
-
Each turbine propeller may be made in two halves, fitting together around the
shaft, and secured by bolts an arrangement which facilitates their being mounted
or dismounted.
Moreover, when required, the turbines can be removed or replaced by raising or
lowering them through a well communicating with the water chamber, and this
operation can be safely undertaken in mid ocean.
The turbines and their respective cylindrical casings are enclosed in a single
water chamber rivetted or secured in any suitable manner to the bottom of the
vessel, so as to cover the openings therein through which the turbines protrude or
eject the water, and keep the interior of the vessel water tight.
This water chamber may be open at top, but its top must, in this case, be above
the level of the water line.
The water chamber in connection with a well or shaft extending above the
water line may be hermetically closed in above, and then, by closing the water

page_text: inlet channels and forcing air under pressure into the well or the water chamber
connected therewith, the water therein may be expelled through the discharge
orifices in the bottom of the vessel, and the water chamber be converted into a
diving bell or air vessel allowing of the inspection and repair of the turbines.
The water chamber draws its water through two channels situate below the
water line and leading obliquely from the bows, where they take the water from
the sides of the vessel, thereby slightly decreasing the pressure thereon.
These water channels are fitted with sluices for closing them when it is desired
to eject the water below the vessel from the water chamber.
The turbine propellers eject the water obliquely with such force in a downward
direction, that in shallow waters they violently agitate the mud, sand, gravel, and
shingle, which are there accumulated.. They scatter these deposits and facilitate
their removal by the scour of the stream or the ebb and flow of the tide.
Thus the deepening of channels and the removal of banks or bars from the
mouths of rivers of small depth, and from the entrances to ports and canals, may
be effected by vessels or barges fitted with centrifugal propellers.
To ensure the removal or displacement of the water, I mount one or two sets of
turbines, towards the front of the vessel on vertical hollow axes, open at both ends
to the water, which is ejected by centrifugal force in a slightly oblique direction
rearwards.
These turbines draw in water on their upper and lower sides, their small height
permitting the said water to find easy access through the spaces which separate the
several turbines in a set.
Each of these turbines is surrounded by a cylinder rivetted to the inner wall
of the vessel towards the bows so as to enclose the water passage formed in the
hull.
These turbines have no external projection, so that nothing is likely to damage
them.
They are enclosed in a water chamber formed in or by the extreme prow of the
vessel, which is left sufficiently open at its lower part, beneath the water line, to
permit of the free entrance of the necessary supply of water.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood and
readily carried into effect I will proceed aided by the accompanying drawings more
fully to describe the same, as communicated from abroad.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
In the accompanying drawings are represented by way of example methods in
which the invention may be carried into effect.
In all the figures like parts are marked with similar letters of reference.
Figure 1 is a transverse section of a vessel to which is applied the improved
turbine and centrifugal paddle propeller enclosed in a water chamber in the centre
of the vessel.
Figure 2 is a transverse section of this turbine drawn on the line 1, 2, of
Figure 1.
The turbine projects slightly beyond the bottom but nevertheless does not pass
beyond the keel This projection is not absolutely necessary. Figure 3 represents
a cross section of a turbine enclosed completely within the ship, without any pro-
jection below the bottom. Figures 4 and 5 represent in plan and in section the
turbines for the removal of the resistance of the water to the bows of the vessel.
Figure 6 shows a transverse section of a vessel to the sides of which turbines are
adapted. Figures 7 and 8 represent cross sections of turbines in the sides of the
ship.
It should be observed however that Figure 7 shows a turbine with full or solid
parta forming wings describing exteriorly a centripetal curve starting from the
top of one of the openings and finishing at the bottom of the next opening whilst
the wings of the turbine represented by Figure 8 leave a full or solid part on the

page_text: circumference so as to render the projection of the water intermittent and to
ensure a more vigorous effect.
The turbines T are mounted in any convenient number on a driving shaft A,
which can be driven directly by steam engines, or by the intervention of toothed
gearing or of pulleys. This shaft can be constructed in two parts capable of being
connected or disconnected to retard or stop one set of turbines, or even to enable
them to be driven in a direction opposite to that of the other set or sets. Each
turbine turns in a case or drum B made in two parts, and these cases are enclosed
in a common water chamber C, communicating at the upper part with a well P
extending above the water line and which can be hermetically closed in such
manner that by getting into it beforehand and by forcing in compressed air, the
passages D which conduct the water to the chamber being of course closed, the
water can be forced out through the openings in the bottom of the vessel and
the chamber can be converted into a diving bell permitting the inspection, the
repair and even change of the turbines.
The chamber C receives its supply of water by two passages D, D, placed below
the water line and coming obliquely from the bows or from the sides of the boat
where they take the water from the sides, these channels are provided with sluices
or doors whereby they may be hermetically closed at will, when it is desired to force
out the water from the chamber below the boat.
The engines which drive the centrifugal turbines should be provided with
reversing gear to enable them to be instantaneously driven ahead or astern, for the
experiments which have been made warrant the assertion that the turbines, what-
ever may be their form, give an equal speed in either direction.
The boat can therefore consequently have its two ends alike.
In Figures 1 and 2 the turbines project below the bottom, but do not extend
beyond the keel, but it should be again observed that these turbines may be so
arranged as to form no projection as indicated by the transverse section Figure 3.
The wings of the turbines forming paddles or not, can be straight, concave or
convex inclined forwards or backwards according to the degree of inclination it is
desired to give to the stream or jet of water projected into the mass.
They can be more or less numerous according to the diameter of the turbine and
the greater or less distance between them.
The openings of the turbines for the projection of the water into the mass should
only comprise a part of the space between two wings in order the better to obtain
the desired speed and pressure into the mass of water. For this purpose the
surplus is closed by full or solid parts in front or in rear of the projections forming
paddles, or to the middle between two wings.
These full or solid parts in the form of an arc of a circle can be parallel with
the circumference of the turbine or describe a tangent starting from one of the
openings and ending at the extremity of the next opening as shown in Figures 2
and 3.
To diminish resistance of the water against the bows of the ship, when going
ahead, I arrange at its bows one or two sets of turbines on vertical axes receiving
interiorly the water from above and below and projecting it by centrifugal force at
the sides, a little obliquely towards the stern. These turbines are represented at.
Figures 4 and 5; they are fed on their upper and lower sides, their small height
readily permitting the water to be drawn in through the spaces which separate the
turbines in each set.
Each of them is enclosed in its drum or case, rivetted on the inner side of the
bows of the ship, in manner to enclose the discharge opening formed in the hull.
These turbines do not in any way project on the exterior, so that nothing can
touch them. They are enclosed in a water chamber formed by the extreme bows
of the vessel, which chamber is left sufficiently open at its lower part below the
water line to permit of the entry of the necessary supply of water.
In order that the water may be discharged in abundance, and at the same time
at a slower speed than in the first conditions necessary to the removal of the water

page_text: from the bows, these latter turbines, contrary to the former have almost no filling
pieces to contract the spaces between their wings, so that they are enabled to
project the water at any part almost of their circumference as it passes in front of
the openings in the hull.
The principal advantages of the turbine propeller and centrifugal paddles are the 5
•
from the bows, these latter turbines, contrary to the former have almost no filling
pieces to contract the spaces between their wings, so that they are enabled to
project the water at any part almost of their circumference as it passes in front of
the openings in the hull.
The principal advantages of the turbine propeller and centrifugal paddles are the
following:
1. Absolute invulnerability to wind and wave, shot and ram.
2. Uniform action in all weathers.
3. Equal efficiency astern and ahead.
4. Extreme facility of evolution.
5. Satisfactorily standing every test.
6. Deepening of shallow channels and passages by the passing of the propeller
over the same.
7. Total absence of waves and eddies.
8. No vibration.
9. Invulnerability to floating ice.
10. Superiority in power and speed.
11. Easy adaptation to all existing ships.
12. Easy increase in number of the propelling turbines.
13. Economy of space in the ship.
14. Facility of change and repairs.
15. Facility of co-operation with the rudder in manoeuvring and steering the
ship.
16. Facility of utilizing the inlet passages of the water chambers, for feeding the
surface condenser and of making them thus assist the feed pumps of the latter.
17. No obstacles to the progress of the ship when only under sail, as with paddle
wheels and screws.
18. Facility of application to boats of small draft, flat bottomed or other forms.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated by
the foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is
1. The centrifugal turbine propeller with fluid paddles, for applying pressure and
centrifugal force, by the circular projection of water into the liquid mass under, or
at the side of a ship, to the propulsion of vessels of all dimensions, either in fresh or
salt water, and to the partial removal of the resistance of the water in front of the
vessel, in order to facilitate its passage through the said liquid mass.
2. The arrangement of the turbines in a common water chamber capable of
being put in communication with a well or shaft extending above the water line.
Dated this 17th day of June 1885.