Improvements in Propelling Apparatus for Vessels.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Apr., 1391-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Propelling Apparatus for Vessels.
I, JOSEPH WIRTH, of 1341 V Street North West, Washington, in the District
of Columbia, United States of America, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN PROPELLING APPARATUS FOR
VESSELS, 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 propelling apparatus for vessels and
the object of the invention is to produce a propelling apparatus by which vessels,
especially steamers of any kind, can be propelled through the water at a greater
speed than can be obtained with the devices now employed; also, to facilitate the
steering and turning of said vessels, allowing them to be revolved on their centre ;
also, to prevent accidents to the propelling apparatus, as often occurs now with the
paddle-wheels, propellers, &c., furthermore, to increase the buoyancy and stability
of the vessels, as well as to diminish the rolling or vibrating of the vessel, and,
finally, to provide means for repairing or examining the propelling machinery
without docking the vessel, or, if necessary, when at sea.
The invention consists in the construction of certain detail, and arrangement of
parts, as will be more fully described hereinafter, and specifically pointed out in the
claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of
reference marked thereon.
Like letters of reference indicate similar parts in the different figures of the
drawings, in which—
Figure 1 represents a plan view of a vessel containing my invention.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of part of the propelling apparatus.
Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the same.
Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the operating-piston on an enlarged scale.
Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views of the gate-valve for closing the ends of the water-
cylinders.
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section of part of the cylinder and of the piston.
In the drawings, A represents a vessel of any suitable size and construction, in
the lower part of which two strong metallic cylinders B, extending from bow to
stern, are arranged longitudinally. The ends of these cylinders a a are preferably
made of one piece but the intermediate lengths are made in halves or sections,
provided with flanges and bolted together, as best seen in Fig. 4. so as to gain access
to the pistons or the lazy-tongs connecting-rods. One or more of the lengths bare
provided with man-holes to permit workmen entering into said cylinders B when
the water is pumped out.
At the extreme ends of the cylinders B are placed the gate-valves C for closing
said cylinders when repairs, &c., are required. These valves C are operated by a
crank c and wire rope passing over suitable pulleys, as seen best in Figs. 7 and 8.
A ratchet c and pawl holds the valves in elevated position until released, when
they will drop or descend by their own weight. A rectangular casing D is either
cast or bolted to the cylinders B and contains the lazy-tongs connecting-rod d,
attached at one end to a piston E and at the other end passing through a stuffing-
box and connected to a cross-head d, operated by any suitable engine or motive
power. The pin or bolt connecting the piston and lazy-tongs connecting-rod d
passes through a slot e in the side of the cylinders and casing, and may be provided
with a friction-roller, if desired.
It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that a very short-stroke engine can
in this manner produce a very long stroke of the piston. The piston E consists of

page_text: a cylinder made in halves and bolted together, and a lining e', provided at one side
with a cavity and at each side with the lugs or stops, while its lower side is
provided with a groove to fit on the rail in the cylinder. The piston is
provided with the sheaves s or their equivalent to prevent friction on the rail and
facilitate its movements. About midway of the piston is placed a frame F, which
has semi-circular valves connected with it for reversing the stroke of the piston.
Said valves are hinged at their centre, so that, by reversing the frame F by means
of the crank, the vessel can be forced backward or forward, as desired.
Said
crankshaft passes through a stuffing-box at one side, and it may be provided with
means to operate it from the engine-room by the engineer. The opposite end has a
T-head, which fits into the cavity, and it is placed in it and secured in place, so
that the frame F can be revolved when desired, being held by the T-head at that
end. Suitable springs are arranged to assist the valves in closing against the
action of the water when running. If it is desired to revolve or turn the vessel on
its centre, one piston with its lazy-tongs and engine is run in one direction and the
other one in the opposite direction.
It will be readily perceived that this propelling apparatus is especially adapted
for war-vessels, as there is no possibility of injuring or fouling the propelling-
pistons. In case of needed repairs or a breakdown at sea the engine is first stopped,
the valves are then closed down, and the water can be soon pumped out of the
cylinders, and the workmen can then enter through the man-holes, or the side of the
casing can be removed to get at the lazy-tongs or pistons, &c., by merely removing
the bolts that secure said casing to the cylinder.
If desired, one or more tubes, lazy-tongs connecting-rods, and accessories may be
employed, according to the size of the vessel, although I prefer two. In the largest
vessels-men-of-war, &c.-four tubes may be employed, so that two of them work
in unison with each other, one on each side, thus augmenting the speed of the vessel.
In canal boats only one cylinder is required, resting just above the keel, and as
their speed is limited the motion of the piston will produce no waves on the surface,
thus preventing washing of the banks.
It will be readily understood that the first bolt must be firmly secured to two
strong plates attached to the casing and cylinder, as it has to resist the whole force
of the lazy-tongs connecting-rod and piston.
A stiff spring is arranged at the upper side of the piston E, and serves to hold
the frame, with its valves, from one side to the other until again operated by the
crank, and also serves to close the opening ef for the rail-space.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In propelling apparatus for vessels, the combination of cylinders containing
pistons provided with revoluble frames having hinged valves, and said pistons
operated by lazy-tongs connecting-rods arranged in casings secured to said cylinders,
as shown.
2. The combination of one or more cylinders and the pistons provided with
revoluble frames having hinged valves operated as described, with the lazy-tongs
connecting-rods placed in casings having removable covers and attached to the sides
of the cylinders, all constructed as shown and specified.
3. The combination of the cylinders made in sections with flanges, and the casings
containing lazy-tongs connecting-rods and provided with removable covers to gain
access thereto, and the hollow elongated pistons made in halves, bolted together,
and provided with revoluble frames carrying hinged valves, all as and for the
purpose specified.
4. The combination of cylinders extending from bow to stern of a vessel, the
revoluble frames arranged in hollow elongated pistons and provided with semi-
circular hinged valves having their shafts extending through stuffing-boxes, and the
springs to assist in opening said valves, all arranged as shown and set forth.

page_text: 5. The combination of lazy-tongs connecting-rods placed in casings having
removable covers, and said rods connected to the side of the hollow pistons provided
with revoluble frames having hinged valves and arranged to facilitate the vessel to
go in either direction.
6. The lazy-tongs connecting-rods arranged in a rectangular casing and connected
to hollow elongated pistons provided with revoluble frames having pivoted valves,
in combination with cylinders extending from bow to stern and provided with drop-
valves at each end, all arranged as and for the purpose set forth.
7. The combination of one or more cylinders extending from bow to stern and
provided with drop-valves at each end with hollow elongated pistons provided with
friction-rollers, and revoluble frames having hinged valves and operated by lazy-
tongs connecting-rods placed in a casing having a longitudinal slot in its side for the
pin of the piston, as shown and specified.
8. The combination of coupled cylinders having rails at their base for the rollers
of the pistons and the casings in which the lazy-tongs operate and by their end
links connected to said pistons, and said cylinders provided with openings for
pumping out the water when the drop-valves are closed, as set forth.
9. The propelling apparatus herein described as an entirety, consisting of one or
more cylinders extending from bow to stern, having hollow pistons with revoluble
frames to which the valves are hinged and said pistons operated by lazy-tongs
placed in casings, and the cylinders provided with drop-valves at each end, all
constructed and operating as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 13th day of April 1891
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.