A New or Improved Method of or Means for Propelling Vessels.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 1st May, 1891-Accepted, 6th June. 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method of or Means for Propelling Vessels.
I, GEORGE PIRNIE, of Messrs. Pirnie and Son, Dundee Rivet Works, East
Camperdown Street, Dundee, in the County of Forfar, N.B. Rivet Manufacturer,
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 :-
The object of my invention is to propel vessels in a new and improved manner,
and by means of improved apparatus.
In carrying out my invention, I employ one or more sets of fins or paddles, and
place them either at each side, or at the stern of the vessel, keeping them as far as
is possible below the water line, and actuating them by means of suitable apparatus,
in a manner somewhat similar to the movements of the fins or flappers of some
kinds of amphibious animals; or in a way which will obtain like results.
The accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings illustrate the method of
carrying out my invention according to one modification, in which the paddles are
at each side of the vessel.
Figures 1. 2. and 3. (Sheet No. 1.) represent respectively an elevation of a
paddle looking towards the side of the vessel; a plan; and a section at A. A., and
Figures 4. and 5. (Sheet No. 2.) an elevation of a paddle looking from the bow of
the vessel, and a section at B. B.
In these drawings the same reference numerals are used to mark the same or like
parts wherever they are repeated.
In this modification, I employ a hollow shaft 6. which partially rotates in either
direction and which is supported at the journals 7. and 8. by suitable pillow blocks,
not shown in the drawings. The end of the shaft projects through the side of the
vessel at 9. and has firmly fixed to it a strong arm or bracket 10. for carrying or
supporting the shaft 11. The collar 12. of said shaft is supported by a number of
balls, the combination forming a so called "ball bearing." 13. is a brass bush and
14. a loose collar fixed in the position shown and used to keep the collar 12. from
rising off its seat. 15. is the support for the paddles 16. which are hinged at 17.
18. are stoppers for keeping the paddles at right angles to the support 15. when the
vessel is being propelled. The saddles 16. may have flattened springs 19. fixed to
them, so as to lessen the shock with which the said paddles come against the
stoppers. 20. are springs which are intended to keep the paddles 16. from coming
too close together when the support 15. for the paddles is moving forwards and thus
allow of the resistance of the water thrusting them against the stoppers 18. when
its motion is reversed. 21. are stays for binding or stiffening the stoppers 18. and
22. are for a similar purpose, serving together with the other stays 32. to stiffen the
support 15. 23. is a lever which firmly keyed to the shaft 6. and to which may
be coupled the connecting rod of the driving motor. 24. is a worm keyed to the
shaft 25. which passes through the shaft 6. and which is supported by the journals
26. and 27. 28. is a worm wheel keyed on the extremity of the shaft 11. and 29. is
spur wheel upon the shaft 25. Said spur wheel is free to partially rotate in either
direction upon the shaft 25. but its movement is restricted by means of the key 30.
and the recess 31., although the spur wheel together with its shaft may be made to
wholly rotate in either direction by means of another wheel gearing into it-not
hown in the drawing-and actuated in any convenient manner.
The apparatus works in the following manner :-
The motor moves the lever 23. backwards and forwards from C to C; in this manner
ctuating the support 15. and the paddles; their movements being from D. D. to E. E.
lternately. When the paddles 16. are being thrust
against

page_text: in the position shown in Figure 3.; that is to say at right angles to the support 15.,
and against the stoppers 18., but when moving in the opposite direction are almost
parallel to one another and to their support. In this manner the paddles are
alternately thrust against the water, and on the return stroke pass easily through
it, thus propelling the vessel.
If it be desired to propel the vessel in the opposite direction, the spur wheel 29.
is made to rotate the shaft 25. and the worm 24., and to partially rotate the
worm wheel 28., the shaft 11., and support 15., said support moving through 180°.
The shaft 25. is free to partially rotate within the spur wheel 29. in order that no
rotary motion may be communicated to the worm wheel 28. and shaft 11. when the
shaft 6. is in motion.
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) The improved combination of parts hereinbefore described and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
(2) In propellors of the kinds hereinbefore indicated the mode of reversing the
paddles by means of a worm wheel, worm, and shaft passing through the main
shaft, substantially as herein before described.
(3) In propellors of the kinds hereinbefore indicated, the combination of parts
forming the hinged paddles 16. stoppers 18. springs 20. supports 15. and stays 21.,
22. and 32. substantially as hereinbefore described.
11001
GEO. C. DOUGLAS & Co.,
Applicant's Agents.