GB120777A - Improvements in or relating to Aeroplanes. - Google Patents

Abstract

120,777. Cragg, E. Nov. 22, 1917. Planes, construction of; propelling; steering and balancing.-An aeroplane has the centre portions of its planes adjustable in incidence and its tips variable in area, and has two propellers adapted to be coupled in various ways to either or both of two engines. Fig. 4 shows a cross section of a triplane wing in which main spars a, b of tubular metal extend the whole length of the planes and are horizontal for one-third their length in the centre. The central sections k of the planes are pivoted about the front spar a and are linked together by struts l which are connected to arms j on a shaft f pivoted in bearings on the rear inter-plane struts of the fixed portions of the plane. The shaft f has an arm g connected to a screwed spindle h adapted to be moved by turning a hand-wheel i provided with a nut. The spars b act as stops for the centre sections k. Mounted at the ends of each plane are curved rails m, Fig. 6, engaged by eye pieces o on plane sectors n adapted to slide into the sections adjacent to the main planes. Cords q passed over guidepulleys and over a drum r, Fig. 4, enable the seetors n to be expanded and collapsed simultaneously by turning a hand-wheel s. Spring tongues t on the outer edges of the sectors engage holes in the adjacent sectors as they are successively drawn out. The movable plane ends may each be formed in one piece instead of in sectors. Propellers mounted on the planes are driven by gearing from two engines in the fuselage, clutches being arranged between the two engines and adjacent gearing and a clutch being placed between the driving shafts on the two sides of the machine.