GB140087A - Improvements in and relating to wing pontoons for aircraft - Google Patents

Abstract

140,087. Curtiss Aeroplane & Motor Corporation, (Assignees of Curtiss, G. H.). Aug. 12, 1916, [Convention date]. Floats for aerial machines. -In an hydroaeroplane having wings 17, Fig. 7, and side pontoons 16, with or without a boat-like main body 15, each pontoon 16 is m a d e of stream-line form with an hydroplane bottom whose resultant centre of lift lies substantially below the centre of lift of the wings. The hydroplane bottom is convex longitudinally, as shown in Fig. 1, and is transversely V-shaped and terminates in a cut-water bow 20 approximately under the leading edge of the wings. The transverse V-shape decreases gradually to flatness at the stern. The framing comprises deck stringers 24, chine stringers 23, side stringers 25, all of which converge on a vertical stem post 22 and a vertical stem 19 which is bent upwards from a curved keel 18; there is a false keel 26 and upper and lower breast hooks 27, 28 and tail-pieces 29, 30 are fitted. Deck beams 31 and side frames 33 support the deck and side planking; the bottom planking is fastened to in-bent floor beams 36. The interior space is subdivided by bulkheads 37, 38. The hull is stiffenect by cross-braces 39, crossed diagonals 40, battens 41 and V-braces 42. The pontoons are secured to the wings by bolts 44 and plates 45. In a modification, shown in Fig. 8, the stem 19' is horizontal, and the sides are vertical and parallel until near the stern, where they converge on a vertical sternpost 22<1>. The bottom is slightly V-shaped, but merges gradually into flatness both at the stem and the stern.