GB142500A - Improvements in the propulsion of vessels - Google Patents

Abstract

142,500. Motte, C. MC. April 24, 1919, [Convention date]. Propelling, steering, and manoeuvring by water jets.-One or more turbines are mounted in a vessel with their axes vertical and the casings are rotatable in a horizontal plane to vary the angle at which the jet is discharged so as to steer, stop, or reverse the vessel. A turbine element comprises a casing b containing radial rotating blades a mounted on a vertical shaft c. Suction openings b<1> are provided in the upper part of the casing, a central aperture b<2> in the lower part, and an outlet aperture d. The casing b is made integral with a sleeve e by means of which it may be turned to vary the position of the opening d. A single turbine may be used for propelling a vessel, or two turbines may be arranged as shown in Fig. 3, with their discharge openings d arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The turbines may be turned by means of chains g, g<1> engaging with the pinions h, h<1> integral with the sleeves e, e'. The chains are operated by intermediate pinions h<2> operated by toothed wheels h<3>, h<4> controlled by a handle i. In another form, Fig. 4, the two turbines may be superposed, and the two sets of blades may be carried by concentric shafts c, c'. The casings b, b<4> are adapted to be turned so that their outlets d, d<1> remain symmetrical. When the two outlets are 180 degrees apart, the propelling effect ceases, and when they are again parallel after a half turn, the vessel is reversed. In another form, a combination such as that shown in Fig. 4 is arranged on each side of the vessel. A rudder may be attached to each turbine casing parallel to the discharged water. In another form, Fig. 11, the turbine may be arranged in a well j within the vessel, which is provided with a water conduit m. The casing k carries a grid l to prevent the ingress of solid matter, and is displaceable vertically to compensate for variations in the draught of the vessel. Water is drawn in through the conduit j', n and discharged through outlet orifices on the opposite side. In another form, Fig. 15, the turbine may be arranged within a recess o<1> in the rudder o. In all cases, the turbines may be placed at either end of the vessel, and may be mounted on horizontal shafts so that their outlets are always in a horizontal plane.