GB191011467A - Improvements in Flying Machines. - Google Patents

Abstract

11,467. Gebauer, J. H. C., and Lange, G. E. O. May 9. Aerial machines without aerostats; propelling. -In flying-machines provided with series of wings or planes which are given a continuous travel in a closed path and are arranged at an inclination to their line of travel so as to produce a lifting effect upon the machine, the closed path is arranged transversely to the direction of flight, forward propulsion being obtained by ordinary screw propellers. Figs. 1 and 2 show a machine with two superposed sets of propellers comprising respectively wings 30, 31 which are reciprocated by endless bands or chains 35 passing over pulleys 33, 34. The axes 32 of the wings are secured to the bands 35 and have their ends mounted in guideways 38, 39 of the form shown. The upper set of wings 30 is preferably driven in the opposite direction to the lower set 31. The inclination of the wings is reversed as they pass round the pulleys 33, 34 so that the air always exerts an upward pressure thereon. This reversal of inclination may, for example, be obtained by forming the wings at their lower ends with stops 60, Fig. 8, adapted to engage guides 61 of the form shown. In a modified form, the stops are mounted on the axis of the wings. In another form, Figs. 10 and 12, a shaft 6, supported by a bracket 11 connected by pins 13, 14 to the driving-chain 15, is provided with an arm formed with a toothed segment 5, which engages a pinion 4 mounted on the axis of the wing. The shaft 6 is further provided with arms 7, 8 which are arranged to engage cams 9, 10 respectively, at the ends of the stroke, so as to rotate the segment 5 and reverse the wings. The wings are locked in position during the stroke by pawls 16, 18 which are normally pressed into engagement with the toothed gearing 4, 5 by springs 19, as shown. One or other of these pawls is released during the first part of the movement of the corresponding arm 7 or 8, by providing these arms with a certain amount of lost motion on the shaft 6, the pawls being thus actuated before the shaft 6 is turned, by means of a cord 24 passing over pulleys 22, 23. The angle of incidence of the wings may be adjusted from the aviator's seat by raising or lowering the cams 9, 10, or the guides 61, Fig. 8. Horizontal propulsion is effected by propellers 46, 47, Figs. 1 and 2, which may be driven through a clutch from the motor which actuates the wings 30, 31, or preferably from a separate motor, and are arranged so as to propel the machine in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the wings 30, 31. In a modification of the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, three sets of wings are arranged side by side, the two outer sets being half the size of, and driven in the opposite direction to, the central set. Planes, arrangement of; steering and balancing.-The wings 30, 31 may be used as supporting-planes when at rest. Additional planes 45 may be arranged, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so as to receive the downwardly-directed currents of air from the wings, and may be drawn forwards for balancing purposes.