US1007445A - Aerodrome. - Google Patents

Description

W. A. HUTSON.

ABRODROME.

APPLICATION FILED 113.21, 1911.`

Patented Oct. 31, 191-1;

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W. A. HUTSON.

AERODROME.

APPLICATION FILED H1121, 1911.

1,007,445. Patented 001. 31,1911.

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WITNESSES W. A. HUTSON.'

ABRODROME.

APPLICATION FILED IEB.21, 1911.

/ Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

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To all 'who-m 'it may concern:

- UNiTED sTATEs WILLIAM A. HUTSON,

PATENT oEErcE.

OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS TO JAY H. KEELER, ONE-THIRTIETH T0 GEORGE W. BRENN, ONE-TENTH TO JOSEPH G. GOFF, ONE-THIRTIETH TO JACOB B. GOTTLOB, AND TWO-THIRTIETHS TO CHARLES W. SHAW, ALL 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AERODROME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

Application led February 21, 1911. Serial No. 609,987.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. HU'rsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Aerodrome, of which the following is a specification. y

My invention has for its object to provide an apparatus by means of which aerial navigation may be learned or performed by inexperienced persons without danger.

To this end, my invention consists of an aerodrome having an elevated guide-track and guide-frame upon the aeroplane encircling such track, whereby vertical and lateral movement of the aeroplane is restricted within certain limits, while at the same time the machine is entirely free in its flight.l

It further consists of means whereby the elevation of such track maybe controlled.

It further consists of means whereby the width of the track may be adjusted according to the width of the aeroplane.

It further consists of means whereby an aeroplane may be propelled by electricity propelled from a central source.

It further consists of other novel features of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth.

For the purpose of illustrating my inver: tion, I have shown in the `accompanying drawings, one form thereof which is at present preferred by me, since thesame has been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Figure l represents a diagrammatic plan view of a portion Yof my improved aerodrome. Fig. 2 represents a transverse section of the track at the starting end ofthe same, showing an aeroplane on the starting platform. Fig. 3 represents a side elevation -l #le starting end of the aerodrome. Figi 4 represents a side elevation of a mast and swinging arm which supports thel trackcable. Fig. 5 represents a diagram illustratin the wiring for the electric motors operating the track-supporting arms and for supplying current to propel the aeroplane. Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the gures.

Referring to the drawings: The aerodrome is preferably laid out in the form of an ellipse or on an oblong plan having curved ends and straight sides. Girder or lattice masts or towers, l, are arranged in opposed pairs on the plan of the aerodrome. Bars, 2, are 4pivoted between ears, 3, upon the upper ends of the masts, and have arms, 4:, projecting at a right angle from their inner ends. Rods, 5,.having weights, 6, secured upon them are pivotally connected to the ends of said arms, and cords or chains, 7 are attached to the ends of the rods and connected to drums, 8, journaled in the masts and actuated by electric motors, 9, which are controlled to cause the drums to revolve 1n either direction and to be held by suitable brake means all controlled by suitable controllers or switches at a central station or switch-board to be later described. The bars are preferably longitudinally adjustable, being composed of two longitudinally slotted bar-portions, l0, adjustably secured together by nutted bolts, 11. Cables, 12, are supported at the free ends of the pivoted bars, and are carried around the aerodrome parallel to each other. The ends of said cables are preferably carried around drums, 13, and have weights, 14, at their ends, which weights serve to keep the cables taut. It will thus be seen that two parallel guidetracks are formed around the aerodrome. The parallel guide-tracks have atthe starting point straight portions, 15, which are continued into the straight or substantially straight side portions of the main guide tracks. A platform, 16, is provided beneath the starting tracks, and extends to beneath a portion of the curved tracks upon which the aeroplane returns to its starting place. The

` ends ot the cables are carried downward and then out tothe tension drums and weights, whereby a gap in the tracks is formed between the portions where the aeroplane stops and the straight starting portions. rlhe tops of the masts are connected by means of bars, 17, which support trolley-wires, 18, beneath them, by suitable hangers, 19.

The aeroplane, 20, may be of any construction and type, but when it is used in connection with my aerdrome and for amusement purposes or in teaching beginners, 1 prefer to substitute an electric motor, 21, for driving the propeller, 22, for the usual internal combustion engine. Wires, 23, or other suitable exible conductors are connected to the motor and to trolley-wheels, 24, journaled ina suitable frame, 25, to travel'upon the trolley-wires.

r1`wo pairs of upright bars, 26, are secured to each side of the frame of the 'aeroplane Aand suitably braced together, and lateral frame-bars, 27 and 28, are respectively secured to the upper and lower ends of said upright bars and are suitably braced to rigidly project fromopposite sides o the aeroplane. Bars, 29 and 30, are pivoted to the ends of the horizontal frame bars and have their ends meet at or about the middles of the vertical side-frames formed by the above-described bars. Springs, 30X, are provided at the pivoted ends of the bars and serve to return them to their normal vertical position. The pivot-ed bars swing in planes parallel to the frame of the aeroplane and to that of its travel, only, and are rigid to lateral play. The trolley-wire is fed from i a generator, 3l, and a switch, 32, is provided in one terminal of the trolley-circuit to control the same.

To control the motors which `swing the pivoted track-supporting arms, a switchboard, 33, is provided, having controllers, 34, similar to the controllers of an electric car orfother motor, and connected to conf trol the revolution of each motorl and the stopping of the drum. The switch-board is connected at 35 and by a wire, 36, to one pole ofd the generator, and wires, 37, lead to one pole of each motor in each mast from each controller; Wires, 38, lead fromthe oppo-` site pole of each motor to the opposite pole of the generator, so that the circuit of each motor may be individually closed to run the motor by the insertion of its corresponding controller. Five individual motor circuits, only, are illustrated in the diagram, Fig. 5, for the sake of clearness and to not encumber th: drawing, but it is to be understood that each motor has its individually controlled circuit. A switch-board, 39, has four switches, 40, 41, 42 and 43. y The motors of the outerseries of masts are all connected in series by a wire, 44, and the motors of socket 47 is made through a wire, 48, circuit breaker, 49, and wire, 50, to the contact of switch 41, and by a wire, 51, from the wire 50 to the contact of switch 42. j

`Nhen it is desired'to actuate all of the motors of the outer series of masts, connection is made with the pole of the generator from point 35 to point47, which carries the current through wire 48, circuit-breaker .49, wires 50 and 51, switch 42, which is closed, to

wire 44, around the series of motors, and

back to the opposite pole of the generator through wire 38.

When it is desired to actuate all of the motors of the inner series of masts, connection is also made between points 35 and 47 to connect with one pole of the generator, whereupon the current passes through wire 48, circuit-breaker 49, w-ire 50, through switch 41, which is closed, around through wire 45 to all of the motors, and back through switch 43, which is closed, to the opposite pole of the generator.

When it is desired to operate both series of motors; switches 41 and 42 are closed, and connection is made from point 35 to point 47, when the current twill pass through wire 48, circuit-breaker 49, wires 50 and 51, through switches 41 and 42 to the respective circuits 45 and 44, the former passing i though switch 43, which is closed, and back to the generator, and the latter passing back through wire 38.

In this manner the motor of each mast may be individually controlled to actuate the pivoted lateral bar upon it, and either series of motors may be actuated, or both series may be simultaneously actuated.

In practice, the aeroplane is started from the starting platform, the lateral frames of the aeroplane having been placed over the two-cables by swinging the pivoted outer bars to admit of such movement. When the aeroplane now moves forward under its starting impetus and the action of its propeller, the cables will prevent the aeroplane from unduly diverging from its course and, shouldit for some reason tend to drop, the upper lateral frame-bars 27 will catch on the cables and prevent the aeroplane from dropping to the ground. By means of the control of the laterally extending bars which Y bars may swing on striking the cable-supran elevatedvguidetrack,an aeroplane, means for propelling the same, ,and avertical guide on theside ofvsaid aeroplane, normally out porting arms Without materially inipeding the speed of the machine and immediately swing back to their normal positions. lVhen the aeroplane arrives at the end of the tracks and above the platform, it is stopped and the 4swinging guide-bars admit-of the aeroplane being removed from the tracks and pushed over and engaged by the tracks or cables of' the straight starting portion of the aerodrome, When the machine mayI again be started for another flight.

This apparatus may be employed as anr amusement device, carrying one or more passengers around the aerodrome Without risk of injury by a fall 'of the machine, or the apparatus may be used as a teaching apparatus of flying without danger to the pupil. lVliile 'I prefer, at ltlie beginning of teaching pupils or When the apparatus is used as an amusement device, to utilize electric `propulsion for the aeroplane, it is evident that an aeroplane propelled by the forceof an internal combustion machine, such as ordinarily used, may be equally as Well fitted to fly on this aerodrome. 'f By employing electricity as the propelling power, I can considerably lighten the aeroplane, by dispensing Witlrthe engine, gasolene and Water tank, thus admitting of the machine carrying the additional Weight of the guide-fr ies. Besides its use as an amusement device and as an apparatus for teaching aeronautics, the device is useful forl trying out neu1 constructions of flying machines, Without risk to life and limbs, as

. the guide-fra1nes may be applied to any construction of flying machine. As the lateral bars which support the tracks are longitudinally adjustable, the tracks may be adjusted at varying distances apart, to accommodate aeroplanes having different Widths of frame. It will, of course, be understood that the guide-tracks are not intended for Inormally Supporting t-he aeroplane Whenv in. flight, but to'merelypreventit from diverging from its normal path,llaterally and vertically, and thaty t-he aeroplane is self-supporting. Y Y

Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secureby Letters Patent, is:

1. In apparatusof the character stated,

of contact with .said track but constructed to engage the same to limit the lateral movement of the aeroplane.

2. In apparatus of the character stated, a pair of elevated guide tracks, an aeroplane, means for propelling the same, and Vertical guides'on the sides of said aeroplane normally out of contact` with said track but constructed to engage the same to limit; the lateral movement of the aeroplane.

3. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated guidetrack, an aeroplane, means for propelling the saine, and a guide upon the aeroplane and having a` horizontal and a vertical guide-limb respectively extending above and to the outer side of said guidetrack.

4l. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated guide-track, an aeroplane, means for propelling the same, and a rectangular guide-framel extending laterally Jfrom the aeroplane to surround the guide-track.

5. In apparatus of the character stated, a pair of'elevated guide-tracks, an aeroplane, means for propelling ythe same, and rectangular guide-frames projecting from opposite sides of the aeroplane and surround' ing the guide-tracks but normally out of contact ivitli the same.`

6. In apparatus of the character-stated, a series of masts, lateral bars upon such masts, a guide-track supported upon said bars, an aeroplane, means for propelling the same, and a ,guide upon said aeroplane constructed with a horizontal limb above the guide-track and a vertical limb at the side of said track and pivoted to yield to the lateral bars in a plane parallelto that ot the travelof the aeroplane.

7. In apparatus of the character stated, a series of masts,.lateral bars pivotally supported upon such masts, means -for swinging such bars in a vertical plane, av

aeroplane, means for propelling the same,

series vof masts, lateral bars upon such masts,

a guide-track supported upon said bars, an aeroplane, means for propelling the same,

and arectangular guide-frameupon thev aeroplane and-surrounding the track` and having one. vertical side-ba rv pivoted to yield' to the llateral bars in a planeparallel to. thatof the travel of the aeroplane.

9. In apparatus 'of the vcharacter stated,

tivo parallel series of masts, lateral `'bars pivotally supportedupon said masts to project into the space between the-series of masts,A

meansforswniging. said barsvin a vertical plane, a guide-track supported in said bars,

for propelling the same, and a guide-frame upon the aeroplane and surrounding the track and having a vertical side-member pivoted to yield to the lateral bars in a plane parallel to the travel of the aeroplane.

11. In apparatus of the character stated, two parallel series of masts, lateral bars pivotally supported upon such masts to swing in vertical planes transverse to and in the space between said series of masts, mea-ns for swinging such bars, individual means for separately controlling each of such barswinging means, guide-tracks supported by thebars, an aeroplane, means for propelling the same, and guide-frames upon opposite sides of the-aeroplane and surrounding the tracks, and each having a vertical side-member pivoted to yield t-o the lateral bars in a plane parallel to the travel of the aeroplane.

12. In apparatus of the character stated,

two parallel series of masts, lateral bars supported upon said masts to project transversely to and in the space between said se-, ries of masts, guide-tracks supported bv said bars, an aeroplane, means for propelling the same, and rectangular frames secured to the sides ot' said aeroplane and each having its outer side composed of two bars meeting at their ends and hinged respectively atthe upper and lower end to swing in a plane parallel with the travel of the aeroplane and providing with means for returning them to normal position. i

13. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated guidetrack, an aeroplane, a guide-frame upon the same and extending around the track, a propeller upon the aero-v plane, a motor for driving the same, a trol,

ley wire parallel to the trackya generator for feeding such wire, and a trolley upon the wire and flexibly connected to the motor.

14. In apparatus cf the character stated, a Series of masts, lateral bars pivotally supported upon the same, means for swingingV such bars '1n a vertical plane, a guide-trackl supported iu said'bars, anaeroplane, mea-ns for propellingthe same, a guide-frame extending around such track and secured to the aeroplane, means `for individually controlling the bar swinging means, and means for simultaneously actuating such means.

15. In .apparatus of the character described, two parallel series of masts, lateral bars pivotally supported upon such masts to swing in vertical planes transverse to and in the space between said masts, means for swinging such bars, guide-tracks supported upon said bars, an aeroplane, guide-trames upon the same and extending around said tracks, means for individually actuating the bar-swinging means, means for simultaneously actuating each series of bar-swinging means, anduneans for simultaneously actuating bothseries of bar-swinging means.

16. In apparatus of the character stated, an eleva ted guide track, anv aeroplane having means for propelling and steering the same, and means upon said aeroplane constructed to extend around said guide track to engage the same within vertical and lateral limits.

j 17. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated guide-track, an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering` the same, and means upon said aeroplane constructed to extend around said guide track to be normally out of contact with and to engage the saine within vertical and lateral limits.

1S. In apparatus of the character stated, a Flexible guide-track, supporting means for the saine, and positively actuated means for adjusting the position ot' such supporting means.

1S). In apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track, means for supporting said track, and positively actuated-means for vertically and laterally adjusting Said track. j

20. In apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track, bars supporting said track, and positively actuated means for vertically and laterally moving and adjusting said bars.

21. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated guide-track, an aeroplane, having means for propelling and steering the same, and a gui(le-trame upon said aeroplane extending around said track and normallyfout. of contact with the same.

22. In apparatus of the character stated, a pair of elevated guide-tracks, an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering it, and guide-frames upon said aeroplane and extending around such guide-tracks but normally out of contactwith the same.

23. In apparatus of the character stated,` a pair of elevated guide-tracks, an aeroplane having means for propellingy and steering it, means for vertically and laterally adjusting the tracks, and guide-frames upon said aeroplane and e..\:tending around said tracks but normally out of contact with the same.

24. In apparatus of thel character stated, a tiexible guide-track, supporting means for plaine and constructed to extend around and the same, means for adjusting the position of such supporting means, an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering it, and means upon said aeroplane constructed to engage said guide-track within vertical and lateral limits.

25. In apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track, supporting means for the same, and means for individually or collectively actuating such supporting means.

26. In apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track, movable supporting means for the same, means for actuating such supporting means, and centrally located means fcr individually o`r collectively operating such actuating means.

2T. In apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track, means for supporting the same, means for actuating such supporting means to vertically and laterally adjust the track, and centrally located means for individually or collectively operating such actuating means.

QS. lIn apparatus of the character stated, a flexible guide-track, means for supporting the same, electric motors for moving and adjusting such supporting means, and a centrally located switch-'board controlling said motors individually or collectively.

29. In apparatus of the character statedf a flexible guide-track, means for supporting the same, motors connected to move and adjust such supporting means, and centrally located controlling means for such motors.

30. In apparatus of the character stated, an elevated flexible guide-track, means forY adjusting the elevation of the same, an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering the same, and means upon said aeroplane constructed to engage said guide-track within vertical and lateral limits.

3l. In apparatus of the character stated, a series of masts, bars pivoted upon such masts to swing in a vertical plane, means for swinging such bars, a flexible guide-track supported upon said bars, an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering it, and means upon said aeroplane constructed to engage the guide-trackf within vertical and lateral limits.

'32. In apparatus of the character stated, a series of masts, bars pivoted upon such masts to swing in a vertical plane, meausfor swinging such bars, a flexible guide-track supported upon said bars, an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering it, and means upon said aeroplane constructed to be normally free from and to engage said track within vertical and lateral limits.

33. In apparat-us of the character stated, two elevated guide-tracks, an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering it, and means upon opposite sides of said aerolto be normally free from said tracks and to engage the same when the aeroplane diverges within predetermined vertical and lateral nlimits from its normal path.

same, motors connected to actuate such ad justable supporting means, and centrally located controlling means connected to such motors to operate the same individually or collectively.

36. In apparatus ofthe character stated, two parallel elevated and flexible guidetracks, means for adjusting the elevation of said tracks, an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering it, and means upon opposite sides of said aeroplane and constructed to be normally out of contact with said guide-tracks and to engage said tracks when the) aeroplane diverges within predetermined vertical and lateral limits from its normal path.

37. In apparatus of the character stated, two parallel elevated guide-tracks, an aeroplane having means for propelling and steering it, and guides upon opposite sides of said aeroplane and constructed to extend around said guide-tracks to be normally out of contact with the same and to engage them when the aeroplane diverges within predetermined limits from its normal path.

38. In apparatus of the character stated, a guide-track, a trolley wire parallel with the same, a generator feeding such Wire, an aeroplane, a motor upon the same, a propeller driven by said motor, a trolley upon said trolley wire and connected to said motor, and a guide upon the aeroplane and extendling around said guide-track to be normally out of contact with the same and to engage it when the aeroplane diverges from its normal pathl 39. In apparatus of. the character stated, two parallel guide-tracks, a trolley-wire between and parallel to the same, a generator feeding such trolley wire, an aeroplane, a motor upon the same, a propeller driven by said motor, a trolley upon the trolley-wire and connected to said motor,' and guides upon opposite sides of said aeroplane and spanning said guide-tracks to`be normally out of contact with the same and to engage them when the aeroplane diverges Within predetermined limits from its path.

40. In apparatus of the character stated,`

an elevated guide-track, means for adjusting the elevation of said track, a trolley-,wire

6 Loca/flee parallel ibo said track7 a generator feeding mally out of contact with the same and to said trolley-Wire, an aeroplane, a motor engage it When the aeroplane diverges Witl upon' the same, a propeller driven by said in predetermined limits from its path.

motor, a trolley upon the trolley-Wire, ex- WILLIAM A. HUTSN. 5 pansible and contractible flexible connection Witnesses:

between said trolley and the motor, and a C. D. MCVAY,

guide spanning the guide-track to be nor- N. BUSSINGER.

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