US1154214A - Flying-machine. - Google Patents

Description

W.l E. SOMERVILLE.

FLYING MAcmNE.

APPLICATION |LED NOV. 4,1910.A

Patented Sept. 21, 19M

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

e v. 4, 1910. 1,154,214. Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WILLIAM E. soMERvILLE,v oF COAL CITY, rumors.

FLYING-MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. SOMER- viLLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Coal City, in the county of Grundy and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in FlyingwMachines, -of which the following is a full, clear, conoise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in aeroplanes and has for its object-the production of a machine possessing means for maintaining or restoring equilibriuml of the machine when in the air.

The further object is the production of a machine possessing positive means for varys ing the effective working area of the planes.

Further objects are the production of a machine, the structure of which combines .ilightness and strength and a machine that can be easily operated. i

These and such further objects as may hereinafter appear are obtained by my device, an embodiment of which'is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my machine; Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of one end of the upper plane-'frame and extension with the shutter opened; Fig. 3 represents a view similar to Fig. 2 with the shutter closed.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

My invention relates to that class of iiying machines in-which the weight is sustained by reactions occasioned by the movements of one or more planes through the air, mechanical power and the force of gravity both being utilized.

I have illustrated my improvement in connection witha biplane, but all of the essential elements of my invention are as well applicable for use with a monoplane.

Referring now to the drawings, A represents a supporting frame, B an upper main plane, C a lower mainplane, D an upper rear plane, E a lower rear plane, F a front plane or elevator, G a rear elevator hingedly secured to the rear of the plane D, H a central iin rigidly mounted on `the top of the plane B and centrally located thereof and I an engine of any suitable type properly positioned within the frame of the machine.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 21, 1915.

Application filed November 4, 1910. Serial No. 590,621.

All of the planes with the exception of the planev D are slightly'curved, with the Concave side downward, as shown at 4, and are preferably formed with tough wooden frames having side pieces 5-5 and curved cross bars 6 over which canvas is tightly stretched, forming light and strong planes.

The ends of the upper plane B are extendedbeyond the end of the lower plane C, as shown, and the extreme end curved upward at 8, the upwardly curved portion being also covered as shown at 9. A plurality of movably covered slats 10 are pivotally mounted between the bars 7 being pivoted at 11 and a bar 12 is hingedly secured to the top of the slats 13, forming, in effect, a Venetian blind, the opening and closing of which is under the control of the operator, as will be set forth later. vA spring 14 mounted on the upper end of the curved portion of the plane is connected with the end 'of the bar 12, thus holding the slats normally in closed position. Theelevator F is constructed the same as the other planes, but is much shorter and occupies a position slightly above the level of the lower plane C. This elevator is pivotally mounted on top of the upwardly curved ends of the runner 16 of the skid and is also provided with a pair of bars l'zL and 17 extending above and below the surface f the plane. A central post 18 is mounted on the top of the elevator from the end of which extends rearwardly a connecting rod 19, the

rear end of which is pivotally secured at 20 to the controlling lever 21.` This controlling lever is pivoted at its lower end tothe main frame at 22.

The vrear elevator G which is hingedly mounted on the rear end of the level plane D is also provided `with a pair of bars 23 extending above and below the plane.

The front and rear elevators F and G are connected together by means of connecting wires 241 passing from the top of the post 17 to the bottom of the post 23, a wire 25 from the bottom of the post 17 to the top of the post 23, a wire 26 from the top of the post 17 to the bottom of the post 23 and a wire 27 from the bottom of the post 17a to the top of the post 23. An operating wheel 28 is mounted on the rear of the lever 21 directly in front of the seat 29 reserved for the operator. By pushing this lever for'- ward and back the operator can incline the elevators to any desired degree, the two be ing connected to work in opposite directions, that is, when the elevator F is tilted upwardly the elevator G is pulled downwardly and vice versa.

The operation of the shutters at the ends of the top plane are also operated through the medium ofl this wheel 28, the wheel being provided With a peripheral groove 30 which is connected with the inner end of the bars 12 at 33, the wire or connection 31 passing downwardly from the wheel and thence v 37 extend around the pulleys 38 on one of the upright diagonal braces 39 to the rudder. A rear rudder 35a is movably mounted between the rear planes lland E and connected to move with the front rudder.

While it is intended to operate the'shutter by means of the wheel and in so doing the slack allows one shutter to beclosed while the other is held manually opened, it is evident that in the event that a strong wind is encountered, the closed shutter will be forced open, the strength of the spring being so arranged as to permit theopening of the shutter under predetermined conditions.

The skid comprises the runner 16 curved upwardly as shown in Fig. 1, the upright braces 40, diagonal braces 41, cross braces 42 and diagonal rear braces 43. A pair of wheels `44 are mounted on an axle 45 secured in rockin bearings 46 on the skid frame. Springs 4 are connected with the bearings 46 by means of which any jar incident to sudden alighting is taken care of, thereby preventing injury to the machine.

The engine J may be of any desired type on the rear shaft of which is mounted the propeller wheel 48.

The rear planes are connected to the front by means of longitudinal bars 50 which extend forwardly, forming the upper bars of the main' frame or skid and are set sufficiently far apart to permit the free revolution of the propeller. The planes B, C and D, E are secured together by means of uprights 51 suitably placed and suitably tied together by means' of connecting wires. Guy wires 53 also extend from the end of the curved upward :extension ofthe upper front plane to :the end of the lower plane.

'I he central 1in H is rigidly mounted midway of the machine and is further held in It will be noted that the wire place by Ameans of thevguy wires 54 extending from the top of the fin to the'side bars 5 of the upper plane.

The gasolene tank 55 and the cooler 56 are located in any desired position adjacent the engine. Suitable'spring supports 57 are eX- tended downwardl from the ends of the lower planes C an E forming supports for that portion of the machine and also serving as buffers if the machine should when alighting happen to strike the rear portion first.

Referring now to the operation of my device,'it is not the intention of the applicant to go into any extensive discussion or explanation of the art of aeronautics as this invention vhas to deal with actualdetails of construction and the operationof the parts so constructed.

The 'first feature to be considered is that of the upturned end of the upper plane. This is made rigid and of as great a. strength as the planes of the machine. Vhen the machine is'in the air, and if, for'any reason, one end tips more than desired, the curved end acts as a skid in falling to force the machine to right itself. This'operation is assisted by means of the central fin H against which the air rushes as the machine is in the act of falling. The air from below the plane rushing out under the plane tends to force the plane upwardly into a horizontal position while at the same time the air rushing up the uppervside of the plane strikes against the face of the finI-I and also the upturned ends of the highest end of the plane. The lower upturned end will also in a measure compress the air to such an extent that the three forces will form a righting couple that will immediately force the plane to a level keel.

In the machines as now constructed in which the stability is maintained by the warping of the plane or by the use of ailerons whenever either are use they tend to cause the aeroplane to turn from lits course, adding resistance to the lower side, and in order to counteract the tendency to turn the machine the vertical rudder must be used, whereas in my improved machine the vertical rudder is' not required in righting the machine as there. is no resistance to overcome.

The machine in question is not merely a creature of imagination or atheoretical device, but one that has stood the test of actual flight over long periods of time and on many occasions.

While I have illustrated particular forms of construction and wiring with `respect` to the aeroplane illustrated, I in no way limit myselfto such specific construction as these details form no part of-my invention.

I claim Y 1. A flying machine comprising a motor, an upper main plane, a lower main plane,

a pair of rear planes, a movable front plane, the outer ends of the upper plane being curved upwardly, a fin extending upwardly from the center of said upper main plane, a movable rea'r plane, and means whereby said movable planes may be moved in unison in opposite directions. v

2. A flying machine comprising a motor, an upper m"ain plane, a lower main plane, a pair of rear planes, a movable front plane, the outer ends of the upper plane being curved upwardly, a central lin extending longitudinally of said machine andprojecting upwardly from the central portion of said upper main plane,a movable rear plane, and means whereby said movable planes may be moved in unison in opposite directions.

3. A flying machine comprising a motor,

an upper main plane, a lower main plane, av

p'air of rear planes, a movable front plane, the outer ends of the upper plane being curved upwardly, a fin extending upwardly from the center of said upper main plane, a

' movable rear plane, mea-ns whereby said movable planes may be moved in unison in opposite directions, and hand operated means whereby the effective wind area of said upper plane may be varied.

4. A flying machine comprising a motor, an upper main plane, a lower main plane, a pair of rear planes, a movable front plane, the outer ends of thel upper plane being curved upwardly, a central fin extending longitudinally of said machine and projecting upwardly from the central portion of said upper main plane, a movable rear plane, means whereby said movable planes may be moved in unison in vopposite directions, and hand operated means whereby the eective wind area of said upper plane may be varied.

In witness whereof, I vhave hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

GORDAN CAMPBELL, WILLIAM CAMPBELL.

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