US1206680A - Flying-machine. - Google Patents

Description

W. E. DENNIS 64 H S BRETTON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AucizsI I9III.

1 206,68Q. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

5 SHEETS*SHEET I.

W. E. DENNIS & H S. BRETTON. FLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.26. 1910.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. E. DENNIS & H S, BRETTON.

FLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.26, 191'0.

Patented Nov. L8, 1916.

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W. E. DENNIS & H S. BRETTON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION mu) AUG.26. 1910.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W. E. DENNIS 61 H. S. BRETTON.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.26. 19:0.

Patented Nov, 28, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WILLIAM E. D ENNIS, OF FAR ROCKAWAY, AND HARRY S. BRETTON, OF LONG ISLAND CITY, YORK, ASSIGNOBS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO AMERICAN AEROCAR HOLDING CORPORATION, OF RICHMOND HILL, NEW YORK.

FLYING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 26, 1910. Serial No. 579.114.

To all who) it may concern Be it known that we. lViLLiAn E. DENNIS and I'IARRY S. linnrrox. citizens of the F'nited States. residing at Far Rockaway and Long Island City, respectively, in the county of Queens and State of New York. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flying machines" or center of gravity operating to oppose a resistance to the tilting of the machine in any direction in flight. whereby the stability of the machine is increased through the resultant inherent automatic balancing action secured and greater safety in the ope 'ation of this class of machines insured.

further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of the supporting surface or surfaces by which. in the event of an excess downward and forward tilting of the machine or descent at too sharp an angle, the necessary angle of incidence will still be presented to sustain the machine and prevent any possibility of loss of the fore and aft balance and overturning of the machine.

further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of horizontal rudders constructed to secure a quick and effective action of the air thereon for sensitive steering and balancing movements of the machine. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel construction and arrangement of stabilizing and controlling wings which are adjustable to increase or decrease the supporting area. as occasion may require. whereby the flow of lateral currents of air to the associated supporting surface is regulated. the pressures properly controlled and distributed. and excess pressures prevented.

Still further objects are to provide resilient tips at the rear edge. of a main plane or supporting surface which permit of an air shedding action similar to the flexible tip feathers of the wings ofa bird; to provide novel and easily controlled steering mechanism; to provide a more efficient and safer type of propeller: and to provide a novel general construction and arrangement of parts whereby strength. durability and' rigidity of structure are secured.

In the accompanying drawings, we have shown the application of our invention to a biplane machine. but it will, of course. be understood that the essential features of the invention may be embodied in monoplanes. triplanes or other species of machines of the. heavierthan-air class, and hence we do not limit the invention in this particular.

'In the said drawings: Figure l is a top plan view of a flying machine embodying the novel features of our invention. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation. Fig. -l is a vertical longitudinal section. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section. Fig. (3 is a detail view of one of the wing tips. Fig. 7 is a detail section through the controlling mechanism. Fig. 8 is a detail section on the line S Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a vertical section through one of the slotted guide standards.

Referring to the drawings. 1 designates the main frame or fusilage of the machine. which is in the form of a car orsuitable substructure arranged wholly below the supporting surfaces, and which comprises longitudinal bars 2. connecting cross bars 3, and one or more platform portions l. on which are mounted the pilot's seat driving motor 6, passengers seats 7 and the steering gear opera ting and other controlling devices hereinafter described. From this frame extend uprights 8, laterally projecting inclined stay bars 9. and V-shaped supporting brackets 10. to which uprights and brackets the gasolene or fuel tanks 11 are secured in any suitable manner.

Ar 'anged above the main frame or fusi lage are the main planes or supporting surfaces 12 and 13. each comprising front and rear frame bars 14. and cross pieces 15 and bowed intermediate cross pieces or ribs 10. to which are attached a suitable fabric c0vering 17. The planes are connected and held in spaced relation by the usual struts l8, and the frame of the lower plane is suit- 16 being bowed to a desired degree to give .the necessary fore-and-aft concavo-convex curvature to the body of each plane for the effective dynamical reactions of the air --.thereon to support the machine in flight. Each plane has a front longitudinal edge or wing 19 projecting beyond its frame portion and upwardly and forwardly curved to impart a concavo-convex contour thereto, the convex side of said extension edge'or wing facing downward. This extension edge, which is reinforced from the struts by stay Wires 20, increases the lift of the supporting surface and normally lies above the plane of that portion of. said surface which presents the normal angle of incidence for aerodynamic sustension. If, however, the machine should pitch forward to an excess degree, or be guided downward in flight at an. abnormally acute angle, the convex surfacesof the extension edges or wings'wvill present, a new and advanced angle of incidence for the impact of the .air, whereby the machine'will be supported and prevented from turning over, allowing the pilot to regain complete control.

. Projecting from the front and rear of the machine are head and tail frames 21 and 22, respectively, which differ in the fact that the latter is materially longer than the former, but are otherwise substantially the same in construction, so that a description of one will suffice in the main for both. Each of these frames comprises a pair of upper parallel bars 23 secured at their inner ends to the frame of the upper main plane and connected by cross bars 24, a pair of upwardly and outwardly inclined lower bars 25 secured at their inner ends to the main frame and connected by cross bars 26, and uprights 27 uniting the upper and lower bars at each side of the frame. These frames carry suitable bearing brackets for front and rear sets of wheels 28 and 29,

which support .themachine when it is at rest and run along the surface of the ground in launching and landing. Vheels or rollers 30 are alsoprovided upon the, rear of the tail 'frame which provide for the running support of the machine when tilted at the instant of ascent from the ground. thus guarding the tail frame fronrinjury.

Mounted upon the head frame to swing verticallyupon a horizontal axis is a front horizontal rudder 31, preferably formed of a pair of superposed planes movable in unison, and mounted to swing similarly upon the tail frame is a rear horizontal rudder .is a vertical rudder 55 32, preferably composed of a single plane.

Crank arms 33 and 34 are suitably connected withthe horizontal shafts of the respective rudders and are coupled by links 35 to a suitably guided, longitudinally extending rack bar 36, whereby the two rudders are adapted to be simultaneously ad justed. The teeth of the rack bar 36 mesh with a gear 37 on a transverse shaft 38 journaled on the frame of the upper main plane and-which carries a miter pinion 39 meshing with a miter gear 40 on the upper end of a hollow shaft 41. The shaft v41 is journaled on a stationary inclined rod or shaft 42 and in brackets 43, 44, fixed, respectively, to the main frame and upper main plane, and is provided with a hand wheel 45, by which it may be turned to adjust the rudders through the above-described gearing in an obvious manner. The rod or shaft 42 is fixed at its upper end to the frame of the upper main plane and at its lower end to a supporting bracket 42 in any suitable manner. The lower end of the rod 42 has journaled thereon outer and inner concentric shafts i6 and 47 provided with hand wheels 49 and 50, the shaft 46 being also provided with oppositely extending tiller arms 51 and 52, while the shaft 47 carries drums 53 and 54. On the respective hollow shafts are toothed wheels ll, 46 and 47*, adapted to be engaged by spring pressed pawls i1 46* and 47? pivoted upon the bracket 43, whereby said hollow shafts may be locked against rotary movement and released for turning movement, as occasion requires. The horizontal rudder planes are concavo-convexly curved fore and aft like the main supporting planes and are respectively provided with upturned concavoconvex'front edges 31 and 32 having their convex surfaces facing."downward, so that said rudders normally act as auxiliary supporting surfaces, and, when adjusted to ascensional position. will present said curved front edges at such an angle as to secure a materially increased pressure of the air thereon over rudders of ordinary construction thereby augmenting the lifting capacity of the rudders and securing a more rapid and sensitive elevating action and longitudi nal. balancing control. -On the tail frame carried by a vertical shaft 56 to. which are fixed crank arms 57. and 58, said arms being connected by wires or other connections 59 and 60 to the tiller arms 51 and 52, so that said rudder may be adjusted for lateral steering by turning the wheel 45. w i

'It willcbe observed that the curvature of the horizontal rudders corresponds to that of the main planes, and thatv the body portion of each plane and rudder is arranged .wholly belowfthe plane of its upand rearwardly from its point of junction wlth such upturned edge. Hence the rudders serve as smaller auxiliary supporting tions, the upturned edges of both theplanes and rudders are arranged at a negative angle. By this relative arrangement of the body portions of the planes and their up turned edges the latter are prevented from deflecting-the air downward and inhibiting its properdynami-al reacti m against the surfaces of the planes when the machine is traveling horizontally or climbing, but are brought into play to provide advanced angles of incidence when any excess forward tilting of the planes or rudders occurs, whereby the center of pressure will be changed to a degree corresponding tothe change in the center of gravity to maintain the longitudinal stability of the machine.

Extending from the'sides of the machine are outriggers (S1, eachcomprising inclined bars (32 connected with the frame of the lower main plane, across bar 623 connecting the outer ends of said bars, and bars, 6% connecting the bar ()3 with the adjacent struts. Leading upwardly from the respective crossbars (S of the two outriggers are curved slotted guide standards (35 which extend above the top of the upper main plane'and are stayed from the frame of said plane by braces 66. Pivotally mounted at their inner ends upon the ends of the upper main plane 12, as at (37, are stabilizing and controlling wings ()8 each having substantially the shape of a bird's wing. that is, tapering hmgitmlinallv to their outer ends or tips and being of concavo-convexly curved outline both longitudinally and transversely. Each wing consistsof a suitable frame structure and fabric covering and has a guide arm (39 at its outer end which fits and travels in the slot of the adand its opposite end passing through guides.

73 to the top of the associated standard 5 andthence extending downward and at tached to the arm 69, so that the two stretches of the rope will be alternately wound and unwoundupon the rotation of the cooperating drum in reverse directions,

:tionable angle.

to respectively raise and lower the wing. The two ropes are so wound upon their respective drums that when the shaft 47 is turned in one direction both wings will be simultaneously and coordinately lowered, --while when said shaft is turned in the re- .verse direction both wings will be simultaneously and coordinately raised, .as will be readily understood. The wings are normall arranged in a substantially internn 'diate position, as shown in full lines in the drawings, when the machine is in straight flight. in which position, owing to their described curvature, they present the necessary angle of incidence to the air for supporting effect and gradually incline outwardly and upwardly above the plane of themain plane 12. Owing to the tapering form of these wings cross currents of air striking the same will be broken up or divided and partially shed and partially employed for supporting action, said Wings distributing a portion of the air of such currents to the main plane 12 and deflecting the remainder rearwardly, thus preventing the action of any excess pressure of air upon either end of said main plane and thereby preserving the lateral balance. In other words. the wings, while operating as lateral auxiliary supporting surfaces, shed any ex cess volume or pressure of air which falls thereon and act as guards to prevent the passage of any abnormal volume or pressure of air to the underside of the main plane 12. By depressing the wings their supporting action will be increased and they will augment the lifting capacity of the machine, and by elevating them their air shedding action will be increased, thus diminishing the superficial elfective area of the supporting surface of the machine. Hence i adjustin the wings in one direction the ascent of tf will be facilitated and its sustentation power increased, while by adjusting the-wings in the reverse direction the speed of descent of the machine may be increased without tilting the horizontal rudders to an objec- The value and importance of this part of our invention will accord ingly be appreciated. 7

In connection with each wing (38. we preferably employ an auxiliary wing le pivotally mounted to'swing vertically upon the adjacent struts 18 of the main frame, said auxiliary wing being of somewhat smaller size or area than the wing 68 and arranged below the same so as to extend on a line ccn; trally between the supporting surfaces when disposed in horizontal position. The mixiliary wing (38 is connected at its outer end by a link 68" with the superposed main wing G8 to move in unison therewith. and has its inner end arranged fol-movement between the adjacent ends or margins of the supporting surfaces. Each auxiliary wing con.

1e machine lie forms substantially in longitudinal and cross sectional contour with the main wing and cooperates therewith to further increase or decrease the supporting area, as occasion requires in the control of the machine. The auxiliary wings at the opposite sides of the machine further promote and increase the .latcral rigidity or stability of the machine as a whole, as will be readily understood.

Arranged at the rear of the main plane 12, on opposite sides of the longitudinal center of the machine, are series of wing tips Tl. each approximately of semi-elliptical form and comprising a suitable frame and a fabric covering. These tips extend longitudinally along the rear edge of the plane 12. and are hinged thereto to swing vertically and held normally depressed by springs 75. which permit said tips to yield upwardly under a determined air pressure. The tips of each series are spaced a slight distance toprovide intervening air spaces to permit at all times the shedding or release of a proportion of the air, thus simnlating the normal air shedding action of the edges of the wings of a bird. further increase the area of the supporting surface of the main plane and are adapted to yield upwardly under excess pressure of air to prevent-the undue retention of air beneath the plane, while normally assisting in pocketing and increasing the dynamical reactions of the air upon the surface of the plane; Through such automatic pocketing and air shedding actions the supporting capacity of the plane 12' is materially enhanced over a plane of ordinary construction and of the same surface area but unprovided with resilient wing tips of this character.

lleretofore it has, been the practice to mount the load weight wholly or partially above the supporting surface, and in all biplanes and other multiplanes with which We are familiar the load weight has invariably been placed above the lower supporting plane. As a result, the dead center or center of gravity of the machine is placed at a relatively high point, to which is due in whole or in part the instability of even the most successful machines, and particularly those of the biplane, triplane or other multiplane type. Ve overcome and avoid this objection by disposing the entire load weight or at least a balancing portion or proportion i thereof upon a substructure wholly below the supporting surface as a whole, (2., beneath the lower plane in a biplane or other multiplane structure. whereby the dead center or center of gravity is lowered to the safest maximum limit. and such load weight therefore operates to oppose a resistance to the tilting of the machine in any direction in flight. whereby the stability ofthe machine is increased through the resultant inhercnt automatic balancing action secured These tips in any suitable manner.

and greater safety in flight insured. By load weight" we mean the aggregate weight of the motor, drive gearing, fuel, pilot, passengers and ()the' appliances or freight, exclusive of the sustentation parts of the apparatus, and by supporting surface we mean such sustentation parts, irrespective of the number or arrangement of flotation planes or equivalent surfaces used. Our invention. as a matter of fact, contemplates the broad idea of placing the load weight below the supporting surface however the same may be constructed or disposed. By "balancing portion or proportion of the load weight we mean any amount thereof suflicient to perform the function-of a balancing or stabilizing medium. The term load weight is therefore held to include all or any portion of the weight necessary or suitable for such purpose.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. the mode of launching. landing and controlling the machine in flight will be readily understood by those. versed in the art without further explanation.

"It will, of course; be understood that whenever necessary the parts of the machine may be reinforced and stayed by the usual guy wires 76. It will also be understood that the upper plane 12 with its ap purtenances may be employed as the supporting surface in a monoplane structure. The propeller or propellers for driving the machine may be constructed and arranged preferably employ a single propeller embodying a shaft 77 carrying two sets of 1. In a flying machine, the combination of a main frame, superposed supporting surfaces carried thereby, a carriage rigld with the main frame and arranged wholly below the lower supporting surface, propelling and steering devices also mounted upon the mainframe, a driving motor. an aviators SZlt and fuel carrying means all mounted directly upon the carriage and supplementing the weight thereof, whereby the carriage and its load weight serves as a weighted stabilizing pendulum, longitudinally tapered and longitudinally and transversely curved wings mounted to swing vertically on fore and aft axes at the ends In practice we,

naoaeeo of the upper supporting surface, a control device on the carriage, and connections between said control device and wings for simultaneously and coordinately adjusting said wings in the same direction either upward or downward and at an equal angle of incidence to said supporting surface.

'2. In a flying machine, the combination of a main frame, a supporting plane carried thereby, braces fixed to said plane, wings pivoted to and extending outwardly ilaterally from the lateral'm-argins of the main plane, said wings being longitudinally and t 'ansversely curved, arcuately curved guides fixed to said main frame and braces, guide members on the free edges of the wings slidably engaging said guides, a controlling device, and connections between said guide members on the wings and the said controlling device for vertically moving said wings to like degrees in the same direction simul taneously.

3. In a flying machine, the combination of a main frame, a supporting plane carried thereby main wings pivoted to and extending outward laterally from the lateral margins of the supporting main plane, said wings being longitudinally and transversely curved, supplemental wings pivotally mounted below the main wings and extending both beneath and laterally beyond the lateral margins of the supporting plane, connections between each mainwing and the underlying supplemental wing to elfect their movement in unison, a controlling device, and

connections between said controlling device and the pairs of wings for vertically mov ing both pairs of wings to like degrees in the same direction simultaneously.

i. In a flying machine, a frame structure, superposed supporting surfaces, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined rod fixed at its lower end to the frame structure and at its upper end to the upper supporting surface, a series of hollow concentric control shafts mounted on said rod and each provided with an operating member and a ratchet wheel, a plurality of governing elements, connections between the respective shafts and the governing elements, and locking devices on the frame to engage said ratchet wheels. I

5. In a flying machine, the combination of a main frame, a pair of supporting planes carried thereby, main wings pivoted to and extending outward from the lateral mar: gins of the upper supporting plane, said wings being longitudinally and transversely curved, guiding means for the free ends of said wings, a supplemental wing pivotally mounted below each main wing on a line between the supporting planes and extending inwardly and outwardly beyond the vertical plane of the lateral margins of said supporting planes, a connection between each main wing and the underlying supplemental wing coupling said wings for movement in unison, a controlling device, and connections between said controlling device and the pairs of wings for vertically moving both pairs of wings to like degrees in the same direction simultaneously.

6. In a flying machineya supporting sur-' hinged to the rear edge of said supporting surface, and coiled springs terminally fixed to the supporting surface and wings for yieldingly holding the tips in the plane of said surface and permitting said tips to have independent upward and downward flexing movement to like or different degrees.

8. In a flying machine, a horizontal rudder, a crank arm connected therewith, a pair of spaced guides, a bar slidable at its ends in said guides and provided between its ends with a series of rack teeth, a link connecting said crank arm with an end of the rack bar, a transverse shaft, a gear thereon meshing with the teeth of the rack bar, an upright shaft in gear with said transverse shaft, means for rotating said upright shaft, and means for locking said upright shaft in adjusted position.

9. In a flying machine, a frame, superposed supporting surfaces, vertically movable main wings at the ends of the upper supporting surface, vertically movable supplemental wings hinged in rear of their transverse centers in line with the ends" of the supporting surfaces, said supplemental wings having their shorter ends extending between said supporting surfaces and their longer ends projecting beyond said surfaces. and beneath said main wings, connections coupling the pairs of main and supplemental wings for movement in unison, and means for operating both sets of wings simultaneously and coordinately in the same direction.

10. In a flying machine, a supporting surface, vertically movable longitudinally tapered wings'and longitudinally and trans versely curved wings at the opposite ends of saidsurface, said wings being mounted to swing on horizontal, fore and aft axes and normally inclined to the plane of said 55 having guide members at their ends engagextremities, said wings being longitudinally and transversely curved and hinged at their inner "edges to swing. on horizontal fore and aft axes, and means positively coupling the wings for simultaneously and coordinately adjusting said wings in the same direction either above or below the supporting surface and at an equal angle of incidence with relation to the plane of said surface.

. 12. In a flying machine, superposed sup porting surfaces, vertically movable main wings at the ends of the upper supporting surface, vertically movable supplemental wings, arranged on a line between and extending beyond the supporting surfaces, the sets of wings being connected for movement in unison, and means for operating both sets simultaneously and coordinately in the same direction. N

. 13. In a flying machine, a supporting surface, vertically movable wings normally inclined upwardly and outwardly and extending longitudinally from. the opposite ends of said surface, said wings being mounted to--swing on horizontal fore and aft axes and longitudinally tapered and longitudinally and transversely curved, and means positively coupling the wings for simultaneously and coordinately adjusting said wings in the same direction either upward or downward above or below the plane of the supporting surface, and at an equal angle of incidence with relation to said .supporting surface.

' .14. In a flying machine, a mainframe, a supporting surface, Outriggers" at the sidesof the main frame, curved guides extending upwardly therefrom and connected with the supporting surface, normally voutwardly and upwardly inclined longitudinally and transversely curved vertically movable wings at the ends of the supporting surface ing said guides, and means for simultaneously and coordinately ad usting said wings? either upward or downward at an equal angle of incidence with relation to said supporting surface.

.15. In a flying machine, a main frame, a supporting surface, a stationary shaft extending between and fixed, to said frame ing a plurality of rotary members concentrically journaled on said shaft, and devices for locking the respective rotary members from rotation.

16. In a flying machine, the combination of a main frame, superposed supporting surfaces having body portions uniformlyconcavo-convexly curved fore and aft and.

having upturned front edges and downturned rear edges, superposed horizontal rudders arranged approximately in the horizontal plane of said surfaces and conforming in contour thereto, and means for adjusting said rudders.

17. In a flying machine, superposed supporting surfaces, vertically movable main wings at the ends of the upper supporting surface, vertically movable supplemental wings arranged on a line between and extending beyond the supporting surfaces, links connecting the sets of wings for movement in unison, and ineans for operating both sets simultaneously and coordinately in the same direction.

18. In a flying machine, the combination of a main frame, a supporting plane carried thereby, braces fixed to said plane, wings pivoted to and extending outward from the lateral margins of the main plane, arcuately curved slotted guides fixed to said main frame and braces, guide members'on the free edges of the wings slidably engaging the slots in the guides, a controlling device, and connections between said guide members on the wings and the said controlling device for vertically moving said wings to like degrees in the same direction simultaneously.

' 19. In a flying machine, a supporting surface, vertically movable ailerons at the ends of said surface, said ailerons being longitudinally tapered and longitudinally and transversely curved, guides extending above and below the plane of the supporting surface, guide members onthe ailerons slidably engaging said guides, direction members on said guides, a looped cable threaded through the-direction members on each. guide and' forming up and down pull stretches con--" nected with the aileron, and a controlling device to which the free ends of the stretches of the cable are connected for simultaneous y adjusting said ailerons.

20. In a flying machine, a main frame, a supporting surface, a stationary shaft extending between and fixed to said frame and l I surface, horizontal and vert cal rudders, stablizing wings, devices for operating the rudders and wings, includinga plurality ofro- 15' and the control device for-positively, simulporting surface, means whereby said car-,

riage is adapted to carry the load weight and form a pendulum to gravitatively maintain the balance of the machine, a control device upon the carriage, longitudinally tapered, longitudinally and transversely wings mounted to swing vertically on fore and afft axes at the ends of said supporting surface, and connections between said wings taneously and coordinately adjusting said wings either upwardly or downwardly in unison at an equal angle of incidence above curved- (fir below the plane of the supporting surace.

22. In a flying machine, a supporting plane having an upturned front portion, a downturned rear portion and a body portion extending on a downward curvature between said portions and lying entirely below a horizontal line passing through the extreme front edge of the upturned front portion, the said upturned front portion being arranged at a'wrelatively greater angle of incidence than the remainder of the plane.

In testimony whereof we afix our signatures in presence of two witnesses. i

WILLIAM E. DENNIS. HARRY S. BRET'ION. Witnesses:

'IHORNDYKE C. MGKUNEE, Bonnnr II. DRooN-E.

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