US1228381A - Hydro-aero machine. - Google Patents

Description

G. H. CURTISS.

HYDRO AERO MACHINE. APPLICATION men JUNE 1. 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I/VI/E/i/TOR 54M 51 AHMt'V G. H. CURTISS.

HYDRO AERO MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

MlVE/l/ TOR ATTORNEY GLENN H. CURTISS, 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE CURTISS MOTOR COM- PANY, OFHAMMONDSPORT, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

HYDRO-AER!) MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 29, 16117.

Original application filed September 6, 1912, Serial No. 718,840. Divided and application filed June a, 1913, Serial No. 771,646. Divided and this application filed. June 7, 1915. Serial No. 32,654.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GLENN H. CUR'rrss, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hydro-Aero Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hydro-aero-machines, and the invention is useful in machines of this character either of the type adapted to skim along the surface of the water or of the type also adapted to rise from the water into the air and alight upon the water. v

The present application isv a division of one previously filed by me on June *1, 1913,

Serial Number 771,646, for flying boat, which in turn was a division of an ap lication filed by me on September 6, 1912, erial Number 718,840, for flying boat, and since patented as Patent Number 1,085,575, granted January 27, 1914.

The principal object of th'ns invention is to provlde a machine of. the above character with durable and efficient means for balancing the machine laterally when on the water and more particularly when traveling on the water, and, in the case of flying boats, for balancing the boats also when landing upon the water. In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown this means consists of wing tip pontoons carried close up beneath the air planes as hereinafter shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

These and further objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear and the invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the inven tion, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the entire machine;

Fig. 2 isa front elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a plan of the fuselage or boat portion with the supporting planes removed;

Fig. 4 is a detail cross-section through said boat body along line 4-4: of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan of one end of the upper supporting plane;

the fuselage therefor.

Fig. 6 is a plan of a wing tip pontoon; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of said wing tip pontoon; and Fig. 8 is a transverse section through line 8-8 of Fig. 6 of the wing tip pontoon. Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a boat body 1 of suiticient buoyancy for supporting the entire machine upon the water and having mounted above the same one or more supporting planes 11 and 12 connected by the usual forward and rear struts 14, 14: forming an aeroplane. These supporting planes 11 and 12 are arranged in lifting relation to the boat when floating on the water, and in the preferred form of the invention shown the planes are located with the center of gravity lying intermediate their forward and rear edges. The center of gravity of-the machine, without the aviators aboard, is inclicated by the dot c, g, somewhat forward of the step. Of course with the aviator or aviators aboard, the center of gravity is shifted somewhat forward and downward from the point .0, g. The machine is provided with suitable driving means consisting of engine 15 and air-propeller 16 of sufficient capacity to drive the machine at such speed as to enable the air planes to lift said ma chine clear of the water in flight.

The boat body 1 is of seaworthy construction for travel on the water and contains therein, preferably at its forward part, the cock-pit 8 with the operators seat and other controls more particularly described hereinafter, and extends as shown from the front to the rear of the entire machine to serve as To facilitate the breaking away of the boat from the water when the machine rises in flight, the bottom of the boat is flat as shown in Fig. 4., and is provided with a rearwardly facing step 5 (see Fig. l) at a point approximately below its center of gravity. The bottom of the boat inclines from this step 5 upwardly toward the front at 4, and also upwardly at 6 toward the rear. The stern 3 of the boat looking from above is preferably pointed as shown in Fig. 3, while the bow 2 of the boat is broad with a scow-like prow.

The upper deck 7 of the boat also preferably inclinesfrom the center downwardly toward the rear, and at the forward portion the upper deck is preferably stepped to form a cock-pit 8 for the operator. The hull of the boat is formed of rigid material such as wood or metal to withstand the water pressure, but above its forward part is provided with a hood 6 of 'fragile material such as canvas, supported on slat ribs 6 of thin wood or other easily yielding material to form the cock-pit 8 around the operators seat. The hood 6 actsas a spray shield and itsv fragile nature allows it to collapse and prevent injury to the operator if he should bethrownviolently forward due to any ac- ,cident or's'udden stopping of the machine.

beneath said rudder is preferably a projecting skeg 10 for protecting the same. Mounted above the water rudder and preferably upon the same post 24 therewith is the vertical air rudder 25 of lighter material, such as a canvas covered frame, for steering the machine to the right and left in the air. The air rudder 25 has an extension 26 forward of its pivot to partially balance the Wind pressure thereon. The rudder wires 38 connected to each side of the rudder post at 40 and 4C1, lead forwardly and pass up through the pivot of hollow steering lever 35 as shown in Fig. 1. The machine is also preferably provided at its rear end with a fixed vertical stabilizing surface 20 and a fixed horizontal stabilizing surface 21 in front of the rudders, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. At the rear. of the horizontal surfaces 21 are mounted upon the pivotal shaft 23 two horizontal rudders 22 and 22 for steering the machine up and down. The upper and lower connecting wires 36, 37 respectively for these horizontal rudders lead forwardly and are fastened above and below the ivotal point of lever 35 as shown. The vertical rudder 25, horizontal rudders 22, 22, fixed surfaces 20, 21, have to do with the controllin'gof the longitudinal stability of the machineand are therefore termed the longitudinal stabilizing devices ,as distinguished from the lateral equilibrium restoring devices hereinafter referred to.

The aeroplane attached above the boat in the present embodiment preferably consists of the superposed supporting planes as shown, and the lower plane 12 is preferably secured at its middle slightly above the upper deck of the boat and spreads outwardly therefrom in both directions at a slight upward angle so as to form a dihedral angle, as shown in Fig. 2. Mounted adjacent the lateral portions of each ,side of this lower plane, andpreferably fixed to the wing tips thereof, are pontoons 27 of hollow construction and preferably shaped as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, for the purpose of keeping the wing tips clear, of the water when the machine is traveling thereon. The pontoons in the present embodiment of the invention are, as shown in these drawings (Figs. 1 and 6 to 8 inclusive), shallow and wide at their forward end and are deep and relatively narrow at their rear end. Said pontoons 27 are formed with a downwardly inclined lower surface and also have trailing blades 28 fixed thereto for engaging the water when one side or the other of the aeroplane is depressed. These blades, as shown in the drawings, form what might be regarded as a flexible continuation of the lower surface. The shape of these pontoons is such that they present very little wind resistance to the forward travel of the machine and at their upper sides they closely conform to the under curved surface of the lower plane 12 so as to form depending end surfaces for the wing tips. It has been found that this arrangement increases the lifting capacity of the plane by preventing the air from sliding oil the ends of the supporting planes especially when said planes are arranged in a dihedral angle as shown. It will be observed from the drawings that the stabilizing pontoons are much smaller than the body boatof an entirely difi'erent order of magnitude from the boat-50 that they present no substantial resistance to the travel of the boat either on the water or through the air, and are so short as not to interfere with the handling of the boat on the water even when the pontoons are engaging the water.

Each pontoon in longitudinal vertical section, from its mid-section forward, may be described as three sided in longitudinal section, or as approximately of right triangular formation, the hypotenuse side of the pontoon conforming substantially to the underneath surface 'of the lower air plane, the base side affording a hydroplaning surface and the remaining side the rearward end thereof. The hydroplaning surface of the pontoon is thus given an angle-of incidence greater than the angle of incidence of the air plane to increasingly resist lateral unbalan'cing movement as the pontoon is progressively submerged. Although approximately of streamline form the pontoon may be said to'partake of the characteristics of a boat in that its sides extend angularly upwardly from the margins of its bottom, the sides being curved toward one end and the ea set bottom distantly removed from the trail ing edge of the air plane to which the pontoon is attached: As clearly appears in the drawings the lowermost portion of the pontoon which in this case is at its section of maximum depth) is thereby located in a plane spaced from and below the horizontal plane of the trailing edge of the wing or air-plane surface upon which the pontoon is mounted.

At the upper central portion of the aeroplane above the boat body are preferably mounted vertical surfaces 50 and 50 to offset the lateral resistance of said boat body to side currents of air and thusmore perfectly balance the machine.

The aeroplane as shown is also preferably provided with equilibrium-restoring devices one at each lateral edge of the machine, and consisting in the present embodiment of ailerons l7 and 17* pivoted at 14c upon the rear posts 14; between the planes 11 and 12. The controlling wires a5 and 45* attached to the upper surface of each aileron lead respectively around suitable guides to opposite sides of the swinging shoulder frame 51, as shown in Figs. 1'

and 3. The wire 44 connects the under side cf both ailerons, whereby the shoulder frame when swung in either direction will throw the ailerons simultaneously to opposite angles of incidence for balancing the machine in flight, as is well understood. The upper supporting plane 11 is also preferably providedat each lateral edge thereof with a triangular panel l9, 19 supported on braces 18 and 18','and having the rear corners thereof 1 05, 105 hooked downwardly to check the slipping of the supporting air past the same. This arrangement has been found to increase the lifting capacity of the upper plane.

From the foregoing description the operation .of the boat will be obvious to those skilled in the art; and it will be apparent that the wing tip pontoons of the character described with their attached paddles, give a maximum efl'ect on the surface of the water tending to quickl ri ht the boat when it tilts to one side, t at t ey give rela tively slight resistance to the travel of the boat on the water and in the air, that they prevent'the air from sliding out laterall so to speak, from beneath the planes, an are carried in a durable manner to withstand the strain to which they are frequently subjected in operation.

While I have described with particularity the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, after having knowled e of the invention, that the present description and drawings disclose merely a preferred form in which the invention may e carried out, and

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. ln a hydro-aero-machlne, the combinatlon of means for floating the maclnne on the water, air planes extending out laterally on either side thereof and secured to the same in lifting relation thereto, means including an aerial propeller for driving the machine at such speed as to cause it to skim along the surface of the water, and means for maintaining the lateral equilibrium of the machine on the water comprising means on each side of the floating means depending from the lower surface of the air planes and located Well out laterally from the floating means and on each side of the floating means consisting of a curved part conforming substantially to the lower surface of said air planes and substantially fitting the same and a substantially flat part extending downwardly and rearwardly from the air planes at a salient angle to the horizontal and adapted to engage the water and by the rush of water against said inclined part prevent submersion of the air planes when the machine tips laterally.

2. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combinat1on of means for floating the machine on the water, air planes extending out laterallv on either side thereof and secured to the samh in l fting relation thereto and curvilinear in SGCt l0I1 fore and aft, means including an aerial propeller for driving the machiiie at such speed as to cause it to skim along the surface of the Water, lateral equilibriummaintaining pontoons carried close up under the lower surface of said air planes well out from the floating means on each side thereof and each having a curvilinear upper part conforming substantially to the curvilinear section of the air planes and a lower part substantially rectilinear in transverse section, said lower part being inclined downwardly and rearwardly and adapted to engage the water when the machine is tilted laterally to prevent submersion of the air planes and by the rush of water against the linear in section fore and aft, means includsalient angle to the horizontal and adapted to extend beyond the air planes and to engage the water and by the rush of water against the same right the machine when tilted laterally.

4:. In a hydro-aero-niachine, the combination of .-means for floating the machine on the water, air planes extending out laterally on either side thereof and secured to the same in -lifting relation thereto, means including. an aerial propeller for driving the machineg'at such speed as to causeit to skim along the surface of the water, lateral equilibrium-maintaining water-tight pontoons carried close up to and under the lower surface of'j said air planes well out, from the floatingmeans on each side thereof so as to prcventethe air from sliding out laterally from beheath said air planes and having a part with a lower surface inclined downwardly {and rearwardly at a salient angle to the horizontal and adapted to extend be-. yond the air planes and to engage the water when the-boat is traveling thereon and by the rush of water against said part right the machine when tilted laterally.

5. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of nieans for floating the machine on the water, air planes'extending out laterally on either side thereof and secured to the same in lifting relation thereto, means including an aerial propeller for driving the machine at suchspeed as to cause it to skim along the surface of the water, lateral equilibriumemaintaining water-tight pontoons carried close up to and under the lower surface ofsaid air planes well out from the floating; means on each side thereof so as to prevent the air from sliding out laterally from beneath said air planes and having a lower surface extending downwardly and rearwardly from the forward portion thereof in the form of a flexible hydroplane surface forming a salient angle to the horizontal.

6. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of *means'for floating the machine on the water, air planes extending out laterally on either side thereof and secured to the same in lifting relation thereto, said planes being slightly curvilinear in section fore and aft, means including an aerial propeller for driving the machine at such speed as to masher cause it to skim along the surface of the water, lateral equilibrium-maintaining pontoonscarried close up under the lower surface of said air planes well out from the floating means on each side thereof and each having a top curvilinear portion substantially fitting the lower surface of the air plane and having a flexible bottom surface extending downwardly and rearwardly from the forward edge of the air plane, whereby when the machine is tilted laterally the pontoons will prevent submersion 0f the tips of the planes.

'Z. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of means for floating the machine on the water, air planes extending out laterally on either side thereof and secured to the same in lifting relation thereto, means in cluding an aerial propeller for driving the machine at such speed as to cause it to skim along the surface of the water, lateral equilibrium-maintaining pontoons carried close up under the lower surface of said air planes well out from the floating means on each side thereof and each having an upper portion substantially fitting the lower surface of the air plane and having a lower surface extending downwardly and rearwardly forming a salient angle to the horizontal, the pontoon being deeper near the rear edge of the air plane than it is at the forward edge, said lower surface of the pontoon being wider at the forward end and tapering rearwardly and being in the form of a hydroplane surface and having a flexible longitudinal extension thereto.

8. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of means for floating the machine on the water, airplanes extending out laterally on the side thereof and secured to the same at such speed as to cause it to skim along the surface of the water, a lateral equilib-' rium maintaining pontoon carried by each air plane well out from the floating means on each side thereof, each said pontoon having a lower surface extending downwardly and rearwardly and forming a salient angle to the horizontal to provide a hydroplane surface, extending flexibly beyond the air plane, and a vertically extending surface substantially meeting on its upper edge, the surface of the airplane to prevent the air from sliding out laterally from beneath said airplanes.

9. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of means for floating the machine on the water, air planes extending out laterally on either sidethereof and pontoons adapted to be supported by said air planes laterally out from said floating means to preserve lateral equilibrium of the machine when operating on the surface of the water, each of lili d ll

said pontoons being formed shallow andwide at its forward entering extremity, and deep and narrow at its rearward extremity.

10. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of means for floating the machine upon the Water, air planes extending out laterally on either side thereof and secured in lifting relation thereto, a lateral equilibrium-maintaining pontoon carried by each air plane on either side of said floating means, each of said pontoons conforming closely to the surface of its supporting air plane throughout its entire length, and being provided with a flexible trailing hydros plane surface projecting beyond the air planes for previous contact with the water.

11. A pontoon having entering and trailing edges at right angles to each other and having the sides connecting such edges curved to provide fore and aft streamlines.

12. A pontoon having a horizontal forward edge and a vertical rearward edge, lateral streamline surfaces connecting said edges, a substantially curvilinear to surface connecting said edges and a su stantially rectilinear bottom surface also connecting said edges.

13. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination with the laterally extending air planes of the machine, of pontoons adapted to be closely supported thereby, each of said pontoons having an upper/ surface conforming to the curve of its air plane and having a lower flat surface substantially parallel to the rear edge of the air planes and intersecting the forward edge thereof and a flexible blade secured to the said flat bottom of each pontoon and extending beyond the rear edge of the air planes in continuation of said bottom.

14:. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of means for floating the machine on the water, air planes extending out laterally on either side thereof at a positive angle of incidence, and pontoons adapted to be supported by said air planes laterally out from said floating means to preserve lateral equilibrium of the machine when operating on the surface of the water, each of said pontoons having a top surface in close proximity to the air-plane and an integral hydroplaning bottom characterized by a materially greater angle of incidence than said air planes whereby the rear lower'portion of the pontoon is projected vertically directly below the trailing edge of said planes to increasingly resist lateral unbalancing movement as the pontoon is progressively submerged.

15. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of means for floating the machine on the water, air planes extending out laterallyon either side thereof, and pontoons adapted to be supported by said air planes laterally out from said floating means to preserve lateral equilibrium of the machine when operating on the surface of the water, each of said pontoons having its bottom at its section of maximum depth spaced distant from and below the horizontal plane of the trailing edge of the air-plane to which it is attached and the depth of its section increasing from the front end to the section of maximum depth aforesaid.

16 In ahydro-aero-machine, the combination of means for floating the machine on the water, air planes extending out laterally on either side thereof, and pontoons adapted to be supported by said air planes laterally out from said floating means to preserve lateral equilibrium of the machine when operating on the surface of the water, each of said pontoons having a hydroplaning surface constructed to extend downwardly and rearwardly rather abruptly from the entering edge of the pontoon to a point vertically distant from the topof the pontoon at the midsection thereof, the sides of the pontoon extending angularly upwardly from said bot- 4 tom and converging toward one end.

17. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of means for floating the machine on the water, air planes extending out laterally on either side thereof, and pontoons adapted to be supported by said air planes laterally out from said floating means to preserve lateral "equilibrium of the machine when operating on the surface of the water, each of said pontoons having a hydroplaning bottom of rearwardly diminishing width from a point in the vicinity of the mid-section of the pontoon aft to the stern.

18. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of means for floating'the machine on the water, air planes extending out laterally on either side thereof, and pontoons adapted to be supported by said air planes laterally out from said floating means to preserve lateral equilibrium of the machine when operating on the surface of the water, each of said pontoons having a flattened bottom hydroplain ing surface, and sides extending angularly upwardly vfrom said bottom, the sides curving in approximate streamline form.

19. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of means for floating the machine on the water, air planes extending out laterally on either side thereof, and pontoons adapted to be supported by said air planes laterally out from said floating means to preserve lateral equilibrium of the machine when operating on the surface of the water, each of said pontoons in longitudinal horizontal section having a substantially streamline form.

20. In a hydro-aero-machine, the combination of means for floating the machine on the water, air-planes extending out laterally on either side thereof, and pontoons supported in a plane below the plane of said air-planes laterally out from said floating means to preserve lateral equilibrium of the machine when operating on the surface of the Water, each of said pontoons being substantially three-sided in longitudinal vertical section, having two of said sides relatively long and longitudinally extending, and the remaining side rearmost, relatively short, and vertically extending, and of such dimension as to vertically space the lowermost portion of the 1% pontoon a distance below the trailing edge of the air-plane adjacent which the pontoon is mounted.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GLENN H. CURTISS.

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