US1288781A - Flying-machine. - Google Patents

Description

E. L. WILSDORF.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.26.1918.

Patented Deo. 24, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

att/0111043 E.v L. VI/ILSDORF.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 26. I9Ia.

IggmL I rammed De@ 24,1918,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

f gl i /k'l I @Romana vlamina L. wrtsnonr, or nasi CLEVELAND, onto, Assienon or onnroiia'rn 'ro' ennemis n. ritorna Ann cnn-FOURTH 'ro Gaone-n Uli/reissen, Born or craveh Lann, onto.

Application filed January 26, 1918. Serial No. 213,853.

To all whom t may concern: z

Be it lnown that l, ELMER L. VViLsDour, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fast Cleveland, in `the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain' yimprovements in aeroplanes, the primary ob' ject being to provide a new form of aeroplane adapted to present a more effective sustaining surface on its under side, as well as being adapted to more effectively maintain lateral balance. More specifically speaking, my irnprovementsl in aeroplanes consist in the` provision of an aeroplane elongated in the dif rection of flight and having a transversely convex sustaining and 'stabilizing under surface, whereby a plane possessing great inhereiit stability is provided. A still further improvement consists in the combination, with such form of aeroplane, of an upwardly inclined prow or forward portion inclined upwardly to the common or main longitudinal plane thereof. Y

A further obj ect is the provision of a cornbined aeroplane and hydroplane, together with improved means for controlling th same yin either capacity.

A still further object is to provide improved rudders and stabilizers adapted. to cooperate with eachother and with the aero-4 plane through suitable operating and control mechanism, whereby to control the direction of Hight and maintain or restore equilibrium as the varying eXigencies of flight may require.

A still further object is the provision of improved rudder operating and controlling mechanism adapted to beoperated by a sin- `le hand wheel and steering column.

A still further object is the provision of an improved body or chassis, together Specification of Letters Patent.

FLYING-Maenner.

Patented Dec. 24k, i918..

with improved means of mounting and sup porting the landing wheels therefor.

YVith the above mentioned and other ends in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, hereinafter described, illustrated in one of its embodiments: in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings,4 forming a part of this specification, Figure l, isa side elevation of a iying machine constructedln accordance with this invention as it `appears .l

upon the ground or earths surface 'preparatoiv to flight, the rear elevating and depressing horizontal plane and the operating and in one of their eXtreme positions.

Fig. 2, a side elevation of the :same in flight, or upon the water as a hydroplane, the dotted line representing substantially the angle or incidence and normal inclination of the plano while in flight, or in the water, as the case may be, and the rear or horizontal mechanism therefor, being shown in a substantially reversed position to that shown in Fig. l.

controllin(r mechanism therefor, being shown Fig. 3, a diagrammatic side elevation of the improved form of sustaining plane. and illustrating in particular the upwardly and downwardly extending prow andv rudder portions ofthe sustaining plane and the substantial center of gravity thereof.

Fig. 4, a diagrammatic front elevation of the saine, illustra-ting in particular the transversely convex sustaining and stabilizing surface thereof, the dotted lines illustrating the lines of air action thereon in Hight.

Fig.' 5, a top plan view of the improved \machine, and illustrating in particular the elongated form and outline of the improved aeroplane. W

Fig. 6, a transverse or cross sectional view taken `on line V6 6, of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7, a similar view taken on line 7"?, of Fig. 2. Y i

Fig. 8, a perspective view of the rear end of the improved plane, the rear horizontal or tail rudder being removed, and illustrating in particular the rear elevating and depressing horizontal plane, and its mounting and therefor.

rudder plane and 'operating- `the operating and controlling mechanism gated in the direction of Iiight and isprovided with a transversely convex sust-aining and stabilizing' surface 1a, as shown most clearly in Figs. 4, 6, and 7, of the drawings. 1t will be seen that the improved sustaining plane is of substantially convexe-concave shape in cross section for the purpose of rendering the sustaining` plane more inherently stable by more readily maintainingr or restoring lateral balance or equilibrium, as will be more readily apparent upon refer-- ence to Fig. 4, of the drawings. For the purpose of giving the improved sustaining plane additional lifting power, the front or prow portion l", is inclined and curved upwardly to the main longitudinal plane or axis of the sustaining plane, as a whole, and as a means of providing a suitable frame work for the surfaces of the sustaining plane, curved side frame members 2, of suitable form may be provided, said side members 2. being suitably supported or trussed Iby means of suitable cross members 2a, and longitudinally extending median members I2".

asshown most clearly in Figs. 6, 7, and 9, of

the drawings.

` As a means of connecting the frame mem-A bers of the aeroplane te a suitable supporting structure, as well as adapting the improved machine for use, either as an aeroplane or as a hydroplane, the front or prow portion of the 'aeroplane is provided, in the present instance, with a downwardly and rearwardly curved median skid member 3, terminating in a main supporting member 3a, the laltter terminating vin an upwardly curved skid member 3h. v

As a means of providing a suitz ble supporting orboat structure when at rest, or in the water as a hydroplane, the main sup! porting frame member 3a, is provided with frame members 4, arranged in suitable form to receive and carry a suitable boat or hull body 5, the latter being of suitable form as shown, and preferably provided with open Sides 5a, the front inner portion of the supx porting structure orboat body', being provided with a suitable power unit 6, suitably connected to a propeller shaft 7, carrying a suitable propeller 8. The propeller 8, is preferably mounted immediately beneath the upwardlyl curved front or prow portion l", of the aeroplane and in front of the boat nanars-i .body 5, thereby being protected by the curved front skid member 3, and as a means of counter-acting the side or lateral thrust of the propeller shaft 7, during its rotation, nthe front under side of the aeroplane may be provided with a vertical rudder 9, hingedly connected along its upper edge, as at'9, (see Fig.v 6) and adapted to be adjusted at various angles of incidence by means of an adjusting `bolt 9b, adjustably connected to the front curved skid member 3,.

The supporting structure or hull body 5, may be provided with suitable ground or landing wheels 10, carriedon transverse'axle members 10, the latter being mounted in suitable front and rear'springmembers 11 and 12, respectively. 1n the present in- -I stance, the front spring member 11, consists of a single length of suitable spring material' bent midway of its ends to form a` loop inember 11a, the latter bearing beneath the under side of the hull body 5, and terminatingin coils 11b, carrying the front axle member 10, the rear ends of the front spring member 11, being connected to suitable brackets 13, on the boat .or supporting structure. The rear spring l2, in the present instance, comprises two longitudinallyl extending side members connected at their frontby means of brackets 14, andthe rear axle member 10, in the present instance is provided with a loop portion iob, adapted `supporting or skid member 3a.

.The rear end of the aeroplane is preferably provided with a horizontal tail rudder 15, in the present instance, hingedly con- `nected to hinge lugs 2, of the aeroplane frame, said vtail rudder 15, normally extending downwardly and rearwardly as shown, and being adjustably supported by means of a curved threaded supporting rod 16, extending, in the present instance, from the rear skid member 3b, said supporting rod extending through a suitable opening in the tail rudder, and being provided with adjusting l nuts 16a.

As av means of controlling and regulating the horizontal direction of flight, or in other to straddle and clear the main surface l, the latter is provided at its rear y under side with an elevating and depressing rudder-plane 17, extending transversely of the sustaining plane and adapted to rock on suitable trunnion members carried in suitable bearings 18a, being mounted on the ends of depending supports 18, suitably secured to the aeroplane frame, and, if desired, the supports 18, and bearings 18a, may be bracedy by means of brace wires19.

As a means of controlling and rocking the rudder-plane 117 as well as adjusting and holding the same in any desired adjusted position, the front and rear portions of the rudder-plane 17, are provided with front and rear pairs of cable members 20, and 21, re-

spectively, extending forwardly over suitable sheaves 22, and being connected to Arear and front cables 23 and 24, respectively, the latter passing over suitable rocker segments 25a, of a steering column supporting rocker 25. The rocker 25, is mounted in a bearing column 26, and is provided with a steering column 27, provided with a steering wheel 28.

As a means of'providing for the lateral control of the combined aeroplane and hydroplaiie, the aeroplane isv provided with upper and lower vertical rudders 29 and 30, respectively, the upper or plane rudder 29, being mounted above the rear portion ofthe mainplane and being connected to the lower or boat rudder 30, by means of a vertical aXle or rock shaft 31, to which the rudders 29 or 30, may be keyed or otherwise suitably secured, and as a means of simultaneously actuating the rudders 29 and SOthe front portion of the upper rudder 29, is provided with oppositely extending cable meinbers 32, .extending over suitable sheaves 3S, at the side of the aeroplane, one of said cables extending-through one end ofethe hollow rocker 25, and being wound upon the intersecting end of the steering column 27, the other cable entending through the opposite end of the rocker 25, and being oppositely wound on the steering column so that the cable 32, will operate in unison with the turning of the steering wheel and columnin,Y an obvious manner, and when it is desired to operate the rudder-plane 17, at the same time, or simultaneously with the actuation thereof, it is obvious thata rocking motion imparted to the steering column 27, and

steering wheel 28, will impart a rocking motion to the rocker 25, and thereby actuate the rear and front cables 23 and 211.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood Having thus described one of the e1nbodiments of my invention, what I claim and desire to secure bylietters Patent, is,-

1. ln a hydroaeroplane, a sustaining plane, a boat structure carried beneath the same, connected vertical aerial and boat rudders above and at the rear of said plane and boat structures, respectively, a horizontal rudder-plane beneath said sustaining plane'V and at the rear 'of said boat rudder, and a horizontal downwardly inclined tail rudder adjustabl'y mounted at the rear of saidlisustaining plane and said rudders and rudder-plane.

2. ln a iiying machine, taining plane of convene-concave shape in cross section, a boat structurecarried thereby, an elevating and depressing rudder-plane beneath the rear portion of said sustaining plane, vertical steering rudders above and .said boat structure.

an elongated sus-,

below said sustaining plane respectively, a

tail rudder on said sustaining plane, and a steering wheel and column operatively connected to said vertical rudders and said rud-V der-plane for actuating the same either singly or simultaneously` 3. In a hydroaeroplane, a sustaining plane provided with depending boat structure and having a vertically pivoted plane connected-to a boat rudder at its rear, said boat structure being provided with front and rear skid members, a propeller at the front of said boat structure beneath said plane and at the rear of said front skid member, a power unit carried by said boat structure and operatively connected to said propeller, and an elevating and depressing horizontal rudder-plane beneath the rear portion of said sustaining plane and at the rear of t. In a hydroaeroplane, a sustaining plane provided with a depending boat structure and having connected vertically pivoted horizontally swinging aerial and boat rudders at its rear, said boat structure being provided with curved front and rear skid members connected to the front and rear portions of said sustaining plane, a propeller at the front of said boat structure beneath said plane and at the rear of said front skid member, a power unit carried by said boat 'structure and Qperativ'ely' connected tovsaid propeller, Yand an elevating and depressing horizontal rudder-planev beneath the rear portion of said sustaining plane-and at the rear of said boat structure and arranged within and protected by said rear skid member. y

5. In a hydroaeroplane, a sustaining plane, a boat body carried beneath the same, a chassis therefor, ground wheels thereon, connected upper and lower verticalrudders above and below said sustaining plane, said lower rudder being at the rear of said boat body, a horizontal rudder-plane beneath said sustaining plane and at the rearof said boat body, and a steering column and column supporting rocker member operatively connected to said rudders and rudder-plane,

respectively, whereby a rotary movement of said steering column will 'simultaneously actuate said upper andL lower rudders and a rocking movement of said rocker member by saidV column willA actuate said rudderplane.

6. ln a hydroaeroplane, a sustaining plane, a boat body, carried beneath the same,

a chassis therefor, ground wheels thereon, upper and lowerhorizontally swinging ver tical rudders projecting above and below said sustaining plane, a horizontal rudderplane beneath said vsustaining Vplane at the rear of said boat body, and a ste V.ing column and column supporting rocker Mwemf, ,aia .sim ber operatively connecten to said i i ist ` and rudder-plane, respectively, whereby a rotary movement Aof said steering column will simultaneously actuate said verticalrudder-plane beneath the rear portion of said sustaining plane and at the rear of 'said boat structure, a propeller at the front of said boat structure and beneath the front portion of said sustaining plane, and a steering column and rocker member' connected'to' said vertical rudders and rudderplane, respectively7 whereby the same may be operated either simultaneously or singly by the movements of said steering column and rocker member. l

8. a flying machine, a sustaining plane,

recarsi a boat structure including curved front and `depressing rudder-plane beneath the rear port-ion of said sustaining plane and arranged Within and protected by-said rear skid member, a propeller' at the front of said boat structure arranged Within and protatable rocking steering device connected to said vertical rudders and rudder-plane, whereby the same may be operated by the rotatable and rocking movements of said steering device. p

vIn testimony whereof I have aixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

ELMER L. WLSDORF. Witnesses:

Og. C. BILLMAN, W.' C. GRAVES.

i tected by said front skid member, and a ro-

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