US1854611A - Airplane propeller - Google Patents

Description

April 19, 1932 FORTENER 1,854,611

AIRPLANE PROPELLER Fi led Nov. 19, 1950 II I ll 1 fliilililiiiw'.

Patented Apr. 19, 1932 PATENT 0F ANTHONY B. FORTENER, OF DAYTON, OHIO 'AIRPLA-NE PROPELLEB Application filed November 19, 1930. Serial No. 496,716.

invention relates to propellers and more particularly to a helical or screw type propeller for use upon airplanes and which is especially adapted for use upon airplanes of the helicopter type, and upon dirigible airships but which may be applied to other purposes.

The present propeller comprises a double helix .of relatively large diameter and'small pitch affording between the turns of the helix two semicircular passages having their intake orifices at one side of the propeller and theirdischarge or outletopenings at the opposite thereof.

At thedischarge or outlet end of each passage there is hinged a closure flap which is free to swing to and fro .to open and close the corresponding passage. During the normal operation of the propeller this flap is extended in open position wherein it is substantially aligned with, and forms a continuationof the wall of the propeller passage to wanna is hinged. t is limited in its outward or opening movement to suchaligned relation by a stop flange which overhangs the'hinge jointof-the closure flap and against which the flap abuts when open. Upon reverse movement of the propeller or upon descent ofmachine, in the event it is used upon a helicopter type of plane, theclosure will automatically swing to a reverse position across the outlet from the propeller thereby closing the air passagesand ineffect-transforming thepropeller into a circular wing or air baffle.

The object of the invention is to simplify the constructionas well as the mode of opera- .tion of aerial propellers whereby they will not only be cheapened in construction but will be more eticient in use, capable of exerting maximum propelling effect and un likely toget out of order.

A further object of the invention is taprovide-a closure forthe space intermediate the vanes of the propeller whereby the propeller may be transformed into a supporting wing or baflle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a propeller having automatically adjustable means for varying the effect of the device.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, or their equivalents as hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein is shown the preferred but obviously not necessarily the only forms of embodiment ofthe invention, Fig. l, is a side elevation of the assembled helical propeller forming the-subject matter hereof. Fig. 2isasimilar View with ,a portion of the peripheral wall removedon line 22 of Fig.3. Fig. 3 is "a side elevation of the outlet or discharge side of .thepropeller. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view illustrating the mounting and range of movement of the closure flap.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

W'hilejthe present propeller may be made of any suitable ordesired diameterand the vanes and intermediate.airpassagcsmay be given any desired pitch, the diameter will nevertheless be comparatively large in proportion-to thepitch or axial extent of the 1 propeller.

Referring to the drawings 1 is a propeller shaft-on which is. carried the hub or head 2, which to reduce resistance .to air pressure is preferably of conoidalfor n. -Secured to the head2, are two helical disc like vanes spaced one from the other tov afford two semicircular airpassages 4 and 5. The vanes 3 are in effectdiscs of sheet metal which are radially slit from their periphery to their center, each on a single radial line, theportions adjacent to the slit beinga'laterally'displaced relative to each other into 'helical formation. The twohelical discs-arefixedly attached in spaced relation'to'thehub 2..thjus forming-a double helix or screw consisting of one complete :turn. 'The vanes-*3 are peripherallyinterconnected by an annular .wallfitwhich confines the .airfcurrents-to the passages l and 5. The respective wages-.3

are of like extent but are rotated relative to each other so that the vanes start and terminate on diametrically opposite radial lines.

Thus the intervening air space 4; has its in-' take orifice at i on one side of the supporting hub 2 and its discharge orifice at the diametrically opposite side of the hub, and on the opposite side of the structure as indicated by the arrow 4?. Likewise the second air space intermediate the vanes 3 has its intake orifice at the side of the hub 2 opposite that observed in Figs. 1 and 2 as indicated at 5 and its discharge orifice is on the adjacent side of the hub as indicated at 5 Hinged to the wall of each air passage 4 and 5 at the outlet orifices 4: and 5* thereof is a variable closure flap 6. During the normal operation of the propeller this closure flap is extended in substantially parallel alignment with the side wall of the air passage to which it is hinged. It is held to this position by the current of air flowing through the corresponding air passage as the propeller rotates. Its swinging movement is limited in its outward or opening direction by an overlapping stop flange 7 upon the supporting wall of the air passage which stop flange projects beyond the hinge 8 and affords an abutment for the swinging closure flap 6 when extended. Upon the reversal of the air current the closure flap will automatically swing into contact with the vane 3 beyond the outlet from the air passage as shown by dotted lines and will close the passage. The propeller is thus transformed into an air bafile or wing affording resistance to air pressure.

The construction while simple and ineX- pensive, materially increases the efficiency of rotary propellers for aerial purposes and by enabling the automatic conversion of the propeller into a supporting surface, it materially increases the safety of aerial navigation.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the parti cular features of advantage before enumere ated desirable. but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limitedto the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modification within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An airplane propeller comprising two discs of helical contour spaced one from the other and connected peripherally to form therebetween two helical passages of semicircular extent having inlet openings at one side ofthe propeller and outlet openings at the opposite side thereof and closure flaps hinged to said discs adjacent the outlet openings and adapted to swing into and out of position to close the openings.

2. An air propeller comprising a helical disc having therein two independent air passages, each extending throughout one half the circumference of the disc and each having an entrance on one side of the disc and an outlet on the opposite side of the disc, and closure flaps hinged to the disc contiguous to the outlets from the passages and swinging into and out of contact with the disc to close and open the passages.

3. An air propeller comprising a helical disc having therein two independent air passages, each extending throughout one half the circumference of the disc and each having an entrance on one side of the disc and an outlet on the opposite side of the disc, and closure means for the air passages.

I. In an airplane propeller a plurality of helically disposed propeller blades and flaps hinged to the trailing edges of the blades adapted to swing into contact with adjacent blades to afford a continuous air baffle.

5. In an airplane propeller a rotary disc having therethrough two independent helical passages and closures for the outlets of said passages adapted to be operated by air pressure.

6. In an airplane propeller a screw propeller having multiple helical blades affording therebetween separate helical channels, and closure means for each of the channels. 7. In an airplane propeller rotary spaced blades inclined to the plane of rotation and movable closure for the space intermediate the blades.

8. In an airplane propeller, a disc having a helical passage therethrough and a closure for the outlet from said passage.

9. In an airplane propeller a screw propeller of relatively large diameter and short pitch, the space between succeeding turns being peripherally enclosed, and a variable closure for the outlet from said space.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of November, A. D.

ANTHONY B. FORTENER.

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