US1915855A - Airship - Google Patents

Description

J. W. HESS June 27, 1933.

AIRSHIP Filed May l1, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l I n'rentor James h/ ffe x Attorneys ,June 27, 1933. .1 w, H555 1,915,855

AIRSHIP Filed May 11, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I m'entor Attorneys J. W. HESS June 27, 1933.

AIRSHIP 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May ll, 1931 Inventor cfa/7.266 /Y's Attorneys' Patented June 27, 1933 UNITED STATES- msnm Application led May 11,

This invention relates to an` airship, and, particularly, t-o the propelling mechanism for the same as applied to an airship of a rotary j wing type havingsome of the characteristics of the helicopter. In its general construction, the airship to which I have applied my invention comprises two rotors disposed on opposite sides of the centr-al fore-andaft axis of the ship. and these rotors are mounted for rotation on asubstantially vertical axis. A plurality of blades, or wings, are carried on each rotor,I and these wings are preferably so located that a certain wing of one rotor is constantly in the same phase as the corresponding wing of the opposite rotor, and the rotors are driven in synchronism.

rl`he general object of the invention is to provide an airship of this type with V improved means for controlling `the angle of incidence of the wings; also to provide a system of control for the wings operating in such a way that there is a correlated adjustment of the angles of incidence of the wings so as to obtain a substantial balance of the forces developed by the Wings in their rotation, in-

cluding the lifting effect of the wings and the driving forces that impel the airship orward. A further object of the invention is to provide stabilizing mechanism 'for automatically maintaining the airship on. an even keel as it progresses through the air, and controlling the wings in such a way that it the nose of the airship tends to dip too tar in normal their angle of incidence so as to raise the dey pressed sidelof the ship. i

ln the operation of the rotors, as the wings pass aft in their travel, their angle of incidence is controlled so as to develop'a propellight, an immediate automatic adjustment i 1931. Serial N0. 536,451.

ling and lifting force on the airship; as the wings come forward their angle of incidence is decreased so as to reduce their resistance to the air.

A further object of the invention is to pro- Vide a construction for an airship which will be capable of developing a relatively high lift power, or a relatively high lifting force as may be desired by the aviator, and which will be capable of progressing through the air at a relatively low speed, when desired, and also capable of lighting and taking oil' at a relatively low speed.

A further object oi the invention is to provide means whereby the airship can volplane 55' to the ground with the wings rotating at a relatively higher velocity than corresponds to the motor, thereby enabling the rotors to rotate freely at a high speed independently of the motor and without necessitating the use ot a regular clutch, which would have to be manually opened at such a time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gravity controlled stabilizing device cooperating with the wings of the rotors to stabilize the airship in its flight by controlling the angle of incidence of the wings oi3 the rotors.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter. l

The invention consists of novel parts and combinations of parts to be described hereinafter, all of which contribute to produce an elcient airship. y

'A preferred embodiment oi the invention is described in the following specication,

while the broad scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims..

In thedrawings-J Figure l is a perspective of an airship embodying. my invention, a portion of one of the wings being broken away;

Figure 2 is a perspective of a diagrammatic nature illustrating partsof the frame, 95 and, particularly, illustrating the general arrangement o the airship and the rotors, with parts being broken away;

Figure 3 is a`vertical section through the left rotorl of the airship and looking in aA 10'I forward direction, certain parts being broken away;

Figure 4 is a horizontal lan section taken about on the line 4, 4 of igure 3, the outer portion of the wings being broken away;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken about on the line 5, 5 of Figure 3, and further illustrating the means for supporting and adjusting the controller rings that control the angle of incidence of the Wings;

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken about on the line 6, 6 of Figure 3, and further illustrating details of the supporting and adjusting means for supporting the controller rings;

Figure 7 is a detailed elevation 1n partial section, further illustrating the means'tor connecting the controller rings to the wings for regulating their angle of incidence;

Figure 8 is a vertical section in detail taken at the lower end of the driving shaft of one oi the rotors and illustrating the driving means for the same, certain parts being broken away;

Figure 9 is a perspective showing the details of a control connection to the left controller ring for shifting its plane to elevate, or depress, its inboard edge, and correspondingly depress, or elevate, its outboard edge;

Figure 10 is a perspective illustrating the details of a controller connection for depressing, or elevating, the forward, or after, edges of the controller ring;

Figure 11 is a section taken about on vthe line 11, 11 of Figure 2, and, particularly, illustrating a driving connection which l employ for enabling the rotors at times to rotate at a faster speed than that corresponding to the rotation of the shaft of the motor.

Before proceeding to a detailed description of the invention, it should be stated that, in its general construction, ll prefer to .einploy two oppositely disposed rotors located at equal distances Jfrom the central plane, or axis, of the airship. rlhese rotors carry Wings, each of which is movable for adjustment on its own corresponding, or individual, substantially 'horizontal axis. The rotors have the same number of wings, and the rotors are driven in synchronism so that the wings of one rotor are always in the same phase as the wings of the other, though in a reversed relation.

Corresponding to each rotor, l provide a controller ring which is mounted so that it is capable of being tilted into di'erent planes, and each ring is connected with its corresponding wings so that the ring controls the angle of incidence of the wings throughout the entire 360o of their travel as they pass around the axis of the rotor. rllhe construction is such that in normal flight, the angle of incidence of any wing of one rotor is the same as the corresponding wing of the opposite rotor, thereby insuring a normal balance of the ship in Hight. These angles of incidence are subject to automatic control through a stabilizer device to sustain the ship on a substantial even keel, and overcome any tendency to list to the right or left. These controls, however, are always subject to the manual control of the aviator so that manual control can be substituted at any instant for the automatic equilibrating controls.

Referring more particularly to the parts, and especially to Figures 1 and 2, 1 indicates the body of the ship that is mounted on a suitable frame 2. This body includes a fuselage 3, which may have a forwardly projecting nose, or head, t, and comprises two laterally disposed arms 5 and 6, which are suitably trussed by the frame 2, and which support rotors 7 and 8.

Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3, each of these rotors is preferably mounted on a central shaft 9, which, as indicated in Figure 3, is preferably not exactly vertical, but mounted so that its upper portion inclines toward the central plane of the airship. Fach rotor comprises a wheel 10, including a hub secured to the rotary shaft and a concentric rim 11 connected to the hub by spokes 12 (see Figure 3), which are extended through the wings 13 of the rotor and constitute supporting shafts corresponding to each wing (see Figure 7). ln this way, each wing has its own individual axis of rotation for adjustment on the extended spoke 12, and, furthermore, this axis of rotation for each wing is preferably located about on a line with the middle transverse axis of the wing, thereby substantially balancing the pressure forces on the under side of the wing as it moves through the air.

The upper end of each rotor shaft 9 is mounted in a bearing 14 carried in a bracket 15 that is attached to the upper truss 16 of the airship frame; from each bracket 15, a controller ring 17 is supported; each controller ring is supported from the bracket in such a way that it can be raised to change its elevation with respect to the wings 13.. v

Before describing this means, however, ll shall describe the connections between the controller rings 17, and the wings 13 for regulating the angle of incidence of the wings as they travel around the axis of the rotor. Each controller ring, is, of course, substantially.

the controller ring. With this construction,

vit will be evident that by altering the planel ofthe controller ring, the angle of incidence of the wings can be controlled throughout their complete revolution around the axis of the rotor. Means is provided for control-- ling the plane of the controller rings.

Referring again to Figures 2 and .3, each bracket 15 is provided with a hanger 22, which is preferably in the form of a .slide bar guided to slide through a guide bearlng 24 at the lower end of the bracket. vrlhe lower end of this slide bar is connectedy to the controller ring by a joint 25, which is preferably a unl- `versal, or ball and socket, joint (see Figure 5). The casing 26 for this joint is formed as a connection for a divided cross-bar 27, which, extends as a chord across the ring, its ends being secured in the ring in suitable bosses .28 formed on the inner face ofthe ring (see F 1gure 4). Raising this bar 27, will, therefore, raise the entire ring, and vice versa. `Sultable mechanism is associated with this hanger bar to raise it or lower it at the will of an aviator, and the construction is such that, if

desired, one ot the hanger bars 22 can be raised at one side of the airship while the other one is correspondingly depressed. Such movement would be effective for stabilizing purposes. For this purpose, the upper end of each hanger bar 22 is provided with a high pitch thread 29, which carries a nut swiveled in a: bearing 31 supported on the iframe. This nut is formed at its lower end into a pinion 32, the teeth of which mesh with a rack 33 guided in the lower end of bearing 31. The thread 29 on one of thesehanger bars 22 is of an opposite character from the corresponding thread 29 on the opposlte hanger bar 22.

Each rack 33 is connected at its end to an 4operating rod 34, and these rods 34 extend to a point near the central part of the ship where they carry threads 35 of opposite character receiving a turn buckle 36, said turn buckle having a handle in the torni of a wheel 3'?, which can be seized by the aviator and pushed to theright or to the left to shift the rods 34 toward either side of the ship. Such a shifting movement will cause rotation of the nuts 30, which will cause one of the draw bars 22 to rise and the other to descend. rllhese hanger bars 22 are held nonrotatably in the guides 24. j

With this construction, it will be evident that by leaving wheel 37 inits normal position, but by rotating itl in one direction, or

the other, the hanger bars 22 can be simul-` taneously raised, or simultaneously lowered, equal amounts.

The airship is also provided with means for elevating, or lowering, theinboard sides of the controller rings 11 totilt the plane of the rings, thereby raising the forward edges of the wings 13 as they pass in a rearward purpose, each ring is providedl with a bail 38, which preferably has a substantially vertical arm 39 on its outboard side, anda curved arm 40-toward its inboard side. The lower ends of these arms 39 and 4() are attached to theinner sides of the controller ring,as indicated at 41 (see Figure 2). In

order to produce a slight outward movement y of the rings on their bars 27, I provide two push rods, or links, 42,'each rod 42 being provided with a bifurcated head 43 provided with a slot in its end to clear the corresponding curved arm 4() of thebail 38. The end of this bifurcated head 43 carries an upwardly extending shank 44 that slides freely through a bearin ring 45, said bearing ring being mounted 1n the upper end of the curved arm 40 so'asv to rock on a horizontal pin 46, (see Figure 9). ln order to receive this rocking ring 45, the upper end of the curved arm 40 is biurcatedas shown. With this construction, it will be evident that it' either of the bars42 isshifted in an outward direction, its corresponding controller ring 11 will be tilted upwardly at its inboard sido, and slightly downwardly at its loutboard side. ln this connection, it should be noted that the bar 27 of each rotor is located on the outboard side of the ring and at a considerable distance from the axis of rotation o1 the rotor. This gives increased movement for theinboardedge of the controller ring and reduced movement for the outboard edge. y

The bars 42 are connected by a construction similar to the turn buckle 36 already described, that is to say, each bar 42 extends over to a point near the center line of the airship where it is provided with threads 47 and the threads of one bar are of an opposite character to those of the other bar. rlhese threads 47 are connected by a turn buckle 48 formed as the hub of" a Wheel/49.

This wheel operates as means for shifting` the bars 42 simultaneously in either direction, for by rotating the handl wheel 49, the bars 42 can be drawn toward each other, orv moved further apart. at their inner ends, which will have the effect of giving the controller rings an equal adjustment of the same character, raising orvlowering the inboard edge of the controller rings as may be desired.

In order to enableithe controller rings to be tilted up or down at their forward edges,

Y no

or aft edges, l provide each controller ring with a bail 50, the ends of which may be attached at the ends of the bar 27. The upper end of this bail is bifurcated (see Figure l) to receive a rocking bearing 51, said bearing being mounted to rock on a-horizontal pin 52. Through this bearing 51, a shank 53 extends downwardly from the outer end of a rocker 54, said rocker having a crossbar 55 formed at its inner end and mounted for slight swinging movements on a rocking pin 56.

lll/hen the rocker 54 is swung forwardly at its outer end, the shank 53 would, of course, rock the bail in a corresponding direction, thereby depressing the forward side of the controller ring and elevating the rear side. The cross-heads 55 are connected for complementary movement and are preferably connected with a stabilizer device controlled by gravity, which also connects up with the rods 34 already described. For this purpose, il provide a stabilizer device that is capable of swinging on a transverse axis of the airship, and also on an axis extending longitudinally with the fore-and-af't axis, and T utilize the relative movements of the stabilizer plumb-bob, or similar means, for effecting automatic adjustments in the controller rings.

' The stabilizer which l have illustrated comprises a transverse substantially horizontal shaft 57 mounted at its ends to rock in fixed bearings 58. This rocking shaft has two downwardly extending rigid arms 59 which connect to cords 60 Athat extend from it in different directions, and pass around guide pulleys 61 so that their outer ends can be attached to the ends of the cross-head 55. This construction, like the others described, is duplicated at both sides of the airship. Near the middle point of the bar 57, there is provided a. rigidly attached sleeve 62 and on this sleeve a pendulum 63 is mounted to swing on a pin 64, the laxis of which extends in a foreand-aft direction. The lower end of the pendulum carries a plumb-bob 65.

With this arrangement, it will be evident that if the airship becomes depressed at its forward end, the pendulum 63 will swing relatively in a forward direction and this will mdve the cords 6l in the direction of the arrow (as indica-ted in Figure 2), thereby pulling in the rear cords and paying out the forward cords. This will produce an upward adjustment of the forward ends of the controller rings and a corresponding depression of their rear sides. This adjustment movement takes place on the universal joints, or ball and socket joints, 25, which support the bars 27 on the hanger bars 22. An opposite movement of the arms 59, will, of course, produce an opposite tilting effect at the controller rings. This gives a fore-andaft stabilizing effect by reason of the fact that the raising of the forward sides of the wiesen;

controller rings will increase the angle of incidence of the wings that are passing across the forward side of the airship, and this will increase their lifting power. l utilize the latthe rock bar 57, l mount a lever 66 on a horizontal pivot pin 67 so that this lever can swing in a transverse plane. The lower end of this lever is connected by a link 68 to the pendulum 63 and the upper end is attached by a link 69 to a yoke 70 that hangs on a grodved collar 7l near the hub of the wheel 37 already described. The yoke 70 is connected to the link 69 by a vertical pivot pin 70a. By reason of this lever 66 and its connections, it will be evident that if the airship becomes greatly depressed at its right or starboard side, thependulum 63 will swing relatively toward the right, and this will shift the rods 34. toward the left. This will rotate the nuts 30 in a direction to depress the hanger bar 22 at the left or port side of the airship and will raise the outboard side of the starboard controller ring which will have the effect of increasing the angle of incidence of the wings as they pass forwardly at the right side of thc? ship, thereby increasing the lift on this s1 e.

lin order to guide the inboard sides of the controller rings as they are raised and lowered, the bracket 15 is providedl with a long curved guide 72. This guide is bifurcated at its lower end so as to form a long guide slot 73 and each controller ring is provided with a sf-shaped brace 74, the shank 7 5 of which passes through this slot 73. This guide, therefore, keeps the inboard edges of the controller rings from moving in a fore-and-aft direction, and also permits the front or rear sides of the rings to be tilted up or down when the rings are being adjusted, or controlled, by the bails 50.

The airship may be drivenby any suitable motor but preferably by a motor 76 mounted on the central axis of the airship (see Figure 2) so that the motor shaft 77 extends rearwardly so as to drive a crossshaft 78 through bevel gears 7 9, the ends of the cross-shaft being provided with bevel gears that drive the shafts 9 of the rotors. These gears should be proportioned so that the rotors will be driven at about one tenth the revolutions per minute of the engine, as-

suming an engine speed of about 12 or 14,

hundred revolutions per minute.

At some point in the drive shaft 77, l provide a one-way drive connection, such as indicated in Figures 11 and 1, and, if desired, this one-way drive connection can be incorporated in the hub of the pinion 79a that forms part of the bevel gears 79. This construction may include a sleeve 80a rigidly mounted onthe drive shaft 77, and having a plurality of cam faces 81 that cooperate with balls, or rollers,

roo

82, so as to j am them against the inner face of a c lindrical chamber 83 formed4 within the hu 84 of the pinion 79a. A drive connection, constructed as described, will enable the engine to drive the rotors in a forward direction, but if the rotors should be rotated yat a higher speed than the engine can drive them, then they will rotate freely because the balls, or rollers, will move up against the shoulders 85 at which point they will not be jammed in the /chamber.83. This attains a afree wheeling effect for the rotors, which is useful when the airship descends; theair stream that passes upwardly as the airship descends will cause rotation of the rotors in a forward direction. In order to permit this,

of course it isI necessary for the aviator to set the controller rings so that both the controller rings are in the same relation to the wings which they control. By setting the controller rings so that the forward edge of each wing (with respect to their rotation by the rotor) is depressed, the air stream will cause the rotors to rotate in a forward direction.

This will, of course, develop aconsiderable resistance to the dropping of the airship through the air.

In order to steer the ship in a horizontal direction, I prefer to provide the tail of the fuselage with a rudder, or vane, 87, located on each side and normally lying close against the side of the ship. Each of these rudders has its 4own pivot pin 88 (see Figure l), which is located in a substantially vertical plane, and the rudders can be controlled by .a double steering lever 89 within the fuselage, each arm being connected by a steering cord 90 to its corresponding rudder. These cords can pass out through guide openings 91 in the side of the fuselage, and connect to an arm 92 on the side of the rudder. If desired, a light spring may be used on the inner side of each rudder to hold it normally against the side of the fuselage.

The general mode of operation of the airship will now be briefly described:

The two rotors rotate in opposite direction from each' other, the left-hand rotor being rotated in a clock-wise direction, and the right-hand rotor in an anti-clockwise direction. rlhe wings of the rotors are in the same phase and the rotors are driven in synchronism so that when any wing is passing rearwardly near the central fore-and-aft axis' of the ship, a corresponding wing on the other side of the fore-and-aft axis is also passing rearwardly.

The wings that pass rearwardly near the center line of the ship produce most of the propelling effect and most of the lifting effect. Atthis point, the wings have the greatest angle of incidence and for this reason have the greatest lifting and propelling effect. As the wings pass outwardly toward the rear side of the ship, their angle of incidence decreases and they haven very small angle of incidence or none at all as they move forwardly at the outboard sides of the rotors. By rotating hand wheel 49. in one direction, the outboard sides of the control/1er rings 1J. can be raised, and this will increase the angle of incidence of/the wings as they come forwardly on'the outboard side; an opposite rotation of the wheel 49 will produce an opposite effect. By rotating the wheel 37 the controller rings can be raised or lowered simultaneously, thereby increasing, or decreasing, the angle of incidence of-all of the Wings of the ship simultaneously. By swinging the pendulum 63 forward or back, the cross-heads 55 (see Figure 10) can be rocked in either direction.l If rocked in the direction to carry the shank 53 forwardly, the forward sides of the controller rings will be depressed, thereby reducing the angle of incidence of the wings as they pass across the ship at the forward side. If the shank 53 is moved rearwardly, the angle of incidence of the wings on the forward side of the ship will be increased and the elevation of the rings at the rear side will be decreased, thereby reducing the angle of incidence of the wings on the aft sides of the rotors. By swinging relatively forward, or back, the plumb-bob will make similar adjustments automatically.

The plumbebob 65 also automatically controls 'the shifting of the rods 34 by swinging relatively laterally to raise or lower the controller rings at their points of support on the hanger bars 32. The plumb-bob may be moved by hand toward either side for the same purpose.

By reason of the one-way drive connection in the drive shaft 77, it is possible for the engine to idle while the ship is in the air .and this will cause the ship to descend; such de scent, however, would be regulated by the resistance of the rotors which will be rotated by the relative upward air stream caused by the descent of the ship. By reason of the one-way drive, the engine does not operate as a drag on the rotors. In other words, the rotors rotate with a free wheeling effect. The upper ends'of the shafts are inclined inwardly so as to increase the general stability of the ship.

It is understood that the embodiment of the invention described herein is only one of the many embodiments this invention may take, and I do not wish to be limited in the practice of the invention, to the particular embodiment set forth.

What I claim is:

1. vIn an airship, the combination of frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor forI adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass'rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, means for adjusting all the Wings on their axes to regulate the angle of incidence of all ofthe wings simultaneously, and means for controlling the angle of incidence in a complementary manner of the wings on opposite sides of the ship as they pass forwardly remote from the fore-andaft axis of the ship so that when the angle of inc1dence of a wing passing forwardly on one side of the ship is increased, the angle of incidence of the corresponding wing on the other side or the ship will be decreased.

2. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the :tore-andaft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, means for adjusting all the wmgs on their axes to regulate the angle of incidence of all of the wings simultaneously, and means for controlling the angle of incidence in a complementary manner of the wings on opposite sides of the ship as they pass rearwardly adj aeent to the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, so that when the angle of incidence of a wing passing rearwardly on one side of the ship is increased, the angle of incidence of the corn responding wing on the other side of the ship will be decreased.

3. In an airship, the combination of a `frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment abouty corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor, means for supporting said ring for adjustment on a substantially horizontal foreand-aft axis, means running on said ring and connected with the wings respectively for tilting the same on their axes, and means for controlling the position of the ring to control the angle of incidence of the wings.

4. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating'the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly ladjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor and mounted so that it is capable of tilting on .a front and rear axis and onv a transverse axis, means running on the ring and connected with the wings respectively -for tilting the same on their axes, and means for regulating the position of the controller ring.

5. In an airship, the combination of a terasse frame, a pair of -rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-andaft axis of the ship, a

plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the running on the controller ring and yconnected with the corresponding wing to tilt the same on its axis, means for supporting said controller rin g enabling the same to tilt in di'erent dlrections, and means for controlling the tilt of the controller ring to regulate the angle of incidence of the wings. I

6. ln an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on op osite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the s ip, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller 'ring corresponding toeach rotor, and mounted substantially concentric therewith, a carriage corresponding to each wing and running on the controller ring, means connecting each carriage with each wing for tilting the wings on their axes to Vary the angle of incidence, means for supporting the controller ring to enable the same to tilt in different directions, and means connected with the ring for tilting the same in di'erent directions to control the angle of incidence of the wings.

7. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor, and mounted substantially concentric therewith, means for supporting each controller ring for adjustment on a substantially horizontal front and rear axis, a carriage corresponding to each wing and guided on the controller ring, means connecting each carriage with its corresponding wing for adjusting the angle of incidence of the wing, means for supporting each ring to enable the same to be adjusted downwardly or up- C wardly at the front and rear of the ring, and means for controlling the tilting of the ring at its front and rear.

8. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly ad- 'jacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring concentric with each rotor, means corresponding to each wing, running on the controller ring and connected with the corresponding wing to-tilt the same on its axis, means for supporting said controller ring enabling the same to tilt in different directions, and automaticmeans connecting the two controller rings and operating when the ship is depressed at one side, to increase the angle of incidence of the wings as they pass rearwardly on that side to .raise the depressed side of the ship.

9. In an airship, the combination of a frame,'a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft 'axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes to change the angle of incidence of the wings, means for rotating each rotor about a. substantially lVertical axis, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor and mounted substantially. concentric therewith, means corresponding to each wing and mounted on its corresponding ycontroller lring for tilting each wing on its own axis to change the angle of incidence of the wing, means for supporting each controller ring, and enabling the ring to be tilted into different positions, and automatic means operating when the ship is depressed on one side, for tilting the controller rings to increase the angle of incidence of the wings on the depressed side of theship, and thereby to raise the depressed side.

l0. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central ore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor andv mounted substantially concentric therewith, means supporting each controller ring for adjustment enabling the side of the ring toward the fore-and-aft axis of the ship to be raised or lowered, and enabling the fore or aft sides of the ring tobe depressed or raised, means corresponding to each Wing running on the ring and connected with each wing for tilting each wing on its own axis to adjust its angle of incidence, and means for controlling the position of thev controller rings to control the angle of incidence of the wings.

11. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair oi3 rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a pluralityofwings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor, means for mountlng the same to enable the controller ring to be tilted, means corresponding to each wing and running on its corresponding controller ring and connected with each wing for tilting each wing on its own axis to regulate its angle of infcidence, and automatic means connected with the controller rings for increasing the angle of incidence ofthe wings at the forward side of the ship when the forward side of the ship becomes depressed. Y

l12. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the' central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor, means for mounting the same toenable the controller ring to be tilted, means corresponding to each wing and running on its corresponding controller ring and con'- nected with each wing for tilting each wing on its own axis to regulate its angle of incidence, and automatic means connected with the controller rings for decreasing the angle of incidence of the wings at the aft side of the ship when the .forward side of the ship becomes depressed. c l

13. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horiiontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor, means for mounting the same vto enable the controller ring to ybe tilted,

means corresponding to each wing and running on its corresponding controller ring and connected with each wing for tilting each wing on its own axis to regulate its angle of incidence, and automatic means connected with the controller ring for increasing the angle of incidence of the wings at the forward side of the ship and decreasing the angle of incidence of the wings at the aft side of the ship when the forward side of the ship becomes depressed. A

14. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotorslocated on opposite,

sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontall axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly ad-l jacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor and mounted substantially concentric therewith, means for supporting each controller ring for movement on a front-and-rear axis located on the outboard side of the axis of rotation of its corresponding rotor, means corresponding to each wing running on the controller rings and connected with the corresponding wings for regulating the angle of incidence of the wings, and means for holding the controller rings in different positions on their axes to change the angle of incidence of the wings.

15. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly ad jacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor and mounted substantially concentric therewith, means for supporting each controller ring for movement on a front-andrear axis located on the outboard side of the axis of rotation of its corresponding rotor, means corresponding to each wing running on the controller rings and connected with the corresponding wings for regulating the angle of incidence of the wings, means for holding the controller rings indifferent positions on their axes to change the angle of incidence of the wings, and means for raising or lowering the forward and aft sides of the controller rings to change the angle of incidence of the wings as they pass away from, or toward, the fore-and-aft axis of the shi 1%. ln an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of fore-and-aftaxis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal'axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor and substantially concentric with the same, a bar corresponding to each ring and extending as a chord across the same in a fore-andaft direction on the outboard side of the axis of the rotor, a bracket corresponding to each controller ring and carried on the frame, a universal joint supported on each bracket and supporting the corresponding rock bar, means corresponding to each wing and running on the controller rings with means connecting the same with a corresponding wing to regulate the angle of incidence of each wing, and means for supporting the inboard side of each ring and for depressing or raising the same to change the angle of incidence of the wings.

17. ln an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the shipa plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes,means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adj acent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship,

a controller `ring corresponding to each rotor means corresponding to each wing and runningon the controller rings with means connecting the same with a corresponding wing to regulate the angle of incidence of each wing, means for supporting the inboard side of each ring and for depressing or raising the same to change the angle of incidence of the wings, and means connected with the rings for adjusting the same on the universal joints to depress or raise the forward and after portions of the said rings, to change the angle of incidence of the wings as they pass along the forward and after portions of the rings.

18. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about' corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring correspending to each rotor and mounted substantially concentric therewith, means for supporting each controller ring on the frame so that its forward and after portions can be depressed or raised and so that the inboard or outboard sides ofk the ring can be depressed or raised, means corresponding to each wing running on the controller rings and connected with the wings for moving each wing on its own axis to change the angle of incidence of each wing, a gravity controlled device, and means connecting the same with the rings operating to depress or raise the inboard or outboard sides of the i rings when the starboard orport side of the airship is depressed and operating to raise or lower the forward or aft sides of the rings when the forward end of the ship is depressed or raised.

19. ln an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located, one on each side of the fore-and-aft axis of the shipaplurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors, controlling means associated with each rotor for controlling the angle of incidence of its wings, and a common gravity controlled equilibrating device for both rolli.

tors connected with the said last-named means and operating to increasethe angle of incidence of thew'ings' of each rotor as they s passon the forward side of the vship when the forward side of the ship has become ldepressed, and operating to increase angle of incidence of the Wings of each rotor as they pass on the starboard side oi the axis of the rotor after the starboard side of the ship has become depressed. y

20. In an air hip, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a

plurality of wings supported on each rotor' 21. In an airship, the lcombination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on oppositeA i sides of the for-and-aft axis of the ship, a v

plurality of wings supported on each rotor Afor adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors, controlling means associated with each -rotor for controlling the angle of incidence of its wings, a transverse shaft mounted for rotation on its axis, a -plumbbob, with means for connecting the same to the shaft, enabling the plumb-bob to swing transversely of the ship, means connected with the shaft for imparting relative movements of the plumb-bob in a ore-and-aft direction, to the controlling means, and means connected with the plumb-bob for imparting its transverse movements to the said controlling means, for controlling the angle of incidence of the wings.

' i22. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a. pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the ore-'and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on/each rotor for adjustment about corresponding sub stantially horizontal axes, a controller ring corresponding to l each rotor' and substantially concentric therewith, means for supporting veach controller ring to enable the same to be rocked for, adjustment on a transverse axis and on a front and rear axis,

means connecting each ring with its corre-r sponding wings for regulating the angle of incidence of the same, a plumb-bob, means for supporting the same so that it is capable of swlnglng in a relative fore-and-aft direction and in a transverse direction, means for imparting the relative movements yot the plumb-bob in a fore-'and-aft direction to the controller rings, the transverse movements of the plumb-bob tothe said rings. Y

23. In an airship,'the combination of 'a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite lsides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship,

ya plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding suband means for imparting v stantially horizontal axes, means for rotata ing the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponds ing to each'rotor and mounted substantially concentric therewith, a bracket supported on the frame, means mounted on the bracket for supporting each ring, means running on the rings and connected with the wings for regulating their angle of incidence, a control rod corresponding to each yrotor and extending laterally to the same from the central portion of the ship, and means associated with eachI bracket so that a shifting of the control rods effects a movement in the controller ring to change the angle of incidence of the' wings.

24. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides ofthe fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a pluralityo1 wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about wcorresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-,and-aft axis of the ship, `a controller ring corresponding to each rotor, means running on the ring for regulating the angle of incidence of the wings,

vmeans for supporting each ring so that it is capable of being tilted to vary the angle of incidence of the wings at different points in their travel, control members corresponding to each rotor, with means connecting the same with each ring for controlling the ring, said control members extending to a point near the central axis of the airship, the adjacent ends o said control members having oppositely disposed threads, and a `turn- `buckle mounted on said threads and having means for grasping the same to shift the said control members simultaneously, the opposite threads of said control members enabling the rotation ofthe turn-buckle to impart equal adjustments to the said rings.

25.`In yan airship, the combination of a frame, alpair of rotors located on opposite -sides of the foreand-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the .rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a bracket corresponding to each rotor and carried by the frame, a hanger guided to slide substantially vertically in each brack- `frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearf .lwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a bracket corresponding to each rotor and carried by the frame, a hanger guided to `slide substantially vertically in each bracket, a controller ring corresponding4 to each rotor, means for supporting each ring on its corresponding hanger, means running on the controller `rings and connected with the wings for regulating their angle of incidence, a rod corresponding to each hanger and extending inwardly to a point near the central axis of the ship, said hangers having threads thereon, a nut on the threads of each hanger for supporting the hanger, a pinion associated with each nut, each rod having a rack meshing with its corresponding pinion to rotate the same when the rods are shifted, and thereby raise or lower the rings.

' 27. ln an airship, the` combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-'and-aft axis of the ship, a

lurality of wings supported on each rotor or adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a controller ring corresponding to each rotor and substantially concentric therewith, a carriage corresponding to each wing mounted to slide on the rings, means connecting each carriage with a corresponding 'wing for regulating the angle of incidence of Athe wing, means corresponding to each carriage connected with the rotor and including a flexible connection for enabling the rotor to pull the carriages around the rings, means for supporting each ring so that it is capable of being tilted into diderentY positions to vary the angle of incidence of the wings as they pass around the axis of the rotor, and control means for moving the rings into different positions.

'28. In a rotary unit for an airship, the

combination of a rotor mounted for rotation l on a-substantially vertical axis, a plurality terassef ofl wings mounted on the rotor for adjustment on a horizontal axis corresponding to each wing, a controller ring mounted substantially concentric with the rotor, a bar extending across` the controller ring as a chord, vmeans for supporting said bar near its middle point, said last-named means in-` cluding a universal joint enabling the ring to be tipped to hold the same in dierent planes,

and means running on the ring corresponding connecting with the same to to each wing and regulate the angle of incidence of the wings.

29. lin a rotary unit for an airship, the combination of a rotor mounted for rotation on al substantially vertical axis, a plurality of wings mounted on the rotor for adjustment on a horizontal axiscorrespondin to-'each wing, a controller ring mounted, su stantialsup- -ring so that it is caconnected with the wings for moving the same slightly on' their own axes to alter their angle of incidence. i

' 30. In a rotary unit for an airship, the combination of a rotor mounted for lrotation on a substantially vertical axis, a plurality of wings mounted on the rotor for adjustment on a horizontal axis corresponding to each wing, a controller ring mounted substantially concentric with the rotor, a bar `extending across the controller ring and secured to the same, said bar located on the outboard side of' the axis of rotation of the rotor, means for supporting said bar for rotation on its own axis to change the relative elevation of the inboard and'outboard sides of the ring, said supporting means constructed so as to permit movement of the ring in another direction so as tochange the relative elevation of the forward side of the after side of the` wing, means connected with the ring for controlling the relative elevation of the outboard and inboard sides of the ring, means connected with the ring for controlling ,the relative elevation of the forward and aft sides of the ring, and means connectingthe ring with the wings respectively to regulate their angle of incidence.

31. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substantially horizontal axes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings `pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the Mii lill@ for controlling the angle of incidence in a complementary manner of: the Wings on op-l posite sides of the'ship as they pass forward- 1y remote from the fore-and-aft axis of the ship so that when the angle of incidence of a wing passing forwardly on one side of the ship is increased the angle of incidence of the corresponding wing. as it passes forwardly on the other side of the ship will be decreased.

32. In -an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding substan.- tially horizontal laxes, means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central ore-and-aft axis of the ship, `means for adjusting all the wings on their axes to regulate the angle of incidence of all of the Wings simultaneously, and means for controlling the angle of incidence in a complementary manner of the wings on opposite sides of the ship as they pass rearwardly adjacent to the fore-and-aft axis of the Y ship, so that when the angle of incidence of a wing passing rearwardly on one side of the ship is increased, the angle of incidence of the corresponding wing as it passes rearwardly on the other side' of the ship will be decreased.

33. In an airship, the combination of a frame, a pair of rotors located on opposite sides of -the fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a plurality of wings supported` on each rotor for adjustment about corresponding' substantially horizontal axes,-means for rotating the rotors so that the wings pass rearwardly adjacent the central fore-and-aft axis of the ship, a relatively fixed controller ring corresponding to each rotor, substantially horizontal pivot means extending in a fore-and-aft direction for supporting said ring for adjustment on a substantially horizontal fore-andaft axis, means running on said ring and connected with the wings respectively for tilting the same on their axes, and cooperating with the controller ring to give the Wings dif- -ferent pitch at. different points in their rotation about the axis of the rotor.

Signed at Los Angeles, California, this 7th day of May', 1931.

JAMES W. HESS.

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