US2013250A - Flying machine - Google Patents

Description

E. PHILLIPS FLYING MACHINE Sept. a, 1935.

Filed Feb. 16, 1932 '4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mad,

Sept; 3, 1935. E. PHlLLlPS 2,013,250

FLYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, .1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 3, 1935.

E. PHILLIPS FLYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept 3, 1935. I PHlLLlPs 2,013,250

FLYING MACHINE Filed Feb. 16, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 3, 1935 FLYING MACHINE Everett Phillips, Leesburg, Va.

Application February 16, 1932, Serial No. 593,319

4 Claims.

This invention relates to aerial navigation and more particularly to a flying machine of the heavier than .air type.

In my improved machine, I propose to use a lifting or supporting plane, but instead of the usual type of propeller, I have devised a novel propelling means having a much larger effective area of contact with the air.

Also, instead of the usual fuselage or body which is fixed or stationary with respect to the supporting plane, I propose to employ a body in the form of a rotary drum, in the interior of which both passengers and motor are housed.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, conventionally illustrating one embodiment of the invention, and forming part of this specification. In these drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of my improved flying machine complete;

Fig. 2 is a rear end view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a front end view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a vertical central longitudinal section through the machine;

Fig. 5 is .a transverse section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse section, taken substantially on the line 66 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings in detail, my improved machine comprises a fixed rigid frame including a pair of spaced upright front members I secured at their lower ends to a supporting axle 3 carrying wheels 4, suitable springs or cushions I being interposed between the frame members and axle.

As shown in Fig. 3, the frame members I comprise upper portions which diverge slightly, and lower intermediate portions I which also diverge .and continue downward as vertical portions l The middle portions of the frame members I are substantially parallel and are rigidly anchored to a fixed ring 2, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the central portion of said frame members being enclosed by and lying inside of said ring.

At the rear of the machine, are likewise employed a pair of frame members 5 connected at their bottom by a loop 6 to which may be secured a supporting device such as a runner 1. A fixed tail section 8 is rigidly secured to the frame members 5. One or more tie rods 9 extends from the axle 3 to the loop 6 so as to secure the front and rear frame members together.

Rigidly secured to the upper ends of the frame members I and 5 is the main supporting plane III. This may be of any usual or desired construction but it will be observed that instead of extending transversely of the machine, like the usual wings, it extends longitudinally thereof and is relatively narrow as compared with its length.

Disposed between the front and rear frame members I and 5 and mounted for rotation on the frame, is the main body of my improved machine which comprises a hollow drum II. This drum has its maximum diameter at an intermediate point and tapers both forwardly and rearwardly from such point, .as indicated at ll and II respectively.

The propelling means for my improved machine comprises one or more helical flanges or fins I2 which surround the drum II and extend continuously from the front to the rear thereof. Any desired number of these fins or flanges may be employed, but in the drawings I have illustrated two such flanges located apart.

Various means for supporting and rotating this drum may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention. By way of example, I have illustrated a pair of bearing rings or runways I3 located one at each end of the drum II and arranged to run on a plurality of rollers I 4 carried by longitudinally extending frame members I5 rigidly connected at their ends with the front and rear members I and 5 respectively and located inside of the ring 2 and tail section 8 and inside of the drum II. By reference to Fig. 5, it will be seen that four such frame members I5 and four supporting rollers I4 are employed, but it will, of course, be understood that any desired number may be used. By forming the internal or bearing surface of the runways I3 somewhat conical, and by disposing the rollers I4 at .a corresponding angle, the arrangement will partake of the nature of a thrust bearing to sustain the longitudinal thrust due to the reaction of the helical flanges against the air. If necessary, separate thrust bearings can, of course, be employed.

It will, of course, be understood that the diameter of the drum I I at its forward end corresponds with that of the ring 2 and that the adjacent edges of such ring and drum are disposed close together. A special joint for excluding air may be used at this point if desired. Similarly, the rear end of the drum conforms with the diameter of and runs adjacent to the tail section 8.

A floor or platform I6 may be supported upon the lower pair of the frame members I5, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, and on this floor may be placed suitable chairs or seats for passengers.

, On it is also mounted a motor H for driving the against the air which serves to propel the machine.

It will be particularly noted that the supporting plane it extends at a slight angle to the axis of the drum, being higher at the front than at the rear. Preferably, this plane is substantially parallel with the rear tapered portion N of the drum H. Owing to this arrangement, and to the fact that the forward portion of the drum is alsotapered, as indicated at II, it follows that there is provided a space between the forward end of the drum and the plane l0 which is tapered or becomes increasingly restricted rearwardly. By virtue of this arrangement, there is a tendency for the air to become slightly compressed as it passeslin between the drum and plane and this enables the helical flanges to exert a more effective propelling'action.

The forward end of the drum'is closed by a door 253 hinged to the fixed ring 2. and having at its: front a transparent dome 2| through which the pilot may look out. The pilots seat is indicated at 23 near the forward end of the drum.

In order to steer ordirect thecourse of the machine,,l'. provide a tailor rudder 22 pivoted to the rear end of the plane l5 to'swing about a horizontal axis. This rudder is connected by suitable links or rods 25 and 26 with a control lever 24 located adjacent the pilots seat 23.

Alsoyin order to steer the machine laterally, I provide adjacent the pilots seat'a steering wheel 21. This may be connected in any suitable way, as by means of a gear 28, meshing with gears 29' and 39 carried by cross shafts to the outer ends of which are secured other gears 3i and 32 meshing with gears 33 and 34 carried at the upper ends of vertical shafts 35 and 36 (see Fig. 5). The lower ends of the shafts 35 and 36 are bent forwardly, as shown'at S'fi and engage in eyes 38 or the like secured to a pair of forward rudders 39 pivotally mounted upon the vertical portions I of the frame members I, so that they can swing about substantially vertical axes.

The arrangement above described for operating the vertical and horizontal rudders, is. illustrative only, and, of course, may be varied as desired, the important thing being, however, that these rudders are controlled from within the hollow rotating drum.

What I claim is:

1. A flying machine comprising a frame, a drum mounted for rotation in said frame, said drum tapering both forwardly and rearwardly from an intermediate point of maximum diameter, and having a helical flange surrounding the same, and a plane carried by said frame above said drum, said plane lying substantially parallel with the rear tapered surface of said drum and at an acute angle to the forward tapered portion thereof.

2. A flying machine comprising a frame, a drum mounted for rotation in said frame, said drum tapering" toward the frontend from an intermediate point of maximum diameter and'having a helical flange surrounding the same, and a plane carried by said frame above said drum and extending longitudinally thereof, the forward taper ing surface of said drum forming an acute angle with said plane, whereby the air space between said drum and plane. becomes progressively more restricted from the front rearwardly to said intier-mediate point. V

3. A flying machine comprising a frame, a drum mounted for rotation in said frame, said drum tapering both forwardly and rearwardly from an intermediate point of maximum diameter, and having a helical flange surrounding the same, and

a plane carried by said frame above said drum, said plane lying substantially parallel with the rear tapered surface of said drum and means housed within said drum for causing said drum to revolve. 1

4. A flying machine 'comprisinga frame, a drum mounted for rotation in said frame, said .drum tapering both forwardly and rearwardly'fro-m an intermediate point of maximumdiameter and having a helical flange surrounding the same, a plane carried by, said frame above said drum, said plane lying substantially parallel with the rear tapered surface of said drum and a portion of said frame extending internally of said drum providing supporting means for a motor, said motor serving to rotate said drum.

EVERETT PHILLIPS.

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