US2078823A

US2078823A - Tandem helicopter

Info

Publication number: US2078823A
Application number: US33130A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles E Weaver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-07-25
Filing date: 1935-07-25
Publication date: 1937-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 1954-04-27

Description

April 27, 1937- c. E. WEAVER TANDEM HELICOPTER Filed July 25, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 27,- 1937.

C. E WEAVER TANDEM HELICOPTER Filed Jfi-

l

25, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 I Cher/517, [Vial m April 2771937. c. WEAVER TANDEM HELICOPTER Filed Jul 25, 1935 s sheds-sheet 4 C. E. WEAVER- TANDEM HELICOPTER Filed July. 25, 1935 April 27, 1937.

8 Sheets-Sheet 5 P 1937. c. E. WEAVER I 2,078,823"

TANDEM HELICOPTER Filed July 25, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet s p zv, 1937. c. E. WEAVER 1 2,078,823

TANDEM HELICOPTER Filed July 25, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 8 Sheets-Sheet III April 27, 1937. c. E. WEAVER TANDEM HELICOPTER Filed July 25, 1935 I J f 1f gmc/wtoo Patented A r. 27, 1937 umrso STATES PATENT OFFICE TANDEM naucor'rsn Charles E. Weaver, Water-town, N. Y.

Application'July

25, 1935, semi: No. 33,136

Claims.

This invention relates to an airship and it aims to provide a novel and generally improved construction embodying tandem helicopter principles.

It is particularly aimed to provide such a'conistruction wherein the tandem helicopters are similar in size and weight and comprise inner and outer, oppositelyrotating foils to provide the lifting force. l

It is also'aimed to provide a novelaircraft wherein-means are provided operable to serve as landing wheels and buoying means, selectively,

according to whether the ship is used on land or water, and which means normally is rotated within cowl pockets of the cabin.

Another object is'to provide a novel pushing propeller and means operable from within the cabin to vary-the angle of use of 'such propeller.

Figure 3 is an enlargedcentral longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of'Figure 2; I

Figure 4 is a' horizontal sectional view through the airship;

through the airship taken on a lower plane than iigure4';--

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line l----3 div-Figure 1;.

Figure 'l'is an enlargedside elevation showing one of the land wheels and its-mounting;

Figure.8 is a detail side elevation, showing the resilient mounting for one of the land wheels in section; Figure on the line 3-301, Figure 1;

Figure 1c is irhorizontal sectionalview taken 3 on the line, Ill-l3 or Figure 1;

Figure -11 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line |l--ilof Figure 9;

Figure 1218 a. front. elevation of the'pushing:

propeller structure: a

Figure 1a is a detail section line lag-n of-Figure 12;

a is'a'horizontal sectional view taken taken on the (Cl. 244-47) i Figure 14 is a. detail section taken on the line ll-ll of Figure 5;

Figure 15 is a sectional l5-l5 of Figure 5; Figure 16 is a section of Figure 2;

detail taken on the line taken on the line IB- IS Figure 17 is a cross section taken onthe line 11-" of Figure 16;v v p Figure 18 is across section l8--|8 of Fi e'lfi;

Figure 19 is a cross section taken on i9'l9 of Figure 16;

Figure 20 is a longitudinal section taken on theline 20-40 of- Figure'2;

Figure 21 is a cross section taken on the line 2I2I of Figure20; and V Figure 22 is a cross section taken on 22-22-of Figure 20.

takes on the. line the line the line Referring specflcally to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts, 23 designates agondola-shaped body havinga cabin 24.- .These parts may be of any desired construction but preferably have their framework and bracing of a light metal, usually an' aluminum alloy and for instance duralumin.

Tandem helicopter devices are employed one at each end of the machine as at A. These devices are similar, in weight and-dimensions, and are disposed at the same height. or elevation.

Each device A comprises afve'rtical tubular shaft'which is :Iournaled ,in a vertical tubular bearing 26 on the machine',-preferably with ball bearings 21' interposed as shown. Shafts V 25 have radiating arms 23 attached thereto p by means of hubs 23 and such arms 28 mount Figure- 5 is another horizontal sectional view frames 30 having spaced annular walls 3|, con- 3| have foils 32 connected thereto as at 33.

Journaled within the shaft 25 concentric therewitli are shafts 33*with ball bearings 35 preferably interposed between such-shafts. Hubs 33 rigidly connect arms 31 toitheshaft 34 and they suspend a framja having v annularwalls '33 concentric with the walls 3! and axis of

shafts

25 and 34. Such-walls 33-.havefoiis 40 attached thereto as at 4L; d I

The outer foils 32 of suchhelicopter device are they may be of any desired number. The number of the foils 40 of each helicopter device, corresponds'to the number ofthe outer foils 32 of that helicopter. All ofthe foilszll are mounted at an angle of aboutlz degrees and 'so' constructed v as to force air in toward the center, the depthof the curve thereof increasing and narrowing preferably similar and four in-numbr although inwardly as it approaches the receding or trailing end, the inner edge having a slighter curve or roll, thus compressing the air taken in by the advancing or leading edge. The foils 48, in the main, are constructed generally like thefoils 32 except that the outside curve or roll is less than the inner curve or roll, which is sharp at this point, thus forcing the air taken in by the leading edge toward the outside, thereby causing compression of the air between the outer and inner foils which adds materially to the lifting force exerted by both sets of

foils

32 and 48,

forcing the air downward. The inner and

outer frames

38 and 38, respectively, revolving in opposite directions, are timed at one-fourth of a turn with each other so that the side-wash caused by one is picked up by the other, again increasing the lift by compression. While the

frames

38 and 38 and the

foils

32 and 48, as well as their mounting and supporting means may be of any material desired, yet they are preferably made of light metal, usually an aluminum alloy such as duralumin.

The specific shape of the

foils

32 and 48 will be better understood from a consideration of the detail Figures 16 to 22. Arrows indicate the direction of turning of the

said frames

38 and 38 and

foils

32 and 48 in Figure 2. V

The

aforesaid shafts

25 and 34 are driven from a suitable prime mover or engine 42 located centrally within the hull of the cabin, which under suitable control, drives a longitudinally disposed shaft 43. Such shaft 43 is suitably journaled and at its forward end has a spur gear wheel 44 keyed thereto enmeshed with a spur gear wheel 45 diaposed above the same and both gear wheels preferably being housed within a casing 45 suitably mounted within the hull. Said gear wheel 45 is keyed to a countershaft 41 in turn having a bevel gear wheel 48 keyed thereto.

At the rear end, shaft 43 has a spur gear wheel 48 keyed thereto enmeshed with a spur gear wheel 58 in turn enmeshed with a spur gear wheel 51 keyed to a countershaft 52 having a bevel gear wheel 53 keyed thereon. The

gear wheels

48, 58, and are preferably located within a casing 54 and the latter has a short shaft 55 journaled therein on which the idler gear wheel 58 is carried.

The gear wheels 53 and 48, are interposed between and in mesh with

larger gear wheels

54 and 55 keyed to the

hollow shaft

25 and 84 respectively.

Shafts

52 and 41, are journaled in and the

gear wheels

53, 54, 55, and .48, are preferably housed in enlargements or casings 58 at opposite ends of the hull of the gondola as shown.

Referring now to the landing gear, four wheels 58 are employed, being journaled on axles 58 mounted in forks .88 at one end of arms 5|, equipped with segments 62 at their other ends provided with gear teeth at 53. Such segments 62 are pivoted on rods. extending longitudinally of the machine and fastened to brackets 55 on the hull. Braces 85 are connected to each axle 58 and pivoted on the rods 54, so that the wheels, braces, and arms 6| may swing on the axes of rods 64. As 'best shown in Figure 5, a pair of longitudinal shafts 51 are suitably journaled within the hull'. adjacent opposite sides thereof and each having spur gears 88 thereon enmeshed with the teeth 63. Bevel gear wheels 58 are keyed to the shafts 51 meshing with bevel gear wheels 18 carried by a. cross shaft 1| having a bevel gear wheel 12 keyed thereto and enmeshed with a bevel gear wheel 13 carried by the main shaft 14 of a motor or engine 15. Such motor or engine is preferably operable from the cabin of the gondola so as to position and maintain the wheels 58 in landing position as shown in Figure 6 in horizontal position as shown in Figures 4 and 5 or in retracted position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6. In the retracted position, such wheels are located within'cowled pocket members 15 on the cabin, having openings 11, to enable the wheels to pass into and out of the same.

Particular attention is called to the fact that said wheels 58 have buoyant tires 18 thereon, preferably being pneumatic balloon or mushroom tires so that in the horizontal position shown in Figures 4 and 5, the tires will act as floats, pontoons or stabilizers when landing on water.

'A fifth wheel is employed as at 18 which is normally retracted as shown in full lines in Figure '1 into a central longitudinal pocket 88 beneath the gondola. This wheel is adapted to be projected into the dotted line, position shown in Figure 7 to raise the adjacent wheels 58 from the ground, when it is desired to taxi. Such wheel 18 is journaled on an axle 8| carried by a fork 82 from which a post 83 rises. Post 83 is pivoted within a bearing 84, secured in place by screw cap means 85 engaging a screw stud 88 on the post 83. Bearing 84 is carried by a lever 81 pivoted at 88 along the center line of the hull of the gondola. Within the bearing 84 is a coil spring 84' fastened at one end to the post 83 and at the other end to the bearing 84, being so tensioned as to normally maintain the wheel 18 in a straight ahead position, but

permitting'the same to yield when striking an obstruction and thereafter to return to normal position. Such lever 81 and wheel 18 thereon are adapted to be raised and lowered by any suitable means. For instance, hydraulically under control of suitable means within the pilot's cabin. To this end a cylinder 88 is pivoted at 88 to the machine and at opposite ends has pipe connections 8| to admit and exhaust power fluid. A piston 82 is operable within the cylinder 88 intermediate the pipe connections 8| and a rodmission of power fluid to the tubes 8| against the piston 82, the lever 81 will be raised and lowered and the wheel 18 thereon correspondg ingly raised and lowered. This wheel is also preferably provided with a pneumatic balloon or mushroom tire as at 82. r

A pushing propeller is employed at 83. While this propeller may be of any desired construction, it preferably comprises any suitable number of angularly disposed blades 84*, carried by a skeleton reinforcing frame 85, and which has brace members 86 coacting with the outer ends of the blades. shaft 81, driven by a suitable motor 88 carried by a bracket 88 pivotally mounted by alined vertical elements I 88, connected to arms IN on one of the hollow bearing devices 26. This propeller is adapted to be swung laterally, that is to either side on the vertical axis passing through the pivot, members I88, and to this end, the

This propeller 83 is keyed to a bracket 88 has a segment I82 provided with gear teeth I83. Teeth I83 are preferably worm teeth and mesh with a worm gear I84 keyed to a shaft I85, suitably journaled in bearings I88 on the gondola and. at opposite ends, said shaft I85 has drums I81 keyed thereto, and each pro- .vided with spiral grooves I88, with the angle of such grooves of the different drums being oppoalong the side walls of the gondola, and they have suitable, turnbuckles H2 within-their length whereby they may be maintained taut. It'will v be understood that the elements I09 'arewrapped on the Windlass I09 in opposite directions so that by turning the windlass in one direction one element its will be shortened and the other correspondingly lengthened, and vice versa, correspondingly swinging the propeller 93.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

- I claim as my invention:-

1. An airship of the class described having a gondola, andlifting helicopter devices therefor, said devices each comprising inner and outer oppositely rotating frames in the same plane and having rims closely adjacent at the center of the machine, the other frames rotating. in

. opposite directions and foils carried by said frames.

2. An airship of the-class described having a gondola, vertical bearings adjacent opposite ends thereof, outer shafts joumaled in said bearings,

inner shafts journaled within said outer shafts, means operable to drive the inner andouter shafts in opposite directions, concentric inner and outer frames in the same plane carried by said inner and outer shafts, said outer frames extending one substantially to the other'at the center of the airship andbeing rotatable in opposite directions, and foils carried by said frames.

. 3. An airship of the class described having a gondola, vertical bearings adjacent opposite ends thereof, outer shafts journaled in said bearings, inner shafts journaled within said outer shafts, means operable to drive the inner and outer shafts in opposite directions, concentric inner and outer frames in the same planecarried by said inner and outershafts, saidzouter frames extending one substantially to the other at the center of the airship and being rotatable in opposite directions, foils carried by said frames of an area to function as parachutes, arms on one of said bearings, a bracket pivoted to said centric shafts, frames in the same plane on said shafts terminating relatively close to each other, said frames operable in opposite directions, rows of foils carried by said frames, the area of the foils of each frame being substantially co-exten-,

sive with the area of that frame.

5. An airship of the class described having a a helicopter device, said device comprising concentric shafts, frames on said shafts in the same plane terminating relatively close to each other,

said frames operable in opposite directions, rows carried by said frames, the foils of the of foils outer row having the'depth of the curve thereof increasing and narrowing as itapproaches the trailing end, the inner end oil such latterfoils having a slighter curve to cause compression of foils having the outside curve less than the inner curve to force the air taken in by the leading edge toward the outside to compress the air between the outer and inner foils to aid the lifting force.

6. An airship of the class described having a rotor including peripheral frames operable in opposite directions, said frames being disposed in the same plane and terminating relatively close to each other at their rims, each frame having inner and -outer rings in vertically spaced relation,

the air taken in by the leading edge, the inner means connecting the inner and outer rings, and

foils connected to said means between the rings.

7. An airship of. the. class described having a rotor including peripheral frames operable in opposite directions, said frames being disposed in the same plane and terminating relatively close to eachother at their. rims, each frame havinginner and outer rings in vertically spaced relation, means connecting the inner andouter rings, and

foils connected to said means between the rings,

said foils being in inner and outer rows.

, 8. An airship of the class described having a rotor including peripheral frames operable in opposite directions,-said frames'being disposed in the same plane and terminating relatively close to each other at their rims, each frame having inner and outer rings in vertically spaced relation, means connecting the inner and outerrings,

vertical arms spacing said rings, foils connected to said arms between the rings, an oppositely rotatable body surrounded by said rings, said body comprising inner and .outer spaced rings, arms joining the last mentioned inner and outer spaced rings, foils connected to the last mentioned arms and being in substantially the same plane as the first mentioned foils.

10. An airship of the class described having a helicopter device, said device comprising a peripheral frame, said frame having spaced-inner and outer rings, the latter being above the former, vertical arms spacing said rings, foils connectedto said arms between the rings, an oppositely rotatable body surrounded by said rings, said body comprising inner and outer spaced rings, arms "joining the last mentioned inner and outer spaced rings, foils connected to the last mentioned arms and being in substantially the same plane as the first mentioned foils, the first mentioned foils having'inwardly curved portions and the second mentioned foils having outwardly curved portions to coactwith the first mentioned curved portions.

- CHARLES E. WEAVER.