US643975A - Air-ship. - Google Patents

Description

No. 643,975. I Patented Feb. 20, I900.

- J. F. PICKERING.

AIR SHIP.

' (Application filad July 19, 1899. {No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

FIG-.1-

Elma/um m: vioams PETERS co., PNOTO-UTHO" wnsumdmu. 0. c4

Patented Feb. 20, I900.

umbo;

J1? J jo/6673i 7y $.16. /5

' lime 2 Sheets-$heet 2.

J. F. PICKERING.

AIR SHIP.

(Application filed July 19; 1899.)

.No udder.)

Tu; vipnm: man: 00.. mo'ra-urna, msumcrou. a c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. PIOKERING, OF GONAIVES, HAITI.

AIR-SHIP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 643,975, dated February 20, 1900.

Application filed July 19, 1899. Serial No. 724,406. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN F. PIOKER-ING, a

subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at Gonaives, Haiti, West Indies, have invented a certain new and useful Air Ship or Launch, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to air ships or launches.

The object of the invention is to provide a ship or launch of great strength and durability and to combine with the float mechanism and appliances whereby the movements of the launch may be completely under the control of an operator-that is to say, that the propulsion horizontally or at any desired angle with relation to the horizon or the gradual raising or lowering of the float or the turning of the same to any desired point of the compass may be entirely and completely within the control of the operator.

The invention consists in certain constructions and combinations hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved air ship or launch. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the same. Fig. 3 is a plan of that part of my ship below the gas dome or float, illustrating a suitable arrangement of the machinery and compartments. Fig. 4 is arear elevation, the rudder being removed. Fig. 5 is a detail section through the gas dome or float, showing a fan and air trunks leading upwardly and downwardly from the fan-casing. Fig. 6 is a detail section taken above one of the fan-cas ings.

1 is a gas dome, balloon, or float for sustaining or floatinga structure 2, the latter being provided with a series of compartments and carrying a suitable motor or motors and mechanism for driving and controlling the motions of the ship. The gas dome or balloon part of my ship is preferably made in substantially the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and consists of a frame made of strong light tubing 3, of aluminium or like substance. The parts of the frame are securely braced or tied together. Extending through the dome and its cover are tubes 4 4 4 4, two at the forward or bow end and two near the stern. The

braces or framework 5, leading from different parts of the dome, are perforated, as shown, and lead through the outer skin or cover of the balloon and are provided with safetyvalves 6 6 to give relief to the dome or float in case the pressure from within becomes too great for any reason whatever. The space within the dome is entirely inclosed by silk or other suitable gas-holding fabric.

In order to charge or introduce gas to the dome, I provide an opening at one end, adapted to be closed by a cap 7 and a suitable gasket, and in order that the air within the dome may escape I provide at the other end a passage provided with a cap 8, similar to cap 7. As gas is introduced at one end of the dome air is forced out through the passage at the other end, and when it has been entirely expelled and the dome completely filled with gas the caps 7 and S are both closed and the balloon or float is ready for service. Suitably fastened to or connected with the dome or balloon is the structure 2, provided with com partment 9 for machinery and side compartments 1O 10 for any desired purpose. The structure or hold 2 carries in compartment 9 a suitable motor 11, coupled with driving shaft 12, the driving-shaft being operatively coupled through suitable multiplying-gearing with fans 13 near the bow of the ship and with fans 14 and driving-paddles 15 near the stern of the .ship. The gearing between the driving-shaft and the driven parts consists, by preference, of sprocket wheels, pinions, and chains, as clearly indicated in the drawings.

The car or structure 2 is provided with a series of sight and ventilating ports 16 in the upper part thereof and with observation-ports 17 through the bottom of the car. An ordinary rudder 18 is connected with the ship for its general guidance and control. Leading upwardly from the fans 13 and 14 into the tubes 4 are air ducts or passages 19 19, and telescopically or loosely mounted on the ducts and within the tubes are other bent tubes or cowls 20. The crooked tubes 20 are each provided with a hole at the bend corresponding in size with that of the air-duct 19 and with abutterfly or flap valve 21, so that the air driven through the duct 19 may pass vertically through the opening or may be caused to follow the bend of the pipe. These bent tubes are conveniently operated by means of a rod or connection 22.

Leading downwardly from the cases of the fans 13 14 are air-ducts 23 23, and mounted in or on these air-ducts are other crooked or bent tubes 24, having openings at the bend or angle and adjusted to operate in a manner similar to the bent or crooked tubes 20. To control the blast from the fans, so as to cause the same to pass upwardly or downwardly, I provide gates or valves 25 for alternately opening and closing one or the other of said air-trunks. These valves are conveniently operated through connections 22.

In operation the balloon or gas-dome being charged and having a buoyancy sufficent to lift the car and its load the engine is started by the engineer or operator, and motion is imparted to the fans and propelling-wheels. In case it is desired to run both the fans and the propelling-wheels the crooked or bent tubes 20 and 24 are turned so that they project rearwardly, and the blast through them contributes to the propulsion or forward movement of the ship. In case the operator wishes to elevate the ship or carry it to a higher plane the cut-olfs or gates to the upwardlyprojecting air-trunks are closed and the valves in the downwardly-projecting crooked tubes are changed so as to direct the current downward, in which case the entire ship is driven upward. In case it is desired to lower the ship the downwardly-projecting airducts are closed by their Valves or gates and the valve in the crooked tube 20 is turned so that the current is directed upward, in which case the ship is forced downward toward the earth. In case it becomes desirable to turn the ship around from end to end or through a considerable are of a circle the crooked tubes projecting upwardly and downwardly are turned to the proper angle, in which case the ship may be turned promptly and readily to any desired direction much more rapidly and efficiently than could be accomplished through the medium of the rudder.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of a balloon, an attached car carrying a motor, and a propeller, fans driven by the motor, air-pipes provided with bent movable outlets leading both upward and downward from the fans and eX- tending through the balloon and the bottom of the car, and means for shifting the blast of air from the fan to either the upward or downward air-pipes.

2. The combination of a balloon having passages leading entirely through it, a car connected with the balloon, fans or blowers mounted within the car, air-trunks leading from the fans, movable bent or crooked tubes coupled with the air-trunks, and means for directing the current directly upward or downward or through the bent tubes, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN F. PIOKERING.

Witnesses:

WM. L. FoRD, HARRY L. AMER.

Images