US741568A - Apparatus for aerial navigation. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED OCT. 1s', 190s.V

.0.E. VAN DEVENTER. APPARATUS TOEAEETAL NAVIGATION.

APPLIOATION FI'LED JULY 5.1902.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

NO MODEL.

ZH,... A M

AAV,

IT'NES SES- f1. Jn.. Jl.

'me Noam; Pir'gns`oo.. Pwnmuwo.. wAsnmuTon, a. a

PATBNTBD 00T. 1 3, 1903.

G.-E. VAN DEVENTER. v APPARATUS FOR AERIAL NAVIGATION. v

APPLIQATIN FILED JULY 5,1902.

4' SHEBTSTSHVBET 2.

No kann.'

-dllIlllI-lllllllllllll .'IHIDIII A Uri/'ENTDH Ell/,AH LES l ;E'I/NEffi/ENTE F1.'

/glNESSE' l TH: wenn@ Pcrzns ocr.. PHoTo-urno.. wAsHlm-cn. u, c

PATENTED 00T. 13, 1903.

c. E. VAN DEVENTER. APPARATUS EOE AEEIAL NAVIGATION.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5.1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

N0 MODEL.

GII

G2V FI 13;?-

YXZITNESSES- INVENTUH.

HAHLE5E-WNIJEVENTE H- M E715/5] 1H; nomqs parte: aq. momumoffwnsummjou. 1i; c.

- No. 741,568. i P'ATENTED 00T. I3, 1903,

o. E. VAN DEVENTER. APPARATUS EUR AERIAL NAVIGATION.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5.1902.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

G/ g2 (LG '/'SZI'I'NESEE S- y NVENTUH.

CHA n A155 E VANEVENTE Fs- Tm: News uns co. moro-mmc.. msumsfou, D. `c.

ivo. 741,568.

'Patented octoberle, 1903'.

OFFICE.

CHARLES E. VAN DEVENTER, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS rFou AERIAL NAVIGATION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 741,568, dated October 13, 1903.

Application filed .l'nly 5, 1902. Serial No.114.4.55. (No model.) l

.T0 all whom 15m/ay concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. VAN DE VENTER, a citizen of the United States, resid` ing at Springfield, in the county of Sangannon4 and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Aerial Navigation, of which the following is such a full, clear, and exact description as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use my said invention.

My invention relates to apparatus for aerial navigation of that type which'employ `oscillating wings for lifting the apparatus and rotary propellers for propelling and guiding the apparatus.

The purposes of my invention are to provide aframe of novel and improved construction combining lightness with strength and rigidity, to provide lifting devices of novel and improved construction, to provide simple and effective means for operating the` lifting devices and the propelling devices, to provide wings of novel and improved construction, to provide simple and eectiveV means forinitial spreading of the wings,to provide means to prevent undue spreading of the wings, to provide simple and effective means for stead ying the movement of the apparatus, and to provide means to prevent jar and injury to the apparatus'during the operation of landing.

With these ends in view my invention consists of the novel features of construction and combinations of parts shown in the annexed drawings, to which reference is hereby made, and hereinafter particularly described gitudinal section on the line l5 5 of Fig. 4..

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical transverse section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4.. Fig. 7 is ahorizontal transverse section on the line 7 7 of Figxl, the cranks being shown at approximately one quarter-turn from the position shown in Fig. 1 in order to more'clearly illustrate the arrangement of the mechanism. Fig. 8 is an enlarged top plan of the propellerdriving mechanism, the top of the inclosing boX being removed, so as to expose the mechanism within the boX. Fig. 9 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig. lO is a vertical transverse section on the line 10 10 of Fig. 8.

Similar reference letters designate like parts inthe several views of the drawings.

My apparatus may be connected with and supported on a balloon or other suitable gasfield by any suitable means. A balloon or other gasfield and means for connecting therewith lifting, propelling, and steering devices being well known in the art, I do not herein make any claim thereto, and it is therefore unnecessary to show and particularly describe said gas-field and connecting The essential features of my apparatus are a mainstructure provided with centrallyguided and oppositely-reciprocating wingframes carrying wings which remain spread y sufficient to materially contribute to the support of the structure, and when said aeroplane is moved downward by the operating engine or motor the aeroplane will act against the underlying column of air, compressing and displacing it to a degree, and thereby causing it to buoy the apparatus upward to an extent proportional to the weight of air displaced.

My invention also involves details of con-v struction whereby I attaingreat strength and rigidity of the apparatus without unduly iucreasing its weight.

In itsy preferable form the main structure consists of fourstationary circular frames A, suitably secured to vertical posts A and having hubs a, which are secured to a central vertical niastA2. The wing-frames B are circular and have elongated hubs B', which are slidable on the mast A2. The hubs B of the wing-frames and the guides D are provided with ball-bearings, as shown, to facilitate the movement of the hubs on the mast and the movement ofthe guides on the posts A. The rims of the frames A and B are for the sake of lightness and strength made of thin steel tubes and having substantially the elliptical cross-sectional form shown in Fig. 3, and the rim of each frame is connected with its hub by spokes Ct b of light and spring steel wire. Midway between the rim and the hub of the frame B and concentric therewith is a circular middle brace D, to which the spokes b' are secured. The spokes b' have their inner ends secured to the hub B and their outer ends secured to the rims of the framevB in such manner that the spokes and their stays form a series of trusses supporting and strengthening the rims ofthe wing-frame and particularly adapted to prevent vertical displacement of the rims of the frame. (See Fig. 5.) Guides D', secured to the brace D, are slidable on the posts A and guide the reciprocating movement of the wing-frames. Cross-pieces Dzconnect the guides D. Vings B2 are mounted in pairs on the wing-frames B. Radial partitions B3 divide the wingframes into sections, and one pair of wings is mounted in each section. Stays b2, preferably of light pianc-wire, stay the upper spokes to the hubs and also stay the upper spokes to the lower spokes, thus stiffening and strengthening the wingframe.

A wing-support consisting of a light metal tube or rod b3 is situated above and parallel to each of the spokes b' and passes through and is supported on intermedial vertical standards bs, secured on the spokes b and having eyes through which the rod b3 passes. The inner ends of the wing-supports b3 screw into the hub B', and their outer ends are supported on blocks la7, secured on top of the rim of the wing-frame B. The wings l52 are pivotally connected with the rods b3, and the rods are removable for convenience in mounting and dismounting the wings. The wings consist of wire skeletons covered with silk or other light and strong fabric. (See Fig. 1.) Each wing-skeleton consists of suitable number of longitudinal wires or tubes b4 of sufcient strength and connected together by transverse wires or tubes b5. At the free end of each of. the members b5 is an eye through which the rod b3 passes. In each wing there is a lateral slot b, which permits the wing to oscillate without striking the middle brace D. Inclined stops B on the `wing-frames B, contiguous to the outer ends of the wings B2, serve to prevent undue spreading of the ends of the wings. The edges of the wings engage with the partitions B3 to limit the lateral spread of the wings. In order to insure the spreading of the wings at the proper moment and to make their action certain and effective, I provide means, which I will now describe, for effecting initial partial spreading of the wings.

A series of ngersor lugs a2 are secured to and project downwardly from the bracewheels A. Thelugs ft2 correspond in number with the pairs of wings, and one lug is situated directly over each pair of wings. The pair of transverse members b5 of the wing-skeleton contiguous to the middle brace D (which lies directly under the brace-wheel A) have upwardly-inclined extensions b9, which cross each other, as shown iu Figs. 5 and 6. When the wing-frames are reciprocated, as hereinafter explained, the extensions b approach the lugs a2 as the frame moves upward, and at the instant before the frame reaches the limit of its upward movement the extensions engage with the lugs and the lugs act on the extensions to spread the extensions, so as to produce such initial spreading of the wings before they start downward as to insure full and complete spreading of the wings at the instant of the beginning of the downward movement of the wing-frame, thus assuring effective action of the wings during the whole downward movement of the frame. When the frame reverses its movement and begins to again move upward, the wings gravitate to au approximately vertical position and do not materially impede the upward movement of the frame. When the frame again approaches the limit of its upward movement, the partial spreading of the wings is again automatically effected, as above set forth, and thus the wings are alternately expanded and collapsed so long as the operation of the apparatus continues.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that when the wing-frames are rapidly reciprocated the wings will aid in lifting the `apparatus. V'Vhen the apparatus has been thus lifted to the desired altitude, the reciprocating movement of the wing-frames may be suspended. The apparatus will then descend by gravity sufliciently to cause the wings to spread, so that the wing-frames and their spread wings will form aeroplanes, which, in conjunction with any suitable gaseld, will support the apparatus as it floats on or is propelled through the air.

Any suitable means may be employed for reciprocating the wing-frames- I preferably employ a suitable motor E, such as a gas-eugine or au electric motor, secured iu a central position on the lower wheel A. Double cranks E', driven by the motor E, are connected with the guides D by connecting-rods E2 or equivalent connecting devices, the oonstruclion and arrangement of the parts being such that as the cranks rotate they impart oppositely-reciprocating movement to the wing-frames-that is to say, as one wingframe ascends the other descends. For the IOO IIO

' motor through the instrumentality of mechanism which I will now describe.

There are two propellers, one onrea'ch side of the apparatus, arranged to run independ ently at the same speed or different speeds and arranged so that either or both may run backward or forward yand may be started, reversed, or stopped at pleasure. Both of the propellerdriving mechanisms are exactly alike, so 'a description of one will 'suffice for both. The driving mechanism is housed in a suitable shell or housing G', which may be'supported in any suitable manner in any convenient position on the apparatus. Shafts G2,4 G3, and G4 are mounted to turn inbearings g on the shell G. The propeller G is secured on the outwardly-projecting part of the shaft G2. Wheels g', g2, and g2y are secured on the shaft G2,`and similar complemental wheels g4, g5, and Q6 are secured on the shaft G3. The Wheels g and g4 are adapted to run in frictional contact with each other, and in like manner the wheel g2 runs in contact with the wheel g5 and the wheel g2 runs in contact with the wheel g. I have shown and described a train 4of friction- -wheels for operating the propellers; but it is obvious that a similar train of cog-wheels may be used for the same purpose without departing from my invention. Grooved pulleys g7 and g8 are secured on `the shaft G3.

l ed to produce the required speed. 1" G7, fulcrumed on the shell and havinga fork Grooved pulleys g9 and'g10 are loose on the shaft G4 when not engaged by the clutchl mem-v ber Q12. The clutch member 942 turns with and 'is slidable on the shaft G4 and may be shifted to the right or-the left by means of the lever G5. On the hubs of the pulleys g2 and Q40 are clutch members (not shown) adapted to be engaged by the clutch member g12. By sliding the member 942 tothe right it will engage' withand bring into action the pulley g4". By sliding it to the left it will engage the pulley gg, and by leaving it midway between the pulleys, as shown in Fig. l0, both of the pnlleys will be disengaged and the shaft G4 will` run idle. Belts Q43 run on the grooved pulleys. One of the belts is straight and the other is crossed, as shown in Fig. 9, so that the shaft G3 may be driven to turn forward or backward, according as the straight belt or the crossed belt is used. A pulley G6, fixedl on the'motorshaft,'carries a belt gli", which ruins on the pulley 914 and drives the shaft G ferent diameters and run in frictional contact with the wheels g4 and g5 and gs, respectively. The wheels being of different diameters,'the speed ofthe propeller may be changed by sliding the wheels g', g2, and g3 to the right or left on the shaft G2, so as to cause circumferential contact of the pair of wheels adapt- A lever ttingin a circumferential groove in the hub Thewheels g', g2, and g2 are all of dif-V of the wheels', serves to shift' the friction- `wheels to the right or ithe left, as occasion.

maj/:require A sail H is detachably connected with lthe mast A2 in a vertical position parallel tothe mast and transversely perpendicularto the axis of the propellers. The sail I-I serves to steady the motion of the apparatus in .the same manner that the keel of a ship steadies the motion of the vessel. When it is desired to travel with the Wind, the propellers may be operated to turn the apparatus so as to pre-` sent the sail broadside to the wind. In like manner the apparatus may be turned to present the edge ofthe sail to the wind or to hold the sail at any desired angle to the-wind as may be found expedient in navigatingthek apparatus.

As a means to prevent injury to the apparatus by striking xed objects or the ground while descending or landing I provide at the lower ends of the posts A inflated elastic balls J, which when they strike any fixed object will yield and break the shock, :so asto prevent injury to the apparatus.

The diameter of the brace-wheels A is preferably one-half of the diameter of the wingframes B, and the middle braces D of the Wing-frames are of the same diameter as the brace-Wheels and carry the guides D', which slide on the posts A.

4By employing this construction and arrangement of the parts I am enabled to give intermediate support to the Wing-frames, and also to prevent rotary movement of the Wingframes on the mast A2, and also to guide and IOO steady the reciprocating movement of-the'- Wingframes. These features are of great practical advantage in employing circular wing-frames, for the reason that wing-frames of that form permit the use of' wings radiating from a common center and supported at'both ends in such manner as to distribute the stresses equallyvover the whole frame and for'the further reason that the rims of the wing-frames bind together all the parts'of the frame in such manner that such twisting of the frame as might cause binding of the wings is practically impossible. Anotherv p-ractical 'advantage of the circular wing-r frames isthat in turning the apparatus,'so as to give the sail any desired direction with respect to the wind, theypresent relativelyV `of retarding the rotation of the-apparatus in the air. The circumferential surface of the' wing-frames may be compared to the circumferential surface of a revoluble shaft, the air being the support or medium in which the shaft turns. When. the apparatus is headed against the wind, the radially-disposed wings receive air-pressure alike on both sides of the directional line of travel of the apparatus f and centraline the air-pressures, so that they greatest strains are directed against and borne by the strongest parts-viz., the middle braces D, the mast A2, and the posts A.

I am aware that oppositely-reciprocating Wing-frames have long been used. I therefore do not broadly claim that feature.

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

1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a circular wing-frame, radiating partitions dividing said wing-frame into sections, inclined stops at the outer ends of said sections and Wings mounted in said sections and engaging With said partitions and stops to limit the spread ofsaid Wings as set forth.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a main structure, Wingframes, means for reciprocating said Wingfraines, wings mounted on said Wing-frames and means for initial spreading of said Wings, as set forth.

8. A Wing-frame for apparatus of the class described, consisting of a central hub, circular rims, spokes radial to said hub, re1novable wing-supports above and parallel to said spokes and radial partitions between said spokes; in combination with wings mounted on said wing-supports, as set forth.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of vertical. posts, brace- Wheels secured to and connecting said posts, guides slidable on said posts, circular wingfrarnes to which said guides are secured, radially-disposed Wings mounted on said Wingfrarnes, cross-pieces connecting said guides, a motor mounted on one of said brace-Wheels, double-crank shafts driven by said motor, and connecting-rods connecting the cranks of said crank-shaft with said guides respectively as set forth.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, at Springfield, Illinois, this 30th day of June, 1902.

CHARLES E. VAN DEVENTER.

IVitncsses:

MAY F. RYAN, JULIA TARRENT.

Images