US931966A - Aerodrome. - Google Patents

Description

W. SINCLAIR. ABRODEOME.

APPLICATION FILEDOUT. 21, 1908. v

93 1 ,966. Patented Aug. 24, 1909.

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AERODROME.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 21, 190B.

lfatented Aug. 24. 1909.

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W. SINCLAIR. AERODROME.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 21, 1908.

if the spiral was one continuous incline.

WILLIAM SINCLAIR, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

AERODROME To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLLAM SINCLAIR, of

San'Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, have invented certain new 7 and useful Improvements in Aer'odromes;

and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention is an improved aerodrome and its object is to provide a heavier than air flying machine capable of lifting itself and operator, also passengers and freight, and transporting the same through the air by its 'own motive power, and movable in any direction at the will of the operator. The liftin power is derived from large screw-propellers of novel construction, and the general structure and mode of operation of the aeromotor will be ex lained with reference to the accompanying rawings which graphically illustrate sue a features of the invention; but of coursefdo not illustrate the proper relative dimensions of arts.

11 said drawings-Figure l is a side view of the machine. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line 22, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top plan view, with hoods removed. Fi 4 is an end elevation. Fig.5 is an enlarge vertical section through one of the lifting propellers. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical view i ustrating the principle of construction of the lifting pro ellers.

' he principal feature of the invention is the novel construction of the lifting propellers of which two are shown arranged side y side and parallel. Each propeller comrises a central shaft 1, a stepped spiral blade, and a cylindrical casing 1 The blade or spiral is composed of alternate rigidly disposed segmental-shaped flat portions 1 and segmental-shaped inclined portions 1. The object of this construction is to produce a more efficient lifting action of the air upon the propellers, as at each of the an les formed at the-junctions of the fiat and inr ined ortions, the air will be diverted downwardly as indicated by the arrows in the dis. rammatic Fig. 6; and the air will strike t e underside of the inclines 1' more forcefully and with greater lifting effect thgn' n this way the inclines 1 can be made more steep than would be the case if the spiral was one continuous'uniform incline; because in Specification of Letters Patent Application filed October 21, 1908.

as with my construction t interrupted or changed at each incline, and

machine, and the essential.

Patented Aug. 24, 1909. Serial No. 458,874.

such case the air bec'oines nothing more than a strong current rushing through the channel between the spirals of the ropeller. Wherehis current of air is greater lifting effect is thereby produced. The parts 1", 1, of the propeller form an interrupted or stepped spiral the inner edges of which are secured to the shaft 1, and the outer edges are fastened to the cylindric casing 1", so that the air can enter freely at one end of the casing and escape from the other end thereof, while it is kept from lateral diffusion. The propeller would 0 crate without the cylindrical casing 1, but prefor to use such casing so asv to create a strong powerful air draft through the casing. v I The shaft 1 of the propellers may be j ournaled in suitable bearings on the extremities of the up er part or head ofthe framing 2, and which framing may be substantially T- shaped and has a part 2 depending between the adjacent propellers. The casings 1 of the propellers may be loosely guidedby rings 1 fastened to the portion 2 of the frame as indicated in the drawings. The framing should be constructed as light as possible consistent with necessary strength and may he'of skeleton form and suitably braced so as to ofier the least resistance to the air. I have not herein attempted to illustrate the exact details of the frame.

Upon portion 2 of the frame may be mounted an explosive engine 3, the main shaft of which may be geared by bevel gears 3 to a vertical shaft 3 which is in turn geared by beveled pinions 3 to transverse shafts 3 d that in turnaregeared to the upper ends of shafts 1 as indicated at 3 in the drawings and so that the propellers can be driven by. direct gearing from the engine shaft. The invention however is not restricted to the use of beveled gears for use preferably arranged so that they can be projected into the currents of air issuing rom the propeller casings. As shown in Fig. 1 a rudderfl is connected to the lower ,end of the frame and can be swung beneath the r' ht -hand pro eller. This rudder should e made very lig t, and is so mounted which it is held in the current determining the direction of flight of the machine.

Another rudder 5 can be pivoted on the.

lower end of the frame as at 5 and may be operated by a hand or foot lever 5 so as to be moved into the current of air issuing from-the'adjacent cylinder 1*. The casings and lifting propellers are intended to revolve together. At suflicient speed of rotation of the Ipropellers the machine would rise clear oft e ground and the height to which it ascends can be controlled by regulating the speed of the ropellersyits forward movements would e controlled by adjusting the propellers 4 and 5, which would cause it to tilt more or less. The center of gravity would be made so low that the machine would naturally tend to remain substantiall upright.

'T e frame-work of the machine may be supported on wheels 6 as indicated in the drawings so that it can be easily transported when not flying;

If desired the cylinders may be provided with mouth-pieces or hoods 1, so as to catch the air and direct it into the spiral air channel in the cylinders and thus assist in creating a rapid forcible lifting current through the said channels.

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

1'. A spiral propeller or fan having its spiral formed of alternating flats and inclines,-

a spiral formed of alternating flat and inclined sections, for the urpose specified.

5. In an aerodrome t e combination of a frame, a pair'of' pro ellers suspended from said frame side by si e, an open ended cylinder inclosing each propeller, each propeller having a spiral formed of alternating flat and inclined sections, for the purpose specified.

6. In an aerodrome the combination of a frame, a pair of propellers suspended from said frame side by side, an open ended cylinder 'inclosing each pro eller and rotatable therewith, a motor on t e frame for driving said pro ellers and rudders connected to the.

ame adjacent the lower ends of the cylinders.

8. A spiral propeller or fan having its spiral formed of alternating flats and inclines, and a cylindric casin inclosing said spiral, and a mouth-piece or Imod on the upper end of the casing adapted to direct air thereinto.-

9; In an aerodrome, a rotatable cylinder,.

provided with an internal spiral lifting .ropeller, anda hood adapted to catch anzFdirect air into the receiving end of the cylinder.

10. In an aerodrome the combination of a frame, a pair of lifting propellers connected therewith, each comprising a spiral, an inclosing cylinder, and a hood on one end of the cylinder ada ted to catch and direct air to the spiral, su stantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I affix my signature in presenceof two witnesses. a

' WILLIAM SINCLAIR.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN F. SHERMAN, CHAS. W. MOCONNAUGHY.

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