US998844A - Airship. - Google Patents

Description

J. R. PROBERG.

AIRSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 4, 1909.

Patented July 25, 1911.

'l SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Snuentoz J-. 3. PRO BERG.

AIRSHIP.

APPLICATION 1 OOT- 4, 1909.

Patented July 25, 1911.

7 SHEEN-SHEET 3.

fluemtm:

J. R. FROBERG.

AIRSEIP.

APPLIOATIOE FILED 00w. 4, 1909.

' 998 8Q Patented Jul 25, 1911 "l SHEETS SEEET 5.

wanna:

J. R. FROBERG.

AIRSHIP.

APPLIOATIDN 11.21) 0014, 1909.

Patented July 25, 1911.

7 SHEET88KEET 6.

J. PROBERG.

AIRSHIP. APPLICATION FILED OOT- 4, 1909.

Patented July 25, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

3140a" lion V. 4- attoenmao 'rn sta rs 'rnn'r enrich.

Joi'miv RICHARD FROBERG, or GOLDFIELD, NEVADA.

AIRSHIP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ltatented July 25, 19111.

Application filed October 4, 1909. Serial No. 520,503.

- dirigible lighter-than-air type and one of its objects is to provide a machine of this charactor carrying a fixed quantity of gas under all (renditions, means being utilized whereby any proportion of the gas can be stored under pressure outside of the main gas eontainer. and whereby the gas can be readily witlidrawn from or directed into the main container either for the purpose of elevating or lowering the machine or for maintaining auni'torn'l altitude undcrchangeableclimatic conditions. v

Another object is to provide an air-ship havimg the main container subdivided into compartments provided with valved means for establishing; communication therebetween and whereby dillerent quantities of gas may be held within the various compartments so as to support the deck thereof in a substantially horizontal position irre- .-;pective. of the location of the center of gravity thin-cot.

Another object is to utilize the frame and tloors oi the car for the purpose of storing gas under pressure, certain portions of the frame being also used for the storage of motive fluid.

A still further object to utilize pivotally supported motors each of which is designed to drive a nroneller. means bcins )rovlded wherebv surplus fuel discharged from the motors in a heated condition can be quictlv and thoroughly cooled and subsequently directed into the fuel storage tank.

Another object is to provide means whereby the exhaust; gases from the engines can be utilized for the purpose of heating the gas within the main container, means being employed for establishing a circulation of this gas around and past the tubes carrying the hot exhausted gases.

Another object of the invention is to provide adjustable controlling planes whereby the movement. of the machine in an upward or downward direction can be controlled, these planes being provided with means whereby the gas stored Withinthe main container can be cooled.

A still further object is to provide improved means for connecting the main con-- tai'ner o the car, this means including an envelop designed to extend over said eontaincr and which can be adjusted to receive containers of ditferent proportions, according to the load to be sustained.

\Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims. I

In the accompanyin drawings the pre tel-red form of the invention has been shown.

in said drawing-s, Figure 1 is a side elevation of an air ship embodying the present improvements. Fig. 2 is a top planvi-civ thcreot', a portion of the main container and the parts thereunder being broken avay. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the machine. Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the central portion thereof. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the car and of the parts connected thereto. the gas container and its cradle and envelop being rcn'ioved.

Fig. (3 is a longitmlinal section through the main ne container showin T the valve controlling tubes of the'eopializiing mechanism.

Fig. 7 is an elevation 0t said equalizing mechanism and of the tubes extei'iding therefrom and a portion of the main container shown in section. Fig. 8 is a plan View of a portion of the deck of the ear and showing the condenser and certain of its connections and two of the engines. Fig. 9 is an enlarged transverse section through the car at the inner end of one of the end decks and on the line A-B oi Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal sectionv through the end por lieu of one side of the car and showing the fuel cooler and the gas heater inflection.

Fig. 11 a central vertical longituz'linal see tion through said end portion of the cal. Fig. 12 is a side eleyation of one of the nontrolling planes. thereof. i is a side elevation oi the longitudinal shaft of the motor shitting lneehanism and ot the parts em'inveled there- Fig. 15 is a section on line -ll 14. and showing the slidable motor a uating bar complete. 1 in. 16 is a se a n on line EF of .4.. Fig. l? W an Nation of one of the engines and ot' connections with the gas heater. Pie. '1 tea vertical longitudinal seetion through one end portion ot said heater. Fig. 1f a detail view of one of the Conneetions between the inner tube and the outer tube oi the-main gas container. Fig. 20 a longitudiual section through a portion of the ear tubes 3. Said standards 1 are also eoinieetm'l by intermediate side tubes 4- aud intermediate transverse tubes longitudinally ertending lop tubes 6 are secured upon the upper ends of the standards 1 and ext l de sired distanees beyond these standart the outer ends of these t p tube; having vertical end tubes 7 (*XlICTHliUQ downwind therefrom to the Forward ends of bottom inclined tubes 8 erttendina' from the ends of the tubes 2. lntern'iediate side tubes 9 extend trom the upper ends of the tubes 8 to the standard it, the said tubes 9 being in alinei'urnt with the intermediate side tubes 4. An intermedia e Yertiral tube ll) eonnei earn ineliued ube 8 with the top tube ll then-val ore and is also Connected to a lube t n "'old tube 1! eonneets the upright in l l at points above the tube 9. the saautonslitutine a railing and being rennet-ted with the lube therebelow by means of a series of shru't upright tubes 1).

iv referring to l'i it) it will be seen that a partition I} is loeated within avh tube 7 dir rtly above the iuanitold tube ii and another partition i4 is loeated within the tube 10 above said manifold ll. Moreo er a partition 1!? is arranged within tube 10 at a i point below the tub- Y! and that end oi said lnlw f) 0])(tlllllfl iiu'o ll stand: rounded by a rem-pin ll) wli ed within said standaid 1 and has a :allilliflll pipe l'liexten liug therefrom for the purpose hereinafter set "forth. 'ubes flu: end (-oiuu-etr-d by transver ely lh'l-illillllif i and lower tubes l and i9 whieli \",!')!l. the top and bottom members ol :1 raili said numbers being eoinuw-led by upi 13 is a trout elevation ,1

which can if desired be hollow and open into the tubes 18 and 19 for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

A tube 21 connects the intermediate y r-ti "al tubes 10 and is disposed in the same plane with the tub s 9, this tube 21 being braved by and conneeted to inclined truss tubes which are secured to and open into the bottom inclined tubes 8. A hollow floor or platforrr 23 is secured to and supported by the tubes 9, 19 and 21 and a hollow bridge Q lextends from this floor 23 along the longitudinal center of the machine to the tube 5 which serves to support one end thereof. The hollow bridge 24 opens into the tube 5 and it will be apparent therefore that commuuiealioi'i is thus established between the said tube 5 and the hollow bridge or deck 23, bridge 2% and standards 1, as Well as the other tubes 2, 4-, 6 and 8 opening into the standards 1. The tube 21.. while extending continuously from one tube 10 to the other at opposite sides of the car, has a central partition 25 (see Fi JQO) and it will be seen therefore that the interior ofone half of the tube 21. of the tube 11, the tube 9 and those portions of the tubes 7 and 10 between the partitions constitute a eoml'iined fuel storage anh and eooler as will be hereinafter partie ularly pointed out.

A sulistantially semi-circular support 26 is mounted on. and extended laterally from each of the intermediatestandards 1 of the l (a r and a hydro-carbon. engine 27 is mounted thereon to more about a vertical axis, each of these engines having a propeller 28 connected to the main shaft 29 thereof. is shown partieularly in Figv 17 the pivot 30 about whirh the engine moves; ean be in the term of an exhaust pipe extending from the engine and owning" into a fixed tube 31.

.in arm 39 secured to and extends radially "from the revoluhleexhaust pipe 30 and constitutes a crank onflwhieh is pivotally mounted the angular end 3 of a eross bar A rarlc 535 is arranged along the center portion of the Press bar and meshes with a gear 38. One o'l these nears is secured to n 1 l t v .L each end or a longitudinally extending shah 2K? and said shaft is ournaled 1n bearings 38 r'XtOl'Hl'iYig downward from the upper deck i) of the middle iortion of thecar this 11' per deel-r being hollow and supported by the tubes 4 and 'lvlo1'eover said hollow deck opens into thptubes 4 and at desired points solhat the contents thereof ean readily flow into the tubes. A worm gear 4.0 is secured to the lon ntudinal shaft 3" at any suitable point thereon and is actuated by aworm 41 mounted on a Yer-heal shaft 42 which etctends through the deck 39 and has a'erank p f to the upp r end lllii'vfl'l th f us the worm i I, the shaft. 37 ran be rotated'aiul 1 0 or other suitable as ,uating device 43 serured The parts are so arranged and u'o ortioned that, by rotating type harry the'bars 34 shifted longitiu'linally so as to simultaneously shiftthe engines about their vertical axes. In this connection attention is directed to Fig. of the drawing, wherein it will be seen that the engines at. each side of the car are oppositely disposed, the propellers at one end ot the machine serving to draw the same forward While those at the other end thereof exert a pushing action. By simultaneousiy shifting the bars 3-4- the said propellers can all be swung toward one side ot the machine in order to exert a pulling and pushing action along intersecting lines. this obviously resulting in turning the entire machine, the radius of the curve described by said machine being de 'iendent upon the angles of the shafts to the longitiuliual axis of the machine.

Eat-i oi the extensions or supports 36 constitutes a platform which can be reached from the upper deck 39 by steps 4-4 and steps 4- 3 air-1o lead from the upper deck down to the lower deck to which is mounted on and secured to tl e tubes 2 and This lower (lC'I'h' is. tuition and hereiore' constitutes a gas rrntainer, the same opening into the tubes which support it. Hollow railings 4-7 are mounted along thev sides of the lower 6' l: and open thereintoainl these railings also constitute gas containers.

Each of the engines 27 oi the usual a s1ipplennuital reservoir there-- on into which th igu d fuel is directed tron'i the euppiy tent; and a pipe conducts the surplus or overt tow motive tiuid from this reservoir to a' hollow railing 49 located aiong one side of the bridge 24 adjoining the. engine. this railing opening into that portion oi" the ad 'ioining vertical tube it) disposed between the partitions. I4- and 15. in this minnection see Figs. 10 and ll of the drawings 'lhe. railings oi the upper deck flit-are termed ot" horizoi' tally extending water tubes 50 each series of tubes opening at one end into a manifold tube 51 and at its other end into a water tank 552 into which the em 'hausl' gases from the adjoining engine are disrharged through the pipe 31 heretofore referred to, See Fig. 17. gas condu ting pipe 5 3 t.. litliti eontinuowly through the tu es 0 and one end thereof i con-- nected to the eas-pmup at which is located upon one o!" the deehs ol' the car. A pipe 5 5 al o extends from the pipe 51") to one of the standards) and a pipe 56 extends from pip-e 52, to cooling apparatus which will be hereinal'ter de cribed. it is of eour-e to be understood that the cond nser is'in eominunication with the main gas container through a pipe 5?. Que heater such as herein described is providml for each engine and all of said heaters c iperate to form the side railings oi the upper deck. The ga pump comnnmicaies with a ll of these heator rod 70.

ers so that gas can be forced into them simultaneously. A suitable arrangement of valves is provided whereb the gas is prevented from going into the pipes 55 and. 56 while. the gas-pump is in use for the purpose of forcing the gas into the heaters. These valves have been indicated at 58 in Fig. 8. Additional valves 59 are utilized for cutting oft the heaters from the gaspumps. As heretofore stated each tube or pipe 53 is connected at one end to a gaspump. The other end of each tube may be attached to the main gas container in any preferred manner as by means of a tube (30.

A hollow rock shatt 1 is n'iountednpon the tubes l] at each end of the car and each rock shaft projects beyond the sides of the car and siu'iports the controlling planes of the machine. These planes are arranged in pairs, there being an upper plane 2 and a lower plane (33, the said planes each consisting of a rectangular frame ()4 formed of tubing and having a covering (35 of fabric or other suitable material securt-ad thereon. The front and rear ends o't' each frame are connected by longitudinallv extending intermediate tubes- (iti and all of these interrwdiate tubes as well as the side tubes are connected by a series of verticallv extenda u 0 "l mg pipes 67 forming radiators, those of the pipe 67 arranged along the transverse center of the planes being in communication with the hollow rock shaft (it. Brace Wires (S8 may be arranged dian'ietrically between the upper and 'lower planes so as to prevent the same from being distorted or changing their relation to each other. Upwardly converging hollow arms (is) are secured upon each rock shaft ()1 and a longitudinall'r extendin hollow actuating tube or rod 70 is pivotally connected to the upper ends of these arms of both shafts. there being a flexible tubular connection between the end portions of the arms and the rods as iiulicated at 71. this connection serving as a. means for directing gas from the tube 70 to the arms 69.- The tubeor rod 7t) is connected to the gas-pi nnp by means of the pipe 56 heretofore referred to. this pipe being preferably flexible so as to permit the neces ary longitudiinil movement of the tube A lever 79 supported in the upper portion of the. car and is pivotally connected to the tube or red 70 there being a toothed segment 73 or other suitable means for locking the lever in any position to which it may be. adjusted. By shifting this lever the two rock shafts 61 can be simultaneou ly swung upon their pivots and all of the planes thus shifted at the same time and in the same direction.

A series of longitudinally bowed cross l ams 74 is supported on the top tubes (3 or the ear, onch of'the'se beams being provided at each end with an outwardiy curved arm extending uneer the adjoining tube 6. The said beams 7% form a cradle to support. the main gas container 76 ot the machine. This container is pretcrably in the form of an elongated metallic cylinder having onical ends, the interior of the cylinder being subdivided by partitions 77 into separate compartments as shown 1n1rticularly in Fig. 3. A centrally disposed inner tube 78 extends through all of the partitions and is attached at its ends to the end partitions '77, there being valve'd openings 75) within the inner tube and through which communication is established between said inner tube and the respective compartments within the main as container. The valves 80 utilized for closing these openings can be. controlled electrically, pneumatically, or in any other preferred manner from a controller 81 located upon one of the decks of the car, this mechanism being of any well known type such as is supplied for opening valves located at a distance. In the present instancethe means for ett'ecting this actuation pneumatically have been indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, the

tubes 82 fol-directing air under pressure to open the valves, helng shown extending from the controlling mechanism 81. By means of this mechanism it isdesigned to place any one at the compartments in communication with the inner tube and that permits a portion of the gas contained in one compartment. to flow therefrom and into the inner tube and thence to one or more of the other compartments. he pipe 57 which serves to supply to the condenser from the main gas container; opens into the inner tube as indicated at 57 and the return pipe 60 from the gas heater also opens into this inner tube as shown in Fig. 6.

Each partition 77 is preferably riveted or otherwise secured to an annular Tiron 83 secured to the inner surface of the main coutainer 76 and having apertures in which are secured the ends of spokes S-t. These spokes extend into lugs 85 outstanding from the inner tube 78 and constitute elh'cicnt means for not only holding the inner tube in proper relation to the partitions and outer tube. but also bracing the entire gas containing body so as to prevent it from buckling or otherwise becoming injured from any cause.

The means employed for securing the main gas container upon the cradle consists of an envelop 88 the longitudinal edges of which are disposed close to the top tubes 6 and are fastened thereto by shrouds 97 which are laced through the edge portions of the envelop and are wrapped around the said tubes 6. That portion ot the envelop above the middle decks of the ear is connected by shrouds 88 with the lower tubes 3. l\toreover the said ehvelop is preferably connected to the arms 75 0f the cross beams 7%,

decks or platforms.

by means 0t threaded rods 89 connected by turn buckles 90. lly tightening these bucklcs, the envelop can be drawn tightly around the gas container and said container held firmly upon its cradle. Moreover this envelop can also be additionally held by the shrouds 87 and 8S.

Zach ot' the engines 27 is provided with a pump attachn'ient whereby fuel contained within the receptacle 16 can be elevated7 thrmigh the suction pipe 17 to the engine.

.\s heretofore stated, and as shown in the. drawings, there is one engine locatedtank supplies a receptacle from which a suction pipe extends to the exhaust. It is also to be understood that the various arrange ments of tubes heretofore set forth are duplicated at the two ends of the car there being a bridge extending from each end of the middle upper deck to the respective end;

All of the tubes of the car, with them;- ception of those constituting the gas heater, the fuel cooler, and the fuel tank, are in -communication with each otherand with. the hollow decks, these tubes and decks thus constituting a vast storage tank in which gas may be held under pressure for an emergency.

It: is to be understood that before making an ascent all of the'gas storage tubes and platforms as well asthe gas container 76 are charged with gas after which a. sutticient' quantity of the gas contained within the container 76 can he withdrawvn therefrom and condensed within the containing tubes constituting the framework so as to prevent the machine from making an ascent. Thiswithdrawal ot the gas from the conta ner 76 andits con'nu ession withln the tubes and plat-- torms of the car, is effected by the gas-pump 54. \Vhcn it is desired to make an ascent a predeternnncd quantity of the compressed gas is perniitted 'to tiow through the gaspump to the co ntamer 76 until the same is machine is turning, have been shown but. it is to be understood that. when the machine is travelingin a straight course the shafts of the propellers at each side of the car are disposed in alineinent. 15y shifting the lever the upper and lower planes 6), 3 can be moved to any desired inclination relative to the horizontal and can thus be utilized for the purpose of dirccting't-he car upwardly or downwardly Without changing the quantity of gas contained Within the container to.

has heretofore been pointed out the spent gases discharged from the engines are directed into water contained within the ctmipartmcnt 52 and quickly raise the temperature thereof, and inasmuch as the pipes t'zontaining used for elevating, purposes, pass through the Water tubes 52, it will be apparent that whenever a circulation of gas is set up through the tubes 53-, said gas can be readily heated. v This is especially desirable under certain climatic conditions, While under other conditions itis desirable to cool contained within the; main con tainer 76. To effect this result the gas is Withdrawn from the container 76 and directcd by the gaspu np through the tubes 56 to the rod '70 and thence by way of the flexible tubes Tl tothc arm 69 and rock shaft til from which the gas is distributed into the tubes constitui ing the Framework of the controlling planes. The air passing between and around the various tubes of the planes will quickly cool the warm gas contained within the tubes and the gas-pump can then be utilized for rctin'ningnthis gas to the con taincr 7t; at'tcr which another quantity can be retrieved therefrom and the foregoing operation repeated. it being obvious that the temperature of the gas within the container 76 will be materially reduced each time a portion of it has been directed into and re turned 'l'ron'i the coolers in the manner described.

As has been ht-iretol't'ire pointed out there is more or loss ,\'cess'n'iotive lluid discharged ,l'ron: the engines and this fluid is directed through the pipcs 48 to the railing tubes 4-H and thence to the tubes ll 'l'roin which the fluid flows d-rnrnward through the tubes X) to the tubes 9. llurinn' this tuieration the said tubes a re cooled: by the atmosphere surrounding them and the said fuel is therefore reduced in temperature and returned to the tank which is lorincd ol tubes 5).

l cn it is desired to descend it is not ncce-ary to all w a portion of the gas to escap from the container its as heretofore. lnr-t rul the gas pump is et in motion so as to rcnio'; a desired quant ity of as l'rom the container and compress it within the storan'c tubes constituting the car l'ratne. The gas thus stored can be used at" a l'uture time tor [)I'tltilkllllf-I ascent, merely by returning it to the container T6.

If desired, and as shown especially in Figs. 1 and :2, steadying wings or planes 91 may be extended late ally from the conical terminals of the container 76. Also, if de-- the turn buckles, the envelope 86 can be loosened from the container 76 and another con ta incr of a greater or less capacity can be placed Within the envelop and held by tightening the shrouds and the turn buckles.

All parts of the container, envelop and car, are preferably formed of light sheet metal.

It is designed, for the purposes of Willfare, to arrange turrets 93 at the sides of one or more of the decks.

It is to be understood of course that various changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts ofthe machine Without departing from thespirit or sacrificing of the invention.

What IS claimed is:

any of the advantages 1. An air ship including a gas container,

a car supported thereby, an engine upon the car, Water tubes upon said car and constituting a railing, a tank opening into said tubes, means for directing exhausted gases from the engine and into the tank to heat the Water, and a gas-conducting tube extending from the container and through the water tubes.

2. In an air ship, the combination with a. gas container, and a car supported thereby, of controlling planes movably connected to the car, tubular connections between the planes, said connections communicating and constituting coolers, means for directing gas from the container to the coolers, and means for shifting the planes.

3. In an air ship, a car including standards and side members connected to the topsof the standards, cross beams having forked ends straddling said members and snpported thereby, each beam having terminal arms. the upper faces of the beams being concnved longitudinally to constitute a cradle, a nontloxihle gas container bearing upon the corn" ca 'cd faces of the beams, said beams being arranged at intervals throughout the length of the container, and a flexible envelop extending over and bearing upon the container, and adjustable connections between saidcn velop and the arms.

4. An air ship including a gas container, a car, Water tubes, an engine, means for utilizing exhaust gases from the engine to heat the water. and a gas conducting tube extending from the container and through the water tubes.

in an airship, the combination with a gas contuirfor, of spaced planes. tuhulm' connectionbelweon the planes, said connections connnunicating and comtiluting coolers, and means for directing gas from the con tainer to the coolers.

(3. In an airship, it our including flt'flfi .membors, cross beams having forked owls '1 Straddling said members, such beam having termmal arms, a non-flexlble gas container hein'lng on the beams, and beams being arl l l l i l l t intervals throughout the length miner and adjustable connections hutwocn the c'mtuinor and the arms.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my mm 1 have hereto ntfixecl my signa- 5 ranged a of the co tum in tho preF-onoo of two witneaws.

JUIQ H RICHARD FRODERG.

V. DOYLE, J. E. PREINKERT.

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