US226957A - Vibrating propeller - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

s. BARNES. Vibrating-Propeller.

Patented April 27, I880.

A TORNEYS.

NPEIERS, PHOTO-UTNOGRAPNER. WASHINGTON. n C.

2Sheets Shee t 2. S. BARNES.

. Vibrating-Propeller.

No. 226,957. Patented April 27,1880.

WITNESSES: 4 INVBNTOR:

94 Mm 79m gz kmuv 1$ BY ATTORNEYS.

N.PETERS. PHOTO-UTNOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON. D C.

7 NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN BARNES, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

VIBRATING PROPELLER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 226,957, dated April 27, 1880.

Application filed August 29, 1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, STEPHEN BARNES, of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of-Oonnecticut, have invented a new and Improved Vibrating Propeller, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates'to the construction and application to boats of reciprocating propellers; and it has for its object to adapt propellers to small boats and vessels to be operated by either hand or steam power; also, to arrange the floats so that they will olfer no resistance on the return stroke.

It consists in the devices and arrangements hereinafter specifically described for communicating motion to the propeller.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents my improved propeller adapted to be operated by a reciprocating motion and to propel from the stern. Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal section of one of the propeller cases or frames and the float Within the same, taken on line 00 00, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view, and Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line y y of Fig. 3, of a doubleractin g arrangement of the horizontallyreciprocating propeller. Fig. 5 represents, in sectional elevation, the improved propeller applied to the sides of a boat and arranged to propel by a vertical oscillating movement, and adapted to be reversed so as to propel the vessel backward or forward. Fig. 6 is a section, on line 2 z of Fig. 5, of one of the cases and the float. Fig. 7 is a sectional side elevation of my improved propeller applied to the stern of the boat and adapted to oscillate vertically, and also adapted to change the direction ofthe stroke and Fig. 8 is a top view of the same. Fig. 9 is a sectional side elevation of my improved propeller arranged to be double-acting and to oscillate in a horizontal plane at the stern of the vessel. Fig. 10 is a horizontal section of the propeller-ease on line m 00 of Fig. '9, and Fig. 11 is a plan of the mechanism for operating this arrangement of the propeller.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A is the hull of a boat or small vessel, divided transversely by a bulk-head, B, a little aft of midships. The

compartment B, forward of the bulk-head, is

guide-rods a, and those adjacent to the side walls are continued through the bulk-head, forming extensions b.

E represents the cases or boxes containing the floats. They are rectangular, with open ends, and have on each side an upward extension or hanger, I), the upper edge whereof is turned over into a cylindrical sleeve, 0, through which are passed the guide-rods, as shown, so that the cases are suspended and adapted to move or slide back and forth on the guiderods. I

To the top of each of the cases is attached a rod or shaft, cl, which extends through the bulk-head, and is connected, by a cylindrical sliding guide, 6, with the guide-rod b. To rod 61 is connected one end of a connecting-rod extending from a crank-shaft.

Inside, of the case is placed the float f, near the inner end. It is pivoted by its upper edge to the top of the case, while its lower or free edge is limited in its backward movement by a cleat or stop, 9, fixed transversely to the bottom of the case. By this arrangement the float is permitted to move in an arc of ninety degrees from a vertical position against 9 to a horizontal position in the direction of the out ward end of the case, (designated by the letter g,) said movement being indicated by the dotted segment.

One of the cases with its float, forming a propeller, is placed in each of the compartments C C, Where they are, in practice, submerged, and are adapted to be reciprocated horizontally on the guide-rods a, alternately in opposite directions, a double-crank shaft being used to obtain this motion, operated by either steam or hand power, so that when one propeller. is giving the direct stroke the other is on the return, and vice versa. By the backward and forward movement in the water the floats are alternately swung from a horizontal to a vertical position; in the former,

'on the return stroke, feathering to the water and avoiding back action, and in the latter,

on the direct stroke, dropping to a vertical position and acting against the water at right angles to the direction of the stroke. By this arrangement a continuous propelling force is exerted without back action, thus enabling the boat to be propelled rapidly through the water with but little expenditure of power. This adapts the arrangement especially to boats and small vessels, as the propeller thus constructed can be operated by hand-power where steam is not available, or by steam either where it can be used to advantage.

In Figs. 3 and 4 is shown .the propeller arranged to be double acting. Here the case is provided with two floats, a a, pivoted and stopped the same as the one first described, but adapted to swing open in opposite directions. From the pivoted edges of the floats arms 1) project up through slots in the top of the case a short distance apart. Between these arms is placed a slide, A, moving on rods b b, so that one of the arms is on one side of the slide and the other on the opposite side. By moving the slide to the left, float a is turned up horizontally against the top of the case, while float a is permitted to swing in the are indicated by the dotted lines 1; but when the slide is moved to the opposite end of the case it draws float a into a horizontal position, and a falls to a vertical and is permitted to swing in are 2.

When it is desired that the boat shall move in the direction of arrow 1, float a. is thrown up and a permitted to swing, so that the stroke in the direction of the arrow 1 swings float a up, but the reverse stroke throws it to a vertical position and causes the boat to move in the direction of the said arrow. To reverse the movement to the direction indicated ,by arrow 2, float a is held up and a permitted to swing, whereupon the motion of the float will be like that first described, and the boat will move in the direction of arrow 2.

By this arrangement the boat can be moved backward or forward at will, and if one of the propellers be arranged to push forward and the other to pull backward in the construction shown in. 1, the vessel can be turned and steered by the propellers.

In Fig. 5 is shown the arrangement for propelling the vessel from the side. I'Iere two propellers composed of cases and swinging floats are attached to the lower end of shafts h h, partly threaded and screwed through the projecting portions t' Z of pivots F F, held in suitable bearings G G in the sides of the vessel. The pivots turn freely in the bearings, and by making the screw-connection between the shafts and pivots the propellers can be the propellers, which, when submerged and jj, to which are fixed leversj.

oscillated in the segment of a circle, propel the boat. To reverse the position of the propellers to move the boat backward or forward I provide the upper ends of the shafts with collars Over the ends of the shafts are placed plates is, with transverse recesses Z on theunder side, and above the plates are springs Z, which press the plates down against the collar, so that the levers are held in the recesses Z. Plates k are hinged to rods Z, which are connected together by a screw-coupling, m. By means of the levers shafts h h and the propellers can be given one half-revolution on their axes, thus reversing the position of the ends of the propellers and enabling them to be adjusted to propel the boat forward or back, as may be desired. YVhen the levers are turned they lift plates 70,- but as soon as they get in line with the recesses the plates drop and the levers are retained in the required position.

In Figs. 7 and S is illustrated an arrangement of an oscillating propeller 7 adapted to propel from the stern. The propeller in this case has two floats, m at, one placed above the other, and the upper one arranged so that its free edge when down will be stopped by the pivoted edge of the lower float. The floats in this propeller operate the same in other respects as those first described; but the sides of the case are prolonged beyond the top and bottom, forming side extensions, a n, which serve as rudders to steer the vessel. This propeller is fixed to the lower end of a screwthreaded sh aft, H, which is screwed up through a plate, I, which is hinged to another plate, I, pivoted to a plate, I, on plate I, which is connected with the stern by a tongue or other suitable device adapted to hold the propeller at a proper distance from th stern to allowit to vibrate or oscillate freely. To plate I is attached a lever, O, which extends over plate I, and is provided with a pawl, 0, which is adapted to engage the holes 0. By means of lever O the shaft can be turned so as to throw the propeller at any desired angle to the stern of the vessel, and thus enable the propeller to be set to propel the vessel straight forward by direct strokes or to turn her by oblique strokes. On the upper part of the shaft is placed a sleeve, 1), with a set-screw to hold itin proper position, and to this sleeve is hinged a handle, 1), by which the shaft and propeller are oscillated. On the upper end is a lever, 12', for turning the shaft and screwing it up and down for the purpose of raising the propeller out of the water or submerging it in the same, as may be desired. By means of the handle 19 the propeller can be oscillated in the segment indicated by the dotted line, and thus caused to propel the vessel.

In Figs 9, 10, and 11 is shown an arrangement for vibrating a propeller of a somewhat different construction in a horizontal plane and obtaining a double action. The case of the propeller in this construction is composed of two horizontal plates, q q, between which are held two partitions, w, with spaced double walls, which are fixed in the shape of a V, with the smaller end next to the outer side of the case, while the corresponding ends of the double walls are open and the opposite or inner ends are closed, so that the water can flow freely between the walls in the direction of the arrows and be ejected freely through holes 8 in the outer walls.

The floats t are placed vertically between q q, with one edge pivoted close to the outer walls of the partitions, while the other edges swing freely in a horizontal plane from the outer walls in line with the holes 8 to the stops t, as indicated by the dotted segments.

The propeller thus constructed is attached to the lower end of a shaft, t, which is passed up through a sleeve, K, attached to the under side of the plate L. The upper part of the shaft being screw-threaded, a set-nut, u, is screwed down over it to the plate L, while to the upper end of the shaft is fixed a pinion, M, meshing with a spur-wheel, N, on a shaft rising from plate L, which is connected in any suitable manner to the vessel, so as to project horizontally from the stern.

A lever, O, is hinged to a plate, V, placed loosely over the shaft of the spur-wheel, and held there by a screw-cap, w.

The lever is used to vibrate the propeller, and for this purpose it is made to engage one of the yokes '12 on the spur-wheel. Now, by giving it a slight movement first to the left and then to the right the propeller is moved alternately in the direction of the arrows 00 x in Fig. 10.

When moved in the direction of arrow 00 the floats are thrown out on the side next to this arrow and exert a propelling force against the water, and those on the other side are forced in against the wall; but when the motion is reversed these floats are thrown out by the combined action of centrifugal force and the pressure of the water passing between the walls on that side and ejected through the holes 8 against the floats, while those On the opposite side are drawn in, and thus prevent any back action. This is the arrangement when the vessel is propelled forward; but when she is to be backed the lever is changed to the next yoke o and drawn around to a position parallel to the sides of the vessel. This reverses the position of the propeller, so that the floats, instead of vibrating in the direction of the arrows a: a." in Fig. 10, vibrate in the direction of arrows zz in the same figure, and thus operate to pull the vessel back instead of pushing it forward.

This propeller is designed to be inclosed by a casing, 1?, open at the bottom and outer end, so as to give the water free entrance to the propeller. The purpose of the casing is to check the sidewise throw of the water from the propeller, and thus save the banks from the washing that would otherwise ensue.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination, withfloats a (0, adapted to swing open in opposite directions, of the arms b, projecting up through slots in the top of case a, and the slide A, arranged to operate as specified.

2. The combination, with the shafts h h, of the pivots F F, having portions t' '5, through which the shafts are screwed, the sleeves h, the rods 11 l, pivoted to them and connected by coupling j, the collars j, the levers j, made fast to said collars, and the recessed plates 70, having superposed springs l, as and for the purpose specified.

STEPHEN BARNES.

Witnesses:

ROBERT Frrz MoRRIs, A. D. GOODYEAR.

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