US1405035A - Airplahe - Google Patents

Description

K. HUNT.

AIRPLANE- APPLICATION FILED MAR-7,1921.

Patented Jan. 31, 192

Inven/por:

-shape.

UNITED stares- KATHERINEI-IUNT, 0F CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

AIRPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Jan. 31, 1922.

Application filed March 7, 1921. SerialNo. 450,384.

cation, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

The generalobkct of the invention is to produce an airplane which shall be free from faults that are conspicuous in the case of air-planes constructed as heretofore in practice; and also to provide an air-plane of improved character and construction, much safer, and having certain desirable and important capabilities.

Special aims of the invention are to avoid the tendency to nose-dives and other erratio and dangerous, more or less uncontrollable, behavior such as is observable in the shape of air-planes of the present popular Further, to give capacity for ascending and descending more or less directly and perpendicularly, and for poising in the air, as for purposesof observation, photographing, etc. Further, to give greater steadiness and stability, greatercontrollability as respects ascent and descent, a capacity for support in the air independent of mere spread and area of plane surface, capacity for easy and safe landing, etc; a

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings, in' which latter,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an air-plane containing the said embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a partly sectional side elevation of the said air-plane, I p

The airplane shown in the drawings is of the bi-plane class, it having an upper plane 1 and a lower plane 2, these two planes being connected together by means of: posts or upright rods 3, 3, etc. However, the number of planes comprised in the construction of a machine embodyingthe invention is not material in all cases, but it is optional with the builder. The invention may be embodied in a mono-plane, or in a machine having more than two planes. The plane or planes with which the machine is provided inpractice will be contrived, arranged, etc., 111 accordance with established principles to serve the usual requirements in straight-ahead and other flying, including ascending after the usual manner. At 4; is represented a fuselage, which in practice maybe of conventional or other approved form, etc., and contrived, etc., suitably for the accommodation of the pilot, and a passenger or passengers when desired. At 5 is a propeller located at the leading end of the fuselage, mounted to turn in averticalplane around a horizontal axis and actuated as usual by means of an engine (not shown) contained within the fuselage. The usual rudders, elevators or lifters, and other accessories, which in the present instance are more or less omitted from the drawings, will be provided in practice. V .1 In accordance with the invention, I make the plane or planesrounded or disk-shaped, either circular in plan, as shown, or sub.- stantially so, although the shape maybe more or less elongated transversely, i. e., elliptical. Thereby I establish equilibrium, and also eliminatethe corners which exist somewhat larger in diameter than the lower one, and this, combined with having the main weight of the machine located low down, secures better equipoise or inherent stability-and balancing quality. Equalized or level and safe descent is attained by having'thew'eightof the engine and other load located in or near the center, and in the lower part of the machine. p

Further, I provide a centrally open dome or hell 7, below the lower plane2 and supported by posts 8, 8, etc., extending down from such plane. The upper portion of the dome or bell 7 isarched over inwardly toward the center, the said portion being curved in vertical cross-section with its inner edge depressed so that it presents a downi turned vconcavity. VVheelsQ, 9, etc, mounted in connection with the lower portion 'of'this dome or hell, serve for the support, etch, of

the machine upon the ground. Dome or bell .7, byv reason of its inwardly extending over arching upper portion with downturned'concavity, is adapted to have .a parachute-like action in the descent of the air-plane. Below itthe machine is provided with another proesrsnr oiFiFlcE.

at the hack of a plane of the shape cusclose to the said plane.

peller, 6, arranged to revolve in a horizontal plane around a vertical axis and located at a convenient distance below the fuselage, its vertically arranged shaft having suitable engine-connections within the fuselage for driving purposes. The driving connections of'the two propellers thus far referred to are under the control of the pilot by means of mechanical arrangements substantially as usual.

This horizontal'propeller 6 has a lifting power and is designed to be employed for raising the air-plane vertically, and for controlling the descent.

I preferably employ below horizontal lifting propeller 6 a concave deflector 10 having its concavity upturned toward the said propeller. This deflector is somewhat less in diameter than the downwardly extending skirt or flange of the dome or bell 7 and is located within the enclosure of the said skirt or flange.

The opening or interval between the arch of the dome or bell and the under side of plane 2 is of proper'proportions to permit adequate flow of air radially inward to and through. the central opening of the dome or bell 7, and to the horizontal propeller 6. Theair thus flowing inward will exert an appreciable lifting force against-the under side of the plane 2. In addition to the lift ing action of horizontal propeller 6, the air deflected outward by the deflector '10 will exert more-or less upward pressure within the arch of the dome or bell 7, with lifting effect, and further lifting action will be secured through the reaction incident to down-flow of the air from the dome or bell.

Inoperation, the rapidity or speed of ascending, or descending will be gauged by the speed of the horizontal propeller under the control of the operator, who also will be able by properly proportioning the said speed to cause the machine to stand still,

or approximately so, at any altitude desired for observation, surveying, or photographmg.

- 11 is an apron or curtain that is connected with the top plane 1 at or near the margin ofthelatter, and adapted either to hang down like an annular curtain from the said margin, as in Fig. 2, orrto be furled or otherwise gathered up and held against or I The said apron or curtain will be made of suitable flexible material. The means for furling or gathering up the said apron or curtain, and keeping it in such condition, in practice will be arranged for manipulation by one or another of the persons carried by the machine, and will be so controllable as to enable the V apron or curtain to be released at will in order that it may drop into the position shown.

l/Vhile flying, the apron or curtain will be drawn up flat and close against the bottom or under side of the upper plane out of the way, and so that it will not interfere with flying or observation. It is designed to be utilized with parachute-like effect for regulating and rendering safe the descent of the machine, especially in the case of more or less vertical descent.

The dome or bell 7 is somewhat less in diameter than the lower plane 2, so that the lowest portion of the machine is the small-est, which fact, in conjunction with the low location of the center of gravity,

contributes to the better equipoise and inherent side up.

The round or circular planes 1 and 2 have more surface for air buoyancy in proportion to the total width of machine than the narstability, insuring descent right row panel-shaped planes at present in use,

the lower in diameter, a lifting propeller,-

and a centrally-opendome or bell, less in diameter than the lower plane, surrounding and arching over said propeller, and also adapted to act with parachute-like effect in the descent of the machine.

3; An air-plane having a plane, a lifting propeller, a centrally-open dome or bell surrounding and arching'over said propeller and also adapted to act with parachute-like effect in the descent of the machine, and a concave {deflector below said lifting 'propeller and within the downwardly extending skirt or flange of the dome or bell.

4. An air-plane having a disk-shaped plane, a lifting propeller, a;centrally-open dome of bell surrounding and arching over said propeller and also adapted to act with parachute-like effect in the descent of the machine, and a concave deflector below said lifting propeller and within the downwardly-extending skirt or flange of'the dome or bell.

5. An air-plane having upper and lower disk-shaped planes, the upper exceeding the lower in diameter, a lifting propeller, a cen-.

- 1,405,030 a I B' downwardly-extending skirt or flange of the have a parachute-like action in regulating said dome or bell. descent of the machine vertically. 10 6. An air-plane having combined with the In testimony whereof I afiix my signature margin of a plane thereof a flexible apron in presence of two witnesses. or curtain adapted to be furledior gathered, KATHERINE HUNT. normally, close against the said plane where Witnesses: it will not obstruct or interfere with flying, CHAS, F. RANDALL, and to be dropped into working position to ELLEN 0. SPRING.

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