US1024700A - Propeller. - Google Patents

Description

J. L. RIKHOFF.

PROPELLER. APPLICATION FILED 1113.21, 1911.

1,024,700. Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

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WITNESSES: JNVENTOR.

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J. L. RIKHOFF.

PROPELLER.

APPLICATION FILED 313.21, 1911.

1,024,700. 7 Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR.

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UNTTED %TATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. RIKI-IOFF, 01? DENVER, COLORADO.

PROPELLER.

cation.

My invention relates to improvements in propellers for use in aerial navigation and its object resides in the provision of a mechanism of simple construction whereby a plurality of flexible vanes radiating from a central hub, are at predetermined and variable points in the rotary movement of the latter, alternately spread to act upon the air for the propulsion of the ship with which the propeller is connected, and folded to lessen their resistant tendency during the ineffective portion of their movement.

In the accompanying drawings in the various views of which like parts are similarly designated, Figure 1, represents a side elevation of the propeller, Fig. 2, an enlarged section taken along the line 22 Fig. 1, Fig. 3, a side elevation of the eccentric employed to fold and unfold the vanes during their revolving movement, Fig. 4, a section taken along the line 11 Fig. 8, Fig. 5, a section along the line 55 Fig. l, and Fig. 6, a vertical section taken along the line 66, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 2 designates a shaft, which is rotatably mounted in bearings 3 and which carries an eccentric 4; intermediate its extremities. A sleeve 5 rotatably mounted upon the shaft 2, by means of ball bearings 6, has a concentric hub 5 which encircles the eccentric 4: and which, to facilitate assembling the parts, is composed of two flanged members which are connected by bolts or rivets.

The shaft 2, which in the operation of the propeller, is stationary, may be rotated to vary the positions of the eccentric in a plane transversely to its axis, by means of a lever 7 which being secured at one end of the shaft, carries a catch to lock it in its adjusted position by engagement with a notched segment 8 which may be mounted upon the adjacent one of the boxes 8 or upon any other stationary support.

The propeller vanes which extend radially from the hub 6, are each composed of a fold ing frame 9 and a therewith connected sail Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 21, 1911.

Patented Apr.30, 1912.

Serial No. 609,876.

10 composed of canvas or other suitable fabric.

The frame 9 is composed of two normally divergent ribs 12 which are pivot-ally attached at their lower ends, at opposite sides of the hub 6 and which are steadied by means of flexible braces 13 extending from their outer extremities to points on the hub, at opposite sides of their pivotal connections. A plurality of rings lt each provided with an outwardly projecting lug 15, are loosely fitted in corresponding circumferential grooves of the eccentric 4, and the hub 5 has an equal number of outwardly extending bosses 16 which are provided with radial bores. Rods 17 which are slidably fitted in the bores of the respective bosses 16, are pivoted at their inner extremities, to the lugs of the respective rings 14, while their opposite ends are connected with the two ribs 12 of the respective frames 7 by means of toggle joints, the arms 18 of which extend divergently from their point of connection with the rods, to lugs formed at the inner sides of the ribs. The flexible sail 10 of each of the vanes is connected along its opposite edges to the two ribs 12 and it is of suflicient width to bulge in the manner shown in Fig. 2, when the ribs 12 are spread for the purpose of exposing it to the action of the air. A pulley 19 secured upon the sleeve 5 serves to connect the propeller with the motor provided to impart a rotatory movement thereto.

During the effective portion of the circular movement of the vanes, the sails are spread in' the manner above described, to act upon the air and thus propel the airship with which the propeller is associated, and during the ineffective portion of the said movement the vanes are gradually folded, as shown in the lower parts of Figs. 1 and 6 and in Fig. 5, by the movement of the rings 14; in the respective grooves of the eccentric 4', which by moving their points of connection with the said rods toward the axis of rotation of the sleeve, draws the rods through the bores in the bosses l6 and moves the ribs 12 about their pivots, toward each other, through the instrumentality of the respective toggle-j oints.

By varying the position of the eccentric in its plane of rotation, which may be readily accomplished by means of the lever 7, the points in the rotary movement of the propeller at which the vanes are alternately spread and folded, may be changed in ac cordance with circumstances and the purpose to which the propeller is employed.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent is 1. A. propeller comprising a rotary hub, a relatively stationary, circular member, disposed eccentric to the axis thereof, vanes extending radially from the said hub and each comprising a pair of ribs pivotally connected "with the hub, and a sail attached to the said ribs, rods movable on the said hub, in engagement with the said eccentric member, and toggle connections between the said rods and the ribs of the respective vanes.

2. A propeller comprising a rotary hub, a relatively stationary circular member disposed eccentric to the axis thereof, rings mounted to move circumferentially upon the said member, vanes extending radially from the said hub and each comprising apair of ribs pivotally connected with the same, and a sail. attached to the said ribs, rods movable on the said hub, in connection with the respective rings, and toggle connections between the said rods and the ribs of the respective vanes.

3. A propeller comprising in combination with a relatively stationary shaft, a circular member supported thereon, eccentric to its axis, a hub rotatably mounted on the shaft, and encircling said eccentric, vanes extending radially from the said hub and each comprising a pair of ribs pivotally connected with the hub, and a sail attached to the said ribs, rods movable on the said hub in engagement with the said eccentric member, and toggle connections between the said rods and the ribs of the respective vanes.

-l-. A propeller comprising in combii'iation with a relatively stationary shaft, a circular member supported thereon, eccentric to its axis, a hub rotatably mounted on the shaft, and encircling said eccentric, vanes extending radially from the said hub and each comprising a pair of ribs pivotally connected with the hub, and a sail attached to the said ribs, rods movable on the said hub in engagement with the said eccentric member, toggle connections between the said rods and the ribs of the respective vanes, and means for changing the position of the eccentric in a plane transverse to its axis, by rotation of the said shaft.

A propeller comprising a rotary hub,a relatively stationary circular element disposed eccentric to the axis thereof, and .vanes extending radially from the said hub and each comprising afolding frame including a member mounted to follow the periphery of the said element during rotary movement of the hub, the said frames being constructed to be folded and unfolded by movement of said member toward and from the axis of said eccentric element.

(3. A propeller comprising a rotary hub, a relatively stationary, rotatable circular element disposed eccentric to the axis thereof, vanes extending radially from the said hub and each comprising a folding frame including a member mounted to follow the periphery of the said element during rotary movement of the hub, and means for changing the position of said element in the plane of its rotation, the said frames being constructed to be folded and unfolded by movement of said member toward and from the axis of said eccentric element.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN L. RIKIQIOFF.

\Vitnesses L. Rnoanns, G. J. RoLLaNnn'r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

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