Aeroplane

Application filed April 4, 1931.

This invention relates generally to aerial 1 vehicles of the power driven type and more particularly to aeroplanes and has tor its primary object to provide, m a mannei as hereinafter set forth, an aeroplane bavin» supplemental or emergency power means to lie brought into use m case of failure of the conventional power means for maintaining the aeroplane in flight until a safe landing can be made. ,. , ¹⁰ Other objects of the invention are to provide an aeroplane of the character described which will be simple in construction, strong, durable, efficient and reliable in operation and which may be constructed at low cost.

¹⁰ All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention ξζ come apparent from a study of the followm specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like> characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:— . . ,

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an aeroplane in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a view in top plan of an aeroplane with portions thereof broken away and showing diagrammatically the supplemental or emergency power means.

Figure 3 is a view m perspective of a slightly modified form of the invention

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 o± the form of the invention illustrated m 4 iguro 3· ·

Referring now in detail to the drawings ³⁵ and to Figures 1 and 2 thereof in particular, it will be seen that the aeroplane is designated generally by the reference numeral 1 and comprises a fuselage 2 and wing 3 of con,,. ventional construction. .

Suspended from the wing 3 m the usual manner on opposite sides of the f uselage 2 is a pair of conventional power plants in the form of radial internal combustion engines , 4 which drive the air screws 5.

Also suspended from the wing 3 on opposite sides of the fuselage 2 and in longitudinal alignment with the engines 4 are the generators 6 which are driven by the air actuated ₆₀ propellers 7 which are operatively mounted

1,851,857 located at any desired point in the aeroplane, the wires comprising this circuit being designated by the reference numeral 23.

A switch 24 is interposed in the electric cir5 cuit between the generator 20 and the battery 22. More than one battery 22 may, of course, be provided if desired.

Suspended from the forward portion of the . wing 17 on each side of the fuselage 16 are 16 the electric motors 25 which drive the air screws 26. Conductor wires 27 comprise circuits electrically connecting the electric motors 25 with the battery 22 and switches 28 are interposed in the circuits between the 13 electric motors 25 and the battery 22.

When the aeroplane 15 is in flight and being powered by the engine 18, the air pressure will drive the propeller 21 in an oboo°^USi,-ⁿ7^ani\^{er for} °P^eratinS the generator ^{20 w}.„ , ’ ^{of course}₅ charges the battery 22.

It will thus be seen that the battery 22 mav be charged or maintained in a fully charged position at all times when the aeroplane is being powered by the engine 18. In case 2o failure of the engine 18 the switches 28 are closed to energize the electric motors 25 for driving the air screws 26 for maintaining the aeroplane m flight until a safe landing can be made.

³ⁱ* It is believed that the many advantages of an aeroplane in accordance with this invention will be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiments of the. invention .,. are as illustrated and described, it is to be re understood that further changes in the details of construction and in arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall ^W ™ ί¹·^{6 SC}₁°P^{e of the inv}ention as claimed.