May 18,1926.

11,585,281

G. L.. CRADDOCK

AIR PROPELLED VEHI CLE

Filed Oct. 13. 1924

4 Sheets-Sheet 1

1,585,281

May 18 , 1926.
G. L. CRADDOCK
AIR PROPELLED VEHICLE

-F'iled Oct. 13. 1924

4 Sheets-Sheet 2

10
10a,

10a

1,585,281

May 18 , 1926.
G. L.. CRADDOCK
AIR PROPELLED VEHICLE

Filed Oo4 13. 1924

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4 Sheets-Sheet

5.

,1,72

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11

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May '1s , 1926;

1,585,281
G. L. CRADDOCK
v AIR PROPELLED VEHICLE

Filed Oct. 15, 1924

4 Sheets-Sheet 4

. 1,585,281l

Patented May 18, 19,26.

'UNITED sl'rarss MTENT> OFFICE.

GEORGE L. CRDDQCK, 0F WTASHNGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA..
~ arn-rnornnrnn VEHICLE.

Application ?lled October 13, 1924. Serial No, 743,449.

My invention relates to improvements in ner as to control thehorizontal or vertical

'
air-propelled vehicles, and more particu movement of the vehicle at will.
@ther objects, which will become appar
larly to means for propelling a vehicle either
above the surface of the earth, on the land ent as the description proceeds, reside in the
provision of a vehicle `that comprisesbut
'lhe primary object of my invention is the few _simple parts, easy' of operation, inex
provision and correlation of parts whereby pensively constructed, which when consid
or

sea.

'-

the machine derives its motion, either mov ered individually or collectively must result
ing in a substantially horizontal plane, or in the production of a machine whose com
65
rising vertically from the earth, by themove mercial success is at once assured.
ln the drawings:
ment of exceptionally high velocity air cur

rents through the device, compressing them

Figure l is a central vertical longitudinal

within a restricted area and'then releasing section of my invention, showing certain air

the same., .thus using the expansion power of

compressed air as a motive power.

trunks;

Fig. 2 is a Afront elevation of the same

A further object of my invention 1s to showing the intake of air;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation showing the.

provide a vehicle capable of rising vertically

`
into the air, or at any desired angle, and a flared end of an air trunk;
Fig. 4: is a vertical transverse section taken

device capable of maintaining itself in a sta

76

tionary position above the surface of the on the plane of the line H of Fig. l show
ing the casing in elevation;
earth at any desired elevation.
A further object of my invention is to

Fig. 5 is a similar sectional view taken

on the line 5_5 of Fig. l, showing the rear

mum the breaking of cohesion between fluid section of the casing .in elevation and a

construct a device that will reduce to a mini

particles, thereby reducing the head-on re~ downwardly directed air trunk in section;
sistance; said resistance, as is well known,

80

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the means

being the force> required to break the ~fluid for reversing the direction of rotation of the
particles apart, and thus make room for the fan;

Fig. 7 is a modification of my device de

A further object of the invention is to picting the use of a slightly different type
provide means to reduce the drag and break ' of fan used in my preferred form, and an
up the partial vacuous space in the rear of attendant modification in the position of cer

moving body.

the device which is alawys filled with a com

tain air trunks;

plicated whirling mass of air, comprising Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing

the action and flow of air currents on. a body
eddy currents.4

90

A still further object of this invention is not equipped with my air trunks and suc
`to eliminate all means of applying the power tion means; and
Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the ac
of a motor to the wheels of the vehicle, the
wheels operating independent of the motor, tion and flow of air currents in and around
and thus enabling the construction' of a a. body equipped with my air trunks and

power unit with only a single moving part.

suction means.

Another novel and useful feature of my , Similar numerals of reference designat

device is the ability to stop the vehicle in like parts throughout the several views.
The numeral 10 designates the body of my
the shortest possible space without the ap

plication of brakes, and reverse the direc `vehicle which comprises a suitable skeleton
framework l1, covered with fabric l0a or
tion of the vehicle at will.
l
Another important object is to reduce other suitable material as best practice de
traction on the wheels by the simple expedi mands.
By preference, said framework 1l, com
ent of counteracting the weight of the en
tire machine by a force equal or nearly so, prising the body l0, is mounted upon wheels
12, onl axles 13, and secured to the framea
to the attraction due to gravity.

A still further object is the provision of work 1l, as indicated at lil. A strong and

means to intercept _the air currents flowing rigid support for the body is thus provided

55

through the device by limiting the amount yet of slender proportions and constructed
of air passing therethrough in such man of light and durable. material so as not to

105

1,585,251

unduly increase the weight of the entire butter?ly type which are positioned in the
device.

'

air trunks and operatedfby means of -mech

lVithin the body 10 is constructed suitable

framework in the form of floors or parti
tions for the support of certain air trunks
and cert-ain mechanisms, all of which will
be described hereinafter.
Intermediate the ends of said body 10, is
positioned a casing 15, which according to
best practice, is composed ~`of two sections
15 and 15 suitably bolted together as shown
at 16.` Said casing 15 is provided with eX
tensions, as indicated at' 17, and suitably
flanged to receive certain air trunks.

anilsm which will now be described in de

tai .

Pivoted on a rod 31, in the front of the

casing 15, is a valve 32, which is operated

in conjunction with a similar valve 33 lo
cated wit-hin the rear extension 17 of the
casing 15, said valve 33 being pivoted on a
rod 34. Each of these rods 31 and 34 are
provided with cranks 35 and 36 which are
connected by a link 37, while a second link

38, pivoted to the crank 35, extends to the

forward portion of the body where it is
Extending forwardly of said casing 15 operatively connected to the lever 39 80
is an air trunk 18, preferably circular in mounted on the platform 40. In Fig. 1 the .
cross-section, and having its outer end en valves 32 and 33 are shown in open position

larged and assuming a bowl-Shaped congu so that the air currents have a clear pas
ration, as clearly indicated at 19. A similar 'y sage through the entire length of the body

20 air trunk 20 1s secured to the rear extension'

and in the event it is desired to intercept

17 of the casing section 15", and extends the air currents passing therethrough it, is
rearwardly thereof, said air trunk having only necessary to throw said lever 39 for

Btl

its outer end flared as indicated at 21. 0n ward, the mechanism above described operat

inspection of the drawings, especially Fig. ing to close the valves in'unison.

30

1, 1t will be noted that cross-sectional area

of the air trunk 20 is less 'than that of the
air trunk 18.
It is; now evident that I have constructed
an air trunk which extends longitudinally of
said body, from end to end, in a substantial

Similarly operated valves 41 and 42 are

positioned in the vertical air trunk. In this
instance a slightly different method has been
lemployed due to the large diameter of the
casing, but the idea of operating them in

90

unison has been adhered to. lThe valves 41 95

ly horizontal plane; the casing proper 15, and 42 are pivotally mounted on rods 43 and
forming a continuation of said air trunk.
44, the former being provided with a crank
Rising from the upwardly directed ex

45 and operated by a link 4G pivoted to the

tension 17, of the casing section 15a, is lower end of the lever 47 which is also

r another air trunk 22, having its upper end mounted on the platform 40. Rod 44 ot' 100
of bowl-shaped configuration, as shown at valve 42 is also Aprovided with a crank 48
. 23, and similarly a downwardly directed air and is connected to- a rocker 49 by means of
trunk 24 is secured to the extension 17 of the link 50, the upper end of said rocker
the casing section 15b. This air trunk is 49 being pivotally connected to said'lever
40 flared at its lower end as indicated at 25.
47 by means of a link 51. Thus, to open the 105
By inspection of Fig. 1 it will be observed -valves 41 and 42 the lever 47 is thrown
that I have constructed an air trunk ex
45

tending across the minor axis of said body10 in a substantially vertical plane, the 'cas~
ing 15 also in this instance forming a con~
tinuation of said airA trunk. The two sets of
air trunks, horizontal and vertical, are, of

back, such movement being communicated

to the valve 41 by means of the lever 46
while the 1ink51 rocks the rocker 49' on its

pivot 52 throwing back the link 50 which

110

operates to open the valve 42. By this means

the valves in the vertical air trunk are op
course, in open communication one within erated in unison.
the other.

50

'

A fan 26 is positioned within the casing 15

and is operated by any appropriate source
of power, which for convenience I have de
picted here in the form of an electric motor

By reference to' Fig. l, it will be noted

that the Whole system of valves have been

115

designed to close upthe air trunks leading

from the casing 15 so as to line-up with the

shell of said casing. This method has been

27, the latter being firmly anchored to the adopted in order to obviate any loss of
floor 28 directly above the air trunk 20. As power due to air pockets;

l
shown in Fig. "1 the motor shaft 27a is
As indicated at 53 throughout the vari
mounted within a bearing 29 in the casing` ous views, thebody 10.is recessed to receive

120

section 15b, whlle its forward end 1s sup-. the wheels 12. .These recesses will be pro.

ported by the cross .bearing 30' in the casing v-ided .with a cover plate so as not to interv
rupt the continuity of'. the v.sloping- sides of
section

15B.

_'

i ~

It will, of course, be understood that it is

saidbody.

'

125

'Y

highly essential to intercept the air currents '. InH order.to..guide Ythe device .when oper
passing through the air .trunks and to limit. ating as a. land vehicle. I providea steering.
the amount of air passing therethrough. Tol :mechanismv .54 .which rises. above '.the- _]jilat-yv

'- this end I prvde'valves .of the so-called

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1,585,281

A sight opening is also provided as in

dicated at 55.

existing fluids,

tothe cohesionv between

iuid - particles, said resistance being the`

As a means of stopping the" vehicle, or actual force requiredto break them apart

to suddenly retard its forward motion, and thus make room -for the moving body.

have adopted the simple expedient of re As is well-known, a moving body, divides 70'

versino' the direction of rotation of the fan the air-stream, said stream passing around
26.- 'lo this end I have provided means the body and re-uniting in the rear, thereby

depicted in Fig. 6, wherein the motor shaft forming a slight vacuum filled with a com
has `been vparted to form two stub shafts plicated whirling mass of air, comprising
27a and Q'TQqeach being provided with gears eddy currents, and technically- termed the
56 and 5'? which only function during the
reversing operation. 0n the shaft 271 is
slidably mounted -a sleeve 58, which when
operated by the pivotecl lever. 59 slides over
iti the tips of the shafts 27a and 271 and locks
them together by means of the keys GO and

drag'??

As noted in Figs. 1 and 9, the body of

my device, by preference, is of stream-line
form so that the air stream `will hang

closely to the, outline through, nearly its so

-entire length. Engineers skilledin this art

(31.` rl`he motor 9.7.is now directly connected are in accord that this form ot structure-is
to the fan 26. lli/'hen it is desired to reverse the nearest approach whereby the effect of
the directiomof the tan 2G,_the sleeve 58 is head~on resistance and drag may be re
20

retarded thereby freeing the shaft 27, duced to a certain extent. However, my
whereupon the pinion gear-.62 is advanced device proceeds at this point with_the intent
to mesh with said gears 5G and ? by means and. purpose of eliminating the head-on re
of the lever 63. llt will be noted that said sistance and the rear drag
l now call particular attention to the
gear 62 is mounted on ay stub shaft (it and

Zti

suitably supported by bearings G5. It will, bowl-shaped end of the front air trunk 18,
type of machine the levers '59 and G3 will angcd as regards the general configuration

of course, be understood that in a smaller which in general contour is inversely ar

be operated in unison and connected to suit otl the` nose of the body l0. As pointed out
able mechanism to be controlled from the hereinbefore the air stream _in the >older
30

85

platform 40.

types impacts against the nose ot the body

95

In order to guide the device when in the then divides and passesall around the sur
air l have provided a rudder (i6, suitably face of the same. In my device the air
mounted on brackets G7 in the rear of the impacting currents are caught up by the
body 10. This rudder will be operated front suction produced by the fan 26 and enter
the steering means 54 by means ot' the rod GS. the enlarged end, and are then de?iected

A door G9, (Fig. si) has been provided sol toward the air trunk 18 where they are

the operator may enter the device and reach slightly compressed, then thrown through
thc platform 4() by means of a. ladder 70, the rear air trunk 2t), and still further con1~
or other suitable meansof elevation.

4.5

pressed and finally vreleased through the

lVhile, of course, it will be understood lflared end of said rear air trunk. This
that a system oi storage batteries will be sudden releasing of the air currents and
provided to operate the motor 27. it is ap their attendant- expansion creates a tremen
.
parent that advantage may be'taken of the dous propelling power.
It will now become apparent that that.
force exerted by the velocity of thc air
currents passing through the air trunks', portion of an air current generally impact
for the purpose ot operating a system for ing against the nose of the older structures,

05

10

the generation of power to drive said motor. is drawn into my device and used as a pro
' Figure 7 shows a~ modified form wherein pelling means instead ot a retarding means.

the fan 7l Iis ot the squirrelcage"7 type. It will, of course, be understood that the

60

rthis fan is suitably mounted on a shaft air stream part-ed at the nose of my device 115
72, suitably driven 'from a source ol. power and which is too remote to be under the

(not shown) and it will be noted that this

type ot 'l'an exerts a positive direct pull and
expulsion on the air currents in the air
trunks T3 and Tt. These air trunks have
their ends shaped after the fashion of my
prefered form and are provided with valves
60

influence of the suction of the tan, passes

over the surface of the body and tends to

re-unite in the rear.

Figures 8 and 9, when considered in con

120

junction with the above disclosure, should

now be clearly understood. In Fig. 8 the

similarly operated. _ rl`he -outline ot the small crosses indiciited at A. shows the im-`
body has been shown in broken lines in order pacting forces or what mayo be called the 25
to more clearly bringout the relative pro head-on resistance. At this point the pres
sure is above the atmospheric. rlihe air
portions.
Heretofore in this description. reference stream B' divides and passes all around the

has been made to the term head-on resist edges of the body and re-unites at the point
ance, and by this term li mean the opposi C. rllhe region D just between this point C
tion exerted on the motion of a body by and the rear of the device is filled with a,

1,585,281

complicated whirling mass of eddy currents, the horizontal airl trunks will be tempo

as indicated at E, While the vaeuous space rarily closed by the Valves 32 and 33, While

at the rear is indicated by the tine dots F. valves 4l and 42 in the vertical air trunks
On reference to Fig. 9, it Will be noted that will be opened. The fan, novi7 in operation,
. the pressure due to the impact of the air will draw the air currents into and dis
particles (indicated at A, Fig. 8) is no charge them from the latter air trunks and
longer a source of resistance as these parti cause the machine to rise. The desired ele
cles are under the influence of the suction vation having beenv reached the valves in

50

55

created by the fan and their tendency to the vertical air trunks will be adjusted While
10 impact against the curved sides of the bowl the valves in the horizontal air trunks Will
sha'ped end of the front air trunk 1s counter be opened and the air currents passing there
acted by said suction. Obviously, head-on through Will propel the vehicles in a hori
resistance at this point is eliminated.y The zontal direction. Naturally the speed of the
air currents escaping the action of the suc device may be regulated by retarding or in
15 tion fan pass over the surface of the body creasing the speed of the fan and also by
and produce onlyskin friction.
the manipulation of the valves.
Again referring to Fig. 9, it is apparent `While there has been illustrated and
that the sudden releasing of the air cur shown the preferred embodiments of the in titi
rents and their attendant expansion must vention, it is to beA understood that the same
20 circumvent all tendency of said air currents are merely illustrative of a few of the ways
to re-unite in the rear of the body. Thus, in which the invention may'fbe reduced to
the drag7 which constitutes at least 60% practice and such changes and alterations
to 70% of the friction, in a device of similar as fall Within the scope of the invention and "
proportions, has been eliminated.
the appended claims may be resorted to
25
The action of the tvertieal air trunk is liberally when expedient.
somewhat similar to that of the horizontal
Having thus described my invention, I
trunk. Here the air is drawn in through claim as new and desire to secure by Letters
the fiared end of the top air trunk, sub Patent:
76
jected to compression and discharged
A device of the character described com
30 through the funnel in the lower air trunk. prising a body supported by a frame Work,
lVhen operating my device as a 'land ve an air trunk extending horizontally through
hicle, the valves 32 and 33, in the horizontal _said body and having its forward end bowl

air trunks, will be opened, permitting the shaped and its rear end flared, a similar air
easy passage of the air currents, While the trunk extending vertically through said
air currents passing through the Vertical air body having its ends flared, a casing inter
trunks may be intercepted entirely or re mediate the ends of said air trunks posi

80

stricted by operating the valves 4l and 42. tioned at their intersection thereby forming

40

However, it should not be overlooked that a continuation of said air trunks, a fan lo
the lifting power by the expulsion of air cated Within said casing for creating an
from said vertical air trunk counteracts the air current through said air trunks and
Weight of the machine and Will be so manip means for intercepting the air currents pass
ulated to equalize the attraction due to grav ing through said air trunks, said means com

ity. Gbviously, under such conditions, the prising valves operable in pairs, a pair being
friction due to traction, which is caused ordi

located in the vertical and horizontal air

narily by the Weight of the machine, is elim trunks.

`inated.
lVhen it is desired to rise from the ground,

GEORGE L. CRADDOCK.

90