" x 4 - 
io P € 
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= H. BKEY.—T ntroduction of * Gyroscope in. Aerial Transit. iir ai 
|a i. $ "- ut 
on the small scale; while on the grand scale we have the axes of the earth 
and all celestial orbs as examples. A smooth thin stone thrown through - 
the air keeps its plane of rotation nearly constant even when a high wind 
is blowing, the slight rotation in its own plane keeping it therein. 
From experiments given in a former paper; * it was shown that when 
i very oblique planes are moved through the air with the anterior edge only si 
| slightly elevated, there is not then much power wasted in driving a mass of 
air before them in a horizontal direction, and more than this there is a 
| considerably less mass of air forced down wards, the inertia and elasticity of 
fies 
id 
B wk 
E the air tending to impart great upward pressure unto the plane. E 
1 a 7, a second paper} it was endeavoured to show how very thin planes 
could be preserved at a certain small angle, by letting them form the tensile 
: radii of a large wheel, the circumference of which forms the basis or skeleton 
| 3 thereof. g " i ee 
ia If planes were made to travelin a rectilinear direction instead of in & E 
‘ circle, then, provided they could be kept in that line, the theoretical 
2 comgitions for flight would be attained ; for all the particles of the plane, by 
their direction and momentum, would contribute to the result ; but as E 
practical difficulties appear to be in the way, it becomes a matter of interest 
i to enquire if the greater part of the weight of a wheel could not be so placed 
1 at its cireumference as to obtain all the advantages of the rectilinear motion 
a of the planes, while the weight absolutely necessary at the circumference of 
“the wheel can at the same time be utilized as actually affording the best of 
a all means of preserving it in its polition of equilibrium after the manner of ai 
= _ & gyroscope. d E: 
| To effect this a wheel was constructed about thirty inches in diameter 
having a metal rim and with a light axis supported in the centre by tensile 
| radii; the radii being nearly horizontal by construction there is little air to 
| ^ be di laced, and the resistancado the circular motion of the ew nearly 
p m voiudll to the mere rubbing friction of the atmosphere; a great v city can = F 
ad therefore be imparted to the wheel. When the axis is waxed it can be so P 
rapidly rotated by the hands that, notwithstanding its weighing half a pound, 
| —the wheel rises for a short time off the floor, and the angi weighted ; a 
| P 
| 
| 
| 
| 
considerably slower speed will however keep it in its plane of rotation, E: 
thereby proving that a lighter rim can be used. In large wheels paper 
tubing would be unequalled for rigidity and strength. A small wheel on 
the same principle was di. constructed with a cane in place of a metal 
rim which manifested : eat buoyancy when rotated. Te : 
In order to prevent the framework or car which carries the wheel from 
rotating, I have attached another tension wheel thereto, with the opposite 
-. *Vide ante, Art, XIV. + Vide ante, Art. XV. * 
a 
