Propeller / turbine blade power channel

Abstract

The disclosed propeller/turbine blade enhancement will be used in the moving fluid kinetic energy conversion field. This power channel blade enhancement will increase the kinetic energy conversion of propeller/turbine blades by collecting, redirecting, channeling, compressing and then expelling a portion of the moving fluid that would otherwise be lost. The power channel's multiple interactions with the moving fluid impacting the blade will produce known fluid hydraulic actions upon the enhanced propeller/turbine blades. These known fluid hydraulic actions will impart more rotational energy to the power channel enhanced blades than previous propeller/turbine blades.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A propeller/turbine blade enhancement consisting of a Power Channel, in which the power channel mechanically collects and redirects a portion of the moving fluid that the blade interacts with in a kinetic energy conversion environment. 
     
     
         2 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which the collection and redirection of moving fluid causes an additional mechanical rotational force to be exerted on the enhanced blade. 
     
     
         3 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which; in at least one embodiment, the power channel begins on the frontal surface of the blade, at approximately ¼ of the blade's total length from the root and at approximately the blade's mid blade spine location. 
     
     
         4 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which; in at least one embodiment, the power channel starts on the frontal surface of the blade, gradually changes from a ridge of material rising above the frontal facing surface of the blade into a channel that is formed from the converging surfaces near the leading edge of the blade. 
     
     
         5 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which; in at least one embodiment, part of the formed power channel runs from the converging surfaces near the leading edge of the blade towards the blade tip. 
     
     
         6 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which; in at least one embodiment, part of the power channel is formed by extending the leading edge of the blade horizontally, then folding that extended blade material first upwards, away from the blade's frontal facing surface, and then rearwards, towards the middle of the frontal facing surface, thus forming part of the back and top of the power channel. 
     
     
         7 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which; in at least one embodiment, part of the power channel's formed top becomes a part of the leading edge of the blade and is exteriorly contoured for such duty. 
     
     
         8 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which at least part of the power channel is constructed by being formed with the blade. 
     
     
         9 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which at least part of the power channel may be constructed separately from the blade and then attached to the blade. 
     
     
         10 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which the internal shape of the formed power channel can vary in depth, width and breadth. 
     
     
         11 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which a section of the power channel towards the end is designed to compress the collected and redirected fluid, much like a venturi tube. 
     
     
         12 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which near the upper portion of the trailing edge of the blade the power channel has an exit port that directs and expels the collected fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which the power channel may be constructed of various materials, including but not limited to; various types of: woods, metals, fiberglass, carbon fibers, polymers, molded plastics, ceramics and or a combination of these items. 
     
     
         14 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which the propeller/turbine blade that is enhanced with the power channel may be constructed of various materials, including but not limited to; various types of: woods, metals, fiberglass, carbon fibers, polymers, molded plastics, ceramics and or a combination of these items. 
     
     
         15 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which the propeller/turbine blades that are enhanced with the power channel may be of varied shapes and thicknesses and be comprised of different frontal facing blade contours. 
     
     
         16 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which the propeller/turbine blades that are enhanced with the power channel may be of varied shapes and thicknesses and be comprised of different rearward facing blade contours. 
     
     
         17 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which the propeller/turbine blades that are enhanced with the power channel may be rotationally twisted about their center axis, from root to tip. 
     
     
         18 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which the propeller/turbine blades that are enhanced with the power channel may have their leading edges in front of the power channel. 
     
     
         19 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which the propeller/turbine blades that are enhanced with the power channel may have their leading edges behind the power channel. 
     
     
         20 . The propeller/turbine blade enhancement in  claim 1  in which the propeller/turbine blades that are enhanced with the power channel may rotate either clockwise or counter clockwise and that the power channels; starting points, curves, compression sections, exit ports, etc. would be naturally altered to reflect the rotational direction of the enhanced blades.