Conical Propeller Blade Geometry for Low-Turbulence Thrust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional helicoidal propellers generate significant turbulence and inefficiencies due to radial fluid flow, leading to reduced thrust and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The propeller blades are designed to conform to the surface of a cone, with the hub axis aligned with the blade center axis, and the leading edge positioned forward of the trailing edge, resulting in blades that subtend 90° or less of the cone circumference and intersect the generator line at a distance of at least half the length from the blade root to tip, optimizing fluid flow for increased thrust and reduced turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If helicoidal propeller blades are used, then thrust is generated, but turbulence increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The propeller blades are designed with conical curvature rather than helicoidal screw shape. Each blade conforms to the surface of a reference cone, with the blade center axis corresponding to a generator line of the cone. This conical geometry fundamentally changes the fluid flow pattern, directing it axially away from the thrust surface rather than creating radial turbulence, thereby reducing harmful turbulence while maintaining thrust generation capability
2Strength
If blade faces are angled toward the axis of rotation, then structural strength may be improved, but fluid flow is directed radially inward reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the blade configuration. The blade center axis corresponds to a generator line of the reference cone, and the hub axis intersects this generator line at a specific distance (at least half the length from blade root to tip). This parameter optimization ensures that the blade faces are not angled toward the axis of rotation, allowing fluid flow to be directed axially away from the thrust surface, thereby improving propulsion efficiency while maintaining structural integrity through the conical design
3Area of stationary object
If blades span large circumference of the cone, then more thrust surface area is provided, but radial fluid flow increases turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the local quality of the blade configuration by limiting the blade's angular span on the reference cone to 90° or less, and more preferably 45° or less. This localized angular coverage, combined with the conical geometry and optimized hub intersection point, creates favorable local flow conditions that direct fluid axially away from the thrust surface, reducing radial turbulence while maintaining effective thrust surface area through the conical blade shape
Data Source
AI summary
A propeller. The blade thrust surfaces of the propeller correspond to the surface of a cone, and the hub axis is set at an angle relative to a first generator line of the cone which passes through the hub axis and a second generator line of the cone which passes through the blade thrust surface to achieve desired gamma angles over the blade thrust surface. A propeller whose blade center axis does not conform to a generator line of a cone also is disclosed.