Conducting Funneller tests in conventional cavitation tunnels Unfortunately, cavitation-tunnel tests will not fully predict the actual

momentum characteristics of the Funneller at high rotation speeds because, in contrast to a conventional thrust propulsion system (propeller, jet, etc.), the Funneller is conceived to generate momentum not by thrust but rather by traction. The Funneller spins at a vary high speed in front of the power-unit generating single-vortex suction that collapses around the power-unit encasement. Essentially, the Funneller spins so fast not to move large amounts of water but rather, to slip unnoticed (draglessly) through the vortex core. As a result, water in the Funneller aftermath remains unagitated and homogene (much like the disturbance an automobiles tire plays on the road). The Funneller can be driven by a drive-shaft or electromagnetic coils. Implemented singularly or in counter-spinning pairs, Funnellers can be mounted as active submerged front-point hulls on ships, catamarans, submarines, etc. Unsurprisingly, the Funneller concept functions best when the power-unit encasement is completely submerged and free of protrusions that may irritate the homogeneous collapse of the vortex. Since this concept is quite different than traditional logic, tests in traditional cavitation tunnels cannot really produce accurate performance predictions. Nevertheless, pressure differences along the Funneller surface do move fluids (see viscostic pump at www.funneller.com) and tests in conventional cavitation-tunnels, when cleverly conducted, will produce results that prove the feasibility of this innovation.
Funneller patent application registered at WIPO # PCT/1B03/01727. Info at www.funneller.com All Rights Reserved.

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The traditional cavitation-tunnel (built to test propellers) can be used to conduct preliminary tests on the Funneller, even though prop-speeds in most tunnels are moderate (30-75 rps.) and the required fluidflow direction is opposite to the optimum Funneller fluid-flow direction. Still, with some imagination, test forms can be economically created to prove the viability of the Funneller as a momentumdeveloping drive unit. In order to use the cavitation-tunnel for a Funneller test, the Funneller prototype must be fitted onto the cavitation-tunnels prop-axel at the tip or pointed side of the Funneller. The Funneller itself can be lathed out of a solid aluminum cylinder. Because of the weight of the massive aluminum Funneller, the base should be concave and a base-stabilizer with a conical projection (and perhaps even a center point) must be formed to fit into the Funneller base, eliminating the risk of Funneller wobble due to imbalances at high rotation speeds. The base-stabilizer is essential, not only to secure wobble, but also to eliminate under-pressure caused by centrifugal force at the Funneller base. This Funneller-base under-pressure can negate the suction effect of the Funneller considerably.
Funneller patent application registered at WIPO # PCT/1B03/01727. Info at www.funneller.com All Rights Reserved.

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In order to assure that this under-pressure does not occur, the base-stabilizer and Funneller must match precisely with a one two millimeter gap between the two entities.

Moreover, to assure that cavitation does not occur at the Funneller base, the base-stabilizer should have a slightly larger diameter than the Funneller. Materials used to create the base-stabilizer are not critical since this entity is fixed and not subject to rotation stress. Because of the moderate rotation-speed of the cavitation-tunnels prop-axel, the Funneller base diameter should be the maximum diameter possible for the cavitation tunnel (about two / thirds of the observation tunnel width). Although additional drag may occur due to the close proximity of the tunnel walls, this large diameter is necessary to maximize the base velocity. Once the Funneller base diameter has been determined, the Funneller length must be established.

Funneller patent application registered at WIPO # PCT/1B03/01727. Info at www.funneller.com All Rights Reserved.

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As the length of the Funneller increases, the surface area increases, the pitch angle decreases, and the required torque decreases. As a result, Funneller efficiency increases with length. Assuming an observation-tunnel width of 300mm and a prop-axel diameter of approximately 35mm, a 200mm diameter test- Funneller with a 350mm length would have a pitch angle of 13 degrees.

Cavitation-tunnel tests with these proportions will produce astonishing results. However, in order to produce usable algorithms for hypothetical applications, four trial forms should be created and tested: two base-stabilizer forms and two Funneller forms. These forms should have drastically differing lengths and pitches (perhaps 13 and 45 degrees for both base-stabilizers and Funnellers). The results of the four separate tests could then be calculated and algorithms could be generated for diverse applications. Although cavitation-tunnel tests can not accurately predict the actual momentum characteristics of the Funneller at high rotation speeds, the success of such tests can be established when: a.) no cavitation occurs, b.) significant fluid displacement is observed, and c.) negligible drag is measured when high stream-velocities are simulated.
Funneller patent application registered at WIPO # PCT/1B03/01727. Info at www.funneller.com All Rights Reserved.

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After the successful completion of the cavitation-tunnel tests, new test equipment must be conceived to determine the ultimate limits of this new and exciting technology. Comments and suggestions are welcome and should be addressed to: mike@funneller.com. - 5 -

Funneller patent application registered at WIPO # PCT/1B03/01727. Info at www.funneller.com

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