Patent Application
20250083786
This invention relates to a system for launching and landing a kite, more particularly a system for organizing the kite connecting lines and/or bridles during launch and land of the kite.
A great wealth of kite systems or apparatuses have been suggested with the aim to extract energy from the wind, either mechanical for traction, or to drive one or more generator(s) to gain green electricity.
Safe and process capable launching and landing of these kites is essential for these systems. A number of systems have been suggested. Some of these use a separate launch kite, which lifts the main kite into the air. Others use drone-like structures for this task, i.e. driven propellers. Mostly, however, launch/land masts are used to perform this function. They serve mainly two purposes. Firstly, before the launch, these masts (or the aforementioned other lift structures) hold the kite into the wind, above the ground, where wind is more stable, less turbulent and slightly stronger. Secondly, the mast(s) serve(s) the purpose to stretch out the bridle system of the kite, on which the kite is suspended. In this way, the kite's bridles are fully extended, and the kite becomes steerable by means of its traction ropes, or in cases where there is a kite control system suspended below the kite (a “steering gondola”), mostly at the end of the bridle system, where the kite traction rope(s) terminate, the kite control system is lifted into the air, hanging from the mast(s), and the bridles are thus stretched out, so that the kite can be steered.
Sometimes these masts can be swung or rotated, sometime even catapult-like, with the aim to create apparent wind, or with the aim to build up centrifugal forces. Yet other systems even foresee to create additional artificial wind with propellers near the mast(s) to help launch the kite.
One downside of mast systems is associated with scalability. Big high-performance kites often require long bridle systems, which in turn require long/high masts for launch or landing. As a rule of thumb, an efficient bridle system is about as long as the kite's wing span, and in such cases the mast length limits the kite's size. If the kite is launched on sea, from the deck of a ship or a buoy, the movement of the mast(s)' end(s) increases with the length of the mast(s), which poses further limits.
Masts pose further downsides, during landing, when the kite needs to be “caught by the mast”, before the kite control unit touches the ground or before the bridles become slack and the kite is therefore not steerable any more. These issues during landing also pertain to lift kites or drone like systems, i.e. to grab the kite and suspend it from the lift kite or drone(s), unless the drones are integrated into the kite. In such cases, however, there are of course negative effects of weight.
It is the objective of the invention to overcome such problems and disadvantages associated with known systems. The present invention attempts to eliminate these technical problems. In particular, the inventor believes that the present invention allows to launch much larger kites, than with previously known launch/land systems, and to land them safely back on the ground or on the deck of a watercraft. This leads to much more power or energy generation of such a kite system, regardless of whether the aim is to produce propulsion power, or electrical power or energy output, or ultimately a stored form of energy, such as green hydrogen or derivate e-fuels.
Further, the invention presents a system to store a kite, while on the ground.
For the purpose of this specification, we use the term “kite” shall mean to include a wing (the kite's “canopy”), manufactured mainly from semi-rigid, soft or inflatable structures, a sail, an airfoil, a kind of flexible wing profile, a paraglider, a tethered wing, or any other similar wind engagement element connected to the ground by one line or by a plurality of lines and/or bridles, and capable of being lifted aerodynamically by the wind. The singular version “kite” shall also imply a plurality of such kites. The kite may be tethered to a flying kite control unit (a “control gondola”), or a base station on the ground (the “ground station”), on a vehicle, on a swimming platform, or on the deck of a ship, and/or to a generator(s) located in such a ground station, by any form of kite connecting line(s), cable(s) or rope(s). We will refer to the latter as “kite connecting line(s)” or short as “line(s)”.
Bridles are extensions to the kite connecting lines, interconnecting the kite (“the canopy”) and the kite connecting lines (which may include a gondola), often in a forked structure. Bridles may contain pulleys (“mixers”).
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a kite launch-land system which includes
The one or more kite connecting lines may include bridles, or any suitable connection interconnecting the kite and the base.
The one or more kite connecting lines may contain pulley arrangements, operatively interconnecting the one or more kite connecting lines.
The base may take the form of a ground station.
The base may include one or more winches, for winding up one or more kite connecting lines.
A kite control system may be located in between the base and the kite.
The kite control system may consist of one, two or more components, and may function as an organising arrangement, during launch/landing, when located near the base.
Alternatively, the base may take the form of a kite control system for manipulating the length aspect of the one or more kite connecting lines.
The organising arrangement may include a plurality of organisers, which when engaged with one or more kite connecting lines, inhibit slack of at least a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines by translational, arcuate or rotational displacement of the organisers relative the one or more kite connecting lines.
The organising arrangement may include a plurality of organisers, which when engaged with one or more kite connecting lines, can prevent slack of at least a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines by translational or arcuate or rotational displacement of at least two of the organisers relative one another.
The organising arrangement may include a plurality of organisers, which when engaged with one or more kite connecting lines, can pull in or release out of at least a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines by translational or arcuate or rotational displacement of at least two of the organisers relative one another.
The translational or arcuate or rotational displacement of at least two of the organisers relative one another may result in organising, i.e. straightening or stretching out or tensioning or rolling up, a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines so that the kite remains/becomes steerable.
The translational or arcuate or rotational displacement of at least two of the organisers relative one another may result in pulling in/releasing out at least a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines so that the distance between the organisers and kite decreases/increases, and therefore the distance between the base and the kite.
The organising arrangement may include a plurality of organisers operable independently from one another.
The organisers may take the form of a plurality of frame like elements slidably arranged about the base.
The organisers may take the form of at least one frame like element pivotally arranged about the base.
In use, the one or more kite connecting lines are arranged in engagement with the frame type elements and whereby linear and/or pivotal displacement of one frame type element independently from another results in straightening of the one or more kite connecting lines extending between the frame type elements.
The organisers may take the form of a set of engagement formations positioned opposed one another and whereby when in use, twisting/rotation of the engagement formations results in straightening of or tensioning of or stretching out the one or more kite connecting lines.
Each of the set of engagement formations may take the form of a plurality rods, more typically a pair of rods, arranged in a spaced apart manner and mounted onto a rotatable arm.
In this form of the invention the organisers may act in sync with one another to allow shortening/lengthening of the one or more kite connecting lines.
In this form of the invention the organisers or engagement formations may act dependently of one another to allow for coiling up of the one or more kite connecting line(s).
In another form of the invention the rotatable engagement formations may extend from an arm suspended pivotably for orienting the sets of engagement formation towards and away from one another, respectively.
The organising arrangement may include a plurality of organisers operable dependently from one another.
The organising arrangement may include one or more sets of organisers, operable dependently from one another in a rotatory movement within a set.
The organising arrangement may prevent slack of at least a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines by organising or straightening or stretching or tensioning it between organisers.
In use, the one or more kite connecting lines may be arranged in operative engagement with the plurality of organisers and whereby straightening of the one or more kite connecting lines is facilitated by displacement of one organiser relative the other.
The organising arrangement may be configured so that organising and/or manipulating and/or controlling of the one or more kite connecting lines is facilitated by rotational and/or lateral and/or translational and/or transversal displacement of one organiser relative another.
The organising arrangement may be configured so that the organising of the one or more kite connecting lines is established by translational linear movement of one organiser relative another.
The organising arrangement may be configured so that organising of the one or more kite connecting lines is achieved by arcuate translational displacement of the organisers.
The organising arrangement may be configured so that organising of the one or more kite connecting lines is achieved by rotation of at least one organiser.
The organising arrangement may be configured so that organising of the one or more kite connecting lines is achieved by rotation of at least one organiser.
The organising arrangement may be configured so that organising of the one or more kite connecting lines is achieved by rotation of at least two engagement formations or imaginary lines defined about on a structure around each other.
The organising arrangement may be configured so that organising of the one or more kite connecting lines is achieved by rotation of the organiser in direction transversally the chord axis of the kite.
The organising arrangement may be configured so that organising of the one or more kite connecting lines is achieved by rotation of at least one organiser in direction substantially parallel the chord direction of the kite.
The organising arrangement may be configured so that straightening/tensioning/organising of the one or more kite connecting lines is achieved by increasing the space defined between a pair of organisers where each of the organisers are operatively engaged with each of the kite connecting lines.
The organising arrangement may take the form of one or more cylinders for winding up and release of at least a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines.
In this embodiment the organizers are defined as points or imaginary lines, which are located on a cylinder-like structure (e.g. a beam, a rod, a pole, a cylinder, a drum, or the like), and the distance or circumference between these can straighten or wind up portions of the one or more kite connecting lines between these two points or imaginary lines.
The cylinders may take the form of cylinder-like shapes, such as a polygon pole, or a square bar, or a triangular-shaped bar, or a two/multi-rods decoiler.
The one or more kite connecting lines may be positioned outer the cylinder-like structures.
Rotating organisers may rotate at differential speeds to control the flight of the kite during launch and/or landing.
A rotating organiser may be characterized by rolling up/winding up the one or more kite connecting lines extending from the kite canopy, while at the same time rolling up/winding up one or more kite connecting lines extending from the kite control system, while the kite control system may wind down the one or more kite connecting lines at the same time and at a similar speed, or vice versa.
The organising arrangement may include a plurality of arms displaceably arranged relative one another for when in use, increasing the distance between them, and thereby the stability of the kite's flight during launch and/or landing.
The organising arrangement may include a plurality of arms, each holding/suspending an organising arrangement or an organiser, which can be displaced relative one another for when in use, increasing the distance between them, and thereby the distance between the left-side and right-side of the one or more kite connecting lines from each other, and thereby the stability of the kite's flight during launch or landing.
The organising arrangement may include a plurality of arms, which may be positioned in a manner that the organisers do not touch the one or more kite connecting lines, and are moveable to touch and interconnect with the one or more kite connecting lines.
The organisers may include a catch mechanism for operatively engaging the organiser with a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines.
The cylinder may include a catch mechanism for operatively engaging the cylinder with a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines.
The catch mechanism may take the form of a slot, groove, hook or any other similar engagement formation.
The catch mechanism may be equipped with sensors and/or a locking system, which may be remotely controlled.
The organising arrangement may include one or more reefing frames, arranged around organisers, to reef the one or more kite connecting lines.
The kite launch and land system may further include one or more support masts for supporting the kite during launch and/or landing.
The kite launch and land system may further include one or more drones for supporting the kite during launch and/or landing.
The kite launch and land system may further include one or more airflow optimisers, like wind guides, spoilers, or fans, for supporting the kite during launch and/or landing.
The kite launch and land system may wind up also parts of the kite.
A portion of the launch and land system, including the organisers, may be detachable from the remaining portions, to remove the rolled-up kite with a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines and replace it with a new kite, including its lines and bridles.
Typically, the one or more kite connecting lines extend from the base, which optionally includes one or more winches per kite connecting line, towards the organising arrangement, and away from the organising arrangement towards the kite.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a kite launch-land system which includes
The invention will now be described by way of the following, non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings:
Referring now to the drawings, reference number 10 generally refers to a first embodiment of the kite launch and land system while reference numerals 110, 210 and 310 refers to second, third and fourth embodiments, respectively, of the kite launch and land system.
The frame type elements 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3 are operable independently from one another and slidably mounted onto base 12. The frame type element 16.4 can also be pivotally mounted onto and extending from base 12 and can take form of a commonly known mast for launching a kite of the kind.
In
The one or more kite connecting lines or bridles 14 are stretched out by the frame like elements 16.1, 16.2 and 16.3 and therefore kept under tension, so that the kite can be controlled (steered) by kite control system 18.
In
In this embodiment the organisers take the form of a pair of engagement formations 112 positioned opposed one another and whereby when in use, twisting/rotation of the engagement formations 112 result in winding up of the one or more kite connecting lines 114 and in straightening or stretching out or tensioning of a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines 114, above and/or below the engagement formations 112.
When not in use the engagement formations 112.1 and 112.2 can be moved or folded away.
The kite control system 118 controls the kite and can be integrated into the ground station or suspended at the end of the bridles, in flight below the kite (in the air, in a so-called gondola or kite control unit; not shown).
Each of the set of engagement formations 112.1 and 112.2 include a pair of rods 116.1 and 116.2, and, 116.3 and 116.4, respectively, arranged in a spaced apart manner and mounted onto a rotatable arm 120.1 and 120.2.
In this form of the invention the pair of engagement formations 112.1 and 112.2 may act in sync with one another to allow even winding up of the kite connecting lines 114, when in use. They may also act independently of one another, with the aim to steer the kite.
For launch/land of the kite engagement formations 112.1 and 112.2 will be rotated, with a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines 114 or bridles stretched between at least two rods 116.1, 116.2, 116.3 and 116.4
Either the differential rotational movement of the engagement formations 112.1 and 112.2 controls the flight of the kite, or the kite has sufficient auto-zenith properties, which makes such active control dispensable.
While the engagement formations 112.1 and 112.2 wind up the one or more kite connecting lines 114, the kite control system 118 wind down/release one or more of the one or more kite connecting lines 114.
In this instance, the kite control system 216 is located on a watercraft, such as for instance a wind energy harvesting ship, which can produce electricity, by converting the traction force of the kite 220 by means of generators or turbines, and which may use said green electricity on board, or store it in form of green hydrogen or green e-fuels in tanks (not shown).
The engagement formations 212.1 and 212.2 can be moved or folded away, or these may be positioned around the kite connecting lines or bridles 218, typically without touching these.
The kite control system 216 controls the kite (e.g. by manipulating the length aspect of the one or more kite connecting lines; and/or by actuators at the kite, such as rudders or ailerons). The kite control system 216 can be integrated into the ground station or it may be suspended at the lower end of the bridles, in flight below the kite (not shown).
The engagement formations 212.1 and 212.2 can dislocate relative one another (or dislocate or displace against each other) in a rotational movement. This dislocation can stretch out (or tension or straighten) a portion of the one or more kite connecting line(s) or the bridles 218, on which the kite 220 is suspended and wind up a portion of the one or more kite connecting line(s) or the bridles, thereby organising the one or more kite connecting lines 218 as needed to prevent slack, and to keep the kite flying and steerable. While doing do, the engagement formations pull in (land) or release out (launch) a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines, and thereby shorten/lengthen the distance between the engagement formations 212.1 and 212.2 and the kite 220.
It is to be noted that rotational displacement of the engagement formations or organisers does not twist the ropes.
In
Arms 214.1 and 214.2 being pivotable about its “elbow” can be moved outwards, away from each other, to increase the distance between the engagement formations 212.1 and 212.2. The aim for this is to increase stability of the kite's flight during launch or landing, ideally enabling auto-zenith flight of the kite 220 (or getting as close as possible to this ideal).
Pivoting of the pivotable arms 214.1 and 214.2, or linear movement away from each other, can further be facilitated by means of toothed rods, linear cylinders, or by hydraulic cylinders, or any other know method or system (not shown).
The pairs (or triples, quadruples) of engagement formations 212.1 and 212.2 (“sets”) may be rotated differentially, to control the flight of the kite 220, or when the kite 220 has sufficient auto-zenith properties, no such control will be necessary.
Kite 220 can also be attached to pivotable frame like elements 16.4 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention as depicted in
The kite connecting lines or bridles 218 lead from the kite control system 216 to the kite 220, and the engagement formations 212.1 and 212.2 can wind up a portion of the one or more kite connecting lines 218 and/or the bridles by the at least two engagement formations 212.1 and 212.2
The system 210 is now ready to launch the kite, 220 by rotation of the engagement formations 212.1 and 212.2 and therefore by winding down the kite connecting lines 218. Arms 214.1 and 214.2 can swing outward during this process. The kite 220 can be supported by only the arms 214.1 and 214.2, and/or in addition by pivotable frame like elements 16.4 as depicted in
In this embodiment, the organisers are imaginary lines on the cylinders (or cylinder-like structures, such as cylinder polygons), on the outer surface of the cylinders, extending substantially parallel to the cylinder's longitudinal axis.
Cylinders 312.1 and 312.2 can further be equipped with a hook or a catch device 316, see
Again, the kite connecting line 318 can be supported by a frame type element 16.4 as depicted in
The catch device can take the form of a hook (not shown) or in form of a slot or groove 316, configured to catch e.g. a thickening of the lines/bridles (not shown) or a ball mounted on the line/bridle 318, to form a temporary firm connection.
There may be several of the catch devices located on the cylinder 312.1 and 312.2, for redundancy and/or to catch more than two kite connecting lines 318.
The catch devices 316 can be equipped with actuators, to actively lock a line or bridle 318 into the device, and/or to lock the thickening or ball into the device. The connection(s) or lock(s) can be actively locked or opened by means of these actuators (not shown). The locking system can be remotely controlled.
The catch devices can also be equipped with sensors, sensing presence of the ball or thickening of a line.
When the organisers 321.1 and 321.2 rotate around one another, they will wind up the kite connecting line(s), and the portions towards the kite are forced through the reefing frame. This facilitates that the line(s) or bridles do not fall off the organiser(s). It also has the technical effect that the organiser(s), in this instance cylinder(s), can be shorter, relative the size of the kite, which may have a longer chord than the length of the cylinders. This allows to launch or land large kites with relatively short organisers.
By applying the invention, the inventor believes that one can launch or land large kites in a process safe manner, in dimensions where the kites are much larger than with alternative systems. In particular, when applying the invention in its second, third or fourth embodiment, no large ground platform to lay up the kite before launch and after landing is required, because the lines and the kite can be wind up by the organizers. While doing this, the rotational displacement of the engagement formations or the organizers around each other does not twist the kite connecting lines or ropes, with the potential to damage these. Also, no high launch/land masts, as envisioned in prior art, are required, which limit the size of the kite, which can be safely launched or landed. This technical advantage also includes the first embodiment, next to the other embodiments of the invention.
The invention further allows to store a kite in a compact manner, while on the ground and not in use. It also allows to change kites at the kite control system efficiently, which are rolled-up in a magazine-like manner. This is particularly useful, when handling kites on board of a ship, and when changing kites on sea.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/10238 | Dec 2021 | ZA | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2022/061961 | 12/9/2022 | WO |
