A computer-implemented method includes: monitoring, by a computer device, a charge level of a battery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV); determining, by the computer device and based on the monitoring, the charge level is less than a threshold level; docking the UAV on a host vehicle; charging the battery using wind-induced rotation of a rotor of the UAV while the UAV is docked on the host vehicle; determining, by the computer device, the UAV is moving away from a destination while the UAV is docked on the host vehicle; and undocking the UAV from the host vehicle based on the determining the UAV is moving away from the destination.

Offshore airborne wind turbine systems with an aerial vehicle connected to an undersea anchor via a tether are disclosed. A floating landing platform may be coupled to the tether and be dragged along the surface of the water along with the tether. The landing platform may be designed such that the tether can freely pass through the platform, allowing the aerial vehicle to ascend, descend, move laterally, and in crosswind flight, without creating a significant tension load on landing platform. The landing platform may also include a tether drive mechanism that can actively move the tether through the platform, thus changing the platform's location along the length of the tether.

A rotating machine with a fluid rotor comprises a set of blades (4) mounted on arms (2) rotating about a main axis (1) of the rotor, the rotor being held by a support structure (5) in an orientation such that said axis (1) is essentially perpendicular to the direction of the flow of fluid, each blade (4) being mounted pivoting about a respective axis of rotation (3) parallel to the main axis (1), the machine comprising a linkage (13, 7, 14) for generating a relative rotational movement of each blade (4) relative to the arm (2) of same at the axis of rotation (3) thereof, in order to thus vary the tilt of the blade relative to the flow of fluid in an angular range. According to the invention, the machine comprises means for collectively modifying the geometry of the linkages (13, 7, 14) from a movement generated at the main axis of the rotor in order to vary the amplitude of the angular range.

A release mechanism comprises a locking body mounted for reciprocating movement in a first axial direction between a locked position and a released position. A force transmitting element is coupled to the locking body for transmitting a force (F) to the locking body for moving the locking body from the locked position to the released position. A biasing element acts on the locking body in a direction for moving the locking body from the released position to the locked position. The locking body comprises a slot having a first slot portion extending in said first direction, and a second slot portion extending transversely from one side of said first slot portion at an end thereof. The slot slidably receives an actuating element therein.

In an example embodiment, a system includes a plurality of drive units coupled to a plurality of propellers. Each drive unit includes a single motor/generator and a single motor controller, and the plurality of drive units includes a first drive-unit pair and a second drive-unit pair. The system also includes a high-voltage bus connecting the motor controllers in the first drive-unit pair to a tether, a low-voltage bus connecting the motor controllers in the second drive-unit pair to the tether, and an intermediate-voltage bus connecting the motor controllers of the first drive-unit pair in series with the motor controllers of the second drive-unit pair. The motor controllers in the first drive-unit pair are connected in parallel via the high-voltage bus and the intermediate-voltage bus, and the motor controllers in the second drive-unit pair are connected in parallel via the intermediate-voltage bus and the low-voltage bus.

A method of using a bagged power generation system comprising windbags and waterbags integrated with drones and adapting drone technologies for harnessing wind and water power to produce electricity. An extremely scalable and environmentally friendly method, system, apparatus, equipment, techniques and ecosystem configured to produce renewable green energy with high productivity and efficiency.

A motor control topology relevant to airborne wind turbines and a control process for such a motor control topology is disclosed herein.

A rotor for use with an airborne wind turbine, wherein the rotor comprises a front flange, a can, a rear flange, and a rigid insert comprising a propeller mount, wherein the front flange, can, and rear flange comprise one of carbon fiber and spun aluminum, wherein a rear end of the front flange is attached to a front end of the can, and the rear flange is mounted to a rear end of the can, wherein the rigid insert is bonded to the front flange; and wherein the rigid insert comprises a tube that axially extends within the rotor to allow for the positioning of a driveshaft therethrough.

A method of using a bagged power generation system comprising windbags and water-bags for harnessing wind and water power to produce electricity to meet the escalating energy needs of mankind. Windbags integrated with aerodynamically shaped inflatable bodies filled with lighter-than-air gas: HAV, UAV, airplanes; enabling the apparatus to attain high altitude to capture and entrap high velocity wind. Water-bags integrated with hydrodynamic shaped bodies HUV, UUV, Submarine-boats; enabling the apparatus to dive, capture and entrap swift moving tidal-currents. Attached tether-lines pulling on the rotating reel-drums and generators to produce electricity. Active control surfaces, turbo-fans, propellers provide precision control of the apparatus. A system configured to maximize fluids capture, retention and optimized extraction of its kinetic energy. An extremely scalable and environmentally friendly method, system, apparatus, equipment and techniques configured to produce renewable green energy with high productivity and efficiency.

A rotor for use with an airborne wind turbine, wherein the rotor comprises a front flange, a can, a rear flange, and a rigid insert comprising a propeller mount, wherein the front flange, can, and rear flange comprise one of carbon fiber and spun aluminum, wherein a rear end of the front flange is attached to a front end of the can, and the rear flange is mounted to a rear end of the can, wherein the rigid insert is bonded to the front flange; and wherein the rigid insert comprises a tube that axially extends within the rotor to allow for the positioning of a driveshaft therethrough.