The VEHICLE WITH TRAVELING WAVE THRUST MODULE APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS include force or forces applied to an arc-like flexible sheet-like material to create a deformed crenated strip fin with strained-deformations. The strained-deformations take on a sinusoid-like form that express the internal energy state of the flexible sheet-like material after it has been configured into a crenated strip fin. After being incorporated into a mechanism with couplings that prevent the crenated strip fin from returning to its un-strained state, the strained-deformations persist. Actuators may be used to sequentially rotate vertebrae attached to the fins causing the travel of sinusoid-like deformations along the fins. The fin, fin actuator or actuators, power source and central controller may be incorporated into a thrust module. Two thrust modules couple to each other via roll actuators and flexible coupling members may form a vehicle with exceptional maneuverability.

A system for electric power production from wind includes a glider having an airfoil, an on-board steering unit, a flight controller for controlling the steering unit, and a connection unit for a tether. The system further includes a ground station including a reel for the tether, a rotating electrical machine connected to the reel, and a ground station controller for controlling the reel and the rotating electrical machine. A master controller operates the system in at least first and second operation modes. In the first operation mode electric power is produced with the rotating electrical machine from rotation of the reel caused by reeling out the tether using a lift force generated upon exposure of the airfoil of the airborne glider to wind. In the second operation mode, the reel is driven by the rotating electrical machine, thereby reeling in the tether onto the reel.

This invention relates to a vortex station and method for producing a vortex similar to one of a group consisting of dust-devils and waterspouts. The apparatus comprises a ground platform forming a base for the vortex station, a plurality of vanes to direct an air flow into a vortex station and about the vortex station in a substantially swirling manner, at least one wind turbine disposed near the centre of said vortex station, in a path of a concentrated air flow, wherein the movement of the air in the vortex station is such that an atmospheric buoyancy vortex is created in the centre of the vortex station, a supply of a working fluid (e.g. water) to the vortex station at or near the centre of the vortex station such that the air is of a saturated condition or an at least partially saturated condition with the working fluid (e.g. water), the working fluid (e.g. water) supplied at a sufficient quantity or amount so as to assist with maintaining buoyancy and stability of a vortex created.

A transportation vehicle may be equipped with electrical energy harvesting systems to harvest electrical energy for use. By way of example, in the transportation vehicle, a Venturi system may be used to receive an air flow and the speed of the air flow increase in a constricted area of the Venturi system, the air flow containing a large amount of kinetic energy. A plurality of electrical energy harvesting systems is disposed in the Venturi system and is configured to convert the kinetic energy contained in the accelerated air flow into electrical energy that can be used to power on-board electronics as well as one or more on-board batteries in the transportation vehicle, as the transportation vehicle is in motion.

The exemplary embodiments herein provide an airborne power generation assembly comprising an airborne power generation unit, a submersible platform, an electrified tether winch attached to the submersible platform, an electrified tether connecting between the electrified tether winch and the airborne power generation unit, and a power output exiting from the submersible platform. Embodiments include an underwater docking station with a docking station tether connecting the submersible platform to the underwater docking station. The submersible platform or the underwater docking station may be anchored to the sea bed. Other embodiments include winches for the sea bed anchor tethers and docking station tether.

A kite control system for controlling a kite which includes a plurality of rotators, a plurality of guiding elements locatable between each of the plurality of rotators and the kite, a plurality of adjustable deflectors, a plurality of deflector guides configured to adjust the operational length of the kite connecting line upon adjustment of the deflector, at least one invert correlator for, when in use, inversely correlate the adjustment of the operative length of the respective kite connecting lines, wherein the plurality of kite connecting lines includes the connection of at least one of the kite connecting lines at the kite biased towards the leading end region of the kite, and the connection of at least another kite connecting line biased towards the trailing end region of the kite.

Wind-driven energy converting device (2) is disclosed. The wind-driven energy converting device (2) comprises a main pendulum (20) comprising a pendulum bob (10) attached to a pendulum rod (6). A sail member (4) attached to the pendulum rod (6) in a higher position than the pendulum rod (6). The main pendulum (20) is suspended in a frame (8) by means of a bearing unit (18) allowing the pendulum rod (6) to be rotated about two perpendicular horizontal axes (X, Y) at the same time. The main pendulum (20) is mechanically attached to at least one secondary pendulum (14) by means of a connection structure (16). The secondary pendulum (14) is connected to and being configured to rotate a driving shaft (36) upon being moved due to motion of the main pendulum (20).

The resonance wind turbine (1) comprises: a base assembly (10, 12, 18) for the fixing of the wind turbine (1) to a base surface (2), on the base assembly being located an oscillating element (3) provided with a proximal portion (4) associated with the base assembly (10, 12, 18) and a distal portion (5) opposed to the proximal portion (4) and adapted to oscillate, due to the effect of the incident wind blowing along a direction of propagation (A), in which the oscillation of the oscillating element (3) occurs along a main direction (B) substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the direction of propagation (A); and an electro-magnetic induction assembly (6, 7) associated with at least one of the base assembly (10, 12, 18) and the oscillating element (3), comprising a magnetic element (6) and an electrical winding (7) arranged in the proximity of the magnetic element (6) and adapted to produce electrical energy by means of the relative motion of the magnetic element (6) and the electrical winding (7) along the main direction (B);
wherein the base assembly (10, 12, 18) comprises a fixed portion (10) adapted to rest on the base surface (2) and a moveable structure (11) associated with the fixed portion (10) by means of oscillation means (18) adapted to allow the resonance oscillation of the moveable structure (11) along the main direction (B) due to the effect of the oscillation of the oscillating element (3).

In the current invention, the parafoil follows a longitudinal trajectory away or towards the generator. The work is created along the path of the line, not across. When the parafoil is extended away from the vehicle generating power, the parafoil is set by the control system in a high drag configuration. When the parafoil reaches the end of the line (or close to it), the controller sets up the parafoil in the retraction mode. In this mode, the parafoil still creates lift, but, at a significantly lower drag, and therefore, the ground station can easily retrieve it by pulling the line towards the vehicles.

The apparatus comprises: a cylinder having an opening presenting perpendicular to a flow of air in use such that, in use, air flows through the cylinder; and means for generating power based upon the flow of air through the cylinder.