A propeller for an aircraft having a fuselage and a pair of fixed wings includes a mounting member secured to at least one wing. At least one blade is rotatably connected to each mounting member and has an airfoil shape. The at least one blade is in a locked condition during take-off and landing of the aircraft extending parallel to a leading edge of the wing and in an unlocked, rotating condition during flight for propelling the aircraft.

The exemplary embodiments herein provide a bridle for use with a rigid wing having two opposing ends, the bridle having a fixed bridle member attached to a bottom surface of the wing, a pair of connection points positioned on the fixed bridle and located at distance D vertically below the bottom surface of the wing, a rolling bridle member with a pair of opposing ends, where each opposing end is attached at one of the connection points, and a pulley with a sheave that travels along the rolling bridle member. In some embodiments, a motor is mechanically connected with the sheave. In some embodiments, the distance D is optimized for a preferred roll moment as the wing rolls through various angles.

The exemplary embodiments herein provide a bridle for use with a rigid wing having two opposing ends, the bridle having a fixed bridle member attached to a bottom surface of the wing, a pair of connection points positioned on the fixed bridle and located at distance D vertically below the bottom surface of the wing, a rolling bridle member with a pair of opposing ends, where each opposing end is attached at one of the connection points, and a pulley with a sheave that travels along the rolling bridle member. In some embodiments, a motor is mechanically connected with the sheave. In some embodiments, the distance D is optimized for a preferred roll moment as the wing rolls through various angles.

A glider, a system and methods for electric power production from wind are disclosed. The glider includes an airfoil, onboard steering means for pitching, rolling and yawing the glider when airborne, sensor means that provide a first signal related to an absolute position of the glider, a second signal related to an air speed of the glider and a third signal related to an acceleration of the glider, a control device connected to the steering means for controlling autonomous flight of the glider based on the signals provided by the sensor means, and a connection means for a tether connecting the glider to a ground-based electrical machine constructed for converting a lift force generated upon exposure of the airfoil to wind and transferred to the ground via the tether into electric power. The system includes the glider, the ground-based electrical machine and tether.

The invention concerns an airborne device comprising at least three supporting wings and a linking device, the wings being linked to each other by first flexible cables, each wing being further linked to the linking device by a second flexible cable, the linking device being linked to a third flexible cable intended to be linked to a base, the first second, and third cables being tensioned when the airborne device is carried in the wind.

The invention concerns an airborne device comprising at least three supporting wings and a linking device, the wings being linked to each other by first flexible cables, each wing being further linked to the linking device by a second flexible cable, the linking device being linked to a third flexible cable intended to be linked to a base, the first second, and third cables being tensioned when the airborne device is carried in the wind.

A kite launch device that includes a kite, a mast, a guide device coupled to the mast, and a winch. The kite includes a canopy, a base structure for at least one device, a plurality of support lines coupled to the canopy and the base structure, a guide line coupled to the canopy, and a tether coupled to the base structure. The guide device is configured to grab the guide line. The winch is coupled to the tether of the kite. The winch is configured to extend and retract the tether. The kite includes a guide element coupled to the base structure and the guide line. The guide device is configured to encircle the guide element in order to grab the guide line.

A kite launch device that includes a kite, a mast, a guide device coupled to the mast, and a winch. The kite includes a canopy, a base structure for at least one device, a plurality of support lines coupled to the canopy and the base structure, a guide line coupled to the canopy, and a tether coupled to the base structure. The guide device is configured to grab the guide line. The winch is coupled to the tether of the kite. The winch is configured to extend and retract the tether. The kite includes a guide element coupled to the base structure and the guide line. The guide device is configured to encircle the guide element in order to grab the guide line.

A tow bar assembly for use in a droneboarding system is disclosed. The tow bar assembly includes a shaft adapted to be connected to an unmanned aerial vehicle via at least one tension line. A multi-axis interface device is associated with the shaft and is adapted to receive flight control commands from a user holding onto the shaft. A flight controller is mounted to the shaft and is adapted to generate flight control signals for controlling the flight path of the unmanned aerial vehicle according to the flight control commands received from the user via the multi-axis interface device. The flight controller is further adapted to wirelessly transmit the flight control signals to the unmanned aerial vehicle.

Method of lifting a wind turbine part (58) at a wind turbine site (1, 2), the method includes: providing a lifting apparatus (60) and a wind turbine part (58) to be lifted; providing a shield (40); providing manipulation equipment (45) associated with said shield (40); and suspending said part (58) from said lifting apparatus (60); moving said part (58) by means of said lifting apparatus (68); the method further including holding said shield (40) proximate and upwind of said part (58) being lifted by means of said manipulation equipment (45). The shield (40) may be held proximate the part (58) being lifted such that it acts to reduce the ambient wind force incident on the part (58). Preferably the method may be implemented such that wind speed conditions (w) at the part (58) being lifted are lower than ambient wind conditions (W) at said site (1, 2). A kite-flying apparatus includes a power kite (40) and associated manipulation equipment (45), including cables (42, 44) at least one steering winch (28, 29), the winch being received in a winching module (26) including a ballast receiving fitment and a winch control system.