A tethered passive wing system for the conversion of flow energy into electric energy which exhibits optimized aerodynamic and mechanical properties for reliable and efficient operation and is only connected through one or more tensile elements to a converter unit and comprises an optimized combination of rigid, non-flexural structural elements such as, for example, beams and shell structures and flexible fabric structures, such as, for example, membranes, films, laminates.

The invention relates to a canopy, in particular for a paraglider, parachute, flexkite, or surfkite, comprising an upper sail and a lower sail as well as profile-forming ribs, characterized in that at least two different zones are formed in the canopy that have different opening and emptying times.

A wind-powered unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) system can include a kite subsystem configured to be powered by wind energy, a control pod coupled with the kite sub-system and configured to control the kite sub-system, a payload platform configured to provide a mechanical structure on which at least one module may be mounted, a submersible UUV, and a coupling device configured to physically couple between the kite sub-system and the submersible UUV.

A wind-powered unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) system can include a kite subsystem configured to be powered by wind energy, a control pod coupled with the kite sub-system and configured to control the kite sub-system, a payload platform configured to provide a mechanical structure on which at least one module may be mounted, a submersible UUV, and a coupling device configured to physically couple between the kite sub-system and the submersible UUV.

A kite control bar having a tensioning bar end float which is capable of expanding and contracting. When an adjusting force is exerted upon the trim line, the trim line to backline leader connection pushes the bar end float from an expanded state to a contracted state. When the adjusting force is released, the bar end float tends to return to its expanded state. This ensures that constant tension is maintained on the trim line to prevent excess line from tangling inside the kite bar and bar end float while depowering.

A method for monitoring air pressure in a kite when kite boarding is described. The method involves a first step of connecting an air pressure sensor to one or more bladders of the kite. The method involves a second step of positioning a visual display for the air pressure sensor where it will be visible to a user conducting a visual inspection of the kite to display a pressure reading as sensed by the pressure sensor.

A method for monitoring air pressure in a kite when kite boarding is described. The method involves a first step of connecting an air pressure sensor to one or more bladders of the kite. The method involves a second step of positioning a visual display for the air pressure sensor where it will be visible to a user conducting a visual inspection of the kite to display a pressure reading as sensed by the pressure sensor.

An example system includes a ground station, an aerial vehicle, a tether, a probe, and a control system. The tether includes a core having a strength member as well as an electrical conductor that is wound around the core. The probe is attached to the strength member so that the probe is able to measure an electrical property of at least a portion of the strength member. The control system is configured to measure the electrical property along the strength member at a predetermined measurement rate and also determine that the electrical property is outside a predetermined range. Based on the electrical property, damage to the tether core can be assessed.

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.

Traction air device with multiple wing contours for a wind power generation plant and wind power generation plant utilizing the air device.