Disclosed is a collapsible kite frame that permits at kite to be fit into an economical shipping box, thereby significantly decreasing the costs associated with shipping. The kite frame utilizes a double revolute joint to connect the support members of a kite frame. A support sheath locks the joint and support members in a straight alignment, but, when removed, the support members are free to rotate and move inward, towards each other, thereby shortening the combined length span of the support members when in a straight alignment.

An inflatable kite includes a main tube and a sub tube. The inflatable kite includes: a first air chamber, which constitutes the sub tube; a second air chamber, which constitutes the sub tube and which is disposed at a position that is farther from the main tube than from the first air chamber in the sub tube; and a pressure regulator configured to adjust a pressure of the first air chamber and a pressure of the second air chamber. The sub tube cut by one plane that crosses in the direction of extension of the sub tube has a maximal cross-sectional area on a cross section of the first air chamber. The pressure regulator regulates the pressure of the first air chamber to be lower than the pressure of the second air chamber in a steady flight of the inflatable kite.

An inflatable kite includes a main tube and a sub tube. The inflatable kite includes: a first air chamber, which constitutes the sub tube; a second air chamber, which constitutes the sub tube and which is disposed at a position that is farther from the main tube than from the first air chamber in the sub tube; and a pressure regulator configured to adjust a pressure of the first air chamber and a pressure of the second air chamber. The sub tube cut by one plane that crosses in the direction of extension of the sub tube has a maximal cross-sectional area on a cross section of the first air chamber. The pressure regulator regulates the pressure of the first air chamber to be lower than the pressure of the second air chamber in a steady flight of the inflatable kite.

An adjustable shape kite has a wing of a flexible material and an adjustable bridle system. The wing is a single layer wing that does not include structural support to provide its shape during flight. The bridle system is adjustable to adjust the wing curvature during flight. An aerodynamic shape is formed in the wing with a leading edge and side edges being rolled over by oncoming wind acting against the wing in conjunction with tensile forces acting thereon by the bridle lines of the bridle system.

An adjustable shape kite has a wing of a flexible material and an adjustable bridle system. The wing is a single layer wing that does not include structural support to provide its shape during flight. The bridle system is adjustable to adjust the wing curvature during flight. An aerodynamic shape is formed in the wing with a leading edge and side edges being rolled over by oncoming wind acting against the wing in conjunction with tensile forces acting thereon by the bridle lines of the bridle system.

An inflatable kite system with an internal support structure which allows the kite to be formed into any shape desired. Shapes can include sports team logos, cartoon characters, or any other desired shape. Custom text can be printed as well for advertisement purposes. Preferably, the body is formed from Mylar, also known as BoPET (Biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate), or similar materials to allow for good inflation and structural stability. The kite would be formed of two shaped pieces sealed along their edges and then sealed in multiple patterns along the faces of the two shaped pieces to form internal structural tubes. When these internal structural tubes are inflated, they act as support structures for the kite similar to existing hard-formed kite frames which rely on plastic or wooden sticks. Additional channels for being inflated may also be formed to help the kite float.

In a system of the disclosure, power generation devices installed at separate places include a kite-shaped flying object staying in the air, a generator installed on a ground and a tether operatively connecting the two to each other. The tether, which is pulled when the kite-shaped flying object rises, rotates a rotor of a generator to generate power. A power supply controller controls power supply such that, when power suppliable from a power generation device meets a target power needed by a power receiving facility, power is supplied from the power generation device to the power receiving facility, and when the target power of the power receiving facility exceeds the power suppliable from the power generation device, power from another power generation device is supplied to the power receiving facility.

In a system of the disclosure, power generation devices installed at separate places include a kite-shaped flying object staying in the air, a generator installed on a ground and a tether operatively connecting the two to each other. The tether, which is pulled when the kite-shaped flying object rises, rotates a rotor of a generator to generate power. A power supply controller controls power supply such that, when power suppliable from a power generation device meets a target power needed by a power receiving facility, power is supplied from the power generation device to the power receiving facility, and when the target power of the power receiving facility exceeds the power suppliable from the power generation device, power from another power generation device is supplied to the power receiving facility.

Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites are disclosed. An example apparatus to deploy a UAV includes a tether line to support the UAV, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for deployment of the UAV.

Methods and apparatus to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by kites are disclosed. An example apparatus to deploy a UAV includes a tether line to support the UAV, a tensioner operatively coupled to the tether line, and a kite operatively coupled to the tether line to support the tether line for deployment of the UAV.