A control device for controlling a kite steering arrangement, including a base, a control bar support extending downward on the base, a control bar pivot point mounted displaceably about the control bar support, a pair of interconnecting members extending between opposing end regions of the control bar and the base upper the control bar support, a tensioning mechanism, a base pivot point, a base rotator for allowing rotation of the base about a vertical axis thereof, a manipulator that manipulates the base pivot point and base rotator, and a communicator, that communicates adjustment of the interconnecting members to the kite steering arrangement. The length aspect of the interconnecting members is adjusted by pivoting the control bar about the control bar pivot point and/or by displacement of the control bar pivot point relative the control bar support.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a steering arrangement for steering a kite driven watercraft (14) which includes a mounting member (base, 20) which is configured to be mounted on a watercraft (14), a first connecting member for connecting a leading edge region (16) of a canopy (12) of the kite to the mounting member, a second connecting member for connecting a trailing edge region (18) of the canopy (12) to the mounting member and a control device for controlling the displacement of the canopy relative to the watercraft via at least the second connecting member.

A vehicle-based airborne wind turbine system having an aerial wing, a plurality of rotors each having a plurality of rotatable blades positioned on the aerial wing, an electrically conductive tether secured to the aerial wing and secured to a ground station positioned on a vehicle, wherein the aerial wing is adapted to receive electrical power from the vehicle that is delivered to the aerial wing through the electrically conductive tether; wherein the aerial wing is adapted to operate in a flying mode to harness wind energy to provide a first pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle; and wherein the aerial wing is also adapted to operate in a powered flying mode wherein the rotors may be powered so that the turbine blades serve as thrust-generating propellers to provide a second pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle.

The disclosure provides methods and devices for enabling a Vessel propelled by a Kite or similar devices, e.g., a balloon, to adjust its direction of travel to either side of the true wind direction without the aid of rudder(s), tiller(s), or similar devices. The subject invention applies to wind-powered Vessels as well as hybrid vessels and vessels utilizing propeller-driven propulsion, jot propulsion and others in addition to wind power.

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.

A traction system for a watercraft, including a sail and a fixed station that includes a mast and a winch which is connected to the sail by a traction cable, the system further including a bottom part that is supported by the traction cable, and fold lines, each of which has an end that is attached to a leading edge of the sail, and another end that is supported by the bottom part. The fixed station includes a base that accommodates the bottom element when the sail is retracted by the winch; and structure for grasping each fold line and pulling same towards the mast so as to retract the leading edge against the mast and fold the sail once the winch has retracted same close to the station.

A traction system for a watercraft, including a sail and a fixed station that includes a mast and a winch which is connected to the sail by a traction cable, the system further including a bottom part that is supported by the traction cable, and fold lines, each of which has an end that is attached to a leading edge of the sail, and another end that is supported by the bottom part. The fixed station includes a base that accommodates the bottom element when the sail is retracted by the winch; and structure for grasping each fold line and pulling same towards the mast so as to retract the leading edge against the mast and fold the sail once the winch has retracted same close to the station.

A system includes: a platform; a payload extending from a platform; an adjustable tether connecting the payload to the platform; and a sail extending from the payload. The system further includes a computer program that is executable to relocate the platform to the area of interest based on a threshold based decision which may include providing a tether and sail configuration.

A system includes: a platform; a payload extending from a platform; an adjustable tether connecting the payload to the platform; and a sail extending from the payload. The system further includes a computer program that is executable to relocate the platform to the area of interest based on a threshold based decision which may include providing a tether and sail configuration.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a sailing vessel that can substantially obviate the heeling problem experienced by classical sailboats. During navigation, the sailing vessel is driven forward by an aerodynamic force exerted by wind on the sail, and balanced by a hydrodynamic force exerted by water on a float on the stern of the sailing vessel, the aerodynamic force and the hydrodynamic force being parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sailing vessel.