Hybrid Kite With Integrated Wind Turbine Generator

Abstract

A hybrid kite having an integrated compartment that is inflated with a gas which is lighter than air; the kite is further equipped with a wind turbine generator for the purpose of generating electricity at a high altitude, which can be utilized by the kite or be relayed to the ground for practical use. The kite is anchored in the air as a result of an upward pulling/push force (drag) created by wind, and a combination of buoyancy, to keep the generator/s aloft for an extended period of time beyond 24 hours.

The kite may also serve the purpose of an antenna, to send and receive wireless communication from a base. Moreover the kite can serve as a surveillance vantage point, when equipped with a camera, video camera, microphone and lights, to give an aerial vantage point of a given location.

Numerous other applications for the invention will be realized in conjunction with the primary purpose of providing electricity directly from the generator, which is tethered to the kite, for domestic, industrial & nautical use.

Claims

1. Claims is directed to a hybrid kite having an least one integrated compartment that is inflated with a gas which is lighter than air; the kite is coupled to at least one wind turbine generator which is designed to be anchored to the kite after it is deployed, using a pulley harness and mating member.

2. The kite as in claim 1 which may perform the function of an antenna, to send and receive wireless communication signals to from a satellite, radio or cell tower.

3. A kite as in claim 1 to serve as a surveillance vantage point, when equipped with a camera, video camera, microphone and a light, to give an aerial vantage point of a given location.

4. A kite as in claim 1 to be used in disaster relief efforts on land and sea.

5. A kite as in claim 1 may have one or more generators attached thereto and engineered in such a way to face the wind with the movement of the kite, allowing maximum electricity output.

6. The kite of claim 1 may have advertisement material written thereto, to be viewed during the night or day, when illuminated.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018] FIG. 1 is perspective view of a kite in the deployed position in the air, with two turbine generators attached to its cable.

[0019] FIG. 2. Is a perspective view of the kite and generators attached below its main cable, 13.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

[0020] With reference to FIG. 1, a kite having a dimension of 8 feet4 feet (may be larger or smaller) is shown deployed with a wind force 18 being exerted on the inner surface of the kite 1. An upward buoyancy, 17a and 17b is provided by a gas filled compartments 2 & 3, having helium or hydrogen therein (or a combination of gases in sub compartments within 2 and 3). In the unlikely event the wind velocity falls below a threshold to keep the generators airborne, the helium/hydrogen inflated compartment will permit gradual fall of the wind turbines, limiting or minimizing damage.

[0021] A four-point cable 4, 5, 6 & 7 secure the kite to the handler on the ground via a common main cable 13.

[0022] A focal anchoring harness 8, forms a receiving (mating member) which is secured over the four cables 4-7. A pulley harness 9 is attached to the anchoring member 8 to draw up the turbine towards the kite after its deployed. A pulley cable 12 is shown which is made to pass through the core of the wind turbine to facilitate its upward or downward movement, operated from the ground level.

[0023] Lights 19A & 19B may be attached to provide illumination, warning or decoration, using power derived directly or indirectly from a generator tethered to the kite. A pair of weights 16A and 16B may be added for stabilization of the kite.

[0024] Once the kite is in its full deployed position with optimum wind speed to support a weight that is less than the pulling force of the kite, a generator is then attached over the common cable 13 and advanced upward by way of a loop-pulley system 8 and 12.

[0025] A cable 12 traverse through the generator and parallel to main cable 13; it then loops around a stationary receiving pulley member 12 and return via the opening of the generator 15.

[0026] An anchoring latch associated with securing member 8 is provided to receive the generator at its opening 15 when pulled upward by the pulley-anchoring pair.

[0027] The generator 11 and 14 are then fastened individually or consecutively over graduating anchoring harnesses so as to fix the generator firmly in place there upon.

[0028] The generator has a set of fan blades 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D, oriented in such a way to rotate at maximum speed when subjected to the velocity of the wind, directed by the movement of the kite, facing the direction of the wind.

[0029] An electric current is produced when the fan blades of the generator rotates which is then directed to the ground via conducting wire 14, that traverses via the opening 15 of the generator.

[0030] In summary the generator is pulled up towards the kite along main cable 13 via the which may also serve as an electrical conducting cord/cable to a load or battery suited on the ground. The electrical connection to the ground from the generator may be engineered in a manner well known in the art.

[0031] The invention is described in the simplest of manner and may be engineered in such as way to maintain extended time in the air and equipped with any number of sensors to monitor its performance. These advancements have been considered and provide a platform for further innovation to be improved upon the kite with generators attached thereto after deployment. It is contemplated that the generators can also be deployed with the kite at the same time when lifted off the ground by a drone/s for example, to a height where the kite can be acted upon by the wind.

[0032] Also multiple generators may be added to the cable 13 (two are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) and are designed to spin in opposite direction in order to prevent drift which may occur by the momentum of the turning blades of the generators. With at least 2 generators spaced apart evenly, stability of the cable 13 will be realized as the opposite drift phenomenon of the two generators, spinning in opposite direction, will neutralize the relative force of each other.

[0033] As in FIG. 2, the generators can be placed below the main cable 13 as shown and made to swivel with the direction of the wind or remain fixed.

[0034] For surveillance purposes, camera or video cameras can be attached to the kite and obtain its electricity from the generators attached thereto.

[0035] The height of the kite and cable may also function as antenna for communication means to a satellite or radio or cell phone tower.

[0036] In nautical applications and disaster relief, the invention can provide emergency power, lighting, surveillance and communications using renewable energy (wind) in a portable manner. The aforementioned are a brief summary of the numerous applications and purpose the invention will serve for every day use and in extreme circumstances.