KITE DRIVEN WATERCRAFT POWER GENERATING SYSTEM

Abstract

A kite driven watercraft power generating system which includes at least one operative location defined on the watercraft, at least one inoperative location defined on the watercraft, a plurality of kite base stations mounted displaceably about the watercraft and, an orientation subsystem for displacing each of the plurality of kite base stations between the at least one operative, and, the at least one inoperative locations, respectively, wherein each of the plurality of kite base stations is further configured to orientate its respective kite in a wind harvesting and energy generating mode when located in the at least one operative location, and, in a kite retraction mode, when located in the at least one inoperative location.

Claims

1. A watercraft comprising a kite driven power generating system, the kite driven power generating system including: at least two kite base stations which are mounted displaceably about the watercraft; each kite base station configured to control at least one kite connected thereto; each kite base station including means for adjusting the length of at least one kite connecting line, and, a generator for converting tractive force exerted on the at least one kite connecting line into electrical energy; an orientation subsystem for displacing each of the at least two kite base stations between an operative, and, an inoperative location, respectively; the operative and inoperative location being distinct locations defined about the watercraft; wherein each of the at least two kite base stations is further configured to, when located in the operative location, orientate its kite in a wind harvesting and energy generating mode to exert a tractive force on the at least one kite connecting line sufficient to reel out the at least one kite connecting line to generate energy as it is reeled out, and to, when located in the inoperative location, orientate its kite in a kite retraction mode for exerting a relatively less tractive force on the at least one kite connecting line.

2. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operative location includes a plurality of operative locations.

3. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inoperative location includes a plurality of inoperative locations.

4. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operative location is located about a longitudinal axis of the watercraft.

5. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the operative location is located towards the bow of the watercraft, in relation to the inoperative location.

6. (canceled)

7. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the kite base stations is rotatably mounted about the watercraft.

8. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the position of the operative location is defined so as to allow the kite base station to, when in use, limit torque and heeling forces of the kite on the watercraft.

9. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection of the kite base station at the operative location is defined so as to allow the kite base station to, when in use, limit torque and heeling effect of the kite on the watercraft.

10.-16. (canceled)

17. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the orientation subsystem is configured to alternate and/or rotate each of the plurality of kite base stations between the operative and inoperative locations, respectively, so as to yield a substantial continuous supply of mechanical tractive force and conversion of mechanical tractive force into storable energy.

18. (canceled)

19. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the orientation subsystem includes a track for guiding displacement of each of the plurality of kite base stations between the at least one operative, and, the at least one inoperative location, respectively.

20. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the orientation subsystem is configured to rotate at least two of the plurality of kite base stations about fixed locations defined about the track.

21. (canceled)

22. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the orientation subsystem is configured to rotate at least two of the plurality of kite base stations around a common vertical axis.

23. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the orientation subsystem includes a rotatable base having a pair of kite base stations mounted thereon and opposed one another, so as to when rotating the rotatable base, each of the pair of the kite base stations is displaced between the operative, and, inoperative locations.

24. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein when in wind harvesting and/or operative mode and located in the operative location, the kite base station is configured to align and/or orientate its kite, by configuring its kite control system and/or kite control device, having an increased angle of attack compared to when the kite base station is located in the inoperative location.

25. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein when in wind harvesting and energy generating mode, when located in the at least one operative location, the kite base station is configured to align its kite connecting lines, through its kite control system and/or kite control device so as to orientate and/or fly its corresponding kite to exert a high mechanical tractive force on its kite connecting lines.

26. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one kite connecting line is operably connected to the generator located at the kite base station for converting mechanical tractive force exerted onto the at least one kite connecting lines into storable energy.

27.-28. (canceled)

29. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 which includes at least one motor located at any one of the kite base stations and operatively connected to the at least one kite connecting line for reeling in the at least one kite connecting line.

30.-36. (canceled)

37. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 which includes a water turbine subsystem displaceably mounted about the watercraft to be operable between an operative mode when submersed in water, and inoperative mode, when lifted out of the water, respectively.

38.-39. (canceled)

40. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 which includes an energy storage means for storing the storable energy generated from harvested wind energy.

41. A watercraft as claimed in claim 40 wherein the energy storage means includes any one or more of the group consisting of an electrolyser, a hydrogen generator, a hydrogen storage, a hydrogen compression facility, a hydrogen liquefaction facility, a methanation facility, a carbon dioxide generator, a carbon dioxide storage, carbon dioxide harvester, a methane compression facility, a methane liquefaction facility, methanol generator, Fischer Tropsch reactor, and ammonia reactor for storing harvested energy.

42. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0064] The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0065] In the drawings:

[0066] FIGS. 1 to 7 are schematic illustrations of different commonly known configurations of kite base stations including their respective kite control devices for controlling a kite;

[0067] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustrating possible positioning of the at least one operative and the at least one inoperative location defined about a watercraft when employing two kite base stations;

[0068] FIG. 9 is a top view schematic illustration of the possible configuration shown in FIG. 8 and further illustrating the path of rotation when employing two kite base stations alternating between the at least one operative, and, the at least one inoperative location, respectively;

[0069] FIG. 10 is a schematic illustrating a further possible configuration of alternation when employing two kite base stations alternating between the at least one operative and at least inoperative locations, respectively, employing guided tracks shown in dotted lines;

[0070] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustrating possible outlay on the watercraft when employing multiple operative locations, in order to counter torque and heeling effect of the kite base station on the watercraft;

[0071] FIG. 12 is a schematic of a further embodiment of the orientation subsystem wherein the kite base stations are displaced about the watercraft about rails or tracks, indicated by dotted lines, and illustrating the outlay when employing multiple operative locations about the watercraft to counter torque and heeling effect;

[0072] FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the orientation subsystem having a pair of kite base stations in locations opposing one another along a common axis;

[0073] FIG. 14 is a schematic when employing two kite base stations located in the at least one operative, and at least one inoperative location on the watercraft, respectively, the schematic further illustrating the force vectors exerted by the kite in the operative location when the watercraft is sailing on beam reach course/close to the wind;

[0074] FIG. 15 is a schematic of the watercraft illustrated in FIG. 14, the schematic further illustrating the force vectors exerted by the kite in the operative location when sailing broad reach course/downwind;

[0075] FIG. 16 is a schematic illustrating the outlay when having two operative locations and one inoperative location defined about a watercraft, and when employing three kite base stations, the outlay of the operative locations to counter torque and/or heeling effect of the kite on the watercraft;

[0076] FIG. 17 is a schematic illustrating the orientations of the respective kites of the three kite base stations, as depicted in FIG. 16;

[0077] FIGS. 18 and 19 are schematic illustrations of the kite base station when located in the at least one operative location, the location of the geometric centre of the watercraft hull and resultant torque exerted on the watercraft;

[0078] FIG. 20 is a schematic illustrating the positioning of the at least one operative location towards the side of the watercraft to counter the heeling effect on the watercraft;

[0079] FIG. 21 is a schematic illustrating a second embodiment of the kite base station being pivotally connected to the watercraft to illustrate the counter of torque and heeling effect on the watercraft;

[0080] FIG. 22 is a schematic of the kite base station embodiment shown in FIG. 21, when in use;

[0081] FIG. 23 is a schematic of a third embodiment of the kite base station;

[0082] FIG. 24 is a schematic illustrating the water turbine subsystem, immersed in water;

[0083] FIG. 25 is a schematic illustration of the water turbine subsystem shown in FIG. 24 when lifted out of water;

[0084] FIGS. 26 and 27 are schematics illustrating possible positions of the water turbine auxiliary system;

[0085] FIG. 28 is a schematic illustrating the preferred locations of the energy storage means in the watercraft for storing generated energy;

[0086] FIG. 29 is a schematic of a multi hulled watercraft, each hull having an operative location defined for accommodating a kite control system in operative mode, in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0087] Referring now to the drawings, the kite driven watercraft power generating system, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0088] Generally, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a kite driven watercraft power generating system 10 which includes at least one operative location 12 defined on the watercraft 14, at least one inoperative location 16 defined on the watercraft 14, a plurality of kite base stations 18.1 and 18.2, mounted displaceably onto the watercraft, and an orientation subsystem for displacing each of the plurality of kite base stations 18.1 and 18.2 in a step by step, and/or in a simultaneous translational manner between the at least one operative 12, and at least one inoperative 16 locations, respectively, wherein each of the plurality of kite base stations 18.1 and 18.2 is further configured to orientate its respective kite 22.1 and 22.2 in a wind harvesting and energy generating mode when located in the at least one operative location 12, and, in a kite retraction mode, when located in the at least one inoperative location 16, respectively.

[0089] FIGS. 1 to 7 illustrate different configurations of the kite base station 18 which can be used, their respective kite control systems and/or kite control devices included for manipulating the orientation of its kite in flight. Typically, these types of kite base stations 18 includes, through their kite control systems and/or kite control devices, means for adjusting the length of the kite connecting line 11 and generally includes any one or more of reels, 13, winches 15, deflectors 17, pulleys 19 and actuators 21. Reels 13 and/or winches 15 will typically include a generator 27 to convert rotational energy into electrical energy, when the reel 13 or winch 15 is in motion, driven by the traction force on the kite connecting line 11. Reels 13 and/or winches 15 can also be operably connected to a motor 29 which is configured to reel in the kite connecting line 11. Generator 27 can be configured to work in reverse mode as a motor 29. In this case the generator 27 and the motor 29 will be the same entity. Generator 27 can, however, be separate from motor 29. The kite connecting line 11 typically functions as traction and steering lines. Although only one kite connecting line 11 is depicted for steering of kites 22 of the kind sometimes can necessitate the use of multiple kite connecting lines. The kite 22 can alternatively also be steered by applying rudders, elevators, ailerons or moving tether attachment points 40 and the like.

[0090] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view, and FIG. 9 a top plan view, illustrating the at least one operative location 12 located generally about a longitudinal axis of the watercraft 14, and preferably substantially forward the at least one inoperative location 16. It is preferably located towards the bow of the watercraft 14, so as to when simultaneously in flight, the watercraft 14 can accommodate each of their kites 22.1 and 22.2 of the corresponding kite base stations 18.1 and 18.2.

[0091] FIG. 9 more clearly depicts the path of rotation when employing two kite base stations 18.1 and 18.2 respectively, between one operative location 12 and one inoperative location 16. Simultaneously, as kite base station 18.1 located at operative location 12 is displaced clockwise to a right/starboard position, and from there to inoperative location 16, kite base station 18.2 is displaced from inoperative location 16 clockwise towards a left/larboard position, and then towards operative location 12. The kite base station 18.1 and 18.2, when located in the operative location 12, controls the powered kite, which reels out the kite connecting line and drives the generator 27. The kite base station 18.1 and 18.2, when located in the inoperative location 16, will control the de-powered kite which will be reeled back in towards the kite base station so as to be reeled-out again when located in the operative location 12. The movement between the operative 12 and inoperative locations 16, respectively, as depicted in this embodiment, follows a substantial circular path.

[0092] Depending on the amount of kite base stations 18 and layout of the watercraft 14 the orientation subsystem will be configured to alternate and/or rotate each of the plurality of kite base stations 18 between the operative 12 and inoperative locations 16, respectively, so as to yield a substantial continuous supply of mechanical tractive force and conversion of mechanical tractive force into storable energy. The layout and surface area will typically determine the amount of kite base stations 18 to be employed, and also the pathway to be followed between the operative 12 and inoperative locations 16 to allow sufficient time to retract the kite and to orientate it for reeling out again when in the operative location so as to yield a substantial continuous supply of harvested wind energy.

[0093] FIG. 10 illustrates the orientation subsystem including a track 23 for guiding displacement of each of the plurality of kite base stations 18.1 and 18.2, shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, along a guided pathway between the operative 12 and inoperative location 16, the alternating change forward and backward the watercraft indicated by arrow 25.

[0094] FIG. 10 also shows that the orientation subsystem can be configured to rotate at least two of the plurality of kite base stations 18.1 and 181.2 about fixed locations defined about the track, intermediate the operative 12 and inoperative locations 16.

[0095] FIG. 11 further illustrates the possible locations of kite base stations 18.1 and 18.2 on the watercraft. The operative locations 12 can also be located or defined sideways, towards a more starboard position or towards a more larboard position, to counter-action torque and heeling. If the wind blows from the left, the operative location 12 can be moved towards starboard (to the right), which is leeward. When in this location, the kite base station 18.1 will have its kite orientated in a wind harvesting mode having an increased angle of attack and typically exerts a force forward, to the right, and upwards, will lift the leeward side of the ship up to counter the torque created by the kite's force to the right, and therefore heeling.

[0096] FIG. 12 shows the incorporation of guided tracks 23, as depicted in FIG. 10 for securing the kite base station 18.1 in the operative 12 and inoperative location 16.

[0097] FIG. 13 shows one embodiment of the orientation subsystem which includes a rotatable base 20 having a pair of kite base stations 18.1 and 18.2 mounted thereon and opposed one another, so as to when rotating the rotatable base 20, the pair of the kite base stations 18.1 and 18.2 is displaced between the operative 12 and inoperative locations 16 relative the watercraft 14. The preferred operative location 12 may be slightly to the side of the watercraft, to the left or to the right, depending on the wind direction, preferably on the leeward-side of the watercraft, to counter torque and heeling.

[0098] FIG. 14 shows the kite base stations 18.1 and 18.2 when located in the operative 12 and inoperative locations 16, respectively. Kite base station 18.1 when located in the operative location 12 will have its kite orientated in a wind harvesting mode. The kite's horizontally oriented traction force vector F.sub.Kh when located in operative location 12, can be divided into the components F.sub.hs (force horizontally sideward) and F.sub.hf (force horizontally forward). The latter is the propulsion force, to propel the watercraft.

[0099] On a sailing beam reach course (“close to the wind”) there is sufficient “dead force” perpendicular to the movement direction of the watercraft F.sub.hs, which can drive the generator to produce electricity. At the same time, there is a rather low propulsion force forward F.sub.hf. This may be desirable, as it may mean that the watercraft is not propelled at a too fast a rate, and therefore not too much energy is lost through friction at the hull (the friction force at the watercraft's hull increases quadratic with the watercraft's velocity F=½ rho*A.sub.S*C.sub.F*V.sub.Ship.sup.2).

[0100] FIG. 15 shows the watercraft depicted in FIG. 14 but with the wind from a different direction, on a rather downwind course (broad reach or “before the wind”), where most of the kite's force F.sub.Kh is directed into the movement direction of the watercraft F.sub.hf. At the same time, there is a rather low “dead force” perpendicular to the watercraft's longitudinal axis F.sub.hs. This means that the watercraft may become undesirably fast, and loses too much energy through friction at the hull.

[0101] Therefore, some of the energy gained from F.sub.hf may be collected by underwater, hydrokinetic flow turbines, which is described more in detail in FIGS. 24 to 27.

[0102] The use of water turbines will slow down the watercraft, and reduce the power “lost” by friction at the hull (which is an exponential function of the watercraft's velocity). In this case, the watercraft would have at least one onboard generator, driven by the force of the kite connecting line, directly, for instance by unwinding the kite connecting line from a winch, while driving the winch and the generator, and at least one, for symmetrical reasons typically two, four or more, underwater turbine(s) 24, with underwater rotors, driving a turbine mounted generator or typically several generators, for instance located in the hub of the turbine. The turbine generator can also be on board of the watercraft. In this case the rotational energy of the underwater rotors can be transported onto the watercraft to the turbine generator, by any suitable means, such as toothed belts, chains or by hydraulic means. The underwater turbines can be pivotally suspended from the ship's hull(s), and lowered into the water at the point of need, for instance on a more downwind course, and pulled out of the water, if not needed or desired, e.g. on upwind courses.

[0103] Turning to FIGS. 16 and 17. FIGS. 16 and 17 depicts a possible layout when employing three kite base stations 18.1, 18.2 and 18.3, and when having two operative 12.1 and 12.2, and one inoperative location 16, defined about the watercraft 14.

[0104] The kite base stations 18.1 and 18.2 located in the operative locations 12.1 and 12.2, respectively, control their respective kites 22.1 and 22.2 in wind harvesting and energy generating mode, and the kite connecting line is reeled-out to drive the generator.

[0105] The kite base station 18.3 located in the inoperative location 16 controls the de-powered kite 22.3 in retraction mode, and the kite connecting lines are reeled-in by a motor.

[0106] The movements between the operative 12.1 and 12.2 and inoperative locations 16 may be by shifting them on a straight or curved path, step-by-step or simultaneously, and/or by rotating them simultaneously, from the operative location 12.1, 12.2 to the inoperative location 16, and vice versa.

[0107] FIGS. 18 and 19 depicts a cross section through the hull of the watercraft to illustrate the effect of the kite base station 18.1 when located in the operative location 12 and having its kite orientated in wind harvesting mode having an increased angle of attack. The kite exerts its force F.sub.K on its tether lines, with a component upwards F.sub.v and a component sideward F.sub.h. The force vectors depict the horizontal component F.sub.h and the vertical component F.sub.v of this traction force. The geometric center of the ship's hull is located somewhere around the height of the waterline. Therefore, the traction force of the kite and its sideward force component F.sub.h will cause torque T.sub.h around the geometric center and therefore cause heeling of the ship's hull.

[0108] FIG. 20 is a cross section through the watercraft's hull shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, with the kite control system 18.1 located in the operative location 12 which is defined leeward the watercraft to counter the undesired heeling of the watercraft, shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The kite exerts its force F.sub.K in an upwards component F.sub.v and a sideward component F.sub.h, as depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19. The force vectors depict these components.

[0109] The geometric center of the ship's hull is around the height of the waterline. Therefore, the traction force of the kite with its sideward force F.sub.h can be divided into a force component F.sub.h1 perpendicular to the (fictious, dotted) line between the attachment points of the kite connecting lines and the geometric center of the ship's hull and the component orthogonal to it F.sub.h2. Force F.sub.h1 causes torque T.sub.h1 on the watercraft's hull clockwise.

[0110] The upwards force component F.sub.v can be divided into a force component F.sub.v1 perpendicular to the (fictious, dotted) line between the attachment points of the kite connecting lines and the geometric center of the ship's hull and the component orthogonal to it F.sub.v2. Force F.sub.v1 causes torque T.sub.v1 on the watercraft's hull counter-clockwise. Both torques T.sub.h1 and T.sub.v1 will work against each other, and cancel each other out, to a large extent. As a result, there is no or very little torque and undesired heeling of the ship's hull.

[0111] Another measure to counter torque and heeling, shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, is by having the kite base station 118 pivotally connected to the watercraft 14. In this form of the invention 110 the kite base station 118 is configured to extend upward from the watercraft 14.

[0112] The kite base station 118 is pivotally anchored and suspended from a central point, close to the geometric center of the watercraft's hull, located around the height of the waterline or even below the waterline and about the longitudinal axis of the watercraft. The kite base station can pivot around this anchor point, sideways, to the left and to the right, around the longitudinal axis of the watercraft. The kite's traction force will move the kite base station 118 leeward, and therefore the kite will only exert minimal torque on the watercraft's hull, with the result of no or only minimal heeling.

[0113] FIG. 23 depicts another embodiment of 210 of the invention wherein the kite base station 218 is, in addition to being pivotable, also rotatable around its vertical axis, which can in use be effected by implementing a slewing bearing at its top end.

[0114] At its top-end, the kite base station 218 may be secured by incorporating a securing device 220 in the form of adjustable rods, bars, braces, or in the most flexible manner by ropes, to a slewing bearing 224 at its upper end, so that the upper end of the kite base station 218 can be fixed in the desired position, for instance aiming at the desired effect of minimal torque on the hull and heeling of the watercraft, for instance with a bias sideways of the longitudinal axis of the watercraft, towards a leeward position. The ropes can be in the form of a ropes-pulley-block system, with clamps to fix the rope, so that the upper end of the ground station can be conveniently fastened in the desired position.

[0115] In wind harvesting and/or operative mode when located in the operative location 12 the kite base station 18, 118 and 218, will be configured to align and/or orientate its kite having an increased angle of attack compared to when the kite base station 18, 118 and 218, is located in the inoperative location 16.

[0116] In wind harvesting and energy generating mode the kite base station 18, 118 and 218, will be configured to align its kite connecting lines so as to orientate and fly its corresponding kite to exert a high mechanical tractive force on its kite connecting line. The kite connecting line will further be operably connected to a generator located at the kite base station 18, 118 and 218, which is configured to convert the mechanical tractive force exerted onto the one or more kite connecting lines into storable energy.

[0117] In kite retraction mode the kite base station 18, 118 and 218, is configured to align and/or orientate its kite connecting lines so as to orientate its kite having a decreased angle of attack, flown typically static, and thereby a decreased mechanical tractive force compared to when the kite base station 18, 118 and 218 is located in the operative location 12, so as to allow the kite control system to spend less energy retracting the kite back to the kite base station, compared to the energy generated when in wind harvesting and energy generating mode and located in the operative location.

[0118] In use, the kite base station 18, 118 and 218 when displaced to the operative location 12 will have its kite initially located near the kite control system 18, 118 and 218, and by flying the kite in a wind harvesting orientation having an increased angle of attack, and the kite flown with high speed, will extract the one or more kite connecting lines from the kite base station 18, 118 and 218, the extraction of the line causing rotation of one or more reels which rotational energy is converted into electrical and/or storable energy.

[0119] After the kite having extracted its one or more kite connecting lines at their full length, and/or at a predetermined length, the orientation subsystem will displace kite base station 18, 118 and 218, to the inoperative location 16, where the kite base station 18, 118 and 218, through orientation of its one or more kite connecting lines, will adjust its corresponding kite in a non-wind attacking mode for enabling the kite base station 18, 118 and 218, when retracting the kite, to expending less energy than the amount of energy generated when located in the operative location or when its kite is flown in wind harvesting and energy generating mode.

[0120] Simultaneously, as the orientation subsystem displaces the kite base station 18, 18 and 218 from the operative 12 towards the inoperative location 16, for allowing the kite base station 18, 118 and 218, to retract its one or more kite connecting lines and thereby the kite, another kite base station 18, 118 and 218 will be displaced from the inoperative 16 towards the operative 12 location, orientate its kite in a wind harvesting mode with a maximum flying speed and/or angle of attack thereby reeling out the one or more kite connecting lines and generating electrical and or storable energy.

[0121] This rotation or alternation of the plurality of kite base stations 18, 118 and 218, between the operative and inoperative locations yields a non-cyclical and/or continuous harvesting of wind energy.

[0122] FIGS. 24 to 27 illustrates the water turbine subsystem 24 which will preferably be displaceably mounted about the watercraft 14 to be operable between an operative mode when submersed in water, and inoperative mode, when lifted out of the water, respectively.

[0123] The turbines may either be suspended pivotally, so they can be swung below and above the water line (into and out of the water; sideways up/down, or forward/backward), or on a linear rail or guide, so they can be lowered into the water, downwards, or a combination thereof.

[0124] The water turbine subsystem 24 in turn can include a water turbine auxiliary system 30, see FIGS. 26 and 27, which may be pivotally mounted about the watercraft 14. The water turbine auxiliary system 30 will be mounted upstream the water turbine subsystem 24 and consists of a support 32 at the front and cables 34 typically steel ropes, from the support 32 to the hub of the turbine 28 and/or to the shroud of the turbine 28. The water turbine auxiliary system 30 serves at least two purposes. Firstly, it can absorb most of the drag forces of the turbines 28 (which are directed towards the rear of the watercraft 14, when the watercraft is moving forward). Secondly, it can protect the turbine 28 and its rotors from debris or any objects floating in the water or even animals swimming in the water, and prevent damage. The water turbine auxiliary system 30 can also be suspended, for instance pivotally, so it can move with the turbine 28 from the deck of the watercraft 14, or from a position above the waterline, to a position below the waterline.

[0125] Turning to FIG. 28, the kite driven watercraft power generating system 10, 110 and 210, will further include energy conversion and storage means for storing the storable energy generated from harvested wind energy from the kite control system 18, 118 and 218, and its operatively connected generators, and from the generators, operatively connected to the rotor blades of turbines 28.

[0126] The energy storage means can include any one or more of the group consisting of sea water reverse osmosis (SWRO), water treatment, an electrolyser, a hydrogen generator, a hydrogen storage, a hydrogen compression facility, a hydrogen liquefaction facility, a methanation facility, a carbon dioxide generator, a carbon dioxide storage, carbon dioxide harvester, a methane compressor, a methane liquefaction facility, methanol generator, Fischer Tropsch reactor, and ammonia reactor.

[0127] These energy conversion and storage means will typically be located inside the watercraft, shown in FIG. 28.

[0128] The storage means can include a fuel tank 34 or several fuel tanks in a more central position of the watercraft 14 and energy conversion facilities 32 located towards the front and the back of the watercraft 14.

[0129] The energy conversion facilities are typically located towards the front and the back of the watercraft 14, whilst the energy storage facilities (fuel tanks) are typically located in a more central position of the watercraft 14. The latter positioning is important, because these tanks vary in weight, throughout the harvesting journey of the watercraft 14. By positioning the tanks centrally, in relation to the other facilities, which are located more towards the front and rear of the watercraft 14, the watercraft will keep its balance and trim throughout the journey, independent of the filling level of these fuel tanks.

[0130] FIG. 29 depicts a watercraft 14 having two hulls to accommodate two operative locations 12.1 and 12.2, and thus two kite base stations 218.1 and 218.2 (or 18.1 and 18.2; or 118.1 and 118.2) where the kites 222.1 and 222.2 of both systems 218.1 and 218.2 can thus be orientated in the operative mode or in the inoperative mode. With this, one kite can exert maximum traction force, to drive the ship and the generator(s) and one kite can exert a minimal traction force to reel-in the kite connecting line, without the necessity to move the kite base stations on board of the watercraft. Rather, the watercraft as a whole changes its wind course, when changing a kite control system from operative, energy generating mode to inoperative, retraction mode.

[0131] In this configuration both kites 222.1 and 222.2 can be operated at maximum angle of attack, or one kite at the leeward side of the watercraft 14 can be flown at maximum speed and angle of attack, while the other towards the windward side of the watercraft 14 can be flown at a reduced speed and angle of attack, or static, in order to minimise the heeling effect on the watercraft 14, and to expend minimum energy to retract the kite connecting line. The kite control system in the leeward position can reel-out the kite connecting line to generate electricity, and the kite control system in the windward position can retract the kite connecting line.

[0132] The Applicant considers the invention advantageous in that a kite driven watercraft power generating system is provided which is adapted to sequentially or simultaneously alternate, shift, or rotate a plurality of kite base stations from an inoperative into an operative kite flying mode to yield an uninterrupted mechanical energy supply for continuous propulsion of a watercraft and for conversion into storable energy. When applying the invention, the mechanical power supply, both for the ship's propulsion and for electricity generation, directly driving a generator by the kite's tractive forces, is therefore uninterrupted, continuous and non-cyclical (neglecting the short interruption times during change of location of the kite base stations).

[0133] According to the invention, always at least one kite, in the operative location (in the front and/or leeward position), produces power, both propulsion power for the watercraft and tractive power for the generator. Therefore, the propulsion power supply for the watercraft is continuous (the short interruptions during change of positions can be neglected, due to inertia of the watercraft). This allows for the system being used as a main propulsion system for watercrafts, and it also provides for a continuous power generation on the ship through the generator(s), for instance to efficiently produce electrofuels on board.

[0134] By applying the invention, there is only a limited need for kinetic-energy-harvesting rotors under water, or only a need for a limited size of such a rotor or rotors under water, or even no need at all for under-water rotors or complete turbines under water, to harvest the kite's traction forces.

[0135] Further, the specific shifting, displacement, alternation or rotation of the plurality of kite base stations into their operative location, and/or the pivotal suspension of the kite base stations about the waterline inside of the watercraft, avoids undesired torque on the watercraft's hull and therefore undesired heeling. The invention therefore reduces potential problems associated with torque and heeling, when inducing the tractive force of a kite or a plurality of kites onto a watercraft, either by lifting up the leeward side of the watercraft or by inducing the tractive force near the geometric centre of the watercraft's hull.

[0136] The addition of water turbines which can be submersed into water when the watercraft is propelled along a body of water, in certain circumstances, for instance on rather downwind courses, provides for additional efficiency of the overall system and for an additional source of energy, which would otherwise be lost by friction forces or other resistance drag forces at the watercraft's hull or by a loss in apparent wind. On these broad-reach or downwind courses, or whenever one wants to increase the resistance of the watercraft, with the aim to slow it down and/or to increase the tractive pull of the kite and therefore the driving of the generator(s) connected to the one or more kite connecting lines, the invention may comprise a mechanism to increase the resistance of the ship's hull, with the aim to slow down the ship, and hence increase the tension forces on the kite connecting line and hence power. This mechanism may just be in the simple form of a drogue parachute, a funnel-shaped or cone-shaped device pulled after the ship, or any other device which increases the drag of the ship, or it may even be in the form of hydrokinetic, under-water turbines, which may be lowered into the water at the time of need. These will not only increase the effectivity of the on-board generators (operatively connected to the kite connecting lines), but at the same time also generate additional electricity.