POWER KITE AND BRIDLE SYSTEM

Abstract

A power kite and a bridle system is adapted to connect the power kite to a control box. The power kite includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, and the bridle system includes multiple power lines and at least two steering lines. The steering lines are connected to zones including wingtips of the power kite such that a steering angle of the power kite is controllable by balancing the steering lines. The multiple power lines comprise a front line connected to a front zone of the power kite including a central part of the leading edge and comprise a back line connected to a back zone of the power kite including a central part of the trailing edge, such that an angle of attack of the power kite is controllable by balancing the front and back lines.

Claims

1. A power kite and a bridle system adapted to connect the power kite to a control box, the power kite having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the bridle system comprising multiple power lines and at least two steering lines, the steering lines being connected to zones including wingtips of the power kite such that a steering angle of the power kite is controllable by balancing the steering lines, wherein the multiple power lines comprise a back line connected to a back zone of the power kite including a central part of the trailing edge, such that an angle of attack of the power kite is controllable by pulling and releasing the back line.

2. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 1, wherein the multiple power lines comprise a front line connected to a front zone of the power kite including a central part of the leading edge, such that an angle of attack of the power kite is controllable by balancing the front and back lines.

3. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 1, wherein the multiple power lines further comprise at least one central power line connected to a central zone of the kite, the central zone being located at a distance from the leading edge and at a distance from the trailing edge.

4. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 1, wherein the kite is a single skin kite with a reinforcing structure.

5. The power kite and bridle system according to the claim 4, wherein the reinforcing structure comprises an inflatable leading edge and optionally at least one inflatable strut extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge.

6. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 1, wherein the bridle system comprises a connection between the steering lines and the back line such that a pulling and releasing of the back line induces a simultaneous pulling and releasing of the steering lines.

7. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 6, wherein the connection is embodied via a pulley.

8. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the multiple power lines comprise multiple branches connected at different locations to the power kite for transversely dividing forces induced by the bridle system to the power kite.

9-16. (canceled)

17. A power kite and bridle system the power kite having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the bridle system comprising multiple power lines and at least two steering lines, the steering lines being connected to zones including wingtips of the power kite such that a steering angle of the power kite is controllable by balancing the steering lines, wherein the multiple power lines comprise a line connected to a zone of the power kite including a central part of the trailing edge or the leading edge, such that an angle of attack of the power kite is controllable by pulling and releasing the line.

18. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 17, wherein the power kite and bridle system further comprising a wind engaging member for an airborne wind energy system, the wind engaging member comprising a control box connected to the power kite.

19. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 18, wherein the control box comprises at least one steering motor for pulling and releasing the steering lines to control the steering angle of the power kite, and comprises at least one angle of attack motor for pulling and releasing the line to control the angle of attack of the power kite.

20. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 19, wherein the control box comprises a steering shaft comprising a coil for the steering lines and which is connected to the bridle system in such a manner that rotation of the steering shaft in one direction induces a releasing of one of the steering lines and a simultaneous pulling of the other of the steering lines, such that a balancing of the steering lines is obtained, the steering shaft being driven by the steering motor.

21. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 18, wherein the multiple power lines comprise a front line connected to a front zone of the power kite including a central part of the leading edge, such that an angle of attack of the power kite is controllable by balancing the front and back lines, and wherein the control box comprises an angle of attack shaft comprising a coil for the back line and which is connected to the bridle system in such a manner that rotation of the angle of attack shaft in one direction induces a releasing of the back line, the angle of attack shaft being driven by the angle of attack motor.

22. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 21, wherein the multiple power lines comprise a front line connected to a front zone of the power kite including a central part of the leading edge, such that an angle of attack of the power kite is controllable by balancing the front and back lines, and wherein the coil for the back line is also adapted for coiling the front line in such a manner that rotation of the angle of attack shaft in one direction induces a releasing of the front line and a simultaneous pulling of the back line, such that a balancing of the front and back lines is obtained.

23. A power kite and bridle system, the power kite having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the bridle system comprising multiple power lines and at least two steering lines, the steering lines being connected to zones including wingtips of the power kite such that a steering angle of the power kite is controllable by balancing the steering lines, wherein the multiple power lines comprise a back line connected to a back zone of the power kite including a central part of the trailing edge, such that an angle of attack of the power kite is controllable by pulling and releasing the back line, the power kite and bridle system further comprising a wind energy harvesting system comprising a ground station with a winch system, and a wind engaging member having a control box connected to the power kite.

24. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 23, wherein the control box comprises at least one steering motor for pulling and releasing the steering lines to control the steering angle of the power kite, and comprises at least one angle of attack motor for pulling and releasing the back line to control the angle of attack of the power kite.

25. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 23, wherein the control box comprises a steering shaft comprising a coil for the steering lines and which is connected to the bridle system in such a manner that rotation of the steering shaft in one direction induces a releasing of one of the steering lines and a simultaneous pulling of the other of the steering lines, such that a balancing of the steering lines is obtained, the steering shaft being driven by the steering motor.

26. The power kite and bridle system according to claims 23, wherein the multiple power lines comprise a front line connected to a front zone of the power kite including a central part of the leading edge, such that an angle of attack of the power kite is controllable by balancing the front and back lines, and wherein the control box comprises an angle of attack shaft comprising a coil for the back line and which is connected to the bridle system in such a manner that rotation of the angle of attack shaft in one direction induces a releasing of the back line, the angle of attack shaft being driven by the angle of attack motor.

27. The power kite and bridle system according to claim 23, wherein the coil for the back line is also adapted for coiling the front line in such a manner that rotation of the angle of attack shaft in one direction induces a releasing of the front line and a simultaneous pulling of the back line, such that a balancing of the front and back lines is obtained.

Description

[0030] The invention will now be described in more details with respect to the drawings illustrating some preferred embodiments of the invention. In the drawings:

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a wind energy harvesting system with a power kite;

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic front view of a wind engaging member according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a power kite and bridle system according to an embodiment of the invention; and

[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of a power kite and bridle system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0035] In the drawings a same reference number has been allocated to a same or analogous element.

[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates a wind energy harvesting system comprising a ground station 18. The ground station comprises a winch 19 connected to an electric generator 20. The winch system 19 is connected to the power kite 1 via a cable 17 and bridle system 2. Between the cable 17 and the bridle system 2, a control box 3 is placed. Alternatively, the control box 3 is connected to first lines of the bridle system while the cable is connected to other lines of the bridle system such that, technically, the control box 3 is not provided between the bridle system 2 and the cable 17. In any case, the control box is connected to the bridle system 2 to control the power kite 1 and the cable 17 is connected to the bridle system 2 to absorb power generated by the power kite 1. Controlling the power kite 1 includes adapting the steering angle as well as adapting the angle of attack of the power kite 1.

[0037] In a wind energy harvesting system, a control box is provided at a predetermined distance from the kite. This control box is primarily provided for controlling the steering angle of the kite by manipulating the steering lines. The combination of the kite and control box is typically referred to as a wind engaging member. This wind engaging member is connected to a ground station typically via a winch system. In such connection, the power lines of the kite may be directly connected to the winch system or may be connected via the control box.

[0038] As described above, using the wind energy harvesting system, electric energy may be generated. The power kite 1 may be used in a cyclic process with two step. A first step is to unroll the winch 19 using the power of the power kite 1. In this step, the power kite 1 is controlled by the control box 3 to maximize or optimize the pull generated by the power kite. Cable 17 absorbs the power generated by the power kite 1 and, as a result, is unrolled from the winch 19. This induces in a powered rotation of the winch 19 which may be at least partially countered by an electric generator 20. In other words, the power kite 1 generates a force which induces a rotational force at the winch 19. This rotational force of the winch 19 is used to generate electric power using the generator 20.

[0039] A second step is to roll the cable 17 onto the winch using a motor connected to the winch. The motor may be the generator 20, which is powered to rotate the winch. The principle of using an electric motor as motor and as generator is a known concept and therefore not further described. The motor may alternatively be separately provided in the ground station 18 for this purpose (not shown). In this second step, the power kite 1 is controlled by the control box 3 to minimize the power generated.

[0040] The power kite 1 shown in the figures is a single skin power kite with a reinforcing structure formed by an inflatable leading edge and multiple inflated struts. The inflated struts are preferably reinforced with rigid elements such as glass fiber rods. It is noted that this is a preferred embodiment and that other types of power kites may be used. A power kite is a kite of which a flight track can be controlled by steering the kite. By controlling the flight track, the speed of the power kite 1 as well as the position of the power kite 1 with respect to the wind direction may be adjusted which allows to control the power generated by the power kite 1. The power generated by the power kite 1 may be measured by measuring the force applied to the cable 17, which force may be expressed in Newton.

[0041] The power kite 1 has a leading edge 8, which is the edge that leads the movement when the kite is flying its flight track. In other words, when flying the power kite 1, the leading edge 8 is formed by the foremost edge of the power kite 1, which is the part which first meets the oncoming air. In other words, the leading edge 8 forms the front end of power kite 1. Opposite the leading edge 8, the power kite 1 comprises a trailing edge 9. The trailing edge 9 forms the back end of the power kite 1. The power kite 1, including the leading edge 8 and trailing edge 9, is preferably symmetrical with respect to a symmetry plane. The power kite 1 shows two wingtips 10 at both ends of the symmetry plane. The wingtips 10 are defined as the parts of the power kite 1 which lay most remote from the symmetry plane. Optionally, the power kite 1 is asymmetrical, which could be advantageous for example when the preferred flight track is asymmetrical. The power kite is preferably formed as a single skin kite which skin defines the dimensions of the kite. To bring this skin into its desired three-dimensional form or shape, reinforcement elements are used. The reinforcement elements preferably comprise a leading edge and one or multiple struts.

[0042] Multiple reinforcing structures, in the shown example formed as struts, are provided between the leading edge 8 and the trailing edge. In the figures, struts are indicated with reference number 11. The leading edge 8 also comprises a reinforcing structure, in the shown example an inflatable leading edge. The primary function of the reinforcing structure is to keep the power kite’s shape within predetermined boundaries when the power kite 1 is in use. The reinforcing structure allows a certain flexibility or change in shape, which is preferred to cope with wind gusts as well as to allow steering of the power kite 1. The power kite 1 is typically largely symmetrical. This means that the shape of the wing forming the power kite is mirrored with respect to a central plane. It is noted that is sensors or connections or maintenance related elements are provided at the kite, these elements should not necessarily be arranged symmetrical. Particularly the shape of the kite, determining the way the wind interacts with the kite, is symmetrical. It is noted that by acting on the steering lines, the kite will, due to its flexibility, adopt an asymmetrical shape inducing a turning of the kite in the air. In neutral state of the kite, when no significant external forces are acting on the kite, the kite is symmetrical.

[0043] The reinforcement elements are preferably inflatable elements. By inflating the inflatable elements, they are made rigid. The rigidity is sufficient in the context of the kite to keep the kite in its shape while flying the kite. The rigidity is also sufficient to allow a certain deformation when manipulating the steering lines so that the kite can be steered in the air.

[0044] The bridle system 2 connects the power kite to the control box 3 and, directly or indirectly, to the cable 17. The bridle system comprises multiple lines, some of which may be branched, to divide forces resulting from flying the power kite 1 over the surface area of the power kite 1. Each line end or branch end of the bridle system is connected to the power kite at a kite connection point. Such connection may be releasable or may be fixed. Providing more kite connection points and corresponding lines or branches allows to weaken the reinforcing structure because forces are divided more densely, however it also increases the complexity as well as the drag of the power kite 1. Providing less kite connection points and corresponding lines or branches reduces costs and drag of the power kite 1, but also increases the reinforcing structure requirements. An optimum is sought by the skilled person based on the size of the power kite 1.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a front view of a power kite 1 and bridle system 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows the control box 3 with a steering motor 12 and an angle of attack motor 13. Both the steering motor 12 and the angle of attack motor 13 are connected to line control elements. The line control elements preferably comprise a shaft with a coil, connected to each motor 12 and 13, which coil is adapted to act as a mini-winch for the lines. Each coil is preferably provided to wind a first line in a first rotational direction and to wind a second line in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction. In this manner, a first torque resulting from a first force of the first line is largely cancelled out by a second torque resulting from a second force on the second line. Alternatively, the lines control elements comprise a toothed belt or chain which is compatible with a shaft to be driven by the motor 12, 13, and which toothed belt or chain is connectable to the lines. Further alternatively, the lines control elements comprise a lever which is driven, for example pivoted, by the motor 12, 13, such that the line control is analogue to a kitesurfing bar. Further examples show that torque cannot not always be completely cancelled out, for example when the lines are not connected via a 1 to 1 ratio.

[0046] In FIG. 2, two steering lines 4A and 4B are shown. These steering lines are connected to corresponding pulleys 15A and 15B. These pulleys 15A and 15B are connected to the steering angle motor 12 such that the steering angle motor 12 may indirectly pull and release the steering lines 4A and 4B. The setup illustrated in FIG. 2 shows that a rotation of the steering angle motor 12 will induce a simultaneous pulling of one steering line and releasing of another steering line. In this manner, the steering lines 4A and 4B can easily be balanced by the steering angle motor 12 to control the steering angle of the power kite 1. The skilled person realizes that more pulleys of less pulleys may be used to influence the ratio and effect of the pulling and releasing of a line by the steering motor to the power kite 1.

[0047] In FIG. 2, two central power lines 5 are shown. These central power lines 5 may transmit power generated by the power kite 1 to the cable 17 directly. Alternatively, these central power lines 5 transmit power generated by the power kite 1 to a frame of the control box 3. In the context of flying a kite, the power generated by the power kite is mechanical power or pulling power and not electrical power. Only by transferring the mechanical power to the ground station, the electric generator at the ground station can convert the mechanical power into electrical power. It will be clear that FIG. 2 is merely a principle figure and that the central power lines 5 may in a practical situation be branched to connect to multiple locations dispersed over the width of the power kite 1.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows the back line 7 connected to the angle of attack motor 13. In FIG. 2, it is chosen to show the back line 7 in a preferred embodiment where the back line 7 is connected to the steering lines 4A and 4B.

[0049] In a further embodiment, a front line 7 is provided and connected to the angle of attack motor 13 along with the back line, which is also connected to the angle of attack motor 13. The front line is winded in an opposite direction to the coil attached to the angle of attack motor 13, compared to the back line 7. In this manner, torques may at least partially cancel each other out. This embodiment is described hereunder with reference to FIG. 4.

[0050] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the back line 7 is indirectly, via further pulley 16, connected to the angle of attack motor 13. An intermediate line is connected at one end with the control box 3, runs over the further pulley 16 and towards the angle of attack motor 13. This intermediate line comprises a connection 14 between the further pulley 16 and the angle of attack motor 13 to connect the steering lines 4A and 4B to the back line 7. The steering lines 4A and 4B are indirectly connected, via the pulleys 15A and 15B as well as via further pulley 16, to the back line. When the back line is pulled, the connection 14 induces a pull on the two steering lines 4A and 4B simultaneously. Also, when the back line is released, the connection 14 induces a releasing of the two steering lines 4A and 4B simultaneously. In this way, a change in angle of attack, applied by the angle of attack motor primarily to the back line 7 and optionally also to the front line 6 (not shown in FIG. 2), also has an effect on the steering lines 4A and 4B such that optimal shape and control of the power kite 1 is maintained. The skilled person realizes that more pulleys of less pulleys may be used to influence the ratio and effect of the pulling and releasing of a line by the angle of attack motor to different parts of the power kite 1. The invention is therefore not limited to the shown embodiment, but the shown embodiment is merely provided as an example to illustrate one way of implementing the general principles of the invention.

[0051] The back line may be embodied by multiple back lines which run to different sections of the trailing edge. Multiple corresponding angle of attack motors may be provided wherein each motor is connected to one of the multiple back lines to enable a sectional angle of attack control. An angle of attack of each section of the kite may be individually controlled. This might be advantageous to further increase the precision of the kite control. FIG. 3 shows a top view of a power kite 1. As described above, the power kite 1 is connected to a bridle system 2. To this end, kite connection points are provided at different locations of the power kite 1. These different locations are illustrated in FIG. 3 as zones drawn onto the surface of the power kite 1.

[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates the leading edge 8 which shows a curve ensuring that the wingtips 10 lay, from a top-down perspective, behind the central front end of the power kite 1. FIG. 3 shows the trailing edge and shows multiple struts 11A - 11E forming reinforcing structures extending from the leading edge 8 in the direction of the trailing edge 9. In some embodiments, kite connection points are exclusively provided at the reinforcing structure, being in the example of FIG. 3 at the leading edge 8 and the struts 11. In other embodiments, kite connection points are additionally or exclusively provided at the kite skin.

[0053] FIG. 3 illustrates a central zone, indicated with number 5, where central power lines are connected to the power kite 1. The central zone is located at a distance from the leading edge 8 and at a distance from the trailing edge 9. The central zone is also located at a distance from the wingtips. The central power lines 5 are connected to power kite 1 in the central zone, aiming to absorb the majority of the power generated by the power kite 1. In the context of flying a kite, the power generated by the power kite is mechanical power or pulling power and not electrical power.

[0054] In front of the central zone 5, a front zone 6 is illustrated. The front zone 6 includes a central part of the leading edge 8. The front line is connected in the front zone 6. Preferably the front line is branched such that the front line is connected to the power kite 1 at different kite connection points which are dispersed over the front zone 6.

[0055] Behind the central zone 5, a back zone 7 is illustrated. The back zone 7 is illustrated not to include the trailing edge 9 of the power kite 1. In an alternative embodiment, the back zone includes the trailing edge 9. The back line is connected in the back zone 7. Preferably the back line is branched such that the back line is connected to the power kite 1 at different kite connection points which are dispersed over the back zone 7.

[0056] At the two sides of the power kite 1, two steering zones 4A and 4B are illustrated. These steering zones 4A and 4B include the wingtips 10 of the power kite 1. The steering lines are connected to the power kite 1 at one or more kite connection points located in the steering zones 4A and 4B.

[0057] The central zone 5 is located between the front zone 6 and the back zone 7, separating the front zone 6 from the back zone 7. The central zone 5, front zone 6 and back zone 7 are located between the two steering zones 4A and 4B. In the figure, the central, front and back zones 5, 6 and 7 have substantially the same width. This is just an embodiment and the width of the zones may be different. The skilled person will understand that the zones 4, 5 and 6 as shown in the figures are merely imaginary areas limiting or including at least a collection of one or more kite connection points to which the respective lines of the bridle system 2 are connected. Therefore, for example, the back zone 7 may always be drawn to include the trailing edge 9 of the power kite 1. This does not imply that the kite connection points are located at the trailing edge 9. The same reasoning applies for the wingtips and the steering zones 4A and 4B. Furthermore, in line with the explanation above, the central zone 5, front zone 6 and back zone 7 may be sectioned in the span width direction of the kite to enable individual control for multiple sections.

[0058] FIG. 4 illustrates how the angle of attack may be changed by balancing the front line 6 and the back line 7. The figure shows a simplified section of the kite at the symmetry plane. The figure shows the leading edge 8, which comprises a kite connection point for the front line 6. The figure also shows the trailing edge 9 which comprises a kite connection point for the back line 7. In view of the explanation above, it will be clear that the back line should not be connected at the trailing edge 9, but may preferably be connected at a distance from the trailing edge. The FIG. 4 also shows the central power line 5, which is connected to a kite connection point 23 located between the front and the back kite connection points to which the front line 6 and back line 7 are connected, respectively.

[0059] Based on FIG. 4, the skilled person will understand that a pulling of the front line 6 and a corresponding releasing of the back line 7, and vise versa, will change the angle of attack. The figure clarifies that the angle of attack will change with respect to the central kite connection point 23, which will act as a fulcrum or rotation point for the angle of attack rotation.

[0060] The first distance 21 between the front kite connection point and the central connection point 23 should not be the same as the second distance 22 between the central connection point 23 and the back kite connection point. A ratio between the first distance 21 and the second distance 22 may be compensated by providing one or more pulleys in the bridle system 2. Alternatively, the ratio may be compensated by providing the multiple coils with different diameters. In FIG. 4, a pulley 16 is provided in the front line 6 such that a pulling of the front line is reduced by a 1 to 2 ratio compared to the corresponding releasing of the back line, and vise versa. This ensures that the angle of attack is adjusted with respect to the central kite connection point 23. I will be clear that this figure is merely provided as an example of how a bridle system can be formed with a back line and a front line to control the angle of attack. A one to one ratio of the first distance 21 and second distance 22 is also an option, which would eliminate the necessity of a pulley to obtain a rotation about the central kite connection point 23.

[0061] The skilled person will appreciate on the basis of the above description that the invention can be embodied in different ways and on the basis of different principles. The invention is not limited here to the above described embodiments. The above described embodiments and the figures are purely illustrative and serve only to increase understanding of the invention. The invention is not therefore limited to the embodiments described herein, but is defined in the claims.