AIRBORNE WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM WITH GROUND GENERATOR AND UNORTHODOX POWER CAPTURE OR TRANSFER

摘要

An airborne wind energy conversion system with a ground generator and unorthodox power capture or transfer means, including such embodiments as: a system with an ultra-long flexible wing, which serves both for power harvesting and power transfer; a system with a tethered wing, the tether having an airfoil cross section in at least a substantial part of its length and participating in power harvesting; a system with a very long semi-circular wing, harvesting and transferring wind power by its helical motion; a system in which a conventional wing both harvests wind power and excites waves in the tether, the waves transferring the power.

主权项

1. A device for converting wind energy into electrical energy, comprising:
a ground platform; a rotational member on the ground platform; an airborne very long flexible wing, coupled to the rotational member; wherein flexing of the wing causes significant change in the distance between at least one end of the very long airborne flexible wing and the center of the very long airborne flexible wing; and an electric generator on the ground platform, the electric generator being rotationally coupled to the rotational member.