Kite configuration and flight strategy for flight in high wind speeds

摘要

A crosswind kite system adapted to operate in an alternate mode in high winds. The system may operate at reduced efficiency in high winds in order to moderate loading on the system during those high winds. The system may use multi-element airfoils which are actuated to reduce the coefficient of lift of the airfoils in order to moderate loading in high wind conditions. Other flight aspects may be controlled, including flying the crosswind kite in side slip to induce drag which may lower loading on the system.

主权项

1. An airborne tethered flight system adapted for flight in high winds, said system comprising:
a base unit; a tether, said tether attached to said base unit on a first end, said tether attached to a kite on a second end; wherein said kite comprises: a main wing; a tail wing, and a tail boom attached to said main wing on a first end, said tail boom coupled to said tail wing on a second end; a rudder, said rudder coupled to said tail boom; and a plurality of vertical pylons attached to the main wing, said pylons comprising vertical airfoils adapted to provide lift in a direction substantially perpendicular to lift generated by said main wing, turbine driven generators mounted on said vertical airfoils; wherein the vertical airfoils include rudders to control an angle of attack of the vertical airfoils.