Tether handling for airborne electricity generators

摘要

A power generation system including an airborne electricity generator, a tether assembly configured to carry electricity from the generator to land, the tether assembly having a first end portion coupled to the generator, and a winch assembly configured to reel the tether assembly onto a drum, wherein the winch assembly is configured to apply a reel tension to the tether assembly reeled onto the drum that is lower than a tension in the first end portion of the tether assembly.

主权项

1. A power generation system comprising:
an airborne electricity generator; a tether assembly configured to carry electricity between the airborne electricity generator and ground, the tether assembly including a first end portion coupled to the airborne electricity generator; and a ground-based winch assembly including a transition assembly and a drum onto which the tether assembly is reeled, wherein the transition assembly is configured to adjust a winch to maintain a reel angle at which the tether assembly is reeled onto the drum in a range between 0 and 10 degrees.