Tandem airfoil launch system

Abstract

A system for deploying a tethered kite array is described herein, such that individual kites can be deployed and retracted as required. This is intended to enable very large kites and larger arrays to be operated, enabling wind power to be configured on an unprecedented scale. The system is particularly suitable for use in offshore propulsion vessels. The system uses a secondary kite to lift the primary tether into the air, from which a primary array structure is established into which load kites can be added using controllable taxiing devices to provide the primary source of aerodynamic power. Load kites can be deployed in any desired configuration, and individually retracted without retracting the entire array.

Description

Invention Field

[0001] The application of wind power in ship propulsion has seen some innovations in recent years. In particular, tethered fins, sometimes commonly referred to as kites, have replaced conventional canvas in many designs; this article discusses techniques designed for the controlled deployment of such tethered fins in arrays as needed and when required. Background of the Invention

[0003] The application of tethered winglets for propulsion has been proven in various forms, from kitesurfing to auxiliary propulsion systems for merchant ships or private yachts. However, the power capacity of tethered winglet systems is limited by the actual deployable wing area, especially in the latter application. In kitesurfing, the available power is often more than sufficient; however, for the propulsion of large vessels with greater drag, more power is required. The physical size of extremely large winglets makes operation difficult, but using multiple winglets in parallel poses a serious risk of entanglement, which could lead to an emergency.

[0004] One solution is to deploy the winglets in a connected array, arranging them in series rather than in parallel. This makes it less likely for the winglets and their tethers to become entangled, as they are less capable of moving independently. The challenge with this approach is that launching and recovering pre-connected or pre-arranged arrays requires operating multiple winglets simultaneously, and either launching the entire array as a whole, or fixing certain intermediate sections of the array to a base if only a subset of winglets needs to be launched. Launching and recovering can be challenging in these cases. The system is also limited by the inflexibility of the array configuration; the winglets are pre-installed in a specific order, and neither the order nor the distribution and spacing of the wing surfaces can be changed.

[0005] Various forms of tandem or branched wing arrays have been proposed in the prior art, but none solves the problem of in-flight reconfiguration. In proposed branched arrays, roll-up and deployment systems have been described, allowing for effective alteration of the array's properties by arbitrarily opening and closing specific winglets; however, this does not equate to truly flexible reconfiguration, and branched arrays remain prone to tangling. In the case of tandem arrays, methods for changing the array's configuration when it is no longer in use without fundamentally altering it are not described. Nor are any methods for changing the position or spacing of the winglets relative to each other described. Furthermore, and importantly, no method is described for retracting the winglets from a tandem array without retracting the entire array. This is unsatisfactory because, in the case of arrays with a large total wing area, a significant power supply is required to do so, even with the winglets adjusted to the minimum feasible lift coefficient. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention proposes an improvement to the application of airfoils for propulsion by providing a means of adding and removing airfoils from the main structure of the array by independently deploying and retracting airfoils as part of a tandem array.

[0007] The basic principle of this system is to first launch an "auxiliary wing" or kite, or a combination thereof, to establish this main structure by pulling one or more "main tethers" into the air and taut them by the reaction force of a base directly or indirectly connected to the main tethers. These main tethers then allow for the controlled launch of potentially larger and more powerful "load wings," used for guiding, traction, securing, reaction, or restraint, or for any or all of these purposes. This is achieved using a gliding device that can travel along those main tethers to the desired location and can be used to attach the load wings to the main tethers.

[0008] In this paper, the following definitions shall be used:

[0009] - "Tethered wing" should be considered as a wing whose physical restraint depends on a tether, which may have one or more tethers;

[0010] - "Tether" should be considered as any flexible tension support element;

[0011] - "Serial array" should be considered as an arrangement of some airfoils fixed at intervals, in a regular or other manner along a common element, such as a tether or a set of tethers;

[0012] - "Main tether" should be considered as a tether that is connected to at least one auxiliary wing and directly or indirectly connected to the base, such that the tether can apply tension to the base;

[0013] - "Auxiliary wing" should be considered as a wing used to pull a main tether or a group of main tethers into the air and tighten them by the reaction force of the base directly or indirectly connected to it;

[0014] - "Load-bearing airfoil" should be considered as an airfoil that can be directly or indirectly connected to the main tether so that it, rather than an auxiliary airfoil, can transmit force to the main tether;

[0015] - "Glide device" should be considered as a device that travels along the main tether and is directly or indirectly connected to the load-bearing wing;

[0016] Preferably, the gliding device is connected to the main tether as part of the launch process and can be disconnected when not in use. Alternatively, the gliding device may also be located on the main tether so that the load fins can be connected to the gliding device before launch. The load fins may be connected to the gliding device directly or indirectly. When the gliding device is connected to the main tether, the radial movement of the gliding device relative to those main tethers is restricted.

[0017] The gliding device can deploy the load wing in several ways: by dragging the wing as the gliding device moves outward along the main tether; by dragging the wing from above toward the gliding device; by securing the wing from below when it deploys automatically using lift generated by the incident airflow or when it is towed away by a separate launching kite; or by using the gliding device and the main tether for guidance, traction, fixation, reaction, or tethering, or any other method for any or all of these purposes. The load wing can be attached to one or more gliding devices on any given main tether. Two are preferred, one for launching and one for tethering, but more may be required, for example, the total power of several may be needed.

[0018] The system includes devices for moving the gliding device outward along the main tether, devices for stopping the gliding device at a desired position, and devices for moving the gliding device inward. These functions can be achieved through various methods, such as direct engagement between the gliding device and the main tether, allowing them to utilize their own power for traction, actuation, braking, etc.; external devices, such as separate auxiliary tethers, or independent components, such as wind-powered gliding device propulsion systems or thrust sources. The gliding device may have local power for control, communication, and possible propulsion, or it may be powered from an operating base or other locations.

[0019] Once the load wing has been deployed on the array, it can be secured and restrained in its array position directly by a gliding device or by a separate attachment device, which is then driven to secure the load wing to the main tether. The latter option allows the gliding device to be released to travel elsewhere along the main tether. Regardless of the method used, the restraint position can be set at a predetermined point, provided by pre-installed anchor points on the main tether, or can be continuously varied along the available length of the main tether, for example, by clamping directly onto the tether. Continuously variable positioning is preferred because it adds more versatility to the array and allows for components not attached to the main tether, making the tethers stronger and easier to handle.

[0020] Such a system allows for the free selection of the size and type of airfoils added to the array at any given time, the free choice of the order in which the airfoils are added, and the free choice of the airfoil positions within the array structure, i.e., the interval between one airfoil and the next. This level of flexibility allows operators to purposefully configure the array, whether to meet current conditions or urgent operational intentions, without ceasing operation. The system also allows for the retraction of loaded airfoils without requiring the simultaneous retraction of the entire array, which is crucial for minimizing the operational power requirements of large, powerful arrays.

[0021] It can be observed that although this specification describes a system for winglets and kites, it is equally applicable to hydrofoils used in water, and can also be interpreted as the working medium being water rather than air, and the winglets being deployable below, on, or above the horizontal plane.

[0022] Communication within the system described herein is preferably achieved using radio frequency methods, such as digital UHF communication, but wiring, optical, acoustic, or other methods may also be used.

[0023] The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, and can be specifically described as follows:

[0024] Brief description of the attached figures

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the key components of the system is provided.

[0026] Figure 2a and Figure 2b A preferred embodiment of the system is shown, wherein the gliding device is self-propelled.

[0027] Figure 3 The preferred development of the system is shown, in which the gliding device acts as a carrier for a separate attachment device that secures the load-bearing airfoil to the main tether.

[0028] Figure 4a and Figure 4b A non-preferred embodiment is shown, wherein the gliding device can move freely along the main tether, but is restrained and / or controlled by the auxiliary tether.

[0029] Figure 5 A non-preferred embodiment is shown, in which the gliding device is propelled by a dedicated “special kite” that can be controlled to utilize the incident airflow to pull the gliding device together.

[0030] Figure 6a , Figure 6b and Figure 6c The diagram illustrates various methods of deploying the load-bearing wing using a gliding mechanism, including towing, dragging, and rapid deployment. Invention Details

[0032] exist Figure 1The diagram shows a schematic representation of the system. The auxiliary wing 100 holds the main tether 101 in the air, taut by the reaction force of the base 102. Two main tethers are shown, which is preferred, but any number is possible. Although only one auxiliary wing is shown, multiple auxiliary winglets may be present. The main tether 101 can be secured to the base 102 using a winch 103 and / or other restraining devices. The load wing 200 is secured to the main tether 101 using a load tether 201 and a gliding device 300, through which the tension of the load wing 200 is directly or indirectly transmitted to the main tether, and thus to the base. For simplicity, four load tethers are shown for each wing here, but any number of load tethers are possible, and the arrangement can resemble a subdivided rope system used for paragliding or kitesurfing.

[0033] Preferably, the system utilizes a self-propelled sliding device that engages with the main tether and moves along it to the desired position. For example... Figure 2a As shown, the load wing 200 is connected to these self-propelled taxiing devices 301 via a load tether 201, enabling the taxiing devices to pull the load wing for flight and to restrain the load wing relative to the main tether 101. This ensures that once the load wing opens into the airflow, the lift generated by the load wing is transferred to the main tether. The system can utilize separate upper and lower taxiing devices, where the upper taxiing device 301a pulls the wing for flight using the load tether 201a, and the lower taxiing device 301b restrains the wing relative to the main tether using the load tether 201b. The self-propelled taxiing devices can use various drive systems that utilize the main tether 101 for traction, such as... Figure 2b The illustrated serpentine winch 302 is preferred; a spiral winch; and an opposing drive wheel or reciprocating "moving" clamping drive mechanism for clamping the tether. Alternatively, the gliding device can be propelled by aerodynamics or thrust, such as using a rocket, jet, fan, or propeller. In variations of the self-propelled implementation, the gliding device can be pushed, pulled, or moved by another gliding device.

[0034] In some cases, not every main tie rope requires an upper glide device. For example, if there are four main tie ropes, an upper glide device may only be used on two of them. More than one upper glide device and / or lower glide device may also exist on a single main tie rope, for example, if several are required for total power.

[0035] Figure 3A preferred development of the system is illustrated, wherein the gliding device 300 moves the attachment device 400 to a desired position on the main tether 101, where the attachment device secures itself to the main tether 101, and the gliding device releases the attachment device. The load wing 200 is connected to the attachment device 400 via a load tether 201, where several load tethers may exist, thus the load wing 200 is secured to the main tether 101 by the load tethers until the gliding device 300 later returns to retrieve the load wing. In this case, the gliding device is preferably self-propelled as described above, but alternative propulsion methods are still possible.

[0036] The attachment device 400 may be powered by an operating base station or from elsewhere, such as via cable, or preferably, may have its own local power source. Power is necessary for control, for example, by manipulating the load tether 201 to drive changes in the shape or attitude of the load wing, and also for communication and command reception, as well as for performing other necessary functions, such as data collection, computation, and illumination. The local energy reserve may be sufficient during operation, or it may be supplemented by a gliding device or a similar device, which may be referred to as a “shuttle,” capable of advancing along the main tether to reach the attachment device and recharge, refuel, or re-energize it. In this case, the gliding device and the shuttle may also have their own power source and energy reserves, or power may be supplied from elsewhere.

[0037] In embodiments that do not employ attachment devices and rely on gliding devices to tether the load wing relative to the main tether, the gliding device can perform all the functions described herein that belong to attachment device 400, and can be powered in the same manner as those devices described, including by other gliding devices or by a shuttle to supplement its energy reserves.

[0038] An alternative to replenishing the energy reserves of the attachment device during its use is to replace the discharged attachment device 400 with a replacement part. The discharged device then returns to the operating base or a remote power source for refueling, charging, or recharging. This principle can also be applied to some sub-components of the attachment device, such as removable batteries or fuel tanks, or some form of modular power unit. Figure 4aAs can be seen in the non-preferred embodiment, the simple gliding device 310b is controlled by a separate auxiliary tether 311. These tethers are used to secure the gliding device 301b when the load wing 200 is launched. The load wing can be launched into the airflow under its own lifting power or pulled by the launch kite 202; alternatively, the load wing can be pulled into the air by the upper gliding device 310a pulled into the air by the hoisting tether 312. The hoisting tethers can be pulled up by the upper mechanism or rotated back to the operating base by the upper pulley 313 and pulled in from there. The biggest disadvantage of the hoisting tether system is that as more and more load wings are launched, the number of tethers running in parallel in the air increases significantly, greatly increasing the risk of entanglement, twisting, and friction. Figure 4b As shown, using wind-powered launch and employing only the tethered auxiliary tether 311 and a single gliding device 310, these risks can be mitigated by utilizing a clamping mechanism that secures the gliding device 310 to the main tether 101. This allows the auxiliary tether 311 to slack, with its lower end connected to the gliding device of the next loaded wing, forming a slack loop between the winglets during launch, instead of allowing numerous parallel-introduced auxiliary tethers to return to the operating base. However, this does not completely eliminate the risks; problems can also arise if the slack loop hangs in a light breeze.

[0039] Figure 5 A wind-powered gliding device 320 is shown, maneuvered by controlling the airflow on a "dedicated kite" 321 that propels the gliding device. Again, this is not the preferred embodiment of the system due to the risk of entanglement, but it is a novel and potentially useful method for propelling the gliding device because the power input required for operation is very small, with most of the traction coming from the wind flowing over the dedicated kite. Some form of clamping mechanism or brake is needed here to secure the gliding device 320 to the desired position along the main tether 101.

[0040] Figure 6a , Figure 6b and Figure 6c Several different methods of launching, positioning, and securing the wing are illustrated using a gliding device. These methods include, when the wing is launched, preferably rapidly lowered along the main tether at a controlled speed, and finally stops at the desired location, methods such as... Figure 6a The drag and drop shown, such as Figure 6b As shown, drag from high position, and as... Figure 6c The example shown is a harness from below. A variation could be that the gliding device stops at a desired position on the main tether via a mechanism or remote command, which engages with an accessory or mechanical device at a predetermined point on the main tether, or clamps onto the main tether after a measured time or distance.

Claims

1. A system for deploying multiple tethered winglets to form a tandem array, wherein: "Tethered wing" refers to a wing whose physical restraint depends on a tether, and there may be one or more tethers. "Tether" refers to any flexible tension support element; "Track array" refers to an arrangement of airfoils fixed at intervals along a common element. And the system includes: A main tether or a group of main tethers, wherein a "main tether" is a tether that is connected to at least one auxiliary wing and directly or indirectly to the base, such that the tether can apply tension to the base; At least one auxiliary wing, wherein "auxiliary wing" refers to a wing used to pull a main tether or a group of main tethers into the air and tighten them by the reaction force of a base directly or indirectly connected to them; One or more other "load-bearing wing", wherein a "load-bearing wing" is a wing that can be connected to the main tether so that it, rather than an auxiliary wing, can transmit force to the main tether. And it is characterized by: The system includes a gliding device, wherein "gliding device" refers to a device that travels along the main tether and is directly or indirectly connected to the load-bearing airfoil. The system includes a device for connecting the load-bearing airfoil and the gliding device; The load-bearing wing is added to the array by using a gliding device to connect the load-bearing wing to the main tether or the set of main tethers, so that the wing can be raised into the air by means of the main tether or the set of main tethers, which are used for guiding, traction, fixing, reaction or restraint. The connection between the gliding device and the main tether restricts the radial movement of the gliding device relative to the main tether. The system includes means for propelling the gliding device outward along the main tether; The system includes a device for stopping the gliding device at a desired location; The system includes means for causing the sliding device to move inward; The system includes a device for transmitting tension from the load-bearing wing to the main tether; and The connection between the load airfoil and the array is temporary, allowing the load airfoil to be disconnected from the array.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load-bearing wing can be recovered from the air independently without needing to recover the other wings in the array.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load-bearing airfoils can be added to the array in any desired order, allowing for selection of airfoil size or type.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load-bearing airfoil can be fixed at a predetermined position on the main tether.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load-bearing airfoil can be fixed at any position along the length of the main tether.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gliding device can be connected to the main tether and can be disconnected from the main tether.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system includes a mechanism for decelerating, stopping, or driving the gliding device to move along the tether.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gliding device drags the load-bearing airfoil into the air.

9. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gliding device moves outward along the main tether to a position, and from that position, the gliding device pulls the load-bearing wing into the air.

10. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gliding device restrains the load-bearing wing when it is launched into the air under its own power or pulled by a kite, rapidly released along the main tether, and stopped at the desired location.

11. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gliding device is partially or entirely self-propelled.

12. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gliding device is partially or entirely propelled by a drive mechanism that uses the main tether for traction.

13. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load-bearing wing is partially or entirely launched, positioned, or retrieved using two or more gliding devices on at least one main tether.

14. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The load-bearing airfoil is secured to the main tether by an attachment device separate from the gliding device.

15. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that, The attachment device and / or the gliding device have local power sources, which are used to perform propulsion, wing control, internal control, communication, data collection, computing, and lighting.

16. The system according to claim 15, characterized in that, The local energy source is appropriately supplemented, refueled, charged, recharged, or replaced by other devices that are capable of traveling along the main tether and have their own local energy source.

Images