Connected kite

Abstract

To improve a space utilization rate.SOLUTION: In a connected kite, a plurality of kites are separably connected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of articulated kites. [Background technology]

[0002] This type of kite is sometimes used for wind power generation. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an aircraft equipped with a wind power generation unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-537233 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The flight attitude of a kite changes depending on at least one of the changes in wind direction and wind speed. Therefore, when flying multiple kites, it is necessary to ensure that each kite has enough space to fly without interfering with the other kites, for example, to prevent one kite from colliding with another kite or to prevent the tethers mooring one kite from getting tangled with the tethers mooring the other kites. Furthermore, to launch a kite (in other words, to launch a kite), an open area is required without any objects (e.g., buildings, trees) that could obstruct the kite's flight. As a result, the space occupied by one kite is significantly larger than the size of the kite. In other words, there is a technical problem of relatively low space utilization.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a connected kite that can improve space utilization rate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The articulated kite according to one aspect of the present invention is a set of kites that are separably connected together. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a connected kite according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of how kites are connected. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing other examples of how kites are connected. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the effects of the connected kites according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing another example of a connected kite according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of the linked kites will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In Figure 1, the linked kites 100 are formed by connecting a plurality of kites 10 separably (in other words, in a separable manner). Each of the plurality of kites 10 is moored to a mooring device 20 via a tether 30. The mooring device 20 may have a drum around which the tether 30 is wound. In this embodiment, the linked kites 100 (i.e., a plurality of kites 10) and a plurality of mooring devices 20 may form a power generation system 1. Note that the configurations of the kites 10 and the linked kites 100 shown in Figure 1 are merely examples and are not limited thereto. Note that the tether 30 may also be called a mooring line.

[0009] For example, the mooring device 20 may have a motor that rotates a drum around which the tether 30 is wound, and a generator. Note that the mooring device 20 may have a motor generator that functions as both a motor and a generator, instead of a motor and a generator. When the kite 10 (specifically, the connected kites 100) rises, the tether 30 is let out from the drum of the mooring device 20 as the kite 10 rises. The drum rotates due to the letting-out operation of the tether 30. Power may be generated by the generator rotating as the drum rotates.

[0010] When the tether 30 is unwound to a predetermined length or after a predetermined time has elapsed, the motor of the mooring device 20 rotates the drum in a direction to reel in the tether 30. As a result, the kite 10 (specifically, the linked kite 100) descends due to the reeling action of the tether 30.

[0011] In the power generation system 1, power may be generated by repeatedly letting out and reeling in the tether 30. That is, in the power generation system 1, tether-type wind power generation using the linked kites 100 may be performed.

[0012] For example, at least one kite 10 among the multiple kites 10 constituting the linked kites 100 may be equipped with a solar panel. In this case, the power generation system 1 may perform solar power generation using the solar panel equipped on at least one kite 10. Note that, if at least one mooring device 20 among the multiple mooring devices 20 has a generator, the power generation system 1 may perform solar power generation and tethered wind power generation.

[0013] Next, a method for connecting a plurality of kites 10 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Note that the connecting method described below is an example, and is not limited to this.

[0014] The first embodiment of the connecting method will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, first, kite 10#1 is hoisted. After kite 10#1 is hoisted (in other words, while kite 10#1 is flying), kite 10#2 is hoisted. At this time, tether 30#1 may function as a guide for kite 10#2. As a result, kite 10#2 rises along the tether 30#1 mooring kite 10#1. When kite 10#2 reaches the vicinity of kite 10#1, kites 10#1 and 10#2 may be connected to each other by the couplers 11 of kites 10#1 and 10#2. Note that in FIG. 2, one coupler 11 is shown for one kite 10 to avoid cluttering the drawing, but each kite 10 may have multiple couplers 11.

[0015] After the kite 10#2 is hoisted, the kite 10#3 is hoisted. At this time, the tether 30#2 may function as a guide for the kite 10#3. As a result, the kite 10#3 rises along the tether 30#2 that moors the kite 10#2. When the kite 10#3 reaches the vicinity of the kite 10#2, the kites 10#2 and 10#3 may be connected to each other by the couplers 11 of the kites 10#2 and 10#3. The timing for hoisting the kite 10#3 may be after the kite 10#2 is connected to the kite 10#1, or before the kite 10#2 is connected to the kite 10#1.

[0016] The coupler 11 may be, for example, at least one of an electromagnet, a mechanical coupling, and a hook-and-loop fastener. That is, the coupler 11 may be an electromagnetic coupling means or a mechanical coupling means. Here, the electromagnet loses its magnetic force when it is de-energized. Therefore, by de-energizing the electromagnet, two coupled kites (e.g., kites 10#1 and 10#2) can be separated. Furthermore, the mechanical coupling and the hook-and-loop fastener can be mechanically coupled and also mechanically separated. Therefore, two kites coupled by at least one of the mechanical coupling and the hook-and-loop fastener can be separated. Note that the mechanical coupling and the hook-and-loop fastener may be referred to as a reversible coupling device. Note that the coupler 11 may have the functions of both an electromagnetic coupling means and a mechanical coupling means. For example, the coupler 11 may have an electromagnet and a hook-and-loop fastener. In this case, two kites (eg, kites 10#1 and 10#2) may be connected by both electromagnets and hook-and-loop fasteners.

[0017] The second embodiment of the connecting method will be explained with reference to Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, before a plurality of kites 10#1, 10#2, 10#3, 10#4 and 10#5 are hoisted, for example, before kite 10#1 is hoisted, kite 10#1 and kite 10#2 are connected by tether 40#1, kite 10#2 and kite 10#3 are connected by tether 40#2, kite 10#3 and kite 10#4 are connected by tether 40#3, and kite 10#4 and kite 10#5 are connected by tether 40#4. Note that tethers 40#1, 40#2, 40#3 and 40#4 are different tethers from tether 30 that moor the plurality of kites 10#1, 10#2, 10#3, 10#4 and 10#5.

[0018] For example, after kite 10#1 is hoisted (in other words, while kite 10#1 is flying), kite 10#2 may be hoisted. After kite 10#2 is hoisted, kite 10#3 may be hoisted. After kite 10#3 is hoisted, kite 10#4 may be hoisted. After kite 10#4 is hoisted, kite 10#5 may be hoisted.

[0019] After the kites 10#1 and 10#2 are hoisted (in other words, while the kites 10#1 and 10#2 are flying), the tether 40#1 may be reeled in to connect the kites 10#1 and 10#2. After the kites 10#2 and 10#3 are hoisted (in other words, while the kites 10#2 and 10#3 are flying), the tether 40#2 may be reeled in to connect the kites 10#2 and 10#3. After the kites 10#3 and 10#4 are hoisted (in other words, while the kites 10#3 and 10#4 are flying), the tether 40#3 may be reeled in to connect the kites 10#3 and 10#4. After the kites 10#4 and 10#5 are hoisted (in other words, while the kites 10#4 and 10#5 are flying), the tether 40#4 may be reeled in to connect the kites 10#4 and 10#5.

[0020] In addition, the kites 10 (e.g., kites 10#1, 10#2, 10#3, 10#4, and 10#5) may be equipped with winches having drums around which the tethers 40 (e.g., tethers 40#1, 40#2, 40#3, and 40#4) are wound. For example, the tethers 40#1, 40#2, 40#3, and 40#4 may be wound by the winches.

[0021] In addition, after the kites 10 are connected to form the connected kites 100, the tethers 30 mooring some of the kites 10 may be detached from the kites 10 or the mooring device 20. In this case, the number of tethers 30 mooring the connected kites 100 may be less than the number of the kites 10 constituting the connected kites 100. In addition, the kites 10 may be equipped with not only the solar panels described above, but also cameras, sensors, etc. In other words, the kites 10 may be equipped with mounted objects.

[0022] (Technical Effects) The technical effects of the linked kites 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. When flying multiple kites independently, it is necessary to prevent the kites from colliding with each other and the tethers from getting tangled. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4(a), for example, it is necessary to ensure a space in which each kite can fly safely (see the dotted cylinder in FIG. 4(a)). As a result, the space occupied by each kite becomes significantly larger than the size of the kite itself. In contrast, in the linked kites 100, multiple kites 10 fly together, so it is possible to prevent the kites 10 constituting the linked kites 100 from colliding with each other and to suppress the occurrence of tether 30 getting tangled.

[0023] To fly a kite (in other words, to take off a kite), an open area is required that is free from any objects (e.g., buildings, trees) that may obstruct the flight of the kite. The area of ​​land required to fly a kite is directly proportional to the wing area of ​​the kite. Therefore, to fly a single kite with the same wing area as the linked kite 100, a larger area of ​​land is required than to fly the kite 10. In this embodiment, as described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, after each kite 10 is flown, the kites 10 are linked together in the air (i.e., while each kite 10 is flying). Therefore, in this embodiment, the linked kites 100 can be flown on a smaller area of ​​land than would be required to fly a single kite with the same wing area as the linked kite 100.

[0024] As a result, in this embodiment, a kite chain 100 in which multiple kites 10 are connected can be flown in a space where a single kite 10 can fly safely (see the dotted cylinder in Figure 4 (b)). In other words, the kite chain 100 according to this embodiment can improve space utilization.

[0025] (Variation) A modified example of the connected kites according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the connected kites 100a according to the modified example are formed by separably connecting a plurality of kites 10 (for example, kites 10#1 and 10#2). For example, kite 10#2 may have a membrane storage device 51 for storing a membrane body 50. A coupler 11 may be attached to one end of the membrane body 50.

[0026] For example, after the kite 10#1 and the kite 10#2 are connected by the coupler 11, the membrane body 50 may be pulled out from the membrane storage device 51 due to the wind force that each of the kites 10#1 and 10#2 receives. Alternatively, after the kite 10#1 and the kite 10#2 are connected by the coupler 11, the membrane body 50 may be deployed by being sent out from the membrane storage device 51 by the motor that the membrane storage device 51 has.

[0027] According to the modified kite link 100a, the wing area of ​​the kite link 100a can be increased.

[0028] Aspects of the invention derived from the above-described embodiment and modifications will be described below.

[0029] A connected kite according to one aspect of the invention is a kite set in which a plurality of kites are connected in a separable manner. Two or more of the kites may be moored to a mooring device. At least one of the kites may be equipped with an on-board device. Examples of the on-board device include the above-mentioned solar panels, cameras, and sensors. At least some of the kites may be mechanically connected. At least some of the kites may be electromagnetically connected.

[0030] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not contradict the gist or idea of ​​the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and connected kites with such modifications also fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1...power generation system, 10...kite, 20...mooring device, 30, 40...tether, 100, 100a...connected kite

Claims

1. Multiple kites are separably connected A linked kite characterized by:

2. Two or more of the kites are moored to a mooring device.

2. The articulated kite of claim 1.

3. At least one kite of the plurality of kites is equipped with a payload.

2. The articulated kite of claim 1.

4. At least some of the kites are mechanically linked 2. The articulated kite of claim 1.

5. At least some of the kites are electromagnetically coupled 2. The articulated kite of claim 1.

Images