Guide device for taking-off and landing of kite

Abstract

To guide a kite and a tether so as to enable smooth landing, storage, and taking-off of the kite in a floating side unit that constitutes a system utilizing the kite.SOLUTION: A guide device (1) for taking-off and landing is disposed in a floating side unit (100) having a winch (5) for unwinding / winding a tether (102) and a sail (11). The guide device for taking-off and landing comprises: a position defining part (2) that defines a position for unwinding / winding the tether at a location where the tether and the kite (101) do not interfere with the sail; and a taking-off / landing guide part (3a, 3b) that is capable of fixing the kite when the tether is wound and that guides the kite and the tether during unwinding / winding of the tether.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a takeoff and landing guide device that guides kites and tethers in floating units that constitute various systems, such as tethered wind power generation systems, observation systems, transportation systems, and communication systems, in which kites are launched from floating units such as yachts, to ensure smooth landing or retrieval, storage or fixation, or takeoff of the kites. [Background technology]

[0002] As this type of floating unit or offshore unit, various types of ships with sails that raise kites from the stern have been proposed (see Patent Document 1). According to these technologies, it is expected that the kite can be taken off and landed by raising it rearward from the ship behind the sail in the same way as it is raised on land. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-151113 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, according to the above-mentioned background art, there is a technical problem that when, for example, a kite needs to be temporarily evacuated or made to make an emergency landing in the event of strong winds or windbreaks, it is extremely difficult to land or take off the kite while controlling its position, trajectory, and even its attitude in the air so that the kite or tether, which is moving wildly in the air, does not get tangled or hit the sail, etc.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a guide device for kite takeoff and landing that guides kites and tethers so that kites can be smoothly landed or retrieved, stored or secured, or taken off in a floating unit such as a yacht that constitutes a system that utilizes various types of kites. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the kite takeoff and landing guide device of the present invention is a kite takeoff and landing guide device that is placed on a floating body unit having a winch and sail for letting out / reeling in a tether to which a kite is attached, and is equipped with a position determination section that determines the position for letting out / reeling in the tether so that the tether and the kite do not interfere with at least the sail of the floating body unit, and a takeoff and landing guide section that has an abutment section and, when the tether is wound up by the winch, the abutment section abuts against the kite due to the tension received from the winch through the tether, thereby fixing the kite, and that guides the kite and the tether so that the tether passes through the space beside or between the abutment section when letting out / reeling in the tether via the position determination section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, when landing a kite, even if the tether is wound up at high speed by a winch, the tether and kite do not get tangled or collide with the sail. After landing, the kite is fixed on the floating body unit by abutting the abutment part with the tether in a taut state. Furthermore, the next takeoff can be performed relatively easily because the kite can be raised with the predetermined posture fixed to the takeoff and landing guide device as the initial state.

[0008] Such effects of the present invention will become more apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing the overall configuration of a kite takeoff and landing guide device provided on a floating body unit according to the first embodiment, together with its main parts. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view showing the overall configuration of a kite takeoff and landing guide device provided on a floating body unit according to a second embodiment, together with its main parts. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a kite takeoff and landing guide device according to a second embodiment, together with the kite and the tether. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] First, a guide device for kite takeoff and landing provided on a floating body unit according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, a floating body unit or an offshore unit such as a yacht, together with a kite unit including a kite to be launched from the floating body unit, constitutes a tethered wind power generation system.

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the floating body unit 100 according to this embodiment includes a guide device 1 for takeoff and landing of a kite 101, a winch 5, a mast 10, a sail 11, and hulls 12a and 12b.

[0012] The winch 5 is configured to wind up or unwind a tether 102, which has a kite 101 attached to its tip, at its base via the takeoff and landing guide device 1. The mast 10 and sail 11 are configured to enable the floating body unit 100 to sail as a yacht. The hulls 12a and 12b are used to float the floating body unit 100 on the water by their buoyancy, and may also serve as ballast by adjusting the amount of water stored inside. In this way, the floating body unit 100 is constructed as a catamaran with excellent sailing performance and stability.

[0013] The takeoff and landing guide device 1 comprises a movable pulley 2 which constitutes an example of a "position determination section", a pair of arms 3a and 3b which constitute an example of a "takeoff and landing guide section", and a guide rail 4 which constitutes an example of a "moving guide section".

[0014] The movable pulley 2 determines the position for letting out / retracting the tether 102 at a position where the tether 102 and kite 101 do not interfere with the mast 10 and sail 11 of the floating body unit or other parts or structures mounted on the floating body unit 100. The movable pulley 2 is configured so that the letting out / retracting of the tether 102 is performed by the rotational drive of the winch 5 via the movable pulley 2 at this position.

[0015] Each of the pair of arms 3a and 3b has an abutment surface (a surface facing diagonally upwards in FIG. 1) and is configured so that when the tether 102 is wound by the winch 5 in order to land the kite 101 in an emergency or in normal times, for example, at the end of wind power generation, the abutment surface abuts against the kite 101 by the tension received from the winch 5 through the tether 102, thereby fixing the kite 101. On the other hand, the pair of arms 3a and 3b are configured so that the tether 102 passes between the pair of arms 3a and 3b when the tether 102 is let out / reeled in via the movable pulley 2 in order to take off the kite 101 for starting wind power generation or to change the length of the tether 102 for wind power generation, for example.

[0016] The guide rail 4 has a circular track laid along the outer periphery of the movable range of the sail 11, the movable pulley 2 is attached so as to be movable along the guide rail 4, and the pair of arms 3a and 3b are each attached so as to be movable integrally with the movable pulley 2 along the guide rail 4 (see Figure 2). The pair of arms 3a and 3b and the movable pulley 2 can move smoothly around the outer periphery of the interference area related to the sail by rolling and sliding along the guide rail 4.

[0017] The pair of arms 3a and 3b and the movable pulley 2 are fixed to each other and configured to be movable on the guide rail 4 in accordance with the direction of the kite 101 while the kite 101 is flying. However, the pair of arms 3a and 3b and the movable pulley 2 may be configured to be movable separately without being fixed to each other. Alternatively, the pair of arms 3a and 3b and the movable pulley 2 may be configured to be actively movable on the guide rail 4 by a driving device such as an actuator or a motor in accordance with the direction of the kite 101.

[0018] The kites 101 may be configured so that their area is reduced when they are retrieved or stored in the floating unit 100, which preferably reduces the air resistance caused by the kites 101 when the floating unit 100 is sailing or anchored. For this purpose, existing technologies such as a foldable or inflatable structure may be adopted for the kites 101.

[0019] Furthermore, when storing the kite 101, it is desirable to lock the kite 101 mechanically or electromagnetically while applying tension to the tether 102, thereby preventing the kite 101 from being blown around by the wind when the floating unit 100 is sailing or moored.

[0020] Since the first embodiment is configured as described above in detail, when letting out / reeling in the tether 102, even if the kite 101 and the tether 102 move around in various directions near the sail 11 depending on the flight state of the kite 101, the wind direction and wind speed at high and low altitudes, etc., the tether 102 is passed between the pair of arms 3a and 3b, and the position of letting out / reeling in the tether 102 is determined by the movable pulley 2 while the tether 102 is guided. As a result, the kite 101 and the tether 102 do not interfere with the sail 11 of the floating body unit 100, etc.

[0021] Therefore, when landing the kite 101, even if the tether 102 is wound up at a relatively high speed by the winch 5, the tether 102 and the kite 101 will not get tangled or hit the sail 11, and a quick landing or an emergency landing can be performed. Furthermore, after landing or retrieving the kite 101, the kite 101 will be fixed in a stable predetermined position on the floating body unit 100 by abutting the abutment surfaces of the pair of arms 3a and 3b with the tether 102 in a taut state. This will make it even more convenient when the kite 101 takes off next time.

[0022] Next, a kite takeoff and landing guide device provided on a floating body unit according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. In this embodiment, a floating body unit such as a yacht, together with a kite unit including a kite to be launched from the floating body unit, constitutes a tethered wind power generation system. In Figures 3 and 4, the same components as those in the first embodiment described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the floating body unit 200 according to this embodiment includes a guide device 21 for takeoff and landing of the kite 101, a winch 5, a mast 10 and a sail 11, hulls 12a and 12b, and a drive device 25.

[0024] The takeoff and landing guide device 21 includes a movable pulley 2, a pair of arms 23a and 23b that constitute another example of the "takeoff and landing guide section", and a guide rail 4.

[0025] Each of the pair of arms 23a and 23b has an abutment surface (a surface facing diagonally upward and to the right in FIG. 4), and is configured so that when the tether 102 is wound by the winch 5 to land the kite 101, the abutment surface abuts against the kite by the tension received from the winch 5 through the tether 102, thereby fixing the kite 101. On the other hand, the pair of arms 23a and 23b are configured so that when the tether 102 / 1 is reeled in / out via the movable pulley 2 to take off the kite 101, the tether 102 passes between the pair of arms 23a and 23b.

[0026] The take-off and landing guide device 1 is preferably configured so that when the kites 101 land or before take-off, they are positioned for take-off and landing (in other words, in a position or attitude suitable for landing, take-off, or both) as shown by the dashed lines in Figure 4. This significantly enhances the function of the take-off and landing guide device 1 as a kite take-off and landing platform.

[0027] Particularly in this embodiment, the pair of arms 23a and 23b are configured to partially surround the sides and above the mast 10 and the sail 11, respectively. That is, the pair of arms 23a and 23b according to the second embodiment have a linear portion that forms the abutment surface extending diagonally upward (diagonally upward to the left in FIG. 4) longer than the pair of arms 3a and 3b according to the first embodiment, and also have a linear portion that extends horizontally above the sail 11. With this configuration, the takeoff and landing guide device 21 can protect the sail 11 from the tether 102, kites 101, and any other flying objects that may fly towards it from the sides or above.

[0028] Furthermore, particularly in this embodiment, the takeoff and landing guide device 21 includes a drive device 25 that constitutes an example of a "drive unit." The drive device 25 is configured to actively move the movable pulley 2 and the pair of arms 23a and 23b along the guide rail 4 to a desired orientation or angle. More specifically, the drive device 25 is configured to include, for example, an electric, electromagnetic, mechanical, or other actuator or motor.

[0029] Since the second embodiment is configured as described in detail above, the takeoff and landing guide device 21 can prevent the kites 101 and tethers 102 from interfering with the sail 11, etc., and can also protect the sail 11.

[0030] Additional notes The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiment.

[0031] [Appendix 1] The kite takeoff and landing guide device described in Appendix 1 of the present invention is a kite takeoff and landing guide device that is arranged on a floating body unit having a winch and sail for letting out / reeling in a tether to which a kite is attached, and is equipped with a position determination part that determines the position for letting out / reeling in of the tether so that the tether and the kite do not interfere with at least the sail of the floating body unit, and a takeoff and landing guide part that has an abutment part and, when the tether is wound up by the winch, the abutment part abuts against the kite by the tension received from the winch through the tether, thereby fixing the kite, and that guides the kite and the tether so that the tether passes through the space beside or between the abutment part when letting out / reeling in the tether via the position determination part.

[0032] According to the takeoff and landing guide device described in Appendix 1, when the tether is being let out / reeled in, even if the kite and tether move around in various directions near the sail or the kite moves wildly depending on the kite's flight state, wind direction and speed at high and low altitudes, the tether passes through the space beside or between the abutment parts, such as a pair of arms, of the takeoff and landing guide unit, and the position of the tether being let out / reeled in is determined by a position determining part, such as a "pulley," while the tether is guided. As a result, the kite and tether do not interfere with at least the sail of the floating body unit. Furthermore, they may be configured not to interfere with parts or structures other than the sail of the floating body unit.

[0033] Therefore, even if the tether is reeled in relatively quickly with a winch when landing the kite, the tether and kite will not get tangled or hit the sail, allowing for a quick landing or emergency landing, which is extremely advantageous in practical use. Furthermore, after landing or retrieving the kite, the kite is fixed in a stable position on the floating body unit by abutting the abutment part with the tether in a taut state. This position is not only suitable for landing or fixing, but also for takeoff, which makes it even more convenient for the next kite takeoff. As a result, the kite can be prevented from being swayed by wind or waves on the floating body unit during movement or waiting, and furthermore, the kite can be smoothly taken off and landed.

[0034] The floating body unit equipped with the guide device for takeoff and landing may be used together with the kite unit to form a tethered wind power generation system. In this case, the winch can function not only for reeling in and out the kite and for fixing the kite, but also as a motor generator for wind power generation, which is very advantageous from the viewpoint of reducing the number of parts and simplifying the device configuration.

[0035] [Appendix 2] The kite takeoff and landing guide device described in Appendix 2 of the present invention is a kite takeoff and landing guide device described in Appendix 1, characterized in that the takeoff and landing guide section has a pair of arms provided on both sides of the position determination section as the abutment section, and by abutting with the pair of arms, the kite is held in a predetermined position for takeoff and landing when the tether is reeled in, and when the tether is reeled in / out, the tether is passed between the pair of arms to guide the kite and the tether.

[0036] According to the takeoff and landing guide device of the present invention described in Appendix 2, the tether is passed between a pair of arms, and the position of the tether for letting out / retrieving is determined by the position determining unit at the position sandwiched between the pair of arms. Therefore, a quick landing or emergency landing can be performed without the tether or kite getting tangled or colliding with the sail or parts other than the sail. Furthermore, after the kite lands or is retrieved, the kite is stably fixed in a predetermined position on the floating body unit by abutting the abutment surfaces of the pair of arms with the tether in a taut state.

[0037] [Appendix 3] The kite takeoff and landing guide device described in Appendix 3 of the present invention is a kite takeoff and landing guide device described in Appendix 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises a movable guide section that movably holds the position determining section and the takeoff and landing guide section along the outer periphery of an interference area in which the sail may be present as the sail rotates when viewed in a plane.

[0038] According to the takeoff and landing guide device of the present invention described in Appendix 3, by making the position determining unit and the takeoff and landing guide unit movable or rotatable around the periphery of the interference area, interference between the tether or the kite and the sail can be more reliably prevented even if the kite moves wildly around the sail. In particular, due to the existence of the movable guide unit, the position determining unit and the takeoff and landing guide unit can be moved or rotated along the periphery of the sail's interference area by the mainly horizontal component of the tension received from the kite via the tether. For example, even if the wind direction changes and the kite moves north, south, east, and west in the sky, the position determining unit and the takeoff and landing guide unit can be passively moved by the movable guide unit, being pulled by the kite via the tether.

[0039] Even if such a moving guide unit is not provided, i.e., even if the position determining unit and the takeoff and landing guide unit are fixed to the floating body unit, the effect of ensuring smooth takeoff and landing in the takeoff and landing guide device described in Supplementary Note 1 above can be adequately achieved. For example, by changing the orientation of the floating body unit itself (e.g., the orientation of the bow), it is also possible to change the orientation of the position determining unit and the takeoff and landing guide unit mounted on the floating body unit.

[0040] [Appendix 4] The kite takeoff and landing guide device described in Appendix 4 of the present invention is a kite takeoff and landing guide device described in Appendix 3, characterized in that the movable guide section has a guide rail with a circular track laid along the outer periphery, the position determining section has a movable pulley attached so as to be movable along the guide rail, and the takeoff and landing guide section is attached so as to be movable integrally with the position determining section along the guide rail.

[0041] With this configuration, the movable pulley, which is an example of a position determination part, can move smoothly around the outer periphery of the interference area together with the takeoff and landing guide part by rolling and sliding on the guide rail, which is an example of a movable guide part.

[0042] In addition, instead of such a guide rail, the movable pulley may be able to move smoothly around the outer periphery of the interference area by movement using a guide arm that rotates in a horizontal plane, which constitutes an example of a movable guide section.

[0043] Alternatively, the position determining portion and the takeoff and landing guide portion may be integrated or configured as one piece, and the takeoff and landing guide portion may be, for example, a pair of frames or frame arms with the tether passed between them, and the position determining portion may be configured to include, instead of a pulley, a rotating surface or sliding surface that is provided to allow the tether to pass smoothly through the inner surface that faces (i.e., is in contact with or is about to come into contact with) the side of the tether in the takeoff and landing guide portion.

[0044] [Appendix 5] The kite takeoff and landing guide device described in Appendix 5 of the present invention is a kite takeoff and landing guide device described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 4, characterized in that the takeoff and landing guide section has a shape that partially surrounds the sail from the sides and above.

[0045] According to the takeoff and landing guide device of the present invention described in Appendix 5, the takeoff and landing guide portion having the function of a takeoff and landing guide partially surrounds or encloses the sail from the side and above, thereby protecting the sail from tethers, kites, and any flying objects that may fly in from the side or above.

[0046] [Appendix 6] The kite takeoff and landing guide device described in Appendix 6 of the present invention is a kite takeoff and landing guide device described in Appendix 3 or 4, characterized in that it further comprises a drive unit that actively moves the position determination unit and the takeoff and landing guide unit along the guide rail.

[0047] With this configuration, even if the wind direction changes and the kite moves north, south, east, west in the sky, the position determining unit and the takeoff and landing guide unit can be actively moved along the guide rail to the desired direction. Note that even in this case, the movable pulley and the takeoff and landing guide unit may be made to move in a circular motion by movement of a guide arm that constitutes an example of a movable guide unit instead of such a guide rail.

[0048] [Appendix 7] The floating body unit according to the present invention as described in Supplementary Note 7 includes the guide device for takeoff and landing as described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6.

[0049] According to the floating body unit of the present invention described in Appendix 7, the takeoff and landing guide device described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 6 above makes it possible to perform a quick landing or emergency landing when landing the kite without the tether or kite getting tangled or colliding with the sail, thereby enabling smooth takeoff and landing of the kite.

[0050] The present invention 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 kite takeoff and landing guide devices or floating body units equipped with such modifications are also included in the technical idea of ​​the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] Takeoff and landing guide device...1, 21 Movable pulley (an example of a positioning part)...2 Arm (an example of a guide unit for takeoff and landing)...3a, 3b, 23a, 23b Guide rail (an example of a moving guide)...4 Winch...5 Hal...12a, 12b Floating unit: 100, 200 Must: 10 Sail...11 Drive unit...25 Kite...101 Tether...102

Claims

1. A guide device for take-off and landing of a kite, which is arranged on a floating body unit having a winch and a sail for letting out / retrieving a tether to which a kite is attached, a position determining unit that determines the position at which the tether is let out / put in so that the tether and the kite do not interfere with at least the sail of the floating body unit; A take-off and landing guide section has an abutment section, and when the tether is wound by the winch, the abutment section abuts against the kite by the tension received from the winch through the tether, thereby fixing the kite. When the tether is let out / reeled in via the position determining section, the take-off and landing guide section guides the kite and the tether so that the tether passes through the space beside or between the abutment section. A kite takeoff and landing guide device comprising:

2. The takeoff and landing guide section includes: The abutment portion has a pair of arms provided on both sides of the position determining portion, By abutting the pair of arms, when the tether is reeled in, the kite is held in a predetermined position for takeoff and landing, When the tether is reeled in / out, the kite and the tether are guided by passing the tether between the pair of arms.

2. A kite take-off and landing guide device according to claim 1.

3. The takeoff and landing guide device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a moving guide section that movably holds the position determining section and the takeoff and landing guide section along the periphery of an interference area in which the sail may be present as the sail rotates in a planar view.

4. the movement guide unit has a guide rail having a circular track laid along the outer periphery, the position determining unit has a movable pulley attached so as to be movable along the guide rail, The takeoff and landing guide portion is attached so as to be movable integrally with the position determining portion along the guide rail.

4. A kite take-off and landing guide device according to claim 3.

5. 5. A kite takeoff and landing guide device according to claim 1, wherein the takeoff and landing guide portion has a shape that partially surrounds the sail from the sides and above.

Images