Airborne Wind Energy Glider Tether Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing airborne wind energy systems face challenges in efficiently transferring energy extracted from high altitudes to the ground, particularly in improving the integrated energy yield and optimizing flight maneuvers for maximum power production and minimal energy consumption during recovery.
Innovation Solution
A glider with onboard steering and sensor systems for autonomous flight, connected to a ground-based electrical machine via a tether, allowing for optimized lift generation and reduced drag, enabling unmanned flight and automated optimization of flight paths for enhanced energy production and efficient recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an airborne generator is used to extract energy from wind at high altitudes, then energy extraction capability is improved, but the weight of the flight object increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the generator from the airborne platform and places it on the ground. Only the lightweight airfoil and control surfaces remain airborne, while the heavy generator is situated on the ground and driven via tether by the airborne airfoil. This separation resolves the contradiction by removing the weight penalty of an airborne generator while preserving high-altitude energy extraction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a tether as an intermediary element to transmit mechanical energy from the airborne airfoil to the ground-based generator. The tether acts as a mediator that allows the lightweight airborne structure to drive the heavy ground-based generator, eliminating the need for a heavy airborne generator while maintaining effective energy transfer.
2Weight of moving object
If a ground-based generator is used with mechanical energy transfer, then weight of the flight object is reduced, but energy transfer efficiency to the ground deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic flight maneuvers including climbing, diving, and crosswind flying to optimize the airfoil's interaction with wind currents. By actively adjusting the flight path and attitude, the system maximizes lift generation and energy extraction during the power production phase, thereby improving energy transfer efficiency despite the ground-based generator configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters such as flight altitude, speed, and attitude to optimize energy extraction. The control system adjusts the airfoil's orientation and velocity relative to wind currents, modifying lift and drag characteristics to maximize the energy transferred through the tether to the ground-based generator.
3Power
If the glider pulls the tether during energy production, then power generation is improved, but power consumption during recovery increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a periodic operation cycle alternating between power production and recovery phases. During power production, the glider pulls the tether to generate electricity; during recovery, the glider releases the tether and returns to the launch position. This periodic action allows the system to accumulate energy during the pull phase and then recover without immediate re-tensioning, reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning the glider and optimizing the flight path before the recovery phase begins. By planning the return trajectory and adjusting flight parameters in advance, the system minimizes the energy required to reel in the tether and return the glider to the launch position.
4Ease of operation
If autonomous flight control is implemented, then operational complexity is reduced, but measurement and control precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring the glider's position, velocity, and attitude via sensors and adjusting the control surfaces accordingly. The control system processes sensor data in real-time and modifies the airfoil's orientation to maintain optimal flight conditions, ensuring accurate and reliable autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-service by automatically adjusting flight parameters and control surface positions without external intervention. The onboard sensors and control algorithms work together to autonomously optimize the glider's flight path and attitude, eliminating the need for manual pilot input and reducing operational complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The glider system increases energy yield by maximizing lift and minimizing tether pull during energy production and recovery, achieving efficient electric power generation from wind energy while reducing weight and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an airfoil, onboard steering means for pitching, rolling and yawing the glider when airborne
Data Source
AI summary
A glider, a system and methods for electric power production from wind are disclosed. The glider includes an airfoil, onboard steering means for pitching, rolling and yawing the glider when airborne, sensor means that provide a first signal related to an absolute position of the glider, a second signal related to an air speed of the glider and a third signal related to an acceleration of the glider, a control device connected to the steering means for controlling autonomous flight of the glider based on the signals provided by the sensor means, and a connection means for a tether connecting the glider to a ground-based electrical machine constructed for converting a lift force generated upon exposure of the airfoil to wind and transferred to the ground via the tether into electric power. The system includes the glider, the ground-based electrical machine and tether.