Helical Cable Winding for Anti-Kinking in Aeolian Kite Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aeolian systems using vertical axis turbines actuated by kites face issues with cable kinking, mutual rubbing, and damage due to complex flight trajectories, which existing solutions like mobile bases with rotating winches do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
An anti-kinking transmission and guiding system with parallel cables and rotating anti-kinking guiding assemblies around a vertical axis, utilizing pulleys and motors to wind cables in a helical cylinder shape without contact points, supported by a tower structure with trellises, ensuring cables are guided and transmitted without kinking or rubbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are used for directional control of kites in aeolian systems, then energy conversion capability is improved, but cable kinking and mutual rubbing occur leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies helical winding of cables around a vertical axis, creating a curved three-dimensional path instead of straight linear arrangement. This curvature allows cables to follow the rotational motion of the kite while maintaining separation, preventing kinking and mutual rubbing through continuous spatial distribution along the helical trajectory
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional plane (horizontal kite flight) to a three-dimensional space by introducing vertical axis rotation with helical cable winding. This dimensional expansion allows cables to occupy different vertical levels and angular positions, eliminating contact points and preventing harmful interactions between multiple cables
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile bases with rotating winches are used to control kite flight trajectories, then directional control capability is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the winch rotation function with the guiding assembly rotation around a vertical axis. Instead of separate mobile bases and rotating winches, the invention merges these functions into a single integrated system where the guiding assembly performs both cable routing and rotational motion control, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining flight trajectory adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides cables, transmits rotational motion, prevents kinking, and enables adaptive kite control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing structural complexity while maintaining full operational capability
3Device complexity
If cables run parallel in axial direction for kite control, then system simplicity is improved, but cable separation and anti-kinking performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces straight parallel axial cable arrangement with helical curved paths around the vertical axis. This curvature introduces vertical separation and angular distribution between cables, maintaining relative simplicity while effectively preventing kinking and mutual rubbing through three-dimensional spatial arrangement
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 system effectively reduces the risk of cable kinking and damage by maintaining cables in a helical wound state without contact points, allowing for smooth kite maneuvering and reducing structural stress on cables, thus enhancing the operational reliability of aeolian energy conversion systems.
Implementation Method 1
perform a winding shaped as an helical cylinder of such cables (3a, 3b) along such rotation axis (X-X) without contact or rubbing points between the cables (3a, 3b)
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-kinking transmission and guiding system is described, comprising at least one first and second cable running mutually parallel along an axis (X-X) and subtended between a respective winding and unwinding system and at least one output guiding and transmission assembly of such cables, at least one anti-kinking guiding and transmission assembly of such cables being interposed between the winding and unwinding system and the output guiding and transmission assembly, such anti-kinking guiding and transmission assembly of such cables and such output guiding and transmission assembly being rotating around such rotation axis (X-X), a rotation of such anti-kinking guiding and transmission assembly around such rotation axis (X-X) being adapted to perform a winding shaped as an helical cylinder of such cables along such rotation axis (X-X) without contact or rubbing points between such cables.