公开(公告)号：US09709026B2

公开(公告)日：2017-07-18

申请号：US14145550

申请日：2013-12-31

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64C3/14 ,  F03D1/02 ,  F03D7/02 ,  F03D9/25

CPC classification number: F03D13/20 ,  B64C3/14 ,  F03D1/02 ,  F03D3/02 ,  F03D7/0232 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F03D9/30 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  Y02E10/72

Abstract: An airfoil for an airborne wind turbine including a main wing adapted for attachment to an electrically conductive tether, a pivotable trailing element positioned behind the main wing, wherein a chord line of the airfoil has a length that is measured from the leading edge of the main wing to a trailing edge of the trailing element, wherein when the main wing and trailing element are positioned in a first flying position, a slot gap exists between a trailing edge of the main wing and the leading edge of the trailing element, wherein the main wing has a thickness that is 15-28% of the length of the chord line; and wherein a spar bulge exists in the main wing such that 15-25% of the overall length of the chord line has a thickness that is 95% or more of a maximum thickness of the main wing.

公开(公告)号：US20170166423A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-15

申请号：US15434049

申请日：2017-02-15

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Brian Hachtmann ,  Gabe Murphy ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B66D1/30 ,  F03D9/32 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F3/02 ,  B66D1/08 ,  B66D1/12

CPC classification number: B66D1/30 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  B64D2221/00 ,  B64F3/00 ,  B64F3/02 ,  B66D1/08 ,  B66D1/12 ,  B66D2700/0133 ,  F03D9/32

Abstract: Wind energy systems, such as an Airborne Wind Turbine (“AWT”), may be used to facilitate conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy. An AWT may include an aerial vehicle that flies in a path, such as a substantially circular path, to convert kinetic wind energy to electrical energy. The aerial vehicle may be coupled to a winch assembly via a tether. The winch assembly may include a winch drum and a drum door. The winch assembly may be configured such that the drum door may operate in two or more positions, such as an open position and a closed position, to reduce the likelihood of stability problems occurring at the aerial vehicle during winding or unwinding of the tether.

公开(公告)号：US09676496B2

公开(公告)日：2017-06-13

申请号：US14143787

申请日：2013-12-30

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Brian Hachtmann ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B66D1/39 ,  B64F3/00 ,  B66D1/60

CPC classification number: B64F3/00 ,  B66D1/39 ,  B66D1/60

Abstract: A system may include an aerial vehicle, a perch platform configured to receive the aerial vehicle, and a ground station coupled to the aerial vehicle via a tether. The ground station may include a winch including a winch drum configured to move laterally and spin in a manner such that the tether is wound onto on the winch drum in a repeating pattern, possibly utilizing a fixed position levelwind. The system may additionally include a tower around which the winch and the perch platform can rotate about a vertical axis relative to the tower. The system may further utilize the tether forces on the levelwind to help move the perch platform around the vertical axis or be driven actively by a motor.

公开(公告)号：US09598170B2

公开(公告)日：2017-03-21

申请号：US14543189

申请日：2014-11-17

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64C31/06 ,  F03D5/00 ,  B64F3/00 ,  F03D5/04 ,  B64C39/02 ,  F03D9/00

CPC classification number: B64C31/06 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64F3/00 ,  F03D1/02 ,  F03D5/04 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F03D9/30 ,  F03D13/20 ,  F03D13/22 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/725 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: A kite system with a ground station adapted for airborne power generation. The kite system may include a kite which includes one or more airfoils which have mounted thereon a plurality of turbine driven generators. The turbine driven generators may also function as motor driven propellers in a powered flight mode, which may be used during take-off, which may include aspects of vertical take-off and landing. A perch adapted to facilitate the take-off and landing may be used as part of the system. The perch may pivot such that the pivot is oriented towards the tension direction of the tether.

公开(公告)号：US09555895B2

公开(公告)日：2017-01-31

申请号：US14590086

申请日：2015-01-06

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind ,  Pranay Sinha

IPC: B64D27/26 ,  B64C31/06 ,  B64D27/24 ,  F03D5/00

CPC classification number: B64D27/26 ,  B64C31/06 ,  B64D27/24 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F03D13/20 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02T50/62

Abstract: A motor pylon system adapted for use with an airborne power generations system is disclosed. The pylons may support turbine driven generators for wind based electrical power generation which also function as electric motors in some aspects. The pylons may be designed to provide side force useful for turning a tethered flying wing flying in a circular cross wind flight path. The pylons may be designed to minimize air flow disruptions over the main wing.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种适用于机载发电系统的电机塔系统。 塔架可以支持用于风力发电的涡轮驱动发电机，其在一些方面也起电动机的作用。 塔架可以设计成提供用于转动在圆形十字风飞行路径上飞行的系留飞翼的侧向力。 塔架的设计可以减少主翼上的气流中断。