A system for electric power production from wind includes a glider having an airfoil, an on-board steering unit, a flight controller for controlling the steering unit, and a connection unit for a tether. The system further includes a ground station including a reel for the tether, a rotating electrical machine connected to the reel, and a ground station controller for controlling the reel and the rotating electrical machine. A master controller operates the system in at least first and second operation modes. In the first operation mode electric power is produced with the rotating electrical machine from rotation of the reel caused by reeling out the tether using a lift force generated upon exposure of the airfoil of the airborne glider to wind. In the second operation mode, the reel is driven by the rotating electrical machine, thereby reeling in the tether onto the reel.
System and method for airborne wind energy production
2022-06-14
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge / F03D Windkraftmaschinen , WIND MOTORS / H02G INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES , Verlegen oder Installieren elektrischer Kabel oder Leitungen, Verlegen oder Installieren kombinierter optischer und elektrischer Kabel oder Leitungen |