Inflatable wing

• US 20060192055A1
• Filed: 02/06/2006
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alex Shogren
• Original Assignee: Alex Shogren
• Inventors: Shogren, Alex
• Application Number:
  US11/348,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20060192055A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/145
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 8/12 Kites with inflatable closed compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 8/16 Control arrangements, e.g. control bars or control lines
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 2031/065 of inflatable wing type

Abstract

A bladderless inflatable kite usable to propel humans, wherein the kite foregoes some or all conventional bladder structures. A bladderless or partially bladderless inflatable kite reduces the weight, and reduces problems associated with rubbing between the bladders and the outside layer, or the like. A bladderless kite structure is formed of a material that comprises a laminated mix of carbon and polymer filaments into a laminant structure wherein unidirectional prepreg tapes of in-line plasma treated fibers are spread to mono-filament level films and bonded with a UV absorbing titanium resin.

Claims

1. An inflatable wing, comprising:

an upper wing surface and a lower wing surface constructed from a flexible material, the upper and lower surfaces being joined along their edges to form an envelope having a leading edge and a trailing edge;

at least two control lines for restraining and controlling the wing;

wherein said envelope includes at least one bladderless cells which cooperate with the envelope to define the shape of the wing.

2. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said flexible material comprises a synthetic material containing a mix of carbon and polymer filaments.

3. A wing in accordance with claim 2, wherein said synthetic material comprises a laminate material having unidirectional prepreg tapes of in-line plasma treated synthetic fibers are spread to mono-filament level films and bonded with a UV absorbing titanium resin.

4. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wing has two control lines.

5. A wing in accordance with claim 4, wherein each control line is connected to each end of the envelope by way of two or more bridal lines.

6. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wing has four control lines, each wing tip having a control line connected at or near its leading edge and a control line connected at or near its trailing edge.

7. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the upper and lower surfaces near each wing tip are adapted so as to impart a residual twist that increases an angle of incidence on wing tips while flying.

8. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein access to said at least one bladderless cell is through one or more valves.

9. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one bladderless cell comprises a leading edge.

10. A wing in accordance with claim 9, further including a plurality of bladderless inflatable spars in fluid communication with said leading edge.

11. An inflatable wing, comprising:

an upper wing surface and a lower wing surface constructed from a flexible material, said upper and lower surfaces being joined along edges thereof to form an envelope having a leading edge and a trailing edge;

at least two control lines for restraining and controlling the wing;

wherein said envelope includes at least one bladderless cell which cooperates with the envelope to define the shape of the wing;

said flexible material containing a mix of carbon and polymer filaments.

12. An inflatable wing in accordance with claim 11, wherein said flexible material comprises a laminate material having unidirectional prepreg tapes of in-line plasma treated synthetic fibers spread to mono-filament level films and bonded with a UV absorbing titanium resin.