Power generation from high altitude winds
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for extracting energy from wind at high altitude, comprising:
- means for supporting a load at said high altitude;
means for flexibly tethering said load supporting means to the surface of the earth;
a plurality of elongated parallel airfoil elements supported by said load supporting means, said airfoil elements lying on the surface of an imaginary horizontal circular cylinder and rotatable about the horizontal axis of said cylinder in a closed cylindrical path;
means for positioning said airfoil elements relative to said cylindrical surface whereby relative wind substantially normal to said axis exerts a force on said airfoil elements, causing said elements to rotate about said horizontal axis; and
means responsive to the movement of said airfoil elements about said horizontal axis for transmitting power to the surface of the earth.
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Abstract
There are disclosed method and apparatus for the production of electrical power from high altitude winds. A kitecraft (12) secured to a ground tether (14) supports a cylindrical drum (10) rotatable about a horizontal shaft (60). The drum comprises a plurality of wheels (24) interconnected by airfoils (26) positioned about the cylindrical surface of the drum. Wind action on the airfoils rotates the drum about the horizontal shaft and turns generators (50) to provide electrical power. The kitecraft (12) and drum (10) assembly is constructed to the maximum practical extent from tension members to reduce weight.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. Apparatus for extracting energy from wind at high altitude, comprising:
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means for supporting a load at said high altitude; means for flexibly tethering said load supporting means to the surface of the earth; a plurality of elongated parallel airfoil elements supported by said load supporting means, said airfoil elements lying on the surface of an imaginary horizontal circular cylinder and rotatable about the horizontal axis of said cylinder in a closed cylindrical path; means for positioning said airfoil elements relative to said cylindrical surface whereby relative wind substantially normal to said axis exerts a force on said airfoil elements, causing said elements to rotate about said horizontal axis; and means responsive to the movement of said airfoil elements about said horizontal axis for transmitting power to the surface of the earth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. The method of developing power from the wind at relatively high altitudes comprising:
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raising a load supporting assembly to a high altitude; tethering said load supporting assembly in a substantially fixed position relative to the earth; supporting with said assembly a plurality of elongated parallel airfoil elements lying on the surface of an imaginary horizontal circular cylinder and movable about the axis of rotation of said cylinder; moving said elements about said axis of rotation by wind action; and generating electrical power from the movement of said elements.
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Specification