Systems and methods for tethered wind turbines
First Claim
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1. A system, comprising:
- an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas;
two or more vanes coupled to the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause the body to rotate about the axis to generate a Magnus effect lifting force;
one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point; and
one or more electrical generators mounted on the airborne body to convert rotational energy produced by the body rotating about the axis into electrical energy.
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Abstract
According to some embodiments, systems and methods for tethered wind turbines may be provided. In some embodiments, a system may comprise an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas. The system may further comprise, for example, two or more vanes coupled to the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause the body to rotate about the axis to generate a Magnus effect lifting force. According to some embodiments, the system may comprise one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas; two or more vanes coupled to the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause the body to rotate about the axis to generate a Magnus effect lifting force; one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point; and one or more electrical generators mounted on the airborne body to convert rotational energy produced by the body rotating about the axis into electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system, comprising:
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a tethered wind turbine including an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas; two or more vanes coupled to the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause the body to rotate about the axis to generate a Magnus effect lifting force; and one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point; a ground station, receiving electrical energy from the tethered wind turbine and transmitting the electrical energy for use in powering one or more electrical devices, wherein said tethers are coupled to at least one of said body, a projection, or a generator. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for
utilizing electrical energy to power an electrical device, wherein the electrical energy is generated by a tethered wind turbine, the system comprising: -
an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas; two or more vanes coupled to the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause the body to rotate about the axis to generate a Magnus effect lifting force; one or more electrical generators coupled to convert rotational energy produced by the body rotating about the axis into electrical energy for use by the electrical device; and one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point.
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21. A system, comprising:
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an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas and wherein the body defines an envelope pressurized with the gas; two or more vanes coupled to the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause the body to rotate about the axis to generate a Magnus effect lifting force; one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point; and a ballonet disposed within the envelope to regulate the pressure of the gas. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification