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 airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause rotation of the body about the axis;
one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point; and
one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation 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.
56 Citations
19 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 airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause rotation of the body about the axis; one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point; and one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation 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 method, comprising:
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deploying a tethered wind turbine, wherein the tethered wind turbine comprises; 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 airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause rotation of the body about the axis; one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point associated with a ground station; and one or more electrical generators airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy; receiving electrical energy at the ground station from the tethered wind turbine; and transmitting the electrical energy for use in powering one or more electrical devices. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification