New fields of application for lightweight construction elements
Lightweight wings for a high-flying kite
Ultra light wing structures for kites are not just attractive for sport and hobby users but are also of interest to engineers, for example in applications such as towing kites which take advantage of wind energy to provide additional propulsion for diesel powered freighters, pulling them across the oceans. In this case the kites are intended to help shipping concerns to reduce their high fuels costs. They can also be used for other applications involving the exploitation of wind energy, one idea being to allow a kite to climb to a height of several kilometers, while up pulling a line wound around a drum. As the drum rotates to pay out the line, it can be made to generate electricity. When it reaches its target altitude the kite’s wing-area is somewhat reduced causing it to descend, following which it begins a new climb phase and once again generates electric power. This is a fascinating field of application for ultra light structures, because in order for the kite to utilize the wind’s energy efficiently it must have a large wing area. | |||
Exploring the limits The biggest Tensairity kite which Luchsinger’s team has developed so far has a span of 8 meters and a surface area of 11 square meters, and has undergone numerous load tests in the laboratory. With a weight of 2.5 kilograms it is designed to generate a tensile force of 1000 Newtons, and could in theory climb to an altitude of 4000 meters. |
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Caption: TheTensairity kite undergoing load tests in the laboratory. | ||
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Flight testing under the open sky The novel wing concept is not just suitable for making kites, however. It shows potential for applications in sports and in the unmanned aerospace field. It could also conceivably be used as a communication platform. In this conceptual application a kite platform (HAPS, «High Altitude Platform System») flying at great altitude would act as a relay station for radio and telephony signals instead of a satellite. |
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