| Low Flying-Angle
Mitigation
Low Flying-Angle Mitigation
Low flying-angle is a discouraging reality of most kite-based AWE. Flying
higher requires ever more excessive tether-scope, weight, drag, & negative
lift.
KiteLab's meshed AWE array concepts mitigate this problem. Only the
upwind margin of such an array need use low angled tethers. All subsequent
cells of the elevated mesh can enjoy short vertical tethers or even tilt
tethers windward for lift & reduced drag. The wider downwind a meshed
array is proportioned, the more low flying-angle penalties are avoided.
Notes:
Vertical tethers are ideal for membrane wingmills to passively accept wind
from all quarters. Surface work-cells can be turret-less.
A meshed array can have its entire margin consist of low angled tethers,
independent of wind direction. Such an array need not rotate if its
lifters all swivel on leaders.
A thin upwind "whiskey-line" can tilt a single element AWECS vertical or
upwind. A thick conductor cable located downwind is rendered far more
supportable.
Putting wings all along tethers also fights low flying angle & maximizes
airspace by higher frontal solidity.
Meshes, lattices, arches, trains & other array configurations maximize
footprint & airspace. An upcoming report summarizes the topic.
CoolIP
~Dave Santos 21Oct2010
M2368
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