We successfully tested a passively autonomous kite energy system last week at the Texas AWE Encampment.
Crude video : http://youtu.be/COjdsu4ff08 

The whirling sound heard is the small generator and gearbox humming to life as the parafoil loops through 7 o'clock. As fate would have it, the entire kite engine was not well anchored and lurched forward from the force of the wing. This caused the fence post to jam against the fly wheel bringing it to a stop (which can be seen at the beginning of the video).

The pilot kite is a Gomberg BA sled. It is 100 sq feet and a little under-sized for this parafoil in these light breezes.

Notice how the PTO works. The tag line is attached perpendicular to the main tether and runs through a pulley to the single stroke kite engine. As the parafoil moves through 7 o'clock it pulls the tag line out. At the top of the cycle when the parafoil's pull is the weakest, the spring return in the kite engine resets the system.

In an exciting conclusion to the session, the fence post holding the pulley was ripped from the ground and became airborne ... well, it works - we're tapping the power !!

Join us in Texas - all are welcome and much work is left to be done. We have basic accommodations at the kite farm and a vast network of workshops and talent throughout the Austin area. If interested, feel free to email me at: edoishi@yahoo.com

• kPower cc by 3.0        D22Jan2014            Discuss at:   AirborneWindEnergy/conversations/messages/11064

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