isotropic.avi

Isotropic Kite Demo (Scale "Large-Array" Model)
A typical kite flying on its tether is anisotropic; to maintain direction into the wind it is dependent on the tether rotating around its compass and the kite weathervaning. Similarly, a large kite arch must rotate as a whole to follow wind direction. This sets a limit to how big the arch can be and still rotate in real time. A related space utilization limitation is for the anchor point to be fixed at the center of the "rose" (or in the arch case, even with the center, crosswind), rather than the anchor(s) shifting fully windward, allowing higher flight while still always staying within its rose when forced to land.

The latest tabletop demo shows a solution to both problems. A tri-tether pulley-anchor triangle allows an isotropic kite or kite array to receive wind from any direction, passively adjust its AoA, & fly from windward anchors, without rotating. While the demo uses a common paper plate for a kite element, the intent is to suggest a vast kite array, possibly a fractal play-sail. During the session in fluky wind the plate self-launched several times, adapted without fuss to rotating the tabletop, & flew with decent stability. Envision this at an early full scale of 2000 ft max altitude by approximately 1km across or as an ultimate version 10,000 m high by about 20,000 m across. A modest version could land its center on a tower or hill and a giant version on a mountain to keep the kite array off the ground.

A hybrid design is anisotropic kites on an isotropic lattice using classic train connections like thru-bridling and tri-swivels. by Dave Santos in April 2011
Discussion continues:
http://www.energykitesystems.net/CoopIP/IsotropicKiteDemo.html

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Science & Technology

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• kiteenergy
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• flying