IP Library Granted Patent US 9,352,832
Granted Patent B2
US 9,352,832 · App. 14/338,138 · Granted May 31, 2016

Bridles for stability of a powered kite and a system and method for use of same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,352,832
App. No.
14/338,138
Granted
May 31, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

The system may include a ground station, a tether attached to a ground station on a first end and to two or more bridles on a second, and a kite. The kite may include a main wing. Each bridle of the two or more bridles may be attached to the main wing, and the two or more bridles may be adapted to provide a torque on the kite to control a roll of the kite.

Claims (18)

1. A system comprising:

a ground station;

a tether attached to the ground station on a first end and to two or more bridles on a second end; and

a kite comprising:

a main wing, wherein each bridle of the two or more bridles is attached to the main wing, wherein the two or more bridles are adapted to provide a torque on the kite to control a roll of the kite, wherein the main wing comprises an axis that is perpendicular to a roll axis of the kite, and wherein the two or more bridles comprise:

a first bridle attached to a first side of the main wing, wherein the first bridle comprises a first portion that is attached to the first side of the main wing along the axis, and

a second bridle attached to a second side of the main wing opposite the first side of the main wing, wherein the second bridle comprises a second portion that is attached to the second side of the main wing at a location offset from the axis.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the kite further comprises a tail wing rearward and above the main wing.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the main wing further comprises a center line, and wherein the two or more bridles further comprise:

a third bridle attached to a portion of the main wing, wherein the portion is located substantially on the center line of the main wing.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein in response to a force on the kite provided by the tether, the two or more bridles are adapted to provide the torque on the kite to control the roll of the kite, such that the torque causes a change in the roll of the kite.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the force on the kite is asymmetric along the roll axis of the kite.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the kite further comprises one or more rotors attached to the main wing, wherein the one or more rotors are adapted to provide a second torque on the kite that is substantially opposite the torque on the kite along the roll axis of the kite, and wherein in response to a force on the kite provided by the tether and the second torque on the kite provided by the one or more rotors, the two or more bridles are adapted to provide the torque on the kite, such that the torque on the kite causes a change in the roll of the kite.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein each rotor of the one or more rotors rotates in substantially the same direction.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the kite further comprises one or more rotors attached to the main wing, wherein the one or more rotors are adapted to provide a second torque on the kite that is substantially parallel to the torque on the kite along the roll axis of the kite, and wherein in response to a force on the kite provided by the tether, the two or more bridles are adapted to provide the torque on the kite, such that the torque on the kite and the second torque on the kite cause a change in the roll of the kite.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the torque on the kite has a magnitude that is greater than a magnitude of the second torque on the kite.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the main wing comprises one or more control surfaces, and wherein the one or more control surfaces are adapted to provide a second torque that is substantially parallel to the torque on the kite along the roll axis of the kite, and wherein in response to a force on the kite provided by the tether, the two or more bridles are adapted to provide the torque on the kite, such that the torque on the kite and the second torque on the kite cause a change in the roll of the kite.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the main wing is curved, such that the main wing is adapted to provide a second torque that is substantially parallel to the torque on the kite along the roll axis of the kite, and wherein in response to a force on the kite provided by the tether, the two or more bridles are adapted to provide the torque on the kite, such that the torque on the kite and the second torque on the kite cause a change in the roll of the kite.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 15, 2019
From: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
To: MAKANI TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 048355/0016 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 1, 2016
From: GOOGLE INC.
To: X DEVELOPMENT LLC
Reel/Frame 039900/0610 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2015
From: VANDER LIND, DAMON
To: GOOGLE INC.
Reel/Frame 035452/0830 →