Drive Mechanisms for Use in Controlling Rotation and Twist of a Tether
    11.
    发明申请
    Drive Mechanisms for Use in Controlling Rotation and Twist of a Tether 有权
    用于控制系绳旋转和扭曲的驱动机构

    公开(公告)号:US20150375873A1

    公开(公告)日:2015-12-31

    申请号:US14586947

    申请日:2014-12-30

    Applicant: Google Inc.

    CPC classification number: B64F3/02 F03D7/02 F05B2240/921 Y02E10/723

    Abstract: A system may include a tether, a tether gimbal assembly, a drive mechanism, and a control system. The tether may include a distal end, a proximate end, and at least one conductor. The tether gimbal assembly may be connected to the tether. The drive mechanism may be coupled to the tether gimbal assembly and may include a housing, a spindle, and a motor. The housing may be fixed to the tether gimbal assembly. The spindle may be rotatably coupled to the housing, and the tether may be coupled to the spindle and rotate in conjunction with the spindle. The motor may be coupled to the spindle and configured to rotate the spindle and the tether. And the control system may be configured to operate the drive mechanism to control twist in the tether.

    Abstract translation: 系统可以包括系绳,系绳万向节组件,驱动机构和控制系统。 系绳可以包括远端,近端和至少一个导体。 系绳万向节组件可以连接到系绳上。 驱动机构可以联接到系绳万向节组件,并且可以包括壳体,主轴和马达。 外壳可以固定在系绳万向节组件上。 主轴可以可旋转地联接到壳体,并且系绳可以联接到主轴并与主轴一起旋转。 马达可以联接到主轴并且构造成使主轴和系绳旋转。 并且控制系统可以被配置为操作驱动机构以控制系绳中的扭转。

    Enhanced accuracy for tracking tethered airborne vehicles
    12.
    发明授权
    Enhanced accuracy for tracking tethered airborne vehicles 有权
    追踪拴系的机载车辆的精度提高

    公开(公告)号:US09214022B1

    公开(公告)日:2015-12-15

    申请号:US14325187

    申请日:2014-07-07

    Applicant: Google Inc.

    CPC classification number: G06T7/004 B64C39/022 B64F1/02 B64F3/00 B64F3/02 G06T7/70

    Abstract: Wind energy systems, such as an Airborne Wind Turbine (“AWT”), may be used to facilitate conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy. An AWT may include an aerial vehicle that flies in a path to convert kinetic wind energy to electrical energy. The aerial vehicle may be tethered to a ground station with a tether that terminates at a tether termination mount system. In one aspect, the tether termination mount system may include a tether termination unit configured in one or more gimbals that allow for the tether termination unit to rotate about one or more axes while tracking the aerial vehicle in flight. In a further aspect, the tether termination mount system may include an imaging device configured for imaging the aerial vehicle during flight in order to enhance tracking accuracy over that which is performed by angular motion of the tether termination unit.

    Abstract translation: 诸如空降风力发电机(“AWT”)等风能系统可用于促进将动能转换为电能。 AWT可以包括在将动能风能转换成电能的路径中飞行的空中飞行器。 航空器可以连接到具有终止于系绳终端安装系统的系绳的地面站。 在一个方面,系绳终端安装系统可以包括配置在一个或多个万向节中的系绳终端单元,其允许系绳终端单元围绕一个或多个轴线旋转,同时跟踪飞行中的空中飞行器。 在另一方面,系绳终端安装系统可以包括被配置为在飞行期间对飞行器进行成像的成像装置,以便提高跟踪系统终端单元的角运动执行的追踪精度。

    Biased compound radial plain bearing for increased life in oscillating pivot motion
    17.
    发明授权
    Biased compound radial plain bearing for increased life in oscillating pivot motion 有权
    偏心的复合径向滑动轴承,以提高摆动枢轴运动的寿命

    公开(公告)号:US09353792B2

    公开(公告)日:2016-05-31

    申请号:US14184026

    申请日:2014-02-19

    Applicant: Google Inc.

    Inventor: Brian Hachtmann

    CPC classification number: F16C17/18 F16C17/246 F16C23/045 F16C41/001

    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein include bearings with three races: an inner race, a shared race, and an outer race that exhibit increased life under oscillatory loads. The exemplary embodiments may include one or more directional biasing mechanisms configured such that when a bearing shaft rotates in one direction, the shared race rotates with it, and when the shaft oscillates in the other direction, the shared race is impeded from moving in the other direction. Under continued oscillation, the shared race will “walk” in circles around the shaft, effectively distributing the load and wear over the entire circumference of a bearing surface.

    Abstract translation: 本文公开的示例性实施例包括具有三个种族的轴承:内圈,共享座圈和外圈,其在振荡载荷下表现出增加的寿命。 示例性实施例可以包括一个或多个定向偏置机构,其构造成使得当轴承轴在一个方向上旋转时,共享的座圈与其一起旋转,并且当轴在另一个方向上摆动时,共享的座圈被阻止在另一个方向上移动 方向。 在持续振荡的情况下,共享的比赛将围绕轴围绕“行走”,有效地分布负载和磨损在轴承表面的整个圆周上。

    Systems and apparatus for tether termination mount for tethered aerial vehicles
    18.
    发明授权
    Systems and apparatus for tether termination mount for tethered aerial vehicles 有权
    用于拴系航空器的系绳终端安装系统和装置

    公开(公告)号:US09216824B2

    公开(公告)日:2015-12-22

    申请号:US14620194

    申请日:2015-02-12

    Applicant: Google Inc.

    Abstract: Wind energy systems, such as an Airborne Wind Turbine (“AWT”), may be used to facilitate conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy. An AWT may include an aerial vehicle that flies in a path to convert kinetic wind energy to electrical energy. The aerial vehicle may be tethered to a ground station with a tether that terminates at a tether termination mount. In one aspect, the tether may be a conductive tether that can transmit electricity and/or electrical signals back and forth between the aerial vehicle and the ground station. The tether termination mount may include one or more gimbals that allow for the tether termination mount to rotate about one or more axis. In a further aspect, the tether termination mount may include a slip ring that allows for rotation of the tether without twisting the tether.

    Abstract translation: 诸如空降风力发电机(“AWT”)等风能系统可用于促进将动能转换为电能。 AWT可以包括在将动能风能转换成电能的路径中飞行的空中飞行器。 航空器可以用连接臂终止于系绳终端安装座的拴系到地面站。 在一个方面,系绳可以是可以在飞行器和地面站之间来回传递电和/或电信号的导电系绳。 系绳终端安装件可以包括一个或多个允许系绳终端安装件围绕一个或多个轴线旋转的万向节。 在另一方面,系绳终端安装件可以包括滑环,其允许系绳的旋转而不扭转系绳。

    Methods for perching
    19.
    发明授权
    Methods for perching 有权
    栖息方法

    公开(公告)号:US09156565B2

    公开(公告)日:2015-10-13

    申请号:US14144159

    申请日:2013-12-30

    Applicant: Google Inc.

    Abstract: An airborne wind turbine system including an aerial vehicle having a fuselage, an electrically conductive tether having a first end secured to the aerial wing and a second end secured to a platform, a rotatable drum positioned on the platform onto which the tether is wrapped when the aerial vehicle is reeled in, a perch panel extending from the platform, first and second extensions extending from opposite sides of the perch panel, a peg positioned on the fuselage, first and second hooks extending from the aerial vehicle on opposite sides of the peg, wherein when the aerial vehicle is perched on the perch panel, the peg is in contact with the perch panel, the first hook is positioned over the first extension, and the second hook is positioned over the second extension.

    Abstract translation: 一种机载风力涡轮机系统,包括具有机身的飞行器,具有固定到所述空中翼的第一端的导电系绳和固定到平台的第二端,位于所述平台上的可旋转滚筒,当所述系绳被缠绕在所述平台上时, 飞行器被卷入,从平台延伸的行星面板,从鲈鱼板的相对侧延伸的第一和第二延伸部,位于机身上的钉,从该飞行器在钉的相对侧上延伸的第一和第二钩, 其中当所述空中飞行器栖息在所述导管板上时,所述栓与所述导管板接触,所述第一钩定位在所述第一延伸部上方,并且所述第二钩定位在所述第二延伸部上。

    Systems and Methods for a Winch Drum and Drum Door
    20.
    发明申请
    Systems and Methods for a Winch Drum and Drum Door 有权
    绞车鼓和鼓门的系统和方法

    公开(公告)号:US20150183529A1

    公开(公告)日:2015-07-02

    申请号:US14144103

    申请日:2013-12-30

    Applicant: Google Inc.

    Abstract: Wind energy systems, such as an Airborne Wind Turbine (“AWT”), may be used to facilitate conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy. An AWT may include an aerial vehicle that flies in a path, such as a substantially circular path, to convert kinetic wind energy to electrical energy. The aerial vehicle may be coupled to a winch assembly via a tether. The winch assembly may include a winch drum and a drum door. The winch assembly may be configured such that the drum door may operate in two or more positions, such as an open position and a closed position, to reduce the likelihood of stability problems occurring at the aerial vehicle during winding or unwinding of the tether.

    Abstract translation: 诸如空降风力发电机(“AWT”)等风能系统可用于促进将动能转换为电能。 AWT可以包括在诸如基本圆形路径的路径中飞行的空中飞行器,以将动能风能转换成电能。 飞行器可以经由系绳联接到绞盘组件。 绞车组件可以包括绞盘鼓和鼓门。 绞车组件可以被配置成使得鼓门可以在诸如打开位置和关闭位置的两个或更多个位置中操作,以减少在系绳缠绕或展开期间在飞行器上发生的稳定性问题的可能性。

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