公开(公告)号：US20150183527A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-02

申请号：US14144159

申请日：2013-12-30

Applicant: GOOGLE INC.

Inventor： Brian Hachtmann ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64F1/12

CPC classification number: B64F1/12 ,  B64F3/00 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/728

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。

公开(公告)号：US20150180186A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-25

申请号：US14137724

申请日：2013-12-20

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind ,  Brian Hachtmann

IPC: H01R35/02 ,  F03D9/00 ,  H01R39/64

CPC classification number: H01R35/02 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  H01R39/64 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/728

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 via a tether. As a result of continuous circular flights paths, the tether may rotate continuously in one direction. Thus, it may be desirable to have a cable management apparatus that allows for tether rotation and helps reduce strain on 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。 航空器可以通过系绳系在地面站上。 由于连续的圆形航行路径，系绳可以在一个方向上连续旋转。 因此，可能需要具有允许系链旋转并有助于减小系绳应变的电缆管理装置。

公开(公告)号：US20150158600A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-11

申请号：US14143787

申请日：2013-12-30

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Brian Hachtmann ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64F3/00 ,  B66D1/36 ,  B66D1/60

CPC classification number: B64F3/00 ,  B66D1/39 ,  B66D1/60

Abstract: A system may include an aerial vehicle, a perch platform configured to receive the aerial vehicle, and a ground station coupled to the aerial vehicle via a tether. The ground station may include a winch including a winch drum configured to move laterally and spin in a manner such that the tether is wound onto on the winch drum in a repeating pattern, possibly utilizing a fixed position levelwind. The system may additionally include a tower around which the winch and the perch platform can rotate about a vertical axis relative to the tower. The system may further utilize the tether forces on the levelwind to help move the perch platform around the vertical axis or be driven actively by a motor.

Abstract translation: 系统可以包括飞行器，配置成接收飞行器的鲈鱼平台，以及经由系绳与飞行器耦合的地面站。 地面站可以包括绞盘，其包括构造成横向移动并且以使得系绳可以利用固定位置等级的方式以重复的图案缠绕在绞盘鼓上的方式的绞盘鼓。 该系统可以另外包括一个塔架，在该塔架上，绞盘和鲈鱼平台可以相对于塔架围绕垂直轴线旋转。 该系统可以进一步利用水平面上的系绳力来帮助围绕垂直轴线移动鲈鱼平台或由马达主动驱动。

公开(公告)号：US20170121036A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-04

申请号：US14929003

申请日：2015-10-30

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Brian Hachtmann ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64F3/00 ,  B64F1/12 ,  F03D15/20 ,  B64C31/06 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D9/00

CPC classification number: B64F3/00 ,  B64C31/06 ,  B64C39/022 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D9/32 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: 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 an active azimuth ground station. In one aspect, the ground station has platform that is rotatable about an azimuth axis. The platform is coupled to an azimuth slewing bearing that is coupled an azimuth drive motor operable to rotate the platform about the azimuth axis. The platform may be coupled to a winch frame with an interior cavity. The winch frame may be coupled to a winch drum that is rotatable about a central axis. The winch drum may be coupled to a winch drum slewing bearing and a winch drum drive motor operable to rotate the winch drum about the central axis.

公开(公告)号：US20160102654A1

公开(公告)日：2016-04-14

申请号：US14513119

申请日：2014-10-13

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Bryan Christopher GilroySmith ,  Elias Wolfgang Patten ,  Brian Hachtmann

IPC: F03D9/00 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F1/36 ,  F03D11/04

CPC classification number: F03D13/20 ,  F03D1/02 ,  F03D9/255 ,  F03D80/70 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: 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 has a core and at least one electrical conductor. The tether core may be terminated at a first location in a tether termination mount along an axis of the termination mount, and the at least one electrical conductor may be terminated at a second location in the tether termination mount along the same axis that the core is terminated. This termination configuration may focus tensile stress on the tether to the tether core, and minimize such stress on the at least one electrical conductor during aerial vehicle flight.

Abstract translation: 可以使用机载风力发电机（“AWT”）来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，系绳具有芯和至少一个电导体。 系绳芯可以沿着终端安装件的轴线终止在系绳终端安装件中的第一位置处，并且至少一个电导体可以沿着与芯部相同的轴线在系绳终端安装件中的第二位置处终止 终止了 该终端配置可以将系绳上的拉伸应力集中到系绳芯，并且在空中飞行器飞行期间使至少一个电导体上的这种应力最小化。

公开(公告)号：US20160011600A1

公开(公告)日：2016-01-14

申请号：US14137286

申请日：2013-12-20

Applicant: GOOGLE INC.

Inventor： Erik Christopher Chubb ,  Damon Vander Lind ,  Brian Hachtmann

IPC: G05D1/08 ,  B64C39/02

CPC classification number: G05D1/0816 ,  B64C17/00 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/042 ,  G05D1/0866

Abstract: An example method may include receiving data representing an initial position and an initial attitude of an aircraft. The method further includes determining a change to a first attribute and a second attribute of the position or the attitude of the aircraft to achieve a subsequent position and a subsequent attitude. The method also includes determining a priority sequence for changing the first attribute and the second attribute of the position or the attitude of the aircraft based on a first thrust of the actuator to achieve the change to the first attribute and a second thrust of the actuator to achieve the change to the second attribute. The priority sequence is configured to cause changes to the first attribute before causing changes to the second attribute where the actuator is unable to concurrently provide the first thrust and the second thrust.

Abstract translation: 示例性方法可以包括接收表示飞机的初始位置和初始姿态的数据。 该方法还包括确定飞行器的位置或姿态的第一属性和第二属性的改变以实现随后的位置和随后的姿态。 该方法还包括基于致动器的第一推力来确定用于改变飞行器的位置或姿态的第一属性和第二属性的优先顺序，以实现对第一属性的改变，并且致动器的第二推力 实现第二个属性的更改。 优先级序列被配置为在对第二属性进行改变之前引起对第一属性的改变，其中致动器不能同时提供第一推力和第二推力。

公开(公告)号：US09211951B2

公开(公告)日：2015-12-15

申请号：US14102483

申请日：2013-12-10

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Brian Hachtmann ,  Corwin Hardham ,  Damon Vander Lind ,  Rob Nelson

IPC: A63H27/08 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F3/02 ,  H01R39/64 ,  B64F3/00 ,  F03D11/04 ,  F03D5/00

CPC classification number: B64C39/022 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  B64F3/00 ,  B64F3/02 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  F05B2240/923 ,  H01R39/64 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/728

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.

公开(公告)号：US20150183615A1

公开(公告)日：2015-07-02

申请号：US14142910

申请日：2013-12-29

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind ,  Elias Wolfgang Patten ,  Brian Hachtmann

IPC: B65H54/28 ,  B65H75/26 ,  F03D9/00

CPC classification number: B65H54/28 ,  B65H54/2896 ,  B65H55/04 ,  B65H75/265 ,  B65H2701/3914 ,  F03D9/007 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F03D9/30 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  H02S10/12 ,  Y02E10/725 ,  Y02P70/30

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to wrap a faired tether around a drum. The tether may be connected to an aerial vehicle. The method may involve guiding a faired tether around an exterior surface of a drum, wherein the drum comprises a helical shaped step around the exterior surface that is configured to mate with at least part of the faired tether, and to stack subsequent layers of wrapped tether in a staggered manner along the longitudinal axis of the drum. The faired tether may be guided onto the step using one or more level winds.

Abstract translation: 提供了方法和系统以围绕鼓包裹一个漫长的系绳。 系绳可以连接到飞行器。 该方法可以包括引导围绕滚筒的外表面的流线型系绳，其中滚筒包括围绕外表面的螺旋形台阶，其构造成与至少部分流线型系绳配合，并且堆叠随后的包裹系绳层 沿着滚筒的纵轴以交错的方式。 可以使用一个或多个等级的风将引导的系绳引导到台阶上。

公开(公告)号：US20150175277A1

公开(公告)日：2015-06-25

申请号：US14137677

申请日：2013-12-20

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Brian Hachtmann

IPC: B64F3/00 ,  B66D5/32

CPC classification number: B64F3/00 ,  B66D1/12 ,  B66D3/006

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 via a tether that terminates at a tether termination mount. In one aspect, the ground station may have a motor that may be used, for example, as a winch motor to turn the drum to assist in deployment and/or refraction of the tether and AWT. It may be desirable to be able to switch from an engaged and disengaged condition of the motor. For example, it may be desirable to disengage the motor to help reduce wear on the drivetrain and/or to help reduce loads on the drivetrain.

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。 飞行器可以通过终止于系绳终端安装座的系绳系在地面站上。 在一个方面，地面站可以具有电动机，其可以用作例如绞车电动机以转动鼓来辅助系绳和AWT的展开和/或折射。 可能希望能够从马达的接合和分离状态切换。 例如，可能需要使马达脱开以帮助减少传动系上的磨损和/或有助于减小传动系上的载荷。