公开(公告)号：US20150076284A1

公开(公告)日：2015-03-19

申请号：US14028251

申请日：2013-09-16

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Erik Christopher Chubb ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64C39/02

CPC classification number: B64C39/022 ,  B64C2201/021 ,  B64C2201/148 ,  F03D1/00 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: A method may involve operating an aerial vehicle in a hover-flight orientation. The aerial vehicle may be connected to a tether that defines a tether sphere having a radius based on a length of the tether, and the tether may be connected to a ground station. The method may involve positioning the aerial vehicle at a first location that is substantially on the tether sphere. The method may involve transitioning the aerial vehicle from the hover-flight orientation to a forward-flight orientation, such that the aerial vehicle moves from the tether sphere. And the method may involve operating the aerial vehicle in the forward-flight orientation to ascend at an angle of ascent to a second location that is substantially on the tether sphere. The first and second locations may be substantially downwind of the ground station.

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：US20160318628A1

公开(公告)日：2016-11-03

申请号：US15143027

申请日：2016-04-29

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64F1/12 ,  F03D9/00 ,  B64F3/00 ,  F03D9/30 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B63B35/44

CPC classification number: B64F1/12 ,  B63B21/50 ,  B63B35/44 ,  B63B43/06 ,  B63B2035/442 ,  B63B2035/446 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64F3/00 ,  F03D1/04 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F03D9/30 ,  F03D9/32 ,  F03D13/20 ,  F03D13/25 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  F05B2240/95 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/725 ,  Y02E10/727 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: An offshore airborne wind turbine system including an aerial vehicle, an electrically conductive tether having a first end secured to the aerial vehicle and a second end secured to a platform, a rotatable drum positioned on the platform, an aerial vehicle perch extending from the platform, wherein the platform is positioned on a top of a spar buoy.

公开(公告)号：US09429141B2

公开(公告)日：2016-08-30

申请号：US14620191

申请日：2015-02-12

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind ,  Kenneth Jensen

IPC: H02P9/04 ,  F03D7/02 ,  B64C39/02 ,  F03D3/02 ,  F03D7/04 ,  F03D9/00 ,  F03D1/02

CPC classification number: F03D7/0204 ,  B64C39/022 ,  F03D1/02 ,  F03D7/028 ,  F03D7/042 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F03D9/32 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  Y02E10/723 ,  Y02E10/725

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein relate to power generation control for an aerial vehicle of an air wind turbine (AWT). More specifically, the methods described herein relate to balancing power generation or preventing a component of the aerial vehicle from overheating using rotor speed control. An example method may include operating an aerial vehicle in a crosswind-flight mode to generate power. The aerial vehicle may include a rotor configured to help generate the power. While the aerial vehicle is in the crosswind-flight mode the method may include comparing a power output level of the aerial vehicle to a power threshold and, based on the comparison, adjusting operation of the rotor in a manner that generates an optimal amount of power or minimizes overheating of the aerial vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US20160236776A1

公开(公告)日：2016-08-18

申请号：US15136637

申请日：2016-04-22

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  B64F3/02 ,  B64C29/02

CPC classification number: B64C39/022 ,  A63H27/002 ,  A63H27/04 ,  A63H27/08 ,  B64C29/02 ,  B64C31/06 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64D2221/00 ,  B64F3/02

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.

Abstract translation: 该系统可以包括地面站，在第一端附接到地面站的系绳和在第二端上的两个或更多个桁架和风筝。 风筝可能包括一个主翼。 两个或更多个桁条的每个桁条可以附接到主翼，并且两个或更多个桁条可以适于在风筝上提供扭矩以控制风筝卷。

公开(公告)号：US09389132B1

公开(公告)日：2016-07-12

申请号：US14141193

申请日：2013-12-26

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Kenny Jensen ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: G01L1/22 ,  G01L5/16

CPC classification number: G01L5/16 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  G01L1/22 ,  G01M9/06 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: A system may include a tether coupled to a ground station. The system may also include an aerial vehicle coupled to the tether and configured to fly in a given path relative to the ground station based on a length of the tether. The system may also include one or more load cells coupled to the tether and configured to provide information indicative of a tether force between the tether and the aerial vehicle. The one or more load cells may be arranged in a given arrangement indicative of a direction of the tether force. The system may also include a controller configured to determine an angle between a direction of wind incident on the aerial vehicle and a plane defined by a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the aerial vehicle based on the tether force.

公开(公告)号：US09327845B2

公开(公告)日：2016-05-03

申请号：US14620104

申请日：2015-02-11

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind

IPC: A63H27/08 ,  B64F1/12 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F3/00 ,  F03D9/00 ,  F03D11/04

CPC classification number: B64F1/12 ,  B63B21/50 ,  B63B35/44 ,  B63B43/06 ,  B63B2035/442 ,  B63B2035/446 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64F3/00 ,  F03D1/00 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F03D9/25 ,  F03D9/30 ,  F03D13/20 ,  F03D13/25 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  F05B2240/95 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/727 ,  Y02E10/728

Abstract: An offshore airborne wind turbine system including an aerial vehicle, an electrically conductive tether having a first end secured to the aerial vehicle and a second end secured to a platform, a rotatable drum positioned on the platform, an aerial vehicle perch extending from the platform, wherein the platform is positioned on a top of a spar buoy.

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：US09205920B2

公开(公告)日：2015-12-08

申请号：US14143543

申请日：2013-12-30

Applicant: Google Inc.

Inventor： Damon Vander Lind ,  Eric Chin ,  Kurt Hallamasek

IPC: B64C39/02 ,  H02G3/04

CPC classification number: B64C39/022 ,  B64C3/26 ,  B64C39/02 ,  F03D5/00 ,  F05B2240/917 ,  F05B2240/921 ,  H01R43/02 ,  H01R43/04 ,  H01R43/20 ,  H02G3/0406 ,  Y02E10/70 ,  Y02E10/725 ,  Y02E10/728 ,  Y10T29/49117 ,  Y10T29/49176

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a wiring harness for an aerial vehicle. A wing of the aerial vehicle comprises a pocket for insertion of the wiring harness. The wiring harness provides wiring and associated connections capable to attach to and power various components.

Abstract translation: 为飞行器用线束提供系统和方法。 飞行器的机翼包括用于插入线束的口袋。 线束提供布线和相关连接，能够连接和供电各种部件。