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.

Inventor： Brian Hachtmann ,  Gabe Murphy ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B64F3/00 ,  B66D1/30

CPC classification number: B66D1/30 ,  B64C39/022 ,  B64C39/024 ,  B64C2201/12 ,  B64D2221/00 ,  B64F3/00 ,  B64F3/02 ,  B66D1/08 ,  B66D1/12 ,  B66D2700/0133 ,  F03D9/32

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。