公开(公告)号：US09604733B2

公开(公告)日：2017-03-28

申请号：US14144103

申请日：2013-12-30

Applicant: X Development LLC

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.

公开(公告)号：US20170166423A1

公开(公告)日：2017-06-15

申请号：US15434049

申请日：2017-02-15

Applicant: X Development LLC

Inventor： Brian Hachtmann ,  Gabe Murphy ,  Damon Vander Lind

IPC: B66D1/30 ,  F03D9/32 ,  B64C39/02 ,  B64F3/02 ,  B66D1/08 ,  B66D1/12

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.