Enhanced accuracy for tracking tethered airborne vehicles
US9214022B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 7, 2014 |
| Grant date | Dec 15, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 7, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64U2201/202
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.