CoolIP index           

 

AWE and Compressed-Air Power Notes

Compressed air has been a major topic in the past on this list. The key advantage of pneumatic power is the cheapness and power density (weight-to-power) of the end-use actuator, compared to an electro-mechanical servo. Its true that compressors and hoses are usually built heavy, with no intention to fly them. Clearly the same logic of ground-gen v. flygen generally applies to compressed air whereby it usually makes more sense to keep the heavy compressor and hoses on the ground. Its quite obvious a kite can pump a ground-based compressor, with far less weight and drag to carry aloft. KiteLab Ilwaco converted a small automotive tire inflator for an AWECS, with an exercise bike as the transmission. These small compressors are very common, but of rather heavy pot-metal construction, for heat dissipation, so they are not suited to fly.

Heat-of-compression is a valuable direct resource, not just "waste". The skilled designer knows how to use a negative to advantage opportunistically, and the highest art can even multiply two negatives into a huge positive. For example, imagine a kite-powered compressor that uses it heat of compression to liquefy tar-sand oil into plastic-feedstock (precursor) that in turn becomes kites to offset petro-use elsewhere. The compressed air output can drive the mechanical needs of the kite actuation and material handling.

This forum has extensively discussed the storage of compressed air in bags deep underwater and many other interesting compressed air variations. A nice lightweight pressure vessel can be made out of a soda bottle with S-glass strapping-tape girding, suited for up to about 250 psi. Light weight compressors for flight use can be cobbled from the tire-pumps carried on bikes. Bicycle collectives usually have a bucket-full-or-so of old road bike pumps, but newer short-stroke versions are cheap and some even have double action.

Low psi air has many AWE uses, and today's LEI and ram-air kites are just a beginning to active morphing soft kites that become giant robots in the sky. Those automotive sensors are just one of many COTS components to apply, with endless new designs for active structures possible. Conical fabric valves and air-bag "muscles" are a basis for magascale actuators.

CoolIP                       ~Dave Santos                 20Nov2011          AWE4836


Comment and development of this topic will be occurring here.       
All, send notes, drawings, and photographs!

Terms and aspects:   

  •  

Related links:

Commentary is welcome:

  • v