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Anchor Circles v. Anchor Grids (review and
clarifications)
(This Anchor Circle note is mostly
review, but from an evolving perspective, and worth repeating for AWES
Forum newcomers)
Ground anchors are very cheap and effective compared to alternatives like
massive vehicles and extensive trackways. Large kite-farm concepts usually
embody a layout pattern of multiple ground anchors in square or hexagonal
grids of many cells of center-point anchors hosting individual kite units.
A competing layout advocated by KiteLab Ilwaco is an Anchor Circle along
the perimeter of the kite farm. Anchor Circles promote safe and orderly
containment of many flight elements on the farm. The circle--in effect--leverages the surface plane as a primary "control-bar," for high flight
stability without added mass aloft. This allows vast numbers
of interconnected kite units to be hosted at far higher densities, as a
single highly-integrated fight-control process.
To adapt to veering wind, a flying array formation is either rotated by
belaying it, Alpine-style, around the Anchor Circle, or a flying array can
simply tilt and locally comply with wind direction. An anchor circle can
provide phased tug inputs for control, flight persistence in calm, and
extract power. Many Anchor Circle concepts call for concentric anchor
circles, a central turret, and other special features. A precision
circular anchor layout is not strictly required; many regular and odd
perimeter shapes can be implemented.
With so many advantages, Anchor Circles constitute a major AWES
architectural class method.
CoolIP*
~Dave Santos 22Feb2012 AWES5683
Comment and development of this topic will be occurring here.
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