Smart Weak Links

Weak Links are a basic safety measure for towed kites, for example, if there is a reel-jam during a step-tow glide-away phase. The simplest weak links just break at a specified load, but this is not always a desirable response. A Smart Weak Link could reason about the multi-sensed situation and decide whether to release.

CoolIP*                      ~Dave Santos                 29Dec2011                              AWES5227       

Comment and development of this topic will be occurring here.       
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Commentary is welcome:

• Fixed-strength weak links
• Inexact-strength weak links
• Controversy over the purpose of weak links in towing wings
• Tad Eareckson
• Towing sailplanes
• Launching hang gliders by towing
• Launching AWES units
• Lockout, lock out
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