| Airborne Levers as
Maximal KISS An AWECS must strongly resist downwind travel or the kite force is sapped. Kite power is mainly "low-end grunt" so a key challenge is stepped-up momentum transfer to high speed for electrical generation. High speed motion is also desired for a line to transfer maximum power down from high altitudes. All these points are addressed by Airborne Levers. Singly or staged, this ultra-simple device efficiently creates high-speed motion from grunt at extremely low-cost. Its best suited for mini-scale into the lower kilowatt scale. To make your own, take a stick & three strings. Tie a string on each end of the stick. Tie the third string close to an end. Construction of your advanced AWECS device is now complete. Anchor down the end string nearest the third string. Run the third string up to a suitable "oscillokite". The stick now hangs in mid-air as a vigorous driven pendulum with the remaining end string dangling. To make electricity tie the dangling string to a spring-return ratcheted or spragged capstan driving a generator. KiteLab's proof-of-concept prototype is a bamboo stick the size of an arrow with 8 to 1 leverage set by the strings. The kite arrangement is a small Winnie-the-Pooh plastic diamond sweeping in stable dutch-roll oscillation under a small plastic delta lifter. A key-chain recoil & capstaned DC motor with diode rectifier & anti-ripple capacitor complete the system. KiteLab is proceeding to develop 1-30kw rated versions around cheap stock load-binders used to secure cargo on boats & trailers. These require caution to operate as the lever kicks like a mule. FairIP/CoopIP ~Dave Santos ,June 6, 2010 M1613 Comment and development of this topic will be occurring here. All, send notes! Terms and aspects: Related links: Commentary is welcome:
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