Dense array strata include array functional layers___________

No-Fly Layer- Everything above maximum permitted or functional altitude.

Pilot Layer- Stays up or easy-launches in slack wind by LTA, ULness, towing, etc.; initiates array launch as wind freshens, and is withdrawn, furled, or left looping in high wind. A pilot layer might climb-out quite high and be pulled against to launch large arrays.

Lifter Layer- Stays up in low wind and lifts under-layers as wind freshens; is depowerable and killable. A hotswappable quiver of lifter options maximizes capacity across conditions. Lifter leader lines are a substratum.

Energy Harvest Layer- Wind energy capture by dense arrays of suspended turbines, wing-mills, etc.. May include FlyGens. Such elements will be "landers" (legged or wheeled platforms). Tunability like variable pitch or frequency desirable. Quiver hotswapping to maximize capacity. Staggered placement within the layer reduces wake and shadow losses. Leader line substrata.

Energy Aggregation Layer- Fan-in bus of electrical or mechanical energy to airborne transformers, step-up gears, etc. as landers. May include Control Pods and FlyGens.

Energy Transport and Primary Tether Layer- Resists lift/drag forces and carries aggregated energy variable distance from high-altitude to surface. Mean array altitude set by this layer within permitted airspace by factors like windspeed profile, load, and quiver selection. Generally arrays are flown highest in low wind and descend ahead of overpowering. Electrical conductors can be naked and widely separated. High voltages and high speed line traction favored.

Near Surface Layer- Anchor and tether leaders, ground-bridles, belay pulleys, etc.; of tough construction to endure constant rough handling.

Surface Layer- A dangerous zone of anchor interfaces, turrets, winches, and ground vehicles, etc., of massive construction to withstand extreme forces from aloft. Surface contoured to suit operations. Biomass crops like switch-grass, and infrastructure under barrage, are attractive options.

Subsurface Layer- Anchor (soil-kite) geological medium where buried conduits and FlyGen bunkers are also located

Trans-Layer Elements_______________________

TagLines, Halyards, WhiskyLines, TrimLines, KillLines, Etc.- Lines from the surface to any required layer aloft have many uses, but must be sparse enough to avoid line sawing. Halyards enable hotswapping. A WhiskyLine is a tagline to haul an array to windward to keep it centered over its surface features or to lean thick conductor lines to windward for lower drag and modest lift.

LayDown- The state of layers laid on the ground atop each other in sequence. Properly designed, free of snags, the strata LiftOff cleanly in a launch sequence. Conversely, they LayDown in orderly sequence. Rare emergency array killing will involve mess.

WindGradient- Natural structure of surface calm to usable wind aloft. Characterized by micrometeorological boundaries and functional boundaries set by the performance envelopes of the array elements.

FairIP/CoopIP                           ~Dave Santos                   May 30, 2010        M1593

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