The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 23, 2019
Filed:
Dec. 20, 2016
Applicant:
Makani Technologies Llc, Alameda, CA (US);
Inventor:
Thomas Van Alsenoy, San Francisco, CA (US);
Assignee:
Makani Technologies LLC, Alameda, CA (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B64C 39/02 (2006.01); H02K 7/18 (2006.01); B64F 3/00 (2006.01); F03D 9/16 (2016.01); B66D 1/50 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B64C 39/022 (2013.01); B64F 3/00 (2013.01); B66D 1/50 (2013.01); F03D 9/16 (2016.05); H02K 7/183 (2013.01); B64C 2201/12 (2013.01);
Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for increasing the mechanical energy of an aerial vehicle as part of an Airborne Wind Turbine are disclosed. The aerial vehicle is coupled to a distal portion of a tether and a ground station is coupled to a proximal portion of the tether. A mass possessing a gravitational potential energy is also coupled to the proximal portion of the tether. A connector is configured to releasably hold the mass at an elevation. Release of the mass transfers energy to the aerial vehicle by increasing tension in the tether.