US20240337243
2024-10-10
Mechanical engineering
F03D5/015
An aquatic wind power generation system comprises a hull that operates on water and a power generation system featuring a kite connected to the hull through a tether. The system alternates between two modes: a power generation mode, where wind energy is harnessed through the kite's flight, and a retraction mode, where the tether is wound back. A controller directs the hull's bow towards the leeward direction during retraction to optimize efficiency.
The system addresses inefficiencies observed in existing marine wind power systems, particularly during the retraction mode when the kite is pulled against the wind. By aligning the hull's bow in a way that reduces relative wind velocity with respect to the kite, energy consumption for winding the tether is minimized, leading to improved overall power generation efficiency.
In the retraction mode, if the hull's advancing direction differs from the natural wind direction, the controller adjusts the hull's speed to ensure that its relative velocity is orthogonal to its advancing velocity. This configuration minimizes the relative wind velocity impacting the kite, further reducing energy consumption during tether winding.
The controller also ensures that during retraction, the tension vector of the kite aligns with the hull's advancing direction. This alignment helps reduce relative wind velocity against the kite, enhancing efficiency in tether winding and contributing to improved power generation performance.
During power generation, the hull's bow is directed towards the windward side to increase relative wind velocity, which accelerates tether unwinding and boosts power output. Additionally, when the advancing direction of the hull is set orthogonally to the natural wind direction, it enhances propulsion and reduces tension on the kite, facilitating faster unwinding and more efficient energy production.