by JoeF » Sat May 25, 2013 9:57 pm
BobK,
A huge century-old flow of kiting has kite systems being the launch platform for dropped gliders, dropped parachutes, dropped candy, etc. Very many patents trace the tech of lifting objects and then releasing the objects. The objects get to release point in very many ways.
Today we have video of PGs as you sometimes fly being the kited wing itself and then the PG releases.
Today we have video of tandem free-flight kite systems (PGs) with sky-diver dropping away from the two.
We have had balloons drop manned hang gliders, as you know. There would be nothing stopping a large kytoon from being the platform of a hang glider launch; but the gas handling is costly.
To use a well-engineered kite train to man lift is ages old for military and experimental purpose; there was nothing really stopping the lifted persons from dropping away into a parachute or gliding parachute or airframed glider release, except planning a bit further.
The engineering is straightforward; provide enough wing units in the kite train and get aggregate stability from the kite train; engineering safety levels for the tether set. Lift the platform made to be low-drag screen. Have a pulley system for elevator to hoist club members up to platform. Take a nap up there; maybe take a shower up there too. Dance a jig. And when ready with thermal detectors, launch into the wind off the ramp for a good soaring session. Energy to hoist wings and pilots to platform could come from self... for good exercise or from group of friends pulling the hoisting line. Platform manager? Perhaps he or she could keep things tidy up there. The kite system would need to have passive or active controls to face over-pressure events ... for safety and the keeping of integrity of the system. We have several people of strong backgrounds facing the first project in this line of thought: the lofting of skydivers from platform; their equipment is lighter; instead of using fueled aircraft, their could be a constant flow of skydivers to altitude. There is a possibility of hoist energy from wind turbine topside; the wind would be mined to crank up the hang gliders and their pilots. Winds aloft are more regular than winds near the ground; such energy could make the system doable. Save on airlift fees and reduce the use of petroleum products. Control the wings of the system to low drag and bring the system down; or down the system by other means. It will occur, but I have not seen anyone doing it yet.
Home
