Ram-air kite airfoil and reinforcements optimization for airborne wind energy applications

Title

Ram-air kite airfoil and reinforcements optimization for airborne wind energy applications

 Author

Thedens, P. (TU Delft Wind Energy)
De Oliveira Andrade, G.L. (TU Delft Wind Energy)
Schmehl, R. (TU Delft Wind Energy) ORCID 0000-0002-4112-841X

 Date

2019-05-01

 Abstract

We present a multidisciplinary design optimization method for the profile and structural reinforcement layout of a ram‐air kite rib. The aim is to minimize the structural elastic energy and to maximize the traction power of a ram‐air kite used for airborne wind energy generation. Because of the large deformations occurring during flight, a fluid‐structure interaction (FSI) routine is included in the optimization, which determines the actual deformed rib geometry and its corresponding aerodynamic characteristics. A qualitative comparison between FSI inclusion and exclusion in the optimization is given. Discrepancies in airfoil profile and structural layout are observed.

 Subject

airborne wind energy
airfoil shape optimization
MDO
ram-air kite
reinforcements

 To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:2cf1e04a-0017-436f-932b-efc41329657a

 DOI

https://doi.org/10.1002/we.2313

 ISSN

1095-4244

 Source

Wind Energy, 22 (5), 653-665

 Part of collection

Institutional Repository

 Document type

journal article

 Rights

© 2019 P. Thedens, G.L. De Oliveira Andrade, R. Schmehl
Files
PDF Thedens_et_al_2019_Wind_Energy.pdf 1.29 MB
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