Modelling Aero-Structural Deformation of Flexible Membrane Kites

Airborne wind energy systems using flexible membrane wings have the advantages of a low weight, small packing volume, high mobility and rapid deployability. This paper investigates the aero-structural deformation of a leading edge inflatable kite for airborne wind energy harvesting. In the first step, a triangular two-plate representation of the...

Modelling aeroelastic deformation of soft wing membrane kites

Several structural models that could serve as building blocks for a next-generation FSI-based kite design tool have been developed. The models represent the leading-edge inflatable V3 soft wing membrane kite of Kitepower B.V., by using a wireframe multi-plate representation. Where the shape deformations are calculated using bridle line system...