Steering response to roll control of a two-line disk kite. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roeven, Luke; Gutschmidt, Stefanie; Dawson, Ross; Alexander, Keith
• Is Part Of: International journal of non-linear mechanics. Volume 141(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Kites -- Stability -- Dynamics -- Roll control -- Turning -- Bifurcation; Nonlinear mechanics -- Periodicals; Mécanique non linéaire -- Périodiques; Nonlinear mechanics; Periodicals; 531
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnonlinmec.2022.103939
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7462

Abstract

Abstract: Kites are utilized in both professional sporting activities and potential new energy generation applications. Most of these use two or four-line steerable kites, but the steering response is not well understood. Previous work on kite behaviour has focused on single-line kites, and the dynamics of two-line kites has been limited to quasi-static analysis. The mathematical formulation of the few models that consider the dynamics have been based only on energy methods. Furthermore, existing work relies on not-validated generalised aerodynamic models unsuitable for design optimisation tasks. Understanding the dynamics of two-line steerable kites allows for innovative improvements for such applications. In this work we introduce a two-disk kite as a simplified generic model for analysis of steering response. We derive the fully non-linear governing dynamic equations of motion for a two-line four-attachment point disk kite using 4DOF with a Newton–Euler formulation. The aerodynamic model of the kite is taken from previous work of our group (CFD/wind-tunnel tested and validated). The analysis considers the stability regions for flight behaviour and the manoeuvrability of the kite. Kite design parameters are investigated to guide future designs.