We added a couple of features.. we now have Regen, which means you can charge your system anytime line is let out.. Also the ability to untangle the lines from a mounted deck winch is a very special feature.
Exciting stuff! I’m glad I found your channel, as I’ve also been thinking about kite powered sailing for a long time. I really like how you seem to have solved the line twisting problem with the fishing pole method. Though as your power line(s) (middle line) are also threaded through the perimiter, I would be curious to see what materials and dimensions you need to fly a, say, 100 square metre kite to power a yacht. I was always thinking the best approach for large kites would be to have a single line leading to a gondola, which hangs below the kite and controls it from there, like Skysails uses. But in one of your earlier videos, you argue against that method, as crashes supposedly damage the gondola. Could you perhaps post some links to the sources that led you to this conclusion? Looking forward to how your project evolves. All the best!
Thank you, and great questions. In terms of a 100 meter kite, I like to think of it like this: The wider the "kite bar" (distance between the control lines) the more stable the kite. The narrower the control bar, the kite becomes more dynamic. So when choosing to have a narrow distance between the controls can work, but the system must be fine tuned to almost the inch (that or very good pressure sensors). It also helps to have longer lines. I am not as against the gondola/pod as it may seem, it seems robust enough to withstand a couple of inevitable crashes. It also reduces drag as you have only one tether going up to the kite (that splits to each end of the kite) this also means you need a deck winch to reel in the tether. The problem I see with this design for consumer use is there is no physical feel, everything is done remotely through the pod (gondola). Sailors, Kiteboarders, Snowkiters, Etc, want to feel the wind. It's like road feel in a car. That feedback allows you to push the machine further. I also don't like the pendulum affect the gondola has on the kite, it's parasitic to the energy that can be produced. It can be mitigated but I see it as an object obstructing maximum power. In order for the kite truly powerful and not like a parachute, the kite needs to move fast (produce lift), and a weight on the end of the line is not preferred in my opinion. It's just not the choice for a performance vehicle. It's better suited for wind energy, and still.. The pod also requires power unless the line is reeling out (battery operated), in which case you couldn't sail. I believe some companies run power up to the control pod, in which case I would wonder about lighting's potential effect on a conductive cable 300 feet in the air. I just avoid conductive cables and electronics in corrosive marine environments. The Kite Engine is basically a deck winch with a turret, it has a physical connection to the kite, even if all electronics fail, you can still control the kite in multiple redundant ways. As far as resources, I think this hidden gem is one of the best. People have been experimenting with a ton of different kite controller designs, This is a good resource for wind energy information, but youll see boat stuff as well. I suggest just typing any query you may have into the search bar, Thanks again for the questions, Ill be posting more soon forum.awesystems.info/
Ouah. J'en ai rêvé... il y a trente ans, pour du 4 lignes. En attendant, avec imprimante laser, Arduino etc., il y a de quoi faire quelque chose de très intéressant. Très beau projet, qui attirera beaucoup de gens dès que vous aurez un démonstrateur. Je reste branché, cloche activée.
We are looking for demonstrators as we speak! This engine can also be set up with 4 or even 5 line arrangements. I thought it important to give people a controller they can use with whatever kite they have on hand. Thank you for you support!
I have to see about the open source or commercial. Im partial to open source though. In terms of the 3D printing, I found a really startup called Pantheon that will print the parts. www.pantheondesign.com/
in a window of how many degrees can this be used? unlike a sailboat this can only be used with wind from behind. and what if 1 line snaps and the kite drops in front of the boat and drives over it? i saw huge cargo ships with this system and they can't stop that quick. If the kite ends up in the propeller it can be a costly accident. chances of this happening are really small of course
it can be used at many points of sail, just like a kiteboarder can work their way up wind. It can also be installed on a sailboat. The nice part about the engine is that it's just a controller, There are many different kites to use for different points of sail.
![Gunna - HIM ALL ALONG [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HiCxoDeo0hc/mqdefault.jpg)
Seeing that little regen light going off is so thrilling. I hope to see this mechanism in operation in real life in the near future.
This is fascinating, Something I've often thought of myself.
Thats one beautiful fishing reel you got there brotha.. but instead of wrestling mermaids, your tango dancing with Sirens!
Such a cool project, I’ve seen setups in the Netherlands testing this. Am looking forward following your Kite engine project.
We added a couple of features.. we now have Regen, which means you can charge your system anytime line is let out.. Also the ability to untangle the lines from a mounted deck winch is a very special feature.
Exciting stuff! I’m glad I found your channel, as I’ve also been thinking about kite powered sailing for a long time. I really like how you seem to have solved the line twisting problem with the fishing pole method. Though as your power line(s) (middle line) are also threaded through the perimiter, I would be curious to see what materials and dimensions you need to fly a, say, 100 square metre kite to power a yacht. I was always thinking the best approach for large kites would be to have a single line leading to a gondola, which hangs below the kite and controls it from there, like Skysails uses. But in one of your earlier videos, you argue against that method, as crashes supposedly damage the gondola. Could you perhaps post some links to the sources that led you to this conclusion?
Looking forward to how your project evolves. All the best!
Thank you, and great questions. In terms of a 100 meter kite, I like to think of it like this: The wider the "kite bar" (distance between the control lines) the more stable the kite. The narrower the control bar, the kite becomes more dynamic. So when choosing to have a narrow distance between the controls can work, but the system must be fine tuned to almost the inch (that or very good pressure sensors). It also helps to have longer lines.
I am not as against the gondola/pod as it may seem, it seems robust enough to withstand a couple of inevitable crashes. It also reduces drag as you have only one tether going up to the kite (that splits to each end of the kite) this also means you need a deck winch to reel in the tether. The problem I see with this design for consumer use is there is no physical feel, everything is done remotely through the pod (gondola). Sailors, Kiteboarders, Snowkiters, Etc, want to feel the wind. It's like road feel in a car. That feedback allows you to push the machine further.
I also don't like the pendulum affect the gondola has on the kite, it's parasitic to the energy that can be produced. It can be mitigated but I see it as an object obstructing maximum power. In order for the kite truly powerful and not like a parachute, the kite needs to move fast (produce lift), and a weight on the end of the line is not preferred in my opinion. It's just not the choice for a performance vehicle. It's better suited for wind energy, and still..
The pod also requires power unless the line is reeling out (battery operated), in which case you couldn't sail. I believe some companies run power up to the control pod, in which case I would wonder about lighting's potential effect on a conductive cable 300 feet in the air. I just avoid conductive cables and electronics in corrosive marine environments.
The Kite Engine is basically a deck winch with a turret, it has a physical connection to the kite, even if all electronics fail, you can still control the kite in multiple redundant ways.
As far as resources, I think this hidden gem is one of the best. People have been experimenting with a ton of different kite controller designs, This is a good resource for wind energy information, but youll see boat stuff as well. I suggest just typing any query you may have into the search bar, Thanks again for the questions, Ill be posting more soon
forum.awesystems.info/
This is fantastic
incredible feat of engineering right there!
Ouah. J'en ai rêvé... il y a trente ans, pour du 4 lignes. En attendant, avec imprimante laser, Arduino etc., il y a de quoi faire quelque chose de très intéressant. Très beau projet, qui attirera beaucoup de gens dès que vous aurez un démonstrateur. Je reste branché, cloche activée.
We are looking for demonstrators as we speak! This engine can also be set up with 4 or even 5 line arrangements. I thought it important to give people a controller they can use with whatever kite they have on hand. Thank you for you support!
Seems like you would need to mount it on a turntable in order to orient the boat in any direction other than downwind..
Have you seen this, I’m not sure what their control system is like. There is also a German company Festo who made a kite control system.
Thank you I will check it out!
I can't wait to see your boat test. have you started a go fund me yet
It looks like you have 3d printed quite a few parts. Is a commercial or open source design?
I have to see about the open source or commercial. Im partial to open source though. In terms of the 3D printing, I found a really startup called Pantheon that will print the parts. www.pantheondesign.com/
@@Ocean_Kite_Energy - Thank you for the reply and the link. I will take a look and keep my eye on Reddit too.
in a window of how many degrees can this be used? unlike a sailboat this can only be used with wind from behind. and what if 1 line snaps and the kite drops in front of the boat and drives over it? i saw huge cargo ships with this system and they can't stop that quick. If the kite ends up in the propeller it can be a costly accident. chances of this happening are really small of course
it can be used at many points of sail, just like a kiteboarder can work their way up wind. It can also be installed on a sailboat.
The nice part about the engine is that it's just a controller, There are many different kites to use for different points of sail.
Who controls the kite when everyone's asleep and the boat is sailing?
"autopilots" or "self-steering gear" like on a sailboat with one additional dimension.
black nerds are awesome.
50 gallons of fuel per hour? 🤔
Several people have brought this up. This is what I was told by the boat owner, he may have been exaggerating.
is that a sailboat lol