Kite Patents

AWE - Airborne Wind Energy Documentary

2013-01-16T09:41:00.000+02:00

As part of our Kite 2.0 theme comes a beautiful KickStarter project to document the exciting development in the budding field of Airborne Wind Energy.

From the project description:

AWE chronicles the development of Airborne Wind Energy as a potential solution for Climate Change & the global Energy Crisis. [...] In a world where the mountain top removal of coal and the fracking of natural gas leads to “cheap” electricity production, there is a growing momentum towards renewable and clean energy sources like solar and wind power. Wind speed and consistency increase dramatically the higher up you go. Therefore, high altitude wind power may be the largest, most powerful renewable energy resource on the planet. [...] AWE chronicles the developers and innovators of Airborne Wind Energy against the backdrop of Wind Energy Politics and the challenges faced by tapping this vast and powerful resource.

Kite Patents is a proud backer. Are you?

Altaeros Energies - Airborne Wind-Turbine - US20100090473

2012-04-12T14:45:00.001+03:00

This is a patent application by Altaeros Energies for a tethered "Airborn Wind-Turbine". Ben Glass, the inventor is also Altaeros CEO. Although quite blimp like, it incorporates self-stabilization as in a kite:

A shroud, such as for an airborne wind-turbine for converting wind energy into another form of energy, such as electrical energy. The shroud has a ring-like shape with an airfoil cross-section and defines an interior volume for containing a lighter-than-air gas. The shroud includes a central opening oriented along a longitudinal axis of the shroud. The shroud is configured to produce an asymmetric moment of left and right lateral sections thereof, which asymmetric moment yields a restoring moment that automatically orients the longitudinal axis of the shroud substantially optimally relative to a prevailing wind direction.

Altaeros Airborne Wind Turbine prototype during testing in Limestone, Maine (Altaeros Energies 2012)

Full Patent Application: POWER-AUGMENTING SHROUD FOR ENERGY-PRODUCING TURBINES

SkySails - Wind-Powered Watercraft - US20070272141

2007-12-18T23:21:00.000+02:00

This patent application of 2007 will expire at around 2027 if accepted. Stephan Wrage now of SkySails GmbH & Co. describes it as

a positioning device for a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element that comprises a profiled wing, is used as the exclusive, an auxiliary, or an emergency drive unit, and is connected to a watercraft via a traction rope. Said positioning device is provided with a winch that encompasses means which cause the traction rope to be taken in when a given first tractive force is not attained and/or when the flow is about to stop or has stopped abruptly and/or cause the traction rope to be veered when given a second tractive force and/or a given inflow velocity are/is exceeded.

Stephan Wrage is the chairman of the executive board and is in charge of sales, public relations, investment relations and business development of SkySails.

SkySails is another Kite 2.0 company. Today it made international news when it announced that "The 132 meter (433 ft) long MV "Beluga SkySails" will make its maiden voyage in January across the Atlantic to Venezuela, up to Boston and back to Europe. It will be pulled by a giant computer-guided 500,000-euro ($725,000) kite tethered to a 15-metre high mast."

Here a short video describing the Beluga SkySails project:

Full Patent Application. This patent is also published as WO2005100147.

KiteShip - Wind Power for Ships - US7093803

2007-12-02T20:42:00.000+02:00

David A. Culp was granted this patent in 2006. It will expire in 2026. The patent describes an

"aerodynamic wing to propel a broad range of transport means, principally sail craft. The wing provides a single layer kite structure capable of flying without surface discontinuity, bridles, or rigid or semi-rigid structure. All stresses within the wing are converted into pure tension and transferred through the wing surface outward to attachment lines. The wing shape defines a large diameter self-supporting rolled over leading edge of an airfoil and the wing profile approaching the trailing edge exhibits increasing convexity. The wing is useful to propel, or supplement propulsion to, transportation means."

Dave Culp is the President of KiteShip, "the leader in spinnaker replacement and kite-assisted ocean vessel technology".

KiteShip is another of the new brand of Kite 2.0 companies.

Here is a video of this kite in action:

Note: This patent has not expired yet, it will expire at around the year 2026. Full Patent.

Magenn Air Rotor System - US20060251505

2007-11-26T21:32:00.000+02:00

This patent application was submitted in 2005. If accepted it will expire by 2025.
The patent application by Fred Ferguson of Magenn Power Inc. describes this invention as a "tethered wind turbine".

"In some embodiments, a system may comprise an airborne body extending horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point, wherein the body is at least partially filled with a gas. The system may further comprise, for example, two or more vanes coupled to the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis are operable to cause the body to rotate about the axis to generate a Magnus effect lifting force. According to some embodiments, the system may comprise one or more tethers coupled to anchor the body to a third point."

Magenn Power Inc. is one of a new breed of Kite 2.0 companies with kite-based technology.

Here's a video of this kite in action:

You can see some more videos of this kite here and here.

Note: This patent has not expired yet, in fact, it is just a patent application at the moment. If accepted it will expire at around the year 2025. Full Patent Application.

I'll be posting some more Kite 2.0 patents and patent applications to accompany this new trend in the world of kites.

Kite 2.0 is Here!

2007-11-26T21:19:00.000+02:00

A new breed of companies with kite-based technology are suddenly popping up around the world. The drive for green renewable energy, has prompted the creation of several companies for kite-based wind power generation and for hauling heavy sea vessels to reduce fuel consuption.

I guess you could call it the Kite 2.0 revolution.

Many of these companies have patented technologies, or applied for patents.
Most of these patents and applications have not expired so the patents are still valid.

I will be posting some Kite 2.0 patents and patent applications to accompany this new trend in the world of kites.

If you want to see any specific patents (new or otherwise) please write them in the comments.

Kite Parachute - US3109257

2007-05-04T13:26:00.000+03:00

William Babcock Curtis patented this "Kite Parachute" in 1961. It is probably the simplest possible kite line climber. "... the hook means being in angular relation to said member so as to be directed laterally of the kite string and disengaged therefrom when a wave motion is imparted to the string." Essentially, send it up, shake the line to create a wave, the hook will come off and the chute will drop down. Full Patent.

Kite Attachment - US876690

2007-05-03T23:08:00.000+03:00

Charles B. Carroll, patented this simple but clever line climbing device in 1908. "The wind pressure against the bird will carry the roller up the string 2 and on to the plate 3. When the roller 6 is passed off the string 2 and off the end of the V-shaped plate 3, it will become dislocated and fall, and the roller 6 and the arm 8 pivotally secured thereto being heavier than the artificial bird will cause the device to assume a reversed position, in which the artificial bird will sail through the air and eventually fall to the ground." Full Patent.

Automatically Releasing Apparatus for Kites - GB190219137

2007-05-02T21:30:00.000+03:00

Cubitt Archibald Stannard patented this line climber in 1903. "A device is arranged to release automatically a parachute &c. at a predetermined point on a cord or wire attached to a kite or captive balloon and to operate automatically the shutter of a photographic camera attached to the device at the time of releasing. After the parachute has been released, the camera returns to the lower end of the cord or wire ready for further use." Full Patent.

Schubert's Music Kite - DE40579

2006-12-29T22:54:00.000+02:00

In 1887, Hugo Woldemar Schubert patented what is apparently the first German kite patent. It shows a kite with some kind of whistle or music device. Full Patent.

The First Kite Surfing Patent - NL7603691

2006-12-16T21:21:00.000+02:00

In 1977 Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise patented, what is probably the first kite surfing patent.
The Kitesurfing section of the Virtual Library of Sport adds: "In October 1977 Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise (Netherlands) gets the first patent for [KiteSurfing]. The patent covers, specifically, a water sport using a floating board of a surf board type where a pilot standing up on it is pulled by a wind catching device of a parachute type tied to his harness on a trapeze type belt. Although this patent did not result in any commercial interest, Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise could be considered as the originator of KiteSurfing." Full Patent.

Thompson's Kite - US225306

2006-12-13T21:05:00.000+02:00

John Thompson patented this kite in 1880. It describes "a reversible kite is produced, and one that can be folded for carrying in the pocket, or more conveniently in the hand." Full Patent.

Whitcomb's Folding Arch Kite - US176721

2006-11-29T21:31:00.000+02:00

Aaron J. Whitcomb patented this arch kite in 1876. It describes "a folding kite which can be readily put together and taken apart, and which can be folded in small compass for convenience in transport." Full Patent.

Hardekopf's Arch Kite - US135987

2006-11-28T21:53:00.000+02:00

Christian J. Hardekopf patented this arch kite in 1873. It describes "a kite of such formation as can be taken apart in six pieces and rolled up in a small bundle, carried from place to place by any one, and put together in a few moments. The kite is water and weather proof. The kite is firm and compact, and cannot be injured as the common kite can be." Full Patent.

Cabrera's Hexagon - US1781662

2006-11-27T19:55:00.000+02:00

Alfred B. Cabrera patented this kite in 1930. It describes "a kite of an especially light yet strong structure, and of a construction particularly adapted in manufacture to lend itself to a variety of different configurations." Full Patent.

Pantcheff's Kite Assembly Technique - US156461

2006-11-26T20:46:00.000+02:00

Sophocles Xenophon Pantsos a.k.a. Sophocles Xenophon Pantcheff, patented his "Assembling Frame for Covered Structures" in 1925. "The invention relates to frames for covered structures of the typecomprising compression members and flexible tension members [...]and has for its object a new, very simple way for securing together the compression and tension members and the covering of said structures, in such a manner as to provide an efficient fastening of the said elements, of a rapid and easy erection and dismantling, with a view particularly to combined strength and lightness." Full Patent.
We have seen Pantcheff before, where he patented in the Hexagon kite.

Massa's Stick Pockets - US1480889

2006-11-22T18:44:00.000+02:00

Edward Massa patented this kite making technique in 1924. It promises "to provide a kite wherein the marginal edges of the body of the kite will be reinforced and so formed as to provide pockets to receive the ends of the sticks that hold the fabric or covering." Full Patent.

Sellers' Knock-Down Hexagon - US1453287

2006-11-21T21:28:00.000+02:00

Harvey A. Sellers patented this kite in 1923. It describes "a frame comprising a plurality of sticks adapted to have a radiating crossing relation, a six sided foldable covering for said frame cut away V shape at the corners and having a single cord binder exposed at the cut away corners, said sticks being of such a length relative to the distance between the corners of the kite as to require the buckling of said sticks to engage said cord binder and each end of the sticks having a slit to receive said binder cord, and a non-removable elastic and flexible binder to hold the sticks when knocked down and at their crossing point when the kite is assembled." Full Patent.

Roa's Hexagon Fighter Kite - 1214592

2006-11-20T22:13:00.000+02:00

Armando Roa patented this kite in 1917. It describes "a kite of rigid construction and of such form that by repeated pulling of the string thereof to one side or the other the kite may be directed laterally while in the air." Full Patent.

Exline's Hexagon Kite - US1166750

2006-11-19T20:14:00.000+02:00

Marcus P. Exline patented this kite in 1916. It describes "a light metal frame structure whose members may be adjusted with relation to each other and in some cases detachable so that the entire frame is of the knock-down type, to produce a kite whose upper and lower portions are hingedly connected so that the face of the kite may be stretched in a single plane as usual or dished or humped if desired, and to provide a peripheral element which may posses design features or outlined panels that could be covered or faced in different colors." Full Patent.

Stein's Hexagon Metal Kite Frame - US724402

2006-11-18T21:25:00.000+02:00

John H. Stein was granted this patent for his Metal Kite Frame in 1903. It describes "a kite-frame of metal which shall be light and at the same time possessed of sufficient strength to withstand the pressure of the air thereon, the arrangement being such as to enable the ribs of the kite to lie together in the same horizontal plane when not in use, so as to render it compact for shipment." Full Patent.

Shepard's Hexagon "Saddle Piece" - US71232

2006-11-17T21:05:00.000+02:00

Josiah Shepard was granted this patent in 1867. Its object is to "provide a light and strong frame adapted to being taken apart and put in a small compass for transportation." Full Patent.

Madeleine-Josephine's Fishing Kite - FR1262033

2006-11-10T19:03:00.000+02:00

Buland Madeleine-Josephine patented this Fishing Kite and reel in 1961. Full Patent.

Holgerson's Water Kite - US2744352

2006-11-09T20:54:00.000+02:00

Arvid R. Holgerson patented his Water Kite in 1956. "This invention relates to fishing tackle, and more specifically to devices commonly known as fishing kites used by fishermen to cause the fishing line and baited hook to be floated out into the stream, eliminating the necessity of repeatedly casting in order to properly locate the baited hook connected therewith, for fishing. An important object of the invention is to construct the fishing kite which is preferably constructed of plastic material and so designed that the float and sinker which are carried by the kite, may be readily and easily reversed, adapting the kite for use in fishing from either bank of a stream. Another object of the invention is to provide a kite wherein the bridle may be readily and easily fastened on the body of the kite, the kite being so constructed that the bridle may be adjusted to change the angle to which the kite may be carried into the stream." Full Patent.

Terilli's Aerial Fishing System - US3462870

2006-11-08T19:47:00.000+02:00

Emil B. Terilli patented his Aerial Fishing System in 1969. "Kite fishing apparatus for use with a boat having a reel assembly. A buoy line is attached to the reel assembly and independent fishing lines are releasably attached to the buoy line. A buoy is connected to the buoy line and a kite line with a kiteis attached to the buoy. Means is provided for releasing the fishing lines from the buoy line." Full Patent.