I’d like to fall back on this older thread which quite relevant, I have reviewed some studies graciously provided by this group.
In @Florian Bauer’s PhD dissertation from TU Munich, he mentioned that the ideal tether inclination and length, along with the most efficient altitude for kite systems, may not be as large or as high as previously thought. It seems that we could benefit from focusing less on issues like tether weight and drag, and instead, concentrate on designing more efficient, low-altitude kite systems.
One aspect that caught my attention in the dissertation was the comparison between loops and figure 8’s. @Florian Bauer suggested that the Makani systems, which use circular paths, require a complex hardware setup to prevent tether twisting. He also mentioned that figure 8’s might be a preferable option, considering their relative simplicity and the avoidance of potential patent issues.
However, one area I felt could have been explored further was a more in-depth analysis of the pros and cons of loops vs figure 8’s.
Looking at the discussions in the AWES Forum, particularly on @PierreB’s “Low Radius Loop” thread, it was interesting to see how the community is experimenting and learning together. @tallakt made a noteworthy point regarding line twisting and suggested that alternating loop directions could be a potential solution.
The results from @PierreB’s experiments with low radius loops were quite thought-provoking. The experiments showed that these loops could potentially allow for larger kites and produce smoother forces. Yet, the point that tight loops might not necessarily save as much space as initially thought does raise some interesting questions.
Also, @kitefreak’s positive experience with low radius loops further solidifies the case for this approach.
This exploration into flight path mechanics is proving to be quite a learning journey. The discussions around tether weight, drag, optimal flight paths, and the impact of patents on the design choices are all significant considerations that will help guide the design and optimization of future AWES projects
Here is an example of how kite surfers are already paving the way, Triple loops.