Hybrid rolling bridle system for distributing load while permitting freedom of rotation
AssigneeWindlift LLC
InventorsMark Aull, Andrew Stough
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The exemplary embodiments herein provide a bridle for use with a rigid wing having two opposing ends, the bridle having a fixed bridle member attached to a bottom surface of the wing, a pair of connection points positioned on the fixed bridle and located at distance D vertically below the bottom surface of the wing, a rolling bridle member with a pair of opposing ends, where each opposing end is attached at one of the connection points, and a pulley with a sheave that travels along the rolling bridle member. In some embodiments, a motor is mechanically connected with the sheave. In some embodiments, the distance D is optimized for a preferred roll moment as the wing rolls through various angles.
Claims20
A bridle and wing assembly comprising:
- a wing having two opposing ends;
- a fixed bridle member attached to a bottom surface of the wing;
- a pair of connection points positioned on the fixed bridle and located at distance D vertically below the bottom surface of the wing;
- a rolling bridle member with a pair of opposing ends, where each opposing end is attached at one of the connection points;
- and
- a pulley with a sheave that travels along the rolling bridle member.
A bridle and wing assembly comprising:
- a wing having two opposing ends and a centerline at the center of the wing;
- a pair of fixed bridle members, each pair having a proximal end which is attached to a bottom surface of the wing near the centerline and a distal end which is attached near the opposing ends of the wing;
- a connection point located between the proximal and distal ends of each fixed bridle member;
- a rolling bridle member with a pair of opposing ends, where each opposing end is attached with a fixed bridle member at the connection point;
- and
- a motorized pulley with a sheave that accepts the rolling bridle member such that actuation of the motor causes the wing to change its roll angle.
A bridle and wing assembly comprising:
- a wing comprised of a central wing portion and a pair of surrounding outer wing portions connected to the central wing portion at separation joints;
- a pair of fixed bridle members, each pair having a proximal end which is attached to a bottom surface of the central wing portion and a distal end which is attached to one of the outer wing portions;
- a connection point located between the proximal and distal ends of each fixed bridle member;
- a rolling bridle member with a pair of opposing ends, where each opposing end is attached with a fixed bridle member at the connection point;
- and
- a pulley with a sheave that accepts the rolling bridle member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.