# US 12,759,684 B2 · Structure for accommodating a pod for a traction kite and method for the take-off and landing of a such a pod

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,759,684 B2
- Document ID: US12759684B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/719,502
- Filed: 2022-12-02
- Published: 2025-05-01
- Granted: 2026-10-13
- Earliest claimed: 2021-12-14
- Assignees: Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.
- Applicants: Airseas
- Inventors: Eric Lamat; Stéphane Jan; Jean-Luc Haudebault
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12759684B2

## CPC

- B63H 9/072: Control arrangements, e.g. for launching or recovery
- B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00)

## Abstract

A structure (3) for accommodating a pod (7) for a traction kite connected by a line (5) to a vessel, this accommodating structure having a frame (3a), at least one pulley (3b) for connecting the line, this pulley being mounted on a chassis (3d), and a follower arm (3c) and a pod support (4). This pod support includes at least two plates (4a, 4b) one above the other, at least one deformable elastic return device for securing the plates and a device for guiding and catching the line, the support being connected to the frame by at least one righting arm (6) that is movable between a stowed position for the pod, a take-off position for the pod (7), a cruise position at a distance from the line, a position for catching the line and a landing position for the pod.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A mounting structure (3) for a pod (7) of a kite (1) connected by an umbilical (5) to a ship, the mounting structure (3) comprising:
a frame (3a) defining a horizontal plane (H),
at least one pulley (3b) for connecting the umbilical (5), the connecting pulley (3b) being installed on a chassis (3d),
a follower arm (3c), and
a support (4) of the pod (7),
at least two stacked plates, a so-called lower plate (4a) below a upper plate (4b), the upper plate (4b) receiving the pod (7),
at least one elastic and deformatble return for joining together the plates (4a, 4b), and
at least one guiding device for guiding and catching the umbilical (5),
wherein the support (4) is connected to the frame (3a) by at least one erector arm (6) fixed to the lower plate (4a) and mobile relative to the frame (3a) between a position (P1) for storing the pod (7), a position (P2) for the pod (7) to take off, a cruising position (P3) at a distance from the umbilical (5), a position (P4) for catching the umbilical (5), and a position (P5) for landing the pod (7).

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 1. wherein the support (4) is connected by two erector arms (6) located on respective opposite sides of the drive pulley (3b) and fastened together at one of their ends (6a) by a transverse bar (6b).

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed claim 2, wherein the lower plate (4a) of the support (4) is bolted to the transverse bar (6b).

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the erector arms (6) are mobile in rotation about an axis (P′) parallel to the horizontal plane (H) and are actuated by at least one drive mechanism.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the drive mechanism consists of cylinders (6c).

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claims 1, wherein in the storage position the support (4) is in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane (H) and the umbilical (5) is at an angle between 60° and 120° inclusive to the horizontal plane (H).

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper plate (4b) includes a centering for centering the pod (7).

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elastic and deformable return device includes three springs (4e).

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper plate (4b) tilts relative to the lower plate (4a) by an angle less than 30°.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide and catching device return the umbilical (5) from a maximum angle of 40° to a vertical axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane (H).

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide and catching device is integral with the lower plate (4a).

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide and catching means is made of a plastic material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chassis (3d) of the connecting pulley (3b) is balanced and articulated laterally about an axis (Q) perpendicular to the rotation axis of the erector arms and parallel to the horizontal plane (H).

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one erector arm (6) is equipped with a guide roller (6d).

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in the claim 14, wherein the chassis (3d) of the connecting pulley (3b) includes at least one guide track (6e) facing each guide roller (6d).

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claims 1, wherein the mounting structure includes sensors of the position of the erector arms (6), the chassis (3d) of the connecting pulley (3b) and the follower arm (3c).

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting structure includes at least one presence sensor on the upper plate.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The mounting structure (3) as claimed in claims 1, wherein the lower plate (4a) includes at least one sensor (3i) in the vicinity of the elastic return device.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

A take off and landing method for a pod (5) of a kite (1) on the mounting support (4) structure (3) as claimed in claims 1, wherein the pod (5) taking off from the storage position (P1) includes the following steps:
a step (E1) tilting the support (4) and the pod toward the take-off position (P2),
a step (E2) deploying the kite (1),
a step (E4) the pod (7) taking off and paying out the umbilical (5), which extends in a field of movement, and
a step (E5) tilting the support (4) toward the cruising position (P3), and characterized in that landing the pod (7) includes the following steps:
a step (E6) lowering the kite (1) and the pod (7) by traction on the umbilical (5),
a step (E7) of return tilting of the support (4),
a step (E8) catching and then centering the umbilical (5) during the return tilting of the support (4),
a step (E9) return tilting the support (4) into the landing position (P5),
a step (E10) landing the pod (7) on the support (4), and
a step (E11) tilting toward the storage position (P1).

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The take-off and landing method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the step of take-off and landing of the pod (7) are automated by localizing the tilting of the support (4), the follower arm (3c) and the connecting pulley (3b) and by controlling the tilting of the erector arms (6).

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The take-off and landing method as claimed in claim 19, wherein in the take-off position (P2) the angle of inclination of the umbilical (5) to the horizontal plane (H) is between 70° and 80° inclusive.

### Claim 22 (depends on 19)

The take-off and landing method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising after the step (E2) a step (E3) of tilting the pod (7) relative to the support (4).

### Claim 23 (depends on 19)

The take-off and landing method as claimed in claims 19, wherein in the cruising position (P3) the erector arms (6) abut on the frame (3a).

### Claim 24 (depends on 19)

The take-off and landing method as claimed in claims 19, wherein the field of movement of the umbilical (5) during the catching step (E8) is included in a cone with a half-angle at the apex equal to 20°.

### Claim 25 (depends on 19)

The take-off and landing method as claimed in claim 19, wherein during the step (E8) the erector arms (6) guide and retain the connecting pulley (3b).

### Claim 26 (depends on 19)

The take-off and landing method as claimed in claim 19, wherein during the step (E10) the pod (7) is damped during landing on the support (4).

### Claim 27 (depends on 19)

The take-off and landing method as claimed in claim 19, wherein during the step (E10) the umbilical (5) is tensioned after detection of landing of the pod (7) on the support (4).