초록 ▼

A wing for a traction kite, etc comprises a plurality of cells formed by chordwise-extending ribs (3), valved openings (6) to the cells allowing ram air to inflate the wing. By changing the initial cut-out of the material forming the cells near wing tips (7, 8), compared with that of the cells centr

A wing for a traction kite, etc comprises a plurality of cells formed by chordwise-extending ribs (3), valved openings (6) to the cells allowing ram air to inflate the wing. By changing the initial cut-out of the material forming the cells near wing tips (7, 8), compared with that of the cells central to the wing, it is possible to alter the aerodynamic forces at wing tips (7, 8). This allows attachment of flying lines (9, 10) to wing tips (7, 8) only, despite the wing having no framing to maintain its spanwise shape under the loading of flying lines (9, 10). The increased aerodynamic forces at wing tips (7, 8) are achieved by making the aerofoil profiles of the cells progressively more reflexive towards wing tips (7, 8), by giving wing tips (7, 8) a residual twist increasing their angle of incidence, by placing the centres of pressure of the cells near wing tips (7, 8) somewhat forward of the pivot line of the wing, etc.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A ram air inflated wing, comprising:an upper wing surface and a lower wing surface constructed from a flexible material, the upper and lower surfaces being joined along their edges to form an envelope having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a plurality of flexible material walls disposed, subs

1. A ram air inflated wing, comprising:an upper wing surface and a lower wing surface constructed from a flexible material, the upper and lower surfaces being joined along their edges to form an envelope having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a plurality of flexible material walls disposed, substantially in a direction parallel to airflow, between the upper and lower surfaces to form a plurality of cells within the envelope; one or more openings, substantially at or near a flow stagnation point such that air can enter and inflate the envelope; at least two flying lines for restraining and controlling the wing; wherein: at least one of said flying lines is attached either directly or indirectly to or near to each respective end of the envelope; the wing is bridleless over the entire span of the wing apart from tips of the wing; and the outer sections of the wing create aerodynamic forces which maintain a generally arc shaped spanwise horizontal form of the wing while flying. 2. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wing has two flying lines.3. A wing in accordance with claim 2, wherein each flying line is connected to each end of the envelope by way of two or more bridal lines.4. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein said wing has four flying lines, each wing tip having a flying line connected at or near its leading edge and a flying line connected at or near its trailing edge.5. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the upper and lower surfaces near each wing tip are adapted so as to impart a residual twist that increases an angle of incidence on wing tips while flying.6. A wing in accordance with claim 5, wherein regions of the wing adjacent to each wing tip are constructed so as to impart an increasingly reflexive aerofoil profile near each wing tip while flying.7. A wing in accordance with claim 6, wherein the regions adjacent to each wing tip includes an outer one third of the span of the wing.8. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the one or more openings have valves.9. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein a line describing the leading edge of the wing, when viewed in plan, is generally convex rather than straight or concave in the regions near the wing tips.10. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein the upper and lower surfaces and the walls are adapted so as to impart a substantially conventional aerofoil shape to the spanwise center portion of the wing.11. A wing in accordance with claim 1, wherein a natural center of pressure points of the cells in the vicinity of the wing tips are positioned forward of a pivot line extending from wing tip to wing tip when the wing is laid flat.12. A ram air inflated wing, comprising:an upper wing surface and a lower wing surface constructed from a flexible material, the upper and lower surfaces being joined along their edges to form an envelope having a leading edge and a trailing edge; a plurality of flexible material walls disposed, substantially in a direction parallel to airflow, between the upper and lower surfaces to form a plurality of cells within the envelope; one or more openings, substantially at or near a flow stagnation point such that air can enter and inflate the envelope; at least two flying lines for restraining and controlling the wing; wherein: at least one of said flying lines is attached either directly or indirectly to or near to each respective end of the envelope; the wing is bridleless over the center of its span; the outer sections of the wing create aerodynamic forces which maintain a generally arc shaped spanwise horizontal form of the wing while flying; the wing has four flying lines, each wing tip having a flying line connected at or near its leading edge and a flying line connected at or near its trailing edge. 13. A wing in accordance with claim 12, wherein the wing is bridleless over the entire span of the wing apart from tips of the wing.