DE102004051708A1 - Fore flap for dragging kite, has profile with aerodynamically operating curve made of flexible and thin material, and supporting frame whose curve is adjusted according to aerodynamic requirements at dragging kite - Google Patents

Abstract

The flap has a profile with aerodynamically operating curve made of flexible and thin material. A supporting frame (4) is provided whose curve is adjusted according to aerodynamic requirements at a dragging kite. Forces of the flap acts over a distance segment and occurs at a front tube of the kite for providing deflection for a user by flying lines, force distributor and movable fixing sector.

Description

The The invention relates to the construction of a variably usable slat, according to the preamble of claim 1, for Towing kites of the so-called tube kite type, which their dimensional stability by at least one at the leading edge arranged and filled with air or gas front hose and several from the leading edge in the direction of the trailing edge running, also filled with air cross tubes or optional obtained by inserted battens and flying over two or more and / or control lines are connected to the user.

Steerable towing kites are used for towing land or water craft, especially for roll, gliding and yachting, either on snow, ice, sand, grass, and in the water. The corresponding means of transportation can optionally be the following:
Grass, sand = mountain board (board with wheels) or buggy
Ice = skateboard or skates
Snow = ski or snowboard
Water = surfboard, kiteboard, boats (different size and design)

Global kite-sport (kite-sport) is currently one of the most innovative sports, which have no seasonal restrictions subject.

specially in the water a relatively young sport developed with towing kites, as well as surf or Kiteboard, called KITE-SURFING. Concerning the invention The developed, variably usable slat for tube kites should preferably be placed on the water used, with a water startability is indispensable. As a steerable kite (kite), for kite surfing the following variants of the drive wings are used: Stick kite, tube kites.

Matt umbrellas generally have a regularly flexible sail area, which is not held by a frame, it is merely by one, longitudinal to the leading edge arranged line structure (balance line) stabilized.

The in DE-OS 2046446, US 3806671 and US 3285546 shown mats-kites has on the underside of a large number of Waageleinen for profile body stabilization, which offer problems especially in the construction and dismantling at higher wind speeds, by easily intertwining. The nature of this construction results in relatively slow maneuvers with a given angle of attack.

Remedy one tries with the patent DE 2737597 C2 to create, the saving of the Waageleinen required, however, the introduction of a spar over the entire leading edge, which must be removed after using the mat kite for easy transport. An active change of the angle of attack, by the user, is not possible with this kite concept.

The disclosed in US 2003/0132348 A1, WO 02/096753 A1 and WO 01/58755 A1 mats kite constructively solves the spar of the spar at the front edge of a, viewed from the front, clearly semicircular construction, similar to the shape in US 4,708,078 , By this sickle-like shape, however, a relatively poor utilization of the designed sail material is recorded, since the two outer sides can not fulfill any buoyancy function. The actual sail area is reduced to about 2/3 of the total area.

A prevailing instability Of all mat kites often has an unfavorable effect on the static properties in irregular wind conditions, as well as fast direction changes of certain flight maneuvers.

By Type of construction of the mat screen is the use in wet Weather conditions very problematic, since the chambers of this system with moisture fill can, the same applies when used under the influence of snowfall or an unfavorable one contact this form of towing kite with the water surface. All these states work extremely negative for the following flight characteristics, thus minimize the usable buoyancy forces, but which indispensable for the Kiteboard sports are. Various drainage systems in the mat kite enable Although the re-emergence of moisture, but with a time limited phase of the more negative flight characteristics prevails.

Stick kites are covered on one side with canvas on relatively elastic leading edge and keel bars ( US 5366182 and WO 99/59866), they have poor properties of water start, remedy one tries with the patent DE 10109640 C1 to create by foam floating bodies are applied to the keel bars. Due to the nature of your construction, the kite variants have problems with the so-called lift and are extremely susceptible to breakage in the event of a crash in the bar construction.

Tube kites have at least one inflatable front hose at the leading edge, as well as several in the direction of the axis of flight running, inflatable cross tubes. The front tube shape is in US 4,708,078 , as well as in WO 2004/048192 A1 clearly designated as semicircular, so that in US 4,708,078 according to the claim a sickle-shaped profile, viewed from the front, results. This shape of the tube kite has only an actual buoyancy surface, which makes up about 2/3 of the total area.

The tube kite in DE 10237034 has an enlarged sail area by changing the shape of the front tube, the so-called omega shape, resulting in three usable buoyancy surfaces.

In WO 2004/048192 A1 was partially used for the purpose of improving buoyancy a gap in the buoyancy surface introduced, which by a special tubular frame in the contiguous Kite system is stabilized and thus flowed through by air can.

The interruption of the coherent buoyancy surface, in the case of a tube kite ( US 4,708,078 ) of conventional construction, but initially means a loss of power, which is compensated by the Venturi effect again, an additional increase in performance is compared to a relatively complex construction. In US 4191349 A and RU 2040436 C is also the variant of the split wing used, serious differences to WO 2004/048192 A1 are recorded in the, used to each other divergent surface profiles.

All Dragons of the tube-kite type mentioned here are self-contained Systems and only allow a few variables after their production, variable is only the angle of attack of the towing kite to the air flow, the amendment the linen lengths, as well as the internal pressure of the tube framework.

Representation regarding the invention

Of the solution This task, as described in the claims, lies the idea underlying a variable performance change all kite-type towing kites, with at least one arcuate Middle part of the leading edge, in the front view, is achieved, so the towing kite is above average Range of application, in relation to prevailing wind conditions gets without interfering with the existing tube kite systems.

Of the according to the invention, variable usable slats for towing kites delivers the solution for optimizing the performance of tube kites, the attachment takes place of the slat at low wind speeds or when demanding extreme Performance increase of the kite, contrary happens at too high Wind speed or desired Performance minimization, for this purpose, the slat system is separated from the kite and all the above Tube kite systems are used separately.

Comparable performance increases by slat systems are in dragon constructions DE 328329 A1 . JP 7255956 A1 and US 20030042366 A1, the same applies to systems of other applications in DE 19803421 A1 . DE 4339780 A1 . DE 3837812 A1 and DE 3827796 A1 ,

According to the invention has the variably usable slat an inflatable or profile constant and flexible support frame, which is covered with light fabric, is streamed by wind and thus maintains its dimensional stability. This kite fly vane has a leading front hose or front frame at the leading edge, with a convex upturned shape that matches the tube framework of each tube kite system and at least one strut that is transverse to the front tube or front frame, toward the trailing edge of the tube Slat is attached. The slat support frame is preferably made of very light, UV-resistant, water and air pressure resistant material, which can be folded easily after releasing the internal pressure inside this frame variant are rubber-like hoses with valve stoppers, other frame structures made of plastic (possibly pipe profiles) are conceivable, but here arise disadvantageous properties in the transport of variable usable Slat. The applied cloth material gets its aerodynamically required shape through specially designed quadrants and the shape stabilizers on the crossbar and by the wind flow. By special starting points, which can be retrofitted to each tube kite system, the slat invention is mounted.

at a use of conventional Tube kites, in conjunction with this slat, will increase by increasing flow rate on the top of the sail area the negative pressure increases. This means increased lift values and a lower susceptibility across from an impending stall, conditional due to extreme angles of attack.

Summary the drawings

following is based on embodiments the invention closer explains Here, the figures are shown schematically.

1 , shows the slat according to the invention, in perspective from the front, in conjunction with a tube kite

2 , shows according to the invention, a side view when attaching the slat to a tube kite

3 shows according to the invention, a perspective from behind the combination of tube kite and slat, with flow opening between the two systems

4 shows the slat tube scaffold, with attachment to the kite

5 shows in perspective the additional tension of the slat with the kite, for improved viewing the slat is covered only on one side with canvas

6 shows the perspective view of the slat from the front

7 shows the perspective view of the slat from behind

8th shows the attachment of the slat (with sub-sail) on a kite with continuous wing system

9 shows the attachment of the slat (without bottom sail) on a kite with continuous wing system

10 shows the attachment of the slat on a kite with split wing

11 shows the flow training on the tube kite

12 , shows the flow training on the tube kite with mounted slats

The schematic representations are shown as if the preferred inflatable support frame filled with compressed air or gas and the entire slat, as well as the tube kite flowing in the wind and flying state. The size of the tube kite can vary greatly, from the Size of a children's toy, with low pulling power, up to a size of a few hundred square meters with extreme power development. The shape and extent of the variable usable slat behave proportional to the used tube kite size.

Of the vane can be made variable in its aerodynamic shapes as needed so that different air resistance, buoyancy forces and Airspeeds are achieved.

The Processing can be done by different methods or in combination these methods are produced, this can be achieved by gluing, Sew or welding the required material composite take place.

1 gives an overview of the slat 1 , in association with the towing kite 2 , which is a buoyancy surfaces with an upwardly convex shape, in front view, of a fastening sector 9 to the opposite attachment sector 9 owns, and with a beaded leading edge 6 and a shallow trailing edge 7 , In between, aerodynamically adapted, is the flexible canvas 3 for the lifting surface of the slat 1 attached. In the range of distance segments 8th is a force distribution not described in detail mounting mechanism 12 (in 8th / 9 / 10 ! 12 ), which a force discharge of the slat 1 to the flying lines 19 which in turn can reach the user.

That on the support frame 4 Applied, low-stretch, sunlight-resistant and water-repellent canvas is designed so that it fits as accurately as possible on the support frame 4 with the distance segments 8th place. Here, the canvas is in several quadrants required for the spatial form from an aerodynamic point of view 3 formed and connected.

2 shows according to the invention, the slat 1 with preferably inflatable support frame 4 and the individual segments 5 in its convex shape from the right and left attachment sectors 9 , where not a complete composite to towing kite 2 is to be registered, since both systems are in a starting or a dismantling phase. Optionally, but also a permanent composite of the removable slat 1 with the towing kite 2 also be made by sewing, gluing or by means of an appropriate welding process. The support frame of the variably usable slat can be evenly cylindrical or conical in diameter up to the spacer segments 8th be educated. The same applies to the angled distance segments 8th , It should be noted that a uniform cylindrical diameter has a higher dimensional stability than the tapered shape but has higher air resistance values. The support frame 4 can be made from individual segments, front and rear parts or holistically from one piece, under mechanical or thermal influence. The shape in the front view of the front tube 4 is the shape of the front tube 14 , the kite 2 adjusted accordingly. The actual shape of the towing kite is determined by aerodynamic specifications of the respective kite variant in the area of the front hose 14 , with the appropriate segments 15 , the cross tubes 16 , the quadrant 17 and the length of the trailing edge 18 , given by different towing kite models.

3 represents in perspective the slat 1 when attached to towing kite 2 represented by either a low-expansion and water-resistant shell 4 , is optionally formed with internal plastic hoses, which are joined together by processing variants listed above and are to be filled with a pump via one or more valves with closure parts. The required air pressure for filling is higher than the ambient pressure or can be replaced by another, lighter gas, a shaping support frame made of other plastic variants (pipe) requires no additional filling to stiffen the profile.

Like the cross tubes 16 are also the distance segments 8th firmly to the support frame 4 or with the front hose 14 and are calculated for the respective sections so that they have a maximum for adaptation to the desired wing profile ( 7 / 8th / 9 ), can be easily folded after a possible deflation of the air and thus results in a small pack size.

The resulting by mounting both systems 1 & 2 flow opening 11 directs the incoming air accelerated to the top of the towing kite 2 and generates an increased air flow, thus increasing the buoyancy values of the towing kite 2 ,

4 shows an overview of a variant for attachment of the support frame 4 , the slat 1 , to the front hose 14 , about fixing sectors 9 In this illustration, for purposes of illustration, there are no canvas quadrants 3 are applied.

The number of distance segments 8th is variable and can be adapted to static requirements. Clearly recognizable here is the unchanged kite system 2 ,

The support frame 4 the task is the canvas canvas edge of the canvas quadrant 3 to protect against deformation and a leading edge 6 to build.

To improve the flight and control properties of the tube kite 2 To reach, a certain ratio of the wing length of the slat must 1 from the outer right distance segment 8th to the opposite outer left distance segment 8th be chosen so that needed for the lift Most Powerful Canvas Quadrant 17 of the towing kite 2 be covered in the flowed area.

5 represents in perspective the partially finished slat 1 , when mounted on towing kites 2 wherein, for deriving higher tensile forces of the slat between the Zugbefestigungssektoren 9a / 9b each one, not described in more detail forces distributor 9c , which was also attached to the towing kite 2 is separable.

6 shows according to the invention, a front side view with support frame 4 , the individual segments 5 , the distance segments 8th and the inflated Canvas Quadrant 3 , Everything in combination allows the slat 1 the formation of a leading edge 6 , with the opposite trailing edge 7 ,

7 illustrates a rear side view, in addition to 6 the shape stabilizer 10 which exerts a static influence on the canvas quadrants. The composite of the shape stabilizer 10 occurs between the distance segment 8th and the canvas quadrant 3 , The number of shape stabilizers 10 are as variable as the number of distance segments 8th ,

8th illustrates a cross-section through the bond between slats 1 and towing kites 2 , in tube kite form, with an additional under sail 13 at the canvas quadrants 3 and the support frame 4 is attached, this means a further acceleration of the air flow, so over the flow opening 11 on the top 17 of the towing kite 2 a further increase in the flow rate is recorded.

9 also represents the cross section through the bond between slats 1 and towing kites 2 , in tube kite form, here becomes the canvas quadrant 3 from the shape stabilizer 10 held. The shape stabilizer may alternatively be formed of fabric or a plastic.

10 shows the possible composite, in cross-section, with a split-wing kite. Here it is irrelevant for the assembly of the slat 1 How many holes are made in the sail material of the towing kite.

11 provides an overview of possible turbulences on the top of a tube kite. This aerodynamically negative behavior is achieved by an exceeded angle of attack of the towing kite to the Lüftströmung and leads to stall.

12 shows the cross section of a slat 1 in combination with a towing kite 2 , where both systems connect in the air flow. The slat 1 accelerates the air flow on the top 17 of the towing kite 2 , As a result, an increased buoyancy is recorded. Parallel to the increase in performance larger angles of attack can be flown, the risk of a stall is minimized.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Claims (4)

Variable usable slat ( 1 ), which optionally on towing kites ( 2 ) of the tube kite type, via attachment mechanisms ( 12 ), on mounting sectors ( 9 ), attached or dismantled, whose profile between a leading edge ( 6 ), a trailing edge ( 7 ) an aerodynamic curvature of thin and flexible material ( 3 ) with an inflatable or fixed support frame ( 4 ) and substantially perpendicular to this, running in the flow direction spacer segments ( 8th ), the curvature of the support frame ( 4 ) according to the aerodynamic requirements of towing kites ( 2 ), in which at the attachment sectors ( 9 ) over the distance segments ( 8th ) occurring forces of the slat ( 1 ) to the front hose ( 14 ) of the towing kite ( 2 ), for further derivation to the user, via the flying lines ( 19 ) or additionally via a tie-fixing sector ( 9a ) 9b ) and force distributors ( 9c ) he follows. Variable usable slat ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein a variable number of distance segments ( 8th ) a flow opening ( 11 ) between the slat ( 1 ) and a towing kite ( 2 ), the support frame ( 4 ) of canvas quadrants ( 3 ) is covered and their trailing edge ( 7 ) an aerodynamic maximum adaptation to the front hose ( 14 ) with canvas quadrants ( 17 ) of the towing kite ( 2 ) receives. Removable slat ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, whose supporting frame ( 4 ) and distance segments ( 8th ) may have a uniform cylindrical diameter or a conical shape and is made either of a flexible, air-filled material composite or resilient plastic materials. Variable slat ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, whose attachment sectors ( 9 ) 9b ) by gluing, sewing or welding, permanently on a front hose ( 14 ) of the towing kite ( 2 ), where optionally the slat ( 1 ) also a permanent bond with the towing kite ( 2 ).