The interaction between an airborne tethered vehicle and its tethered line can be described by several techniques. A simple equation was developed which can predict the maximum height obtainable with a known lift and drag but neglecting the force of the wind on the tether line. Numerical and graphical solutions to the system of equations which describe the effects of gravity and wind on the tether line were also developed. Applications of these solutions include determinning the height of the vehicle from surface measurements alone; determining the mean wind in the layer between the vehicle and the surface from surface measurements alone if the vehicle can be seen; determining the mean wind in the layer between the vehicle and the surface if the vehicle can not be seen but with the additional knowledge of the vehicle altitude; calculating the flight path of the tethered vehicle as it leaves the flight deck to minimize the probability of diving to the surface in the turbulent eddies downwind of the ship; and calculating the maximum altitude which can be obtained, taking into account the force of the wind on the tether line.
Characteristics of the Tether Line for Airborne Vehicles at Sea
1975
29 pages
Report
No indication
English