A094-0007
Using Engineering Models to Develop Improved Kite Systems for Atmospheric Monitoring

Thursday, 10 December 2020
Poster
Richard Cairncross, Drexel University, Chemical & Biological Engineering, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Isabella Snyder, Drexel University, Mechanical Engineering, Philadelphia, PA, United States, Geoffrey Bland, NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, United States and Douglas K Stout, Falcon Aero Designs, Byram Township, NJ, United States
Abstract:
This project develops mathematical models of the aerodynamics of kites to improve the knowledge-base about current kite designs and to enable developing better kite systems for atmospheric monitoring. Researchers from Drexel University and Falcon Aero Designs are using two different approaches to evaluate the aerodynamics of kite systems: (1) a static geometric analysis to identify key aerodynamic parameters for a wide range of kite designs and (2) a dynamic pitch stability analysis to relate aerodynamic parameters to flight stability and observable field variables. These models enable development of improved kite lifting platforms for sensor systems used in Earth and planetary science.

The static geometric analysis model expands on previous models used to relate the geometry of lifting surfaces to key aerodynamic parameters such as mean aerodynamic center and static margin. The geometric analysis has been implemented in a flexible way to enable multiple lifting surfaces and complicated wing shapes. The modeled effects of aeroelasticity on aerodynamic parameters provides new functionality for comparing kite designs. This model has been used in the analysis of conventional kite shapes with single and multiple lifting surfaces, to experimental swept forward wing platforms.

The dynamic pitch stability analysis uses reported variations in lift, drag, and center of pressure with angle of attack to solve force and torque balances on a kite system. The pitch model predicts the effects of field conditions (wind speed) and kite tuning (bridle position) on the kite orientation and forces. The dynamic pitch model also predicts constraints on physically-relevant equilibrium states and identifies regions of parameter state that likely will correspond to better kite performance.

Collaboration between researchers using the static and dynamic models is developing improved knowledge of how kite geometry affects performance. These models are being used to evaluate current kite designs and prototypes of improved kite platforms for lifting sensors for environmental monitoring in support of Earth and planetary science.

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