Wind power generation system for lighter than air (lta) platforms

Abstract

An apparatus includes a lighter than air platform, a reversible propulsive/wind turbine, a deployable anchor to constrain movement of the lighter than air platform with respect to an anchor point allowing wind to drive the turbine, and a generator/motor coupled to the turbine to produce electrical power when movement of the lighter than air platform is constrained. A method performed by the apparatus is also provided.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a lighter than air platform;   a turbine;   a deployable anchor to constrain movement of the lighter than air platform with respect to an anchor point allowing wind to drive the turbine; and   a generator/motor coupled to the turbine to produce electrical power when movement of the lighter than air platform is constrained.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an energy storage system for storing energy supplied by the motor/generator.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the energy storage system supplies energy to the generator/motor to drive the turbine and propel the lighter than air platform. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the energy storage system comprises:
 a water source;   an electrolysis cell for using the electrical power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen; and   a hydrogen storage system.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a second turbine; and   a hydrogen engine for using the hydrogen to drive the second turbine.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the deployable anchor comprises:
 a flyable anchor.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the flyable anchor comprises:
 an airfoil;   an actuator for controlling the orientation of the airfoil;   a control system for controlling the actuator in response to remote control commands; and   a restraining device.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the restraining device comprises one of:
 a harpoon, a grappling hook, a sail, a drogue, and an anchor.   
     
     
         9 . An apparatus comprising:
 a lighter than air platform;   a turbine;   a tether to constrain movement of the lighter than air platform with respect to an anchor point allowing wind to drive the turbine;   a generator/motor coupled to the turbine to produce electricity when the turbine is driven by the wind;   an energy storage system on the lighter than air platform for converting the electricity into stored energy; and   a power management system for using the stored energy to drive the generator/motor.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the energy storage system comprises:
 an electrolysis system for using the electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen; and   a hydrogen storage unit.   
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 providing a lighter than air platform including a propulsion turbine;   deploying an anchor to constrain movement of the lighter than air platform with respect to an anchor point;   using the propulsion turbine to drive a generator on the lighter than air platform to produce electrical power;   hoisting the anchor; and   using the propulsion turbine to propel the lighter than air platform.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 using the electrical power to store energy.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of using the electrical power to store energy comprises:
 splitting water to generate hydrogen; and   storing the hydrogen.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 using the hydrogen in a buoyancy system.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 using the hydrogen to generate electricity.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 using the hydrogen in an internal combustion engine in a propulsion system.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of using the electrical power to store energy comprises:
 charging a battery.