Are there any know design for self flying kite the could pull up the wind at specified angle?
This not specifically for kite surfing but to propelling devices from windmills to boats.

I imagine that this kite once lunched should stay or travel within specific angle to the wind without intervention from the bottom.

skysails-marine.com/index.html

?

'Hold the line' does one, its called the Jelly Fish.
Only costs $20

Kitepower Australia said...

Macroscien said...

Are there any know design for self flying kite the could pull up the wind at specified angle?
This not specifically for kite surfing but to propelling devices from windmills to boats.

I imagine that this kite once lunched should stay or travel within specific angle to the wind without intervention from the bottom.

All single line kites are "self flying" but they will not provide traction into the wind, only downwind. A kite that will provide a tractable force and propel a vehicle or vessel upwind needs to be steered, as does the device being pulled, and it is the build up of "apparent wind" that allows the 2 devices to go upwind.

The PL Arc style kites will auto zenith, but they will not pull something upwind from that position, only down wind.

Down wind is obviously not always possible for propelling vessel , although could be sufficient for propelling wind-mill with kites connected in chain.
I think that should be possible to design kite with support of some mechanical ( rudders, wings, small ballon) or electronic components will be able to point say 30-45-90 degree to the wind and pull in this direction. Just what kite operator do on the ground - replicate with some lever and pulley, servos etc.
Next - if pneumatic compartment could be filled with hellium instead of air such kite could rise to air and stay there.
Possibly going too far with my idea - that will be something like flying wing

Next - if pneumatic compartment could be filled with hellium instead of air such kite could rise to air and stay there.
Possibly going too far with my idea - that will be something like flying wing

He's a thinker!
nice one

Another option ive seen that has "legs" is a single line parafoil, with an adjustable drogue off the trailing edge. The drogue provides extra drag and stability, but you can adjust its position on the trailing edge so the drag can pull the kite to one side of the window - right on the very edge and parafoil sits low and pulls more across the wind. Set the drogue more in the middle and the foil sits higher and pulls more downwind.

They're very cheap, compact and super easy to launch. Super stable so its pretty close to set and forget.

Going upwind is a still a challenge - the more you get the foil near the edge , the less stable it gets. Still a long hull boat will certainly beam reach with this set up.