Theory and experimental validation of a simple comprehensible model of tethered kite dynamics used for controller design

Abstract

We present a simple model for the dynamics and aerodynamics of a tethered kite system and validate it by experimental flight data. After introduction of system setup and model assumptions, the equations of motion for the kinematics are derived and discussed. Then the turn rate law for the kite response to a steering deflection is introduced. The tutorial introduction of the model is finalized by an extension for varying tether lengths, which is the regular operation mode of certain classes of airborne wind energy setups. The second part starts with a summary of the sensor setup. Then, the turn rate law, as distinguishing feature of the model, is illustrated and validated by experimental data. Subsequently, we discuss the kinematics of the kite by comparing model based prediction to experiment. Conclusively, we briefly summarize controller design considerations and discuss the flight controller performance, which further proves the validity of the model as it is based on a feed forward term which in turn, is build on the presented model. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.