THE INFLUENCE OF CABLE FORCES ON THE EFFICIENCY OF KITE DEVICES AS A MEANS OF ALTERNATIVE PROPULSION

Abstract The auxillary powering of ships by kite like devices may be a viable proposition. However the forces due to both the steady and periodic motion of a kite cable are often inadequately modelled, and occasionally, completely neglected. There are many forces acting on the kite cable some being dynamic, the others static. Those of particular interest will be generated either by the airflow over the cable or by the relative motion of the kite to the ship which will induce motions in the cable itself. The aim of this paper is to explain and also demonstrate some of the present day methods used to predict these forces. This paper will then attempt to quantify these type of forces. A discussion will follow on as to the effect these forces will have on the efficiency of the towing device.