Virtual Animation
From Wpi-kites
Goal:
The Kite power demonstrator is a physically large device that requires a large open space to fly the kite, for example at Heifer International's Overlook Farm.
Virtual animations were created as another means of demonstrating how the kite power demonstrator works if demonstration of the kite power demonstrator is not feasible. The animations were created using Solidworks and Solidworks Animation software.
These animations show the movement of the arm, tether, and kite when the kite power mechanism is in motion. There is also a simplified representation of the kite power mechanism.
As input, they use the dynamic time history of the kite motion, tether angle, rocking arm angle, instantaneous power, tether tension, and lift to drag forces on the kite, obtained from the simulations of Olinger & Goela (2008). ASME Energy Sustainability 2008 conference paper
These simulations are run in MATLAB, and model the physics and dynamics of the complete kite power system.
The simulation and virtual animation also served as a design and analysis tool for the WPI Kite Power Team to develop the one-kilowatt scale kite power demonstrator. It also helped the team to better understand the dynamics of the kite, tether, and rocking arm motions.
Videos
A-Frame and Arm while in motion
A-Frame and Arm while in motion2
