Abstract: An example method includes: determining wave data corresponding to a floating ground station of an airborne wind turbine, wherein an aerial vehicle is coupled to the floating ground station via a tether; determining, based on the wave data, an oscillation profile of the floating ground station; and operating the aerial vehicle to fly in a closed path with: (a) a looping period that matches the period of wave-influenced oscillation of the floating ground station, and (b) a looping phase that aligns with the oscillation phase of the floating ground station such that movement of the aerial vehicle on a downstroke portion of the closed path corresponds to forward displacement of the floating ground station, and movement of the aerial vehicle on an upstroke portion the closed path corresponds to reverse displacement of the floating ground station.

Abstract: An example method includes: determining a period of natural oscillation of a floating ground station in an airborne wind turbine with an aerial vehicle coupled to the ground station via a tether, and wherein each natural-oscillation period comprises forward and backward displacement of the floating ground station with respect to the aerial vehicle; and operating the aerial vehicle to fly in a substantially circular path with a looping period that matches the natural-oscillation period of the floating ground station, and a looping phase that aligns with the oscillation phase of the floating ground station such that movement of the aerial vehicle on a downstroke portion the circular path corresponds to forward displacement of the floating ground station, and movement of the aerial vehicle on an upstroke portion the circular path corresponds to reverse displacement of the floating ground station.

Abstract: Offshore airborne wind turbine systems with an aerial vehicle connected to an undersea anchor via a tether are disclosed. A floating landing platform may be coupled to the tether and be dragged along the surface of the water along with the tether. The landing platform may be designed such that the tether can freely pass through the platform, allowing the aerial vehicle to ascend, descend, move laterally, and in crosswind flight, without creating a significant tension load on landing platform. The landing platform may also include a tether drive mechanism that can actively move the tether through the platform, thus changing the platform's location along the length of the tether.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating aerial vehicles in water-based locations. The systems and methods include a plurality of landing stations. Each landing station of the plurality of landing stations is coupled to at least one of: another landing station or an underwater mooring point. The systems and methods also include an aerial vehicle coupled to a tether mooring point by a tether. The aerial vehicle is configured to land on at least one landing station of the plurality of landing stations.

Abstract: Airborne wind turbine systems with multiple aerial vehicles connected via multiple tethers to a single ground station are disclosed. A node is coupled to the tethers. The node includes a drive system. At a proximate end of the node, each of the tethers is adjacent to neighboring tethers. And at a distal end of the node, each of the tethers is separated from the neighboring tethers. The airborne wind turbine system includes a control system configured to operate the drive system to translate the node along the tethers.

Abstract: Airborne wind turbine systems with multiple aerial vehicles connected via multiple tethers to a single ground station are disclosed. A node is coupled to the tethers. The node includes a drive system. At a proximate end of the node, each of the tethers is adjacent to neighboring tethers. And at a distal end of the node, each of the tethers is separated from the neighboring tethers. The airborne wind turbine system includes a control system configured to operate the drive system to translate the node along the tethers.

Abstract: Airborne wind turbine systems with multiple aerial vehicles connected via multiple tethers to a single ground station are disclosed. A node is coupled to the tethers. The node includes a drive system. At a proximate end of the node, each of the tethers is adjacent to neighboring tethers. And at a distal end of the node, each of the tethers is separated from the neighboring tethers. The airborne wind turbine system includes a control system configured to operate the drive system to translate the node along the tethers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for operating aerial vehicles in water-based locations. Specifically, an exemplary system may include a floating tether station and an aerial vehicle coupled to the floating tether station by a tether. The system may also include a floating landing station. In such a scenario, the aerial vehicle may be configured to land on the landing station. In an example embodiment, the system may include a plurality of floating landing stations, where each floating landing station is coupled to the floating tether station. In such a scenario, at least three landing stations may be arranged about the tether station with a 120 degree azimuth spacing between adjacent landing stations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for operating aerial vehicles in water-based locations. As an example, a system may include a plurality of landing stations. Each landing station of the plurality of landing stations is coupled to at least one of: another landing station or an underwater mooring point. The system also includes an aerial vehicle coupled to a tether mooring point by a tether. The aerial vehicle is configured to land on at least one landing station of the plurality of landing stations.

Abstract: Offshore airborne wind turbine systems with an aerial vehicle connected to an undersea anchor via a tether are disclosed. A floating landing platform may be coupled to the tether and be dragged along the surface of the water along with the tether. The landing platform may be designed such that the tether can freely pass through the platform, allowing the aerial vehicle to ascend, descend, move laterally, and in crosswind flight, without creating a significant tension load on landing platform. The landing platform may also include a tether drive mechanism that can actively move the tether through the platform, thus changing the platform's location along the length of the tether.

Abstract: A method is disclosed where an airborne wind turbine (AWT) is prevented from coming into contact with airborne objects such as birds and bats. The AWT determines the location and characteristics of the incoming airborne objects, and depending on the determined risk value, may shift the location of the aerial vehicle of the AWT in order to avoid the risk of colliding with the airborne objects. Other considerations used by the AWT's determination may include whether the aerial vehicle can continue to generate electricity while performing the avoidance maneuver.