Patents by Inventor Richard Ruiterkamp

Richard Ruiterkamp has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11358716
    Abstract: A system for electric power production from wind includes a glider having an airfoil, an on-board steering unit, a flight controller for controlling the steering unit, and a connection unit for a tether. The system further includes a ground station including a reel for the tether, a rotating electrical machine connected to the reel, and a ground station controller for controlling the reel and the rotating electrical machine. A master controller operates the system in at least first and second operation modes. In the first operation mode electric power is produced with the rotating electrical machine from rotation of the reel caused by reeling out the tether using a lift force generated upon exposure of the airfoil of the airborne glider to wind. In the second operation mode, the reel is driven by the rotating electrical machine, thereby reeling in the tether onto the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: AMPYX Power B.V.
    Inventor: Richard Ruiterkamp
  • Publication number: 20210047033
    Abstract: A system for electric power production from wind includes a glider having an airfoil, an on-board steering unit, a flight controller for controlling the steering unit, and a connection unit for a tether. The system further includes a ground station including a reel for the tether, a rotating electrical machine connected to the reel, and a ground station controller for controlling the reel and the rotating electrical machine. A master controller operates the system in at least first and second operation modes. In the first operation mode electric power is produced with the rotating electrical machine from rotation of the reel caused by reeling out the tether using a lift force generated upon exposure of the airfoil of the airborne glider to wind. In the second operation mode, the reel is driven by the rotating electrical machine, thereby reeling in the tether onto the reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: Richard RUITERKAMP
  • Patent number: 10577097
    Abstract: A glider, a system and methods for electric power production from wind are disclosed. The glider includes an airfoil, onboard steering means for pitching, rolling and yawing the glider when airborne, sensor means that provide a first signal related to an absolute position of the glider, a second signal related to an air speed of the glider and a third signal related to an acceleration of the glider, a control device connected to the steering means for controlling autonomous flight of the glider based on the signals provided by the sensor means, and a connection means for a tether connecting the glider to a ground-based electrical machine constructed for converting a lift force generated upon exposure of the airfoil to wind and transferred to the ground via the tether into electric power. The system includes the glider, the ground-based electrical machine and tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: AMPYX Power B.V.
    Inventor: Richard Ruiterkamp
  • Publication number: 20150266574
    Abstract: A glider, a system and methods for electric power production from wind are disclosed. The glider includes an airfoil, onboard steering means for pitching, rolling and yawing the glider when airborne, sensor means that provide a first signal related to an absolute position of the glider, a second signal related to an air speed of the glider and a third signal related to an acceleration of the glider, a control device connected to the steering means for controlling autonomous flight of the glider based on the signals provided by the sensor means, and a connection means for a tether connecting the glider to a ground-based electrical machine constructed for converting a lift force generated upon exposure of the airfoil to wind and transferred to the ground via the tether into electric power. The system includes the glider, the ground-based electrical machine and tether.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventor: Richard Ruiterkamp
  • Publication number: 20140361122
    Abstract: A system for electric power production from wind includes a glider having an airfoil, an on-board steering unit, a flight controller for controlling the steering unit, and a connection unit for a tether. The system further includes a ground station including a reel for the tether, a rotating electrical machine connected to the reel, and a ground station controller for controlling the reel and the rotating electrical machine. A master controller operates the system in at least first and second operation modes. In the first operation mode electric power is produced with the rotating electrical machine from rotation of the reel caused by reeling out the tether using a lift force generated upon exposure of the airfoil of the airborne glider to wind. In the second operation mode, the reel is driven by the rotating electrical machine, thereby reeling in the tether onto the reel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Ruiterkamp
  • Publication number: 20080210826
    Abstract: A kite having a main body provided with at least a first and a second connection cable and at least one main pulling cable, the at least first and second connection cables each having a first and a second end, the first ends of the at least first and second connection cables being connected to the main body of the kite at different positions of the main body, the second ends of the at least first and second connection cables being connected to the main pulling cable, wherein at least one regulator is provided between the first ends of the connection cables and the main body and/or between the second ends of the connection cables and the at least one main pulling cable, a control being provided for controlling the at least one regulator so that the kite is steereable. The invention further relates to a method of generating power using such a kite, a method of providing driving force to a vehicle using such a kite, a vehicle provided with such a kite and a power generation assembly comprising such a kite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Technische Universiteit Delft
    Inventors: Wubbo Johannes OCKELS, Richard Ruiterkamp, Bas Lansdorp