I'm hoping to construct a new power generation device which needs a kite bladder.
check out http://kitepowercoop.org for an idea of what I'm up to.
The thing is, I think and great need custom bladders, to inflate the ring.
So I should probably make my own.
Can you give me advice on the materials I need?

http://www.airtimekite.com/index.php/ai ... dders.html

what is the circumference of your ring?

The ring will be up to 2m circumference (not critical ...as I'll make a smaller ring bag after I get the bladder) so a 6m plus long snake bladder.
around 30cm ish circumference tube
with a capped valve half way.
if you have a look at my http://kitepowercoop.org site you'll get an idea of how sketchy a design I have

what happens when the wind dies? also what happens when there's too much wind?

Hey,

Neat idea.

What about using a ballon for holding the main structure up. The ballon could be inflated and deflated as needed for wind.

Maybe reverse the directions of the rings and when the wind is up maybe it will fly???

Clew In

Hi there, cool stuff!

If you need any help feel free to contact me by email - did a lot of custom kites (kite-stuff.org) and some other inflatable structures in the past.

Also, we can offer you our TPU film if you want to do the welding by yourself or we can make you custom ones with valves depending on your needs.

Looks cool.
I would loose the kite and add some drag to the mills so they would stay airborne by them selves.

Wow, thanks for the replies. glad you like it.
The reason for the kite pulling it up / not a balloon ... more consistent winds at altitude, kites are more readily controlled (see my lift kite controller video) balloons need helium (it's a precious enough resource)
I have considered adding a skirt on the inside of the ring. On The proof of concept model (an inflatable trampoline) no air went through the ring... and it worked... a skirt would add stability too... like an xylo throwing ring... but there is bound to be some gyroscopic drag effect... Until it's built who knows.

In large winds there is bungy from the ring to the outside line ... once the ring reaches it's max speed any extra force SHOULD (in my brain) cause the kites to fold away backward.
In low winds... ideally this is done on water. fly the lifter kite to the side, drop the set down, pack ready to relaunch... yes it needs a full time pilot... quite a cool job.

Love this idea! We had a few guys down in Holland playing with similar ideas such as the Laddermill project from TU delft. (Wubbo Ockels, one of the dutch space invaders is actively involved in this project.

We have been helping the team from the laddermill project out with custom light weight bladders for their 50m2 kite shape. We'd be happy to help you out too. You can always hit us up via http://www.u-stick.eu

Do the guys at laddermil need the tubes for those kite planes LE's ?