Articles | Volume 11, issue 11
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-4147-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-4147-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
10 Nov 2026
Research article |
| 10 Nov 2026
| 10 Nov 2026
Computational aerodynamics for leading-edge inflatable kite design
Jelle Agatho Wilhelm Poland
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS, Delft, the Netherlands
Kasper Raphaël G. Masure
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS, Delft, the Netherlands
Oriol Cayon
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS, Delft, the Netherlands
Roland Schmehl
Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS, Delft, the Netherlands
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We studied how air flows around a rigid-scale model of a soft-wing kite used for harvesting airborne wind energy and wind-assisted ship propulsion. Using a wind tunnel and a laser-based imaging method, we measured the airflow at different angles to compare with simulations. Measured flow field results confirm numerical predictions.
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Christoph Elfert, Dietmar Göhlich, and Roland Schmehl
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Rishikesh Joshi, Roland Schmehl, and Michiel Kruijff
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Mark Schelbergen and Roland Schmehl
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Short summary
Soft inflatable kites are promising tools for renewable applications, but their unusual shape makes them difficult to analyse with conventional aerodynamic methods. A fast, accurate computer model is presented based on detailed airflow simulations and wind tunnel measurements. Aerodynamic forces are predicted within about 10% of experimental values while requiring far less computing time. It also helps designers to balance efficiency and stability, enabling faster, more reliable kite development.
Soft inflatable kites are promising tools for renewable applications, but their unusual shape...
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