KiteShip - Wind Power for Ships - US7093803

David A. Culp was granted this patent in 2006. It will expire in 2026. The patent describes an

"aerodynamic wing to propel a broad range of transport means, principally sail craft. The wing provides a single layer kite structure capable of flying without surface discontinuity, bridles, or rigid or semi-rigid structure. All stresses within the wing are converted into pure tension and transferred through the wing surface outward to attachment lines. The wing shape defines a large diameter self-supporting rolled over leading edge of an airfoil and the wing profile approaching the trailing edge exhibits increasing convexity. The wing is useful to propel, or supplement propulsion to, transportation means."

Dave Culp is the President of KiteShip, "the leader in spinnaker replacement and kite-assisted ocean vessel technology".

KiteShip is another of the new brand of Kite 2.0 companies.

Here is a video of this kite in action:


Note: This patent has not expired yet, it will expire at around the year 2026. Full Patent.