designer talk torch 2006

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Door: kiteboardertje / 12 August 2005 / 07:42 / 1855 Hits / 4 Reacties

Designerâ€™s technical comments on creating the 2006 Torch:

*My main design goals for the 2006 Torch were the following:

1. Fast turning within a small radius with very little power while the kite is spinning; this will allow hand handed kite loops with less sideways force when you are parallel or above the kite during a kite loop. The small radius kite loop is achieved with 50 degree bar angle.

2. 90 degree kite turns with 50% depower. This allows the rider to reduce the power in the kite right before takeoff and then crank full power into the kite for maximum height of the jump.

3. Large radius kite turning with full power to 70% depower, This allows for down the line wave riding and then enough depower when the speed of the rider and the wave create to much power in the kite.

The above criteria were achieved by making the 2006 Torch actually achieve different projected aspect ratios and profile depth in the wing tips (see diagram).

By making the canopy shape different from the Leading edge we were able to create more power in the tips of the kite when the 2006 Torch is loaded versus when it is unloaded.

When loaded the profile in the tips is at 9.2 % camber and when unloaded it is 8.4%. This difference in profile depth after the kite loop is initiated allows for the 2006 Torch to turn extremely fast with no power.

The leading edge has front arc curvature and side curvature and the relation ship between the canopy curvature and the structural strength of the LE in a given section allows for different profiles to be created in the tips.* -- Don Montague , Naish kite designer