Anemometer using venturi effect and pressure sensors

Abstract

The present application relates to an anemometer comprising: (i) a body with an input opening and an output opening; and (ii) a tunnel disposed between the input opening and the output opening. The tunnel includes a wide section and a narrow section. A pressure sensor is disposed in the body for measuring pressure created inside the body by wind flowing in the input opening and exiting through the output opening. A processor in communication with the sensor and memory storing instructions that when executed cause the processor to compute wind speed for the wind, based on pressure readings provided by the pressure sensor. Wind direction is also provided via a hall sensor forming part of the anemometer.

Description

ANEMOMETER USING VENTURI EFFECT AND PRESSURE SENSORSTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The specification relates to an anemometer generally and in particular to an anemometer that exploits the Venturi effect.BACKGROUND

[0002] An anemometer is a measuring instrument that is used determine wind speed and direction. Although the basic mechanical anemometer is believed to have been known since about the 15thcentury, little has changed in its construction. Despite the limited progress in its design and construction, a mechanical anemometer continues to be widely used and is among the two most common types of anemometers available in the market today. The other common type of anemometer is an ultrasonic anemometer.

[0003] Mechanical anemometers use mechanical components to calculate wind speed and direction. Mechanical anemometers often utilize three or four cups attached to horizontal arms that are in turn attached to a vertical rod. As the wind causes the cups and arms to rotate, the vertical rod spins. The stronger the wind, the faster the rod spins.

[0004] However, mechanical anemometers suffer from frequent mechanical failures. Moreover, mechanical anemometers are unable to accurately measure wind speeds below certain thresholds as they rely on cups or propellers that only rotate with a certain minimum wind speed ranging from 2-3 km / h. Furthermore, bearings used in mechanical anemometers tend to wear out over time. In addition, the accumulation of dust and debris on the device itself may also interfere with the instrument operation and accuracy of readings.

[0005] Ultrasonic anemometers use several transducers to calculate wind speed and direction. Ultrasonic anemometers are much newer than mechanical anemometers, having been developed around the 1950s, but entail a much higher cost due to their utilization of complex electronic circuits to enable rapid computation of wind speed. Drawbacks of using ultrasonic anemometers include their difficulty operating in a cold environment. In very cold environments, heaters are often necessary to melt down ice deposits that often form on ultrasonic transducers, which in turn increases power consumption and adds to the cost of operation.

[0006] In addition to the cost of operation, the initial outlay for acquiring ultrasonic anemometers is often considerably more than the cost of mechanical anemometers. Forcomparison, a mechanical anemometer may cost about $200 whereas the cost of an ultrasonic anemometer may range from about $600 to $5000.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of measuring at least one characteristic of wind using an anemometer, the method comprising : (a) placing a body of the anemometer in the wind such that at least the wind passes through a tunnel of the anemometer, the tunnel comprising a wide section and a narrow section; (b) determining a first pressure at the wide section of the tunnel; (c) determining a second pressure at the narrow section of the tunnel; (d) computing a pressure differential between the first pressure and the second pressure; and (e) computing said at least one characteristic of the wind based on the pressure differential.

[0008] The method may further comprise placing a pressure sensor proximate the anemometer such that the pressure sensor measures the second pressure at the narrow section.

[0009] The method may further comprise using a Hall effect magnetic sensor to determine wind direction.

[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an anemometer comprising: (a) a body comprising: (i) an input opening; (ii) an output opening; and (iii) a tunnel disposed between the input and the output openings, the tunnel comprising a wide section and a narrow section; (b) a pressure sensor disposed in the body, the pressure sensor for measuring pressure created inside the body by wind flowing in the input opening and exiting through the output opening; and (c) a processor in communication with the pressure sensor and having memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to compute wind speed for the wind, based on pressure readings provided by the pressure sensor.

[0011] The anemometer may further comprise a magnet and a rotation sensor.

[0012] The anemometer may further comprise a resistance structure disposed inside the tunnel to create the narrow section.

[0013] An area of pressure drop may be created by the resistance structure as the wind flows through the tunnel.

[0014] The anemometer may further comprise a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB comprising the processor and the memory.

[0015] The anemometer may further comprise a shaft and anemometer body rotates about axis of the shaft. In yet another aspect the PCB may be fixed relative to the shaft.

[0016] Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures and description.BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] For a better understanding of the embodiments described herein and to show how the embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an anemometer, according to an embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 2 a side view of the anemometer of FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 3 a top view of the anemometer of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a front view of a tunnel formed inside the anemometer of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 5 is a top view of the tunnel of FIG. 4, having a sensor mounted thereon;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the tunnel and sensor depicted in FIG. 5;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a top view of the tunnel of FIG. 6 depicting the direction and strength of wind flow patten therethrough as determined using computational fluid dynamics;

[0025] FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of various elements of a computing circuit inside the anemometer of FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 9 is a perspective view partly in cross section, of the sensor and resistance structure of FIG. 7;

[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, of an upper portion of the anemometer of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 11 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, of the anemometer of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a slip ring interface forming part of the anemometer of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication forming part of the anemometer of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the wireless communication of FIG. 13;

[0032] FIG. 15 is a cross section view of the anemometer of FIG. 1 depicting a rotation detector forming part of the anemometer of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIGS. 16-17 are examples of plots of pressure versus wind speed as measured by the anemometer of FIG. 1;

[0034] FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of an anemometer, according to another embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 19 a side view of the anemometer of FIG. 18;

[0036] FIG. 20 a top view of the anemometer of FIG. 18;

[0037] FIG. 21 is a front view of a tunnel formed inside the anemometer of FIG. 18;

[0038] FIG. 22 is a top view of the tunnel of FIG. 21, having a sensor mounted thereon;

[0039] FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of the tunnel and sensor depicted in FIG. 22;

[0040] FIG. 24 is a top view of the tunnel depicted in FIG. 23 showing the direction and strength of wind flow patten therethrough as determined using computational fluid dynamics;

[0041] FIG. 25 is a simplified block diagram of various elements of a computing circuit inside the anemometer of FIG. 18;

[0042] FIG. 26 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, of a sensor and resistance structure of the tunnel of FIG. 24;

[0043] FIG. 27 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, of an upper portion of the anemometer of FIG. 18;

[0044] FIG. 28 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, of the anemometer of FIG. 18;

[0045] FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram of a slip ring interface forming part of the anemometer of FIG. 18;

[0046] FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram a wireless charging and infrared data communication forming part of the anemometer of FIG. 18;

[0047] FIG. 31 is a block diagram of the wireless communication of FIG. 30; and

[0048] FIG. 32 is a cross section view of FIG. 28 depicting a rotation detector forming part of the anemometer of FIG. 18.

[0049] Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] An apparatus in the form of an anemometer and related methods for measuring wind velocity by determining both wind direction and wind speed utilizing a hybrid technique is described in this disclosure. In embodiments described herein, wind speed is measured by making use of the Venturi effect. Venturi effort refers to the reduction in fluid pressure that results when fluid flows through a constricted section of a fluid channel such as a tube or a pipe.

[0051] As is described herein, while wind speed is determined by exploiting the Venturi effect, wind direction is determined using the Hall effect, which refers to a transverse force exerted by a magnetic field on moving charge carriers pushing them to one side of a conductor, as an electric current flows through the conductor in the magnetic field. In a Hall sensor, current is applied to a thin strip of conductor which, in the presence of a magnetic field perpendicular to the direction of the current, deflects the charge carriers, producing a difference in electric potential between the two sides of the strip. The electric potential or voltage difference created is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field.

[0052] Directional terms such as "top," "bottom," "upwards," "downwards," "vertically," and "laterally" are used in the following description for the purpose of providing relative reference only, and are not intended to suggest any limitations on how any article is to be positioned during use, or to be mounted in an assembly or relative to an environment. The use of the word "a" or "an" when used herein in conjunction with the term "comprising" may mean "one," but it is also consistent with the meaning of "one or more," "at least one" and "one or more than one." Any element expressed in the singular form also encompasses its plural form. Any element expressedin the plural form also encompasses its singular form. The term "plurality" as used herein means more than one, for example, two or more, three or more, four or more, and the like.

[0053] In this disclosure, the terms "comprising", "having", "including", and "containing", and grammatical variations thereof, are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, un-recited elements and / or method steps. The term "consisting essentially of" when used herein in connection with a composition, use or method, denotes that additional elements, method steps or both additional elements and method steps may be present, but that these additions do not materially affect the manner in which the recited composition, method, or use functions. The term "consisting of" when used herein in connection with a composition, use, or method, excludes the presence of additional elements and / or method steps.

[0054] For clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment or embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It should be understood at the outset that, although embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described in this disclosure.

[0055] Various terms used throughout the present description may be read and understood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: "or" as used throughout is inclusive, as though written "and / or"; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns so that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; "exemplary" should be understood as "illustrative" or as a non-limiting example, and not necessarily as "preferred" over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description. It will also be noted that the use of the term "a" or "an" will be understood to denote "at least one" in allinstances unless explicitly stated otherwise or unless it would be understood to be obvious that it must mean "one".

[0056] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, "each" refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

[0057] Any module, unit, component, server, computer, terminal, engine or device exemplified herein that executes instructions may include or otherwise have access to computer readable media such as storage media, computer storage media, or data storage devices (removable and / or non-removable) such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, or tape. Computer storage media may include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Examples of computer storage media include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD- ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by an application, module, or both. Any such computer storage media may be part of the device or accessible or connectable thereto. Further, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, any processor or controller set out herein may be implemented as a singular processor or as a plurality of processors.

[0058] The plurality of processors may be arrayed or distributed, and any processing function referred to herein may be carried out by one or by a plurality of processors, even though a single processor may be exemplified. Any method, application or module herein described may be implemented using computer readable / executable instructions that may be stored or otherwise held by such computer readable media and executed by the one or more processors.

[0059] The mechanical rotation happens for a few degrees each time the wind changes its direction as compared to mechanical cup or vane rotation for a regular anemometer.

[0060] As noted above, there are several disadvantages associated with the two common types of anemometers available in the market. Mechanical anemometers use mechanicalcomponent parts to calculate wind speed and direction that are prone to wear and tear, accumulation of dirt and debris that affect performance, and fail to detect wind speed below a threshold of about 2-3 km / h. On the other hand, ultrasonic anemometer typically use three to four transducers, have problems operating in a cold environments and require heaters which consume power, all of which results in high costs associated with their use.

[0061] It is an object of the anemometer disclosed herein to provide a hybrid technique to measure wind direction and wind speed using a differential pressure sensor that exploits the Venturi principle for wind speed measurements and a magnetic sensor for determining the direction of a wind.

[0062] It is an object of the anemometer disclosed herein to provide an anemometer that can operate in harsh environmental conditions

[0063] It is an object of the anemometer disclosed herein to provide an anemometer where the physical rotation occurs for only a few degrees in response to a change in the direction of the wind as compared to prior art anemometers that utilize mechanical cup or vanes that involve continuous rotation of the vanes, and thereby accelerate the effect of mechanical wear on the apparatus.

[0064] FIG. 1 depicts a front elevation view of an anemometer 10, according to an embodiment of the anemometer disclosed herein. FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the anemometer 10 depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 depicts a top view thereof.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, anemometer 10 includes a body 12 that houses a tunnel 24 that allows air to flow from an input opening 14 into an output opening 16 or vice versa. A rudder 18 is connected to the housing or body 12 via one or more arms 20 that enables the body 12 of the anemometer 10 to rotate about a shaft 38 to align or orient the rudder and arms 20 in the direction of the wind.

[0066] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, body 12 of anemometer 10 is spheroidal shape, which provides high resistance to wind, whereas the openings 14, 16 and tunnel 24 provide a path of least resistance, which is conducive to directing airflow to the tunnel 24. Although an oblate spheroid (or "squashed" spheroid in which the equatorial radius is greater than the polar radius) is depicted in FIGS. 1-2, in other embodiments, other anemometer body shapes including prolate spheroids, ellipsoids, discuses, and the like may be used for the body of the anemometer.

[0067] The spheroidal shape of body 12 allows for a smooth swing or gliding rotation upon being acted on by rudder 18 about the center of the axis of shaft 38. Rotation of the rudder 20 is highly responsive to a change in the direction of wind.

[0068] FIG. 4 depicts a partial, front elevation view of a tunnel 24 within body 12 of the anemometer 10. A resistance structure 22 provides resistance to wind flowing therethrough so as to create an area 26 of pressure drop proximate the location of a pressure sensor 30 as a result of the Venturi effect discussed above.

[0069] A top view of tunnel 24 is shown in FIG. 5 and a side cross-sectional view of the tunnel 24 is depicted in FIG. 6.

[0070] The sensor 30 is a pressure sensor. A non-limiting example of a suitable pressure sensor is the SDP31 differential pressure sensor available from Sensirion Holding AG, 8712 Stafa, Switzerland. Other suitable pressure sensors may also be used. Sensor 30 may be in electrical communication with a small, printed circuit board (PCB) 31 in electrical communication with a main PCB 32 that includes a computing circuit for converting pressure readings from the sensor 30 into wind speed measurements. The PCB 31 may be one of several PCBs that may be formed in anemometer 10 as will be described later.

[0071] FIG. 8 depicts a simplified block diagram of various elements of an example of computing circuit 40 inside anemometer 10. Computing circuit 40 may be formed on printed circuit board (PCB) 32 (also shown in FIG. 12) or in other PCBs in the anemometer 10.

[0072] Computing circuit 40 has several elements including a processor in the form of a microcontroller 44. In other embodiments, the processor may be a central processing unit ("CPU"), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a microprocessor. Computing circuit 40 includes memory in the form of random-access memory ("RAM") 48, an input / output ("I / O") interface 52, a network interface 56, and non-volatile storage 60. Interface circuit 64 enables microcontroller 44 can be used to communicate with the other components. Microcontroller 44 executes processor executable instructions in the form of at least an operating system, and one or more applications or firmware.

[0073] RAM 48 provides relatively responsive volatile storage to microcontroller 44. I / O interface 52 allows input to be received from one or more peripheral devices, such as but not limited to a keyboard and a mouse, and outputs information suitable for output devices, such as a display and / or speakers. Network interface 56 permits wired or wireless communication withother computing devices over computer networks such as the Internet. Non-volatile storage 60 stores the operating system and programs, including computer-executable instructions for implementing the software or firmware in anemometer 10. During operation of computing circuit 40, the operating system, the programs and the data may be retrieved from non-volatile storage 60 and placed in RAM 48 to facilitate execution.

[0074] The shape of tunnel 24 as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7 permits conversion of pressure in tunnel 24 into a velocity measure for the wind flowing therethrough. The shape of tunnel 24, a top view of which appears to be somewhat concave, helps to compensate for the wind outside and the design is based on a finite difference method (FDM) analysis.

[0075] A perspective view, partly in cross section, of the resistance structure 22 inside the tunnel 24 is shown in FIG. 9. Tunnel 24 also provides interface in the form of PCB 31 to sensor 30 to be mounted atop. The use of printed circuit boards allows placement of electronic components and interface for external connections to engage with slip rings as will be described later.

[0076] FIG. 10 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, of an upper portion of the anemometer 10 mounted on a shaft 38 that depicts a plurality of roller ball spring loaded contacts 36 and slip ring interface 34.

[0077] Slip ring interface 34 permits rotation of anemometer body 12 caused by changes in the direction of wind while using roller ball spring loaded contacts 36 to maintain the electrical connectivity between an outside wire and internal swinging contacts.

[0078] FIG. 11 is another perspective view, partly in cross section, of the anemometer 10 depicting microcontroller 44, wire connector 52, wire harness shaft slot 56, slip ring PCB holder 54, ball bearings 50 and a pole mount 58 in which shaft 38 is disposed.

[0079] FIG. 12 is an enlarged schematic diagram of slip ring interface 34 forming part of the anemometer. A rotation sensor 60 is disposed on the underside of the main PCB 32. A magnet 62 interacts with the rotation sensor 60 to provide the orientation of the anemometer body 12 or equivalently the rudder 18 which corresponds to the direction of the wind. The slip ring interface 34 includes a slip ring PCB 64 and slip ring base 66. Roller ball spring loaded contacts 36 provide an electrical and mechanical interface between traces on the main PCB 32 and the slip ring PCB 64. A shaft slot 68 for harness is disposed below the slip ring base 66 as shown. FIG. 15 is another cross sectional view of the anemometer 10.

[0080] In alternate embodiments, a Bluetooth low energy (BLE) or Near Field Communications (NFC) can be used to replace slip ring interface 34 to reduce or friction and wirelessly communicate with the pressure sensor 30 as well as a power supply. In the contemplated alternate embodiments, a wireless communications interface such as NFC that permits wireless power transfer (WPT) can be used to send both power and data signals to obviate slip rings and eliminate the slip ring interface 34 entirely. The pressure sensor 30 requires power to measure and send pressure data captured to the main PCB 32. FIGS. 13-14 depict one such alternate embodiment of an anemometer 10a in which a wireless transceiver 70 which may be BLE or NFC is disposed proximate a magnet 62a which used to determine direction of wind. Rotation sensor 60a is disposed atop transmitter PCB 72a. The magnet 62a, sensor 60a, shaft slot 68a and ball bearing 50a are very similar to their counterparts in the earlier embodiment of FIG. 1 and thus will not be further described. As shown in FIG. 14, wire harness 56a in communication with a data acquisition unit 74 which captures pressure and direction data, and transceiver 76 sends the data to a transceiver 78 which is connected to pressure sensor 30a. In anemometer 10a of FIG. 13, a PCB is no longer required to be mounted underneath the wind tunnel but the main PCB 72a can be fixed and located where slip ring section 34 was disposed in the first embodiment of FIG. 1. Accordingly, as anemometer 10a rotates, the 72a is always still and remains fixed relative to the pole mount. Instead of a holder, magnetic sensor 60a is attached to PCB 72a as shown in FIG. 13. NFC is used to capture data from sensor 30a using antennas in transceivers 76, 78.

[0081] A mount bracket, which is part of the pole mount 58: (i) provides a reference direction, for example, North-South (N / S), to externally calibrate direction; and (ii) holds the body 12 of the anemometer 10.

[0082] A portion of shaft 38 disposed inside of the anemometer 10 holds magnet 62 which enables the rotational Hall effect sensor 60 to work. Shaft 38 also provides a conduit for the external wiring 52 to slip ring PCB 64. The shaft 38 is stationary as it is fixedly connected to the mount 58 while body 12 can be rotated about the center axis of shaft 38.

[0083] In operation, a drop in pressure is created as wind passes through a narrow section 24a in the interior of tunnel 24 which also includes wider sections 24b as depicted in FIG. 7. The drop in pressure is measured by the differential pressure sensor 30 and the measurement is subsequently converted to wind speed using the processing circuit 40.

[0084] Tunnel 24 is shaped to provide surface to create some resistance to the flowing wind, 2.5% of section creates drop in pressure for sensor 30 to measure. Referring to FIG. 4, and according to an embodiment, and assuming that resistance structure 22 represents 100% of resistance surface to wind flowing though the tunnel, the area 26 constitutes about 2.5%. In other embodiments, area 26 may constitute more or less that 2.5%.

[0085] As there is no direct interaction of the pressure sensor 30 with the air flow, i.e., the wind elements do not come into direct contact with the sensor 30 for measurement, the pressure sensor 30 can operate even when the anemometer 10 is installed in harsh environmental conditions such as fog, high humidity, dust, and cold.

[0086] In the embodiments of the anemometer 10, a small flow tunnel 30 having a narrow section 24a (shown in FIG. 7) including additional resistance structure 22 to further reduce the inner volume in the tunnel 24, permits pressure measurements to be converted into velocity when the wind is blowing. Advantageously, the tunnel design of tunnel 24 also helps keep the cavity clean from dirt and debris.

[0087] Tunnel 24 is responsible for keeping the inner flow section clean by increasing velocity inside due to drop in pressure. As noted above, using PCBs provides for the placement of electronic components and interface for external connections to engage with slip ring interface 34.

[0088] Wind direction is determined using rotation sensor 60, which in one embodiment of the present disclosure is a Hall effect rotation sensor. Rudder 18 is responsible for rotating the anemometer apparatus body 12 parallel to the direction of wind flow. The mechanical rotation of the anemometer body 12 causes variations in the distance between the sensor 60 and the magnet 62 which in turn leads to the Hall effect which is detected by the sensor 60.

[0089] Computing circuit 40 receives pressure data from the sensor 30 to determine the wind speed measurements and from sensor 60 to provide wind direction measurement.

[0090] FIGS. 16-17 are plots of pressure versus wind speed as measured by the anemometer of FIG. 1. Computing circuit 40 may compute the plotted data and store and optionally transmit it to an external computing device via its network interface 56. As shown in the plot of FIG. 16, the pressure versus wind speed Ws relation is parabolic that may be expressed as Ws = (20 x Pressure Differential).

[0091] The mechanical rotation in the above-described hybrid anemometer does not experience wear on the bearings 50 as would be expected on a mechanical anemometer. The overall design creates a stronger anemometer, making it resistant to hail and other environmental challenges.

[0092] FIG. 18 depicts a front elevation view of an anemometer 110, according to a second embodiment of the anemometer disclosed herein. FIG. 19 depicts a side view of the anemometer 110 depicted in FIG. 18 and FIG. 20 depicts a top view thereof.

[0093] As shown in FIGS. 18-20, anemometer 110 includes a body 112 that houses a tunnel 124 that allows air to flow from an input opening 114 into an output opening 116 or vice versa. A rudder 118 is connected to the housing or body 112 via an arm 120 that enables the body 112 of the anemometer 110 to rotate about a shaft 138 mounted atop a mounting base 139 to align or orient the rudder and arm 120 in the direction of the wind. A solar panel 113, which in the depicted embodiment is flexible, is disposed on the body 112. As depicted in FIG. 19, a cutout 141 in shaft 138 allows a power cord or other cables to be routed through shaft 138.

[0094] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 18-20, body 112 of anemometer 110 is still generally spheroidal in shape, which provides high resistance to wind, whereas the openings 114, 116 and tunnel 124 provide a path of least resistance, which is conducive to directing airflow to the tunnel 124. Although a somewhat oblate spheroid (or "squashed" spheroid in which the equatorial radius is greater than the polar radius) is depicted in FIGS. 18-19, in other embodiments, other anemometer body shapes including prolate spheroids, ellipsoids, discuses, and the like may be used for the body of the anemometer.

[0095] The spheroidal shape of body 112 allows for a smooth swing or gliding rotation upon being acted on by rudder 118 about the center of the axis of shaft 138. Rotation of the rudder 120 is highly responsive to a change in the direction of wind.

[0096] FIG. 21 depicts a partial, front elevation view of a tunnel 124 within body 112 of the anemometer 110. A resistance structure 122 provides resistance to wind flowing therethrough so as to create an area 126 of pressure drop proximate the location of a pressure sensor 130 as a result of the Venturi effect discussed above.

[0097] A top view of tunnel 124 is shown in FIG. 22 and a side cross-sectional view of the tunnel 124 is depicted in FIG. 23.

[0098] As will be detailed later, anemometer 110 includes a wireless power charger for energy transfer to power the anemometer 110 and further supports the use of solar panel 113 to power the anemometer. In addition to pressure sensor 130, anemometer 110 further includes a microwave radar sensor 133, a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and a luminosity sensor.

[0099] Microwave radar sensor 133 is used for rain and snow detection. Sensors 130, 133 are in electrical communication with one ore more printed circuit boards cush as PCB 131 having multiple micro-controllers thereon. PCB 131 may be in electrical communication with a main PCB 132 that includes a computing circuit for converting pressure readings from the sensor 130 into wind speed measurements. The PCB 131 may be one of several PCBs that may be formed in anemometer 110.

[0100] FIG. 24 is a top view of the tunnel of FIG. 23 depicting the direction and strength of wind flow patten therethrough as determined using computational fluid dynamics. The shape of tunnel 124 as shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 24 permits conversion of pressure in tunnel 124 into a velocity measure for the wind flowing therethrough. The shape of tunnel 124, a top view of which appears to be somewhat concave, helps to compensate for the wind outside and the design is based on a finite difference method (FDM) analysis.

[0101] FIG. 25 depicts a simplified block diagram of various elements of an example of computing circuit 140 inside anemometer 110. Computing circuit 140 may be formed on printed circuit board (PCB) 132 or in other PCBs in the anemometer 110. Computing circuit 140 has several elements including a processor in the form of a microcontroller 144. In other embodiments, the processor may be a central processing unit ("CPU"), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller or a microprocessor. Computing circuit 140 includes memory in the form of random-access memory ("RAM") 148, an input / output ("I / O") interface 152, a network interface 156, and non-volatile storage 160. Interface circuit 164 enables microcontroller 144 can be used to communicate with the other components. Microcontroller 144 executes processor executable instructions in the form of at least an operating system, and a one or more applications or firmware. RAM 148 provides relatively responsive volatile storage to microcontroller 144. I / O interface 152 allows input to be received from one or more peripheral devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and outputs information suitable for output devices, such as a display and / or speakers. Network interface 156 permits wired or wireless communication with other computing devices over computer networks such as the Internet. Non-volatile storage 160 stores the operating system and programs, including computerexecutable instructions for implementing the software or firmware in anemometer 110. Duringoperation of computing circuit 140, the operating system, the programs and the data may be retrieved from non-volatile storage 160 and placed in RAM 148 to facilitate execution.

[0102] A perspective view, partly in cross section, of the resistance structure 122 inside the tunnel 124 is shown in FIG. 26. Tunnel 124 also provides interface in the form of PCB 131, to sensor 130 to be mounted atop. The use of printed circuit boards allows placement of electronic components and interface for external connections to engage with slip rings as will be described later.

[0103] FIG. 27 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, of an upper portion of the anemometer 110 mounted on a shaft 138, that depicts a battery 143. FIG. 28 is a full-length perspective view, partly in cross section, of the anemometer 110 mounted on a shaft 138, having a battery 143.

[0104] The design of anemometer 110 permits the use of an alternative slip ring that is responsible for making contacts and provides interface for the data while rotating or swinging with wind changes. Slip ring interface permits rotation of anemometer body 112 caused by changes in the direction of wind while using roller ball spring loaded contacts 136 to maintain the electrical connectivity between an outside wire and internal swinging contacts.

[0105] FIG. 28 is another perspective view, partly in cross section, of the anemometer 110 depicting rechargeable battery 143 and shaft 138, ball bearings 150, wire connector 153, wire harness shaft 157 and mounting base 139 onto which shaft 138 is disposed.

[0106] FIG. 29 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a variant having a slip ring interface 134 forming part of the anemometer 110. A rotation sensor 160 is disposed on the underside of the main PCB 132. A magnet 162 interacts with the rotation sensor 160 to provide the orientation of the anemometer body 112 or equivalently the rudder 118 which corresponds to the direction of the wind. The slip ring interface includes a slip ring PCB 164 and slip ring base 166. Roller ball spring loaded contacts 136 provide an electrical and mechanical interface between traces on the main PCB 132 and the slip ring PCB 164. A shaft slot 168 for harness is disposed below the slip ring base 166 as shown. FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 27.

[0107] In the contemplated alternate embodiments, a wireless communications interface such as NFC that permits wireless power transfer can be used to send both power and data signals to obviate slip rings and eliminate the slip ring interface entirely. The sensor 130 requires power to measure and send pressure data captured to the main PCB 132.

[0108] FIG. 30 depicts a wireless charging transmitter 180, a wireless charging receiver 182, an infrared remitter / receivers 184a, 184b of anemometer 110a.

[0109] In FIG. 31, wire harness 157a is in data communication with a data acquisition unit 174 which captures pressure and direction data, and transceiver 176 sends the data to a transceiver 178 which is connected to pressure sensor 130a. In anemometer 110a of FIG. 30, a PCB is no longer required to be mounted underneath the wind tunnel but the main PCB 172a can be fixed and located where slip ring section was disposed in the embodiment of FIG. 18. Accordingly, as anemometer 110a rotates, the PCB 172a may remain still and fixed relative to the mounting base 139. NFC is used to capture data from sensor 130a using antennas in transceivers 176, 178. Mounting base 139 provides a reference direction - i.e., North-South (N / S) to externally calibrate direction.

[0110] In operation, a drop in pressure is created as wind passes through a narrow section 24a in the interior of tunnel 124 which also includes wider sections 24b as depicted in FIG. 24. The drop in pressure is measured by the differential pressure sensor 130 and the measurement is subsequently converted to wind speed using the processing circuit 140.

[0111] Tunnel 124 is also shaped to provide surface to create some resistance to the flowing wind, 2.5% of section creates drop in pressure for sensor 130 to measure. Referring to FIG. 21, in one specific embodiment, assuming that resistance structure 122 represents 100% of resistance surface to wind flowing though the tunnel, the area 126 constitutes about 2.5%. In other embodiments, area 126 may constitute more or less that 2.5%.

[0112] Battery 143 in the depicted embodiment is a rechargeable battery 143 to store the energy to power the anemometer 110. Anemometer 110 may use infrared link access protocol (IrDA) for data communication using infrared emitter / receivers 184a, 184b. Anemometer 110 further supports the use of luminosity sensor 135 to measure the lux of both infrared and fullspectrum light. As shown, anemometer 110 also supports the use of microwave radar 133 for rain and snow detection. Microwave radar 133, luminosity sensor 135, other sensors such as temperature and humidity sensors, and one or more associated microcontrollers may be formed on the same PCB as shown in FIG. 22.

[0113] The design can use an alternative slip ring that is responsible for making contacts and interface for the data while rotating / swinging with wind changes.

[0114] As was the case with anemometer 10, there is no direct interaction of the pressure sensor 130 of anemometer 110 with the air flow, i.e., the wind elements do not come into directcontact with the sensor 130 for measurement, the pressure sensor 130 can operate even when the anemometer 110 is installed in harsh environmental conditions such as fog, high humidity, dust, and cold.

[0115] A small flow tunnel 124 having a narrow section 124a (shown in FIG. 24) including additional resistance structure 122 to further reduce the inner volume in the tunnel 124, permits pressure measurements to be converted into velocity when the wind is blowing. Advantageously, the tunnel design of tunnel 124 also helps keep the cavity clean from dirt and debris.

[0116] Tunnel 124 is responsible for keeping the inner flow section clean by increasing velocity inside due to drop in pressure. As noted above, using PCBs provides for the placement of electronic components.

[0117] Wind direction is determined using rotation sensor 160, which in one embodiment of the present disclosure is a Hall effect rotation sensor. Rudder 118 is responsible for rotating the anemometer apparatus body 112 parallel to the direction of wind flow. The mechanical rotation of the anemometer body 112 causes variations in the distance between the sensor 160 and the magnet 162 which in turn leads to the Hall effect which is detected by the sensor 160.

[0118] Computing circuit 140 receives pressure data from the sensor 130 to determine the wind speed measurements and from sensor 160 to provide wind direction measurement.

[0119] Although specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include some, none, or all of the enumerated advantages. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of measuring at least one characteristic of wind, the method comprising:(a) placing a body of an anemometer, the body comprising a tunnel, in the wind such that at least the wind passes through the tunnel, the tunnel comprising a wide section and a narrow section;(b) determining a first pressure at the wide section of the tunnel;(c) determining a second pressure at the narrow section of the tunnel;(d) computing a pressure differential between the first pressure and the second pressure; and(e) computing said at least one characteristic of the wind based on the pressure differential.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing a pressure sensor proximate the anemometer such that the pressure sensor measures the second pressure at the narrow section.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one characteristic of the wind is wind speed.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one characteristic of the wind is wind direction.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising using a Hall effect magnetic sensor to determine the wind direction.

6. An anemometer comprising:(a) a body comprising:(i) an input opening;(ii) an output opening; and(iii) a tunnel disposed between the input and the output openings, the tunnel comprising a wide section and a narrow section;(b) a pressure sensor disposed in the body, the pressure sensor for measuring pressure created inside the body by wind flowing in the input opening and exiting through the output opening; and(c) a processor in communication with the pressure sensor and memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to compute wind speed for the wind, based on pressure readings provided by the pressure sensor.

7. The anemometer of claim 6, further comprising a magnet and a rotation sensor.

8. The anemometer of claim 6, further comprising a resistance structure is disposed inside the tunnel to create the narrow section.

9. The anemometer of claim 8, wherein an area of pressure drop is created by the resistance structure as the wind flows through the tunnel.

10. The anemometer of claim 9, wherein the ratio of the area of pressure drop to a surface of the resistance structure is about 2.5%.

11. The anemometer of claim 6, further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB comprising the processor and the memory.

12. The anemometer of claim 9, further comprising a shaft, wherein the PCB is fixed relative to the shaft as the anemometer body rotates about axis of the shaft.

13. The anemometer of claim 10, wherein a wireless interface is used for data communication and wireless power transmission between the PCB and the pressure sensor.

14. The anemometer of claim 8, further comprising a mounting bracket holding the body.

15. The anemometer of claim 14, wherein the mounting bracket provides a reference direction for externally calibrating a direction reference.

16. The anemometer of claim 7, further comprising a shaft disposed at least partly inside the body, the shaft having the magnet for interaction with the rotation sensor.

17. The anemometer of claim 16, wherein the shaft provides a pathway for external wiring to have electrical communication with at least one of the processor, pressure sensor and rotation sensor.

18. The anemometer of claim 16, wherein the shaft is stationary as the body rotates.

19. The anemometer of claim 7, further comprising a slip ring interface to permit rotation the body in dependence on changes in the direction of the wind while maintaining electrical communication with the processor and pressure sensor.

20. The anemometer of claim 19, wherein the slip ring interface comprises at least one roller ball spring loaded contact to maintain the electrical communication.

21. The anemometer of claim 6, wherein the body is a spheroid.

22. The anemometer of claim 6, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed proximate the narrow section of the tunnel.

23. The anemometer of claim 6, further comprising a battery.

24. The anemometer of claim 23 wherein the battery is a rechargeable battery.

25. The anemometer of claim 24, further comprising a solar panel for charging the battery.

26. The anemometer of claim 6, further comprising a wireless charging transmitter and a wireless charging receiver.

27. The anemometer of claim 26, further comprising an infrared transmitter and receiver.

28. The anemometer of claim 6, further comprising a microwave radar sensor.

29. The anemometer of claim 6, further comprising one or more of a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor.

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