Acoustic Wind Measurement Using Polygonal Transducer Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wind measurement apparatuses require multiple components and complex structures to achieve accurate and reliable wind speed and direction measurements, increasing manufacturing costs and structural complexity.
Innovation Solution
A wind measurement apparatus with a base and cover portion, featuring N transducers arranged as vertices of a convex regular polygon and a reflector assembly with concave portions, allowing for ultrasonic signal transmission and partial reflection to derive wind characteristics with reduced components and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple measurement paths are used to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple measurement paths into a single compact structure by arranging transducers at the vertices of a regular polygon and using a shared reflector assembly. This merging approach allows simultaneous acquisition of multiple measurement paths (at least three) without proportionally increasing the number of separate components, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a reflector for ultrasonic signals, provides structural support for the transducers, and enables the formation of multiple measurement paths through its geometric configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed while maintaining accurate wind measurement capabilities across multiple directions.
2Reliability
If the number of transducers and measurement paths is increased to improve reliability, then measurement reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement system into N discrete transducers arranged at the vertices of a regular polygon, where each transducer can independently transmit and receive ultrasonic signals. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable measurements through multiple paths while using identical, standardized components that are easier to manufacture and assemble compared to a monolithic design with more components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the transducer arrangement from arbitrary positions to vertices of a regular polygon, which optimizes the measurement geometry. This parameter change allows the system to achieve reliable wind measurement in multiple directions using a symmetric, efficient configuration that reduces the total number of components and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining high reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate, reliable, and robust wind speed and direction measurements with a simpler structure, reducing the number of components and manufacturing costs while maintaining high accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
transmit a respective ultrasonic measurement signal in a respective transmitter beam, TX beam, towards the reflector assembly... receive, via said two adjacent reflector portions, respective partial reflections of the respective TX beams
Implementation Method 2
receive, via said two adjacent reflector portions, respective partial reflections of the respective TX beams originating from those ones of the N transducers that are adjacent to the respective transducer
Data Source
AI summary
A wind measurement apparatus includes: base and cover portions; N transducers disposed on the base portion in positions that serve as vertices of a convex regular polygon of order N (N≥3); and a reflector assembly arranged on the cover portion. The reflector assembly is divided into N substantially identical concave reflector portions. The reflector assembly and the base portion are disposed such that center points of the reflector assembly and the polygon are spatially aligned and each of the N transducers is spatially aligned with a respective boundary between two adjacent reflector portions. Each transducer is arranged to: transmit a TX beam towards the reflector assembly such that the TX beam meets the adjacent reflector portions on opposite sides of the respective boundary, and receive, via said adjacent reflector portions, partial reflections of the TX beams originating from those of the N transducers that are adjacent to the transducer.