Louvred Sensor Shielding With Forced Air Cooling for Weather Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing meteorological sensors are not adequately protected from external factors affecting accuracy, are heavy, cumbersome, and consume excessive power.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a shielding element and airflow generator to minimize sunlight exposure and heat accumulation, using louvres and a fan to facilitate airflow for cooling, reducing thermal mass and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional shielding means are used to protect sensors from external factors, then sensor protection is improved, but heat resistance is insufficient and the apparatus becomes heavy and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding apparatus is divided into multiple louvre elements arranged in a stack, with each element having air openings that allow airflow through the chamber. This segmented structure provides effective shielding while maintaining lightness and portability, avoiding the need for heavy solid enclosures.
Solution Approach 2:
An airflow generator (fan) is positioned within the chamber to actively circulate air through the louvre elements and across the sensor. This pneumatic system provides cooling and heat resistance without requiring heavy thermal mass or insulation materials, thus reducing overall apparatus weight while maintaining sensor protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional shielding means are used to protect sensors, then sensor protection is improved, but the apparatus becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The use of multiple thin louvre elements stacked together creates an effective thermal barrier without the bulk of traditional shielding. The segmented design allows air circulation channels that actively cool the sensor while keeping each individual element lightweight, improving overall portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The active airflow system generated by the fan provides dynamic cooling that is more efficient than passive thermal mass solutions. This allows the apparatus to be lighter and more portable while still achieving effective heat resistance through continuous air circulation across the sensor.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional shielding means are used to protect sensors, then sensor protection is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow generator creates a controlled air flow through the chamber and across the sensor, providing active cooling that prevents heat buildup. This pneumatic cooling system consumes less power than alternative active cooling methods while effectively protecting the sensor from sunlight and heat, achieving a balance between protection and energy efficiency.
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
Provides accurate meteorological measurements while being lightweight, portable, and energy-efficient, with reduced thermal mass and improved sensor protection.
Implementation Method 1
an airflow generator positioned within the chamber and operatively associated with the first and second shielding elements to provide an airflow between the opening and the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a body to be irradiated by sunlight, the body including a plurality of elements each extending outwardly with respect to the axis from an inner edge portion to an outer edge portion
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (200) for shielding a sensor, the sensor being configured to measure one or more meteorological parameters, the apparatus (200) including: a first shielding element (202) to be irradiated by sunlight, the first shielding element (202) having a hollow body (204) providing a longitudinal central axis (208), the body (204) at least partly surrounding a chamber (206) in which the sensor is to be located; a second shielding element (212) axially spaced from an upper portion of the body (204) to form an air opening between the first and second shielding elements (202, 212) to permit air to pass from the chamber (206) and across the body (204); the apparatus (200) further including an airflow generator (214) positioned within the chamber (206) and operatively associated with the first and second shielding elements (202, 212) to provide an airflow between the opening and the chamber (206).