Self-Sustaining Aerological Sonde for Cyclone Turbulence Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerological sondes have limited capability to provide detailed data on the intensity and strength of cyclonic storms, relying primarily on GPS-based location and movement data, which does not adequately capture turbulence and wind conditions.

Innovation Solution

An aerological sonde with a self-sustaining design featuring a sonde casing that forms the sole drag surface, equipped with gyroscopic and accelerometer sensors to measure turbulence and orientation, allowing it to freely migrate in atmospheric flows and accurately capture turbulence data without additional stabilizing components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional aerological sondes use GPS-based location and movement data to measure storm conditions, then the device structure remains simple, but the measurement precision of turbulence and wind conditions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturbulence measurement precisionVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces GPS-based location tracking with direct physical measurement using a turbulence sensor (gyroscope and accelerometer) that measures the actual motion and orientation of the sonde itself. This substitution of mechanical sensing for satellite-based positional calculation enables direct turbulence measurement while maintaining reasonable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a turbulence sensor as an intermediary measurement device that directly senses atmospheric turbulence through the sonde's motion response. The gyroscope and accelerometer act as intermediaries between the atmospheric conditions and the measurement system, providing direct turbulence data rather than deriving it from GPS position changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If aerological sondes use additional stabilizing components like parachutes or balloons, then the stability of the sonde is improved, but the device complexity and additional drag increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesonde stabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs the sonde casing itself to provide both structural protection and aerodynamic drag functions. The outer casing surface is designed to form the drag surface, eliminating the need for separate parachute or balloon components. This self-service approach maintains stability while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sonde casing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the internal electronics and measurement instruments, provides the aerodynamic drag surface for atmospheric interaction, and defines the overall structure of the device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate stabilizing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If aerological sondes descend quickly to the surface, then the measurement time is reduced, but the productivity of data collection is improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata collection efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the terminal velocity parameter of the sonde by designing the outer casing drag surface area and shape. By adjusting the drag coefficient and surface area relative to the sonde's mass, the terminal velocity is controlled to provide an optimal balance between measurement duration and productivity, allowing sufficient time for detailed turbulence measurements while maintaining efficient data collection rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 detailed measurement of turbulence and wind conditions within cyclonic storms, providing improved data for predicting storm intensity and track, with a terminal velocity allowing prolonged atmospheric presence.

Implementation Method 1

a turbulence sensor (70) arranged to measure turbulence in the cyclonic storm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Implementation Method 2

the turbulence sensor comprises a gyroscopic sensor arranged to measure orientation of the self-sustaining aerological sonde

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscopic effect: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 3

the turbulence sensor comprises an accelerometer arranged to measure change of rate of velocity of the self-sustaining aerological sonde

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 4

The outer casing surface of the sonde casing is arranged to form drag surface of the aerological sonde such that a self-sustaining aerological sonde is formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDrag: Drag

Implementation Method 5

with a terminal velocity allowing prolonged atmospheric presence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTerminal velocity: Terminal Velocity

Data Source

PatentEP4062204B1Aerological sonde and method for measuring meteorological conditions
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 SKYFORA OY
  • EP4062204B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4062204B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4062204B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an aerological sonde (10) for measuring meteorological conditions in a cyclonic storm, the aerological sonde (10) comprising a sonde casing (20) having an outer casing surface and measurement unit (12) arranged inside the sonde casing (20). The outer casing surface is arranged to form a sole drag surface of the aerological sonde (10) such that a self-sustaining aerological sonde (10) is formed. The measurement unit (12) of the self-sustaining aerological sonde (10) comprises a turbulence sensor (70) arranged to measure change of movement of the self-sustaining aerological sonde (10).