Wind Speed Measurement Using Shielded Pressure Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind speed measurement techniques are prone to inaccurate results due to dependence on device design and wind direction, particularly when measuring wind speed at a localized level, and often fail to reflect standard meteorological wind speed at 10 meters height in open terrain.
Innovation Solution
A wind speed measurement apparatus comprising a pressure sensor with a wind shield to prevent direct airflow, allowing for the derivation of wind speed characteristics at a predefined reference height, and a network of such apparatuses for creating a wind speed profile, using a processing unit to compute wind speed characteristics from pressure sensor signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a pressure sensor is arranged at an opening in the casing to measure wind speed, then the measurement approach is simple, but the measurement result depends on the shape of the casing, the shape and size of the opening, and the arrangement of the pressure sensor
Solution Approach 1:
A wind shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the environment and the pressure sensor. The wind shield has a specific geometry designed to redirect airflow around the sensor housing, creating a controlled flow pattern that reduces sensitivity to wind direction and minimizes the influence of device shape and opening characteristics on measurement accuracy.
2Device complexity
If the second pressure sensor is arranged at an opening in the casing, then the device design is simple, but the airflow through the opening is highly sensitive to wind direction, increasing the risk of inaccurate measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The wind shield acts as a mediator that modifies the airflow characteristics before the air reaches the pressure sensor. By designing the wind shield with specific geometric features, it creates a flow regime that is less sensitive to variations in wind direction, thereby improving measurement reliability without significantly complicating the device design.
Solution Approach 2:
The wind shield changes the flow parameters (flow direction, velocity distribution) of the air approaching the pressure sensor. By controlling these flow parameters through the wind shield geometry, the measurement becomes more reliable across different wind directions while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
3Measurement precision
If a localized measurement result is obtained near the measurement device, then the measurement reflects device characteristics, but it does not adequately reflect the wind speed at 10 meter height in open terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The wind shield modifies the local flow parameters around the pressure sensor to better represent the free-stream wind conditions. By controlling the airflow characteristics in the immediate vicinity of the sensor, the measurement more accurately reflects the wind speed at the desired reference height, making the device adaptable to standard meteorological measurement requirements.
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 reliable and accurate measurement of wind speed characteristics at a desired height, independent of device installation location and wind direction, providing a cost-effective solution for wind speed measurement networks.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor (110) arranged to provide a pressure sensor signal (111) that is descriptive of an instantaneous air pressure
Implementation Method 2
a wind shield (115) arranged to prevent a direct airflow from the environment of the apparatus (100, 100-k) to the pressure sensor (110)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6A~6B
AI summary
According to an example embodiment, an apparatus for wind speed measurement is provided, the apparatus comprising: a pressure sensor (110) arranged to provide a pressure sensor signal (111) that is descriptive of an instantaneous air pressure; a wind shield (115) arranged to prevent a direct airflow from the environment of the apparatus (100, 100-k) to the pressure sensor (110); and a processing unit (112, 120, 122) for deriving, based on the pressure sensor signal (111), one or more wind speed characteristics that are descriptive of the wind speed at a predefined reference measurement height.