Vehicle Probe Wind Velocity Measurement System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring ambient wind speed and direction near moving vehicles are impractical due to the need for lengthy booms or support structures that exceed vehicular clearance, and ground-based anemometers often provide non-actionable, delayed data, making it difficult to ensure safety from wind-induced tip-overs in high wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising probes attached to vehicles that measure wind speed and direction using pressure transducers and a controller to calculate and communicate real-time wind velocity, capable of operating within the vehicle's clearance envelope and providing accurate data for both headwinds and crosswinds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ground-based anemometers are used to measure wind speed and direction, then wind data can be obtained, but the data is delayed and non-actionable for real-time safety decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional ground-based mechanical anemometers with a probe system that uses pressure transducers to measure wind pressures. The controller calculates wind velocity from these pressure measurements, providing real-time data without the delays inherent in ground-based systems. This substitution of measurement methodology enables immediate safety decisions.
2Measurement precision
If lengthy booms or support structures are used to mount wind sensors, then wind measurements can be taken outside vehicle clearance, but the device complexity and clearance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wind measurement function from complex external support structures and integrates it directly into the vehicle probe system. The probe, mounted on the vehicle without requiring lengthy booms, contains pressure ports that directly measure wind pressures. This extraction simplifies the overall system while maintaining measurement capability within vehicle clearance constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures wind velocity by detecting pressure differences across multiple ports on the probe rather than using physical distance or boom length. This dimensional change from spatial measurement (boom length) to pressure gradient measurement enables accurate wind detection without external support structures.
3Speed
If probes are mounted on vehicles to measure real-time wind velocity, then safety decisions can be made in real-time, but the probes must operate within limited vehicle clearance envelope
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions specific pressure ports on the probe at optimized locations to capture representative wind pressure information within the constrained vehicle clearance envelope. The probe design ensures that pressure ports are located where they can accurately measure wind pressures despite the limited space available for mounting on the vehicle.
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
The system enhances safety by enabling real-time identification of potentially hazardous wind conditions, allowing operators to take corrective actions and reducing unnecessary speed restrictions, thereby minimizing delays and costs.
Implementation Method 1
one or more pressure transducers coupled to the one or more pressure lines
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a controller, one or more signals from the one or more pressure transducers. The one or more pressure transducers are coupled to one or more pressure lines, the one or more pressure lines are coupled to one or more probes, and the one or more probes coupled to a vehicle. The method also includes converting, by the controller, the one or more signals to one or more digital signals. The method further includes calculating, by the controller, a wind velocity relative to the vehicle using the one or more digital signals.