Vehicle Wind Velocity Measurement Using Differential Pressure Probes
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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 ground-based anemometers that are often too far away to provide real-time, actionable data, making it difficult to safely operate vehicles in high wind conditions.
Innovation Solution
The system uses probes attached to vehicles to measure wind speed and direction relative to the vehicle, calculating wind velocity by determining differential pressures and using a controller to correct for errors caused by probe locations within disturbed airflow, providing real-time data for both headwinds and crosswinds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ground-based anemometers or lengthy booms are used to measure wind speed and direction, then measurement distance from the vehicle is increased, but real-time actionable data becomes unavailable due to distance and delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based measurement to vehicle-mounted measurement, changing the spatial dimension of the measurement system. By attaching probes directly to the vehicle, the system eliminates the distance and time delay inherent in ground-based anemometers, enabling real-time wind data collection at the vehicle's location
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces probes with multiple pressure ports as intermediaries to measure wind conditions. These probes capture wind pressure data that is then converted to wind velocity information, serving as a mediator between the vehicle and the ambient wind conditions to provide actionable real-time data
2Loss of time
If probes are mounted on vehicles to measure wind velocity, then real-time data availability is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to disturbed airflow around the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the probe into multiple segments with different pressure ports (first port, second port, third port, fourth port) positioned at different locations. Each port measures pressure from different aspects of the disturbed airflow, and the controller processes these segmented measurements to calculate accurate wind velocity by compensating for the vehicle's interference
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring pressure differentials between multiple ports and adjusting wind velocity calculations accordingly. The controller processes the pressure data from all ports to determine accurate wind speed and direction, compensating for the disturbed airflow conditions through iterative calculation
3Measurement precision
If multiple pressure ports are used on probes to correct for disturbed airflow, then wind velocity measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the probe universal by designing it with multiple pressure ports that serve multiple functions: measuring static pressure, dynamic pressure, and directional information simultaneously. This multi-functional design allows accurate wind velocity measurement without requiring separate sensors for each parameter, thereby managing complexity while improving precision
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
This approach allows for accurate and timely wind data collection, enabling operators to take preventive measures against wind-induced tip-overs and reducing unnecessary speed restrictions, thus improving safety and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
determining a first wind pressure associated with a first port of a first probe, determining a second wind pressure associated with a second port of the first probe, and determining a reference wind pressure associated with an end portion of the first probe
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by a controller, a first wind pressure associated with a first port of a first probe, determining, by the controller, a second wind pressure associated with a second port of the first probe, and determining, by the controller, a reference wind pressure associated with an end portion of the first probe. The method also includes calculating, by the controller, a first reference differential using the first wind pressure and the reference wind pressure, calculating, by the controller, a first rotational differential using the first wind pressure and the second wind pressure, and calculating, by the controller, an angular coefficient using the first reference differential and the first rotational differential. The method further includes calculating, by the controller, a wind velocity using the first reference differential and the angular coefficient. The wind velocity represents a wind velocity relative to a vehicle.