Wireless Wind-Powered Anemometer Eliminates Cable Hazards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anemometers require signal and power cables, which pose hazards like lightning strikes, corrosion, and maintenance issues, and are costly to install and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A wireless wind-powered anemometer system that uses a wind-reacting device connected to a rotatable shaft and an AC generator to produce power for signal conditioning and transmission, eliminating the need for cables by harnessing wind energy to power RF communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are used to connect anemometer to data loggers and displays, then power and signal transmission are reliable, but lightning strikes can conduct down the wire causing damage and safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the cable connection from the system by implementing a wireless transmission solution using RF (radio frequency) communication. The anemometer transmits data wirelessly to a base station, removing the physical conductor that would allow lightning to reach ground equipment. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining communication reliability through wireless protocols while eliminating the lightning conduction path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an RF wireless communication system as an intermediary between the anemometer and the base station. This intermediary transmits data through electromagnetic waves in the air rather than through physical cables, preventing direct electrical conduction of lightning strikes while maintaining data transmission functionality.
2Reliability
If cables are used for anemometer installation, then power and data connection are established, but cables can become corroded requiring maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cable infrastructure from the system by implementing wireless RF communication. Without physical cables exposed to the environment, there is no corrosion of connectors or cable insulation, eliminating the maintenance issue while preserving continuous data transmission capability.
3Reliability
If cables are used for anemometer connection, then power and signal transmission are enabled, but installation cost increases due to cable material and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the cable component from the installation by using wireless RF transmission. This removes both the material cost of cables and the labor cost of cable installation and connection, significantly reducing overall installation expenses while maintaining reliable data transmission through wireless communication protocols.
4Measurement precision
If conventional anemometer with cables is used, then measurement function is achieved, but additional expense and installation complexity are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the overall system by extracting and removing the cable and connector subsystem. The anemometer unit becomes a standalone wireless sensor that transmits measurements directly to the base station, reducing installation complexity and eliminating the need for physical connections while preserving measurement accuracy through the same sensing mechanisms.
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 effectively transmits wind speed data wirelessly, reducing installation costs and hazards, while maintaining accuracy and reliability by utilizing wind energy to power the anemometer's electronics.
Implementation Method 1
an ac generator in communication with the rotatable shaft, and where the ac generator is configured to produce an ac voltage
Implementation Method 2
a transmitter located on the stator/circuit board; and an antenna in signal communication with the transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless wind-powered anemometer comprising: a wind reacting device; a rotatable shaft in communication with the wind reacting device; an ac generator in communication with the rotatable shaft, and where the ac generator is configured to produce an ac voltage that is generally directly proportional to wind speed detected by the wind reacting devices; a signal conditioning and transmitter circuit in communication with the ac generator; and where the signal conditioning and transmitter circuit is configurable to communicate with a wireless network, and where the signal conditioning and transmitter circuit is supplied with power from the ac generator. A wireless wind-powered anemometer comprising: a plurality of conic cups; a rotatable cap fixedly attached to the plurality of conic cups; a shaft fixedly attached to the rotatable cap; a shaft housing rotatably attached to the shaft, and configured such that the shaft rotates with respect to the shaft housing and the shaft housing remains stationary; a first bearing in communication with the shaft and the shaft housing; an electronic housing fixedly attached to the shaft housing; an armature located within the electronic housing and fixedly attached to the shaft; a stator/circuit board located within the electronic housing, fixedly attached to the electronic housing, rotatably attached to the shaft, and configured such that shaft rotates with respect to the stator and the stator remains stationary; a top side of the stator facing the armature; an under side of the stator facing away from the armature; a plurality of coils located on the armature; a plurality of magnets located on the top side of the stator; a second bearing in communication with the shaft and the stator/circuit board, and configured to allow the shaft to rotate with respect to the stator/circuit board; a transmitter located on the stator/circuit board; and an antenna in signal communication with the transmitter.