Abstract: A structure for reducing turbulence and increasing flow uniformity in a flowing fluid in a wind tunnel, or a fluid channel, has a plurality of conduits or channels arranged into a conduit bundle. The conduit bundle has a number of parallel conduits with plurality of perforations on the inner side walls of the conduit. As the fluid flows through the conduit bundle the sides of the conduits reduce lateral turbulence while the perforations minimize pressure gradients in the flowing fluid in adjacent conduits, resulting in isotropic turbulence. The invention is particularly useful in testing aircraft, improving engine performance, and fluid mechanics applications.

Abstract: A horizontal axis wind turbine of an upwind type includes: a rotor for rotating around a rotor axis extending in a horizontal direction, the rotor being turned in a horizontal plane according to a wind direction; a nacelle having a symmetrical shape with respect to an imaginary plane including the rotor axis and extending a vertical direction; two anemometers disposed at positions of both side portions of the nacelle, the positions opposing each other across the imaginary plane; and a controller for controlling a yaw angle of the rotor based on wind speeds measured by the two anemometers.

Abstract: A testing apparatus is disclosed that is suitable for a game ball, such as a soccer ball, and a variety of other spherical or non-spherical objects. The testing apparatus includes a housing with the configuration of an air foil. A shaft extends through the housing, and a mount for securing the game ball to an end of the shaft. A motor is operatively connected to an opposite end of the shaft and is utilized to rotate the game ball in a wind tunnel. The testing apparatus also includes a sensor, such as a two-axis force balance, that detects various fluid forces upon the game ball, including a drag force and a side force, for example.

Abstract: The device for detecting movement, particularly that due to wind, comprises a sensor (15) supplying a signal at the time of detection and processing means (21, 22, 23) for converting the detected signal into a control signal. The signal supplied by the sensor (15) is used as an alarm signal for the processing means (21, 22, 23).

Abstract: Wind indicator apparatus for indicating air flow comprising: a direction pointer, including a vane member, for providing a visible indication of air flow direction; pivoting means including a fixed portion for coupling to a sailing craft and a pivotable portion able to pivot with respect to said fixed portion and with which said direction pointer is entrained for movement therewith; and a counterbalance extending from said pivotable portion of said pivoting means and arranged to move therewith, the mass of the counterbalance being disposed so as to maintain the direction pointer in a substantially level position.

Abstract: A wind vane that easily snaps on to golf equipment such as the pole of a golf bag for visually indicating wind direction to a golfer comprises two side elements attached to each other at a junction along the side elements' edges forming approximately a 50 degree angle between the side elements, and a partially opened cylindrical clamp. A ring holder is provided on the inside surface of each of the side elements. A plurality of ribbons extend from each of the ring holders and the movement of such ribbons indicate the direction and to some extent the speed of the wind. An alternate embodiment of the wind vane comprises arms that clip onto a canopy pole of a golf cart and a plurality of ribbons to indicate wind direction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an apparatus for monitoring a wind power installation, with at least one sensor for detecting measurement values, and also a method of monitoring a wind power installation, in which: (i) a measurement value is detected with at least one sensor, (ii) the measurement value is converted into a signal representative of the measurement value, and (iii) the signal is stored and/or processed in accordance with a predetermined method. In one aspect, in order to provide an apparatus and a method which permit reliable detection of the loading on the pylon of the wind power installation, there is provided at least one sensor for detecting the loading on the pylon, the sensor being arranged in the region of the base of the pylon. In addition, the instantaneous loading on the wind power installation is ascertained from the signal representative of the measurement value ascertained by the sensor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multifunction probe for aircraft. The probe measures the total pressure and measures the total temperature of an air flow surrounding the aircraft. The total pressure is measured by a first tube, the so-called Pitot tube oriented substantially along the axis of the air flow surrounding the aircraft, the total temperature is measured by a second tube open to the air flow and oriented substantially in the axis of the air flow. The first tube is situated inside the second tube. The invention also concerns a process for shaping a heating wire forming means of deicing of the multifunction probe. The process includes: winding the heating wire helically around a first mandrel, inserting the first mandrel into a second hollow mandrel, continuing the winding of the heating wire around the second mandrel, and placing the heating wire, thus formed, inside the two tubes and being fixed therein.

Abstract: A deflection detection system and software. The apparatus includes a system of one or more deflection sensors (18(a)(b)) connected to a pliable rod or other structure. The sensors measure movement due to a fluid impinging on the deflection cylinder (12) and transfers the measurements to a small computer (24). The computer analyzes the sensor measurements and computes a value for fluid speed and direction. The software compensates for various inherent oscillations to improve accuracy over current fluid flow sensors. The device is constructed of low cost materials.

Abstract: A horizontal axis wind turbine includes: a yaw sensor; a rotor rotating around a rotor axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction, the rotor axis rotating in a substantially horizontal plane depending on wind direction; a plate-like member disposed on a rotational central portion of the rotor and extending in a parallel direction to the rotor axis and in a vertical direction; two anemometers disposed at positions which are across the plate-like member; and a controller for yaw control based on a difference or a ratio between wind speeds measured by the two anemometers.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring coupled aerodynamic stability and damping derivatives of an object, such as a missile, towed decoy, etc. in a wind tunnel. The object is mounted on a bearing in the wind tunnel and contains an instrumentation package which provides a plurality of signals for determining coupled moment derivatives. The package includes three rate sensors, three accelerometers, and two thermal detectors for measuring the time rate of change of the full six degree of freedom state vector for aerodynamic derivatives.

Abstract: A method for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to disperse area-wide odors, as generated by municipal waste treatment facilities and the like. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the odor source. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration, and most preferably configured for high volume and low RPM operation, to minimize noise. The method also includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and plant operation conditions in real time and operating the wind machines in response to stagnant, odor producing conditions. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The wind machines can respond to the odor by varying operating parameters such as air flow direction, speed and blade pitch.

Abstract: An indicator device for aiding a cyclist in locating a desired location for drafting another cyclist. The indicator device includes a support adapted for mounting the device against a bicycle, a vane having surfaces for alignment with the wind, the vane being pivotally mounted on the support, and a vane position orientation indicator. The vane orientation indicator being connected to the vane, so that the orientation of the vane relative to the bicycle is detected with reference to the vane orientation indicator.

Abstract: A wind direction and speed indicator includes a sock member having an open end, a main portion, a toe portion, and a heel portion. A plurality of strings extend from the open end for coupling the sock member to a support structure. The open end forms a rigid loop for permitting air to enter into the sock member. The main portion of the sock member is constructed of material resistant to permeation by wind. The toe portion of the sock member is constructed of a mesh material for permitting air to pass through the toe portion such that wind entering into the sock member urges the sock member to inflate responsive wind speed.

Abstract: A sensor system includes an enclosure mounted externally on an aerial vehicle and a sensor chamber mounted internally within the aerial vehicle. The enclosure receives and converges air particles to cause inertial separation that transfers a first portion of the air particles to a first air transfer path and that causes a second portion of the air particles to bypass the first air transfer path. The first air transfer path transfers the first portion of the air particles from the enclosure to the sensor chamber. The sensor chamber includes at least one sensor that produces sensor data for the first portion of the air particles. A second air transfer path transfers the first portion of the air particles from the sampling chamber to the enclosure. The enclosure transfers the first portion of the air particles and the second portion of the air particles to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A horizontal axis wind turbine includes: a horizontal plate disposed on upwind side of a rotational central portion of a rotor; a first anemometer disposed at an upper position of upwind side of the horizontal plate; a second anemometer disposed at a lower position of the horizontal plate; and an upflow angle measuring section for measuring an upflow angle based on a wind speed difference or a wind speed ratio obtained from wind speeds measured by the first anemometer and the second anemometer.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting hazardous materials is mounted on an aircraft and has a sensor, a heading unit, a transceiver and a GPS unit. The sensor has an airfoil shaped probe and an electronics module. The probe has a positive airflow, enclosed sensing chamber with a hazardous material sensing element. The system for detecting hazardous materials includes aircraft with the hazardous material detecting apparatus and a ground network. The method for detecting hazardous materials includes the steps of providing aircraft with hazardous material sensing apparatus and a ground network, collecting hazardous material and atmospheric data with the sensing apparatus, transmitting the position, wind velocity and hazardous material data to the ground network, calculating distribution of hazardous materials in the atmosphere, generating a real-time map of distribution of hazardous materials and predicting dispersion of the hazardous materials in the atmosphere.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for airflow testing, especially for air testing of gas turbine components on an airflow test bench. Various embodiments of the present invention include the use of a measurement section downstream of the component being tested. The measurement section, in one embodiment, includes apparatus for measurement of gas properties at a plurality of spaced-apart radial locations and/or a plurality of spaced-apart circumferential locations. In another embodiment, the invention includes a method for testing a component including a comparison of gas properties measured in both forward and reverse flow directions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cup anemometer having at least two cups (1) each attached to an arm (2) of a hub (3) on a rotary shaft. By cup is meant a generally seen cup-shaped body with a concave inner surface (6) and a convex outer surface (7) which meet at the opening of the cup. The opening of the cup is directed essentially along the tangent to the rotational path of the cups. The invention is based on the fact that the cups are truncated at their opening by means of three cuts (14, 15, 16) which are esentially located in three planes that are parallel with the tangent of the rotational path of the cups at the opening and that, projected on a fourth plane (9) having the tangent as normal, essentially form a triangle. The cups are attached to their arms (2) at one of the three corners (10).

Abstract: An indicator device for aiding a cyclist in locating a desired location for drafting another cyclist. The indicator device includes a support adapted for mounting the device against a bicycle, a vane having surfaces for alignment with the wind, the vane being pivotally mounted on the support, and a vane position orientation indicator. The vane orientation indicator being connected to the vane, so that the orientation of the vane relative to the bicycle is detected with reference to the vane orientation indicator.

Abstract: A device for the in situ angular positioning of an incidence probe, e.g., of the weather vane type, equipped with a vane and mounted, e.g., on an airplane. According to the device, the axis of rotation of the probe is used directly as a positioning reference. The angular-positioning device include a fixed structure secured to the wall of the airplane, of annular shape and including a circular track for a moving slider. The vane is immobilized in an enveloping structure. A coupling member coupling the slider and the enveloping structure is fixed to the enveloping structure. Coupling is afforded by a flat spring leaf including a stud at its end. The stud is slipped into a slit of the slider, which allows the vane to be driven about its axis of rotation. The position is measured using a digital inclinometer.

Abstract: A system and method to update weather forecasting using on-board sensing equipment is presented. An aircraft uses onboard sensors to collect atmospheric data during the aircrafts flight. The aircraft's sensors may include an altimeter, a GPS device, a thermometer, and a speedometer. The aircraft may use the collected atmospheric data to calculate other atmospheric measurements, such as changes in atmospheric pressure. The aircraft sends the atmospheric data to a ground station, such as an air traffic control tower, which, in turn, sends the atmospheric data to a weather server. The weather server analyzes the atmospheric data and may send a preferences update to the aircraft which may include an increased atmospheric data transmission interval.

Abstract: Sensors that are capable measuring the rate of flow of a fluid that passes over the electrodes of the sensor. In these sensors, an electrode, designated the flow rate-determining electrode, is used in conjunction with the conventional electrodes, e.g., the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the counter electrode, to determine the rate of flow of the fluid. In one aspect, this invention provides a sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a sample of fluid when the sample flows continuously over the electrodes of the sensor, especially when the rate of flow of the sample is relatively low. In another aspect, this invention provides a method for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a sample of fluid, wherein the rate of flow of the sample varies during the period of time that the sensor is in place. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor employs four electrodes, namely, a working electrode, a reference electrode, a counter electrode, and a flow rate-determining electrode.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for synthetically calculating redundant attitude and redundant heading by means of existing data in an aircraft. In one embodiment the heading of the aircraft is available and in another embodiment the heading is calculated from a magnetic heading sensor. When the heading is available (redundant heading) attitude is calculated by weighting together the signals from and angular rate gyros (2) in the aircraft's flight control system, information from air data (altitude, speed, angle of attack) as well as information about heading (redundant heading). When the heading is not available, attitude and heading are calculated in one embodiment with the aid of Kalman filters (11, 22) by weighting together the signals from the angular rate gyros in the aircraft's control system, information from air data (altitude, speed, angle of attack and sideslip angle) as well as information from a magnetic heading detector existing in the aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-intrusively sensing fluid flow within a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a first sensing array for sensing acoustic signals traveling at the speed of sound through fluid flow within the pipe, a second sensing array for sensing local pressure variations traveling with the fluid flow, and a housing attached to the pipe for enclosing the sensing arrays. The first sensing array includes a plurality of first optical pressure sensors and the second sensing array includes a plurality of second optical pressure sensors.

Abstract: A weather station with at least one element mounted on bearings on a housing or rack on a vertical axis for alignment with the direction of the wind and with a measuring device, which depending on the angle position of the element aligning in the direction of the wind provides an electrical signal, wherein the measuring device is an opto electric measuring device with at least two light paths. Each of the at least two light paths has its own light-emitting element and which have a common light detector and form a light path configuration, each light path is used to scan a group of markings, which are located around an axis of at least one screen in such a manner that the markings provide a code when scanning that defines the angle area of the position of the element aligning with the direction of the wind. The light-emitting elements determine the angle position of the element aligning with the direction of the wind.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cup anemometer having at least two cups (1) each attached to an arm (2) of a hub (3) on a rotary shaft. By cup is meant a generally seen cup-shaped body with a concave inner surface (6) and a convex outer surface (7) which meet at the opening of the cup. The opening of the cup is directed essentially along the tangent to the rotational path of the cups. The invention is based on the fact that the cups are truncated at their opening by means of three cuts (14, 15, 16) which are esentially located in three planes that are parallel with the tangent of the rotational path of the cups at the opening and that, projected on a fourth plane (9) having the tangent as normal, essentially form a triangle. The cups are attached to their arms (2) at one of the three corners (10).

Abstract: A vane designed to get oriented in the axis of an ambient airflow. The vane allows for the intake of differential pressure presenting the aerodynamic incidence &agr; of the vane. According to the invention, the differential pressure intake is balanced when the vane is oriented naturally in the axis of the airflow.

Abstract: The device for detecting movement, particularly that due to wind, comprises a sensor (15) supplying a signal at the time of detection and processing means (21, 22, 23) for converting the detected signal into a control signal. The signal supplied by the sensor (15) is used as an alarm signal for the processing means (21, 22, 23).

Abstract: An air data sensor for an aircraft has a flush mounted plate at the outside surface of the aircraft and a housing for the sensor within the aircraft below the plate. A plurality of holes in the plate provide air flow to a pressure sensor in the housing. To prevent water from reaching the sensor, a trap chamber is provided below the holes. Various contorted air flow paths are disclosed. The tube to the pressure sensor may be heated.

Abstract: An elongate probe suitable for measuring one or more properties of a stream of fluid, the probe having an external planar sensing surface, which in use is exposed to the stream of fluid, at a longitudinal end thereof and comprising a plurality of sensors at the planar external sensing surface.

Abstract: A meteorological balloon having improved wind measurement during an ascent stage, includes an inflatable envelope having, during ascent, an upper hemisphere and a lower hemisphere, and presenting an outer surface, a GPS type sonde secured to the inflatable envelope, and a device for improving wind measurement which is a single spoiler secured to the upper hemisphere portion envelope. The spoiler is constructed and arranged to transmit any aerodynamic force acting thereon to the balloon and to modify air streams following the outside surface of the balloon so as to prevent the air streams from adhering to the outer surface of the bottom hemisphere of the balloon during ascent.

Abstract: Wind direction relative to an aircraft, wind speed and left/right wind correction angle data are derived and serially transmitted to an instrument panel indicator which simultaneously displays such data in a graphic visual format. A simple 2-wire interface provides both power and data to the indicator which includes on-board data processing/display driver capability on one side of a PCB with the driven display elements on the other side of the PCB. The entire integrated driver display unit can be made quite small and adhesively mounted in virtually any desired location (e.g., even on a portion of another instrument face) and connected to the power/data source via an almost transparent 2-conductor umbilical connection.

Abstract: A device for allowing a golfer to determine the wind speed and direction above tree top level while playing golf. The device includes a projecting mechanism and a number of light weight wind detecting pellets. The projecting mechanism projects the light weight wind detecting pellets to a height above the tree tops so that the golfer can observe the reaction of the pellets to the wind conditions at that particular height.

Abstract: An angle of attack sensor has a vane mounted on a rotating shaft that rotates in response to angle of attack. The shaft has a rotor at one end which is in a chamber in a housing supporting the shaft. The chamber includes a space around the rotor filled with either an electrorheological or magnetorheological fluid. A controller is used to provide an electrical signal, such as a signal controlling an electromagnet, to change the magnetic field affecting the fluid in response to various aircraft parameters to thereby control the viscosity of the electrorheological or magnetorheological fluid in the chamber and control the amount of damping of the rotating vane.

Abstract: A multi-function probe system that provides redundancy for measurements and compensates for effects of sideslip of an aircraft includes at least two probes that are symmetrically located on the opposite sides of the aircraft, and a third probe mounted on the centerline of the aircraft positioned to directly measure local sideslip with ports that are positioned on opposite sides of the center plane of the aircraft. Each of the probes includes self contained instrumentation for providing signals indicating various pressures. The local angle of sideslip sensed by the third probe is used as a compensation for pressure readings at either of the other probes for determining actual angle of attack, and static pressure.

Abstract: A recirculating pump system is connected to either skimmers, or a catch basin for a vanishing edge of a swimming pool, to supply water to the suction inlet of the pump system. A water distribution valve operated by an electric control system distributes water from the outlet side of the recirculating pump system to pool cleaning heads normally in accordance with a preprogrammed timed sequence. As part of each programmed cycle of operation of the water distribution valve, water is supplied to one or more pool return jets located on a side opposite the skimmer or catch basin. The return jets create moving surface currents on the water to sweep debris floating on or near the water surface to the skimmer or catch basin. An electric wind speed detector located in the vicinity of the pool and coupled to the electric control system causes the control system to override the programmed sequence in response to wind exceeding a pre-established threshold to operate the pump system to supply water to the pool return jets.

Abstract: A first cylinder drives a flap to a predetermined down position. Strain gages detect strains at each part of the flap while a load that corresponds to the down position is applied to the flap by a second cylinder that has been moved by an XY table so as to track the down position. Accordingly, actual aerodynamic forces are precisely reproduced by applying a load having a size and a direction that correspond to the down position of the flap. Thus, a stationary load test, a dynamic load test, and a durability test of the flap can be carried out automatically with a small effort and in a short time.

Abstract: A wind measurement apparatus includes an upright post with an elongated swing arm pivotally connected to the upper end of the post and freely rotatable on a vertical pivot axis. A fin on the swing arm will direct the swing arm in the direction of the wind. A streamer attached to the rearward end of the swing arm will demonstrate the relative velocity of the wind.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the in situ angular positioning of an incidence probe (1) of the weather vane type, equipped with a vane (121) and mounted on an airplane (Av). According to the invention, the axis of rotation (&Dgr;s) of the probe (12) is used directly as a positioning reference. The angular-positioning device comprises a fixed structure (3) secured (33-330-331, 34-340-341) to the wall of the airplane (Av), of annular shape (30) and comprising a circular track (31, 32) for a moving slider (4). The vane (121) is immobilized in an enveloping structure (5a). A coupling member (7) coupling the slider (4) and the enveloping shape (5a) is fixed to the latter. Coupling is afforded by a flat spring leaf (71) comprising a stud (72) at its end. The stud (72) is slipped into a slit (412) of the slider (4), which allows the vane (121) to be driven about its axis of rotation (&Dgr;s). The position is measured using a digital inclinometer (6).

Abstract: An indicator device for aiding a cyclist in locating a desired location for drafting another cyclist. The indicator device includes a support adapted for mounting the device against a bicycle, a vane having surfaces for alignment with the wind, the vane being pivotally mounted on the support, and a vane position orientation indicator. The vane orientation indicator being connected to the vane, so that the orientation of the vane relative to the bicycle is detected with reference to the vane orientation indicator.