Abstract: A method for predicting arrival of a wind event at an aeromechanical structure includes sensing wind velocity in an atmospheric volume moving towards the aeromechanical structure to obtain a time series of spatially distributed wind velocity measurements, determining presence of the wind event from at least one of the distributed wind velocity measurements, and tracking the wind event based upon the time series of spatially distributed wind velocity measurements to estimate arrival time of the wind event at the aeromechanical structure. A wind-predicting system uses a lidar and a wind-predicting unit to implement this method. An aeromechanical apparatus integrates this wind-predicting system to predict wind events at the aeromechanical apparatus.

Abstract: A method for predicting arrival of a wind event at an aeromechanical structure includes sensing wind velocity in an atmospheric volume moving towards the aeromechanical structure to obtain a time series of spatially distributed wind velocity measurements, determining presence of the wind event from at least one of the distributed wind velocity measurements, and tracking the wind event based upon the time series of spatially distributed wind velocity measurements to estimate arrival time of the wind event at the aeromechanical structure. A wind-predicting system uses a lidar and a wind-predicting unit to implement this method. An aeromechanical apparatus integrates this wind-predicting system to predict wind events at the aeromechanical apparatus.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating range-resolved wind data near a wind turbine generator coupled to a control system. The method includes measuring wind flow data in a first long range region at a distance from a rotor plane of the wind turbine generator with a laser radar. The method also includes calculating wind fields in a second short range region and blade-specific wind fields for the at least one rotating blade based upon the measured wind flow data, the second short range region being generally closer to the rotor plane of the wind turbine generator than the first long range region. The method further includes generating range-resolved wind data. A system is also provided for generating range-resolved wind data near a wind turbine generator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing air includes at least one, and in some embodiments three, transceivers for projecting the laser energy as laser radiation to the air. The transceivers are scanned or aligned along several different axes. Each transceiver receives laser energy as it is backscattered from the air. A computer processes signals from the transceivers to distinguish molecular scattered laser radiation from aerosol scattered laser radiation and determines air temperatures, wind speeds, and wind directions based on the scattered laser radiation. Applications of the system to wind power site evaluation, wind turbine control, traffic safety, general meteorological monitoring and airport safety are presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing air includes at least one, and in some embodiments three, transceivers for projecting the laser energy as laser radiation to the air. The transceivers are scanned or aligned along several different axes. Each transceiver receives laser energy as it is backscattered from the air. A computer processes signals from the transceivers to distinguish molecular scattered laser radiation from aerosol scattered laser radiation and determines air temperatures, wind speeds, and wind directions based on the scattered laser radiation. Applications of the system to wind power site evaluation, wind turbine control, traffic safety, general meteorological monitoring and airport safety are presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing air includes at least one, and in some embodiments three, transceivers for projecting the laser energy as laser radiation to the air. The transceivers are scanned or aligned along several different axes. Each transceiver receives laser energy as it is backscattered from the air. A computer processes signals from the transceivers to distinguish molecular scattered laser radiation from aerosol scattered laser radiation and determines air temperatures, wind speeds, and wind directions based on the scattered laser radiation. Applications of the system to wind power site evaluation, wind turbine control, traffic safety, general meteorological monitoring and airport safety are presented.