Abstract: The present invention relates to a method allowing short-term prediction of the wave motion (force, elevation, . . . ), from a time series of past wave measurements. The prediction method according to the invention is based on the estimation of the variable coefficients of an autoregressive model while allowing multi-step minimization, that is over a horizon of several time steps in the future, of the prediction error.

Abstract: A multidirectional windsock style decoy may include a body bag having a decoy head hole along a front end, a wind entry hole along a side, and an interior housing. A stay open collar may keep the wind entry hole open. The decoy may further include a back support having a top side, a bottom side, a front face and a back side a decoy head having a back side. The back side of the decoy head may connect to the front face of the back support. The decoy head may close off the decoy head hole. At least one side support may connect to the top side and the bottom side of the back support. The side support may extend out towards the stay open collar. A stake may be connected to the body bag and secured in place at a particular height off the ground.

Abstract: A real-time synchronous measurement system for multiple factors such as a wind-blown sand electric field, sand particle electrification and wind speed, comprising: a first support, a second support, a third support, and an electric field instrument disposed vertically in parallel. A 3D ultrasonic anemometer (4), a wind speed meter (3), a temperature and humidity detector (1), and a weather vane (2) are installed on and connected via data cables to the first support. A probe (7) of the electric field instrument is installed on the second support. A piezoelectric kinetic energy sensor (5) is installed on the third support. A data collector (6) is installed between and connected via data cables to the first support and the third support. A real-time sand particle mass-to-charge ratio instrument is further comprised. A computer (12) is installed between and connected via data cables to the second support and the real-time sand particle mass-to-charge ratio instrument.

Abstract: A system for displaying information obtained along the direction of flight of an aircraft is provided. The system includes a vane assembly pivotally mounted to the aircraft having a sensor mounted thereto. The vane comprises a pointing axis configured to continuously align with the direction of the flight path of the aircraft. A display device is operatively connected to the output of the sensor for providing a display along the actual flight path of the aircraft.

Abstract: A resin weathervane having a weathervane tube mounted within a resin weathervane figurine with a stabilizing support structure coupled to an exterior portion of the weathervane tube and a belt of flexible material wrapped at least partially around the tube and the stabilizing support structure wherein a resin mixture poured into a mold forms a resin weathervane of a desired configuration with the resin bonding the tube, the stabilizing support structure and the flexible wrap.

Abstract: A bird-deterrent device including a hub with fingers radiating from the hub to prevent or inhibit birds from perching on the top of a sailboat mast. In one embodiment, the hub is mounted to the top of a mast by a fastener which also secures a post of a wind indicator having a vane rotatable on the post to indicate wind direction. In another embodiment, the hub is mounted or fixed about the post of the wind indicator. In another embodiment the hub is fixed to a post which is connected to the halyard to be raised above or lowered below the mast.

Abstract: A direction indicator comprising a direction pointer arranged to pivot about a fulcrum and a flight mounted on the direction pointer that is capable of interacting with a fluid flow, the flight having a resistive portion resistive to fluid flow in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the direction pointer, the resistive portion being substantially effective to cause the direction pointer to pivot about the fulcrum and thereby align the flight with the direction of the fluid flow.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an autopilot device (2) which actuates, at least, on the course controls (3) of the bearing vessel (6), and which comprises an electronic evasion module (4) capable of generating evasive manoeuvre orders for the autopilot device (2) in the event of taking a collision course; as well as a radar (7) connected to said an electronic evasion module (4) in order to detect the existence of obstacles (5, 5?) which generate collision courses, as well as comprising a laser telemeter (16) and an AIS system (17), to support the radar (7), and means of detecting (18) the turning degrees of the steering wheel, as well as sensors (19) that measure the revolutions of the engine.

Abstract: A system for estimating a freestream wind characteristic for a wind turbine having a rotor includes estimating a nacelle wind speed for the turbine; determining, from the estimated nacelle wind speed, at least one angular position of the rotor for measuring a nacelle wind characteristic for the turbine; and measuring the nacelle wind characteristic at the determined angular position of the rotor.

Abstract: A wind vane device comprises a horizontal portion that can swivel by the propeller blades provided at one end, a vertical portion with one end attached to the bottom of the horizontal portion and the other end extending downwardly, a supporting frame supporting the horizontal portion at the lower side of the vertical portion, wherein the vertical portion is cylindrical and has a plurality of radial partitioning walls at inner side in the axial direction; an upright shaft having an axle 51 with thread portions at both ends, one end of which is fastened to the center of the partitioning wall and the other end provided with a pair of bearings, a bearing sleeve being put around the outside of the pair of bearings; wherein the supporting frame consists of several sections of supporting rods. An engageable and disengageable structure is formed between a supporting rod and a supporting rods through a connector. The upper end located at the supporting rod of top-section engages at the outside of the bearing sleeve.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a pressure sensitive element for sensing a distributed fluid pressure and producing a signal in response. The pressure sensitive element is configured to be mountable on an airfoil or a hydrofoil, for example as a thin film piezoelectric element. The sensor finds applications, for example, in measuring lift or drag on the airfoil or hydrofoil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pressure probes for measuring the aerodynamic flight parameters of an aircraft and more particularly those in which the orifices for measuring the static pressure and total pressure are located on a moving angle-of-attack or angle-of-sideslip measurement vane designed to be oriented in the direction of the wind. It consists of a pneumatic rotary joint employing flexible tubings rather than friction rotary joints between abutted parts of rigid tubings. Such a joint offers a much smaller resistance to the rotational movement of the moving vane, which consequently is oriented with greater accuracy in the direction of the wind.

Abstract: A wind sensor device consisting of a plurality of light weight, flexible, high tensile strength filaments attached to and depending from a malleable elongated body structure, such as a wire. The filaments are blown by the wind, thus indicating direction. The flexible body structure is used to attached the device to a hunter's rifle, gun, bow, tree, or other nearby object such as a branch, thus freeing the hunter's hands for other tasks.

Abstract: A wind vane device comprises a horizontal portion that can swivel by the propeller blades provided at one end, a vertical portion with one end attached to the bottom of the horizontal portion and the other end extending downwardly, a supporting frame supporting the horizontal portion at the lower side of the vertical portion, wherein the vertical portion is cylindrical and has a plurality of radial partitioning walls at inner side in the axial direction; an upright shaft having an axle 51 with thread portions at both ends, one end of which is fastened to the center of the partitioning wall and the other end provided with a pair of bearings, a bearing sleeve being put around the outside of the pair of bearings; wherein the supporting frame consists of several sections of supporting rods. An engageable and disengageable structure is formed between a supporting rod and a supporting rods through a connector. The upper end located at the supporting rod of top-section engages at the outside of the bearing sleeve.

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: Weather vanes (1) are delicate instruments partially exposed to external conditions. They are used in particular in the aeronautical industry. The measurements provided by these weather vanes are crucial to the flying of an aircraft. A type of weather vane is proposed in which a vane can be changed. Changing the vane entails adjusting the orientation sensors (3). To perform this adjustment, use is made of a factory setting rig (16) that allows the various parts of the weather vane to be placed in a characteristic position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a segmented cylindrical tide staff system [11] for erection at remote areas for dynamic calibration of electronic tide meters and computer models of tides, said tide staff system consisting of plurality of cylindrical tubes [12], said cylindrical tube being coupled to a flange [13] at its end through a circular orthogonal hole [20] drilled on a flat surface of the flange, said flange being provided with plurality of equally spaced slots [15] drilled on the flat surface of the flange, an outwardly protruding tide indicating arm [14] being mounted on the flange wherein said tide indicating arm consists of two mutually orthogonal planes [22] and [23], wherein plane [22] is perpendicular to the axis of the tide staff and plane [23] is parallel to the axis of the tide staff, said perpendicular plane [22] being provided with a mounting terminal [21] and a circular

Abstract: A portable golf flag device and method therefor capable of being coupled to a golf cart, golf bag or other object and able to determine the direction and velocity of wind. The portable golf flag comprises a coupling mechanism, preferably a clamp, coupled at one end and capable of coupling the portable golf flag to an object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind operated device in the shape of a fish or the like. The device comprises at least two generally planar or segmented constructions of a lightweight material, each of the segments being flexibly connected to the other and a support rod connected to one of the segments by means of a bearing for supporting of the said device. When the device is subjected to an air-stream the segments move in a generally sinuous pattern in imitation of motion of a fish or the like while at the same time indicating wind direction.

Abstract: A spring novelty item which has a head and appendages attached to a body by means of a spring connecting means so as to add dynamic and aesthetic beauty to any garden, kitchen or other setting.

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: A method of the invention allows the determination of aircraft sideslip using an air data probe and an inertial reference unit. A lateral sideslip component &bgr;L of the aircraft is calculated as a function of inertial flight information. An angular sideslip component &bgr;A of the aircraft is also calculated as a function of inertial flight information. The lateral sideslip component &bgr;L and the angular sideslip component &bgr;A are combined to obtain a total sideslip angle &bgr;TOTAL for the aircraft. The total sideslip angle &bgr;TOTAL can be used to compensate static pressure, angle of attack and other aircraft parameters for sideslip effects.

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: A wind direction apparatus is provided adjacent to a landing strip. The apparatus includes a first device (2) and a second device (4). The first device (2) has a visible first area (6) and is fixed and acts as a datum position. The second device (4) has a visible second area (8) of similar dimensions to the first area (6) and is movable towards and away from the first area (6) responsive to wind direction and wind intensity whereby the disposition of the second area relative to the first indicates wind direction and wind intensity.

Abstract: A decorative wind driven sculpture includes an elongate support member that is mounted to and extends upwardly from the ground. An exterior frame is mounted proximate an upper end of the support and is rotatable about a first axis that is generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the support member. An interior decorative component is mounted within the frame in a rotatable relative to each the frame and the support member about a second axis that is generally aligned with the first axis and the longitudinal axis of the support member. The exterior frame and the interior decorative component are independently rotated by movement of air about the first and second axes respectively.