Measuring wind speed requires a specific device named Anemometer. The history of the making of the first Anemometer dates back to 100 years ago, gradually, it has been reformed, reshaped and today, scientists use the best possible configuration for making Anemometers.
The use of Anemometer:
The two main applications of Anemometers are;
i) Observing the weather: To correctly monitor, comprehend, and predict the weather, measuring wind speed is very crucial along with measuring humidity, temperature, wind direction, rainfall etc. For that reason, high functioning weather stations always feature a wind speed meter in its device list.
ii) Measuring airflow: Apart from observing the weather, it is also natural to place Anemometers near to the vents, ducts to apprehend the airflow.
How an Anemometer measures the wind speed:
To measure the wind speed, today’s Anemometers incorporate either a propeller or spinning wind cups.
Propellers:Portable handheld anemometers that run on a high or upright surface, mainly incorporate propellers. In this case, the user needs to manually keep the Anemometer in the direction of the wind flow. When the propeller spins, a magnet inside it starts rotating. A magnetic sensor kept nearby senses this rotating and delivers the electrical impulse reading in the screen of the Anemometer.
Wind cups:The Anemometers kept in the horizontal plane mainly use wind cups. It mainly incorporates a three-cups configuration where three cups are strategically placed to gauge the wind speed irrespective of its direction.
But why wind-cup based Anemometers use specifically three cups? Century-wide scientific experiments have found that three-cups configuration is most effective to generate a steady and higher torque while addressing to the wind gust faster than any other configuration. Moreover, these cups are aerodynamically optimized. So, they confine maximum wind force on the open side which drives the cups frontward. Wind cups also come with a dual bearing configuration that eradicates wobble and shaft flex, which may negatively impact the accuracy.
When the wind passes through the wind-cups, it generates an electrical impulse that goes to the processor of the Anemometer. On the basis of that, Anemometers compute the reading of the wind speed.
Benefits of using an Anemometer:
Safety: Knowing the wind speed of your residence or workplace keeps you and your family safer than others. Often sudden high winds cause serious problems ranging from property loss to accidents. Obtaining the right information about the wind flow thus ensures enhanced safety for your family and belongings.
Storm spotting and storm chasing: Anemometers are extensively used by weather forecast agencies to gather information for adverse situations like storms, tornadoes, etc.
Adjustment of heating and cooling systems: Keeping an Anemometer on the exit path of ducts or vents lets you measure the windflow so that you can better optimize your heating or cooling system.
Weather forecasting: While weather stations always keep wind speed meters in their sensor list, you can also enjoy the charm of watching the weather by keeping a wind speed meter in your weather gadget list.
End Note:
The Anemometer is used to measure very crusial things that are related to safety workplace or weather prediction. So, it’s very important to calibrate it from air flow meter calibration servicesfrequently.
