One of the earliest and most archaic instruments in human history is the anemometer. A device known as an anemometer has been used for measuring wind direction and speed for over 500 years. The Greek word anemos, which meaning wind, is where the word “anemometer” originates. This article will cover all there is to know about anemometers, from their history to their fundamental operation and common issues that arise with them.

Read More: wind speed and direction sensor

How did the anemometer come to be?

Italian architect Leon Battista Alberti created the anemometer for the first time in 1450. His mechanical anemometer was made up of a disk that was positioned perpendicular to the wind’s direction and spun when the wind flowed, briefly displaying the force of the wind due to the disk’s angle of inclination.

Many more people improved and created their own anemometers after the first mechanical anemometer was invented. One of the first and most effective anemometer designs that is still widely used today is the cup anemometer. It continues to be the wind measurement tool of choice for the industry.

An anemometer typically has two main components: the display receiver and the wind sensor. The wind sensor can be divided into two types: wind speed sensor and wind speed and direction sensor, depending on the measurement types.

The wind speed sensor consists of a vertical axis with three half-cone or hemispherical cups atop. Each cup’s concave surface is fixed in the same direction. On the other hand, a vertical axis representing the wind direction and speed has a wind vane arrow at the bottom and three half-cups at the top.

The wind speed is indicated by the wind cup rotations, which is actually a fairly simple general working principle for a cup anemometer. In contrast, the wind sensor’s bottom arrow will indicate which way the wind is blowing.

How Do Wind Direction and Speed Sensors Operate?

Both wind direction and speed are measured by the wind speed and direction sensor. The wind direction sensor is added, and the operation principle is the same as that of the wind speed sensor. The measured wind direction information is sent to the central sensor within the anemometer body via the rotation of a wind vane arrow, which also simultaneously transmits all of the collected wind direction data, along with additional data like wind speed, to the receiver display.

Where Should the Wind Direction and Speed Sensor Be Mounted?

Typically, the wind sensor is positioned as high up and vertically above the ground as feasible. The most crucial aspect of the installation is determining the location of the wind sensor because it will have an impact on the wind measurement data. The wind sensor needs to be installed in an open area free from obstructions like trees or other tall objects.

Cranes with Wind Speed Sensor Mounted

Wind speed sensors are more appropriate for crane operation since, generally speaking, all that is needed to ensure the safety of crane operations is the operator’s knowledge of the wind speed. The crane’s boom is typically the highest point at which the wind speed sensor is installed. At every boom angle, the wind cups need to be able to spin freely and be fully exposed to the wind. The display receiver is mounted inside the crane cabin, and the wind sensor is mounted on the boom using a self-leveling magnet mount. The wind speed sensor and the crane’s cabin need to have a direct, unhindered line of sight.