Rugged anemometer survives shake, rattle, and cold

Cup anemometers can lock solid if the icing conditions are right. But a recent non-cup design from Lufft Ventus showed it can withstand extreme vibration, corrosion, heat, and extreme ice conditions. You might think the so-called HALT test is intended to destroy a wind sensor because it pushes that unit to limits of heat, cold, vibration, and corrosion. One Ventus unit survived the punishing test that includes temperatures exposures from -95 to 95°C along with maximum vibration and corrosion portions. Manufacturer Lufft says it has plans to improve the sensor so it tolerates -120 to 120°C.

This particular wind sensor uses ultrasonics which work well in most extreme conditions. The HALT test is unusual in that it exposes a device to extreme corrosion while vibration, heat, and cold is produced in a special wind tunnel that generates high velocity wind towards the sensor simultaneously in three vector directions.

The wind sensor is intended for turbine control anemometry. Resistance to ice is possible with a 240W heater, and resistance to corrosion comes from a heavy duty anodized aluminum alloy. IP65 will assure the sensor resists water intrusion in the strongest storms and offshore environments. The company’s rugged wind sensor comes in several flexible communication options including current or voltage. Each sensor is configurable with free software by Lufft. A copy of the HALT test report is available by request from Lufft.

High survivability is critical for wind sensors installed on today’s large and small wind turbines. Labor cost is high so project owners cannot afford wind-sensor relate down time. View the Ventus video at:  http://www.lufftusa.com/video/ventus1.html

Lufft

Lufft USA uses Campbell Scientific equipment in weather stations

Lufft USA recently announced that it’s in-house manufactured ‘WS’ line of weather stations are now available with built in SDI-12 communication protocol. LUFFT WS weather stations and anemometers are now plug and play with any SDI-12 ready datalogger. Lufft intelligent weather stations and anemometers still have the same notable increased functionality of a digital intelligent sensor, now with increased flexibility.

Campbell Scientific is a brand of datalogger that is widely used throughout the wind industry. Campbell recently integrated Lufft sensors into their Loggernet software and will sell Lufft sensors to customers upon request. Lufft USA offers Lufft sensors with a Campbell Scientific datalogger as a new turnkey wind and weather assessment package. Lufft sensors are available with optional heating depending on the power requirements at a site.

Intelligent wind sensing technology by Lufft USA is a reliable maintenance free way to measure the wind and weather. The WS series of compact intelligent weather sensors (WS200-WS600) along with Ventus and V200A models, are designed with different parameters of measurement to meet specific weather monitoring needs. The top-of-the-range model, WS600-UMB, measures temperature, humidity, precipitation, air pressure, wind direction and wind speed.

DWS Series Anemometers from Carlo Gavazzi

The international electronic automations group, Carlo Gavazzi Automation,

recently launched a line of dynamic wind sensors that can improve efficiency, enhance accuracy and provide safety in a variety of different applications.

Their DWS Series Anemometers measure wind velocity from 3.3 to 67 MPH (1.5 to 30 meters per second).  They are can be used for accurate monitoring with weather stations, and for providing added safety with outdoor hoists/cranes,  greenhouses and to inhibit large industrial doors from operating in high winds. The DWS Series feature selectable NPN and PNP transistor outputs, as well as a proportional output.

They also includes Wind Vanes for wind direction sensing, allowing the turbines to be rotated to the proper direction for maximum efficiency.

The DWS Series Anemometer housings are ruggedly designed with an operating temperature range of –4 to +140°F (-20 to +60°C). A special shielded cable is also included, thus making the sensors suitable for use on turbines, which typically generate quite a bit of electrical noise. Models are also offered that have built-in heating elements to prevent icing.

List prices begin at $785 and are available from Carlo Gavazzi’s North American network of sales offices, authorized stocking distributors or www.GavazziOnline.com.