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

Heated anemometer works in freezing weather

Cup anemometers can generate inaccurate wind-speed values in gusty periods, and should one freeze, its turbine may have to shut down. One solution is an ultrasonic anemometer, like the Ventus UMB 8371 with a 240W heater. This unit provides precise and maintenance-free measurements of wind velocity and direction.  
      Ventus belongs to Lufft’s WS family of professional intelligent sensors (in Booth 106) with digital and analog interfaces. This wind sensor has no mechanical parts as are used with traditional “cups and vanes”. The digital or analog output delivers instantaneous, average, min or max value with flexible measuring rate. The heated Ventus makes it well suited for cold climates. Outputs are available for the NMEA data, ASCII UMB, and binary UMB protocols, along with 4 to 20 mA analog, and soon, SDI12 protocol.

Automated weather station can come with datalogger

The WS line of weather stations (including the economical WS200 ultrasonic anemometer) are now available with built in SDI-12 communication protocol, says LUFFT USA. Its 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 function of an intelligent digital sensor, but now with more flexibility. For example,  the company offers its sensors with a Campbell Scientific datalogger as a new turnkey wind and weather assessment package.

Dataloggers from Campbell Scientific, widely used throughout the wind industry, can be programmed using Loggernet for use with Lufft sensors, which are also available with heaters.

Intelligent wind sensors from LUFFT USA are reliable and maintenance-free ways to measure wind and weather. The WS series of compact intelligent weather sensors (WS200 to WS600) along with VENTUS and V200A models measure different atmospheric parameters 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.