A novel measurement concept for wind speed and wind direction based on a temperature sensor array

This paper presents a new approach in designing wind sensor without moving parts. The measurement concept is based on the thermal image around a beater. Airflow modulates this thermal image by forced convection. Evaluating the thermal image reveals information about both wind speed and wind direction. An array of temperature sensors captures the thermal image. Temperature data are transferred to a computer by a multiplexer. A program running on a computer or a signal processor extracts from the thermal image the values of speed and direction. The paper discusses different evaluation algorithms, which can be used for this sensor. A Gaussian estimator improves the resolution of direction measurement. Results of speed measurement with both hot-wire concept and calorimetric concept are also presented.