Differences between propeller wind speed sensors and ultrasonic types

The propeller-type wind speed sensor is designed to resemble a wingless aeroplane model fitted with a rotating propeller at the front and a wind vane at the tail. This configuration allows the device to simultaneously determine wind speed and direction. In terms of electrical characteristics, they work in a similar way to three-cup anemometers. The wind direction is sensed by a potentiometer, while the wind speed is measured by a pulse signal triggered by a spring-loaded tab. Some of the more advanced anemometers use induction coil technology to generate a sine wave frequency proportional to the wind speed, which makes the circuitry for reading the frequency output more sophisticated but also more costly.

Ultrasonic wind speed sensors are unique because they rely on ultrasonic signals to determine wind speed and direction. Because they contain no moving parts, these wind sensors are more rugged and easier to maintain than traditional three-cup anemometers. They can withstand harsh environments or extreme climatic conditions that can lead to the risk of damage, performance degradation or corrosion for anemometers with mechanical moving parts.

Ultrasonic wind speed and direction sensors are used in a wide range of applications due to their high accuracy and stability. They monitor the safety of wind power generation in the power industry, assess the impact of wind in bridge and tunnel construction, guide ship navigation in maritime navigation, analyse climatic conditions in urban environmental monitoring and provide critical meteorological information in road safety. Because they have no moving parts, they are easy to maintain, durable and suitable for use in harsh environments. These advantages augur well for ultrasonic wind speed and direction sensors to occupy an increasingly important place in wind measurement equipment.