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Anemometer Facts

Anemometer Facts
An anemometer is a weather tool that is used to measure the wind's speed. It is commonly used in weather stations. The word anemometer is derived from the word 'anemos' - a Greek word that means 'wind'. Any tool used to measure the speed of wind in the science of meteorology is referred to as an anemometer. The first mechanical anemometer was invented by Leon Battista Alberti in approximately 1450. It has not changed much since then although some later anemometer inventions were mistakenly credited as the first. One of the simplest anemometers is the cup anemometer invented by Dr. John Thomas Romney Robinson in 1845. Today there are a variety of anemometer designs.
Interesting Anemometer Facts:
Anemometers can be used to determine wind speed in an uncontained environment such as in the open air outside. They can also be used to measure wind speed of airflow in a contained environment.
The most common anemometers are vane anemometers, cup anemometers, thermal anemometers, and thermal anemometers with velocity temperature profiling ability.
Anemometers are important for several reasons including weather reporting and forecasting, the study of air movement, weather patterns, flight, and engineering.
Laser anemometers are used to help determine the flow of air speed around vehicles and airplanes, as well as for spacecraft. These measurements can help increase the aerodynamic design of these vehicles because these measurements are used in design.
Vane anemometers look like a propeller or windmill and their axis is horizontal as opposed to the cup anemometer whose axis is vertical.
A hot wire anemometer uses a hot wire and wind measurements are taken as air flow passes the wire and cools it.
A laser Doppler anemometer uses a laser that is divided into two beams and calculates the speed of introduced particles in the air which allows for determining the speed of air around the anemometer.
An ultrasonic anemometer measures the speed of wind by measuring wind velocity based on ultrasonic sound waves.
An acoustic resonance anemometer is a more modern version of the sonic anemometer. It was invented in 2000 by Dr. Savvas Kapartis. This anemometer relies in resonating acoustic waves to determine air speed.
A ping-pong anemometer uses a ping-pong ball attached to a string that blows in the wind. The angle between the vertical and the ball is measured and this provides an estimate of the speed of wind.
A plate anemometer uses a flat plate that is deflected by wind from where it is suspended.
A tube anemometer measures wind speed by measuring pressure of wind blown into a tube.
Anemometers are extremely important at airports where wind data is vital for safety. This wind information allows the flight professionals to know when freezing rain and icing are likely to be a danger.
Heated anemometers are important for use in cold environmental conditions. Both sonic anemometers and cup anemometers can be obtained with heating options.
Height of anemometer placement is important for accuracy of wind speed measurement, as well as location in comparison to obstructions such as trees and buildings and canyons.


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