Maximum precision, zero maintenance! Are you familiar with ultrasonic anemometers?

Did you know that new ultrasonic anemometers are revolutionizing the market? We have already shown you a preview version of it for dinghies in a video HERE, in one of our visits to METS, when they were still pioneering devices.

The ‘anemometer is updated after 170 years!

The ultrasonic anemometer-wind vane encapsulates in a single instrument the two functions hitherto achieved by the arrow vane and the cup reel, the latter invented in 1846 by J. Robertson. For 170 years, “the reel,” has been widely used in boating, does not suffer from heeling and is omnidirectional. New ultrasonic technology is about to upgrade this honored on-board instrument.

Ultrasonic anemometers: exceptional accuracy and tolerances

Ultrasonic anemometers have no measurement errors at low and high speeds and do not suffer from the ‘gyroscope effect. Accuracies on the order of 0.25 knots, from wind drifts of 0.5 up to 80 knots. Electronics averages about ten values per second, reporting reliable values even under bursts. Data are transmitted by wire or wirelessly to the bridge. Some models also measure temperature, humidity and pressure, becoming full-fledged weather stations. Solved the problems of early specimens related to rain and condensation.

No mechanical parts, zero maintenance

No moving mechanical parts at risk of breaking or jamming. They do not freeze in winter, are not damaged by birds, and are watertight. By exposing much less surface area to the wind, there is also no risk of them being torn off. They consume very little. Some models are self-contained, wireless, and integrate their own solar panel, so no wires to run in the tree.

How does it work? Measures the speed of sound

With a microphone and a speaker, on axis, at a known distance, the speed of sound in the air is measured (668.3 knots at 20°). If, with respect to the instrument axis, it is the air itself (wind) that is moving, the measured velocity difference will be the apparent wind measurement. Instead of a microphone and loudspeaker, two piezoelectric “transducers” are used that operate the two functions alternately, or a use fewer transducers and a rebound dome surface.

Determine wind direction

Ultrasound is used both to be able to make high-frequency measurements and to avoid disturbances generated by wind and noise on microphones. Using two pairs of perpendicular transducers, or a triad, it is possible to determine with even the wind direction. The accuracy of many instruments is 1 degree.

A glance back, the sailor watches the sails and the sea…

Since this is the living aboard column, a look back cannot be missed. For purists or the average cruiser, sails and the sea are the natural wind marker and anemometer. A brush up on the Beaufort scale, fillets or old audio-cassette tape knotted to the shrouds will surely suffice for sailing, but….

A glimpse into the future. There will be smart sails, full of anemometers

…For great performance, racing and offshore, we need to look to the future. In addition to smart solutions such as Calypso’s app that shows sensor data directly to your phone via Bluetooth, the purely electronic nature of ultrasonic anemometers will enable their rapid miniaturization. Masts and sails will become smart, crammed with mini-anemometers installed at strategic points to return real-time laminar speed and direction at strategic points throughout the sail plan. Trimmers reading the data will be able to make fine adjustments. Onboard automation computers, they will be able to automatically adjust sails by essentially doing what is done by eye today by looking at the fillets.

WHAT’S ON THE MARKET

Ultrasonic, wireless, solar, RADIO OCEAN CV7SF, 912€,
HERE

Ultrasonic with Weather Station AIRMAR TECHNOLOGY 200WX, €1775,
HERE
(it should be noted that Airmar Weather Stations are sensors without moving parts that can detect not only wind but also weather data such as humidity and pressure in addition to data such as GPS, compass, roll and pitch)

Ultrasonic for drifts CALYPSO Ultrasonic Portable, 499€, HERE

Ultrasound LCJ Capteurs, 630€, HERE

Low-priced classic solution: sail threads Plastimo, 12€, HERE

Luigi Gallerani

This article is part of the “Living on Board” column. Below are the topics we have already covered:

– EMERGENCY LADDERS, WHICH ARE THE BEST AND HOW MUCH THEY COST

– HOW TO DOWNLOAD OFFLINE WEATHER WITH A SMALL RADIO

– THE FEARS OF THOSE BOARDING FOR THE FIRST TIME

– THE DANGERS OF DO-IT-YOURSELF STOVES IN BOATS

– TWELVE LOW-COST TRICKS TO DEFEAT MOISTURE ON BOARD

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