Fluid flow direction detection
US8291759B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 20, 2011 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 27, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01P13/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In order to provide a robust, weather resistant, portable, low-noise, relatively inexpensive, wind direction detection device, disclosed herein is a method and device for detecting fluid flow direction based on sensing a temperature variation transmitted from a temperature variation source to one or more temperature sensors. One or more indicators are utilized to communicate the measured fluid flow direction to a user. An implementation of the fluid flow direction detection device utilizes a resistance heater as the temperature variation source, thermistors as the temperature sensors, and light emitting diodes (LEDs) corresponding to each thermistor as the indicators. The thermistors and LEDs are arranged in a circular fashion around the resistance heater to accurately detect the direction of a thermal plume generated by the resistance heater.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.