A novel wind sensor concept based on thermal image measurement using a temperature sensor array

This paper presents a novel concept of designing wind sensors without moving parts. The measurement concept is based on the evaluation of the thermal image around a circular heater. Forced convection, caused by the wind, modulates this thermal image, which reveals information about both flow velocity and flow direction. The new concept uses an array of temperature sensors to capture the thermal image. Temperature data are transferred to a computer or a micro controller by a multiplexer. A program running on the computer extracts the values of speed and direction from the thermal image. The paper discusses different evaluation algorithms and compares their results. Three-point-estimators such as Gaussian estimator, peak centroid estimator, and parabolic estimator are used to improve the resolution of the direction measurement. The result of velocity measurement is also presented. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.