MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY 2

MEASUREMENT OF AIR VELOCITY

I. Objective:
To study the air current measuring devices, their calibration and principles of operation
II. Theory and Analysis:
Discuss the principle of operation of anemometer.

Italian artist and architect Leon Battista Alberti created the first mechanical anemometer
in the year 1450. Different types of anemometers are later created in order to measure wind
speed and pressure more precisely. Over hundreds of years, the design and its guiding idea
remained unchanged. It is a meteorological tool that can forecast weather. These are employed in
numerous applications, including the monitoring of meteorological conditions, the measurement
of air pressure, velocity, and wind speed, among others. For instance, aeronautical engineers and
physicists utilize laser types to measure the wind speed around cars and airplanes.
Anemometer is a device that measures the pressure, velocity, and direction of the wind in
addition to its speed. To investigate weather conditions, meteorologists mostly use this
equipment. This tool is used by physicists to determine the direction of airflow. Typically, it is
referred to as a meteorological instrument or a wind speed meter. This device is used by
scientists, meteorologists, academic institutions, and researchers all around the world to
determine the wind's velocity, pressure, direction, and speed.

The anemometer's job is to keep an eye on the weather. As a result, it serves as a tool for
weather monitoring. Utilizing velocity type, one may gauge how quickly the wind's direction is
changing. Another purpose of the anemometer is, it is used to estimate the climatic conditions
and gives the information about the wind speed and direction. So, it is also known as a climate
checking instrument.
The anemometer's basic operating concept hasn't changed since 1846. It operates on the
same premise as a tachometer, transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy. We are
aware that a tachometer transfers the mechanical energy of the motor's speed into the appropriate
electrical pulses. The digital type follows the same principles as the analog type and is also an
electromechanical device. The hot-wire type's operation is based on the airflow rate used to cool
the heated object. Therefore, the rate of cooling is determined by the airflow's speed. The
electrically heated wire that is suspended in the airflow cools down as the airflow increases. The
power needs to be increased in order to keep the temperature of the wire constant. The input
power given to the hot-wire is utilized for the measurement of airspeed. Then the digital meter
connected to the electronic circuit calibrates the speed of the air. And also, time taken to cool the
hot-wire is noted and the air current is calculated. Generally, this type is used for measurement
low speeds of the airflow.
The most commonly used anemometer is the cup-type and the different types of
anemometers working:
Cup Type
It is designed by using 3-4 cups of cylindrical in shape. These cups are attached to the
horizontal arms with the help of a vertical rod to rotate around the axis centrally. A shaft placed
inside the axis will spin the cups. When the speed of the wind increases, the cups spinning faster,
as well as the shaft, rotates quickly. To calculate the speed of the wind blow, the no. of rotations
is counted and calibrated on a digital or analog wind meter.
Hot-wire Type
This is also known as thermal flow type or constant current type, which has an ability to measure
both pressure and speed of the wind. Its working is based on the rate of cooling the hot-wire.
When the thin hot-wire, which is electrically heated is placed in the wind, it gets cooled
gradually. The amount of power given to heat the wire is used to calculate the speed of the wind.
If the speed of the wind is high, then more input power is required to maintain the wire at a
constant temperature. The wind speed is calculated at the rate at which the hot-wire gets cooled
down with respect to wind flow. These types are sensitive and mainly used in low wind speed
measurements.
Tube Type
It determines the speed of the wind by using air pressure. Take a glass tube to measure the air
pressure. To measure the air pressure inside the glass tube, close the one end. Now compare the
air pressure inside the glass tube and outside the glass tube to calculate the wind speed.
Advantages
The advantages of Anemometer are:
 It is mainly used to measure speed, pressure, and direction of the wind
 It consumes less power according to its cost and provides precision during the
measurement
 It is available in different sizes and shapes
 As it is a climate station device, it can detect, estimate, and gives information about the
wind. It is utilized as a climate checking station.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of anemometer are:
 The main drawback is, the anemometer may get damaged due to the strong winds.
Installation should be done with care.
 Distortion may occur in the anemometer due to the strong winds.
Applications
The applications of anemometer are:
  Used to measure wind speed and wind velocity.
 Used to measure the pressure of the wind
 Used to estimate the direction of the wind
 Used as a station for climate checking
 Used to check the weather condition by using RC plane users or drone users
 Used by the hunters, Shooters, and pilots for long-range applications
 Used to evaluate the velocity of wind before sky diving.
 Aerodynamics uses the anemometer to measure the speed of the air.
 Used as a weather monitoring device
 Used to measure the airflow in heating systems, air conditioners, ventilation units, etc.
 Used to know the direction and speed of wind during sailing
 River hydrology

IX. Research Questions:

1. With the aid of an illustration, describe the operation of velometer.

The operation of a velometer involves the following steps:

Sensing: The velometer has sensors that detect the airflow. These sensors can vary depending on the
type of velometer. For example, cup anemometers have rotating cups that measure wind speed, while
hot-wire anemometers use a heated wire to measure airflow based on the cooling effect caused by the
air.

Conversion: Once the airflow is sensed, the velometer converts the physical measurements into
electrical signals. This conversion process allows for easier processing and analysis of the data.
Signal Processing: The electrical signals are then processed to filter out any noise or interference and to
calculate the velocity and direction of the airflow accurately. This step ensures that the measured values
are reliable and consistent.

Display or Output: Finally, the velometer displays the measured values on a screen or outputs the data to
a computer or data logger for further analysis or recording. This allows users to monitor and track airflow
patterns over time or make real-time adjustments based on the measured values.

2. With the aid of a diagram, discuss the operation of thermal anemometer.

The thermal anemometer is a device used to measure the velocity of a fluid flow, such as air or gas. It
operates based on the principle of heat transfer and utilizes a heated element to measure the flow
velocity.

The operation of a thermal anemometer involves the following steps:

Heating Element: The thermal anemometer consists of a small heated element, often made of a thin
wire or film, which is inserted into the fluid flow. This element acts as a temperature sensor.

Heat Transfer: As the fluid flows past the heated element, heat is transferred from the element to the
fluid. The rate of heat transfer depends on the velocity of the fluid.

Temperature Change: The heated element experiences a change in temperature due to the heat transfer
with the fluid. The temperature change is directly proportional to the velocity of the fluid flow.

Sensor and Electronics: The thermal anemometer includes a sensor that measures the temperature
change of the heated element. This sensor is connected to electronic circuitry that converts the
temperature change into an electrical signal.

Signal Processing: The electrical signal is processed by the electronics to calculate the velocity of the fluid
flow. The processing may involve calibration and correction algorithms to account for various factors that
can affect the measurement accuracy.
Display or Output: The final step involves displaying the measured velocity on a digital screen or
providing it as an output signal that can be recorded or transmitted to other devices.

Overall, the thermal anemometer operates by detecting the temperature change caused by the
fluid flow and converting it into a measurable quantity, which represents the velocity of the flow. This
device finds applications in various fields, including HVAC systems, environmental monitoring, and
industrial processes where accurate airflow measurements are required.

3. With the aid of a diagram, discuss the operation and transmission of power to be delivered by
a windmill driving a water pump

p To discuss the operation and transmission of power delivered by a windmill driving a water
pump, let's break it down into three main components: the windmill, the power transmission
system, and the water pump.

1. Windmill Operation: A windmill consists of a tower with rotating blades, which harness
the kinetic energy of the wind and convert it into mechanical energy. As the wind blows,
it causes the blades to rotate, creating rotational motion.

2. Power Transmission: To transmit the mechanical energy from the windmill to the water
pump, a power transmission system is required. This system typically includes a series of
gears or belts connected to the rotating shaft of the windmill. The rotational motion of the
windmill's blades is transferred to the transmission system, which then increases or
decreases the rotational speed as needed.

3. Water Pumping: Once the mechanical energy is transmitted to the water pump, it can be
converted into hydraulic energy to move water. The water pump is usually positioned at
the bottom of the windmill, and its mechanism varies depending on the specific pump
type. Common types include centrifugal pumps and piston pumps, which use different
principles to draw and move water.
e, one may gauge how quickly the wind's dire
to its speed. To investigate weather conditions, meteorologists mostly use this equipment.
This tool is used by physicists to determine the direction of airflow. Typically, it is referred to as
a meteorological instrument or a wind speed meter. This device is used by scientists,
meteorologists, academic institutions, and researchers all around the world to determine the
wind's velocity, pressure, direction, and speed.