Weather prediction technology has evolved over the years. So the mechanisms are able to predict weather patterns accurately over large swathes of landmasses or even oceans. But the predicament still lies with those uneven weather patterns governing the climate at a much micro level (local scope), that such unpredicted scenarios can prove to be especially dangerous for sea fishermen, surfers and other related occupations. This is where the Windspy portable weather station can come in handy. It will be an inexpensive, solar powered contraption that can be mounted on a tripod and moved wholly to the site for a direct measurement of weather conditions.
A prototype of this machine is being created as a collaborative effort from windfinder.com and the University of Applied Sciences, Kiel. The conception features a streamlined body with paraphernalia of components incorporated inside for a correct and hassle free measurement procedure.
The components mainly feature a small windmill with miniscule magnets mounted at top of its rotor and a separate magnetic switch that is triggered by adjacent magnetic fields (reed contact). So as the windmill rotates, each time one of those mounted magnets has to pass through the reed contact, thus initiating a complete electrical circuit.
The rotational speed of the mini turbine can be measured to give an accurate reading of the wind speed magnitude prevalent in that particular area. The design has been adroitly considered in such a way so as to protect the windmill by placing in an inner cavity channel. This protects the component from external influences such as pollution, moisture or accidental damages.
The whole contraption along with its casing is mounted upon a tripod with its base being fixed to the support. But the upper part of the Windspy is allowed to free, so that it can rotate in conjunction with the wind direction, with the interior casing facing the wind.The convenient features of this fascinating ‘weather station’ prototype include its portability and practicality of usage. Even the clean and green solar power required by the Windspy ensures non reliance on traditional power supply, and that in effect actually accentuates the level of its portability.
Moreover, the machine comes with no integrated user interface. This means the overall data collected is directly transmitted to the online servers of windfinder.com by communication devices. This lessens the paraphernalia associated with the machine and most importantly, reduces the overall cost factor (normally associated with user interface devices).
Via: CargoCollective
