An electronic wind meter based on a silicon flow sensor

Abstract This paper reports the development of a microelectronic wind meter without moving parts, for the measurement of wind speed and direction. The central part of the wind meter is formed by an integrated silicon sensor, which detects a flow-induced temperature gradient on its surface. An aerodynamic probe shape has been designed to guide the wind flow over the sensor, thus eliminating the sensitivity to vertical wind components, and to protect the sensor from possible disturbing external influences. Wind tunnel measurements have been carried out on a prototype model, for wind velocities up to 25 m s −1 . In the present configuration, the flow detection threshold is 1 mm s −1 , while the response time is 2 s.