2-D Wind Velocity Measurement Using a Vertically Suspended Optical Fiber Combined With a Photosensor Array

A novel low-cost 2-D wind velocity (speed and direction) sensor was designed based on the principles of statics and optics. A vertically suspended optical fiber was employed in the designed sensor as the sensitive element, which could be deflected by the applied force of airflow in 2-D horizontal planes. An optical signal emitted from the end of the fiber was projected onto a charge coupled device (CCD) array detector, which could recognize the offset magnitude and direction through image processing. The mathematic expression between the displacement of the light spot projected onto the CCD and the wind speed was derived. Preliminary wind tunnel experiments validated the correctness of the theoretical derivation, and the results also showed that the designed sensor had good precision (particularly in low wind speed).