A cup anemometer that measures wind speed for geography and natural science lessons and for observations on school weather grounds.
This cup anemometer is a measuring instrument that determines wind speed for the teaching needs of general secondary education institutions. It is used in geography and natural science lessons when studying the atmosphere and the causes of wind, and on school weather grounds for observing the weather. The instrument records only the speed of the air flow and does not determine its direction, for which a wind vane or a wind indicator is used.
The instrument consists of a vertical axis with a support, a cross-piece with hemispherical cups, an electronic signal processing unit with a display, and a housing with a mounting assembly. Four cups shaped as hemispheres are fixed on a horizontal cross-piece and oriented identically: under the action of the wind they rotate around the vertical axis, and the rate of rotation depends on the speed of the air flow. The electronic unit processes the rotation frequency of the rotor and shows the result on the display as the instantaneous and the average wind speed, the wind force in points and the wave height corresponding to it.
The measuring range of wind speed is 0.5 to 30 metres per second, with a resolution of 0.1 m/s for wind speed, 1 point for wind force and 0.1 m for wave height. The measurement error of wind speed is the value of 0.3 + 0.03 x V, where V is the actual wind speed in metres per second. The operating temperature is -45 to +60 degrees Celsius and the relative humidity during operation is 100 % without condensation. Overall dimensions, length by width by height, are 33 x 4.5 x 24 cm. Power is autonomous, from built-in batteries, with an average current consumption of 5 mA. Marking and operating documentation are in Ukrainian, and the marking carries the trade mark, the model and a place for an inventory number. The service life is 5 years and the warranty period is 12 months.
The set includes the cup anemometer assembled, comprising the cup unit, the axis, the electronic unit with the display and the housing – 1 pc; mounting parts for a mast, pole or tripod, depending on the version; a case or packaging for storage and carrying – 1 pc; a passport with a warranty card – 1 pc; and individual transport packaging – 1 pc. The instrument is supplied without a mast, pole, tripod, wind vane or observation log, which are purchased separately, and it needs no assembly before first use.
The anemometer is installed on a mast, pole or tripod, or held in a raised hand for short measurements, with the axis set strictly vertical on an open level site away from buildings, trees and fences; the distance to an obstacle is ten times its height. Mounting on the mast is carried out by an adult, and students work with the instrument on the ground under the supervision of a teacher. Measurements during a thunderstorm, squall, hurricane, heavy rain, hail or glaze ice are not permitted. After each use the cups are cleaned of dust, cobwebs, leaves and insects, since deposits change the air resistance and lower the readings, and the instrument is wiped with a dry soft cloth; it is not immersed in water or washed under running water, and solvents, alcohol, acetone and abrasive powders are not used. The product is stored in a dry ventilated room at +5 to +40 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 80 % in its case or original packaging, and it is not left on the mast during the cold season, because ice forming on the cups breaks the cross-piece. The product is intended for educational work under the supervision of a teacher and is recommended for students aged 10 and over.
