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US 10,191,076 B1Granted
Airflow sensing systems and methods
AssigneeBoard of Trustees of the University of Alabama, for and on behalf of the University of Alabama in Huntsville
InventorsGang Wang, Felix Ewere
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flow of air induces vibration of a tip of an airflow sensor. A cantilever coupled to the tip vibrates as the tip is displaced, and a piezoelectric element associated with the cantilever generates an electrical signal in response to mechanical stress or strain induced by vibration of the cantilever. A control element that is in communication with the piezoelectric element of the cantilever receives the electrical signal and derives at least one parameter indicative of the flow of air sensed by the sensor. The control element communicates or otherwise transmits an output signal that is indicative of the parameter to an output device to display sensor data to a user as desired.
Claims23
An airflow sensing system, comprising:
- a first cantilever having a first beam, wherein a bluff body is formed at an end of the first beam for generating aerodynamic forces in response to an airflow;
- a second cantilever having a second beam, wherein a second bluff body is formed at an end of the second beam for generating aerodynamic forces in response to the airflow;
- a first piezoelectric element positioned on the first cantilever and configured to provide a first electrical signal indicative of a vibration of the first cantilever;
- a second piezoelectric element positioned on the second cantilever and configured to provide a second electrical signal indicative of a vibration of the second cantilever;
- a control element coupled to the first and second piezoelectric elements and configured to receive the first and second electrical signals, the control element further configured to determine, based on the first and second electrical signals, a velocity of an airflow causing each of the first and second cantilevers to vibrate;
- an output device configured to provide an output based on the velocity;
- and
- a shield positioned adjacent to the first cantilever for shielding the first beam from the airflow.
5 more elements
An airflow sensing system, comprising:
- a first cantilever having a first beam, wherein a first bluff body is formed at an end of the first beam for generating aerodynamic forces in response to an airflow;
- a second cantilever having a second beam, wherein a second bluff body is formed at an end of the second beam for generating aerodynamic forces in response to the airflow;
- a first piezoelectric element associated with the first cantilever;
- a second piezoelectric element associated with the second cantilever;
- a control element coupled to each of the first and second piezoelectric elements, the control element configured to receive a first electrical signal generated by the first piezoelectric element and a second electrical signal generated by the second piezoelectric element, wherein the first electrical signal is indicative of vibration of the first cantilever induced by aerodynamic forces generated by the first bluff body, wherein the second electrical signal is indicative of vibration of the second cantilever induced by the aerodynamic forces generated by the second bluff body, and wherein the control element is configured to determine a velocity of the airflow based on the first and second electrical signals;
- an output device in communication with the control element, wherein the control element is configured to provide an output via the output device based on the velocity;
- a substrate from which the first cantilever extends;
- and
- a shield coupled to the substrate and disposed around a longitudinal axis of the first cantilever.
6 more elements
An airflow sensing system, comprising:
- a cantilever comprising a beam having an end, wherein a bluff body is formed at the end of the beam for generating aerodynamic forces in response to an airflow, and wherein the bluff body is shaped such that the cantilever begins to gallop in response to the aerodynamic forces when a speed of the airflow exceeds a threshold;
- a piezoelectric element positioned on the cantilever and configured to provide an electrical signal indicative of a vibration of the cantilever;
- a control element coupled to the piezoelectric element and configured to receive the electrical signal, the control element further configured determine, based on the electrical signal, the speed of the airflow;
- an output device configured to provide an output based on the speed;
- and
- a shield disposed around the cantilever for blocking the airflow.
3 more elements
An airflow sensing method, comprising:
- providing an airflow sensor having a cantilever, the cantilever comprising a beam having an end, wherein a bluff body is formed at the end of the beam;
- positioning the airflow sensor within an airflow;
- generating aerodynamic forces from the airflow with the bluff body, wherein the bluff body is shaped such that the aerodynamic forces cause the cantilever to begin galloping when a speed of the airflow exceeds a threshold;
- sensing, with a piezoelectric element, vibration of the cantilever;
- determining, with a control element, a speed of the airflow based on the sensing;
- providing an output based on the speed;
- and
- shielding the beam from the airflow with a shield positioned adjacent to the cantilever.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.