Methods and apparatus for monitoring fluid-dynamic drag on an object, such as a bicycle, ground vehicle, watercraft, aircraft, or portion of a wind turbine are provided. An array of sensors obtain sensor readings for example indicating: power input for propelling the object; air speed and direction relative to motion of the object; and ground speed of the object. Sensor readings may also indicate: temperature; elevation and humidity for providing a measurement of air density. Sensor readings may also indicate inclination angle and forward acceleration. Processing circuitry determines a coefficient of drag area based on the sensor readings and optionally one or more stored parameters, according to a predetermined relationship. A pitot tube based apparatus for measuring fluid speed and direction is also provided. Methods for dynamic in situ calibration of the pitot tube apparatus, and of adjusting correction factors applied to correct measurement errors of this apparatus are also provided.

Provide is a method of estimating free-stream inflow at a downstream wind turbine of a wind park, the method including: selecting, from plural candidate wind turbines previously defined specifically for the downstream wind turbine, an upstream wind turbine based on a currently determined wind direction; using determination equipment of the selected upstream wind turbine to determine the free-stream inflow.

A wake generator for placement in a wind tunnel between a wind source and a test object includes a first frame member having a first track formed thereon, where the first track has a shape including a first side that is substantially rounded and a second side that is substantially flat. The wake generator may include a mounting plate disposed within a perimeter of the first track, where the mounting plate is rotatable relative to the first frame member about a first axis. The wake generator may also include a plurality of bars slidably engaged to the mounting plate and structurally configured to traverse along the first track when the mounting plate is rotated about the first axis, where each of the plurality of bars includes a pivotal connection allowing each of the plurality of bars to pivot about the pivotal connection when traversing along the first track.

Described herein are a viscous drag reduction apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes a pair of rollers connected to a supporting surface on a roof of the vehicle, a belt having a frictional surface and partially wrapped around the pair of rollers, such that the pair of rollers allow the belt to rotate in response to an air flow generated around the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion, the pair of rollers having a length in an axial direction that is at least as long as a width of the belt, an assembly of the pair of rollers and the belt being at least partially recessed with respect to a top line of the roof, and a reverse flow cover connected to the front end of the roof of the vehicle to block an air back flow generated by the belt when rotating.

A transportable wind tunnel testing automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, scale-model aircraft, building structures, and other products requiring high-quality and low noise directed air flow. The wind tunnel comprises one or more containers which can be separately transported on trailers. Each wind tunnel container comprises one or more fans, conditioning screens, acoustic baffles, and a reduction or contraction section. Wind tunnels may be connected end-to-end or side-to-side, with joined outflow. The wind tunnel containers can be used on the trailers, or can be removed and temporarily installed at a location.

In order to be able to determine with precision the location of the stagnation point at different zones along the leading edge of an aerodynamic profile, a system comprises rows of pressure sensors distributed on either side of the leading edge and forming, virtually, patterns that are spaced apart from one another in the form of simple polygonal lines, and a computer connected to the pressure sensors. The computer determines, along each of the patterns, a respective stagnation point position that is defined by a curved abscissa for which a pressure interpolated on the basis of pressure measurements provided by the pressure sensors of the corresponding row is at a maximum, and by an altitude evaluated on the basis of respective altitude data from the pressure sensors of the corresponding row.

A wall surface pressure measurement structure measures a wall surface pressure in a duct. Measurement holes are formed in different positions in a circumferential direction on an inspection surface of a wall surface of the duct. The inspection surface is orthogonal to an extending direction of the duct. A pressure chamber communicating with the measurement holes is provided on an outer peripheral side of the duct. The pressure chamber is coupled to a pressure gauge via a pressure pipe.

A fuel dispenser comprising fuel flow piping defining a flow path from a source of fuel toward a fueling nozzle. The fuel flow piping further has a filter manifold for mounting a fuel filter thereon. A plurality of fuel handling components are disposed along the fuel flow piping. A sensor device is mounted to the filter manifold, the sensor device having at least one sensor operative to detect a sensed condition related to the fuel dispenser. The sensor device further comprises electronics to transmit a signal related to the sensed condition.

A measuring device for measuring at least one parameter of an aerodynamic flow of a turbine engine. The device operates to collect parameters of the flow. A body extends along a radial axis (L). A connecting part is fastened to a first end of the body and designed to secure the measuring device to a radially outer wall of the turbine engine. A stud is inserted and mounted on a second end of the body radially opposite the first end. The stud includes at least a portion of a rubberlike material designed to come into contract with a radially inner wall of the turbine engine.

A sensor is configured to attach to a main body and includes a sensor body, a transducer, a transmitter, and a power source. The sensor body is configured to provide a smooth transition with a surface of the main body. The transducer is positioned within the sensor body and is configured to provide a sensed output. The transmitter is positioned within the sensor body and is configured to transmit the sensed output. The power source is positioned within the sensor body and is configured to provide electrical power to the transducer and the transmitter.