A sensing element is provided for use in a system for measuring fluid flow, such as, turbulent air flow. The sensing element comprises a sensor body and a first load cell arrangement connected to the sensor body. The sensor body has a three dimensional shape which is rotationally symmetric about a longitudinal axis passing through the first load cell arrangement and the sensor body. The first load cell arrangement is configured to measure the force exerted on the sensor body by fluid flow in at least an xy plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A system for measuring fluid flow comprising the sensing element and a method for measuring fluid flow using the sensing element and the system are also provided.

A projectile launch detector, including a body, a mast and a blade rigidly connected to the mast; the mast being capable of sliding between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, and capable of pivoting between a first and a second angular position. The detector may further includes a first elastic return element to return the mast to the deployed configuration relative to the body; and a first associated sensor; and a second elastic return element to return the mast to the first angular position relative to the body; and a second associated sensor.

A projectile launch detector, including a body, a mast and a blade rigidly connected to the mast; the mast being capable of sliding between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, and capable of pivoting between a first and a second angular position. The detector may further includes a first elastic return element to return the mast to the deployed configuration relative to the body; and a first associated sensor; and a second elastic return element to return the mast to the first angular position relative to the body; and a second associated sensor.

A sensing element is provided for use in a system for measuring fluid flow, such as, turbulent air flow. The sensing element comprises a sensor body and a first load cell arrangement connected to the sensor body. The sensor body has a three dimensional shape which is rotationally symmetric about a longitudinal axis passing through the first load cell arrangement and the sensor body. The first load cell arrangement is configured to measure the force exerted on the sensor body by fluid flow in at least an xy plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A system for measuring fluid flow comprising the sensing element and a method for measuring fluid flow using the sensing element and the system are also provided.

A sensing element is provided for use in a system for measuring fluid flow, such as, turbulent air flow. The sensing element comprises a sensor body and a first load cell arrangement connected to the sensor body. The sensor body has a three dimensional shape which is rotationally symmetric about a longitudinal axis passing through the first load cell arrangement and the sensor body. The first load cell arrangement is configured to measure the force exerted on the sensor body by fluid flow in at least an xy plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A system for measuring fluid flow comprising the sensing element and a method for measuring fluid flow using the sensing element and the system are also provided.

A projectile launch detector including a body, a mast and a blade rigidly connected to the mast; the mast being capable of sliding between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, and capable of pivoting between a first and a second angular position. The detector may further include a first elastic return element to return the mast to the deployed configuration relative to the body; and a first associated sensor; and a second elastic return element to return the mast to the first angular position relative to the body; and a second associated sensor.

A method of measuring fluid flow rate is provided. The method comprises positioning a piezoelectric sensor in a fluid flow stream and measuring a voltage output from the piezoelectric sensor caused by mechanical stress from the fluid flow stream. A fluid flow rate is calculated based on the measured voltage output according to predefined relationships between the voltage output and a number physical parameters.

A method of measuring fluid flow rate is provided. The method comprises positioning a piezoelectric sensor in a fluid flow stream and measuring a voltage output from the piezoelectric sensor caused by mechanical stress from the fluid flow stream. A fluid flow rate is calculated based on the measured voltage output according to predefined relationships between the voltage output and a number physical parameters.

Systems and associated methods for utilizing an artificial hair sensor to gather fluid flow data sensed on a surface. The artificial hair sensors are disposed on a surface to acquire flow sensory data in approximately real-time and for a plurality of dynamic flow parameters on the surface. The sensory data is based on a quantity of the artificial hair sensors that can be configured in an array of sensors. A mapping module, such as a neural network, is operatively coupled to the artificial hair sensor array and receives the sensory data acquired by the artificial hair sensors and generates a time-varying signal, which is based on the quantity of dynamic parameters. A real-time representation of the time-varying signal is generated.

A sensor comprising a whisker shaft and a follicle is provided. The shaft has a root end and a tip end and the shaft tapers from the root end to the tip end so that the root end is wider and the tip end is narrower. The root end is pivotably mounted in the follicle.