Methods and apparatus for reducing energy consumed by drones during flight are disclosed. A drone includes a housing, a motor, receiver circuitry carried by the housing, and a route manager. The receiver circuitry is to receive airborne drone-generated wind data from an airborne drone located in an area within which a segment of a flight of the drone is to occur. The airborne drone-generated wind data is to be determined by an inertial measurement unit of the airborne drone. The route manager is to generate a route for the flight of the drone based on wind data, the wind data including the airborne drone-generated wind data. The route is to be followed by the drone during the flight. The route manager is to select at least one portion of the route to cause the drone to be at least partially propelled by wind to reduce energy consumed by the drone during the flight.

A downhole flow meter includes a body including an inlet exposed to downhole fluids, an impeller rotatably supported in the body, the impeller including at least one vane, at least one magnet mounted to the at least one vane, and a switch responsive to the at least one magnet arranged in the body.

Methods and apparatus for reducing energy consumed by drones during flight are disclosed. A drone includes a housing, a motor, and a route manager to generate a route for a flight of the drone based on wind data. The wind data includes turbine-generated wind data provided by turbines that detect airflows received at the turbines. The turbines are located in an area within which a segment of the flight of the drone is to occur. The route is to be followed by the drone during the flight to reduce energy consumed by the drone during the flight.

Methods and apparatus for reducing energy consumed by drones during flight are disclosed. A drone includes a housing, a motor, and a route manager to generate a route for a flight of the drone based on wind data. The wind data includes turbine-generated wind data provided by turbines that detect airflows received at the turbines. The turbines are located in an area within which a segment of the flight of the drone is to occur. The route is to be followed by the drone during the flight to reduce energy consumed by the drone during the flight.

An anemometer (10) for measuring wind speeds includes a housing (16) and/or frame. A shaft (20) is mounted such that it can rotate in a bearing of the housing (16) and/or frame. Wind capturing means (14) are arranged on the shaft (20), said wind capturing means (14) setting the shaft (20) to rotate in the wind. Detecting means (43) detect the rotational speed (?) of the shaft (20). Issuing means (49) are also provided for issuing the detected rotational speed (?).

An anemometer (10) for measuring wind speeds includes a housing (16) and/or frame. A shaft (20) is mounted such that it can rotate in a bearing of the housing (16) and/or frame. Wind capturing means (14) are arranged on the shaft (20), said wind capturing means (14) setting the shaft (20) to rotate in the wind. Detecting means (43) detect the rotational speed (?) of the shaft (20). Issuing means (49) are also provided for issuing the detected rotational speed (?).

An aircraft airflow sensor probe includes an airflow assembly or a cone assembly configured to sense a direction of local airflow outside an aircraft; a shaft configured to rotatably hold the assembly and allow rotational movement of the assembly; and a motor connected to the shaft and configured to generate a torque to damp the rotational movement of the shaft as well as the assembly. The sensor probe further includes an angle of attack processor configured to control the motor to generate the torque to damp the rotational movement of the shaft as well as the assembly and a sensor configured to sense a position of the assembly and provide the position of the assembly to the angle of attack processor. An aircraft airflow sensor process is disclosed as well.

A fluid sensing device includes an outer shell, a three-axis force and moment balance, a strut, and a centerbody. The outer shell has an inlet at a first end of the outer shell, an aft vent at an opposing second end of the outer shell, and an interior space connecting the inlet and the aft vent. The three-axis force and moment balance is positioned in the interior space of the outer shell. The strut is connected to the outer shell and the three-axis force and moment balance such that the strut supports the three-axis force and moment balance in the interior space. At least a portion of the centerbody is positioned in the interior space of the outer shell. The centerbody is connected to the three-axis force and moment balance such that the three-axis force and moment balance is configured to measure force, moment, and/or movement of the centerbody.

Provided are a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonic anemometer, a 3D wind velocity measuring method, and a wind turbine. The 3D ultrasonic anemometer includes: an ultrasonic sensor including three pairs of ultrasonic transceivers arranged in different directions, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is installed at a rotation body rotating around a rotation axis and rotates around the rotation axis together with the rotation body; a signal processor outputting a 3D sensed wind velocity sensed by the ultrasonic sensor; and a coordinate converter converting the 3D sensed wind velocity into a 3D fixed wind velocity on a fixed coordinate system by using a rotation angle of the rotation body.

Provided are a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonic anemometer, a 3D wind velocity measuring method, and a wind turbine. The 3D ultrasonic anemometer includes: an ultrasonic sensor including three pairs of ultrasonic transceivers arranged in different directions, wherein the ultrasonic sensor is installed at a rotation body rotating around a rotation axis and rotates around the rotation axis together with the rotation body; a signal processor outputting a 3D sensed wind velocity sensed by the ultrasonic sensor; and a coordinate converter converting the 3D sensed wind velocity into a 3D fixed wind velocity on a fixed coordinate system by using a rotation angle of the rotation body.