Development and use of Gill UVW anemometer

An analysis of the drawbacks of a previously developed anemometer-bivane made it possible to design a new instrument in which three output voltages correspond closely to the instantaneous orthogonal components of wind flow, both in magnitude and direction, and whose operation is almost unaffected by dew or rain as was the case with the anemometer-bivane. The instrument is intended for continuous use at locations where the wind speed is not expected to exceed about 25 m/sec. Data is usually recorded on a magnetic tape recorder of 3 or more channels. Whenever greater accuracy is desired, a computer may be used to compare the three orthogonal wind vectors U, V, and W simultaneously and amplify these by appropriate amounts. The designed instrument is found to measure gust wave lengths of 12 m and greater with good accuracy.