Nielsen-Kellerman Co.

Nielsen-Kellerman

Richard Kellerman

Paul H Nielsen

A method and apparatus for measuring relative humidity of a mixture that provides a quick response time for thermal lag while affording protection to fragile sensors. In one aspect, the invention is a method for calculating the relative humidity of a mixture comprising measuring a chamber relative humidity (RHC) within a chamber enclosing an humidity sensor; measuring a first temperature (TC) within the chamber; measuring a second temperature (TA) separate from said chamber, said second temperature being the temperature of the mixture; and calculating the mixture relative humidity (RHA) based on the chamber relative humidity, a first value representing the first temperature and a second value representing the second temperature.

Method and apparatus for measuring relative humidity of a mixture

A method and apparatus for measuring relative humidity of a mixture that provides a quick response time for thermal lag while affording protection to fragile sensors. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus comprising: a chamber having a membrane covering an opening in the chamber, the membrane being permeable to water vapor while impermeable to liquid water; a humidity sensor for measuring relative humidity of the mixture within the chamber; a first temperature sensor for measuring a temperature relating to the mixture within the chamber; a second temperature sensor for measuring temperature of the mixture at a point exterior to the chamber; and a processor for receiving signals representing the measurements taken by the humidity sensor, the first temperature sensor, and the second temperature sensor and programmed to calculate relative humidity of the mixture at the point exterior to the chamber as a function thereof. The internal surfaces that form the chamber volume are preferably constructed of nonabsorbent material.

A portable hand-held vane anemometer is disclosed in which a modular vane assembly is removably mounted within the casing of the instrument. Within the modular vane assembly is a rotatably mounted impeller shaft. The impeller assembly preferably can be removed and inserted into a cavity of the anemometer. Consequently, if the impeller, bearings or other components of the impeller assembly should become damaged, the modular impeller assembly can be quickly and easily replaced. The vane anemometer of this invention may also measure temperature dependent environmental parameters and may also have the ability to measure these parameters relatively quickly and accurately when moving from one thermal mass to another thermal mass. These environmental parameters may include ambient temperature, wind chill, humidity and heat index. In order to determine these parameters, the vane anemometer may have a temperature probe and a humidity sensor that are disposed external to the casing. Preferably, the temperature probe and the humidity sensor are thermally isolated from the casing, so that each can respond relatively quickly when moved from one thermal mass to another. The probe and the sensor may also be disposed within one or more openings defined in the casing of the anemometer. The openings are sized large enough so as to permit enough air flow around the probe and the sensors to obtain quick and accurate readings, and small enough so as to protect the probe and the sensor from damage from mechanical forces.

Vane anemometer with thermally isolated sensors

A vane anemometer is disclosed in which a modular vane assembly is removably mounted within the case of the instrument. Within the modular vane assembly is a rotatably mounted impeller shaft. The impeller assembly preferably can be removed and inserted into a cavity of the anemometer without the use of tools. Consequently, if the impeller, bearings or other components of the impeller assembly should become damaged, the modular impeller assembly can be quickly and easily replaced. The modular impeller assembly is preferably mechanically insulated from the anemometer casing. This minimizes the effect of dynamic forces on the bearings and other components of the impeller assembly. A method of and the structure for precisely and reproducibly adjusting the axial clearance between a shaft and a bearing assembly is also disclosed. The vane anemometer of this invention may also measure the temperature and the wind chill of the ambient air. In order to accurately and quickly measure these parameters the vane anemometer may have a temperature probe that is disposed external to the casing of the anemometer. Preferably, the casing has an opening defined by a plurality of walls of the casing in which the temperature probe is disposed. The temperature probe may be coupled to a microprocessor by an electrical connector that extends from the casing. In order to thermally isolate the probe from the casing, the connector may be wound about itself.

Vane anemometer having a modular impeller assembly

A vane anemometer is disclosed in which a modular vane assembly is removably mounted within the case of the instrument. Within the modular vane assembly is a rotatably mounted impeller shaft. The impeller assembly preferably can be removed and inserted into a cavity of the anemometer without the use of tools. Consequently, if the impeller, bearings or other components of the impeller assembly should become damaged, the modular impeller assembly can be quickly and easily replaced. The modular impeller assembly is preferably mechanically insulated from the anemometer casing. This minimizes the effect of dynamic forces on the bearings and other components of the impeller assembly. A method of and the structure for precisely and reproducibly adjusting the axial clearance between a shaft and a bearing assembly is also disclosed.

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Kennett Square, PA, United States of America

Richard Kellerman