System and method for damping a wind vane

摘要

A system for damping a wind vane includes a damping assembly configured to utilize eddy currents to dampen rotational motion of at least a portion of the wind vane. The damping assembly may provide damping of the wind vane to accommodate for sudden changes in wind speed and/or direction while allowing the wind vane to maintain accurate measurements and response in low wind conditions. The damping assembly may reduce the wind vane's susceptibility to oscillation, thereby improving accuracy of the wind vane.

主权项

1. A wind vane system comprising:
a base; a rotatable member having a head portion and a tail portion extending therefrom, said head portion being rotationally coupled to and supported on said base for movement about a substantially vertical axis, said head portion configured to fully rotate about said substantially vertical axis relative to said base; and a damping assembly positioned between a portion of said rotatable member and a portion of said base, wherein said damping assembly comprises:
at least one Halbach array of magnets configured to provide a magnetic flux that is stronger, in a plane perpendicular to said substantially vertical axis, in an inner radial direction or an outer radial direction; andan electrical conductor member configured to engage said magnetic flux provided by said at least one Halbach array of magnets and produce eddy currents to dampen movement of said rotatable member with respect to said base.