WindSonic installed on Tsunami Warning Systems

Gill’s WindSonic chosen for tsunami detection buoys after tests prove it is the most reliable.

On 22nd September 2015, the Chilean Navy research vessel Cabo de Hornos departed from Valparaiso, Chile, loaded with two experimental 4th generation buoys known as DART-4G (Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami) which feature Gill WindSonic ultrasonic wind sensors.

Tsunami buoy - windsonic
DART-4G buoys uses Gill WindSonics for reliable wind speed measurement.

The deployment is part of a trial by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in partnership with the Servicio Hidrografico y Oceanografico de la Armada de Chile (SHOA), to monitor the seismically active Chilean subduction zone.

Tsunami waves involve the movement of water all the way down to the sea floor, but the effects of wind-driven ocean waves are only seen near the surface. In order to distinguish a tsunami wave from wind generated waves, it is essential to have reliable wind measurements.

WindSonic was tested against alternatives and chosen because it was the only anemometer to remain operational in such extreme conditions. With its solid-state ultrasonic technology the WindSonic has a robust corrosion-free construction providing reliable operation for many harsh environmental conditions.

On September 16th 2015 a massive earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale hit some locations of the Chilean coast causing a 5 metre tsunami. The DART-4G instrument buoys can separate the seismic noise from the tsunami wave signal allowing forecasters to measure the tsunami wave as the earth is still shaking and greatly improve warning time.  As NOAA’s Tsunami Program Director, Michael Angove, described, even an additional 20 minute warning is “an ‘eternity’ in terms of near-field tsunami forecasts where waves can begin inundating coastlines within 15-20 minutes (or less)”.

The NOAA/SHOA research partnership is the result of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by both organizations in June of 2015 and over the next 5 years, the DART-4G instrument buoys with WindSonic, will provide coverage for improved forecasts throughout the Pacific.

For more information on Gill’s range of ultrasonic anemometers contact +44(0)1590 613500.

 

 

Sources: US Chile Embassy, Tsunami Alarm Systems, NOAA, SHOA

 

New Products and Calibration Services from Gill Instruments at Met Tech Expo 2015

Visit us on stand 4070 at Meteorological Technology World Expo to see the NEW WindObserver90 ultrasonic anemometer, testing and calibration services and much more.

WindObserver

Windoberserver-90
The new WindObserver 90 is the latest high speed ultrasonic anemometer in the WindObserver range.

WindObserver 90 is the latest high speed ultrasonic anemometer in the stainless steel WindObserver range, so now the quality, reliability and intelligent processing in WindObserver will measure wind speeds up to 90 m/s, making it suitable for cyclonic regions around the world. It is now available with optional high power heating – effective against quickly accreting rime-icing or freezing rain conditions.

The new WindObserver IS (75m/s) which is certified for use in intrinsically safe zones now offers faster processing, improved performance and customisation together with two intrinsically safe power supply options. Further improvements across the range include customisable outputs and averaging options.

Next generation Software

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Next generation MetView and Met Set software

Powerful, next generation, browser-based user software is on its way. Demo the new smart-device compatible MetSet and MetView software, which allows advanced customisation through its ergonomic and simple web interface. Users can configure and manage instruments, store data locally and view live and historic data using wired/wireless networking technology including Bluetooth.

MetSet and MetView user software features an intuitive GUI. Configure your device using clearly presented sliders and drop down options and stream data directly via the real-time display. Using MetView, live or historic data can be presented and built-in trend graphs allow configurable time periods.

Configure your instrument to log data directly to your storage device and export CSV data.

Intelligent 3 Axis Anemometer Heating

WindMaster-transducersLOW RES
Gill’s technology is adapted for best available data in cold conditions.

To address customer challenges with current market approaches to high power heating with 3-axis anemometers, Gill are developing new hardware and signal processing solutions to achieve intelligent and continuous measurements in cold, condensing conditions including extreme events such as freezing rain. Visit the stand for further information and to view/discuss the results from cold weather testing over the past 12 months.

Labcal – testing and calibration services

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Labcal Calibration company joins Gill

Gill has recently acquired Labcal, a UKAS calibration service company, providing professional calibration services to internationally recognised standards. A range of instrumentation can be tested and calibrated including gas, pressure, temperature, air speed, liquid flow and humidity. Labcal has over 35 years’ experience and is able to provide the best testing and calibration services for any instrumentation.

Meteorological Technology World Expo takes place from 13th-15th October 2015, in Brussels, Belgium. Visit us on stand 4070 for demonstrations and discussions on how these latest developments can benefit your applications.

Gill 2-axis and 3-axis anemometers provide vital wind measurement on Bridges

Bridges can be vulnerable to extreme wind conditions, therefore the constant monitoring of bridges is vital for both structural integrity and the safety of bridge users. In some cases, due to the distance above the ground and the height and design of the structure, 3 dimensional wind measurements are required to better understand wind loading as well as strain from gusting conditions.

Gill Bridge anemometersTo provide this crucial measurement data, Gill 2-axis and 3-axis ultrasonic anemometers have been installed in bridge applications around the world for over 20 years.

In applications where basic wind measurements are required such as transport safety, Gill’s WindSonic and WindObserver sensors are commonly used to alert bridge management to restrict high-sided or vulnerable vehicles crossing, or in severe conditions, to completely close access to the bridge. Gill WindSonic and WindObserver ultrasonic anemometers are often selected because they provide instantaneous measurement responses to changing wind conditions. Installations of this nature can be seen in bridges across the world. Some located in the USA are:

  • Florida State Transport Authority
  • Niantic River Amtrak Train Bridge (Connecticut)
  • Fore River Bridge (Massachusetts)
  • Tobin Bridge (Boston)

Millennium bridge anemometer 3 dimensional wind measurements are crucial for complex terrain and where local meteorological effects from specific wind vectors could impact structural safety. Gill 3-axis ultrasonic anemometers, such as the WindMaster and Research ranges, provide extremely precise, fine scale, fast (10-50 Hz) vectorial 3 dimensional measurements. When utilised together with strain gauges, the data helps determine high Reynolds numbers and stress values, which are useful for onsite safety condition monitoring.

Gill 3-axis ultrasonic anemometers provide data on some of the Worlds’ iconic bridges including:

  • The Millennium Bridge , London
  • The Severn Bridge motorway crossing, Wales
  • The Tsing Ma Bridge, Hong Kong
  • The Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol
  • Millau Viaduct in Creissels, France

For more information on the use of Gill anemometers for bridge applications visit the application page here, or contact 01590 613500.

Improved safety with weather monitoring instruments

Data collected by weather stations is used not only to forecast future weather and to pre-determine risk but also to deal with real time weather conditions during critical events. Weather data forms a fundamental part of the essential information provided to a huge number of industries and in particular, the marine industry relies on weather data. Reliable data from weather stations provides crucial information which improves safety both on and off-shore and helps to reduce costs.

iStock_000021403854LargeHere are some examples of how fitting professional sensors improves safety and reduces operating costs across the marine industry:

Dynamic Positioning System

A dependable, accurate anemometer on a ship or offshore platform provides real-time wind speed and direction measurement to the systems dynamic positioning systems.

The navigation systems are used by ship’s captain to make informed decisions when manoeuvering or keeping a vessel on station during drilling or maintenance operations. In the case of fully automated systems wind data collected from an ultrasonic anemometer is fed via a control system to the vessels thrusters. This ensures that near immediate compensation is applied to the vessel should gusts of wind attempt to push it off station.

Safe docking and operation

Ship 10Ferries, cargo ships and cruise ships with professional weather stations provide valuable meteorological data back to meteorological centres.

This data is used to provide real time information to other vessels and enables weather centres to produce more accurate shipping forecast for other marine workers and for coastal communities.

With a collection of accurate weather data, shipping routes can be automatically calculated which have the benefit of saving fuel, improving safety and decreasing journey times.

Offshore Oil and Gas

Weather conditions play an essential part in the safe operation and supply of offshore oil and gas rigs and continuous, accurate monitoring of the weather is crucial for safe helicopter and supply vessel operation. All sensors operating in these environments must conform to CAAS, FAA and WMO regulations to provide accurate and reliable data.

intrinsically-safe-anemometer-4Additionally, weather monitoring provides alarms when safe working limits are exceeded, such as crane or maintenance operations.

Navigation

The International Maritime Organisation sub-committee on Safety of Navigation states that the wind measuring equipment on a vessel should be regarded as navigational equipment providing the wind information necessary for safe navigation, as well as a general meteorological instrument.

This emphasises that understanding weather and its behaviour is one of the core skills needed for safety at sea and the provision of reliable, accurate information from high-quality instruments is crucial to safe navigation.

Offshore Wind Farms

Windturbines on the oceanWind energy is a growing sector and offshore wind farms are popular with developers and energy companies alike, but understanding wind movements before and after installation is critical to their success.

Safe working on ever larger and distant installations is also paramount and accurate weather reporting on-site not only enables companies to profile the amount of energy they can generate with the available winds, but also ensures that safety limits are not exceeded for maintenance operations.

Gill’s anemometers play a key role in wind monitoring on Hong Kong landmark structure

gill-instruments-bridge-anemometersLocated in one of the most active typhoon prone regions in the world, the Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong is the longest  dual-deck suspension bridge in the world. Carrying both road and rail traffic, with a central span of 1,377 metres, Tsing Ma is one of three principal structures linking the airport to central Hong Kong and Kowloon.

Gill’s ultrasonic anemometers are positioned in the middle of the main span of the bridge on both north and south sides of the deck on 8.96metre long booms. These anemometers help provide the Highways Department with continuous wind data to ensure road and rail user safety, by assessing the physical and structural conditions of the suspension bridge, particularly during extreme weather events.

Because of their success and long-term, maintenance-free reliability in these applications, Gill’s three axis anemometers have also been installed on the Hong Kong – Shenzhen Western Corridor – linking the New Territories to the Chinese mainland and Gill’s MetPak weather stations have been installed in many prestigious buildings, such as the luxury Peninsula Hotel and the IFC Tower.

Learn more about wind speed measurement on bridges

Latest meteorological instruments to be displayed at InterMet Asia

intermet-asia-2014Gill Instruments with Sea and Land Technologies (SALT) will be exhibiting ultrasonic wind sensors, compact weather stations and met software at InterMet Asia in Singapore, from 2-3 June 2014.

InterMET Asia is supported by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and is the only dedicated meteorological technology event in Asia Pacific. It is tailored to helping the understanding and management of weather risks to commerce, industry and government.

Gill Instruments will be with their local distributor, SALT, on stand D01 displaying their range of meteorological instruments and software, including ultrasonic anemometers, MetPak compact weather stations and MetStream – the intelligent communications hub.

For more information please contact info@gillinstruments.com