Nielsen-Kellerman has been actively involved in technical
research and development for over 25 years. NK’s inventions
make Kestrel Pocket Weather Meters and NK Electronics for Rowing
the best available and are protected by the following NK-owned
patents:
Patent
No. 7,059,170: Method and apparatus for measuring relative
humidity of a mixture
Abstract: 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.
Products Covered: Kestrel 3000, 3500, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4250, 4300, 4500
Patent
No. 6,257,074: Vane anemometer with thermally isolated
sensors
Abstract: 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.
Products Covered: Kestrel 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4500
Patent
No. 5,939,645: Vane anemometer having a modular impeller
assembly
Abstract: 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.
Products Covered: Kestrel 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4500
Patent
No. 5,783,753: Vane anemometer having a modular impeller
assembly
Abstract: 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.
Products Covered: Kestrel 1000, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4500
Patent
No. 5,357,794: Faraday effect small boat speed transducer
and waterproof connection for same
Abstract: An improved speed transducer
is disclosed. The present invention provides an alternating current
coil speed transducer which utilizes the Faraday Effect to generate
a voltage. The present invention discloses an improved amplifying
circuit that amplifies the low voltages generated by small boats
such as rowing shells to permit them to register accurate speed
data at low speeds, e.g. between about 0.5 and 10 m/sec although
higher speeds can be measured. The present invention also provides
an improved technique for connecting a speed transducer to a boat
that permits the speed transducer to be mounted and dismounted
and the electrical connection broken without requiring extensive
reworking of the speed transducer. In this regard, the present
invention generally provides an improved technique for mounting
and dismounting protruding apparatus that have electrical or other
connections that extend into an object. A boom for mounting the
speed transducer of the present invention or other types of transducers
to a watercraft at a position outside the hydrodynamic boundary
layer are also disclosed.
Products Covered: PaceCoach (discontinued)
Patent
No. 5,099,689: Apparatus for determining the effective
force applied by an oarsman
Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining
the effective force generated by an athlete acting upon a rowing
apparatus are disclosed. A flexural member attached to the rowing
apparatus and a footboard hingably attached to the flexural member
at its upper end and slidably attached to the rowing apparatus
at its lower end are provided. The flexural member is fitted with
strain gauges which produce a signal indicative of the strain in
the flexural member, this signal can then be converted to a measure
of the effective force applied to the oars. Most preferably, apparatus
of the present invention substantially eliminates the effects of
residual torque friction, thermal deformation and the like by isolating
the flexural member from which strain data is taken. |
