vleugelanemometer

A vleugelanemometer is a sensor system designed to measure the velocity of air relative to a wing surface. It is used primarily in aerodynamics research and testing to obtain spatially resolved flow data over wings and wing models. The system often consists of an array of miniature sensors distributed along the wing span and sometimes around the trailing edge. Sensor types include micro pitot-tubes, hot-wire or hot-film elements, and MEMS-based pressure or flow sensors. Some configurations use differential pressure ports or membrane sensors to infer local airspeed, while others estimate flow velocity from heat transfer on hot-wire elements. In flight or wind-tunnel tests, signals are collected by a data acquisition system and calibrated to account for temperature, pressure, and sensor drift. Measurements can be time-resolved to capture unsteady flow structures such as gusts, separation, or boundary-layer transitions.

Vleugelanemometers are used to map the chordwise and spanwise velocity field over a wing, enabling validation of computational fluid dynamics models, boundary-layer studies, and design optimization. Advantages include high spatial resolution and direct local velocity data; limitations include sensor intrusion, calibration complexity, and sensitivity to surface contamination or icing. The technique complements other flow diagnostic tools such as particle image velocimetry or surface pressure tapping.