A prototype of the Vindicator® Laser Wind Sensor (LWS) was tested in extreme icing conditions in preparation for mounting on an operating wind turbine in an extremely cold climate. During a major ice storm that blanketed the northeastern United States on 11 and 12 December 2008, the Vindicator® LWS system continued operating. Even with ice covering the Vindicator® LWS system, the lenses remained clear and the system continued to provide wind speed and direction information throughout the storm. The attached pictures show how heavily the unit was covered in ice, including the system’s wiper blades, which continued to clean the lenses during the ice storm.

To view larger pictures click here. (PDF: 1.4MB)