Part 11

The ratio of wind-travel to travel of cup is in reality variable, depending on the velocity of the wind. It is less for high than low velocities. It varies also with the dimensions of the instrument, being different for every different length of arm and diameter of cup.

On account of the great interference offered by buildings and other obstructions to the free movement of the wind, its velocity is much less in the vicinity of these obstructions than beyond; therefore, in selecting the location for an anemometer, preference should be given to the more elevated points in the vicinity of the station, and some rigid support should be used to raise the instrument as far as practicable above the immediate influence of the office building itself. The support must be set up so that the anemometer on top or on the cross-arm is as nearly vertical as possible.

The illustration shows clearly the appearance of an approved Weather Bureau pattern combined support for wind instruments, similar to the one installed at our plant.

Fig. 40 ]

Courtesy Taylor Instrument Companies Rochester, N. Y.

Fig. 41 ]

Fig. 37. The Gilbert Anemometer.

The Gilbert Anemometer consists of a case containing a spindle passing through a worm gear, which turns a toothed gear. This gear in its rotary motion makes a contact with a brass brush, which is connected electrically with a flashlight. The cross-arms, with cups attached, is placed on the spindle, and as the wind blows, it revolves the cups, causing the contact. The velocity of the wind is determined by counting the flashes for fifteen seconds, thus giving you the number of miles per hour. For instance, if light flashes eight times in fifteen seconds, this signifies that the wind is blowing eight miles an hour.

Fig. 38. How to Connect the Gilbert Anemometer.

By referring to the diagram, you will see that one wire which should be the annunciator wire, or even a small electric light wire, is connected from the wire at the anemometer case directly to one side of the lamp socket. Another piece of the same size wire connects the other side of the lamp socket to one terminal of your switch. The second terminal of the switch should be connected to an outer post of one dry battery. The inner post of this same dry battery should be connected to the outer post of the second dry battery. Complete the circuit by connecting the inner post of the second dry battery to any one of the screws at the bottom of the anemometer case. The lamp used should be a small flashlight battery lamp for use on two and a half to three volts. Be sure in making the connections that the ends of your wire are scraped free from insulation and dirt. This can be done by cutting off the insulation with a knife and then rubbing the copper wire bright by a piece of sandpaper or emery cloth, or even a file. The switch should be left open when you are not taking readings, in order to prolong the life of your batteries. By unloosening the little screw in the hub of the anemometer vanes, you can remove them and also take off the brass cap on the anemometer case. This should be taken apart once or twice a month, and some machine oil used around the bearings to keep them from wearing out too quickly.

THE STANDARD ELECTRICAL SUNSHINE RECORDER AND THE GILBERT SUNSHINE RECORDER

Fig. 39. The standard sunshine recorder is designed for recording the duration of sunshine electrically, continuously, and automatically, on a register. The instrument is essentially a differential air thermometer in the form of a straight glass tube with cylindrical bulbs at each end, enclosed in a protecting glass sheath, with suitable platinum wire electrodes fused in at the center, the whole mounted in a metal socket on an adjustable support.

Courtesy Taylor Instrument Companies, Rochester, N. Y.

Fig. 42 ]

The base is secured to the support on the roof so that the glass tube points north and south, with the blackened bulb toward the south and lowermost, then the tube is inclined at such an angle that the instrument will begin and cease to record sunshine with the proper degree of cloudiness. This inclination should be approximately 45° from the vertical. The machine should be adjusted at an hour when the sun is wholly obscured.

In temperate and cold climates, slightly different adjustments will be found necessary at different seasons of the year.

Fig. 40. The Gilbert Sunshine Recorder consists of a metal case, cylindrical in form, with a piece of metal turned up on the ends, dividing the cylinder in half. On each side of the case are small holes through which the sun casts its rays and records its movement and duration on a small piece of blue print paper inside the cylinder, one piece of paper being in each compartment. When the blue print paper is dipped in water, it becomes entirely bleached, with the exception of the path made by the sun, which shows up in a blue line.

Courtesy Julien Friez & Sons, Baltimore, Md.

Fig. 43 ]

Courtesy Julien Friez & Sons, Baltimore, Md.

Fig. 44 ]

The sunshine recorder should be set up so that the ends point directly north and south. The holes pierced in the sides of the case are nearer one end than the other. The end that the holes are nearest should be toward the south. It should be held firmly in place.

THE BAROMETER

The barometer is used for measuring the pressure of the atmosphere. The principle of this instrument was first discovered by Torricelli, a pupil of Galileo, the great Italian philosopher and scientist, in 1643. Many and various types of instruments have been made, but the two most generally used, especially where accurate indications are desired, are the mercurial and aneroid barometers. Either of these instruments are quite sensitive to changes in the weight or pressure of the earth’s atmosphere, and from their variations we are able to draw conclusions relative to changes in the weather. Figs. No. 41 and 42 illustrate the standard mercurial and aneroid barometers used most extensively today. A description of these barometers will serve to make the photographs clearer to the readers of this text.

THE MERCURIAL BAROMETER (Fig. 41)

The mercurial barometer in use today is practically the same as that invented by Torricelli. Of course, many changes have been made in the case containing the tube of mercury, adding to its attractiveness, but the principle remains the same.

The standard mercurial barometer consists of a straight glass tube about thirty-two or thirty-three inches in length, hermetically sealed at one end. The tube is of half-inch bore and is filled with chemically pure mercury, which has been boiled in the tube to insure the total exclusion of all air and moisture. After the tube has been filled, the open end is immersed in a cistern of mercury. Upon immersion the mercury drops in the tube to a height of 29.92 inches at sea level, or until counterbalanced by the weight of the surrounding atmosphere pressing upon the surface of the mercury in the cistern. The space in the top of the tube is a perfect vacuum and is called the Torricellian vacuum.

The glass mercury tube is enclosed in a brass case. About two inches from the top of the case is an opening extending down the front and back for a distance of about eight inches. On each side of this opening is a graduated scale, one side being in inches and the other graduated in centimeters. The opening is fitted with a sliding vernier scale graduated in millimeters, thus permitting the reading of changes in the height of the mercury column most accurately, as the sliding vernier may be adjusted to the level of the mercury by means of a thumb screw fitted on the side of the case. The cistern containing the mercury is of glass, with a soft leather or chamois bottom and an adjusting screw, used to raise or lower the level of the mercury, so that it just comes in contact with a small ivory point, inserted in the top of the cistern, and which is used to mark the zero of the scale. Observations of the changes in the atmospheric pressure should be taken at regular intervals, and it is necessary to adjust the height of the mercury in the cistern before each observation. This is done by bringing the ivory point in contact with the level of the mercury and then bringing the vernier scale absolutely level with the top of the column of mercury in the tube, and then take the reading.