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MacRobert Award
2003 Finalist
FT Technologies Ltd
 FT
Technologies Ltd has developed a small,
durable and reliable wind sensor known as
the ‘FT702 Acoustic Resonance Anemometer’.
The FT702 is a compact, solid-state
instrument with no moving parts, which
measures both wind speed and direction. The
finalist team is comprised of Dr Savvas
Kapartis, technical director and inventor of
Acoustic Resonance Technology, Peter Elgar,
managing director for mechanical design and
Robin Strachan who is the project engineer
for its electronic design.
“FT Technologies is
thrilled to be a finalist for the 2003
MacRobert Award and particularly as we are a
small company. This confirms that any
company, regardless of size, that possesses
a highly capable, committed, dynamic and
determined engineering team can produce
products that are world-class and which
encompass engineering excellence ” remarks
the Middlesex-based FT Technologies team.
Innovation
 Acoustic
Resonance airflow sensing is a newly
patented method for measuring wind speed and
wind direction; it uses an acoustic
(ultrasonic) wave that is resonated inside a
small purpose built cavity. There are a
variety of conventional anemometers, the
most common of which is the cup type which
has a vertical axis and uses three cups to
measure wind speed and is also fitted with a
wind vane to detect wind direction. Other
types include propellers, laser, and hot
wire anemometers.
In the FT702 the
ultrasonic signals are processed by the
on-board Vector Network Analyser. This
acoustic resonance sensing technique coupled
with state of the art signal processing
gives the anemometer a wind speed range of
0.01m/s to 70 m/s. It can measure the wisp
of air produced by a falling feather or the
destructive winds involved in a hurricane.
It can also measure the direction of the
wind with an accuracy of ±3°.
As it has no exposed
parts, the FT702 is environmentally shielded
and can operate under extreme weather
conditions and is compensated against the
effects of temperature, pressure, and
humidity.
Commercial Success
Key market areas for
this device are in wind energy; nuclear,
chemical and biological weapons monitoring;
meteorological measurement and industrial
ventilation. In many cases the requirements
are based around maintaining a safe working
environment for personnel.
Since its inception,
the product has patents in Europe and the US
and has had considerable international
market success with many companies in the
process of replacing their existing sensors
with the FT702. The basic product has been
developed into different versions to meet
the needs of specific customers.
For further details please visit the FT Technologies website at www.fttech.co.uk
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