bridled-cup anemometer

From Glossary of Meteorology
A combination cup anemometer and pressure-plate anemometer, consisting of an array of cups about a vertical axis of rotation, the free rotation of which is restricted by a suitable spring arrangement.

By proper adjustment of the force constant of the spring, it is possible to obtain an angular displacement that is proportional to wind velocity. The instrument was developed in 1880. The early version used four cups arranged helically, while the more modern version used a wheel with 32 cups. A bridled-cup anemometer was frequently used to measure high wind speeds.

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