22 Mar LCJ CAPTEURS
LCJ CAPTEURS
Ultrasonic wind sensor
LCJ CAPTEURS
29 Allée des Cinq Continents
ZA Le Chêne Ferré
44120 Vertou
Tél. : +33 (0)2 40 05 08 55
Email : contacts@lcjcapteurs.com
Web site : www.lcjcapteurs.com
PRESENTATION
ORIGINS AND EVOLUTION OF COMPANY
LCJ Capteurs was created in 1999 with the aim of designing a robust, static wind speed and wind direction measurement sensor that is marinized, lightweight, discreet, compact, accurate and with low energy consumption. Ultrasonic measurement technology has become a must. The French company, located in the suburbs of Nantes, patented its CV3F model for the first time, designed for all-weather professional vessels. The reliability of this product, especially in difficult weather conditions, has contributed to the company’s growth in the marine market.
After the industrialization of the CV3F, some improvements were made, particularly in rainy weather for stable vessels. These were patented around the company’s CV7 version. The innovation is in the geometry of the measurement vectors. Ultrasonic transducers usually communicate crosswise with two vectors. The CV7 has a square geometry and features four vectors. This reduces measurement inaccuracy while keeping the sensor dimensions very small. In addition, the reflector part is conical, which enables better evacuation of possible water droplets from the measuring window.
In 2011, LCJ Capteurs entered the terrestrial market in the field of smart buildings and continued to develop locally in Nantes to contribute in public safety (which requires wind measurement).
From Nantes, the quality reputation of LCJ Capteurs technology spread across France and the CV7 sensors have become multipurpose. These sensors have now been applied in some famous amusement parks such as Disneyland Paris and Futuroscope in western France. These wind vane anemometers have been used in various other applications since, such as marquees, show stages and in fountains.
Missions and activities
In 2014, LCJ Capteurs developed a wireless autonomous ultrasonic wind sensor as well as an energy autonomous model (both with photovoltaic cell), a world premiere during this period.
Three categories of land-based sonic anemometers are now available: high-definition serial link version, analog version and very low power consumption “ULP” or “Zero Power” version. The LCJ Capteurs R&D Department is able to create custom sensors according to the specifications defined by the user (specific protocol and hardware, integrated datalogger etc…).
With a consolidated presence in the marine market, LCJ Capteurs ultrasonic wind vane-anemometers are also now applied in fields such as precision agriculture, weather stations, data acquisition systems, public safety, intelligent buildings, wind farms, pollution detection systems, sports etc…
SENSORS IN SERVICE WORLDWIDE
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR LAND APPLICATIONS
PRECISION AGRICULTURE
The aim is to contribute to the yield of a parcel while reducing energy and input consumption. The LCJ Capteurs ultrasonic wind sensors are mounted on agricultural sprayers to manage the spraying of the phytosanitary product in real time while taking into account the wind and to map the wind throughout the parcel. They are also used for connected devices implanted on the plots of land as well as to carry out complete audits in livestock buildings, all in order to provide decision support.
SMART BUILDINGS
Managing the exterior building facades, depending on where the wind comes from, determines the air flow measurement that the buildings are subjected to. The wind and the outside temperature allow to anticipate, by automated system, the heating, the ventilation and the air conditioning of the building, facade by facade, with the aim of reaching an energy efficiency and an optimal interior comfort. LCJ Capteurs ultrasonic wind measurement solutions are one of the key technologies for optimizing the electrical consumption of these smart buildings through home automation systems.
AIR POLLUTION
LCJ Capteurs ultrasonic wind vane-anemometers are integrated into systems for monitoring and controlling outdoor or indoor ambient parameters. These monitoring solutions provide noise and odor pollution measurement, as well as fine particles in urban and industrial areas (dust and soot generation monitoring). Environmental and health impact is then better assessed through air quality management.
PUBLIC SECURITY
LCJ Capteurs ultrasonic anemometers allow an accurate and reliable evaluation of the risk of overturning a structure (construction sites or public works, marquees, show stages, amusement park rides) and thus anticipate the measures to be taken in case of exceeding the stability limits thanks to the alarm thresholds if the wind speed is too high. Industrial risks are also taken into account with the installation of CV7 sensors on fire engines to anticipate the risks of pollution following smoke or toxic gases emissions. Managing the water jet height of fountains also requires a control of the wind parameters to avoid the loss and projections of water onto the people walking or standing nearby.
WEATHER STATIONS
The LCJ Capteurs ultrasonic wind vane-anemometer fits perfectly in remote weather monitoring stations thanks to its low power consumption and reliable measurements. It completes a set of various sensors that are integrated into an autonomous remote weather station, including rain gauge, temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, pyranometer, etc…. The user gets real-time wind data or records average wind gusts over a period of time.
SPORTS
The influence of the wind in biathlon events is also a major issue for the accuracy of the biathletes’ rifle shots. Coaches can evaluate shooting performance by taking into account wind and ground airflow data. The CV7 sensors are also used by the French Archery Federation, in road cycling and in paragliding clubs.