Xref: utzoo rec.models.rc:1106 sci.electronics:4390
Path: utzoo!utgpu!watmath!clyde!att!osu-cis!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!unmvax!ncar!tank!mimsy!dftsrv!ames!eos!steve
From: steve@eos.UUCP (Steve Philipson)
Newsgroups: rec.models.rc,sci.electronics
Subject: Re: pressure transducers
Keywords: airspeed, R/C models
Message-ID: <2063@eos.UUCP>
Date: 6 Dec 88 00:12:18 GMT
References: <848@earvax.UUCP>
Reply-To: steve@eos.UUCP (Steve Philipson)
Distribution: na
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Calif.
Lines: 29

In article <848@earvax.UUCP> sbcd@earvax.UUCP (Scott Dynes) writes:
>I'm looking for help on the following: I would like to get/make an
>airspeed sensor for R/C models. This would require 1) a small
>accurate (and light!) pressure sensor that would run off a small set
>of batteries, and 2) a similarly small, light, low-power way to get
>the information down to earth. I'm thinking of having the output be
>a tone whose frequency is proportional to the airspeed. Does anyone
>know of such a system, or where to look for the individual pieces?

   Ace, RC manufactures a device named the "Thermic Sniffler" that
is a rate-of-climb device.  It uses a bridge circuit with a heated
wires as elements of the bridge, and senses the rate of inflow and
outflow out of the sealed enclosure.  The output is a tone that rises
or descends proportionately to change in altitude (rate of flow into
or out of the box).  The transmitter weighs one ounce, as does a typicaly
9 volt battery, so total airborne wieght is two ounces.  The system lists 
for $145 including a reciever for the downlink.

   This device could probably be easily modified for your needs as
an airspeed sensor.  If your clever, you could probably have it
switch back and forth between ROC and airspeed.  At the very least,
you could examine one for ideas about how to build your own.  Best 
of luck to you on this project.
						Steve.
-- 

						   Steve
					(the certified flying fanatic)
					    steve@aurora.arc.nasa.gov