Active non-lethal avian denial infrasound systems and methods of avian denial

Abstract

An active non-lethal infrasound system for denying all bird species access to critical areas, particularly in areas around aircraft and other high value systems. The system comprises a plurality of infrasound generators broadcasting continuous infrasonic signals to create a bird-free infrasound active zone within the perimeters of the protected critical area and an infrasound-free dead zones for birds being denied access to the critical areas. Further, an active infrasonic barrier is assembled within an exclusion area surrounding the bird-free infrasound active zone to dampen all low frequency sound waves emanating from the critical area and its perimeters. Wherever the situation allows, a wildlife sanctuary is preferably established further from the exclusion area to attract and protect birds, enforced by broadcasting infrasound signals that simulate natural sounds that attract species typical of the geographic location.

Description

[0001]This invention was made with government support under Contract Number: FA9302-10-M-0011 awarded by The United States of America as represented by the Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. The government has certain rights in the invention.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The invention relates to non-lethal means of denying all species of birds access to critical areas of the airports and runways, particularly around aircrafts and other high value systems. The invention also relates to non-lethal means for repelling all species of birds from areas wherein their presence poses potential interference with human activities and destruction or deterioration of man-made objects and structures while steering them to veer towards safer habitats using infrasound signals based on natural stimuli.BACKGROUND[0003]Bird strikes to both military and civilian aircrafts represent a common threat to flight safety and have caused numerous unavoidable accidents leading to human casualties and higher ra...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]In one embodiment of the invention, an active non-lethal infrasound system for denying all species of birds access to airstrips and runways (12) that include a plurality of in-phase infrasound generators (21) that radiate a plurality of constructive interference patterns of infrasonic waves to create an infrasound active zone (2), which is bird-free and within the airspace portion of the airstrips and runways (12); and a plurality of out-of-phase infrasound generators (31, 32, 41 and 42) that radiate a plurality of destructive interference patterns of infrasonic waves to create one or more infrasound-free dead zones (3 and 4), which are outside the domain of the airstrips and runways and which provide a refuge for birds being repelled from the infrasound active zone (2). The constructive interference patterns of infrasonic waves are intended to “jam” the birds' acoustic navigational system and could mimic natural weather conditions, both of which would repel birds from the infrasound active zone (2).

[0013]In another embodiment of the invention, the active non-lethal infrasound system for denying birds access to airstrips and runways (12) include a plurality of in-phase infrasound generators (21) that radiate a plurality of constructive interference patterns of infrasonic waves to create an infrasound active zone (2) that is bird-free; and a plurality of out-of-phase infrasound generators (31, 32, 41 and 42) that radiate a plurality of destructive interference patterns of infrasonic waves to create one or more infrasound-free dead zones (3 and 4), which are outside the domain of the airstrips and runways and which provide a refuge for birds being repelled from the infrasound active zone (2).

[0014]In yet another embodiment of the invention, the active non-lethal infrasound system may also include a plurality of in-phase infrasound generators (21) that radiate a plurality of continuous and intermittent infrasound signals to create an infrasound active zone (2), which is bird-free and within the airspace portion of the airfield and a plurality of quieting infrasound generators (51) that radiate a plurality of signals that cancel the plurality of continuous and intermittent infrasound signals radiating at the perimeter of the infrasound active zone (2) to create an infrasound cancellation barrier (5) for controlling the spread of infrasound signals outside the perimeters of the infrasound active zone (2). The active non-lethal infrasound system may further comprise a plurality of out-of-phase infrasound generators (31, 32, 41 and 42) that radiate a plurality of destructive interference patterns of infrasonic waves to create at least two or more infrasound-free dead zones (3 and 4) that are outside the domain of the airstrips and runways, located at opposite sides of the infrasound active zone (2) and extended to cover large spaces.

[0015]In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the active non-lethal infrasound system, as described above, may also include a barren exclusion zone (6) that is created around the infrasound cancellation barrier (5) and surround the infrasound active zone (2). The exclusion zone (6) is deprived of any avian life-sustenance amenities and constitutes a no-fly bird zone and is not connected to the at least two or more infrasound-free dead zones (3 and 4) and may include a plurality of quieting infrasound generators (51) that radiate a plurality of signals for cancelling the plurality of continuous and intermittent infrasound signals radiating at the perimeter of the infrasound active zone (2).

[0016]The infrasound active zone (2) may be expanded to encompass all areas in the airport including critical areas around aircraft and other high value systems. In addition, one of the extended infrasound-free dead zones (3 or 4) may constitute a bird sanctuary (7) that is furnished with feed, water, grass, seedlings and bushes to provide a refuge for birds being denied access to the infrasound active zone (2) and may have a plurality of infrasound generators (71) installed therein for mimicking the mating calls of a plurality of birds species of interest.

[0017]The invention also provides an alternative non-lethal infrasound system applicable and suitable for smaller commercial airports and for airports where infrequent flights occur and no radar is available. Such an alternative infrasound system includes a plurality of pulsating infrasound generators that comprise a row of small acoustic elements (81-86) that are pulsed one by one in a sequence along a row to create a pattern of constructive interference signals that collimate in a beam at a set angle thereby creating a plurality of infrasound active zones (2), leaving a plurality of infrasound-free dead zones (9) in its wake, safe and comfortable for birds to seek a refuge; and a plurality of avian infrasound generators (21) broadcasting a plurality of continuous and intermittent infrasound signals that deter birds from approaching the plurality of infrasound active zones (2) that are bird-free. The alternative system may also further include a plurality of infrasound detectors (101) capable of detecting the presence of birds within the proximity of the airstrips and runways and working in concert with a plurality of radars (102).

Problems solved by technology

Bird strikes to both military and civilian aircrafts represent a common threat to flight safety and have caused numerous unavoidable accidents leading to human casualties and higher rate of bird kills.

Most accidents occur when the bird hits the windscreen or flies into the engines.

Additionally, damages in and around the facilities and aircrafts where birds nest and congregate cost millions of dollars in the man-hours needed for bird strike prevention and clean-up.

Major accidents involving civil aircrafts are quite low and it has been estimated that there is only about 1 accident resulting in human death in one billion (109) flying hours.

The majority of bird strikes (65%) cause little damage to the aircraft but result in a great number of bird fatalities.

High speed impact, as with jet aircraft, can cause considerable damage and even catastrophic failure to the vehicle.

However, according to the FAA, only 15% of strikes (ICAO 11%) actually result in damage to the aircraft.

Birds roosting or feeding in the vicinity of runways or flying in the airspace of the airport are often startled by an approaching aircraft and, in an attempt to escape, may be forced to take flight within the flight path of the aircraft and get sucked into a jet turbine.

Jet engine ingestion is extremely serious due to the rotation speed of the engine fan and engine design.

As the bird strikes a fan blade, that blade can be displaced into another blade and so forth, causing a cascading failure.

Jet engines are particularly vulnerable during the takeoff phase when the engine is turning at a very high speed and the plane is at a low altitude where birds are more commonly found.

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