Sensor-Driven Animal Deterrence Control for Power Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wild birds and animals frequently intrude into areas like solar power plants and wind power plants, causing equipment damage and increasing maintenance challenges due to difficult access and labor shortages, necessitating a system to deter them effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensors, output devices, and a control device that uses acoustic waves, odors, light, and electromagnetic waves to repel intruding animals, adjusting output based on environmental changes and animal behavior to maintain effectiveness over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workers are deployed to monitor and maintain equipment in mountainous areas, then equipment damage from animals can be detected and addressed, but labor costs and travel time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service monitoring by deploying animal detection devices and output devices at the solar farm site that automatically detect animals and execute repellent actions without requiring worker intervention. The control device processes sensor data and controls output devices autonomously, eliminating the need for workers to travel to mountainous areas for routine monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual worker deployment with an automated electronic system consisting of sensors, control devices, and output devices. This substitution eliminates the need for physical worker presence while maintaining equipment protection capabilities through automated animal detection and repellent mechanisms.
2Extent of automation
If automated animal detection and repellent systems are deployed, then worker deployment is reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: sensor units for animal detection, control devices for processing sensor data, and output devices for animal repellent actions. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently configured or replaced, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device serves multiple functions by processing data from various sensor types (image recognition, acoustic detection, electromagnetic sensing) and controlling different output devices (acoustic repellents, visual repellents, electromagnetic repellents). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each detection and response method.
3Reliability
If a single type of repellent output is used continuously, then the system is simple to operate, but animals may become accustomed to it and effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device dynamically adjusts the type and parameters of repellent output based on real-time sensor data and animal behavior observations. The system can switch between different repellent modes (acoustic, visual, electromagnetic) and adjust output intensity or frequency patterns to prevent animals from becoming accustomed to a single repellent type, thereby maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic variation in repellent output patterns, alternating between different types of repellent signals or varying the intensity and timing of outputs. This periodic action prevents animals from adapting to a constant stimulus while maintaining operational simplicity through automated pattern cycling managed by the control device.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively deters animals, reducing equipment damage and maintaining repellent efficacy by adapting output content, thus minimizing maintenance needs and economic losses.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor configured to generate sensor information by sensing a surrounding environment of a location where the output device is installed
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one arrangement, a system includes an output device (12), a sensor (11), and a control device (13). The output device (12) outputs a medium (6-1) or a substance (6-2). The sensor (11) generates sensor information by sensing a surrounding environment (2) of a location where the output device (12) is installed. The control device (13) controls the output device (12) and the sensor (11). The control device (13) includes a processing module (101, 102) and a control module (103). The processing module (101, 102) acquires environmental information on the surrounding environment (2) changed in response to the output medium (6-1) or substance (6-2) by using the sensor information. The control module (103) changes, based on the environmental information, at least one of (A) whether or not the output device (12) outputs the medium (6-1) or the substance (6-2) and (B) an output content of the medium (6-1) or substance (6-2) to be output.