Windmill Wildlife Deterrence Using Ultrasonic and UV Emitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Windmills cause fatalities among birds and bats due to propeller blade collisions and low-pressure areas, leading to necessary shutdowns during migration seasons, resulting in significant downtime and reduced power generation.
Innovation Solution
The integration of flying wildlife emitters, which include speakers emitting soundwaves and ultraviolet emitters, are coupled to windmill propellers to deter wildlife from entering the hazardous area by generating sound frequencies and ultraviolet light attractive or repulsive to specific species, allowing windmills to operate continuously during peak migration periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If windmills operate continuously during migration season, then power generation increases, but wildlife fatalities increase due to propeller blade collisions and low-pressure areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by emitting ultrasonic sound waves and ultraviolet light before wildlife enters the hazardous propeller area. The emitters create a deterrent field that pushes birds and bats away from the windmill blades, preventing collisions and low-pressure area exposure before they can occur, thus allowing continuous operation without wildlife harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ultrasonic sound waves and ultraviolet light as intermediary substances between the windmill and wildlife. These emitters act as mediators that create an invisible barrier, translating the mechanical hazard of rotating blades into a perceptible warning signal for wildlife through their sensory systems, enabling coexistence without shutdowns
2Object-affected harmful factors
If windmills shut down during migration season to protect wildlife, then wildlife fatalities decrease, but downtime increases and power generation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuity of useful action by maintaining windmill operation throughout migration season. The emitters allow the windmill to continuously generate power while simultaneously protecting wildlife, eliminating the need for seasonal shutdowns and ensuring uninterrupted electricity production without compromising animal safety
3Object-affected harmful factors
If windmills shut down during migration season to protect wildlife, then wildlife fatalities decrease, but return on investment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of operating windmills during migration into a benefit by using the same operational energy to power emitters that protect wildlife. The windmill's continuous operation generates electricity that can power the protection systems, transforming what was previously a harmful scenario into a mutually beneficial situation where both power generation and wildlife protection are achieved
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 solution effectively reduces wildlife fatalities by deterring birds and bats from the windmill area using tailored sound and light emissions, enabling windmills to maintain operation without shutdowns during critical periods, thus enhancing power generation and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a speaker configured to generate soundwaves audible to at least one of birds or bats
Implementation Method 2
an ultraviolet emitter, disposed on the post, and configured to generate ultraviolet wavelength light
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are various systems and techniques for deterring wildlife from an area proximate a windmill. A flying wildlife emitter may be utilized for such techniques. The flying wildlife emitter may output soundwaves to deter wildlife, such as birds or bats, from entering an area around the windmill. The flying wildlife emitter may include a speaker for producing sounds as well as a controller and sensors for determining conditions around the windmill and for controlling the sound produced by the speaker. An ultraviolet emitter may, additionally or alternatively, be utilized for such techniques. The ultraviolet emitter may be configured to emit ultraviolet light that may attract wildlife away from such areas proximate to the windmill.