Patent Application
20110023792
This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2009 035 808.0-23, filed Aug. 1, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
The invention relates to a method for deterring earth-bound animals and/or birds from at least one area of the grounds of an airport. The invention further relates to a device for deterring earth-bound animals and/or birds from at least one area of the grounds of an airport.
It is known that every year a lot of damage in airplanes is caused by bird strikes. It is therefore desirable to reduce the risk of birds colliding with airplanes by keeping the birds away from airports.
For this purpose, so-called detonators are used, in which small boxes are placed next to the runways, which trigger a detonation upon activation by the tower personnel in order to drive away flocks of birds. Alternatively, small explosives and detonation pistols are used to chase away the birds.
Further, methods are known, in which a tape with bird sounds is played via loud speakers with the bird sounds previously being taped during emergency situations, intending to frighten the real birds.
It is further known to employ so-called bird chasers on airports and to hold falcons or buzzards that are intended to chase away other birds.
It is also known to keep the grass between the runways of airports at a length ranging from 10 to 40 cm preventing any birds from nesting.
It has shown that the above-described methods and devices are relatively expensive in their operation and of poor reliability.
In order to deter any larger earth-bound animals, additionally electric fences are known, which are of no effect for birds and small animals, although.
For example, from U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,942 an electric chain-link fence is known, which comprises horizontally and vertically extending twigs, with only some of the horizontal twigs being made from a conducting material and the other ones from a non-conducting material. This chain-link fence is not suitable to deter birds, though.
The invention is based on the object of providing a device and a method of the type mentioned at the outset, which allows a simplified operation and is at least sufficiently reliable.
This objective is attained by a device and method according to the invention.
In a method according to the type mentioned at the outset it is provided that at least one area is impinged with a voltage at its perimeter, generating an electric current flow through said area, that at least one area is impinged with an alternating voltage generating an electric current flow with a sequentially alternating direction of flow through at least one area, that two pairs of spaced-apart, uncoated electrodes at the perimeters of at least one area are impinged alternating with a voltage, with the directions of the electric flux lines respectively created alternating by said pairs intersecting, and that at least said one area is arranged or installed in the immediate proximity of a runway of the airport and is impinged with a voltage.
Here, it is advantageous that, simultaneously to the current flowing in the respective area, a potential difference is implemented over the direction of flow, at least at the surface, which also remains essentially intact when a bird or an earth-bound animal with its extremities causes short-circuiting over a section along the direction of flow. The animal will then feel an unpleasant electric pulse in form of a potential difference and leave the area. This way, safety-relevant sections of the airport are kept free from animals in a simple and effective manner, which otherwise cause a risk of collision with airplanes that are taking-off or landing. It has shown that animals are very sensitive with regards to electric fields in their motor skill-functions, particularly in the area of their extremities. This way, birds and small earth-bound animals such as rabbits and the like can be kept away from safety-relevant areas and/or sections of crops worth protecting.
In order to avoid that the animal stands in a preferred position perpendicularly in reference to the direction of the current and thus can avoid the effects of the electric pulse it is provided according to the invention that at least one area is impinged alternating or sequentially with differently aligned voltages, thus generating an electric current flow in at least one area, preferably a single, for example, pulsed current flow, having a sequentially alternating direction of flow. Here, the direction of flow is determined as the average value of the directions of the local current density in said area. Thus, the field direction of the electric flux lines extending in the ground are changed over time, for example by being impinged alternating or successively with voltages via electrodes arranged at various positions.
Due to the fact that at the perimeters of at least one area, particularly at opposite sides, two pairs of distanced, uncoated electrodes are alternately impinged with a voltage, with the directions of the electric flux lines alternating and created by the pairs respectively intersecting, the directions of the respective local flow densities created, i.e. the local directions of current flow or the current pulses, also intersect in the same manner.
One embodiment of the invention provides for at least one area of the ground to be impinged with successive voltage pulses, by which the respective electric current pulses are generated in at least one area. This results in a simple way of embodying the invention, namely by using electric pulses of a short duration and high voltages, such as the ones used in electric fences. Therefore, electric pulses having voltages reaching and exceeding 10,000 V are created, having an pulse duration of less than 1 s, for example 0.1 s or less, and pulse energies of 1 J or more, for example 5J. However, unlike electric fences, according to the present invention the electric fields are created at the ground surface and cause an electric current, here.
In order to ensure that the electric pulses can be sensed by the animals it may be provided that a voltage is used that creates an electric current flow in at least one area, having a potential difference over a distance of 1 cm or 5 cm or 10 cm in at least said area, which can be felt by birds and/or earth-bound animals. The extent of the voltage used is therefore selected depending on the size of at least one area. It may also be provided that the amount of the voltage is varied in order to avoid effects of familiarization and/or to adjust the method to other conditions, for example soil humidity. Overall it may be provided that the intensity of the pulses, determined at least by the parameters voltage, duration of pulses, duration of pauses, and/or frequency, is varied and adjusted to the respective conditions, for example the weather and/or the number of animals present in the close proximity.
Particularly beneficial results are achieved when an area is arranged or installed in the immediate proximity of a runway of the airport or an agriculturally used area and is impinged with an electric current. The immediate proximity of the runway comprises adjacent parts of the grounds, from which birds and earth-bound animals can quickly reach the runway or the airspace thereabove and may cause collisions with airplanes that are taking off and landing. The immediate proximity of an agriculturally used area particularly comprises the edges of the fields or boundary ridges, which shall keep animals away from entering the field or the agriculturally used area. The installation occurs by placing the electrodes in or upon the ground surface.
In order to save energy it may be provided that several areas of the ground surface separated from each other, for example of the airport or the field, are successively impinged with a voltage or a sequence of voltages. The area of the airport, particularly the unused cleared areas of an airport, and/or the area of the field can therefore be divided into sections subjected sequentially and/or as needed to the method according to the invention.
The current flow through the area can be generated in a simple manner when in their operational position the electrodes are buried at least half-way, particularly at such a depth that their exterior surface facing upwards ends flush with the ground surface. For example, the electrodes can be isolated at their exterior surface remaining outside the ground after being buried, while the exterior surface of the electrodes contacting the ground are at least partially exposed.
The device of the type mentioned at the outset provides at the perimeter of at least one area at least two distanced electrodes which contact the ground surface in an electric fashion. The electrodes are each connected to a terminal of a voltage source, the electrodes are arranged in pairs in reference to each other such that, with the voltage source between the electrodes being connected to the different terminals of the voltage source, a current flow can be generated between them through the area of the ground surface, and at least two pairs of electrodes are provided at the perimeter(s) or forming the perimeters of at least one area, with the electrodes being arranged such that the direction of extension of the current generated via the pair of electrodes is aligned perpendicularly in reference to the direction of extension of the current flow generated by the other pair of electrodes.
Here, it is advantageous that electric fields are generated right underneath or at the surface of the ground, which causes animals present at those areas to feel uncomfortable. The electric fields cause a current flow in the ground right underneath the surface, which corresponds to a potential difference along the direction of flow caused by the ohmic resistance. If said potential difference between sections is bridged by animals by way of them contacting the ground with their extremities in these areas, the animals feel in their body the potential difference as a so-called line-drop in the form of an electric pulse. Due to the fact that the animals are sensitive with regard to the electric fields, they will experience the presence in the area of the device as being unpleasant and will leave said area. This way, the risk of collisions with airplanes during take-off and landing is effectively reduced.
Here, it is particularly beneficial when the electrodes contact the ground surface in a linear fashion. Here, linear contacting represents a form of contacting that results from an electrode, with its geometric shape and thus its contacting sections showing a longitudinal extension, with the dimensions of the contacting sections or the geometric shape of the electrode being considerably smaller in reference to the longitudinal extension, preferably amounting to one tenth or less of the length along the longitudinal extension. Here, straight or curved or arched or differently embodied electrodes may be provided. The linear contacting results in a planar current flow through the area, which the animals can feel over said entire area.
In order to create a planar extending current flow through the area it may be provided that the electrodes are arranged in pairs, parallel in reference to each other and/or at opposite sides of at least one area.
In order to create electric fields below the ground surface it may be provided that in the operational position the electrodes are at least partially buried in the ground. For example, the electrodes may show a round or rectangular cross-section perpendicularly in reference to their longitudinal extension. For example, the electrodes may be buried half way with regards to their cross-section, perpendicularly to the direction of extension as defined by their longitudinal direction or in their entirety, and/or end flush with the ground surface. Said burying offers the additional advantage that the electrodes are protected from any unintended displacement. Alternatively or additionally, fastening means may be provided, for example pegs or anchors, to fasten the electrodes to the ground and/or for the purpose of contacting.
It is particularly effective if the voltage source provides means to create pulsed voltage. Such means may comprise a generator for pulsed voltages, for example.
In order to prevent any effects of familiarization or learning in the animals it is provided according to the invention that at least two pairs of electrodes are provided at the edges or embodying the edges of at least one area, with the electrodes being arranged such that the direction of a current flow, generated by the pair of electrodes spaced-apart in reference to each other, is aligned perpendicularly, particularly at a right angle, in reference to the direction of flow of the current generated by the other pair of electrodes distanced from each other. This way, it can be avoided that the animals learn a particular behavior, for example a preferred orientation, which allows them to be present in the area without feeling the electric pulses. This further increases the effectiveness of the device.
In order to vary the field direction and the direction of the current flow a multiplexer may be provided, by which the electrodes can be connected to the voltage source. The multiplexer may therefore successively connect different electrodes to the voltage source, respectively generating differently aligned current flows.
For example it may be provided that at least one area comprises the shape of a polygon and that the electrodes form opposite edges of said polygon. Here, at least one area may be embodied with a hexagonal, generally polygonal, or rectangular, or any other shape and/or it may be provided that the respectively opposite sides of at least one area are formed at least sectionally or entirely by the electrodes of a pair of electrodes, with the pair of electrodes being successively connected to the voltage source or can be connected thereto. Thus, using the pair of electrodes different patterns of the streamlines of the field can be generated, which form the total or the interference of a web of intersecting streamlines of the field.
If the unused free area of the airport or the field is divided into several sections, a multiplexer may be provided, by which the sections can optionally be and/or become impinged with voltages from the voltage source. This way, the various sections can be operated independent from each other successively and/or simultaneously, using the method according to the invention. The multiplexer may also be embodied to switch the pairs of electrodes of one section, or another multiplexer may be provided for said purpose. Here, a multiplexer is understood as a selective combinatory circuit, in general, by which the inputs, electrically connected to the voltage source, can optionally be electrically connected to the outputs, to which the electrodes are electrically connected.
In order to avoid effects of familiarization and/or to allow an adjustment to the conditions, such as weather and/or the number of animals present in the proximity or other parameters, means may be embodied to vary the magnitude and/or the duration of the pulses and/or the frequency of the voltages applied. Additionally, direct current pulses may be used.
In the following, the invention is explained using exemplary embodiments, however it is not limited to the exemplary embodiments. Additional exemplary embodiments result from a combination of one or more features of the claims with each other and/or with one or more features of the exemplary embodiments.
Shown in a schematic illustration are:
At their perimeters, the areas 2 are provided with electrodes 4, 5, spaced apart in reference to each other and respectively marked “+” and “−”, which extend linearly straight along a section of the perimeter and contact the ground. For reasons of clarity, in
The electrodes 4, 5 are connected via stylized illustrated connecting wires 6 to the terminals of a generator 7, which serves as the electric voltage source. Due to the fact that the electrodes 4, 5 are each arranged in pairs at opposite sides of the area 2, they generate a current flowing through the area 2, based on the conductivity of the ground, as soon as they are impinged with a voltage, emitted by the generator 7, via the connection wires 6 drawn as single lines only.
The current flow, preferably in the form of current pulses are generated, i.e. temporarily limited flows of direct or alternating current, is sensed by animals contacting the ground in the area 2 at least at two positions spaced from each other. Due to the fact that the sensation triggers an unpleasant feeling the animals are provoked to leave the area 2 and thus to stay away from the airport 1.
A rectangular area 2 is shown, which is limited at two opposite sides 20 by the electrodes 4, 5. The electrodes 4, 5 contact the ground of the area 2 in a linear fashion and thus form the perimeter of the area 2 at two opposite sides.
The two other limiting sides 21 of the area 2 result by the virtual connecting lines of the ends of the electrodes 4, 5, as illustrated.
Equi-potential areas 8 are shown, i.e. those points of the area 2, which show the same potential difference to the electrode 4 and/or to the electrode 5.
Here, the illustration of
The unpleasant sensation connected to the current flow will provoke the animal 9 to leave this area 2.
Here, the current flow generated in the area 2 by the impingement of the electrodes 4, 5 with voltage from the generator 7 ensures that the voltage between the equi-potential areas 8 is not immediately collapsing when an animal 9 bridges it, but leading to a noticeable effect in the animal 9.
It is clear that due to the resistance for the current flux in the ground this current flux results in a voltage distribution according to
It is discernible that the electrodes generate a current flow through the area 2 from one electrode 4 to the other electrode 5, which largely extends in the proximity of the surface of the ground 11.
In the exemplary embodiment according to
In order to allow current to flow through the area 2 the electrodes 4, 5 are embodied uncoated at the semi-surfaces contacting the ground 11.
In a further development, the semi-surfaces 13 of the electrodes 4, 5 projecting from the ground 11 are coated with an insulating layer. However, they may also be embodied uncoated.
From the voltage distribution shown in
In order to prevent this effect, the perimeters of the area 2, shown clear in
When the electrodes 4 and 5 are connected to the voltage terminals of the generator 7 a progression of the electric flux lines 10 results as shown in
However, if the electrodes 14, 15, also linearly contacting the ground 11, are electrically connected to the voltage terminals of the generator 7, electric flux lines 16 are generated in the area 2, with their direction of flow showing a right angle in reference to the direction of flow of the flux lines 10. In other words, the directions of progression of the flux lines 10 and the flux lines 16 intersect.
The flux lines 16 cause a current flow through the area 2, which is aligned in the technical direction from the positive electrode to the negative electrode 15 and with its direction of flow therefore intersecting the direction of progression of the current flow caused by the flux lines 10.
Therefore, if the electrodes 4, 5 on the one side and the electrodes 14, on the other side are alternating connected to the voltage terminals of the generator 7 a chronological succession of current flows develops in the area 2, with the direction of the current flow varying and/or alternating over the chronological succession. The above-mentioned bird had to change its orientation simultaneously with said alteration in order to avoid the unpleasant sensations. Since that is difficult if not impossible any bird will prefer to leave the area 2.
Here, the upper half of
The voltage terminals 17 of the generator 7 are here connected to a multiplexer 18. The connecting wires 6 for the electrodes 4, 5 and the connecting wires 19 for the electrodes 14, 15 of the area 2 are connected to the outlet of the multiplexer 18. The multiplexer 18 can now accept two internal switching positions, with in the first switching position the positive electrode 4 is electrically connected via the connecting wire 6 to the positive terminal of the generator 7 and the negative electrode 5 via its connecting wire 6 through the multiplexer 18 to the negative voltage terminal of the generator 7. In another switching position, however, the connecting wires 19 are electrically guided to the voltage terminals 17 such that the electrodes 14, 15 are electrically connected to the voltage terminals 17 of the generator 7.
This way, for example by a clocked or manually triggered switching of the multiplexer it can be switched between the above-described switching statuses of the two field distributions 10, 16 according to
The other areas 19 in
In the exemplary embodiment it is now provided that the other areas 19 are operated synchronized to the area 2.
However, it may also be provided that the areas 19 are impinged with voltage from the multiplexer 18, when the area 2 is not operated, so that in the areas 2, 19 a current flow is caused in a chronological sequence. This may be already sufficient for many applications, because earth-bound animals 9 or birds, deterred after an electric shock, will not immediately return to the area 2, but rather leave the area 2 free from any animals 9 for a certain period of time. During said period, the animals 9 can be deterred from other areas 19.
The generator 7 and/or the multiplexer 19 comprise a circuit or other element, not shown in greater detail, to generate voltage pulses, by which current pulses can be created in the areas 2, 19.
In the method for deterring earth-bound animals 9 and/or birds from at least one area 2, 19 of the ground it is provided that sections of the perimeter 20, 21 of the area 2, 19, distanced from each other, each comprise an electrode 4, 5, 14, of a pair of electrodes and are made to electrically contact the ground 11 and that the electrodes 4, 5, 14, 15 are electrically connected to one voltage terminal 17 of an electric voltage source 7 each, with the electric voltage source 7 causing a preferably pulsed current flow through the area 2, 19 between the electrodes 4, 5, 14, 15.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102009035808.0-23 | Aug 2009 | DE | national |
