Claims for Patent: 8,123,476

Summary for Patent: 8,123,476

Title:	Method for regulating a wind energy installation
Abstract:	A method of operating installations (10), in particular wind energy installations (10), having a component (22) which endangers flying animals, in which the component assumes a first state which endangers animals to a greater extent and a second state which endangers animals to a lesser extent. The physical environment around the installation (10), in particular the environment around the component (22), is monitored at least in regions by a suitable detection device. The detection device produces a signal when an animal of a specific type, in particular a bat, a bird or the like, enters the monitored region, and in which case the component of the installation is moved from the state which endangers animals to a greater extent to the state which endangers animals to a lesser extent depending on the signal.
Inventor(s):	Stommel; Matthias (Ganderkesee, DE)
Assignee:	Daubner & Stommel GBR Bau-Werk-Planung (Ganderkesee, DE)
Application Number:	12/088,296
Patent Claims:	1. A method for operating installations (10) having at least one component (22) which endangers flying animals, comprising the steps of: the component assuming a first state which endangers animals to a greater extent and a second state which endangers animals to a lesser extent, monitoring the physical environment around the installation (10) and around the component (22) at least in regions by means of a suitable detection device, the detection device producing a signal when a flying animal enters the monitored region, moving the component of the installation from the state which endangers animals to a greater extent to the state which endangers animals to a lesser extent depending on the signal and, later, moving the installation back to the state which endangers animals to a greater extent, depending on: a) the number of animals of a specific type detected per unit time, and/or b) the signal characteristic of the respectively produced signal, and/or c) if none of the animals of the specific type, which were triggers for the component being moved to the less dangerous state, are detected in the monitored region during a predetermined period of time. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a movement of the component, a flow of current through the component or an electrical voltage state of the component is reduced to a degree which endangers the animals to a lesser extent. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, using the signal characteristic of the detected signal to determine features relating to the animal, the component (22) of the installation (10) is moved from the state which endangers animals to a greater extent to the state which endangers animals to a lesser extent depending on at least one of these features. 4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the signal characteristic of the detected signal to determine features relating to the animal is selected from the group consisting of the distance between the animal and the component (22), the type of the animal, and the size of the animal, and combinations thereof. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physical environment is monitored by means of at least two detectors which are physically separated from one another. 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the physical environment is monitored by means of at least one device selected from the group consisting of thermal imaging cameras, radar devices, sonar devices, cameras, sodar devices, and laser devices. 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component (22) is moved from the state which endangers animals to a greater extent to the state which endangers animals to a lesser extent as soon as a predetermined number of animals enters a fixed, physical danger region within the monitored region. 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the monitoring region is a spherical or ellipsoidal region which extends in all directions around the installation (10) or around the component (22). 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein ultrasound signals from the animals which enter the monitored region of the physical environment around the installation (10) are detected by means of the detection device. 10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the animals are kept away from the installation (10) by means of sound, ultrasound or light signals. 11. A method for operating a wind energy installation, the wind energy installation (10) having a rotor (18), which can be driven by wind and has at least one rotor blade (22), and a generator for the purpose of converting the mechanical energy of the rotor (18) to electrical energy, comprising the steps of: monitoring the physical environment around the wind energy installation (10) at least in regions by means of a suitable detection device, the detection device producing a signal when a bat enters the monitored region, and depending on the number of the bats detected per unit time, and/or depending on the signal characteristic of the respectively produced signal, at least substantially suppressing the rotation of the rotor blade (22) of the wind energy installation (10) at least for a specific period of time or at least reducing the rotational frequency of the rotor blade (22), wherein the at least substantial suppression of the rotation of the rotor blade (22) or the reduction in the rotational frequency is dispensed with or canceled depending on: a) the number of the bats detected per unit time, and/or b) the signal characteristic of the respectively produced signal, and/or c) if, during a predetermined period of time, none of the bats, which could be triggers for suppression of the rotation or for a reduction in the frequency of rotation, are detected in the monitored region. 12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein, using the signal characteristic of the detected signal to determine features relating to the bat, the angle of incidence of the wind on the rotor blade (22) is adjusted depending on at least one of these features. 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the signal characteristic of the detected signal to determine features relating to the bat is selected from the group consisting of the distance between the bat and the wind energy installation (10), the distance between the bat and the rotor-blade plane, the type of the bat, and the size of the bat, and combinations thereof. 14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rotation of the rotor blade is at least substantially suppressed or the rotational frequency is reduced as soon as a predetermined number of the bats enters a fixed, physical danger region (24) within the monitored region. 15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the danger region (24) extends in the vertical direction at least from the point closest to the ground to the point furthest away from the ground of the area delineated by the rotor blade (22) during a complete revolution. 16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the monitoring region is a region which extends in all directions around the wind energy installation (10) in a spherical or ellipsoidal region. 17. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein ultrasound signals from the bats which enter the monitored region of the physical environment around the wind energy installation (10) can be detected by means of the detection device. 18. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein ultrasound signals are transmitted into the physical environment around the wind energy installation (10), the ultrasound signals being suitable for driving or keeping the bats away from the wind energy installation (10). 19. A wind energy installation (10) comprising: a rotor (18), which can be driven by wind and has at least one rotor blade (22), a generator for the purpose of converting the mechanical energy of the rotor (18) to electrical energy, a detection device for the purpose of monitoring the physical environment around the wind energy installation (10) at least in regions, the detection device producing a signal when a flying object of a specific type enters the monitored region, and a control/regulating device which is designed in such a way that, depending on the number of animals detected per unit time, and/or depending on the signal characteristic of the respectively produced signal, the rotation of the rotor blade (22) of the wind energy installation (10) is at least substantially suppressed at least for a specific period of time or at least the rotational frequency of the rotor blade (22) is reduced, and in which case, later, the at least substantial suppression of the rotation of the rotor blade (22) or the reduction in the rotational frequency is dispensed with or can be canceled depending on: a) the number of animals detected per unit time, and/or b) the signal characteristic of the respectively produced signal, and/or c) if, during a predetermined period of time, none of the animals of a specific type, which could be triggers for suppression of the rotation or for a reduction in the frequency of rotation, are detected in the monitored region. 20. The wind energy installation as claimed in claim 19, wherein the detection device is arranged on a tower (14) and/or on a pod (16) and/or on the rotor (18) of the wind energy installation (10). 21. The wind energy installation as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a signal source for the purpose of emitting signals into the physical environment around the wind energy installation (10) which are suitable for driving or keeping flying animals away from the wind energy installation (10). 22. The wind energy installation (10) as claimed in claim 21, wherein the signal source is arranged on a tower (14) and/or on a pod (16) and/or on the rotor (18) of the wind energy installation (10).

Details for Patent 8,123,476

Applicant	Tradename	Biologic Ingredient	Dosage Form	BLA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Expiredate
Emergent Biosolutions Canada Inc.	BAT	botulism antitoxin heptavalent (a, b, c, d, e, f, g) - (equine)	Solution	125462	03/22/2013		2025-09-29