DE102005004786A1 - Method involves protection within the range, continuous collection of data by means of a measuring transducer, collection of ambient parameter, continuous quantitative or quantitative comparing of the certain characteristics - Google Patents

Abstract

Method involves protection within the range by means of device with which measuring transducers (2a) are arranged. The method involves continuous collection of data by means of a measuring transducer in the air, in water or in the ground, guiding sound or vibration and collection of ambient parameter e.g. air, water pressure and water velocity. The method then involves continuous quantitative or quantitative comparing of the certain characteristics of the collected data with the stored characteristics or with typical combination characteristic for approaching imminent dangers. The method then involves releasing of the alarm depending on the result of the comparison. Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) Device; and (B) Mast.

Description

The The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting of threatening dangers, which humans usually do not notice according to the generic term the corresponding independent Claims.

in the Everyday life often prevent ambient noise and lack of attention or sensitization of humans the recognition of announcing oneself Hazards. These are hazards whose acoustic, seismic and / or other concomitants of people are well perceived could or even outside the perceptibility lie. Such dangers are for example Explosions in remote industrial plants, in particular Chemical plants, landslides or avalanches, river or ocean high water. For example, announces A flood wave or avalanche is usually audible, however, listen People in a house often do not hear the sounds. A warning that just seconds or minutes before the arrival of the danger, z. As river flood or avalanche takes place, already enough from the chances of survival to increase significantly z. B. by visiting a higher Floor or shelter. In known warning process takes place the alarm triggering manually, for example by police or civil defense, previously already pass valuable minutes unused. The alert about the Broadcasting often achieves the affected people are not. Some dangers, z. As avalanche, are not at all vorwarnbar.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, a method and a Device for detecting impending hazards to create, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages.

These Task is solved by a method or a device for detecting impending dangers with the characteristics of the independent Claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The inventive device or method for detecting impending dangers is emerging by saying that they are the ones for the assumption of such danger typical accompanying phenomena, in particular Sounds, whether transmitted through the air, the water or the soil, detected. The device according to the invention is fundamentally different from the above existing systems, as it is only locally in the vulnerable Area the immediate side effects of an approaching danger detected. In the prediction of tidal waves is compared to the later described acting on a large scale seismic systems the prediction accuracy in the so-equipped Area bigger and false alarms are avoided.

According to the invention various environmental characteristics detected and depending the expected hazard type analyzed. It can In particular, the following transducers are used: microphones for registering in the air, in the water and / or in the soil directed sound; Seismic transducers for registering vibrations of the soil; sensors adapted to the nature of the threat, e.g. equipment for measuring the air or water pressure; the speed of the water; the height a water level or level. The change of the water level, especially if this indicates certain common and non-hazardous Exceed minimum or maximum values and / or the rates of change, can be an indication of an impending danger, such as flooding. Also tsunamis are suspected that several minutes before the arrival of the Wave the water level by a normal amount exceeding one for tides atypical speed decreases. Changes in the water level can directly, for example by underwater installed pressure gauges, or indirectly, for example by scanning a certain area the water surface by suitable methods, for example radar, or optically through Image evaluation done. Again, these are metrics, which can also be observed by humans, what but in practice is not continuous and too expensive. The inventive automatic System offers security around the clock. Besides that is to note that people, even if they observe the phenomena, often are not able to directly all vulnerable people to warn.

Depending on the type of imminent danger to be detected, suitable transducers can be used. Additional recognition security results when these also sound with Fre Detecting frequencies below and / or above the human perceptible range, especially as avalanches and tsunami waves are suspected to produce such frequencies.

A Another embodiment provides that the device via a Variety of different transducers that has can be activated and / or configured depending on the application. This allows a universal use of the warning device for different tasks, causing these in larger quantities and thus cheaper to manufacture. Such a device has for example about a directional microphone, a seismic sensor and a radar system, which avalanche prone Hang is directed. If it turns out now that seismic activities without avalanche emissions often False alarms may occur by the operator of the seismic transducer be deactivated or reduced in its sensitivity. The same plant can in principle also in flood-prone areas are used, with only an adaptation to the concomitants a tidal wave is to make. The radar can here z. B. used be a sudden decline the sea level or an unusually high, wide or fast Wave crest to recognize.

• a) die standardmäßig vorhandenen Meßwert-Module einzeln aktiviert oder
• b) konfiguriert werden können und/oder
• c) weitere Module über Steckverbindungen, Datenverbindungen und drahtlose Datenverbindungen mit der Vorrichtung verbunden werden können, wie z.B. die weiter unten aufgeführten zusätzlichen Sensoren oder Unterwassermikrophone (Hydrophone),

so dass die Vorrichtung insbesondere für unterschiedlicheThe device according to the invention is then modular, if

• a) the standard measurement modules are activated individually or
• b) can be configured and / or
• c) additional modules can be connected to the device via plug-in connections, data connections and wireless data connections, such as the additional sensors or underwater microphones (hydrophones) listed below,

allowing the device in particular for different

risk Category can be used and / or to specific local conditions can be adjusted.

The as well as imminent danger be fully automatically detected. In the known purely seismic Systems for the detection of flood waves is namely in usually an analysis by a seismologist, a calculation of the epicenter and a prediction about probability, kind and spread of tsunami intervened, thereby losing time becomes. The device detects because of the evaluation of sound waves Naturally only in a closer Perimeter, typically 30-50 km, events taking place. As every device is completely works independently not whole countries equipped with it at the same time become. Rather, it can be on the coastal areas with the highest population density and the biggest hazard potential to be started. An appropriately designed device works completely independent from the existing infrastructure, with z. B. when using Solar cells and the like not even a power connection required is.

das Ufer. Mit der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung ist bei günstigen Bedingungen ein Vorlauf von max. 30 Minuten zu warten. Dies ist genügend Zeit um Leben zu retten. Durch die unmittelbare Alarmauslösung bei Auftreten der entsprechenden akustischen Phänomene ohne Zwischenschaltung von Entscheidungsträgern wird die theoretisch mögliche Vorwarnzeit von 30 Minuten ohne Zeitverzögerung genutzt.The warning time is as follows: The speed of the tsunami wave decreases with decreasing water depth, which is usually the case before the mainland. The wave speed decreases to about 30 to 50 km / h. From then on, the ocean floor will be vibrated by the masses of water and will transfer it to the mainland at a time when there is no danger for many people. At the same time, the approaching wave above ground already produces sound waves at an early stage, which due to their low frequency can not be perceived by the human ear. The same applies to sound transmission in the water. It has been found that the above-mentioned noises can be well recognized by the device at a distance of about 15 km. The wave that moves to the coast at 50 km / h is therefore slowing down

the shore. With the device according to the invention, a flow of max. Wait 30 minutes. This is enough time to save lives. Due to the immediate alarm triggering when the corresponding acoustic phenomena occur without the intervention of decision makers, the theoretically possible early warning time of 30 minutes without time delay is used.

The formula for calculating the wave velocity is ν = √ g × h with g = 9,81 m / s and the sea depth h. If the speed at 4,000 m water depth 198 m / s = 71 3 km / h, then it is 400 m water depth 62 m / s = 225 km / h, at 40m water depth 20 m / s = 72 km / h, at 10m Water depth 10 m / s = 36 km / h and at 5m water depth 7m / s = 25 km / h. As the depth of the water decreases, the speed of the wave decreases, the wavelength decreases, and at the same time the wave amplitude and velocity decrease the nature of the matter involved. The effects of a tsunami wave obviously depend on the local slope angle and its distance from the shore. The free-running tsunami wave produces no pressure and only a weak sound wave. Only where it meets the banks of the river and returning masses of water are there strong turbulences and sound waves.

in principle it is sufficient if only a single transducer is provided, for. B. a sound pickup in the air, in the water or in the ground and acoustically and by design adapted to the appropriate medium. Increased security is then obtained if provided a variety of different sound pickups are, for example, the above-ground noises and at the same time pick up the noises conducted through the soil. Sound sensor in the ground can According to the invention also seismic Pickup, d. H. equipment with a mass that vibrates when grounding due to their inertia a movement relative to the device performs. The predictive safety increases themselves when the ones registered by the different sound sensors phenomena from the microprocessor or the like in the device become. Depending on the design type, this can be either safety increase, d. H. for alarm triggering is it sufficient if z. B. initially only one of the sensors, z. B. air microphone, responds. It can alternatively false alarms be prevented if the alarm is triggered only if several transducers, z. B. air and ground microphone respond.

in the Water-installed hydrophones measure the different sound pressure, the frequency and amplitude of the surrounding sea and tsunami waves. The frequency and amplitude of a normal ocean wave, even if This is generated by storm, fundamentally different from those of a tsunami wave. Because the sound conductivity of the water is very high and the speed of sound at almost 1,500 m / sec (air 333 m / sec) Water is a particularly suitable medium for forwarding the sounds, which arise when a tsunami wave on the rising seabed the continental shelf and, where appropriate, the returning masses of water.

Although it is possible in principle is the device of the invention to build at any location, a lineup on the coast is preferred, because the sound pickup thus closest to the zoom Wave stand and besides the device as an alarm means, for example by means of acoustic and optical signals, can be used in particular alarm device be: flashing lights, sirens, speakers, the playback of sound carriers, radio alarms.

Finally, too Alarming means are used, i. authorized bodies, which are connected to the warning system, in turn, at any time put the system into operation, z. For example, if you have previously had others Communication channels are aware of an impending danger to have. You can too Instructions or information about give the speakers.

The sound pickup for detecting the airborne noises should be located at least 7 m, preferably 10 m above sea level, in order to be able to perceive earlier the noise generated by a rolling wave. According to the Law of Geometric Optics, taking into account the curvature of the earth, the view _{Rmax is} to the sea at an initial tsunami height of 0.5 m and a position of the sound receiver of 10 m above sea level:

Around the efficiency to increase the reception, is it about it It is also advantageous if the sound pickup has a directional characteristic in the direction of danger, z. As mountain or open sea, has, for example by correspondingly shaped microphones or concave mirrors. such Directional microphones have been known for a long time. It is thereby avoided disturbing ambient noise capture.

The in the ground mounted sound pickup should be according to geological Conditions at least so deep in the ground to be mounted that the sound waves carried by the ground can be well absorbed. In usually 1 to 3 meters are sufficient.

at the sound sensors for the registration of sound conducted by the sea is to be noted that this tide-independent always lying in the water. Even cheaper is a positioning in a low-surfage area, i. there where the waves are not yet breaking, the lowest possible background sound to have. This increases the sensitivity for the relevant noises and the measurement results are not falsified.

In addition, more can external sensors, also for Sound, which is wirelessly connected to the device stand. This can For example, floating or floating body with acceleration sensors be in the presence of a z. B. for an avalanche outlet or a flood wave characteristic acceleration profile wirelessly the device according to the invention alarm or transfer the profile. By doing so leaves increase the advance warning and / or prediction accuracy. Possibly is a use of the device is also possible on coasts that fall off so steeply, that the speed of the tsunami is at a distance of 15 km from the coast has not yet reduced to 30 to 50 km / h. For wireless transmission the data collected by the transducers or other sensors is particularly suitable so-called U-boat radio, so long and long waves (Radio wavelengths in the 100 m range), which also over size Distances transferable are. The shorter the radio wavelength, the lower the penetration depth resp. Propagation in the water.

• – eine Anlage zur Stromerzeugung durch Umwandlung von kinetischer in elektrischer Energie,
• – ein Akkumulator zum Speichern von elektrischer Energie,
• – ein Beschleunigungssensor beziehungsweise Drucksensor,
• – eine Sendeanlage zur Aussendung der Beschleunigungsbeziehungsweise Druckdaten;
• – eine Sendeanlage zur Aussendung der Positionsdaten bzw. ID des Schwimmkörpers,
• – eine Vorrichtung zur Stabilisierung des Schwimmkörpers in einer vorher festgelegten Tiefe, z. B. mittels Anker und Seil. Die Schwimmkörper sind vorzugsweise mind. 20 m unter dem Meeresspiegel vorgesehen um die Schifffahrt nicht zu behindern.

The same applies mutatis mutandis to pressure sensors, which are arranged under water in the sea. They perceive the shock of the water characteristic of the approach of a tsunami and can also perceive the tsunami spreading on the high seas. Since under water, a wireless connection (directly or via satellite) is difficult, a buoy anchored in the vicinity of the pressure sensor can serve as a relay. The pressure sensor and the buoy are via hydrophone, ie an acoustic connection, in contact and the buoy transmits via satellite or directly to the device according to the invention the values or alarm triggering. The aforementioned external sensors may have one or more of the following features:

• - a plant for the production of electricity by conversion of kinetic into electrical energy,
• An accumulator for storing electrical energy,
• An acceleration sensor or pressure sensor,
• A transmitter for transmitting the acceleration or pressure data;
• A transmitter for transmitting the position data or ID of the float,
• - A device for stabilizing the float at a predetermined depth, z. B. by means of anchor and rope. The floats are preferably at least 20 m below sea level provided so as not to hinder the navigation.

The float preferably have the outer shape a star dodecahedron, to which the antennas are attached. This form provides little attack surface for animals.

A advantageous embodiment also provides that all components of the system, with the exception of the pressure transducers in the water and the Soil and the external sensors, to form a compact unit. This makes setup and commissioning particularly easy. Furthermore, the compact device can be arranged on a mast. This ensures that the sound sensors are arranged at the correct height. The connection is also particularly easy, that the compact device direct connections for the external sensors and sound sensors ready. Depending on the existing infrastructure the device can be connected to the mains and via a Emergency power supply. It is also conceivable that the power generator is directly integrated or connectable is, for example, a solar panel or windmill. These power generators take care of a charge of the emergency power supply.

The Apparatus may further include imaging systems, such as. Eg cameras or thermal imaging cameras which also serve as transducers in the sense of the invention be valid. Such pictures / films, which may be permanently recorded and transmitted or cached (ak. as with a black box) can provide scientific benefits have and understanding about the Increase the emergence and spread of the dangers. Records in the Alarm case can be made, stored and / or transmitted a limitation of the places where victims are to be sought. At a Avalanche can thus be determined if and where people affected are. Such a statement can be made when using thermal imaging cameras be taken safely at night.

The device, which can also be used to detect tsunamis as a threat, has many advantages over the prior art; Tsunamis are triggered in particular by earthquake or seaquake. It is based on existing measurement and warning systems that can detect and analyze earthquakes or seaquakes around the world and thus calculate the formation and likely evolution of the tsunami that may be generated. For the west coast of America and Canada, such a warning system exists, which monitors the Pacific Ocean and also provides the riparian states with the necessary information. These calculations are relatively safe for the Pacific, as they are supported by data provided by very expensive equipment. The advantage of the system lies in a sufficient lead time for the warning when the causative event, ie Seaquake or earthquake is at a great distance from the endangered area. The wave of a tsunami spreads on the open sea at a speed of typically 800 km / h starting from the epicenter. However, the success of existing systems depends less on the quality of the calculations than on the infrastructure and decision-making power of decision-makers in the recipient countries. With a small distance between the epicenter and the endangered area, no promising warning is possible because of the high speed of the waves. A targeted local warning at a great distance from the epicenter is also difficult due to the large spread of a tsunami. This is also due to the geometry of the substrate, such. B. underwater obstacles, reefs, offshore islands, etc. caused. For example, of the 90 tourist-used islands of the Maldives, 60 islands have not heard of the century tsunami of December 26, 2004.

This Example shows that the same catastrophic event occurring on the one side claims more than 200,000 victims, in immediately adjacent Areas would only cause a false alarm. That fact does it for the Persons in charge, the evacuation of entire coastlines to arrange.

The Invention can also be used together, d. H. in addition to existing large-scale seismic systems be used such that when detecting an earthquake with a sufficiently close epicenter arming or Reduction of the sensitivity of the devices takes place. So be despite high sensitivity, d. H. Safety, preventing unnecessary false alarms. As before, earthquakes will be in a central location and location Strength analyzed. This is followed by arming the individual devices according to the invention (eg wireless, over Satellite, etc.), but only upon discovery of the accompanying Features an imminent danger trigger the alarm.

Further Advantages will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. Likewise The above-mentioned and still further features according to the invention in each case be used individually or in any combination with each other. The mentioned Embodiments are not final to understand and have exemplary character. Although the Advantages of the invention particularly in detail with reference to a Flood wave explained is, it is analogous to all thus identifiable hazards applicable, in particular the previously mentioned.

1 shows an endangered area at the foot of a mountain 41 , because of the snow layer 42 Avalanche danger emanates. The device according to the invention 1 includes a directional microphone 2a to recognize early the acoustic effects of an avalanche, which is perceived by the attentive man as a rumble. Additional security is provided by a radar system 40 that the of the snowpack 42 detected reflected signals and, for example via the Doppler effect can detect a movement of the same immediately. The radar system can work pulsed, z. B. make a measurement every 5 seconds. The central control unit 20 is also equipped with a seismic sensor 2d connected. This can either help prevent false alarms when its signals go along with those from the directional microphone 2a and radar 40 recorded signals are analyzed. In this case, a weighting can be made such that an alarm triggering takes place at a certain - comparatively low - noise level only if a seismic activity is recorded at the same time. Conversely, the seismic sensor can also ensure that the system is switched sensitive in the event of an earthquake, ie alarm triggers even at low noise level, as in an earthquake, the risk of avalanche is greater.

• – Der Meeresboden 10 wird in Schwingungen 3b versetzt, die über das Erdmikrophon 2b registriert werden können,
• – Analog wird in diesem Bereich die Luft 12 in Schwingungen 3a versetzt, die über das Richtmikrophon 2a erfasst werden. Je höher das Mikrophon 2a liegt, desto weiter können diese Schwingungen 3a registriert werden.
• – Außerdem werden im Bereich der Tsunami-Welle akustische Phänomene im Wasser 11 ausgelöst, die von dem der Küste vorgelagerten Unterwassermikrophon 2c erfasst werden.

2 shows a coastal area 10 . 11 . 12 with a mast 19 to which the device according to the invention 1 is attached. This includes a central control unit 20 with a directional microphone 2a , a look 4 , a speaker 5 , an antenna 6 and in the underground 10 or sea 11 attached sound pickups 2 B respectively. 2c for over the ground or sea transmitting noises 3b respectively. 3c is attached. There is also a seismic sensor 2d provided in the ground. The in the sea 11 approaching tsunami wave 30 causes in the area of the rising underground 10 three effects:

• - The seabed 10 gets into vibration 3b offset that over the earth microphone 2 B can be registered
• - Analog is in this area, the air 12 in vibrations 3a offset that over the directional microphone 2a be recorded. The higher the microphone 2a lies, the further can these vibrations 3a be registered.
• - In addition, in the area of the tsunami wave acoustic phenomena in the water 11 triggered by the submarine microphone offshore 2c be recorded.

But also in the deep sea area 13 without rising ground 10 is the tsunami wave 30 Pressure fluctuations noticeable by the floating in the water or attached to the ground pressure sensor 14 be registered. This sends a sound signal via a hydrophone 16 to the near the pressure sensor 14 anchored buoy 15 that the recorded signal by radio 17 to satellites or the device according to the invention 1 forwards.

A float 18 has acceleration sensors and alerts the device 1 by radio if he gets carried away by a tsunami.

The device according to the invention basically operates without the signals of the external sensors 14 . 18 , However, these can help to extend the early warning time.

It can be seen that each device according to the invention 1 usually on a mast 19 is essentially independent of national or international infrastructure. Taking into account the quasi-optical visibility, the masts should be placed at a distance of about 1.6 km from each other. However, as not all masts can be produced and set up at the same time, it can initially be set up in the most populated areas with the greatest risk potential. This allows the successive construction of an alarm system without great financial burdens.

The the following embodiment shows how wrong decisions of people can be excluded: If the device has switched on automatically, it can be switched off by Outside, even with a false alarm, before the expiration of 30 minutes not more be deactivated. This will ensure that no one Can turn off the system in case of danger. Because the warning is automatic no one can make a false decision in case of a false alarm be accused. The impact of a false alarm is economically minor since only a small part of the coast in each case of about 1.6 km in length is affected.

One The typical alarm can look like this: A siren beeps emitted by one minute duration and the warning lights activated. At the same time the alarm goes to the designated places for example Police, etc. forwarded. The siren will turn off after each Switch off one minute duration. Then a sound carrier turns on, the over Speakers, each multilingual, fully automatically alert to the danger power. At the end of the information the siren switches again and a new passage begins.

Claims (19)

Method for detecting impending dangers by means of a device with transducers arranged in the area to be protected ( 2a . 2 B . 2c . 18 . 14 ), comprising the following steps: a) continuously acquiring data by means of transducers of sound conducted in the air, in the water and / or in the soil ( 2a . 2 B . 2c . 2d ) and / or vibrations, and / or - environmental parameters ( 14 ), z. B. air or water pressure, water speed ( 18 ), b) continuous quantitative and / or quantitative comparison of certain characteristics of the recorded data with stored characteristics and / or feature combinations typical for the approaching threat, c) triggering of an alarm as a function of the result of the comparison from step b). Apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 1. Device, in particular according to claim 2, for detecting impending dangers with transducers ( 2a . 2 B . 2c . 2d . 14 . 18 ), characterized in that they are designed such that the typical for the approach of the imminent danger acoustic ( 3a . 3b . 3c ), seismic and / or other characteristics can be recorded and analyzed. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the device is modular. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transducers Schallaufnehmer ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ), which are such that they are suitable for receiving sound conducted in the air, in water or in the soil. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the sound sensors in the air, in the sea and / or are provided in the soil. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that sound receivers are provided, the outside of for audible to the human ear Area, d. H. detect sound in the ultra or infrasound range. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the device is constructed on the coast. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that alarm means and / or alarm means provided are. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the Schallaufnehmer for recording in the Air conducted sound at least 7 m, preferably 1 0 m above the Earth or sea level is arranged and / or a direction has directed to the imminent danger directivity. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the Schallaufnehmer for receiving in the Soil conducted sound at least 1 m, preferably 3m deep is arranged in the ground. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that a seismic sensor on the device, especially on the ground or at least 1 m, preferably 3m deep is arranged in the ground. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the sound pickup for recording in the sea directed sound is arranged in a low-surge area. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that an external sensor is provided in the sea, transmit the data to the device can. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the external sensor is an acceleration sensor that's in a float is arranged. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the external sensor is a pressure sensor, the is arranged under water in the sea. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that one arranged in the vicinity of the pressure sensor Relay station, z. B. anchored in the seabed buoy provided is that transmits the data recorded by the sensor to the device. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the alarm means, alarm means, the sound pickup for the reception of sound transmitted in the air, connections for the sound sensors for receiving sound conducted in the sea or underground, connections for external sensors, an emergency power supply and / or a power generator a compact Form unity. Mast with the device after one of the previous Claims.