JP2010193768A - Device for intimidating bird, and aerogenerator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve possibility for avoiding bird strike by calculating the speed of a flying object in real time even without using a high performance computer, detecting that the flying object is a bird and performing effective intimidation against the bird. <P>SOLUTION: A device (13) for intimidating a bird includes an imaging device (12) for continuously taking the images of a prescribed space region (11), a bird-detecting device (46) calculating the speed of a flying object (30) in the images with the mode change among a plurality of image data obtained by the imaging device (12) by using an optical flow method, and when the speed of the flying object (30) is equal to or higher than a set speed in advance, deciding that it is a bird (31), and an intimidating device (13) outputting an intimidating output toward the prescribed space region (11) when the bird-detecting device (46) detects that it is the bird (31). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a bird threatening device and a wind power generation device. In particular, the present invention relates to a bird threatening device and a wind power generation device that detect in real time that a flying object is a bird without using a high-performance computer, and effectively threaten the bird each time.

  Conventionally, techniques for avoiding bird strikes on wind power generators generally combine techniques for detecting flying objects such as birds, and techniques for decelerating or stopping wind power propellers based on the detected information. It is.

  As the above technique, for example, the technique described in Patent Document 1 can be used. This Patent Document 1 is a technique for measuring a three-dimensional trajectory of a moving object, and is a technique for obtaining a movement trajectory of an object that moves at high speed like a ball in a ball game sports.

  This obtains image data including flying objects with a plurality of (usually two) cameras, and extracts matching particles and pixels in the synchronized plurality of image data (stereo pair matching of PTV). The matched particles and pixels are converted into three-dimensional velocity information to obtain a three-dimensional trajectory. Thus, it is determined whether or not the wind turbine generator is approaching and used for controlling the wind turbine generator.

In addition, in order to prevent bird strikes against wind power generators, birds were threatened by using, for example, arm swing dolls that imitate human beings as seen in construction sites.
In addition, as a method of threatening birds, sound, shock waves, and the like have been tried. Although it is not with respect to a wind power generator, there is a technique described in Patent Document 2, for example, as a bird threatening technique for airways around an airport.

JP 2007-115236 A JP-A-8-70752

In order to avoid the bird strike, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following problems.
When shooting a flying object with a camera, the recognized flying object is tracked every unit time (for example, 1/30 second), and the velocity of the flying object is calculated based on the amount of change in the position of the flying object in the captured image. Therefore, it takes time, and there is a problem that real-time tracking of a flying object and collision judgment may not be in time.

  In the case of an arm swinging doll, the doll is very expensive, and even if it keeps moving all the time, it may not be in view of the flying bird. For this reason, the threat of the threat may not be sufficiently exhibited.

  As for the sound for threatening birds, there was a problem that it was annoying to the residents near the wind power generator. In addition, there is a case where the analysis of the influence of shock waves on the surroundings is insufficient.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to detect birds in real time without using a high-performance computer, and to increase the possibility of avoiding bird strikes by performing an effective threat to the birds each time. The purpose is to provide threatening technology.

(First invention)
A first invention of the present application relates to a bird threatening device (13).
That is, the imaging device (12) that continuously captures a predetermined spatial region (11), and the speed of the flying object (30) in the image is optically determined by a mode change between a plurality of image data acquired by the imaging device (12). A bird detection device (46) that is calculated by a flow method and determines that the flying object (30) is a bird when the calculated speed of the flying object (30) is equal to or higher than a preset speed and the speed is suitable for the speed by a bird; And a threatening device (13) for outputting a threatening output toward the predetermined space region (11) when the bird detection device (46) detects that it is a bird.
The bird detection device (46) stores the movement of the flying object (30) photographed by the photographing device (12) by image processing, and accumulates it as information with the judgment of whether it is a bird or not. Bird detection may be performed by using a database.

(Function)
Since the optical flow type bird detection device (46) is provided, the speed of the flying object (30) entering the predetermined space region (11) is not so high as the performance of the computer executing the arithmetic processing. However, it can be calculated in real time. The optical flow type bird detection device (46) has a flying object (30) that exceeds a preset speed and determines that the speed is appropriate for the bird. Detect that there is. This is because this detection method is easier to calculate than other methods, so that the performance and memory capacity of the computer can be reduced. Accordingly, power consumption can be reduced.
Even if the flying object (30) to be detected is far or close in the direction of shooting with the photographing device (12), if there is a flying object (30) that exceeds the preset speed, the bird detection device (46) Detects it as a bird. In response, a threatening device (13) outputs a threatening output.

By setting a predetermined space area (11) around the wind power generator (20) as the threat range of the bird power apparatus (10) according to the present application, it is possible to avoid a bird strike in the wind power generator (20). Can increase the sex.
Moreover, when the sound for threatening the bird is not emitted, it is possible to avoid the problem of inconvenience to the residents near the wind power generator.

(Variation 1 of the first invention)
The bird threatening device (10) according to the first invention can provide the threatening device (13) as an LED strobe.

(Function)
The LED strobe does not need to be charged and can emit light immediately when a predetermined signal is input. In addition, there are advantages of low power consumption and long life.

(Variation 2 of the first invention)
The bird threatening device (10) according to the first invention may have a plurality of directivity angles.
Here, “having a plurality of directivity angles” means that a plurality of threatening devices (13) having a single directivity angle may be prepared, and each directivity angle may be different, or a single threatening device (13 ) May include a plurality of output devices.

(Function)
By providing a plurality of directivity angles with a plurality of LED strobes, it is possible to perform strobe light emission in a proper direction with respect to various traveling directions of the bird, and to enhance a threatening effect on the bird.

(Variation 3 of the first invention)
A bird threatening device (10) according to the first invention comprises a solar cell panel (15), and the power generated by the solar cell panel (15) is supplied to the bird detection device (46) and the threatening device (13). It is characterized by supplying power.

(Function)
The torii device (10) has low power consumption and is therefore suitable for long-time operation with the solar panel (15), and is suitable for use in places where it is difficult to supply power, such as in mountainous areas.

(Second invention)
The second invention of the present application includes a tower (21) erected on the ground, a nacelle (22) fixed to the tower (21), and a hub (23) with respect to the nacelle (22). The present invention relates to a wind turbine generator (20) including a plurality of blades (25) fixed so as to be freely rotatable.
That is, a photographing device (12) provided on the ground to continuously photograph a predetermined space region (11) set in advance around the wind power generation device (20), and a plurality of images acquired by the photographing device (12) The speed of the flying object (30) in the image is calculated by the optical flow method based on the mode change between the data, and the calculated speed of the flying object (30) is equal to or higher than the preset speed. A bird detection device (46) for determining that the bird (31) is suitable for the case, and the nacelle (22) has the predetermined space when the bird detection device (46) is detected to be a bird. A threatening device (13) that outputs a threatening output toward the area (11) is provided.

(Glossary)
“Around the wind power generation device (20)” means a space region (11) large enough to cover the wind power generation device (20), or a space region adjacent to the outside of the wind power generation device (20). May mean (11).

(Function)
Since the wind power generator (20) is equipped with the optical flow type bird detection device (46), the speed of the flying object (30) entering the predetermined space region (11) is calculated in real time, Whether the flying object (30) is far or near in the shooting direction with the imaging device (12), it is above the preset speed and if it is judged that the speed is suitable for a bird, it is a bird It is judged and detected. On the other hand, since a threat output is output from the threat device (13) provided in the nacelle (22), it is possible to avoid a bird strike to the front in a direction orthogonal to the rotation of the blade. In addition, if a threatening device (13) whose threat output is directed toward the rear of the nacelle (22) is provided, a bird strike to the rear in the direction orthogonal to the rotation of the blade can be avoided. Others have the same effects as the bird threatening device (10) described above.

According to the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the speed of the flying object is calculated in real time without using a high-performance computer, and it is detected that the flying object is a bird. It was possible to provide a bird threatening device (10) that increases the possibility of avoiding bird strikes by performing effective threats.
According to the invention of claim 5, the speed of the flying object is calculated in real time without using a high-performance computer, and it is detected that the flying object is a bird. It was possible to provide a wind turbine generator (20) that increases the possibility of avoiding bird strikes by performing effective threats.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the bird threatening apparatus of this embodiment. It is a front view of the bird threatening device of FIG. It is a front view which shows the bird threatening apparatus of other embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. In the bird threatening device 10 according to this embodiment, a predetermined space region 11 is set around the wind power generation device 20. The predetermined space region 11 is a region that does not allow the bird 31 to enter because there is a possibility of collision with the wind power generator 20 when the flying object 30 such as the bird 31 enters the region.

The “flying object 30” includes an object that is blown by the wind in addition to a living thing such as the bird 31.
“Around the wind power generation device 20” may mean the space region 11 large enough to cover the wind power generation device 20 or the space region 11 adjacent to the outside of the wind power generation device 20 in some cases.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the wind turbine generator 20 is freely rotatable via a hub 23 with respect to a tower 21 standing on the ground, a nacelle 22 fixed to the tower 21, and the nacelle 22. A wind power generation operation control device 26 including a plurality of blades 25 fixed to the rotor 24 provided on the blade and a blade angle control device for controlling an angle change of the blade 25 including a rotation stop position is provided.

  The “rotation stop position” refers to a position where the blade 25 does not rotate even when receiving wind, and is typically a feathering position or a sufficient deceleration of the rotation speed, but for stopping the rotation of the blade 25. In the case where the brake is used supplementarily, the case where the rotation of the blade 25 is stopped using the brake as a main is included.

As a rotation deceleration control means, a pitch controller that changes the entire pitch angle of the blade 25 and a shape and pitch angle of the blade 25 that loses lift are selected, and the tip of the blade 25 is 90 degrees when stopped. There is a stall control machine that changes the direction and uses the brake.
In addition to the feathering position, the wind power generator 20 is often formed so as to be able to select a position that reduces rotational efficiency in accordance with strong winds. This is because if the rotation is completely stopped, it takes a long time to restart the operation. However, in the case of sufficient deceleration, it is easy to restart the operation, so that the power generation loss can be reduced.

In addition, the bird threatening device 10 of the present embodiment is provided with a photographing device including a camera 12 that continuously photographs the predetermined space region 11 described above. Continuous shooting is performed.
The camera 12 is a camera using a C-MOS sensor. The camera equipped with the C-MOS sensor is easier to control the exposure time than the CCD element, and is suitable for capturing images of birds with high flight speeds. This is because it is easy and equipment such as laser light irradiation is not necessary.

  In the bird threatening device 10 of the present embodiment, a threatening device 13 that outputs a threatening output toward the predetermined space region 11 is arranged on the ground in this embodiment as shown in FIGS. Has been placed. The threatening device 13 includes, for example, light, sound, ultrasonic waves, shock waves, and the like, but in this embodiment, an LED strobe is used. The strobe is blinking of light, and as a threatening method, light has a visual effect on the bird 31 and is considered to be most convenient compared to sound, shock waves and the like. In fact, a predetermined effect has been reported for the threat to the bird 31 by irradiating the strobe.

In the case of a stroboscope having a configuration equivalent to that of a general camera flash, electricity is charged in a capacitor and then emitted at once, and it is necessary to always charge electricity. There is also a problem that it takes time until the next light emission. That is, standby power is often wasted and running costs are high. In addition, continuous light emission is difficult, and running costs such as strobe consumption and lifetime are also incurred.
On the other hand, the LED strobe does not need to be charged, and can emit light immediately with a predetermined low-frequency signal. In addition, power consumption is low. Furthermore, since the directivity angle is narrow, the light reaches far and can be irradiated toward a predetermined space region 11 as intended.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera 12 is connected to the control device 40 via the image processing device 16. The image processing device 16 tracks and measures the position coordinates of the two-dimensional image of the flying object 30 based on the image captured by the camera 12.

Although the coordinate plane 14 is illustrated in FIG. 1 for explanation, an optical flow method can be used as a method for tracking a two-dimensional image of the coordinate plane 14. The optical flow method usually represents the motion of an object as a vector in a visual expression such as a temporally continuous digital image.
This will be described more specifically. The image is divided into, for example, 20 vertical by 30 horizontal, and the speed is calculated for each small area divided into 600. Then, when the speed is equal to or higher than the set value, it is determined that the speed caused by the bird (a speed suitable for a flying bird) is detected as the flying object moving in the image is a “bird”.

  In the present embodiment, the optical flow method calculates the velocity for the entire region in the image including the flying object 30 by the mode change for each pixel such as brightness, luminance, and saturation between two pieces of image data. . Even if a background object or a bird 31 moves, it is calculated by applying it to a calculation formula, and is calculated for the entire area in the image including the specific flying object 30. This speed calculation is executed by the control device 40.

  An input device 42 for inputting various data, a display device 43 for displaying images, data, and the like, and a memory 44 for storing each data are connected to the control device 40, which is a central processing unit CPU 41. ing. Further, the CPU 41 includes an arithmetic unit 45 that calculates the speed of an object in an image by an optical flow method based on a mode change between two successive image data based on the image data measured by the image processing device 16; Among the speeds of the entire area including the flying object 30 calculated by the arithmetic unit 45, when the speed of a certain small area is equal to or higher than a preset speed, the speed is a speed attributed to the bird. A bird detection device 46 (comparison determination device) that determines to detect and a command unit 47 that gives a command to output a threat output to the threat device 13 when the bird detection device 46 detects that the bird 31 is detected are connected. Yes.

  The bird threatening device 10 of this embodiment is provided with a solar cell panel 15, and power generated by the solar cell panel 15 is fed to the bird detection device 46, that is, the control device 40 and the threatening device 13. It is a configuration.

With the above configuration, the bird threatening device 10 of the present embodiment includes the optical flow type bird detection device 46, so that the speed of the flying object 30 entering the predetermined space region 11 is real-time by the calculation device 45. Is calculated. Whether the flying object 30 is far away or close in the direction of photographing with the camera 12, the calculated speed of the flying object 30 is equal to or higher than a preset speed and the speed is appropriate for the bird. It is judged that.
For example, if the flying object 30 is not a bird 31 but is an object blown by wind, for example, a threatening device 13 outputs a threatening output. Therefore, the purpose is achieved and the possibility of avoiding bird strikes in the wind power generator 20 is increased. In addition, the wind power generator 20 does not necessarily need to be in the image.

Note that the bird detection device 46 uses a database stored as information obtained by performing image processing and accumulating the movement of the flying object 30 photographed by the photographing device 12 and determining whether it is a bird or not. It is also possible to perform bird detection. In such a case, if the flying object 30 is not the bird 31 but is, for example, something that is blown by the wind, it moves differently from the bird, so that the threatening device 13 does not output a threatening output.
In addition, the setting value of the speed that is the determination criterion of “bird” in the bird detection device 46 can be set not only to the lower limit setting of “predetermined speed or higher” but also to the upper limit setting of “lower than predetermined speed” ( In other words, it is possible to determine that a bird is determined to be a bird from A km / h to B km / h).
Furthermore, in the image, when the blade of the wind power generator 20 is included, the speed by the blade may be large, so considering that the bird does not move as fast as the blade, an upper limit value is set. Thus, the accuracy of bird detection can be increased.

Since the optical flow type bird detection device 46 is simpler in computation than other methods, the computer performance and memory capacity can be reduced. Along with this, it is possible to reduce costs and reduce power consumption.
Further, the threatening device 13 employs an LED strobe, and as described above, charge charging is unnecessary, and if a predetermined signal is input, light can be emitted immediately. In addition, power consumption is low.
For these reasons, the bird threatening device 10 that combines the optical flow bird detection device 46 and the LED strobe threatening device 13 has low power consumption, and is therefore suitable for long-term operation with the solar panel 15 or battery. It is suitable for use in places where it is difficult to supply power easily, such as in mountainous areas.

  In the above-described embodiment, one camera 12 is used as the photographing device and one LED strobe is used as the threatening device 13, but two or more cameras 12 and two or more LED strobes may be provided. it can. Thereby, several predetermined space areas 11 are set around the wind power generator 20, each space area 11 is photographed, and a threatening output is output to the bird 31 entering the corresponding space area 11. Therefore, bird strikes can be avoided more reliably.

  Also, the threatening device 13 can arrange a plurality of LED strobes for one space region 11. Thereby, since a plurality of directivity angles can be provided, the light emission of the LED strobe easily enters the field of view of the bird 31. In other words, since the traveling direction of the bird 31 changes variously, there is a possibility that the bird 31 cannot visually recognize the light emission at a certain directivity angle, but by providing a plurality of directivity angles with a plurality of LED strobes. In addition, strobe light emission in an appropriate direction with respect to various traveling directions of the bird 31 can be performed, and an intimidating effect on the bird 31 can be enhanced.

  In the bird threatening device 10 of the above-described embodiment, the threatening device 13 is installed on the ground. However, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, an LED strobe as the threatening device 13 is connected to the nacelle 22 of the wind power generation device 20. Can be installed.

In FIG. 3, the LED strobes are arranged such that the direction of light emission is directed forward (rightward in FIG. 3) perpendicular to the rotation of the plurality of blades 25. As a result, the LED strobe emits light forward from between the rotating blades 25, so that the bird 31 flying from the front side of the wind power generator 20 is threatened by the LED strobe emission. Can do.
In addition to this, another LED strobe can be arranged in the nacelle 22 so as to emit light toward the rear (leftward in FIG. 3) orthogonal to the rotation of the blade 25. Thereby, it is possible to threaten the bird 31 flying from the rear side of the wind power generator 20 by the light emission of the LED strobe.

  The present invention can also be applied as a repelling device for wild animals that destroy agricultural crops and the like. Instead of the above-described bird detection device 46, a device for detecting a specific animal (for example, a deer, a bear, or a monkey) is provided, and when the animal is detected by the device, the above-described threatening device 13 that emits light with an LED strobe is provided. .

  The present invention has applicability in the wind power generator manufacturing industry, the wind power generator maintenance industry, the torii device manufacturing industry, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Bird threat device 11 Spatial area 12 Camera (imaging device) 13 Threat device 14 Coordinate surface 15 Solar panel 16 Image processing device 20 Wind power generator 21 Tower 22 Nacelle 23 Hub 24 Rotor 25 Blade 26 Wind power generation operation control device
30 flying object 31 bird 40 control device 41 CPU
42 Input Device 43 Display Device 44 Memory 45 Arithmetic Device 46 Bird Detection Device 47 Command Unit

Claims (5)

  The speed of the flying object in the image is calculated by the optical flow method based on the mode change between a plurality of image data acquired by the imaging apparatus and the plurality of image data acquired by the imaging apparatus, and the calculated speed of the flying object is A bird detection device that determines that the bird is a bird when the speed is equal to or higher than a preset speed and that matches the speed of the bird; and when the bird detection device detects that the bird is a bird, And a threatening device that outputs a threatening output.   The bird threatening device according to claim 1, wherein the threatening device is an LED strobe.   The bird threatening device according to claim 1, wherein the threatening device has a plurality of directivity angles.   The bird threatening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a solar battery panel, wherein electric power generated by the solar battery panel is supplied to the bird detection device and the threatening device. A wind turbine generator comprising a tower erected on the ground, a nacelle fixed to the tower, and a plurality of blades fixed to the nacelle via a hub so as to be rotatable,
A shooting device provided on the ground to continuously shoot a predetermined space area around the wind power generation device, and the speed of the flying object in the image by the mode change between a plurality of image data acquired by the shooting device It is calculated by the optical flow method, and includes a bird detection device that determines that the flying object is a bird when the calculated speed of the flying object is equal to or higher than a preset speed and the speed is suitable for the speed of the bird,
A wind power generator provided with a threatening device that outputs a threatening output toward the predetermined space area when the nacelle detects that the bird detection device is a bird.

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