US 12,446,570 B2
Bird or bat detection and identification for wind turbine risk mitigation
Eric S. Wenger, Lakewood, CO (US); Andrew G. Oliver, Longmont, CO (US); and Victor L. Babbitt, Superior, CO (US)
Assigned to IDENTIFLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, LLC, Louisville, CO (US)
Filed by IDENTIFLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, LLC, Louisville, CO (US)
Filed on Jul. 22, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/780,169.
Application 18/780,169 is a continuation of application No. 18/085,227, filed on Dec. 20, 2022, granted, now 12,048,301.
Application 18/085,227 is a continuation of application No. 17/137,170, filed on Dec. 29, 2020, granted, now 11,555,477, issued on Jan. 17, 2023.
Application 17/137,170 is a continuation of application No. 15/787,087, filed on Oct. 18, 2017, granted, now 10,883,473, issued on Jan. 5, 2021.
Application 15/787,087 is a continuation of application No. 15/384,550, filed on Dec. 20, 2016, granted, now 9,816,486, issued on Nov. 14, 2017.
Application 15/384,550 is a continuation of application No. 14/829,403, filed on Aug. 18, 2015, granted, now 9,521,830, issued on Dec. 20, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/040,081, filed on Aug. 21, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2025/0120389 A1, Apr. 17, 2025
Int. Cl. A01M 29/10 (2011.01); A01K 29/00 (2006.01); A01M 29/16 (2011.01); A01M 31/00 (2006.01); E04B 1/72 (2006.01); F03D 7/04 (2006.01); F03D 17/00 (2016.01); F03D 80/00 (2016.01); F03D 80/10 (2016.01); G06F 18/24 (2023.01); G06T 7/20 (2017.01); G06V 10/764 (2022.01); G06V 20/13 (2022.01); G06V 40/10 (2022.01); H04N 13/243 (2018.01); H04N 13/296 (2018.01); H04N 23/698 (2023.01); H04N 23/90 (2023.01); F03D 9/00 (2016.01); F03D 9/25 (2016.01); H02S 10/12 (2014.01)
CPC A01M 29/10 (2013.01) [A01K 29/005 (2013.01); A01M 29/16 (2013.01); A01M 31/002 (2013.01); E04B 1/72 (2013.01); F03D 7/042 (2013.01); F03D 7/048 (2013.01); F03D 17/00 (2016.05); F03D 80/00 (2016.05); F03D 80/10 (2016.05); G06F 18/24 (2023.01); G06T 7/20 (2013.01); G06V 10/764 (2022.01); G06V 20/13 (2022.01); G06V 40/103 (2022.01); H04N 13/243 (2018.05); H04N 13/296 (2018.05); H04N 23/698 (2023.01); H04N 23/90 (2023.01); F03D 9/007 (2013.01); F03D 9/257 (2017.02); F05B 2270/804 (2013.01); H02S 10/12 (2014.12); Y02E 10/72 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated system for mitigating risk to a bird or bat from a wind turbine, the automated system comprising:
a plurality of optical imaging sensors attached to a tower supporting a wind turbine at a height above ground level and arranged with a combined field of view of about 360 degrees around the wind turbine; and
a controller configured to automatically receive and analyze images from the plurality of optical imaging sensors and to send a first signal to curtail operation of the wind turbine to a predetermined risk mitigating level when the controller determines from images received from the plurality of optical imaging sensors that an airborne animal is a bird or bat within a mitigation distance (R) surrounding the wind turbine,
wherein the controller subsequently automatically sends a second signal to resume normal operation of the wind turbine when the controller determines from additional images from the plurality of optical imaging sensors that the bird or bat is outside the mitigation distance R.