Patent ID: 9046080
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: F03D,F05B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A system for reducing the severity of collisions taking place between windmill or wind-turbine blades, rotors or vanes and flying birds or avian species or flying species comprising: a wind turbine or windmill having moving or rotating members such as rotating blades, rotors or vanes; at least one large-area inflatable component comprising an inflatable membrane, inflatable bag or inflatable cushion which is mounted to or attached to a portion of at least one such moving or rotating member, rotor or blade; an avian-species collision-analysis system capable of contributing to the triggering or inflation of one or more such inflatable components in response to a conclusion or its conclusion that a collision between a member and a bird is imminent, likely, possible or even happening; the inflatable component being rapidly inflated at least partially before any likely blade or member collision is initiated, the inflated component presenting a cushioned impact surface for the bird upon or during such collision; the cushioned impact ameliorating the severity of a collision and allowing for the bird to survive at least some collisions on its own or with human care; and the inflated bag being soon deflated or replaced so as not to unacceptably interfere with continued turbine operation, stability or reliability.