Abstract:
A method to deter pack rat nesting in a vehicle engine compartment, comprising illuminating said engine compartment between sunset and sun rise.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention is directed to an apparatus and method to deter pack rat nesting in the engine compartment of a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Pack rats are found in the Southwestern United States. They are collectors by nature and, when they see something they like they take it. In the same manner, if they see a parked car with a still warn engine on a cold winter&#39;s night, they are not adverse to crawling up under the hood and warming themselves. An additional attraction of a car&#39;s engine compartment is that while it is easily accessible to a pack rat it is not easily accessible to predators such as bobcats, coyotes, owls and snakes. If the car is returned to the same spot every night, packrats often build a nest under the hood. 
         [0003]    Pack Rats nesting under the hoods of cars is a problem in the Southwest, because they not only cause expensive damage to cars, but once they establish themselves in a car it is very difficult to get rid of them. When pack rat families build nests and move in under the hood of a car, the odor from their feces and urine lingers even after the nests are discovered, destroyed and the rats chased out. While not very noticeable to humans, this odor is easily detectable by other pack rats thereby advertising that car as a good place in which to nest. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Applicant&#39;s invention comprises a method to deter pack rat nesting in a vehicle engine compartment. The method provides a plurality of light emitting devices, disposes that plurality of light emitting devices within the engine compartment, energizes the plurality of light emitting devices after sunset, emits light by each of said plurality of light emitting devices while that light emitting device is energized, and discontinues energizing the plurality of light emitting devices after sun rise. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference designators are used to designate like elements, and in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a prospective view of a portion of a vehicle showing an engine compartment, an engine disposed in that engine compartment, and a hood element; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2A  is a block diagram showing one embodiment of Applicant&#39;s apparatus; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2B  is a block diagram showing an embodiment of Applicant&#39;s light emitting device; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of Applicant&#39;s apparatus; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  graphically displays a solar spectrum as received at the top of earth&#39;s atmosphere and a solar spectrum as received at sea level. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0011]    This invention is described in preferred embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0012]    The described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are recited to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0013]    Pack Rats nesting under the hoods of vehicles is a problem in the Southwest. A vehicle&#39;s engine compartment is easily accessible to a pack rat it, but is not easily accessible to predators such as bobcats, coyotes, owls and snakes. Pack rats tend to roam at night under the cover of darkness. Through centuries of adaptation, pack rats have evolved to be less mobile on moonlit nights. The light of the moon makes a pack rat more visible to predators. Many pack rat predators are also active at night. Examples include owls, bobcats, and snakes. 
         [0014]    Applicant has further discovered that illuminating an engine compartment during the nighttime hours dissuades pack rats from entering into that engine compartment, and nesting in that engine compartment. The illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows vehicle  100  comprising an engine compartment  110 , an engine  120  disposed in that engine compartment, and a hood  130  shown in the raised position. Light emitting device  140  is shown attached to raised hood  130  such that emitted light illuminates engine compartment  110 . 
         [0015]    The illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1  is not a preferred embodiment of Applicant&#39;s apparatus and method. Applicant has found that the emitted light  150  does not sufficiently illuminate engine compartment  110 . As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a modern vehicle engine comprises a plurality of parts, assemblies, and attached devices, such as and without limitation one or more batteries, window-washing fluid containers, coolant overflow containers, air conditioning units, smog control devices, and the like. Each of these assemblies/devices can effectively block the light energy  150 , and create shadowed areas within engine compartment  110 . Applicant has discovered that any confined space within an engine compartment  110  comprising a volume of about 125 cubic inches (an area roughly 5″×5″×5″), or greater, that remains shadowed or dark, remains a viable hiding/nesting place for pack rats. By “confined space,” Applicant means any contiguous space having an opening therein greater than or equal to about 30 square inches. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 2A , Applicant&#39;s apparatus  200  comprises a controller  210 , a photocell  220 , a plurality of light emitting devices  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270 , and a power source  280 . In certain embodiments, light emitting device  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270 , comprise light emitting diodes. In certain embodiments, light emitting device  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270 , comprise incandescent light bulbs. 
         [0017]    As those skilled in the art will appreciate, moon light is reflected sun light. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the spectrum of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun is identical to the spectrum of moon light. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , graph  400  shows a variety of spectra, including spectra  410 ,  420 , and  430 . Spectrum  410  comprises a plot of wavelength versus power for the electromagnetic radiation received from the sum at the top of Earth&#39;s atmosphere. Spectrum  420  comprises a plot of wavelength versus power for the electromagnetic radiation emitted by an object heated to 5250 degrees Celsius. Spectrum  430  comprises a plot of wavelength versus power for the electromagnetic radiation received from the sum at the Earth&#39;s surface. Spectra  410  and  430  show that the solar spectrum is continuous with dark lines, i.e. the famous Fraunhofer lines, such as: C line in dark red(H-alpha, 656 nm), orange D(Na, 589 nm), green E(Fe, 527 nm) and b1,b2(Mg, 518 nm), blue F(H-beta, 486 nm), purple G(Fe and Ca, 431 nm). 
         [0019]    The dark lines in the solar spectrum are caused by absorption by certain elements in the upper layers of the sun, and/or absorption by water and/or oxygen molecules in the Earth&#39;s atmosphere. TABLE 1 recites the origin of, and wavelength of, various of the Fraunhofer lines. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Designation 
                 Element 
                 Wavelength (nm) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 y 
                 
                   O 
                   
                     2 
                   
                 
                 898.765 
               
               
                   
                 Z 
                 O 2   
                 822.696 
               
               
                   
                 A 
                 O 2   
                 759.370 
               
               
                   
                 B 
                 O 2   
                 686.719 
               
               
                   
                 C 
                 
                   Hα 
                 
                 656.281 
               
               
                   
                 a 
                 O 2   
                 627.661 
               
               
                   
                 D 1   
                 
                   Na 
                 
                 589.592 
               
               
                   
                 D 2   
                 Na 
                 588.995 
               
               
                   
                 D 3  or d 
                 
                   He 
                 
                 587.5618 
               
               
                   
                 e 
                 
                   Hg 
                 
                 546.073 
               
               
                   
                 E 2   
                 
                   Fe 
                 
                 527.039 
               
               
                   
                 b 1   
                 
                   Mg 
                 
                 518.362 
               
               
                   
                 b 2   
                 Mg 
                 517.270 
               
               
                   
                 b 3   
                 Fe 
                 516.891 
               
               
                   
                 b 4   
                 Fe 
                 516.891 
               
               
                   
                 b 4   
                 Mg 
                 516.733 
               
               
                   
                 c 
                 Fe 
                 495.761 
               
               
                   
                 F 
                 Hβ 
                 486.134 
               
               
                   
                 d 
                 Fe 
                 466.814 
               
               
                   
                 e 
                 Fe 
                 438.355 
               
               
                   
                 G′ 
                 Hγ 
                 434.047 
               
               
                   
                 G 
                 Fe 
                 430.790 
               
               
                   
                 G 
                 
                   Ca 
                 
                 430.774 
               
               
                   
                 h 
                 Hδ 
                 410.175 
               
               
                   
                 H 
                 Ca +   
                 396.847 
               
               
                   
                 K 
                 Ca +   
                 393.368 
               
               
                   
                 L 
                 Fe 
                 382.044 
               
               
                   
                 N 
                 Fe 
                 358.121 
               
               
                   
                 P 
                 
                   Ti 
                   + 
                 
                 336.112 
               
               
                   
                 T 
                 Fe 
                 302.108 
               
               
                   
                 t 
                 
                   Ni 
                 
                 299.444 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 2B , in certain embodiments Applicant&#39;s light emitting device  230  comprises an optically transparent housing  232 , coating  234  disposed on the inner surface of that housing, and LED  236 . Coating  234  absorbs certain frequencies from the light produced by LED  236  such that the light emitted from device  230  closely mimics the spectrum of solar light, and therefore, mimics the spectrum of moon light. Applicant has found that use of such “moon light mimicking” irradiation most effectively invokes a pack rat&#39;s adaptation to avoid movement in moon light. 
         [0021]    In certain embodiments, Applicant&#39;s plurality of light emitting devices when energized emit electromagnetic energy comprising substantially all frequencies between about 250 nanometers and about 1500 nanometers. By “substantially all frequencies between about 250 nanometers and about 1500 nanometers, Applicant means a spectrum that mimics a portion of the solar spectrum of  FIG. 4 , i.e. a spectrum that includes a plurality of Fraunhofer Lines. 
         [0022]    Using Applicant&#39;s method, light emitting devices  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270 , are disposed within engine compartment  110 . In certain embodiments, light emitting devices are placed within engine compartment such that no areas within engine compartment  110  comprising a volume of about 125 cubic inches, or larger, are not illuminated by one or more of the light emitting devices  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and/or  270 . Using apparatus  200 , when photocell  220  provides a signal to controller  210  that darkness has fallen, controller  210  energizes light emitting devices  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270 . In certain embodiments, light emitting devices  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270 , emit the “moon light mimicking” irradiation described hereinabove. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , Applicant&#39;s apparatus  300  comprises a controller  310 , wherein that controller  310  comprises a recharging circuitry  319  and a plurality of rechargeable batteries, such as batteries  312  and  314 . The illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 3  shows two batteries disposed in controller  310 . In other embodiments, controller  310  comprises a single rechargeable battery. In still other embodiments, controller  310  comprises more than two rechargeable batteries. 
         [0024]    Controller  310  further comprises processor  318  and computer readable medium  315 . Instructions  316  are encoded in computer readable medium  315 . Processor  318  utilizes instructions  316  to perform Applicant&#39;s method described herein. Apparatus  300  further comprises a photovoltaic assembly  320 , and a plurality of light emitting devices  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270 . In other embodiments, apparatus  300  comprises fewer than five light emitting devices. In still other embodiments, apparatus  300  comprises more that five light emitting devices. In certain embodiments, one or more of the light emitting devices shown in  FIG. 3  comprises the elements shown in  FIG. 2B . 
         [0025]    As those skilled in the art will appreciate, photovoltaics comprise an apparatus and method using that apparatus to generate electricity using solar cells packaged in photovoltaic modules, often electrically connected in multiples as solar photovoltaic arrays to convert energy from the sun into electricity. 
         [0026]    By “photovoltaic,” Applicant means the unbiased operating mode of a photodiode in which current through the device is entirely due to the transduced light energy. Solar cells produce direct current electricity from light, which can be used to power equipment or to recharge a battery. 
         [0027]    In certain embodiments, photovoltaic assembly  320  requires protection from the environment, and is packaged behind a glass sheet. In certain embodiments, assembly  320  comprises a plurality of cells that are electrically connected together to form photovoltaic modules, or solar panels. In certain embodiments, photovoltaic assembly  320  comprises one or more photodiodes comprising thin film CdTe, CIGS, amorphous Si, microcrystalline Si, and the like. 
         [0028]    In certain embodiments, photovoltaic assembly  320  is placed in sunlight, produces electrical energy, and provides that electrical energy to controller  310 . Recharging circuitry  319  utilizes the electrical energy provided by photovoltaic assembly  320  to recharge batteries  312  and  314 . In certain embodiments, controller  310  comprises a pre-determined DC voltage threshold encoded in instructions  316 . When photovoltaic assembly  320  provides DC power comprising a voltage less than that threshold DC voltage, controller  310  energizes light emitting devices  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270 . 
         [0029]    Using Applicant&#39;s method, light emitting devices  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270 , are disposed within engine compartment  110 . In certain embodiments, light emitting devices are placed within engine compartment such that no areas within engine compartment  110  comprising a volume of about 125 cubic inches, or larger, are not illuminated by one or more of the light emitting devices  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and/or  270 . Using apparatus  300 , any time the ambient light is sufficiently dark such that the photovoltaic assembly  320  fails to generate electric power having a voltage greater than the threshold DC voltage, controller  310  energizes light emitting devices  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270 . In certain embodiments, light emitting devices  230 ,  240 ,  250 ,  260 , and  270 , emit the “moon light mimicking” irradiation described hereinabove. 
         [0030]    In certain embodiments, Applicant&#39;s invention includes instructions, such as instructions  124  ( FIG. 1 ), residing in computer readable medium, such as for example memory  121  ( FIG. 1  wherein those instructions are executed by a processor, such as processor  128  ( FIG. 1 ), to perform Applicant&#39;s method described herein. 
         [0031]    While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.