DE102017127168A1 - Protection device for the protection of flying objects against at least one wind turbine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a protective device (1) for protecting flying objects (3) against at least one wind energy plant (2) with at least one image acquisition unit (11), which is designed to detect the surroundings of at least one wind energy plant (2) at least in sections, wherein the Protection device (1) is designed to detect at least one flying object (3) in a captured image of the image capture unit (11), and with at least one distance measurement unit (13) which is formed a distance (A) to a detected flying object (3) , Preferably by means of a laser beam, wherein the protective device (1) is further formed from the detected distance (A) of the detected flying object (3) to the distance measuring unit (13) a distance (B) of the detected flying object (3) to the wind turbine (2) to determine, wherein the protective device (1) is further formed to detect whether the detected flying object (3) within ei At least one of the first predetermined distance (C) to the wind turbine (2) is or not, wherein the protective device (1) is further formed in response to a detected within the first predetermined distance (C) to the wind turbine (2) flying object (3) Signal for influencing the operation of at least the wind turbine (2), preferably directly to the wind turbine (2) output.

Description

The present invention relates to a protection device for the protection of flying objects against at least one wind turbine according to claim 1, a protection system with such a protection device according to claim 9 and a method for protecting flying objects against at least one wind turbine according to claim 15.

For the generation of regenerative electrical energy, wind power plants have been used for around 40 years now, converting the energy of the wind into electrical energy, in order to then feed it into a power grid. A collection of wind turbines is commonly referred to as a wind farm. Due to legal requirements and the promotion of the generation of regenerative electrical energy, this trend has seen a significant upswing in Germany since about 1990, so that today wind energy plants are widespread in Germany. This also applies to many other industrial and emerging countries worldwide. The wind turbines already make a significant contribution to the regenerative power supply and thus to environmental protection. The hub heights and the diameter of the rotor blades have been increasing in the course of increasing the performance of wind turbines, so that nowadays wind turbines with several megawatts (MW) of power at hub heights of over 150 m and rotor diameter of about 150 m are widespread ,

A disadvantage of the use of wind turbines, however, that they considered as visual impairment of the landscape image and or or the operating noise of the rotating rotor blades can be distracting.

A further disadvantage is that dangers may also arise for flying objects which approach a wind energy plant and in particular a wind farm.

On the one hand there is a risk that artificial flying objects such as e.g. Aircraft or helicopters can collide with a wind turbine. This is especially true at night or in restricted visibility due to e.g. Rain, fog, snowfall and the like. Therefore, wind turbines usually have optical warning devices, such as e.g. Warning lights and flashing lights in particular to make it more visible to artificial flying objects, so that the approach of the artificial flying object to the wind turbine of the pilot can be detected in time and a collision can be avoided.

As a result, although the security for air traffic and for the wind turbine can be increased. On the other hand, the constant flashing, especially in wind farms, however, people are perceived as disturbing. This can apply in particular at night. On the other hand, this may speak in favor of using such optical warning devices at all or at least continuously, in particular at night. Also, this may argue against building a wind turbine or even a wind farm near settlements.

On the other hand, there is the danger that natural flying objects such as e.g. Birds or bats can collide with a wind turbine. This applies in particular to raptors, which fly regularly in heights corresponding to the hub height or the effective range of the rotor, i. between about 75 m and about 225 m above the ground. Such a collision certainly leads to the death of the natural flying object, since the rotor blades have up to 25 t weight and can rotate at speeds measured at the tip of the rotor blades of up to approximately 400 km / h.

This can have a particularly negative effect on the population, especially in birds of prey, as most species of birds of prey usually can reach a relatively high age and raise relatively few offspring. Thus, the loss of a bird of prey killed by collision with a wind turbine can only be compensated by the population more slowly than in many other birds.

Looking more closely at this situation for Germany, almost half of all registered collision victims of wind turbines are birds of prey. Every year in Germany about 12,000 birds of prey are affected. In addition to the red kite, these birds of prey include the very rare lesser spotted eagle and the still widespread buzzard in Germany. In Brandenburg, for example, red-blooded losses are at the limit of affecting the entire population. This circumstance is of particular importance because more than half of all red kites breed in Germany worldwide. Thus, the collisions of red kites with wind turbines can jeopardize the conservation of this species of birds of prey altogether.

• https://www.deutschewildtierstiftung.de/naturschutz/windenergie-und-artenschutz).

In addition to the risk of collision with a wind turbine, there is also the problem that the differences in air pressure in front of and behind the rotor of a wind turbine can cause turbulence and pressure drops, which can lead to bursting of the lungs and other internal organs both in smaller birds and in bats. This is called barotrauma. In Germany is the victim of up to 250,000 bats per year for wind turbines. Thus, a wind turbine within a certain radius may result in the death of smaller birds and bats even if there is no collision with the wind turbine. In this way, in particular in the vicinity of a wind farm, entire habitats for smaller birds and / or for bats can become uninhabitable (source:

• https://www.deutschewildtierstiftung.de/naturschutz/windenergie-und-artenschutz).

An object of the present invention is to provide a way to better protect flying objects from wind turbines. In particular, artificial flying objects should be able to be protected against collisions with wind turbines, without disturbing the environment. Additionally or alternatively, natural flying objects should be better protected than previously known from collisions with wind turbines and / or before the turbulence and pressure drops that can be caused by a wind turbine. At least alternatives to previously known protection options are to be created.

The object is achieved by a protective device with the features of claim 1, by a protective system with the features of claim 9 and by a method having the features of claim 15. Advantageous developments are described in the subclaims.

Thus, the present invention relates to a protection device for the protection of flying objects against at least one wind turbine. These may be natural flying objects, e.g. Birds, especially birds of prey, or bats. These can also be artificial flying objects such as e.g. Be airplanes, helicopters or drones. The protection device can exert its effect on a wind turbine, on several wind turbines or on all wind turbines of a wind farm. The protection device may be a self-contained device, which is preferably arranged with all the components within a housing, so that a compact and central protection device can be provided. However, the protective device can also be spatially distributed with its components, so that a plurality of individual components, which together can produce the desired protective effect, interact and thus can represent a common protective device in the functional sense.

The protective device has at least one image capture unit which is designed to detect the surroundings of at least one wind turbine at least in sections. The image acquisition unit can be designed to optically capture this environment in the form that corresponds to the perception of the human eye, which should be referred to as a real image. Additionally or alternatively, the image capture unit may be configured to detect the environment as a thermal image, as will be explained in more detail below. If one of these two types of image acquisition is used, then the image acquisition unit can also be configured merely to acquire a real image or a thermal image. If the image acquisition unit is to enable both types of image acquisition, the image acquisition unit can each have a unit for capturing a real image and a unit for capturing a thermal image, which together form the image capture unit. Also, a single image capture unit can be used, which can capture by means of a device both real images and thermal images alternatively or simultaneously.

If required, several image acquisition units may also be present within the scope of the protection device. These can preferably detect different sections of the environment of at least one wind turbine, so that the environment of the wind turbine can be detected more completely or even completely by the combination of the detected different sections. In this case, the detected different sections can adjoin one another and / or partially overlap in order to ensure that the most complete possible optical detection of the surroundings of at least one wind energy plant can take place. Alternatively, an image acquisition unit capable of fully surrounding the environment of the wind turbine, i. 360 °, to capture. Also, an image capture unit can detect the environment of multiple wind turbines. Likewise, several image acquisition units can optically capture the surroundings of several wind energy plants, at least in sections.

The image acquisition of the environment of at least one wind turbine is preferably continuous, it also being possible to capture the image and thus the use of the protective device only at predetermined times and / or to predetermined circumstances such as e.g. depending on the weather conditions. Also, the use of the protection device can be specified externally by a user and in particular be started and stopped.

The protection device is designed to detect at least one flying object in a captured image of the image acquisition unit. For this purpose, the image capture unit can be a real image and / or a Thermal image of at least a portion of the environment of at least one wind turbine optically detect, which is possible with known sensors and methods of optical image capture. The captured image may then be processed with image processing techniques such that a flying object can be detected in the captured image. This can be referred to as object recognition. The preferably applicable criteria for this will be described below.

The image recognition of the flying object can be carried out by the image acquisition unit itself, so that the image acquisition unit can both capture and evaluate the image. The result of the image recognition can then be output by the image acquisition unit. Alternatively, the image recognition of the flying object may also be located elsewhere within the protection device, such as e.g. in a control unit such that the captured image is captured by the image capture unit for further processing, i. for image recognition, can be output. The result of the image recognition may then be e.g. be output from the control unit.

The protection device also has a distance measuring unit, which is designed to detect a distance to a detected flying object, preferably by means of a laser beam. It also applies to the distance measuring unit that it can be spatially arranged together with the image capture unit, so that the distance measuring unit can preferably be aligned in the direction of the image capture and carried along with the image capture unit. In other words, the image capture unit and the distance measurement unit can be arranged fixedly to one another and directed to a target to be detected in common, such as e.g. a flying object to be aligned, so that the optical axis of the distance measuring unit a recognized in the captured image flying object can be tracked as simple, fast and direct. In this way, the distance of the detected flying object to the distance measuring unit can be detected as quickly as possible, so that a rapid effect of the protective device can be promoted thereby.

Alternatively, the distance measuring unit and the image processing unit can also be spatially separated and arranged relative to each other, but functionally as part of a common protection device through their interaction. In this way, different units, e.g. used by different manufacturers, which can each be optimally designed for their function. Also, independently formed units can be more easily replaced to replace a damaged unit or to renew an outdated unit.

The protective device is further configured to determine from the detected distance of the detected flying object to the distance measuring unit a distance of the detected flying object to the wind turbine. This can result from the geometric relationships that can arise depending on the design of the protective device and depending on the application.

For example, the distance measuring device can be arranged on, on or in the wind energy plant, so that the distance between the detected flying object and the wind energy plant can be determined from the detected distance. Preferably, in this case, the distance of the detected flying object to the distance measuring unit can be easily equated with the distance of the detected flying object to the wind turbine, as this be sufficient to achieve the protective effect of the invention and a conversion of the detected distance of the detected flying object to the distance measuring unit in the specific distance of the detected Flying object for wind turbine can be avoided. This can speed up the process of achieving the effect of the protection device.

Alternatively, the distance measuring device can be arranged independently of the wind turbine and spatially spaced so that the distance between the distance measuring unit and the wind turbine and the orientation of the distance measuring unit both the detected flying object and the wind turbine must be considered to the distance of the detected flying object to Wind turbine to determine.

The protection device is further configured to detect whether the detected flying object is within a first predetermined distance to the wind turbine or not. In other words, the protection device is able to compare the determined distance of the detected flying object to the wind turbine with the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine and to judge whether the determined distance of the detected flying object to the wind turbine is less than the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine. In this case, the detected flying object is within a range of the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine. However, if the determined distance of the detected flying object to the wind turbine is equal to or greater than the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine, so is the detected flying object outside the range of the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine.

The protection device is further configured to output at least one signal for influencing the operation of at least one wind power plant, preferably directly to the wind power plant, in response to a flying object detected within the first predetermined distance from the wind energy plant. This signal may be an instruction to at least the wind turbine to change its operation. Also, the signal may be information that can be interpreted by the wind turbine so that a change in the operation of at least the wind turbine takes place. In each case, several wind turbines and even the entire wind farm can be influenced in their operation by the signal of the protection device. The possibilities for influencing the operation will be described in more detail below.

The present invention is based on the finding that flying objects which are within the range of the first predetermined distance to the wind power plant can be endangered by the wind energy plant, as described above. If this is detected by the protective device according to the invention in time, preferably as directly as possible when entering the flying object in the range of the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine, so the operation of the wind turbine can be adapted to this circumstance. This area of the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine can also be referred to as a corridor, protective corridor or as a protection zone. As a result, the risk to the flying object can be reduced by the wind turbine and excluded as completely as possible. In the case of natural flying objects, it is possible in particular to achieve relief of nature conservation-relevant zones.

However, if no flying object is within the first predetermined distance to the wind power plant, then there is no danger for the flying object and the wind turbine can be operated without the restrictions caused thereby. Thus, the protective effect of the invention can be achieved without affecting the operation of the wind turbine more than immediately required and in particular to limit.

In this case, to carry out an optical recognition of a flying object can be advantageous in that by means of the currently available technologies of the image acquisition units both real images and thermal images can be acquired over long distances with a sufficient quality of the captured images, so that even for small flying objects such. For birds and bats reliable detection at a sufficiently large distance from the image capture unit or the wind turbine can be made possible and even such small flying objects can be protected according to the invention. This also applies to very fast flying objects such as e.g. for airplanes. At the same time, such image acquisition units and distance measuring units are now comparatively inexpensive, even at high quality, so that a protective device according to the invention can also be economically produced and used in order to realize the protective effect according to the invention.

The first predetermined distance to the wind turbine is to be selected in such a way that depending on the application and desired influencing the operation of the wind turbine, the effect of the influence can be safely achieved before the flying object would have reached the wind turbine. For this purpose, the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine can be permanently fixed, which can simplify the implementation of the protection device according to the invention. Alternatively, the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine may also be e.g. predetermined by a user and / or changed so that the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine can be adjusted manually, e.g. due to changed circumstances of the use case. The change of the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine can be done from outside the wind turbine or from outside the wind farm.

Alternatively, the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine may also be variable by the protection device, e.g. Depending on the time of day, day of the week, season and / or depending on weather conditions, visibility conditions and the like to adjust the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine of the situation automatically. In particular, a lesser first predetermined distance to the wind power plant may be sufficient during the day in clear visibility conditions in order to influence the operation of the wind power plant accordingly when a flying object is detected approaching. However, on days with fog, rain or snow and / or at dusk or at night, a larger first predetermined distance to the wind turbine may be required to appropriately affect the operation of the wind turbine upon a detected approach of a flying object. Also, different first predetermined distances to the wind turbine can be applied for different flying objects.

The corresponding information such as time and day can be provided by the protection device and / or by the wind turbine. Weather-specific data can be detected by the protection device and / or by the wind turbine. Weather-specific data can also be recorded centrally for the wind farm and made available to some or all of the wind turbines and / or at least to the protection device. Also, weather-specific data from outside the wind turbine or from outside the wind farm can be made available eg via a wireless or via a wired data connection.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the flying object is a natural flying object, preferably a bird, preferably a bird of prey, or a bat, which can be recognized on the basis of silhouette, trajectory and / or heat, influencing at least the operation of the wind turbine leads to a standstill of the hub of the wind turbine. Under the silhouette is the outer contour of a flying object to understand, which is usually more distinct from the background of a captured image and thus easier and faster to recognize and assign than the entire body of the flying object. The trajectory is understood to mean the movement of the flying object in the air, which on the one hand may be different and thus distinguishable for natural and artificial flying objects and on the other hand may also allow the distinction between natural flying objects. Silhouette and flight image can be very typical of natural flying objects, so that detection or classification based on this information can be made easier and more reliable. This can apply accordingly for artificial flying objects. In addition to the intensity of the heat, the heat of a flying object is understood to mean its distribution via the flying object or its arrangement on the flying object. Thus, due to their mass, natural flying objects can be distinguished in their heat from artificial flying objects as well as among themselves. In artificial flying objects, e.g. the arrangement of the engines such as nozzles or propellers and thus local comparatively strong warming detected and this thereby be distinguishable both from natural flying objects and with each other.

In other words, an approach of a natural flying object can be recognized according to the invention and, when the first predetermined distance to the wind energy installation, such as the wind turbine, falls short of the first predetermined distance. A deceleration of the hub of the wind turbine can be initiated 1,500 m, so that the rotor blades can be brought to a standstill. Preferably, the first predetermined distance, depending on the light and weather conditions, depending on the application and depending on the natural flying object to be selected such that due to the usual speed of the detected natural flying object from falling below the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine at a further direct approximation of natural flying object to the wind turbine whose rotor blades completely stand still, if the natural flying object would have achieved this.

It can thereby be achieved that collisions with natural flying objects, in particular with birds of prey, as well as killings of natural flying objects, in particular smaller birds and / or bats, can be reduced or even completely eliminated. The above-mentioned numbers of birds of prey and bats killed by wind turbines can thus be reduced, which can contribute greatly to environmental protection, especially in endangered species. Thus, habitats which are no longer or scarcely usable by wind turbines and, in particular, by wind farms for natural flying objects, can be reused for the natural flying objects. Also, wind turbines and in particular wind farms can be built, where this was previously not allowed for reasons of environmental protection in favor of the natural flying objects. This can increase the acceptance of wind turbines. The further expansion of the wind turbines can also increase their contribution to the generation of renewable electrical energy and thus the contribution of wind turbines to environmental protection. At the same time, the operation of the wind turbines can only be influenced and interrupted if and only if a natural flying object within the protective corridor is detected. Otherwise, the operation can be unaffected.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the flying object is an artificial flying object, preferably an aircraft, a helicopter or a drone, which can be recognized on the basis of the silhouette, the trajectory and / or the heat, wherein influencing the operation of the wind turbine at least an operation of at least one optical warning device, preferably at least one warning light, particularly preferably at least one flashing light leads.

According to the invention can be achieved in this way that previously known optical warning devices do not need to be operated as a precaution consistently in the event of a possible approach of an artificial flying object, which can disturb the environment and especially people at night especially. Rather, optical, in particular at night via a thermal imaging unit, the approach of an artificial flying object to the wind turbine, to multiple wind turbines or to a wind farm via a suitable choice of the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine so timely be recognized that the optical warning device is operated exactly when it is necessary for the wind turbine can draw attention to itself. As a result, the protective effect, which is to be caused by the optical warning device relative to the artificial flying object, as previously known be achieved. At the same time, however, the use of the optical warning device can be limited to the situations in which an artificial flying object actually has to be warned. Otherwise it is possible to dispense with the operation of the optical warning device and relieve the environment from this. This can increase the acceptance of wind turbines and lead to the construction of wind turbines and in particular of wind farms in the vicinity of settlements, where due to the constant flashing of the optical warning devices this was rejected by the local residents and / or was not approved by the authorities. This can at the same time spare the visual warning device and thus extend its service life.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the protection device is further configured to maintain the influence of the operation of the wind turbine at least as long as the detected flying object is within the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine. This makes it possible to maintain the effect described above as long as the detected flying object is within the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine. Thereby, the effect achieved thereby can be maintained as long as it is necessary to avert the danger to the flying object.

Conversely, the influencing of the operation of the wind turbine can preferably be canceled as soon as the detected flying object leaves the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine again, so that the influence of the invention of the operation of the wind turbine must not be made longer than absolutely necessary. This can be advantageous, in particular, in the case of an interruption of operation of the wind power plant by a recognized natural flying object, because then the generation of regenerative electrical energy can be resumed as quickly as possible.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the protection device is further configured to maintain the influence of the operation of the wind turbine at least for a predetermined period of time after the detected flying object is no longer within the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine. In this way, it can be avoided that there is a repetitive change of influencing and non-influencing of the operation of at least the wind energy plant, if the flying object reaches the area of the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine, leaves again and then reached again, etc. The predetermined period can eg 15 minutes.

This may be the case, in particular, for natural flying objects which are located at the edge of the area of the first predetermined distance to the wind energy plant, and e.g. often change direction when hunting. If, whenever the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine is undershot, its operation would be affected and the influence on each leaving the area of the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine would be removed, this could lead to frequent and unnecessary switching between influencing and not influencing the operation at least the wind turbine come. This could lead to a multiple change between braking and starting at least the wind turbine, which can be stressful for the components of the wind turbine and reduce their life.

To avoid this, the influence of the operation of the wind turbine can be maintained at least for a predetermined period of time after the detected flying object is no longer within the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine, i. after the detected flying object has left the area of the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine again. In this way, a time delay of the cancellation of the influence of the operation of the wind turbine can be effected, so that the influence of the operation of the wind turbine is only canceled if a re-influencing the operation of the wind turbine is not expected immediately afterwards.

The suspension of the influence of the operation of the wind turbine can preferably be achieved by a corresponding signal of the protection device or by the fact that the signal for influencing the operation of the wind turbine is no longer sent. Also, the transmission of information which leads from the wind turbine to influence the operation of the wind turbine, omitted or an information is sent, which leads from the wind turbine to cancel the influence on the operation of the wind turbine.

In other words, it can be waited for the predetermined time period, whether the detected flying object remains outside the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine, from which it can be concluded that the flying object continue to be outside the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine and possibly even further will remove from the wind turbine. Only then can the influence on the operation of the wind energy plant be reversed and, in particular in the case of a recognized natural flying object, the wind power plant be brought back into operation because it can be assumed that this state can now be maintained for a sufficiently long time, so that this effort is worthwhile.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the protection device is further configured to detect whether or not the detected flying object is within a second predetermined distance to the wind turbine, the second predetermined distance to the wind turbine being greater than the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine, wherein the Protective device is further configured to cancel the influence of the operation of the wind turbine only when the detected flying object is no longer within the second predetermined distance to the wind turbine. In this way, as an alternative or in addition to the above-described time-delayed cancellation of influencing the operation of the wind turbine, the suspension of influencing the operation of the wind turbine can only or additionally be done when the flying object is outside the second predetermined distance to the wind turbine , From this it can be concluded that the flying object is now sufficiently far away from the wind power plant, so that the flying object will continue to be outside the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine and possibly even further away from the wind turbine. As a result, the advantages described above can be achieved additionally or alternatively.

Also with regard to the second predetermined distance to the wind turbine applies as for the first predetermined distance that this can be selected depending on external circumstances and depending on the application and / or changed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the image capture unit is designed to capture a real image and / or to capture a thermal image. As already described above, these images can be used alternatively or in combination to form a flying object, e.g. based on the silhouette, the trajectory and / or the heat to recognize. With regard to the image recognition or with respect to the object recognition respectively, the methods which are most suitable and applicable for the image type can be used to successfully and quickly perform the recognition.

Capturing a thermal image may be advantageous in that it can be done both during the day and at night, so that the use of the inventive protective device around the clock, i. regardless of the brightness, may be possible. This can be particularly advantageous when bats are to be protected as natural flying objects and artificial flying objects from wind turbines. Furthermore, a thermal imaging unit may also be used in poor visibility conditions, e.g. can be caused by rain, snow and fog, are used more reliably than an image capture unit to capture a real image.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the protective device has at least one transmitting unit, preferably at least one transmitting / receiving unit, which is designed to transmit at least the signal for influencing the operation of the wind turbine wirelessly. In this way, a transmission of the signal to the wind turbine or to several wind turbines can be done without it requires a cable or the like. This can be particularly advantageous if the protective device is arranged spatially spaced from the wind turbine. In this case, the wireless signal transmission may be particularly advantageous if the site of the protection device is to be changed, since in this case a misplaced and especially a permanently installed cable for signal transmission could be very cumbersome.

But even if the protection device is arranged on, on or in the wind turbine, a wireless signal transmission can be advantageous, because even then can be dispensed with a corresponding cable. In particular, if the protective device is retrofitted in a wind turbine, wireless signal transmission may be advantageous because a subsequent arrangement of a cable for signal transmission can be very cumbersome. In particular, it might be very cumbersome to retrospectively route a cable, e.g. to provide through the shell of the nacelle of the wind turbine to be able to lead a cable for signal transmission from the protection device into the interior of the wind turbine.

As a transmitting and receiving unit, this can at least one in addition to the transmission of the signal to influence the operation Wind turbine also receive signals. For example, a response from the wind turbine can be received that the signal was received there at all. Also, a feedback of the wind turbine can be received that the influence of the operation was initiated there and / or successfully completed. Furthermore, information such as time information and weather data from the protection device can be received, for example, to adjust the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine, as previously described.

The present invention also relates to a protection system for protecting flying objects against at least one wind turbine, with at least one wind turbine and with at least one protection device as described above. In this way, an implementation of the protection options according to the invention in a wind turbine can be done. The protection system may also include a protection device and a plurality of wind turbines, in particular all wind turbines of a wind farm. In this case, the protective device can be arranged on, on or in the wind power plant or spatially separated from the wind turbine, as already described above.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the protection device is arranged on the wind turbine, preferably on or on a nacelle and / or on or on a hub of the wind turbine. As a result, the protection device can be arranged as directly as possible where the monitoring of the area around the wind energy plant is to take place. Also, the protection device can be better protected against theft than in a spatially separated installation, e.g. at a remote forest or field edge, especially at a ground level arrangement there. Furthermore, the signal transmission can take place over a comparatively short distance, so that either a wireless signal transmission with lower power and / or with a more reliable transmission path can take place. Furthermore, at a comparatively short distance, a wired signal transmission can take place, which can be most reliable as a transmission path. Also, a wired signal transmission can be relatively data-safe, since the signal can not be received by third parties and / or changed or replaced, which could lead to data theft or to a manipulation of the protective device.

It may be particularly advantageous to arrange the protective device on or on a nacelle and / or on or on a hub of the wind turbine, so that the protective device is located approximately at the level above the ground on which the flying objects to be protected are to be expected , This can simplify the detection and recognition of the flying objects and / or accelerate and thus increase the safety of the flying objects.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the image sensing unit and the distance measuring unit are adapted to detect at least a portion in front of a tip of a hub in the direction of the rotational axis. In this way, these units of the protection device can be aligned in the direction from which an approximation of, in particular, natural flying objects with the wind direction is most likely to be expected. Thus, the effort to implement the protection device can be kept as low as possible by focusing the monitoring of flying objects and in particular natural flying objects focused on this area and further technical effort to monitor the remaining areas around the wind turbine around is omitted. By increasing the efficiency of the protective device, this can be implemented more for this purpose.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the protection device is arranged spatially separated from the wind energy plant. In this way, a monitoring of the area around the wind turbine around with as possible a single protection device, so that monitoring as possible around the wind turbine on particular artificial flying objects can be done. By increasing the efficiency of the protective device, this can be implemented more for this purpose.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the protective device, preferably by means of a frame, arranged elevated relative to a substrate of the wind turbine. Also in this case, the spatial separation of protection device and wind turbine, the protection device can be raised as possible at the level above the ground on which the flying objects to be protected are to be expected. This can simplify the detection and recognition of the flying objects and / or accelerate and thus increase the safety of the flying objects. This can also cause theft protection for the protection device.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the protective device, preferably by means of an alignment unit, relative to a base of the wind turbine at least about a vertical axis and / or about a vertical axis movable, preferably pivotally formed. This can be achieved that the protective device is not aligned in one direction only but can change its angle about a vertical axis and / or about a vertical axis. This can make it possible for the protective device to be aligned with a detected or detected flying object, for example, in order to be able to carry out the distance measurement. This may be the case if a larger area can be detected by the image capture unit than by the distance measurement unit. The alignment unit can be arranged, for example, between a substrate or a frame and the protective device in order to be able to move the protective device relative to the substrate or the frame. Implementing this via pivoting movements can be simple and reliable.

• • Erfassen der Umgebung wenigstens einer Windenergieanlage zumindest abschnittsweise mit wenigstens einer Bilderfassungseinheit,
• • Erkennen wenigstens eines Flugobjekts in einem erfassten Bild der Bilderfassungseinheit,
• • Erfassen eines Abstands zu einem erkannten Flugobjekt mittels wenigstens einer Entfernungsmessungseinheit,
• • Bestimmen eines Abstands des erkannten Flugobjekts zur Windenergieanlage aus dem erfassten Abstand des erkannten Flugobjekts zur Entfernungsmessungseinheit,
• • Erkennen, ob sich das erkannte Flugobjekt innerhalb eines ersten vorbestimmten Abstands zur Windenergieanlage befindet oder nicht, und
• • in Reaktion auf ein innerhalb des ersten vorbestimmten Abstands zur Windenergieanlage erkanntes Flugobjekt, Ausgeben wenigstens eines Signals zur Beeinflussung des Betriebs der Windenergieanlage, vorzugsweise direkt an die Windenergieanlage.

The present invention also relates to a method for protecting flying objects against at least one wind turbine with at least the following steps:

• Detecting the environment of at least one wind turbine at least in sections with at least one image acquisition unit,
• Detecting at least one flying object in a captured image of the image acquisition unit,
• Detecting a distance to a detected flying object by means of at least one distance measuring unit,
• Determining a distance of the detected flying object to the wind turbine from the detected distance of the detected flying object to the distance measuring unit,
• Detecting whether the detected flying object is within a first predetermined distance to the wind turbine or not, and
• In response to a detected within the first predetermined distance to the wind turbine flying object, outputting at least one signal to influence the operation of the wind turbine, preferably directly to the wind turbine.

By means of such a protective method, which can preferably be implemented by means of a protective device according to the invention but also with other means and devices, the properties and advantages described above with reference to the protective device according to the invention can be realized as a method or the protective device according to the invention can be operated.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Schutzvorrichtung;
• 2 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung einer bekannten Windenergieanlage;
• 3 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzsystems gemäß eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels in einer ersten Situation mit einem natürlichen Flugobjekt;
• 4 die Darstellung der 3 in einer zweiten Situation mit dem natürlichen Flugobjekt;
• 5 die Darstellung der 3 in einer dritten Situation mit dem natürlichen Flugobjekt;
• 6 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzsystems gemäß eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels in der ersten Situation mit dem natürlichen Flugobjekt;
• 7 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzsystems gemäß des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels in der dritten Situation mit einem künstlichen Flugobjekt; und
• 8 eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Schutzsystems gemäß des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels in der dritten Situation mit dem künstlichen Flugobjekt.

Several embodiments and further advantages of the invention will be explained below in connection with the following figures. It shows:

• 1 a schematic representation of a protective device according to the invention;
• 2 a schematic perspective view of a known wind turbine;
• 3 a schematic perspective view of a protection system according to the invention according to a first embodiment in a first situation with a natural flying object;
• 4 the representation of 3 in a second situation with the natural flying object;
• 5 the representation of 3 in a third situation with the natural flying object;
• 6 a schematic perspective view of a protection system according to the invention according to a second embodiment in the first situation with the natural flying object;
• 7 a schematic perspective view of a protection system according to the invention according to the first embodiment in the third situation with an artificial flying object; and
• 8th a schematic perspective view of a protection system according to the invention according to the second embodiment in the third situation with the artificial flying object.

The above figures are considered in Cartesian coordinates. It extends a longitudinal direction X , which also as depth X can be designated. Perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X extends a transverse direction Y , which also as width Y can be designated. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X as well as to the transverse direction Y extends a vertical direction Z , which also as height Z can be designated.

1 shows a schematic representation of a protective device according to the invention 1 , The protection device 1 serves to protect flying objects 3 opposite at least one wind turbine 2 , as will be explained in more detail below. The protection device 1 has a housing 10 on which the components of the protective device 1 absorbs. The protection device 1 has an image capture unit 11 on, which as a thermal imaging unit 11 is designed to capture thermal images. The thermal imaging unit 11 has a lens 12 on. The protection device 1 further comprises a distance measuring unit 13 on, which by means of a laser beam, a distance to a flying object 3 can capture. The distance measuring unit 13 also has a lens 14 on. Furthermore, the protection device 1 a control unit 15 on which as well computer unit 15 or as a data processing unit 15 can be designated. Furthermore, the protection device 1 a transmitting / receiving unit 18 for wireless transmission and reception of signals. The protection device 1 also has a signal input / output 19 for wired sending and receiving of signals. The control unit 1 is signal transmitting via cable with the thermal imaging unit 11 , with the distance measuring unit 13 , with the transmitting / receiving unit 18 and connected to the signal input / output 19.

As will be explained in more detail below by way of example, by means of the protection device 1 the protection of flying objects 3 opposite at least one wind turbine 2 be improved. For this purpose, by means of the thermal imaging unit 11 the environment of at least one wind turbine 2 at least in sections continuously recorded. Due to the ability of the image capture unit 11 this can be done regardless of the time of day as well as weather and visibility conditions for the acquisition of thermal images. In a captured image of the image acquisition unit 11 can then by process of image or object recognition by the control unit 15 a flying object 3 be recognized. Becomes a flying object in a current captured image 3 detected, so by means of the distance measuring unit 13 a distance A to the detected flying object 3 detected by a laser beam. A possibly required alignment of the distance measuring unit 13 in height and / or in the page is based on the first embodiment of the 3 to 5 will be explained below.

Is the distance A the distance measuring unit 13 to the detected flying object 3 This can be detected by the distance measuring unit 13 to the control unit 15 be transmitted so that there are geometric relationships from the detected distance A of the recognized flying object 3 to the distance measuring unit 13 a distance B of the recognized flying object 3 to the wind energy plant 2 can be determined. On the part of the control unit 15 then can the given distance B of the recognized flying object 3 to the wind energy plant 2 with a first predetermined distance C to the wind energy plant 2 be compared. This comparison makes it possible to detect whether the detected flying object 3 within the range of the first predetermined distance C to the wind energy plant 2 of eg 1,500 m, which may be referred to as a protective corridor, or not.

If this is the case, then the part of the control unit 15 via the transmitting / receiving unit 18 and / or via the signal input / output 19 at least one signal for influencing the operation of at least the wind turbine 2 be issued, which is preferably directly to the wind turbine 2 , happens to the implementation of influencing the operation by the affected wind turbine 2 to accelerate. Two ways of influencing the operation of a wind turbine 2 will be described below on the basis of 3 to 8th described.

2 shows a schematic perspective view of a known wind turbine 2 , The wind turbine 2 has a tower 20 on, with them on a surface 4 is arranged, which usually the earth's surface 4 represents. On the tower 20 is a gondola 21 stored. The gondola 21 has, inter alia, a generator, a brake and a transmission, which are connected to each other via a shaft (not shown). At the gondola 21 is a hub by means of the shaft 23 arranged so that the hub 23 around a rotation axis R , which corresponds to the axis of the shaft, relative to the nacelle 21 can turn. The hub 23 has a tip 25 on which on the rotation axis R at the very front, ie in operation a wind W facing, is arranged. From the hub 23 extend several rotor blades 24 radially from the axis of rotation R path. When in the 2 illustrated wind turbine 2 are three rotor blades 24 present, which in the circumferential direction equally spaced from each other, ie offset from one another in each case by 120 °, are arranged. At the top of the gondola 21 is an optical warning device 26 in the form of a warning light 26 as a flashing light 26 arranged.

The gondola 21 is via a wind direction tracking unit 22 with the upper end of the tower 20 connected to the gondola 21 and with it the hub 23 with the rotor blades 24 in the direction of the incoming wind W can be aligned. In this state shows the axis of rotation R the hub 23 as direct as possible in the direction from which the wind W on the wind turbine 2 flows in and the rotor blades 24 drives.

3 shows a schematic perspective view of a protection system according to the invention 1 . 2 according to a first embodiment in a first situation with a natural flying object 3a , 4 shows the representation of 3 in a second situation with the natural flying object 3a , 5 shows the representation of 3 in a third situation with the natural flying object 3a , The protection system 1 . 2 has in the embodiments considered a protection device according to the invention 1 according to the 1 as well as a known wind energy plant 2 according to the 2 on.

According to the first embodiment of the protection system 1 . 2 the 3 to 5 and 7 is the protection device 1 opposite the Wind turbine 2 arranged spatially spaced. To the protection device 1 and in particular, its thermal imaging unit 11 and their distance measuring unit 13 closer in height Z to the axis of rotation R the wind turbine 2 bringing forward is the fender 1 on a rack 16 arranged, which in turn on the ground 4 is set up. The protection device 1 is by means of an alignment unit 17 on the upper end of the frame 16 arranged to the protection device 1 both to a vertical axis and about a vertical axis to move and in particular to be able to pivot, so that the protective device 1 opposite a flying object 3 can be aligned. This may be useful or necessary for distance measurement if necessary.

In the 3 to 6 becomes as a flying object 3 a natural flying object 3a in the form of a bird of prey 3a considered. First, the bird of prey 3a by means of 3 to 5 in three situations using the protection system 1 . 2 be considered according to the first embodiment.

In the presentation of the 3 approaches the bird of prey 3a with the wind W the wind turbine 2 at the height Z the rotor blades 24 the wind turbine 2 , The protection device 1 is arranged and aligned so that the area in front of the hub 23 the wind turbine 2 especially in height Z the rotor blades 24 the wind turbine 2 by means of the thermal imaging unit 11 can be detected optically continuously. Therefore, the bird of prey gets 3a Also in this area, which can also be referred to as a protective corridor. Accordingly, the bird of prey becomes 3a on the part of the control unit 15 in the captured image of the thermal imaging unit 11 eg due to its heat and at least as a natural flying object 3a , if necessary even as a bird of prey 3a or as a certain type of bird of prey 3a such as as red kite, recognized and as a protected flying object 3a classified. The protection device 1 is on the recognized bird of prey 3a by means of the alignment unit 17 aligned so that a measurement of the distance A of the bird of prey 3a to the distance measuring unit 13 can be done.

From the measured distance A of the bird of prey 3a to the distance measuring unit 13 is then on the part of the control unit 15 the distance B of the bird of prey 3a to the wind energy plant 2 certainly. Then the determined distance B of the bird of prey 3a to the wind energy plant 2 on the part of the control unit 15 with the first predetermined distance C to the wind energy plant 2 compared. This comparison leads in the first situation of 3 to the conclusion that the bird of prey 3a outside the first predetermined distance C to the wind energy plant 2 located. Thus, the operation of the wind turbine 2 unchanged with regard to the protection device 1 continued while the protection device 1 the flight of the bird of prey 3a follows and continuously the distance A of the bird of prey 3a to the distance measuring unit 13 measures the distance B of the bird of prey 3a to the wind energy plant 2 determined and the determined distance B of the bird of prey 3a to the wind energy plant 2 with the first predetermined distance C to the wind energy plant 2 compares. Further, the protective corridor becomes through the protection device 1 parallel to other flying objects 3 supervised.

Now the situation of the 4 a, that the bird of prey 3a the wind turbine 2 as far as that approaches the given distance B of the bird of prey 3a to the wind energy plant 2 less than the first predetermined distance C to the wind energy plant 2 is, this is done by the control unit 15 detected and in response thereto, a signal from the transmitting / receiving unit 18 as wireless communication K to the wind turbine 2 sent to affect its operation and received there. This signal provides an instruction to the wind turbine 2 stop operating immediately. This can eg by pressing the brake of the nacelle 21 , by adjusting the rotor blades 24 relative to the hub 23 and / or by unscrewing the hub 23 from the wind direction W through the wind direction tracking unit 22 respectively. In this case, the signal is sent by the protection device 1 and implementing the instructed influencing the operation of the wind turbine 2 so fast enough that the wind turbine 2 no more collision with the bird of prey 3a cause this should continue directly to the wind turbine 2 to fly.

In this second situation the 4 becomes the bird of prey 3a continue from the protection device 1 detected, detected and in terms of its distance A to the wind energy plant 2 supervised. This is the standstill of the wind turbine 2 maintained as long as the bird of prey 3a within the first predetermined distance C to the wind energy plant 2 staying. On the other hand, however, the situation of the 5 come in that the bird of prey 3a again so far from the wind turbine 2 removes that distance A to the wind energy plant 2 although greater than the first predetermined distance C to the wind energy plant 2 is, the bird of prey 3a however, within a range of a second predetermined distance D to the wind energy plant 2 located. In this case, the standstill of the wind turbine 2 still be maintained until the bird of prey 3a also the range of the second predetermined distance D to the wind energy plant 2 has left again, cf. 3 because within the range of the second predetermined distance D to Wind turbine 2 there is still a sufficiently high probability that the bird of prey 3a but again the wind turbine 2 so far as to approach the range of the first predetermined distance again C to the wind energy plant 2 would arrive. In this case, the wind turbine, which without the consideration of the second distance D to the wind energy plant 2 already started again or would be at startup, be stopped again. This can be done by considering the second distance D to the wind energy plant 2 be omitted, so that too frequent a change between braking and starting the wind turbine 2 can be avoided.

6 shows a schematic perspective view of a protection system according to the invention 1 . 2 according to a second embodiment in the first situation with the natural flying object 3a , According to the second embodiment, the protection device 1 on top of the gondola 21 the wind turbine 2 arranged and along the axis of rotation R to the top 25 the hub 23 aligned. Although this can be done by the protection device 1 essentially only the area along the axis of rotation R in front of the hub 23 be monitored. However, because of an approach of natural flying objects 3a essentially from this direction, namely the wind W , it can be expected, the protection device 1 according to the second embodiment, in particular for the protection of natural flying objects 3a be used. The signal transmission from the protection device 1 to the wind energy plant 2 can be wired or wireless.

Nonetheless, the protection device can 1 or its thermal imaging unit 11 preferably also be capable of a significantly larger area or a significantly wider angle in the horizontal plane than substantially only the area along the axis of rotation R in front of the hub 23 also monitor natural flying objects 3a to be able to recognize which is inclined to the wind direction W approach. Particularly preferably, the thermal imaging unit 11 be formed, a Rundum detection, ie a detection by a full 360 ° to the protection device 1 and in this embodiment, thus also the wind turbine 2 to perform around, so that approaching natural flying objects 3a as safe and independent of their approach direction can be detected.

7 shows a schematic perspective view of a protection system according to the invention 1 . 2 according to the first embodiment in the third situation with an artificial flying object 3b , The artificial flying object 3b put a helicopter 3b which is with the wind W the wind turbine 2 approaching the remarks to the 7 and 8th as possible with the previous comments on the 3 to 6 to be able to compare. Here is the helicopter 3b as well from the protection device 1 monitored as before for the bird of prey 3a described. This also applies to the use of a thermal imaging unit 11 with a much broader to ring around acting surveillance area.

Is doing by the protection device 1 recognized that the helicopter 3b within the range of the first predetermined distance C to the wind energy plant 2 is in this case by means of the signal of the control unit 15 the protection device 1 the operation of the wind energy plant 2 influenced so that the flashing light 26 the wind turbine 2 is started. As a result, as previously known, the helicopter 3b especially in darkness and in poor visibility conditions in front of the wind turbine 2 be warned so that the pilot of the helicopter 3b can avoid a collision. According to the invention, the flashing of the flashing light 26 the wind turbine 2 However, be limited to the period in which the helicopter 3b in the range of the first predetermined distance C to the wind energy plant 2 enters and until the helicopter 3b the range of the second predetermined distance D to the wind energy plant 2 left again. This can be the disturbance of the environment by the blinking of the flashing light 26 the wind turbine 2 , especially at night and in particular of residents, reduce and thereby protect the environment.

8th shows a schematic perspective view of a protection system according to the invention 1 . 2 according to the second embodiment in the third situation with the artificial flying object 3b , In this case, the properties of the protection device 1 the 6 on the helicopter 3b as an artificial flying object 3b applied.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

A

detected distance of the flying object 3 to the distance measuring unit 13

B

certain distance of the flying object 3 to the wind energy plant 2

C

first predetermined distance to the wind turbine 2

D

second predetermined distance to the wind turbine 2

K

wireless communication

R

Rotation axis of the hub 23 the wind turbine 2

W

Wind direction; Direction of the incoming wind

X

Longitudinal direction; depth

Y

Transverse direction; width

Z

vertical direction; height

1

guard

10

casing

11

(Heat) image capture unit

12

Lens of the image acquisition unit 11

13

Ranging unit

14

Objective of the distance measuring unit 13

15

Control unit; Computer unit; Data processing unit

16

frame

17

alignment unit

18

Transmission unit; Transmit / receive unit

19

Signal output; Signal input / output

2

Wind turbine

20

tower

21

gondola

22

Windrichtungsnachführungseinheit

23

hub

24

rotor blades

25

Top of the hub 23

26

optical warning device; Warninglight; turn signal

3

flying object

3a

natural flying object; Bird; birds of prey; bat

3b

artificial flying object; Plane; Helicopter; drone

4

Underground; earth's surface

Claims (15)

Protective device (1) for protecting flying objects (3) against at least one wind turbine (2), with at least one image acquisition unit (11), which is designed to detect the surroundings of at least one wind energy plant (2) at least in sections, wherein the protection device (1) is designed to detect at least one flying object (3) in a captured image of the image acquisition unit (11), and with at least one distance measuring unit (13), which is designed to detect a distance (A) to a detected flying object (3), preferably by means of a laser beam, wherein the protective device (1) is further configured to determine from the detected distance (A) of the detected flying object (3) to the distance measuring unit (13) a distance (B) of the detected flying object (3) to the wind turbine (2), wherein the protection device (1) is further configured to detect whether or not the detected flying object (3) is within a first predetermined distance (C) from the wind turbine (2), wherein the protective device (1) is further configured, in response to a detected within the first predetermined distance (C) to the wind turbine (2) flying object (3) at least one signal for influencing the operation of at least the wind turbine (2), preferably directly to the Wind turbine (2) to spend. Protective device (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the flying object (3) is a natural flying object (3a), preferably a bird (3a), preferably a bird of prey (3a), or a bat (3a), which due to the silhouette, the trajectory and / or the heat can be detected, wherein influencing the operation of the wind turbine (2) leads to at least a standstill of the hub (23) of the wind turbine (2). Protective device (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the flying object (3) is an artificial flying object (3b), preferably an airplane (3b), a helicopter (3b) or a drone (3b), which due to the silhouette, the trajectory and / or the heat can be detected, wherein influencing the operation of the wind turbine (2) at least to an operation of at least one optical warning device (26), preferably at least one warning light (26), particularly preferably at least one flashing light (26) leads. Protection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective device (1) is further adapted to maintain the influence of the operation of the wind turbine (2) at least as long as the detected flying object (3) within the first predetermined Distance (C) to the wind turbine (2) is located. Protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective device (1) is further adapted to maintain the influence of the operation of the wind turbine (2) at least for a predetermined period of time, after the detected Flying object (3) is no longer within the first predetermined distance (C) to the wind turbine (2). Protection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective device (1) is further configured to detect whether the detected flying object (3) is within a second predetermined distance (D) to the wind turbine (2) or not, wherein the second predetermined distance (D) to the wind turbine (2) is greater than the first predetermined distance (C) to the wind turbine (2), wherein the protective device (1) is further formed, the influencing of the operation of the wind turbine (2) only then cancel if the detected flying object (3) is no longer within the second predetermined distance (D) to the wind turbine (2). Protection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image detection unit (11) is designed to detect a real image and / or to capture a thermal image. Protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one transmitting unit (18), preferably at least one transmitting / receiving unit (18), which is designed to transmit at least the signal for influencing the operation of the wind turbine (2) wirelessly. Protection system (1, 2) for the protection of flying objects (3) against at least one wind turbine (2), with at least one wind turbine (2), and with at least one protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Protection system (1, 2) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the protective device (1) on the wind turbine (2), preferably on or on a nacelle (21) and / or on or on a hub (23) of the wind turbine (2) is arranged. Protection system (1, 2) after Claim 10 characterized in that the image capturing unit (11) and the distance measuring unit (13) are aligned to detect at least a portion in front of a tip (25) of a hub (23) in the direction of the rotation axis (R). Protection system (1, 2) after Claim 9 , characterized in that the protective device (1) is arranged spatially separated from the wind turbine (2). Protection system (1, 2) after Claim 12 , characterized in that the protective device (1), preferably by means of a frame (16), relative to a substrate (4) of the wind turbine (2) is arranged elevated. Protection system (1, 2) after Claim 12 or 13 , characterized in that the protective device (1), preferably by means of an alignment unit (17) relative to a substrate (4) of the wind turbine (2) at least about a vertical axis and / or about a vertical axis movable, preferably pivotally formed. Method for protecting flying objects (3) against at least one wind turbine (2), with at least the steps: Detecting the surroundings of at least one wind energy plant (2) at least in sections with at least one image acquisition unit (11), Detecting at least one flying object (3) in a captured image of the image capture unit (11), Detecting a distance (A) to a detected flying object (3) by means of at least one distance measuring unit (13), Determining a distance (B) of the detected flying object (3) to the wind turbine (2) from the detected distance (A) of the detected flying object (3) to the distance measuring unit (13), Detecting whether the detected flying object (3) is within a first predetermined distance (C) to the wind turbine (2) or not, and in response to a flying object (3) detected within the first predetermined distance (C) to the wind turbine (2), outputting at least one signal for influencing the operation of at least the wind turbine (2), preferably directly to the wind turbine (2).

Images