Transparent material, bird strike protection method

The invention relates to a bird protection device, a transparent material with a bird protection device and a manufacturing method thereof according to the preambles of the independent claims.

It is birds hardly possible to detect clear obstacles and avoid this because these barriers are a by-product of the inventions of modern times and birds have these changed circumstances have not been updated. Through this non-recognition of the obstacles often result in the bird strike or Vogeltod and / or broken glass.

An action can be undertaken here by to provide glassed areas with visually perceptible structures, which often occurs in the form of raptor silhouettes to represent not only a recognizable obstacle but also a threat. <figref idrefs="f0001">1A</figref> this represents schematically. On a transparent surface 11 a silhouette is 12 glued. This is usually to black and thus opaque films, which are perceived by birds and humans. A disadvantage of this approach is that the light transmittance as an essential function of glass surfaces and the aesthetics are compromised.

Another bird protection device is made <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE19961506A1"><text>DE 199 61 506 A1</text></patcit> known. There, a transparent material is applied on the glass, which is more visible due to the UV kind of sight of birds for birds than for humans.<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1B</figref> shows the absorption or reflection spectrum of such a known bird protection device. It absorbs or reflects light in the invisible to human beings.

<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1C</figref> finally, schematically shows an out of the earlier application <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="DE10161336"><text>DE 101 61 336.9</text></patcit> known glass plate 11 to which a line-like structure 14, an elliptical structure 15 and as a special case of the elliptical structure, a circular structure 16 have been applied. The designated H main dimensions to each other defines the minimum distance between two edges of a structure, ie, for example, the line width or the smallest diameter of an ellipse or the diameter of a circle. They may be less than 1 mm or even smaller than a threshold.

Further, a safety glass is well-known, are incorporated in the fine metal wires electrically connected. This is but the breaking detection based on the evaluation of the electrical values ​​(resistance) of the incorporated wires.

The object of the invention is to provide a bird protection device for a transparent substance or a transparent pane, the less influence the light transmission of the transparent substance in the human visible range and thus is aesthetically neutral. They should also be easy to manufacture.

This object is solved with the features of the independent claims. Dependent claims are directed on preferred embodiments of the invention.

The inventive transparent disc has a bird protection device in the form of an optically effective structure which, if it is then available at or in the transparent material, due to the higher resolution of the kind of sight at least one species of this bird is visually easier to see than for a man. The device is applied by firing a laser beam or by laser machining to a transparent plate.

The bird protection device may be an optically effective structure at or in the transparent material or comprise, one of which major dimension of less than 2 mm, preferably smaller than 1 mm, preferably less than 0, 5 mm, more preferably less than 0.1 mm, more preferably smaller than 0.05 mm is.

In line-like structures, the width of the line and elliptic structures of the smallest diameter, the above-mentioned major dimension. This generally defines each of the smallest distance between two edges of a structure, ie, for example, the line width or the smallest diameter of an ellipse or the diameter of a circle. At irregular, patch-like structures of the diameter of a circle lächengleichen may be the main dimension. For distributed values ​​may possibly be the main dimension whose average.

The optically effective structure may have a different refractive index and / or another light transmission and / or another scattering behavior have as the transparent material.

The optically effective structure can be or comprise a pattern of regular and / or random-generated and / or irregular and / or amorphous. Further, they may be glass and / or plastic and / or metal which is electrically not connected, or may have.

The extended Wellenlängensichtigkeit of birds can be inventively exploited by one or more of the following measures:<ol><li>(1) It is in the sheetlike transparent material light in the corresponding wavelength range, in particular UV light (wavelength &lt;500 nm, preferably &lt;450 nm, more preferably &lt;400 nm), actively irradiated from respective sources, which then again from scattering or reflection or absorption centers is manipulated in or on the trans part duck fabric so that the transparent material appears as UV-luminous and therefore is seen as an obstacle. The light may for example be radiated by the edge of a (glass) pane in this and then radiated from the back of the surface. The light source (s) may or may be mounted on the edge of the disc and / or under the disc.</li><li>(2) In case of double discs which enclose between them a fluid, in particular a gas, preferably a gas-tight, the manipulation of the UV light (absorption, reflection) by filling the space between the double panes with a fluid, in particular gas with corresponding absorption or . reflection properties occur.</li><li>(3) Furthermore, the desired wavelength-selective absorption or Reflexionsberhalten are produced by vapor deposition of certain substances on a disc, this possibly also following certain patterns again. The substances can in particular one or more oxides of metals have.</li><li>(4) Finally, the desired wavelength-selective absorption or Reflexionsberhalten be produced by non-durable application of certain materials on a disc, for example. By suitable solutes are sprayed onto a disc, and the solvent then evaporated.</li></ol>

UV manipulation, esp. Absorption or reflection or irradiation is carried out in particular in the UV range (wavelength &lt;500 nm, preferably &lt;450 nm, more preferably &lt;400 nm) on one or more individual wavelength 17 or wavelength regions 18. In the visible range (wavelength&gt; 500 nm, preferably&gt; 450 nm, more preferably&gt; 400 nm, and wavelength &lt;800 nm), however, there is no or hardly any reflection or absorption, in particular in such a way that the intensity reduction in the aforementioned range below 20%, preferably below 8%, more preferably below 3%.

The provided with the bird protection device transparent material may be glass or plastic. This transparent material is either formed as flat glass, the bird protection device may be adapted or mounted on at least one surface of the flat glass, or as a multilayer glass pane, where the bird protection device can then be provided between at least two layers.

Combinations of the various features of the bird protection device with respect to the execution and / or attachment are possible.

Referring to the drawings, particular embodiments of the invention will be described, in which:<ul><li><figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> renowned bird devices,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> an embodiment of a fine structure,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> an embodiment with UV irradiation</li><li><figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> an embodiment with filling a volume,</li><li><figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 5</figref> an embodiment with coating.</li></ul>

One aspect of the invention utilizes the fact that many birds have a higher resolving power of the kind of sight and thus at a given distance, fine structures can visually perceive that can not visually perceive a human or hardly. This is in<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> schematically shown.

Another, in the <figref idrefs="f0003">Figures 3 to 5</figref> shown aspect of the invention utilizes in addition to or instead in further described below embodiment, the fact that many birds have a different and in particular further wavelength range, they can perceive. This wavelength range is hardly or no longer visually perceptible for a human being. A sheet of glass, which is prepared accordingly, so appear for birds other than transparent and thus be recognized as an obstacle.

The <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> shows different embodiments of the structure of the bird protection device.

<figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2A</figref> schematically shows a glass plate 20 in section, in which a die is introduced as an optically effective structure 21 by means of laser machining. It is along its main dimension H shown in section. In a line-like structure, this may be the width. The die may eg. Because of its rugged soil as matte from the surrounding transparent material (glass, plastic) appear, so that it can be perceived by birds.

<figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2B</figref> shows a modification to the embodiment of the <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2A</figref> to the effect that no die was incorporated in the disk (glass), but only the surface was roughened and the roughened area is dull, so that a fine line can be generated with major dimension H in this way.

Instead of the processing by means of laser beam can also machining with a fine sandblast occur which produces optically effective structures as described above.

<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2C</figref> shows the structures produced in plan view. It can short lines 23 or through lines 26 or dots or elliptical pattern 24, 25. Their as defined above major dimension can meet the above conditions.

The structures can be in a disc eg. After the preparation thereof may be incorporated by providing a laser beam suitable (railway, intensity, speed) is guided over the surface of the disc, for example. Via a deflecting optical system with mirrors or by moving the laser source itself to the structure (s) incorporated. This is possible even after installation of discs, so even built-discs with this procedure can be "retrofitted".

The <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> shows an embodiment of the bird protection device that exploits the better Wellelängensichtigkeit of birds. It shows a section through a (glass) disc 20 which can be held in a schematically indicated frame 30 with sealing means 35, 36th There is provided a lighting device 31 which illuminates the disk 20 with a specific light. The wavelength of light has its maximum intensity preferably below 500 nm, preferably below 450 nm, more preferably below 400 nm. It is predominantly or exclusively to UV light. In the illuminating device, it may be UV lamps and / or UV light emitting diodes. Accordingly, electrical connections 34, etc. are available.

By illuminating a disc 20 of a transparent material with light having a wavelength as described above or below 500 nm is thus obtained a method of preventing bird strikes on transparent sheets. The source of light may be so arranged that the light (esp. From the edge &lt;10% of the dimension to the opposite edge) of the disc 20 or in any portion of the disc perpendicularly incident on the disc only in the edge region 33 and that the light is irradiated mainly obliquely.

The light can also - be radiated from the edge of the disc 32 in the disc - as shown. The disc can predict, for example. Begins with the manufacturer, may have been provided with scattering centers 37 which scatter particular or predominantly and preferably exclusively the incident light. To this extent is also a transparent plate 20 with a arranged at the edge of the disk illumination device 31 to illuminate the wafer with light as described above of the invention. The same applies to a disc 20 with UV-effective scattering centers 37 and for a window or a door with a transparent panel 20 and a frame 30 which surrounds the disc completely or partially, and preferably arranged on or in the frame 30, the above-described illumination device 31. a framework for a transparent pane with an above-described illumination device 31 alone is part of the invention.

<figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> shows in section a double glazing 20 (eg. B. insulated) with two discs 40a, 40b, and a space 41 between them, which may be sealed gas-tight. In him is si ch a fluid, preferably a gas, the light of certain wavelengths is absorbed and / or reflected. The reflection or absorption curve of the fluid has its maximum preferably less than 500 nm, preferably below 450 nm, more preferably below 400 nm, that specifically in the UV range. The fluid may also comprise liquid droplets which have the aforementioned properties. The droplets may naturally occur or be produced by any suitable means, eg. An ultrasonic device, for example. Piezoelectrically.

The disc 20 of a transparent material, can also be completely or region-wise, as in <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 5</figref> schematically shown, may be coated with a metal 50 which absorbs wavelengths and / or wavelength regions as mentioned above and / or reflected and / or scattered, and other wavelength ranges may be substantially unaffected. The contract may be following or area specific patterns. It can be provided on one of the two surfaces of a disk or on both. When dual disc, it may be provided on the inside of one or both pulleys.

Instead of a firmly applied reflection and absorption layer avoiding bird strike on transparent discs 20 may also be effected by the fact that repeated a not permanently retaining material is on the disk is applied, absorbs the wavelengths as mentioned above and / or reflected and / or scattered. The fabric may be applied with a solvent that evaporates after application. It can be provided in a window cleaner or separately thereof, in the latter case, however, for example. Be provided as a container with a conventional detergent and sold.

Generally, the visible for humans range of light is about between 400 and 800 nm. In the infrared region (IR), including the ultraviolet range (UV). The wavelength selectivity in absorption, reflectance, emission or scattering described above may have particular in the wavelength range between 50 and 450 nm, a line or a maximum of a range. Such characteristics appeal to the UV kind of sight of birds, so that the thus-treated (glass) disc for birds UVdunkler or UV light appears and thus becomes visible. Preferably, the absorption line and / or the maximum in the wavelength range 420-200 nm, more preferably 420-360 nm. It can be provided as indicated above several absorption lines or absorption maxima, which then lie on different wavelengths in the above mentioned areas can. Where relevant, absorption lines or absorption maxima can also lie in the infrared region, there for example in the wavelength range from 750 to 3,000 nm, preferably 780-1500 nm.

The bird protection device can be applied evenly or following a certain pattern on the transparent material. If a pattern is provided, it may again be the silhouette of a bird of prey. There may also be other patterns, for example, strips, lattice points or the like. In such embodiments, then this pattern for at least one species would be better visually perceptible than for a man. In particular, they would not, or barely perceptible to humans.

If the visibility by birds or people being spoken, can be lifted on averages. If a bird protection device is not described as visually perceptible, thus, a reduction in intensity in the human visible range of less than 5%, preferably less than 1% be meant. Provided by a barely perceptible bird protection device is mentioned, thus, a reduction in intensity in the visible range of less than 20%, preferably less than 10% be meant. The visible range can be regarded as sufficient from 400 nm to 800 nm here.

Preferably, in the consideration of absorption and reflectance relative values ​​(for example,%, dB) can be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus may comprise a plurality of mutually parallel optically effective structures with a distance to each other of less than 10 cm, preferably less than 3 cm, preferably less than 1 cm, further preferably smaller than 1 mm, more preferably less than 0.5 mm.

In another embodiment, can first mutually parallel optically effective structures intersect with the aforementioned distance, with second parallel optical structures with the above distance, preferably at a right angle. The major dimension of the optically effective structure can be as mentioned above.