Drones for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower station dams

Abstract

This utility model provides a drone for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower station dams. The drone and the dam include a multi-protruding plate on the dam. The drone has a top mounting frame with sliding clamping mechanisms on both sides. Each clamping mechanism includes side pressure strips and a sliding downward pressing mechanism with multiple suction cups. Two side pressure strips abut against the sides of the protruding plates, and the suction cups abut against the top surfaces of both sides of the protruding plates. The overall structure, through the top mounting frame, clamping mechanisms, and downward pressing mechanisms, ensures the drone is securely mounted on the top of the protruding plates during inspection, preventing slippage and wobbling caused by the drone merely relying on the anti-slip pads to resist slippage. It also avoids the problem of the rubber anti-slip pads significantly weakening their friction and anti-slip effect when the protruding plates are wet. When the dam is subjected to water flow impact, the overall structure can avoid the risk of being washed away, thus not affecting the inspection results.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of dam inspection, and in particular to a drone for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower station dams. Background Technology

[0002] The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower dams is a system that effectively solves the problems of large workload, long cycle, high risk, and limited field of vision associated with traditional manual inspection methods. Multiple raised plates are cast on one side of the dam. These plates provide temporary support points for the UAV, inspection equipment, and personnel, while also serving as auxiliary points for dam surface drainage guidance and structural stress dispersion.

[0003] Existing inspection drones land on raised slabs on dams for inspection. Rubber anti-slip mats are installed on the bottom of the drones, which use this contact to prevent slippage. However, due to the narrowness of the raised slabs, the actual contact area between the drone and the slab is limited, resulting in insufficient basic anti-slip conditions. Furthermore, the top of the raised slabs is frequently impacted by water flow and remains damp for extended periods, significantly weakening the friction and anti-slip effect of the rubber mats. This causes the drone to still wobble or slip. Simultaneously, the dam may experience water flow impacts, and the direct impact of the water flow exerts external forces on the drone. The anti-slip mats further exacerbate the risk of the drone moving or even being swept away, thus affecting the inspection results. Utility Model Content

[0004] This utility model provides a drone for inspecting cracks on the surface of hydropower station dams. It solves the problem that the drone inspection relies on the contact between the anti-slip pad and the raised plate to suppress slippage. However, the raised plate is relatively narrow, and the actual contact area between it and the drone is limited, resulting in insufficient anti-slip conditions. Furthermore, the raised plate is in a relatively wet state, which leads to poor anti-slip effect and the risk of water flow impact, which may exacerbate the risk of it moving or even being washed away.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is: a drone for inspecting cracks on the surface of a hydropower station dam, including a drone and a dam. The dam is provided with multiple protruding plates, and the drone is provided with a top mounting frame. The top mounting frame is provided with sliding clamping mechanisms on both sides. The clamping mechanism includes side pressure bars, and the clamping mechanism is provided with a sliding pressing mechanism. The pressing mechanism includes multiple suction cups. Two side pressure strips abut against the sides of the raised plate, and suction cups abut against the top surfaces of both sides of the raised plate.

[0006] In the preferred embodiment, the top mounting bracket includes a frame, on which multiple intermediate plates are provided, and on the intermediate plates are multiple uprights, and slide rails are provided at the bottom of both sides of the frame.

[0007] In the preferred embodiment, the column is connected to the top of the drone, and a U-shaped plate is provided on the frame, with through holes on the U-shaped plate.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, a first motor is provided on the top mounting bracket, the output shaft of the first motor passes through a through hole, and a main gear is provided on the output shaft of the first motor, which is connected to the clamping mechanism.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the clamping mechanism includes a U-shaped frame, with sliders on both sides of the top of the U-shaped frame, a side pressure bar at the bottom of the U-shaped frame, and an L-shaped bar on one side of the top of the U-shaped frame.

[0010] In the preferred embodiment, a rack is provided on one side of the L-shaped strip, and the racks of both clamping mechanisms mesh with the main gear, while the slider is slidably connected to the slide rail of the top mounting bracket.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the pressing mechanism includes a strip body, an inlaid strip on one side of the strip body, multiple suction cups on the strip body, an air pump on each suction cup, and a first cylinder at both ends of the inlaid strip.

[0012] In the preferred embodiment, the strip slides against one side of the U-shaped frame, the inlay strip slides against the inside of the U-shaped frame, and the first cylinder is installed inside the U-shaped frame.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: When the drone needs to inspect the dam, it is driven to land on the dam's protruding plate, and the first motor of the top mounting frame is driven to rotate the main gear, so that the two clamping mechanisms move relative to the top mounting frame, so that the two clamping mechanisms are close to one side of the protruding plate. The two clamping mechanisms close together, and the side pressure strip abuts against the side of the protruding plate. During the process of the two clamping mechanisms closing together, the drone slowly moves to the middle position of the protruding plate.

[0014] Multiple first cylinders are driven to slide the pressing mechanism relative to the clamping mechanism, so that multiple suction cups abut against the top of the protrusion plate. Multiple air pumps are driven to connect the pressing mechanism with the protrusion plate, thereby increasing the stability of the drone.

[0015] The overall structure, through a top mounting bracket, clamping mechanism, and pressing mechanism, ensures that the drone is securely mounted on the top of the raised plate during inspection. This avoids the drone relying solely on the anti-slip pad's contact with the raised plate to prevent slippage, which can lead to insufficient basic anti-slip conditions and easy wobbling. It also prevents the drone from wobbling or slipping if the raised plate is wet, as this significantly reduces the friction and anti-slip effect of the rubber pad. Furthermore, when the dam is subjected to water flow, the overall structure can avoid or even be washed away, thus ensuring that the inspection results are not affected. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments; Figure 1 This is a side view of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is an axonometric view of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 3 This is an axonometric view of a partial structure of this utility model; Figure 4 This is an axonometric view of the top mounting bracket of this utility model; Figure 5 This is an isometric view of the clamping mechanism of this utility model; Figure 6 This is an isometric view of the pressing mechanism of this utility model; In the diagram: 1. UAV; 2. Top mounting bracket; 201. Frame; 202. Slide rail; 203. Middle plate; 204. Column; 205. U-shaped plate; 206. Through hole; 3. Clamping mechanism; 301. U-shaped frame; 302. Slider; 303. L-shaped strip; 304. Rack; 305. Side pressure strip; 4. Pressing mechanism; 401. Strip; 402. Inlay strip; 403. Suction cup; 404. Air pump; 5. First cylinder; 6. First motor; 7. Main gear; 8. Dam; 9. Protruding plate. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Example 1: like Figure 1-6 The UAV for inspecting surface cracks of a hydropower station dam includes a UAV 1 and a dam 8. The dam 8 is equipped with multiple protruding plates 9. The UAV 1 is equipped with a top mounting frame 2. The top mounting frame 2 is equipped with sliding clamping mechanisms 3 on both sides. The clamping mechanism 3 includes side pressure strips 305. The clamping mechanism 3 is equipped with a sliding downward pressing mechanism 4. The downward pressing mechanism 4 includes multiple suction cups 403. Two side pressure strips 305 abut against the sides of the raised plate 9, and suction cups 403 abut against the top surfaces of both sides of the raised plate 9. With this structure, when the drone 1 needs to inspect the dam 8, the drone 1 is driven to land on the raised plate 9 of the dam 8, and the first motor 6 of the top mounting frame 2 is driven to rotate the main gear 7, so that the two clamping mechanisms 3 move relative to the top mounting frame 2, so that the two clamping mechanisms 3 are close to one side of the raised plate 9. The two clamping mechanisms 3 close together, and the side pressure strips 305 abut against the sides of the raised plate 9. During the process of the two clamping mechanisms 3 closing together, the drone 1 slowly moves to the middle position of the raised plate 9.

[0018] Multiple first cylinders 5 are driven to make the pressing mechanism 4 slide relative to the clamping mechanism 3, so that multiple suction cups 403 abut against the top of the protruding plate 9, and multiple air pumps 404 are driven to connect the pressing mechanism 4 with the protruding plate 9, thereby increasing the stability of the drone 1.

[0019] The overall structure, through the top mounting bracket 2, clamping mechanism 3, and pressing mechanism 4, ensures that the UAV 1 is securely mounted on top of the raised plate 9 during inspection. This prevents the UAV 1 from relying solely on the anti-slip pad's contact with the raised plate to suppress slippage, which can lead to insufficient basic anti-slip conditions and easy wobbling. It also prevents the raised plate 9 from being wet, as this significantly weakens the friction and anti-slip effect of the rubber anti-slip pad, causing the UAV 1 to wobble or slip. When the dam 8 is subjected to water flow impact, the overall structure can avoid or even be washed away, thus not affecting the inspection results.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the top mounting bracket 2 includes a frame 201, on which multiple intermediate plates 203 are provided, and on which multiple uprights 204 are provided, and slide rails 202 are provided at the bottom of both sides of the frame 201. With this structure, the two intermediate plates 203 are close to the middle position of the top mounting bracket 2, so that the uprights 204 can be mounted on the drone 1.

[0021] In the preferred embodiment, the column 204 is connected to the top of the UAV 1, and the frame 201 is provided with a U-shaped plate 205, which has through holes 206. With this structure, the first motor 6 is mounted on the U-shaped plate 205.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, a first motor 6 is mounted on the top mounting bracket 2. The output shaft of the first motor 6 passes through the through hole 206, and a main gear 7 is mounted on the output shaft of the first motor 6. The main gear 7 is connected to the clamping mechanism 3. With this structure, the first motor 6 of the top mounting bracket 2 is driven to rotate the main gear 7, causing the rack 304 to move horizontally. This causes the two clamping mechanisms 3 to move relative to the top mounting bracket 2, bringing them closer to the side of the protruding plate 9, whereupon the two clamping mechanisms 3 close together. In a preferred embodiment, the clamping mechanism 3 includes a U-shaped frame 301, with sliders 302 on both sides of the top of the U-shaped frame 301, side pressure strips 305 at the bottom of the U-shaped frame 301, and an L-shaped strip 303 on one side of the top of the U-shaped frame 301. With this structure, the two side pressure strips 305 clamp the two sides of the protruding plate 9, preventing the drone 1 from shaking or sliding.

[0023] In the preferred embodiment, a rack 304 is provided on one side of the L-shaped bar 303. The racks 304 of both clamping mechanisms 3 mesh with the main gear 7, and the slider 302 is slidably connected to the slide rail 202 of the top mounting bracket 2. With this structure, the first motor 6 of the top mounting bracket 2 is driven to rotate the main gear 7, causing the rack 304 to move horizontally, so that the slider 302 slides relative to the slide rail 202, and the two clamping mechanisms 3 open and close.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the pressing mechanism 4 includes a strip 401, with an inlaid strip 402 on one side of the strip 401. Multiple suction cups 403 are mounted on the strip 401, and air pumps 404 are mounted on the suction cups 403. First cylinders 5 are mounted at both ends of the inlaid strip 402. This structure drives the multiple first cylinders 5 to slide the pressing mechanism 4 relative to the clamping mechanism 3, causing the multiple suction cups 403 to abut against the top of the protruding plate 9. It also drives the multiple air pumps 404 to connect the pressing mechanism 4 to the protruding plate 9, increasing the stability of the drone 1.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the strip 401 slides against one side of the U-shaped frame 301, the inlay strip 402 slides against the inside of the U-shaped frame 301, and the first cylinder 5 is installed inside the U-shaped frame 301. With this structure, the length of the strip 401 is greater than the length of the inlay strip 402, so that the inlay strip 402 slides against the inside of the U-shaped frame 301, and the strip 401 slides against one side of the U-shaped frame 301.

[0026] The above embodiments are merely preferred technical solutions of this utility model and should not be considered as limitations on this utility model. The protection scope of this utility model should be the technical solution described in the claims, including equivalent substitutions of the technical features described in the claims. That is, equivalent substitutions and improvements within this scope are also within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A drone for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower station dams, characterized by: Includes a drone (1) and a dam (8). The dam (8) is provided with multiple protruding plates (9). The drone (1) is provided with a top mounting frame (2). The top mounting frame (2) is provided with sliding clamping mechanisms (3) on both sides. The clamping mechanism (3) includes a side pressure bar (305). The clamping mechanism (3) is provided with a sliding pressing mechanism (4). The pressing mechanism (4) includes multiple suction cups (403). Two side pressure strips (305) abut against the sides of the raised plate (9), and suction cups (403) abut against the top surfaces on both sides of the raised plate (9).

2. The UAV for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower station dams according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top mounting bracket (2) includes a frame (201), a plurality of intermediate plates (203) are provided on the frame (201), a plurality of columns (204) are provided on the intermediate plates (203), and slide rails (202) are provided on the bottom of both sides of the frame (201).

3. The UAV for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower station dams according to claim 2, characterized in that: The column (204) is connected to the top of the drone (1), and a U-shaped plate (205) is provided on the frame (201), with a through hole (206) on the U-shaped plate (205).

4. The UAV for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower station dams according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top mounting bracket (2) is equipped with a first motor (6), the output shaft of the first motor (6) passes through the through hole (206), the output shaft of the first motor (6) is equipped with a main gear (7), and the main gear (7) is connected to the clamping mechanism (3).

5. The UAV for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower station dams according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping mechanism (3) includes a U-shaped frame (301), with sliders (302) on both sides of the top of the U-shaped frame (301), a side pressure bar (305) at the bottom of the U-shaped frame (301), and an L-shaped bar (303) on one side of the top of the U-shaped frame (301).

6. The UAV for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower station dams according to claim 5, characterized in that: The L-shaped bar (303) has a rack (304) on one side. The racks (304) of the two clamping mechanisms (3) are meshed with the main gear (7). The slider (302) is slidably connected to the slide rail (202) of the top mounting bracket (2).

7. The UAV for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower station dams according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing mechanism (4) includes a strip (401), an inlay strip (402) on one side of the strip (401), multiple suction cups (403) on the strip (401), an air pump (404) on the suction cups (403), and a first cylinder (5) on both ends of the inlay strip (402).

8. The UAV for inspecting surface cracks in hydropower station dams according to claim 7, characterized in that: The strip (401) slides against one side of the U-shaped frame (301), the inlay strip (402) slides against the inside of the U-shaped frame (301), and the first cylinder (5) is installed inside the U-shaped frame (301).

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