Explosion-proof drone system

Abstract

To provide a drone with explosion-proof performance that is used in a facility such as a petrochemical complex.SOLUTION: An unmanned flight body (drone) system has: a hanging cable which is configured from a baloon with a cable for fall prevention or a main rope and a sub rope; an electric power source and an electric wire for transmitting a control signal and image information; a controller for controlling a drone in a safety zone; a device for feeding the electric power source from the safety zone; a detector for detecting an explosive gas; and electric power source shutdown means which interlocks with the detector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an Unmanned Aviation Vehicle (UAV, hereafter referred to as a drone) system that can be operated smoothly without crashing in Class 2 hazardous locations (hereafter referred to as "Zone 2" (as defined in the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health's technical guidelines "User's Guide to Factory Explosion-Proof Equipment" ISSN 1882-2703, published November 1, 2012)) where explosion-proof performance is required. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there have been many attempts to implement drones in society (putting them into industrial action with social significance), but they face major challenges, such as the following:

[0003] Firstly, when operating (flying) a drone that is not explosion-proof within the premises of a petrochemical complex, strict operation is required in accordance with the "Guidelines for Safe Operation of Drones in Plants" (Tripartite Conference of the Three Ministries for Prevention of Disasters at Petrochemical Complexes (Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)), and there are many restrictions, such as not being able to operate in Zone 2. This is because flammable gases and liquids are often stored in the pipes, pressure vessels, storage tanks, etc. installed in petrochemical complexes, and in the unlikely event of a leak, there is a risk of ignition or explosion due to leakage of energy (mainly the drone's on-board battery) used to operate the drone (due to electrical leakage or the drone crashing, etc.).

[0004] Secondly, there is a risk that drones will crash due to various factors, such as (1) a decrease in the power output of the power source (mainly the drone's onboard battery), resulting in a decrease or loss of the rotating motor's power, (2) damage to the propellers due to collision with foreign objects or structures, and (3) loss of control. There is a risk that a crash will cause the drone to explode or damage equipment within the petrochemical complex. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent application 2019-122630

[0006] Patent Document 1 is a patent that enables operation in the vicinity of facilities storing flammable gases or liquids (usually defined as explosion-proof areas, Zone 2). In this patent, to prevent the drone from falling, it uses a balloon suspension or a rope suspension from a high place. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The system described in Patent Document 1 uses balloons or cables to suspend the drone from a high place to prevent it from falling, which has the inconvenience of limiting the drone's range of movement to the length of the suspension cable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The drone system of the present invention comprises a balloon with a cable to prevent the drone from falling, or a cable (secondary cable) connected to a main cable for suspending the drone from above, electric wires for transmitting power, control signals, and video information, a control device connected to the electric wires for controlling the drone from a safety zone, a device for supplying power from the safety zone through the electric wires, a detector for detecting the concentration of flammable gas in the drone's operating area, and a power cut-off means linked to the detector. Effect of the Invention

[0009] In the present invention, when a drone is suspended by a rope, the rope (child rope) is connected to a main rope via a link ring. The link ring has a ring shape, and the main rope is passed through the ring. For example, when operating to measure the side plate or floating roof of a floating roof storage tank, both ends of the main rope are fixed to the upper end of the side plate, the rope is stretched so that there is little slack, and the drone is suspended using a rope (child rope) that is shorter than the distance from the main rope to the floating roof, which has the effect of expanding the drone's range of movement to the length of the main rope. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Conventional drone configuration (example described in Patent Application No. 2019-122630) [Diagram 2] Configuration of the drone of the present invention (suspended by a lifeline) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] omission EXAMPLES

[0012] omission [Industrial Applicability]

[0013] omission [Explanation of symbols]

[0014] 1. Life rope 2. Sub-rope 3... linked 4... Main rope fixing point 5... Main rope fixing point 6. Floating roof top 22. Drone body 23 Electrical wires (for power supply and communication) 24. Interlock System 25 Gas detector 26. Control device 27...Power supply device

Claims

1. In a system that uses unmanned aerial vehicles (hereinafter referred to as drones), It has a balloon with a rope to prevent falling, or has a rope for suspending it from above, It has wires for transmitting power, control signals, and video information, a control device connected to the electric wire for controlling the drone from a safety zone; A device for supplying power from a safety location through the electric wire, The drone has a detector for detecting the concentration of flammable gas in the drone's operating area; A power cut-off means is provided in conjunction with the detector, A drone system characterized in that the "rope for suspending from above" is connected to a main rope.

2. 2. The system of claim 1, A drone system characterized in that a detector for detecting the concentration of flammable gas in the drone's operating area is attached to the drone.

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