Water immersion inspection device, water immersion inspection method and program

Abstract

To reduce the workload in directing a laser irradiator to an air break switch on a column.SOLUTION: An immersion inspection device comprises: a laser output unit that irradiates a bottom face of a housing of an air break switch with a laser; a photographing unit that performs photographing in a direction along the irradiation direction of the laser; a learning model storage unit that stores a learning model that, by using a plurality of images of the air break switch photographed in the past, specifies power distribution installations around the air break switch captured in the plurality of images; a specification unit that inputs data indicating an image including the air break switch newly photographed by the photographing unit to the learning model to specify the power distribution installation around the air break switch; a control unit that, based on a result of specification performed by the specification unit, controls emission of the laser performed by the laser output unit so that the power distribution installation around the air break switch is not irradiated with the laser; a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the bottom face when the bottom face is irradiated with the laser; and an inspection unit that inspects whether the inside of the housing of the air break switch is immersed in water based on a result of detection of the temperature of the bottom face.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water immersion inspection device, a water immersion inspection method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] A variety of distribution equipment is installed in a power distribution system. For example, air switchgears (e.g., high-voltage air switchgears) are installed to connect or disconnect distribution lines in the air in order to switch the power supply route from a substation to each consumer or to shut down a construction section.

[0003] An air contactor houses electrical components such as a live part inside a metal housing, and if rainwater or the like gets inside the housing, there is a risk that the live part will short-circuit.

[0004] For this reason, a device has been developed to check for water intrusion inside the housing of an air contactor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] The device described in Patent Document 1 has the exposed surface of the heater and temperature sensor abutted against the bottom surface of the housing of the air contactor, and when the bottom surface of the housing is heated by the heater, the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the bottom surface, and determines whether or not water has entered the inside of the housing from the temperature detection result using the principle of thermal conductivity. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-89807 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in order to bring such a device into contact with the bottom surface of the housing of the air contactor, it is necessary to use an aerial work platform.

[0008] For this reason, a device has been developed that can inspect air contact switches for water damage by irradiating the switch with a laser from the ground to raise the temperature of the casing without contact, and measuring the temperature of the casing without contact from the ground.

[0009] However, in this case, it is necessary to aim the laser irradiator at the bottom surface of the air switch before emitting the laser. However, in order to correctly aim the laser irradiator toward the bottom surface of the air switch, manual alignment of various devices was necessary. As a result, there is a risk that the laser emitted from the laser irradiator will be irradiated not at the bottom surface of the air switch, but at the power distribution equipment installed around the air switch (e.g., insulated electric wires that make up the power distribution line, branch sleeve covers that insulate and protect the branch connection points of the power distribution line, etc.). For example, if a laser is continuously irradiated on a power distribution line for a certain period of time, the insulating coating of the power distribution line will melt due to the heat from the laser. Also, if a laser is continuously irradiated on a resin branch sleeve cover for a certain period of time, the cover itself will melt due to the heat from the laser. In either case, there is a risk of an electric line accident.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above background, and aims to provide a water ingress inspection device, an inspection method for the water ingress inspection device, and a program for the water ingress inspection device that prevent a laser from being irradiated from a laser irradiator onto power distribution equipment installed around an air circuit breaker installed on a pole. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] One means for solving the above problem is a water ingress inspection device that inspects whether the inside of an air-emerged circuit breaker installed on a pole is flooded or not, and includes: a laser output unit that irradiates a laser to the bottom surface of the housing of the air-emerged circuit breaker to inspect whether the inside of the air-emerged circuit breaker is flooded or not; a photographing unit that photographs a direction along the direction of the laser irradiation; a learning model storage unit that stores a learning model created by using a plurality of images of the air-emerged circuit breaker photographed in the past to identify distribution equipment around the air-emerged circuit breaker that appears in the plurality of images; an identification unit that inputs data representing an image including the air-emerged circuit breaker that is newly photographed by the photographing unit into the learning model and identifies the surrounding distribution equipment; a control unit that controls the emission of the laser by the laser output unit based on the identification result of the identification unit so that the laser is not irradiated onto the surrounding distribution equipment; a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the bottom surface when the laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface; and an inspection unit that inspects whether the inside of the housing of the air-emerged circuit breaker is flooded or not based on the detection result of the temperature of the bottom surface.

[0012] Other problems and solutions disclosed in the present application will be made clear in the detailed description and drawings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a laser from being emitted from a laser irradiator to a power distribution facility installed around an air contactor installed on a pole. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a water ingress inspection device is used to inspect an air switch for water ingress. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a laser irradiator. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an inspection device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates a storage device. [Figure 5]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a learning model. [Figure 6A] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display of an infrared thermograph. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display of an infrared thermograph. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state of temperature change when a laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface of the air contactor. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a water immersion inspection device. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image of an air contactor; [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing flow when generating a learning model. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing by the water immersion inspection device. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying the inspection results of a water immersion inspection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] At least the following matters will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in accordance with one embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0016] ===Water immersion inspection of air switchgear=== FIG. 1 is a diagram showing how an air contactor 100 is inspected for water ingress using a water ingress inspection device 500 according to this embodiment.

[0017] The air switch 100 is an electric power device that connects or disconnects the distribution line 210 in the air in order to change the flow of electricity in the distribution line 210 or to establish a blackout section for construction work, and is installed at a high position (for example, about 10 m above ground) on the utility pole 200. The air switch 100 is a high-voltage air switch that is installed, for example, so as to be able to connect or disconnect the position of the demarcation point of responsibility between the electric power company and the consumer on the distribution line 210.

[0018] The air switchgear 100 also has a charging unit 110 for connecting or disconnecting the upstream (substation side) distribution line 210 and the downstream (consumer side) distribution line 210. The charging unit 110 is housed in a sealed state inside a housing 120 that constitutes the air switchgear 100 so that it will not deteriorate due to the influence of external factors (wind, rain, moisture, ultraviolet rays, etc.).

[0019] However, the packing (not shown) used to ensure airtightness inside the housing 120 deteriorates over time due to various factors. When the packing deteriorates beyond a certain level, the airtightness of the housing 120 can no longer be ensured, and rain, moisture, and the like will enter the inside of the housing 120.

[0020] If water accumulates at the bottom of the housing 120, there is a risk of a short circuit occurring in the live section 110 housed in the housing 120. For this reason, the air contactor 100 is inspected periodically.

[0021] The water ingress inspection device 500 is a device comprising an information processing device such as a computer used when inspecting the air switchgear 100 for water ingress, and is configured by connecting the laser irradiator 300 and the inspection device 400 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0022] The laser irradiator 300 is installed so that the laser emitted from the emission port 330 is irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 outside the housing 120, and the temperature of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 is increased by this laser without contact.

[0023] Fig. 7 is a characteristics diagram showing the relationship between the irradiation time (horizontal axis) and the temperature (vertical axis) of bottom surface 130 when a laser is irradiated at 20 W onto bottom surface 130 of housing 120, both when the inside of housing 120 is not flooded and when a certain amount of water is flooded. In Fig. 7, the solid line indicates the case when the inside of housing 120 is not flooded, and the dashed line indicates the case when the inside of housing 120 is flooded to a certain amount. Note that such characteristics diagrams will vary depending on the type of air contactor 100, the outside temperature, the laser irradiation distance, etc., and therefore the characteristics diagram shown in Fig. 7 is just one example.

[0024] 7, when irradiation of a laser with an output value of 20 W begins on bottom surface 130 of housing 120 that is not submerged in water, the temperature at the irradiation position on bottom surface 130 begins to rise gradually, reaching 158°C after one minute has passed. On the other hand, when a 20 W laser is irradiated on bottom surface 130 of housing 120 that is submerged in water to a certain extent, the temperature at the irradiation position on bottom surface 130 gradually rises along a temperature curve that is lower than the temperature of bottom surface 130 of housing 120 that is not submerged in water, and reaches 82°C after one minute has passed.

[0025] 1, the laser irradiator 300 is mounted on a leg 340. The leg 340 has a tripod 341, a first tripod base 342, and a second tripod base 343.

[0026] The tripod 341 is set up at a predetermined position on the ground or on a vehicle when conducting a water ingress inspection of the air contactor 100.

[0027] First tripod 342 is attached to tripod 341 so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis in the vertical direction. First tripod 342 is driven by a driving device such as a first step motor (not shown) to rotate about the first rotation axis.

[0028] The second tripod 343 is attached to the first tripod 342 so as to be rotatable around a second horizontal rotation axis, and has the laser irradiator 300 mounted thereon. The second tripod 343 is driven by a driving device such as a second step motor (not shown) to rotate around the second rotation axis.

[0029] In addition, in Figure 1, the angle between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis is 90 degrees, and an example is shown in which the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are in a twisted position relationship and do not intersect, but it is preferable if the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis are in a position relationship in which they have an intersection, as this makes it easier to calculate the direction of the laser light.

[0030] The laser irradiator 300 is also equipped with a camera 350, an acceleration sensor 351, and an inclination sensor 352.

[0031] The camera 350 is attached to the laser illuminator 300 so as to capture an image of the outside world along the direction of the laser illuminator 300. For example, in this embodiment, the camera 350 is attached to the laser illuminator 300 so that the direction of the camera 350 is parallel to the direction of the laser emitted from the laser illuminator 300.

[0032] Therefore, it is possible to irradiate a laser from the laser irradiator 300 onto an object that appears in the center of the field of view of an image captured by the camera 350. In other words, by rotating the first tripod 342 and the second tripod 343 so that the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100 appears in the center of the image captured by the camera 350, and then outputting a laser from the laser irradiator 300, the laser can be irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120.

[0033] It is preferable that the camera 350 is configured integrally with the laser irradiator 300. In this manner, the orientation of the camera 350 does not deviate from the orientation of the laser irradiator 300, and therefore it is possible to save the trouble of aligning the optical axes of the camera 350 and the laser irradiator 300.

[0034] Camera 350 may be configured to capture still images or moving images. Furthermore, camera 350 may be configured to detect light of multiple wavelengths to capture multicolor images, or to detect light of one wavelength to capture monochromatic images. Furthermore, camera 350 may be configured to detect visible light, or may be configured to detect light other than visible light, such as infrared or ultraviolet light.

[0035] Image data obtained by capturing an image of the outside world with the camera 350 is transmitted to the inspection device 400. Then, the inspection device 400 performs image analysis on the received image data using a learning model to identify the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air contactor 100.

[0036] Furthermore, in the inspection device 400, when the direction of the laser irradiator 300 shifts during laser emission and the laser emission by the laser irradiator 300 is stopped by an instruction from a stop unit 510 described later, the image data captured by the camera 350 at this time is received, and image analysis is performed on the received image data using a learning model to newly identify the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air switchgear 100 and the position of the power distribution equipment 230 around the air switchgear 100. Here, if the laser is irradiated to the position identified as the power distribution equipment 230 around the air switchgear 100 when the laser emission operation of the laser irradiator 300 is resumed, the information when the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air switchgear 100 is identified is used as information for directing the laser irradiator 300 toward the bottom surface of the air switchgear 100.

[0037] When the inspection device 400 identifies the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100 from the captured image, it calculates an adjustment amount (difference) for adjusting the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 to this specific position, as will be described in detail later. Note that this calculation of the adjustment amount is performed both when adjusting the position of the laser irradiator 300 in the initial stage before emitting the laser, and when the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 shifts while emitting the laser and the position of the laser irradiator 300 is readjusted.

[0038] The acceleration sensor 351 detects the acceleration occurring in the laser irradiator 300. This makes it possible to detect deviations in the orientation of the laser irradiator 300, for example, when a worker collides with the laser irradiator 300. In addition, the acceleration sensor 351 can detect the direction of gravity, and therefore can also be used to detect the orientation of the laser irradiator 300.

[0039] The tilt sensor 352 has a pendulum or float inside and detects the tilt angle of the laser illuminator 300 and vibrations generated in the laser illuminator 300. This makes it possible to detect deviations in the orientation of the laser illuminator 300, for example, when a worker collides with the laser illuminator 300. In addition, the tilt sensor 352 can detect the direction of gravity, and therefore can also be used to detect the orientation of the laser illuminator 300.

[0040] The inspection device 400 controls the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 so that the laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air contactor 100, and then causes the laser irradiator 300 to emit a laser. The inspection device 400 then non-contact measures the temperature of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120, which rises as the laser is irradiated, and inspects the air contactor 100 for water intrusion based on the measurement result of the temperature of the bottom surface 130.

[0041] As described above, the inspection device 400 analyzes the image captured by the camera 350 and identifies the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100 and the position of the power distribution equipment 230 installed around the air switch 100 shown in the image. The inspection device 400 then calculates the difference between the original direction in which the laser should be irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100 and the current direction of the laser irradiator 300, and adjusts the direction of the laser irradiator 300 by appropriately rotating the first tripod 342 and the second tripod 343 based on this difference. Furthermore, in the inspection device 400, after the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 shifts and laser emission stops, the image taken by the camera 350 at this time is analyzed, and if there is a risk that the laser will be irradiated at a location identified as the power distribution equipment 230 if the operation of the laser irradiator 300 is resumed while the laser irradiator 300 remains in the shifted position, the difference between the original orientation in which the laser should be irradiated at the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100 and the current orientation is calculated, and the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 is adjusted based on this difference by appropriately rotating the first tripod 342 and the second tripod 343.

[0042] Furthermore, the inspection device 400 detects infrared radiation energy emitted from the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 using the infrared thermograph 410, thereby measuring the temperature of the bottom surface 130 in a non-contact manner.

[0043] Then, the inspection device 400 inspects the air contactor 100 for water intrusion based on the measurement result of the temperature of the bottom surface 130 a predetermined time after the start of laser irradiation. For example, the inspection device 400 determines that water intrusion has occurred in the air contactor 100 if the temperature of the bottom surface 130 60 seconds after the start of laser irradiation is equal to or lower than a predetermined judgment value.

[0044] With this aspect of the inspection device 400, when the laser irradiator 300 is aimed at the air contactor 100 installed on a pole, it is possible to adjust the direction of the laser irradiator 300 so that the laser from the laser irradiator 300 is reliably irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the air contactor 100. It is also possible to prevent the laser from the laser irradiator 300 from being irradiated by mistake onto the surrounding power distribution equipment 230. This makes it possible to reduce the workload of the worker and also to more efficiently perform water ingress inspection of the air contactor 100 installed on a pole.

[0045] Furthermore, the water immersion inspection device 500 according to this embodiment detects the temperature of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 in a non-contact manner when a laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface 130, and inspects whether the inside of the housing 120 is flooded or not.

[0046] Therefore, the worker does not need to climb up to the high place where the air contactor 100 is installed to inspect whether the inside of the casing 120 is flooded or not, and the inspection work can be carried out safely and efficiently.

[0047] This will be explained in detail below.

[0048] ===Water immersion testing device=== <Laser irradiator> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the laser irradiator 300 used in the water immersion inspection device 500 according to this embodiment.

[0049] In FIG. 2, the laser irradiator 300 outputs a fiber laser having a near-infrared wavelength (for example, 1064 nm) as a laser to be irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100.

[0050] The laser irradiator 300 includes an excitation section 310, a resonator section 320, and an emission port 330 as components for emitting a fiber laser.

[0051] The excitation section 310 is configured to include a plurality of semiconductor lasers 311 for excitation, an excitation combiner 313 through which the lasers (having a wavelength of approximately 0.9 μm) output from the plurality of semiconductor lasers 311 are propagated via optical fibers 312, and an optical fiber 314 through which the plurality of lasers propagated to the excitation combiner 313 are output in a combined state as a single excitation light.

[0052] The resonator unit 320 amplifies the pumping light output from the optical fiber 314 of the pumping unit 310 and outputs it as a fiber laser. The resonator unit 320 includes a high-reflectivity mirror 321, an amplification fiber 322, and a low-reflectivity mirror 323 as means for amplifying and outputting the pumping light as a fiber laser. Here, a fiber laser is a type of solid-state laser that uses an optical fiber as an amplification medium. The core of the amplification fiber 322 is doped with the rare earth element Yb (ytterbium) so that the refractive index at the center of the optical fiber is highest. The pumping light output from the pumping unit 310 is amplified by the high-reflectivity mirror 321, then excites the Yb doped in the core within the amplification fiber 322, is further amplified by the low-reflectivity mirror 323, and is oscillated and output as a fiber laser.

[0053] The fiber laser has the advantages of being able to be designed with good energy conversion efficiency and a long focal length because it is propagated through the amplification fiber 322. Therefore, in this embodiment, taking into consideration that the irradiation distance to the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100 is about 10 m, the fiber laser is irradiated from the laser irradiator 300 to the bottom surface 130.

[0054] The laser irradiator 300 is mounted on a leg 340 .

[0055] The leg 340 is a structure that can be adjusted so that the light outlet 330 faces the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 .

[0056] The laser irradiator 300 is supported by legs 340, and the inspection device 400 controls the first step motor and second step motor (not shown) described above to adjust the orientation of the first tripod 342 and the second tripod 343, thereby enabling the emission port 330 to be directed toward the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120.

[0057] This makes it possible to reliably irradiate the fiber laser onto the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 through the emission port 330. Note that the leg 340 is one example of a structure for supporting the laser irradiator 300, and any other structure may be used as long as it is adjustable so that the emission port 330 faces the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120.

[0058] Furthermore, when the laser irradiator 300 is installed on the road surface, there is a risk that a worker may accidentally touch the laser irradiator 300, causing it to fall over or change direction. In this case, it is necessary to prevent the fiber laser from being irradiated onto a human body or onto the power distribution equipment 230 around the air switch 100. Therefore, the laser irradiator 300 may be further provided with an acceleration sensor 351 and an inclination sensor 352, so that if these sensors detect movement of the laser irradiator 300 while the fiber laser is being irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120, the operation of emitting the fiber laser by the laser irradiator 300 may be stopped.

[0059] <Inspection equipment> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of an inspection device 400 used in the water immersion inspection device 500 according to this embodiment.

[0060] The inspection device 400 includes an infrared thermograph 410, an input device 420, a CPU 430 (control unit), a storage device 440, a timer 450, and an output device 460.

[0061] The CPU 430 is responsible for the overall control of the water-immersion testing device 500, and realizes the various functions of the water-immersion testing device 500 by executing or processing the water-immersion testing device control program 700, which is composed of code for performing various operations related to this embodiment stored in the memory device 440, and various data.

[0062] For example, the CPU 430 executes or processes the water immersion inspection device control program 700 and various data, and by working in cooperation with hardware devices such as the laser irradiator 300, camera 350, acceleration sensor 351, tilt sensor 352, infrared thermograph 410, input device 420, memory device 440, timer 450, output device 460, and legs 340, various functions such as the laser output unit 501, photographing unit 502, irradiation direction control unit 503, temperature measurement unit 504, inspection execution unit 505, learning model memory unit 506, bottom surface identification unit 507A, power distribution equipment identification unit 507B, irradiation direction calculation unit 508, direction adjustment unit 509, stopping unit 510, acceleration detection unit 511, tilt detection unit 512, and base unit 513, which will be described later, are realized.

[0063] The water immersion inspection device control program 700 is a general term for programs for realizing the functions of the water immersion inspection device 500, and includes, for example, application programs and an OS (Operating System) that run on the water immersion inspection device 500, various libraries, etc.

[0064] The water immersion inspection device 500 reads out the water immersion inspection device control program 700 from a recording medium (not shown), such as a CD-ROM, DVD, or USB (registered trademark) memory, and stores it in the storage device 440. Alternatively, the water immersion inspection device 500 downloads the water immersion inspection device control program 700 from another computer that is communicably connected via a communication network (not shown), and stores it in the storage device 440.

[0065] The storage device 440 is a device that provides a physical storage area for storing various programs, data, tables, etc., such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk drive, or an SSD (Solid State Drive). In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the storage device 440 stores a water immersion inspection device control program 700 as well as various data such as learning data 610 and a learning model 620.

[0066] The storage device 440 stores learning data 610 and a learning model 620. The water submersion inspection device 500 generates the learning data 610 using multiple image data of the air switch 100 photographed in the past, and generates a learning model (AI model) 620 that can identify the power distribution equipment 230 (for example, the power distribution line 210 connected to the air switch 100, and the resin branch sleeve cover 220 that insulates and protects the branch connection part of the power distribution line 210) installed around the air switch 100 photographed in the image, and the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100 photographed in the same image.

[0067] The learning data 610 is data (teaching data) used for learning the learning model 620. The learning model 620 is a machine learning model created so that, when new image data including the air switch 100 is input, the learning model 620 identifies the power distribution equipment 230 installed around the air switch 100 and the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100, and by performing machine learning using a larger amount of learning data 610, it becomes possible to identify the surrounding power distribution equipment 230 and the bottom surface 130 more accurately.

[0068] The water ingress inspection device 500 inputs image data of the air circuit breaker 100 newly captured by the camera 350 into the learning model 620, thereby being able to identify the power distribution equipment 230 around the air circuit breaker 100 and the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air circuit breaker 100 that are shown in the image.

[0069] Then, based on information indicating the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air switchgear 100 in this image, the water submersion inspection device 500 can adjust the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 so that the fiber laser from the laser irradiator 300 is reliably irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the air switchgear 100. Furthermore, if the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 is shifted due to some external factor and emission of the fiber laser from the laser irradiator 300 is stopped, and image data captured by the camera 350 at this time is input into the learning model 620 for image analysis, and if restarting emission of the fiber laser from the laser irradiator 300 with the laser irradiator 300 in the shifted position indicates a risk of irradiating the fiber laser onto a position identified as the power distribution equipment 230, the water submersion inspection device 500 can adjust the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 so that the fiber laser is irradiated onto the position identified as the bottom surface 130 of the air switchgear 100.

[0070] 9 shows an example of an image captured by the camera 350 when the leg 340 is roughly installed at a predetermined position on the ground or on a vehicle so that the emission port 330 of the laser irradiator 300 faces the bottom surface 130 of the air contactor 100 in the initial stage before emission of the fiber laser. The intersection of the x-axis and y-axis is the center of the image captured by the camera 350. The inspection device 400 receives image data captured by the camera 350 and performs image analysis of the received image data using a learning model 620, thereby identifying the bottom surface 130 (indicated by an x ​​mark) of the air contactor 100. Here, the inspection device 400 stores information on the identified position of the bottom surface 130 of the air contactor 100 in the storage device 440. Then, the water immersion inspection device 500 calculates that the difference between the current orientation of the laser irradiator 300 shown in the center of the image and the original orientation of the laser irradiator 300 such that the fiber laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100 is (-Δx, +Δy).

[0071] In this case, the water-immersion inspection device 500 adjusts the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 by changing it by -Δx in the azimuth direction and by +Δy in the elevation direction (i.e., by displacing the first tripod 342 by -Δx around the first pivot axis and the second tripod 343 by +Δy around the second pivot axis), thereby controlling the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 so that the fiber laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100.

[0072] Furthermore, in the initial stage before the fiber laser is emitted, the inspection device 400 performs image analysis of the image data captured by the camera 350 at this time using the learning model 620, thereby determining the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air circuit breaker 100 and also determining the position of the power distribution equipment 230 around the air circuit breaker 100. However, since the laser irradiator 300 is not yet irradiating the fiber laser, even if the latter is determined, there is no problem in adjusting the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 to face the bottom surface 130 of the air circuit breaker 100.

[0073] Here, let us consider Figure 9 as another example of an image captured by the camera 350 when the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 shifts from the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100 due to an external factor while the fiber laser is being emitted, causing the fiber laser emission operation from the laser irradiator 300 to stop.

[0074] In this case, Fig. 9 shows how the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air contactor 100 and the position of the power distribution equipment 230 around the air contactor 100 are identified by performing image analysis with the learning model 620 on image data including the air contactor 100 photographed by the camera 350 while the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 is misaligned. The power distribution equipment 230 is not present at the center of the image in Fig. 9, but it is assumed, for example, that the power distribution equipment 230 is present at the center of the image in Fig. 9. When this power distribution equipment 230 is, for example, a power distribution line 210, if the laser irradiator 300 resumes emitting the fiber laser while the laser irradiator 300 is still in a misaligned position, the insulating coating of the power distribution line 210 may melt due to heat irradiation, causing damage to the internal power distribution line. Furthermore, when the power distribution equipment 230 is, for example, a resin-made dashed-line branch sleeve cover 220, if the laser irradiator 300 resumes emitting the fiber laser while remaining in a misaligned position, the resin cover itself, which insulates and protects the power distribution line 210, may melt due to the heat irradiation, causing problems for the power distribution line 210 inside.

[0075] Therefore, if restarting the fiber laser emission operation from the laser irradiator 300 while the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 remains misaligned would result in the laser being irradiated onto the power distribution facility 230 identified using the learning model 620, it is necessary to control the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 before restarting the fiber laser emission operation so that the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 faces the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100. This control method is the same as the method for controlling the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 in the initial stage before the fiber laser is emitted.

[0076] The water submersion inspection device 500 uses image data of the air switch 100 obtained in a water submersion inspection carried out, for example, over a predetermined period in the past (one month, six months, one year, etc., hereinafter referred to as a "time interval") as explanatory variables (features), and generates learning data 610 by associating the image data with the positions of the power distribution equipment 230 installed around the air switch 100 and the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100 as objective variables (labels). Note that the work of associating the image data with the positions of the power distribution equipment 230 and the bottom surface 130 does not need to be performed in units of time intervals, and may be performed for each water submersion inspection.

[0077] The time interval is set empirically based on, for example, the frequency of conducting water immersion tests. Alternatively, learning models 620 may be generated for multiple time intervals, and these learning models 620 may be used to identify the power distribution equipment 230 around the air switchgear 100 and the bottom surface 130 of the air switchgear 100. The time interval is set to a length that improves the accuracy of identifying the bottom surface 130, for example, based on past cases.

[0078] Alternatively, the water immersion test device 500 may generate the training data 610 from the results of a predetermined number of water immersion tests (e.g., 10,000 tests) rather than from the results of water immersion tests carried out within the above-mentioned time interval.

[0079] Alternatively, the water ingress inspection device 500 may select a predetermined number of pieces (e.g., 1,000 pieces from each manufacturer) for each manufacturer of the air contactor 100 to generate the learning data 610. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the content of the learning data 610 used for training the learning model 620 from varying depending on the manufacturer of the air contactor 100.

[0080] In this embodiment, the learning model 620 is a DNN (Deep Neural Network), but may be realized by other types of models such as gradient boosting (GBDT (Gradient Boosting Decision Tree)).

[0081] FIG. 5 shows an example of a learning model 620 (neural network structure). As shown in FIG. 5, image data is input to an input layer 621 of the learning model 620. The intermediate layer 622 includes one or more hidden layers consisting of one or more nodes including parameters adjusted by learning. Based on the image data provided to the input layer 621, the intermediate layer 622 determines the position of the bottom surface 130 and the position of the power distribution equipment 230 in the image output from the output layer 623. Here, the position at which the distribution line 210 is installed and the position at which the branch sleeve cover 220 is installed are determined within a certain range depending on the manufacturer and type of the air switchgear 100, so it is possible to create a learning model 620 that identifies the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air switchgear 100 and the position of the power distribution equipment 230 around the air switchgear 100 from image data including the air switchgear 100. The learning model 620 of this embodiment outputs the position of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100 to be inspected and the position of the power distribution equipment 230 installed around the air switch 100 from the output layer 623. Note that the output layer 623 may be configured to output other values ​​(for example, the manufacturer, model, specifications, etc. of the air switch 100) in addition to the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100 to be inspected and the position of the power distribution equipment 230.

[0082] The training data 610 is required when training the training model 620, but is not required at other times, and therefore does not need to be stored in the storage device 440 of the water immersion inspection device 500. In this case, the training data 610 is stored in a computer (not shown), for example, and the training model 620 is performed on this computer. The water immersion inspection device 500 then acquires the trained training model 620 from this computer via the above-mentioned recording medium or communication network, and stores it in the storage device 440.

[0083] Returning to FIG. 3, the storage device 440 may be built into the water immersion inspection device 500 or may be externally attached.

[0084] The input device 420 is a device that allows the water ingress inspection device 500 to acquire data from the outside. For example, image data of the air contactor 100 captured by the camera 350 and measurement data by the acceleration sensor 351 and tilt sensor 352 are input via the input device 420. Furthermore, an operator may input information such as the inspection date and time, weather, and the operator's name via the input device 420.

[0085] The input device 420 may be, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, etc., but may also include a communication function with other electronic devices such as the laser irradiator 300 or a USB (registered trademark) memory, and further a communication function with other computers via a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN.

[0086] The infrared thermograph 410 measures the temperature of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120, which rises as the fiber laser is irradiated. Specifically, the infrared thermograph 410 detects the infrared radiation energy that appears on the bottom surface 130 when the fiber laser is irradiated from the laser irradiator 300 onto the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120, converts it into an apparent temperature, and displays it on the display 411, for example, as a temperature distribution map of the entire bottom surface 130, with colors corresponding to the apparent temperatures.

[0087] At this time, information indicating the apparent temperature at the position on the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 where the fiber laser is irradiated is successively updated and stored in the storage device 440. The infrared thermograph 410 starts operating in response to a control command output from the inspection device 400, which has acquired via the input device 420 an irradiation start signal that is generated when an operator operates an irradiation start button (not shown) provided on the laser irradiator 300, for example.

[0088] In addition, in order to precisely detect the temperature distribution on the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 and make it easier for the operator to grasp the state of the temperature distribution on the bottom surface 130, a magnifying lens (e.g., a 4x lens) may be attached to the infrared thermograph 410, and the infrared radiation energy on the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 may be converted into apparent temperature, and the state of the temperature distribution on the bottom surface 130 may be displayed on the display 411.

[0089] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the temperature of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 measured by the infrared thermograph 410 and displayed on the display 411. FIG.

[0090] FIG. 6A shows an example of the temperature distribution of bottom surface 130 when laser irradiator 300 irradiates bottom surface 130 with a 20 W fiber laser when housing 120 is not submerged in water.

[0091] On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows an example of the temperature distribution of the bottom surface 130 when the laser irradiator 300 irradiates the bottom surface 130 with a 20 W fiber laser while the housing 120 is submerged in water.

[0092] In the example of Figure 6A, the position of the cross is the position where the fiber laser is irradiated, and it shows that the temperature at this position rose to 158°C one minute after the start of irradiation. The "maximum 158" shown in the upper left of the display 411 is the temperature at the position where the fiber laser is irradiated. From this, the worker can visually check through the display 411 that the housing 120 is not flooded.

[0093] 6B, the cross mark indicates the position where the fiber laser is irradiated, and the temperature at this position rises to 82°C one minute after the start of irradiation. The "maximum 82" displayed in the upper left corner of the display 411 is the temperature at the position where the fiber laser is irradiated. From this, the worker can visually determine through the display 411 that the housing 120 is flooded.

[0094] The outside temperature is displayed in the upper center of the display 411. For example, the outside temperature is 34.7°C in Fig. 6A, and 36.7°C in Fig. 6B.

[0095] 3, the timer 450 starts timing from a reset state, triggered, for example, by the operation of the irradiation start button. The timer 450 may be a software timer realized by the CPU 430 executing the water immersion inspection device control program 700, or may be a timer configured by hardware.

[0096] <Functional configuration> 8 shows a functional block diagram of a water immersion inspection device 500 according to this embodiment. The water immersion inspection device 500 includes the following functions: a laser output unit 501, an image capture unit 502, an irradiation direction control unit 503, a temperature measurement unit 504, an inspection execution unit 505, a learning model storage unit 506, a bottom surface identification unit 507A, a power distribution equipment identification unit 507B, an irradiation direction calculation unit 508, a direction adjustment unit 509, a stop unit 510, an acceleration detection unit 511, an inclination detection unit 512, a pedestal unit 513, a first pedestal unit 514, a second pedestal unit 515, and a third pedestal unit 516. These functions are realized by the hardware shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 executing or processing a water immersion inspection device control program 700 according to this embodiment and various data.

[0097] The laser output unit 501 outputs a laser. In this embodiment, the laser output unit 501 is embodied as the laser irradiator 300, and outputs a fiber laser.

[0098] The photographing unit 502 photographs the outside world along the direction of the laser output unit 501. In this embodiment, the photographing unit 502 is embodied as the camera 350. The photographing unit 502 may be configured integrally with the laser output unit 501. In this manner, the orientation of the photographing unit 502 does not deviate from the orientation of the laser output unit 501, and therefore it is possible to save the effort of aligning the optical axis to match the orientation of the photographing unit 502 with the orientation of the laser output unit 501.

[0099] The irradiation direction control unit 503 analyzes the image captured by the photographing unit 502 in an initial stage before the laser output unit 501 outputs the laser, and thereby controls the orientation of the laser output unit 501 so that the laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100. Furthermore, when the orientation of the laser output unit 501 is shifted due to an external factor during laser emission and the emission operation of the laser output unit 501 stops, and the analysis of the image captured by the photographing unit 502 at this time indicates that if the laser output unit 501 emits the laser while the laser output unit 501 remains shifted, the irradiation direction control unit 503 controls the orientation of the laser output unit 501 so that the laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100.

[0100] The irradiation direction control unit 503 includes a learning model storage unit 506 , a bottom surface identification unit 507A, a power distribution facility identification unit 507B, an irradiation direction calculation unit 508 , and a direction adjustment unit 509 .

[0101] The learning model storage unit 506 stores a learning model 620 that is created using multiple image data of the air switch 100 that have been photographed in the past, so as to identify the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100 that is photographed in the image and the power distribution equipment 230 around the air switch 100 that is photographed in the image. In this embodiment, the learning model storage unit 506 is embodied as the storage device 440.

[0102] The bottom surface identification unit 507A inputs image data of the air contactor 100 newly photographed by the photographing unit 502 into the learning model 620, thereby identifying the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air contactor 100 that is shown in the image.

[0103] The power distribution equipment identification unit 507B inputs image data of the air circuit breaker 100 newly photographed by the photographing unit 502 into the learning model 620, thereby identifying the power distribution equipment 230 installed around the air circuit breaker 100 shown in the image.

[0104] The irradiation direction calculation unit 508 uses information on the position of the bottom surface 130 identified in the image to calculate the difference between the current orientation of the laser output unit 501 and the orientation of the laser output unit 501 such that the laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100. The difference calculated by the irradiation direction calculation unit 508 is indicated by (-Δx, +Δy) in FIG.

[0105] More specifically, the irradiation direction calculation unit 508 calculates the difference based on the position of the bottom surface 130 in the image showing the air switch 100 and the magnification at which the photographing unit 502 photographed the air switch 100. For example, if the photographing unit 502 can photograph the outside world by changing the magnification, the angle of view changes depending on the magnification even if the size of the screen photographed by the photographing unit 502 is the same. Therefore, it is necessary to take the magnification into consideration in order to calculate the adjustment amount (difference) of the angle of the laser output unit 501. Conversely, if the irradiation direction calculation unit 508 calculates the adjustment amount (difference) of the angle based on the position of the bottom surface 130 in the image showing the air switch 100 and the magnification at which the photographing unit 502 photographed the air switch 100, the photographing unit 502 can photograph the outside world by changing the magnification. However, when the magnification of the imaging unit 502 is constant, the angle of view is also constant, so the irradiation direction calculation unit 508 can calculate the difference if the position of the bottom surface 130 within the screen is known.

[0106] Furthermore, if restarting the laser emission operation from the laser output unit 501 while the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 remains misaligned would result in the laser being irradiated onto the power distribution equipment 230 identified using the learning model 620, the irradiation direction calculation unit 508 needs to control the orientation of the laser output unit 501 so that the orientation of the laser output unit 501 faces the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100 before restarting the laser emission operation. Using information on the position of the bottom surface 130 identified in the image, the irradiation direction calculation unit 508 calculates the difference between the current orientation of the laser output unit 501 and the orientation of the laser output unit 501 that would irradiate the laser onto the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100.

[0107] The direction adjustment unit 509 adjusts the direction of the laser output unit 501 based on the difference calculated by the irradiation direction calculation unit 508. In this embodiment, the direction adjustment unit 509 adjusts the direction of the laser output unit 501 by controlling the first step motor and second step motor (not shown) described above.

[0108] When the laser output unit 501 irradiates the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air contactor 100 with a laser, the temperature measurement unit 504 measures the temperature of the bottom surface 130 of the air contactor 100, which rises with the irradiation of the laser. For example, the temperature measurement unit 504 measures a first temperature of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 at a first time point when the laser irradiation starts, and a second temperature of the bottom surface 130 at a second time point after a predetermined time (e.g., 60 seconds) has elapsed since the first time point. By measuring the first temperature and the second temperature in this manner, it is possible to calculate the temperature rise value of the housing 120 over the predetermined time. In this embodiment, the temperature measurement unit 504 is embodied as an infrared thermograph 410.

[0109] The inspection execution unit 505 inspects the air contactor 100 for water intrusion based on the measurement result of the temperature of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air contactor 100. For example, the inspection execution unit 505 inspects the air contactor 100 for water intrusion by comparing the temperature value at the second time point with a predetermined judgment value. In this case, the inspection execution unit 505 judges that water intrusion has occurred in the air contactor 100 if the temperature of the bottom surface 130 60 seconds after the start of laser irradiation is equal to or lower than the predetermined judgment value, and judges that water intrusion has not occurred if the temperature exceeds the predetermined judgment value.

[0110] Alternatively, the inspection execution unit 505 compares the temperature rise value between the first and second points in time with a predetermined judgment value to inspect the air contactor 100 for water intrusion. In this case, it becomes possible to inspect the air contactor 100 for water intrusion without being affected by differences in outside air temperature.

[0111] As described above, the water submersion inspection device 500 according to this embodiment inputs the image of the air switch 100 photographed by the photographing unit 502 into the learning model 620, thereby identifying the position of the bottom surface 130 and adjusting the orientation of the laser output unit 501. Furthermore, the water submersion inspection device 500 inputs the image of the air switch 100 photographed by the photographing unit 502 into the learning model 620, thereby identifying the position of the power distribution equipment 230 and controlling the operation of the laser output unit 501 so that the laser is not directed toward the power distribution equipment 230. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the work of adjusting the orientation of the laser output unit 501 by the worker, and reduces the workload when pointing the laser output unit 501 at the air switch 100 installed on a pole.

[0112] The stopping unit 510 stops the output of the laser from the laser output unit 501 when the laser irradiation position is misaligned with respect to the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the laser from being irradiated at an unintended location, thereby improving safety.

[0113] For example, the stopping unit 510 may detect that the laser irradiation position has shifted when the position of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air contactor 100 shown in the image, which is identified by inputting image data of the air contactor 100 photographed by the photographing unit 502 while the laser output unit 501 is outputting a laser, into the learning model 620, has changed by a predetermined value or more. Alternatively, the stopping unit 510 may detect that the laser irradiation position has shifted when the center of the image indicating the direction of the laser output unit 501 (the intersection of the x-axis and y-axis shown in FIG. 9 ) goes outside the range of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air contactor 100.

[0114] Furthermore, the stopping unit 510 may detect that the laser irradiation position has shifted based on the detection result of the acceleration detection unit 511 that detects the acceleration occurring in the laser output unit 501. In this case, for example, the stopping unit 510 detects the shift of the laser irradiation position by comparing the value of acceleration detected by the acceleration detection unit 511 while the laser output unit 501 is outputting the laser with a first determination value. In this embodiment, the acceleration detection unit 511 is embodied as the acceleration sensor 351.

[0115] Furthermore, the stopping unit 510 may detect that the laser irradiation position has shifted based on the detection result of the tilt detection unit 512 that detects the tilt of the laser output unit 501. In this case, for example, the stopping unit 510 detects the shift of the laser irradiation position by comparing the amount of change in tilt detected by the tilt detection unit 512 while the laser output unit 501 is outputting the laser with a second determination value. In this embodiment, the tilt detection unit 512 is embodied as the tilt sensor 352.

[0116] The pedestal 513 is a device for placing the laser output unit 501 thereon, and is set in a predetermined position when inspecting the air switch 100 for flooding. In this embodiment, the pedestal 513 is embodied as the leg 340. The pedestal 513 includes a first pedestal 514, a second pedestal 515, and a third pedestal 516.

[0117] The first pedestal portion 514 is placed at a predetermined position when inspecting for flooding of the air switch 100. In this embodiment, the first pedestal portion 514 is embodied as a tripod 341.

[0118] Second pedestal 515 is attached to first pedestal 514 so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis in the vertical direction. Third pedestal 516 is attached to second pedestal 515 so as to be rotatable about a second rotation axis in the horizontal direction, and has laser output unit 501 placed thereon. In this embodiment, second pedestal 515 is embodied as first tripod 342, and third pedestal 516 is embodied as second tripod 343.

[0119] Then, the direction adjusting section 509 adjusts the direction of the laser output section 501 by adjusting the direction of the second pedestal section 515 and the direction of the third pedestal section 516, respectively.

[0120] In this manner, it is possible to accurately direct the direction of the laser output unit 501 toward the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100.

[0121] The water ingress inspection device 500 then displays the results of the inspection of the air switchgear 100 for water ingress on the output device 460 or the display 411 in a format such as that shown in FIG.

[0122] As described above, the water ingress inspection device 500 according to this embodiment inputs the image of the air switch 100 photographed by the photographing unit 502 into the learning model 620, thereby identifying the position of the power distribution equipment 230 and the position of the bottom surface 130 and then adjusting the orientation of the laser output unit 501. This eliminates the need for an operator to adjust the orientation of the laser output unit 501, reducing the workload of an operator when aiming the laser output unit 501 at the air switch 100 installed on a pole. This makes it possible to more accurately and efficiently inspect for water ingress of the air switch 100 installed on a pole.

[0123] ==Processing flow== Next, with reference to Figures 10 to 11, we will explain the process in which the water ingress inspection device 500 of this embodiment uses learning data 610 to learn the learning model 620, and the process flow when using this learning model 620 to adjust the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 and then perform a water ingress inspection of the air contactor 100.

[0124] 10 is a flowchart explaining the processing when the water leakage inspection device 500 uses the learning data 610 to learn the learning model 620. The timing at which the water leakage inspection device 500 executes learning of the learning model 620 is not necessarily limited, but the water leakage inspection device 500 executes the learning processing of the learning model 620 when, for example, the water leakage inspection device 500 acquires new image data, when it receives an instruction to execute learning from a person in charge via a user interface such as the input device 420, or at a predetermined timing that arrives at predetermined intervals (once a month, once a year, etc.).

[0125] First, the water flooding inspection device 500 generates, as training data 610, data that associates the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100 captured in each image with the position of the power distribution equipment 230 installed around the air switch 100 captured in each image for multiple images of the air switch 100 taken by the camera 350 during past water flooding inspections carried out within a time period (S1000). The position of the bottom surface 130 and the position of the power distribution equipment 230 in each image are individually specified by the creator of the training data 610.

[0126] Next, the water immersion inspection device 500 performs a learning process for the learning model 620 using the learning data 610 (S1010).

[0127] The water submersion inspection device 500 may be configured to verify the prediction accuracy of the trained learning model 620. In this case, the water submersion inspection device 500 classifies the training data 610 into training data and verification data in advance, trains the learning model 620 using the training data, and verifies the learning model 620 using the verification data.

[0128] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing when the water submersion inspection device 500 performs a water submersion inspection of the air contactor 100 after adjusting the direction of the laser irradiator 300 using the learning model 620.

[0129] First, the worker identifies a position on the road surface where the fiber laser can be irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100 installed at a high position on the utility pole 200, and installs the leg 340 and the laser irradiator 300 at that position. At this time, the worker roughly adjusts the position of the leg 340 and the orientations of the first tripod 342 and the second tripod 343 so that the emission port 330 of the laser irradiator 300 faces the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120. The worker also installs the inspection device 400 at a position where the infrared radiation energy of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 when the fiber laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 can be converted into an apparent temperature.

[0130] Once the installation of the leg 340, the laser irradiator 300, and the inspection device 400 is complete, the water submersion inspection device 500 uses the camera 350 to photograph the air switch 100 (S2000). Then, the water submersion inspection device 500 transfers the image data photographed by the camera 350 to the inspection device 400.

[0131] The inspection device 400 inputs image data of the air switch 100 newly captured by the camera 350 into the learning model 620, thereby specifying the position of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100 that appears in the image (S2010). At this point, the inspection device 400 also specifies the position of the power distribution equipment 230 installed around the air switch 100, but this does not hinder the process of directing the laser irradiator 300 toward the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100.

[0132] Then, if the state is not after the laser emission operation by the laser irradiator 300 has been stopped due to a shift in the direction of the laser irradiator 300 while emitting the laser (S2020: NO), the inspection device 400 calculates the difference between the current direction of the laser irradiator 300 and the direction of the laser irradiator 300 that would irradiate the laser onto the bottom surface 130 of the air switch 100, based on the specific position of the bottom surface 130 in the image (S2030), and adjusts the direction of the laser irradiator 300 based on this difference so that the laser irradiator 300 faces the bottom surface 130 (S2040).

[0133] Then, when the water immersion inspection device 500 detects that an irradiation start signal has been generated as a result of the operator operating the irradiation start button of the laser irradiator 300 (S2050: YES), the water immersion inspection device 500 irradiates a fiber laser from the laser irradiator 300 toward the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 (S2060).

[0134] The water leakage inspection device 500 then controls the infrared thermograph 410 to convert the infrared radiation energy appearing on the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 into apparent temperature at regular intervals (for example, every second), and displays it on the display 411 as a temperature distribution map of the entire bottom surface 130, as shown in Figures 6A and 6B. The water leakage inspection device 500 also stores, in the storage device 440, information indicating the apparent temperature at the position where the fiber laser is irradiated on the bottom surface 130 of the air switchgear 100, while updating it sequentially.

[0135] Furthermore, the water immersion inspection device 500 stores in the storage device 440 the temperature (first temperature) of the bottom surface 130 at the first time point when the irradiation start signal is detected.

[0136] The water immersion test device 500 determines whether the timing measured by the timer 450 has reached one minute (S2070).

[0137] When the timing of the timer 450 reaches the second time point, which is one minute after the first time point (S2070: YES), the water immersion inspection device 500 stops the laser irradiator 300 from emitting the fiber laser (S2080) and stores the temperature of the bottom surface 130 at the second time point (second temperature) in the memory device 440.

[0138] The water submersion inspection device 500 then compares the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature with a predetermined determination value to determine whether the air switchgear 100 is submerged in water.

[0139] The water submersion inspection device 500 then generates a screen displaying the inspection results as shown in Fig. 12, and outputs the inspection results to the display 411 or the output device 460 (S2090). Note that Fig. 12 displays the inspection date and time, the identification number of the switch to be inspected, and so on, but this information was entered into the inspection device 400 before the water submersion inspection began.

[0140] On the other hand, if the timing of the timer 450 has not yet reached the second time point, which is one minute after the first time point (S2070: NO), the water immersion inspection device 500 determines whether the direction in which the laser irradiator 300 emits the fiber laser has shifted from the original irradiation position due to some external factor (S2100). If the direction in which the laser irradiator 300 emits the fiber laser has shifted (S2100: YES), the water immersion inspection device 500 stops the timing by the timer 450 and stops the fiber laser emission operation by the laser irradiator 300 (S2110), and returns to the processing of S2000.

[0141] The water ingress inspection device 500 again photographs the air switch 100 using the camera 350 (S2000), and transfers the image data photographed by the camera 350 to the inspection device 400. Then, the inspection device 400 inputs the image data of the air switch 100 newly photographed by the camera 350 into the learning model 620, thereby again identifying the position of the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 of the air switch 100 photographed in the image and the position of the power distribution equipment 230 around the air switch 100 (S2010). Furthermore, since this timing occurs after the fiber laser emission operation by the laser irradiator 300 has been stopped in S2110 (S2020: YES), the water ingress inspection device 500 determines, based on the position of the power distribution equipment 230 identified in S2010, whether there is a risk that the fiber laser will be irradiated onto the power distribution equipment 230 if the laser irradiator 300 continues to emit the fiber laser while remaining in a shifted position (S2120).

[0142] If there is a risk that the power distribution facility 230 will be irradiated if the fiber laser is emitted while the laser irradiator 300 remains in the misaligned position (S2120: YES), a warning is issued to a worker using the output device 460 so that the laser irradiator 300 does not erroneously emit the fiber laser and accidents to the power distribution facility 230 can be reliably prevented (S2130). For example, if the output device 460 has an audio output function, it outputs a voice warning message such as "The laser irradiator is facing the direction of the power distribution facility" or a buzzer, or if the output device 460 has a display, it outputs a visual warning message such as "The laser irradiator is facing the direction of the power distribution facility," or if the output device 460 has a warning lamp, it lights or flashes the warning lamp.

[0143] Thereafter, the water submersion inspection device 500 again calculates the difference between the current orientation (displaced position) of the laser irradiator 300 and the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 that would cause the fiber laser to be irradiated onto the bottom surface 130 of the air switchgear 100, based on the specific position of the bottom surface 130 in the image (S2030), and then adjusts the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 again based on this difference so that the laser irradiator 300 is directed toward the bottom surface 130 (S2040). Then, the process proceeds to the next step, S2050. In this way, when the fiber laser emission operation by the laser irradiator 300 is resumed, if the fiber laser is emitted while the laser irradiator 300 remains in the displaced position, and there is a risk that the fiber laser will be irradiated onto the power distribution equipment 230 specified in the image, a warning is issued to the operator, and the orientation of the laser irradiator 300 is automatically directed toward the bottom surface 130 of the air switchgear 100, thereby reliably preventing damage to the power distribution equipment 230 by the fiber laser.

[0144] On the other hand, even if the laser irradiator 300 emits the fiber laser while remaining in the misaligned position, if there is no risk of it being irradiated onto the power distribution facility 230 (S2120: NO), the process may proceed to S2030 without performing the warning process of S2130.

[0145] The water leakage inspection device 500, the inspection method of the water leakage inspection device 500, and the water leakage inspection device control program 700 according to this embodiment have been described above. According to this embodiment, the position of the bottom surface 130 of the air contactor 100 is identified by inputting an image of the air contactor 100 taken by the camera 350 into the learning model 620, and then the direction of the laser irradiator 300 is adjusted without the fiber laser being directed toward the power distribution equipment 230. This eliminates the need for an operator to adjust the direction of the laser irradiator 300, reducing the workload of the operator when aiming the laser irradiator 300 at the air contactor 100 installed on a pole. This makes it possible to more accurately and efficiently inspect the air contactor 100 installed on a pole for water leakage.

[0146] In this embodiment, the inspection as to whether or not the inside of the housing 120 is flooded is performed by irradiating one position on the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 with a fiber laser, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the accuracy of the inspection as to whether or not the housing 120 is flooded with water may be improved by sequentially irradiating a plurality of different positions on the bottom surface 130 of the housing 120 with a fiber laser and performing the inspection operation of Fig. 11 for each of the plurality of irradiation positions of the fiber laser.

[0147] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a fiber laser is used to inspect whether or not water has entered the housing 120, but this is not limiting. A solid-state laser other than a fiber laser may also be used as long as it can inspect whether or not water has entered the housing 120 in the same manner as in this embodiment.

[0148] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the embodiment has been described in which the water ingress inspection device 500 is installed on the ground and the air contactor 100 is inspected for water ingress, but the inspection may also be performed from the air. For example, a propeller may be provided on the leg 340, and the laser irradiator 300 may be levitated in the air and the air contactor 100 may be irradiated with a laser to inspect for water ingress.

[0149] The above-described embodiments are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 100 Air switch 110 Live parts 120 cabinet 130 bottom 200 utility poles 210 Power Distribution Line 220 Branch Sleeve Cover 230 Power distribution equipment 300 Laser Illuminator 310 Excitation section 311 Semiconductor laser 312 Optical Fiber 313 Excitation Combiner 314 Optical Fiber 320 Resonator section 321 High reflectivity mirror 322 Amplification Fiber 323 Low reflectivity mirror 330 Exit 340 Legs 341 Tripod 342 1st tripod stand 343 2nd tripod stand 350 camera 351 Acceleration Sensor 352 Inclination Sensor 400 Inspection Equipment 410 Infrared Thermograph 411 Display 420 Input Device 430 CPU 440 Storage device 450 Timer 460 Output Device 500 Water immersion testing device 501 Laser output unit 502 Photography Department 503 Irradiation direction control unit 504 Temperature measurement section 505 Inspection Execution Department 506 Learning model memory unit 507A Bottom specific part 507B Power Distribution Equipment Specification Department 508 Irradiation direction calculation unit 509 Direction adjustment section 510 Stop part 511 Acceleration detection unit 512 Tilt detection unit 513 Base 514 First Pedestal 515 Second pedestal 516 Third pedestal 610 training data 620 Learning Model 621 Input Layer 622 Middle Class 623 Output Layer 700 Water-immersion inspection device control program

Claims

1. A water ingress inspection device that inspects whether the inside of an air switchgear installed on a pole is flooded, a laser output unit that irradiates a bottom surface of a housing of the air switch with a laser for inspecting whether or not the inside of the air switch is flooded; an imaging unit that captures an image in a direction along the laser irradiation direction; a learning model storage unit that stores a learning model created by using a plurality of images of the air switch taken in the past so as to identify power distribution equipment around the air switch that is captured in the plurality of images; and an identification unit that inputs data indicating an image including the air contactor newly photographed by the photographing unit into the learning model and identifies the surrounding power distribution equipment; a control unit that controls emission of the laser by the laser output unit based on the identification result of the identification unit so that the laser is not irradiated onto the surrounding power distribution equipment; and a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the bottom surface when the laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface; an inspection unit that inspects whether or not the inside of the housing of the air contactor is flooded based on the result of detecting the temperature of the bottom surface; A water immersion inspection device comprising:

2. The water immersion inspection device according to claim 1, the control unit includes a stop unit that stops the laser output unit from emitting the laser when the installation position of the laser output unit is shifted; a direction adjustment unit that adjusts the orientation of the laser output unit so that the laser is not irradiated onto the power distribution facility when the laser is irradiated onto the power distribution facility if the laser output unit is in a misaligned position; The water immersion inspection device further comprises:

3. The water immersion inspection device according to claim 2, the learning model is created by using a plurality of images of the air switch taken in the past to identify the power distribution equipment around the air switch and the bottom surface of the air switch that are shown in the plurality of images, the identification unit, when data indicating an image including the air contactor newly photographed by the photographing unit is input to the learning model, identifies the surrounding power distribution equipment and the bottom surface; The direction adjustment unit adjusts the direction of the laser output unit so that the laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface based on the identification result of the identification unit after the laser output unit stops emitting the laser. Water immersion testing equipment.

4. The water immersion inspection device according to claim 2 or 3, a base on which the laser output unit is mounted, The base portion is a first base portion that is installed at a predetermined position when inspecting the air contactor for flooding; a second base portion attached to the first base portion so as to be rotatable about a first rotation axis in a vertical direction; a third base portion that is mounted on the second base portion so as to be rotatable about a second horizontal rotation axis, and on which the laser output unit is mounted; The direction adjustment unit adjusts the direction of the laser output unit by adjusting the direction of the second base unit and the direction of the third base unit, respectively.

5. The water immersion inspection device according to claim 4, a first step motor that rotates the second base portion around the first rotation axis; a second step motor that rotates the third base portion around the second rotation axis; A water immersion inspection device comprising:

6. The water immersion inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The photographing unit is provided integrally with the laser output unit. Water immersion testing equipment.

7. The water immersion inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The laser is a fiber laser. Water immersion testing equipment.

8. The water immersion inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The power distribution facility includes at least one of a power distribution line connected to the air switch and a branch sleeve cover that insulates and protects the power distribution line. Water immersion testing equipment.

9. An inspection method for a water ingress inspection device that inspects whether or not the inside of an air switchgear installed on a pole is flooded, comprising: irradiating a bottom surface of a housing of the air contactor with a laser for inspecting whether or not the inside of the air contactor is flooded with water; Photographing a direction along the laser irradiation direction, storing a learning model in a storage device, the learning model being created to identify power distribution equipment around the air switch captured in a plurality of images of the air switch captured in the past; inputting data representing a newly captured image including the air contactor into the learning model, and identifying the surrounding power distribution equipment; controlling emission of the laser based on the identification result so that the laser is not irradiated onto the surrounding power distribution equipment; Detecting the temperature of the bottom surface when the laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface; Based on the result of detecting the temperature of the bottom surface, it is checked whether the inside of the housing of the air contactor is flooded with water. Inspection method for water immersion inspection equipment.

10. A program for causing a computer to check whether the inside of an air switch installed on a pole is flooded, a step of irradiating a bottom surface of a housing of the air contactor with a laser for inspecting whether or not the inside of the air contactor is flooded with water; taking an image in a direction along the laser irradiation direction; a step of storing in a storage device a learning model created by using a plurality of images of the air switch taken in the past so as to identify power distribution equipment around the air switch shown in the plurality of images; a step of inputting data representing a newly captured image including the air contactor into the learning model and identifying the surrounding power distribution equipment; a step of controlling emission of the laser based on the identification result so that the laser is not irradiated onto the surrounding power distribution equipment; detecting the temperature of the bottom surface when the laser is irradiated onto the bottom surface; a step of inspecting whether or not the inside of the housing of the air contactor is flooded based on the result of detecting the temperature of the bottom surface; A program for causing the computer to execute the above.

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