Drone Flight Path Integration for Inspecting Operating Assets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Human inspection of assets is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and often impractical due to location, size, or complexity, especially for assets with moving parts or inaccessible areas, leading to incomplete inspections and inefficient scheduling.
Innovation Solution
An asset inspection system utilizing drones with a flight controller and asset controller that coordinates the operation of drones to execute a flight plan, collecting inspection data while adapting to asset operational parameters and adjusting the asset's operation for effective data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human inspectors perform asset inspection manually, then inspection quality and accuracy are maintained, but inspection time and labor costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human inspectors with automated robotic inspection systems that use sensors, cameras, and AI algorithms to detect and assess asset conditions. This substitution maintains inspection quality through precise measurement tools while dramatically reducing inspection time and eliminating manual labor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system performs self-assessment through autonomous navigation and automated data collection. The robotic inspector independently identifies defects, evaluates their severity, and generates inspection reports without human intervention, thereby maintaining quality standards while reducing time consumption.
2Loss of information
If assets are taken offline for inspection, then complete inspection data can be collected, but productivity and operational efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous operation of assets during inspection by using non-intrusive sensing technologies. The robotic inspection system collects complete inspection data while the asset remains operational, eliminating downtime and maintaining productivity through uninterrupted useful action.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system acts as an intermediary that collects data without disrupting asset operation. Sensors and cameras capture inspection information from a distance or through transparent interfaces, allowing complete data collection while the asset continues its productive function.
3Reliability
If inspection schedules are based on fixed intervals, then routine maintenance is ensured, but resources are wasted on over-inspection or under-inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements condition-based monitoring where inspection frequency and intensity are dynamically adjusted based on real-time asset condition data. When assets are operating normally, inspections are reduced; when anomalies are detected, inspection frequency increases. This feedback mechanism ensures maintenance reliability while optimizing resource efficiency by avoiding unnecessary inspections.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection scheduling system transitions from static fixed-interval scheduling to dynamic adaptive scheduling. Inspection parameters such as frequency, duration, and depth are continuously adjusted based on asset condition, operational context, and risk assessment, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing resource waste through optimized inspection timing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If drones operate independently without coordination, then flight flexibility is maintained, but inspection efficiency and data integration deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent drone operations into a coordinated fleet system managed by a central controller. Drones share flight paths, divide inspection zones, and synchronize data collection, thereby maintaining individual flight flexibility while dramatically improving overall inspection efficiency through collaborative operation and integrated data processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present approach relates to the inspection of assets, such as assets having parts that move during operation. As discussed herein, operational data for the asset may be incorporated into planning or adapting the flight plan and/or operational commands may be issued to asset in accordance with the flight plan to facilitate acquisition of the inspection data.