Drone Loop Rope Transfer Over Power Lines Without Entanglement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transferring a rope over an object, such as a high-voltage line, are hindered by wind, vegetation, and regulatory restrictions, leading to issues like rope entanglement, damage, and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A drone equipped with a loop and rope connector that guides the rope along a predefined path through rotation or translation, maintaining a minimum distance from thrust devices to ensure controlled transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the rope is thrown over the high-voltage line using a rope harpoon or dropped from the drone, then the rope can be transferred over the object, but the rope may become entangled in vegetation, get damaged, or land directly on the ground causing safety risks and regulatory violations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pulley system as an intermediary mechanism between the drone and the rope. The pulley is attached to the drone and guides the rope through a controlled path, preventing the rope from being thrown or dropped directly. This intermediary device ensures the rope is lifted smoothly over the high-voltage line without entanglement or damage, while maintaining regulatory compliance by avoiding uncontrolled material release.
2Ease of operation
If a telescopic pole with a releasable reel is used to transfer the rope, then the rope can be deployed over the power line, but wind and vegetation complicate the work and may blow the rope into trees where it gets stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex telescopic pole with reel mechanism with a simpler drone-based pulley system. The drone's thrust devices provide the lifting force, eliminating the need for a mechanical telescopic structure. The pulley guides the rope in a controlled manner, reducing the impact of wind and vegetation by maintaining a steady, predictable rope path from the drone over the high-voltage line.
3Productivity
If the rope is lifted over the object and dropped on the opposite side, then the rope can be transferred, but dropping material from the UAS is prohibited in Europe and may cause safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous controlled lifting of the rope using the drone's thrust devices throughout the entire transfer process. Instead of lifting and then dropping the rope, the drone maintains continuous upward force on the rope via the pulley system, ensuring the rope is always under controlled support. This continuous action eliminates the prohibited dropping phase while maintaining efficient rope transfer and full regulatory compliance.
Data Source
AI summary
A drone having at least one thrust device and being provided with a loop coupled to the drone. The loop is configured for fastening a rope to the drone and is provided with a rope connector for establishing a releasable connection with the rope in operational use of the drone. The loop is configured for guiding the rope connector from a first position under the drone along a predefined path to a second position over the drone i) by rotation of the loop itself or ii) by translation of the rope connector along the loop, or iii) by a combination of said rotation and said translation, wherein the predefined path is configured for ensuring a minimum distance between the rope connector and the least one thrust device of the drone.