Drone Thermal Mapping for Heat Transfer Pipe Rupture Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting the stability of heat transfer pipes are inefficient and lack accuracy, particularly when inspecting underground pipes, and there is a need for a more precise and efficient inspection method.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a drone equipped with a GPS module and thermal imaging camera to generate a heat map, which is compared with an initial heat transfer pipe image, and identifies and reports any rupture locations through a GIS system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If inspection is performed by walking or vehicles, then inspection can be conducted, but inspection efficiency and accuracy are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based inspection (2D surface movement) to aerial inspection using a drone (3D spatial movement). The drone flies overhead to capture thermal images of heat transfer pipes, enabling inspection of previously inaccessible areas and improving both efficiency and accuracy by eliminating the limitations of ground-based approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual inspection methods (walking or vehicle-based) with an automated aerial drone system. The drone uses thermal imaging cameras and GPS technology to automatically capture and analyze heat transfer pipe conditions, substituting human-operated mechanical inspection with an automated aerodynamic platform that provides superior measurement capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If thermal imaging camera is used to generate heat map, then inspection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single drone platform: GPS positioning for location tracking, thermal imaging for heat detection, and image processing for rupture analysis. This multi-functional integration achieves high measurement precision while managing system complexity by consolidating capabilities in one unified inspection system rather than requiring separate specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-analysis by automatically comparing captured heat maps with reference data to identify ruptures. The drone's onboard processing capabilities enable it to autonomously detect and report anomalies without requiring extensive external analysis equipment, thereby improving detection accuracy while keeping the overall system manageable in complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method enables quick and accurate inspection of heat transfer pipes, overcoming spatial limitations and ensuring flight efficiency, while providing clear analysis data and preventing omission of non-accessible areas.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal imaging camera generating a heat map by capturing an image of the heat transfer pipe
Data Source
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AI summary
A system according to an embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for inspecting the stability of a heat transfer pipe by using a drone, the system comprising: the drone including a global positioning system (GPS) module and a thermal imaging camera that captures images of the heat transfer pipe to generate a heat map; and a control unit that receives, from the drone, information about the location of a rupture in the heat transfer pipe, identifies the location of the rupture in the heat transfer pipe, and controls the flight of the drone, wherein the drone loads the heat map onto a geographic information system (GIS) and is configured to compare the heat map with an initial heat transfer pipe and, when the heat map does not match the initial heat transfer pipe, generate and transmit the information about the location of the rupture in the heat transfer pipe.