Flexible Holder UAV for Continuous Ultrasonic Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the oil and gas industry face limitations in battery power, restricting their ability to perform extensive, high-resolution scans of industrial structures due to the need to move quickly to conserve energy, which limits the effectiveness of ultrasonic testing.
Innovation Solution
A UAV equipped with a flexible holder that can deform to arrange ultrasonic probes around a structure, allowing for continuous three-dimensional scanning before battery power is depleted, utilizing a processor to control flight modes and probe configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the UAV moves quickly adjacent to the structure to conserve battery power, then the battery power is preserved, but the scan resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, transitioning from a first configuration during approach to a second configuration during scanning. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both energy efficiency and scan resolution at different operational phases, resolving the contradiction between moving quickly to conserve power and maintaining high resolution during scanning.
2Area of stationary object
If the UAV performs extensive scans over a greater portion of the structure, then the scanning coverage is improved, but the battery power depletes faster
Solution Approach 1:
The holder segments the probe array into multiple independently controllable elements that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the system to perform extensive scans by activating only the necessary probe segments for each scanning position, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining comprehensive coverage of the structure.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the UAV performs spot checks only, then the battery power is preserved, but the scanning coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfigurable holder provides multi-functionality, enabling the UAV to perform both spot checks and extensive continuous scans with the same hardware configuration. The holder can adapt its geometry to suit different scanning modes, making the system universal and eliminating the need to choose between limited spot checks or power-consuming extensive scans.
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
Enables efficient, continuous three-dimensional scanning over a greater portion of a structure, extending the scanning duration and improving the resolution of ultrasonic tests without depleting battery power.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the plurality of probes is an ultrasonic test (UT) probe to scan the portion of the structure with ultrasonic waves
Data Source
AI summary
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a flexible holder retaining a plurality of probes. The flexible holder is deformable to arrange the probes around a portion of a structure, allowing the probes to scan the portion of the structure. At least one of the plurality of probes is an ultrasonic test (UT) probe to scan the portion of the structure with ultrasonic waves.