Automated Hazard Detection for Infrastructure Assets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Utilities and infrastructure management companies face challenges in efficiently locating and addressing hazardous conditions, such as tree damage to overhead power lines, which leads to outages and financial burdens, due to reliance on manual and ad-hoc methods for assessing and prioritizing maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An automated system utilizing satellite imagery, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, and predictive modeling to analyze visual media and generate visual overlay layers, determining hazardous conditions and prioritizing maintenance plans by identifying relevant road intersections and traffic control points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual techniques are used to assess where to dispatch crews for tree trimming activity, then the process is simple and requires minimal technology, but the time consumption and labor cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of manual assessment processVSAvoidtime spent locating hazardous conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and ad-hoc assessment methods with an automated image processing system that uses computer vision algorithms to detect hazardous conditions. The system automatically analyzes images of infrastructure assets, identifies potential hazards such as tree damage to power lines, and prioritizes maintenance needs without human intervention in the detection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting and prioritizing hazardous conditions without requiring manual assessment. The automated detection system independently analyzes infrastructure conditions, generates maintenance priorities, and provides location data for crew dispatch, allowing the infrastructure management system to service itself rather than relying on manual human assessment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated image processing is used to detect hazardous conditions, then the detection speed and accuracy improve, but the system complexity and initial cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of hazard detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of automated detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the infrastructure into discrete asset units (such as individual power lines, transformers, or network segments) and analyzing each separately through automated image processing. This allows the system to handle complex infrastructure networks by processing them in manageable, modular units, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining high detection productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual methods are used to prioritize maintenance activities, then the decision-making process remains flexible and adaptable, but the consistency and reliability of maintenance scheduling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in maintenance decision-makingVSAvoidconsistency of maintenance scheduling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses parameter changes by establishing quantitative criteria and thresholds for hazard detection and prioritization. The automated system applies consistent numerical parameters (such as hazard severity scores, location coordinates, and priority rankings) to maintain reliable and consistent maintenance scheduling while still allowing flexibility through configurable parameter thresholds that can be adjusted based on specific infrastructure needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9633258B2Hazard detection for asset management

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 UTOPUS INSIGHTS INC

AI summary

An approach that detects locations of hazardous conditions within an infrastructure is provided. This approach uses satellite imagery, GIS data, automatic image processing, and predictive modeling to determine the location of the hazards automatically, thus optimizing infrastructure management. Specifically, a hazard detection tool provides this capability. The hazard detection tool comprises a detection component configured to: receive visual media containing asset location data about a set of physical assets, and hazard location data about potential hazards within a vicinity of each of the set of physical assets. The detection component further receives graphical information system (GIS) data containing asset location data about each of the set of physical assets. The hazard detection tool further comprises an analysis component configured to: analyze the visual media to determine if a hazardous condition exists for each of the set of physical assets; and apply the GIS data to the visual media to determine a location of hazardous conditions within the infrastructure.