UAV Infrastructure Inspection for Rapid Fault Localization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrastructure monitoring systems face inefficiencies in detecting and locating faults within large-scale physical systems, such as electrical power transmission and distribution systems, leading to suboptimal dispatching of personnel for inspections.
Innovation Solution
The integration of monitoring equipment and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for real-time fault detection, location estimation, and automated dispatch to inspect probable fault areas, utilizing data from various sources and geographic mapping for precise UAV deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection methods are used to assess infrastructure faults, then personnel can perform detailed physical inspections, but the time required for fault detection and localization increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary fault location estimation using monitoring equipment before dispatching inspection personnel. The processor determines a probable location of the fault based on data from monitoring equipment, allowing personnel to be dispatched directly to the estimated location rather than searching the entire infrastructure, thus reducing inspection time while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of monitoring equipment and a processor that acts as a mediator between fault occurrence and manual inspection. This intermediary system continuously monitors infrastructure, detects faults, and provides location estimates, bridging the gap between automatic detection and manual verification
2Reliability
If comprehensive monitoring equipment is installed throughout the infrastructure system, then fault detection capability improves, but the complexity and cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring equipment is designed to perform multiple functions: it monitors infrastructure conditions, detects faults, and provides location information. This multi-functional approach allows the same equipment to serve several purposes, reducing the need for separate specialized devices and thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring equipment automatically detects and reports faults without requiring constant human intervention or complex external systems. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring and autonomously providing fault location information, reducing the complexity associated with manual monitoring and control systems
3Measurement precision
If trained personnel are dispatched to perform physical inspections of infrastructure faults, then accurate assessment of fault conditions can be made, but labor costs and response time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary fault location estimation and prepares inspection information before personnel are dispatched. The processor determines the probable location and provides this information to guide personnel, so that when they arrive, they can immediately begin accurate assessment without time-consuming search or preliminary activities, thereby improving both accuracy and efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the dispatch process by delivering accurate fault location information to personnel. This feedback loop ensures that personnel are sent to the correct location with relevant information, improving their ability to perform accurate assessments efficiently and reducing unnecessary travel or inspection of incorrect locations
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of monitoring infrastructure systems. Indications of problem reports are received and analyzed to determine an estimated location of a problem in an infrastructure system. Based on analyzing the indications, a selected drone that is pre-deployed at a location near the estimated location is selected. Operations of the selected drone are remotely control, based on determining the selected drone, to inspect an area or equipment in a vicinity of the estimated location of the problem.