UAV Inspection of Utility Structures With Repeatable Thickness Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current maintenance processes for utility structures, such as poles and towers, are cumbersome, time-consuming, and costly due to the need for on-site inspections and manual data logging, which can be inaccurate and dangerous, especially when dealing with high-voltage transmission lines.
Innovation Solution
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with sensors and tools for inspecting and maintaining structures, including geolocation, altitude sensors, rotor assemblies, and interchangeable component assemblies like cameras, LiDAR, and drill assemblies, to navigate and perform tasks autonomously or with remote guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If technicians climb structures to obtain inspection information, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and reliability deteriorates due to danger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as an intermediary device to collect inspection data from structures. The UAV is equipped with sensors, cameras, and LiDAR to capture high-resolution images and measurements without requiring human climbers, thus maintaining measurement precision while eliminating time loss and safety risks associated with manual climbing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human climbing with an automated aerial system. Instead of technicians physically ascending structures, the UAV flies around and captures data using onboard sensors, substituting mechanical human effort with automated aerial navigation and optical/electronic measurement systems.
2Ease of operation
If technicians climb structures to perform maintenance actions, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV serves as an intermediary platform that can deliver maintenance tools and perform repairs remotely. The system can transport replacement components to the structure and execute maintenance actions without requiring technicians to climb, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service maintenance through automated UAV operations. The UAV can autonomously navigate to the structure, assess conditions, and perform maintenance tasks using onboard tools, reducing the need for human intervention and the time associated with manual maintenance operations.
3Measurement precision
If technicians inspect structures near high voltage transmission lines, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to danger
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV acts as a safe intermediary that can operate in proximity to high voltage transmission lines without exposing human technicians to electrical hazards. The aircraft maintains a safe distance while capturing high-resolution images and measurements, ensuring both measurement precision and technician safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or replica of the structure through photogrammetry and LiDAR scanning. Instead of requiring technicians to physically inspect dangerous areas, the UAV captures comprehensive visual and spatial data that can be analyzed remotely, maintaining measurement precision while eliminating safety risks.
4Device complexity
If manual inspection processes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The UAV system is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform various inspection tasks using different sensor configurations. The same aircraft can be equipped with cameras, LiDAR, thermal sensors, or specialized tools depending on the inspection requirements, providing universal applicability across different structure types while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data collection and analysis automatically during flight. The UAV captures images and measurements en route to the target structure and can pre-process the data to identify potential issues before detailed inspection, thereby increasing overall productivity without significantly increasing device 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
Enhances the accuracy, consistency, speed, and cost-effectiveness of structure inspections and maintenance by allowing precise data collection and task execution without the need for human climbers, reducing risks and improving access to hard-to-reach areas.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more rotor assemblies can be configured to provide lift and directional movement to the UAV
Implementation Method 2
The geolocation sensor can be configured to determine a current geolocation of the UAV and output geolocation data
Implementation Method 3
The altitude sensor can be configured to detect a current altitude of the UAV and output altitude data
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for inspecting or maintaining a structure, such as a utility pole or a metal tower), with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are disclosed. The UAV can be configured to fly to a target location on the structure and measure characteristics of the structure such as a component thickness. The UAV can precisely repeat the measurement at a later time to determine any change in component thickness.