Resilient UAV Sensor Arm for Elevated Surface Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing elevated surfaces require workers to use dangerous equipment like ladders or scaffolding, exposing them to hazards and being time-consuming, as they need to physically reach and perform tasks on hard-to-access areas for coating inspections or corrosion testing.
Innovation Solution
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system equipped with a resilient adjustable sensor arm that can maneuver near surfaces, allowing for task performance and parameter sensing without human intervention, and a smart cone/sensor combination that can be affixed to surfaces for extended monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workers use ladders, scaffolding, or bucket trucks to access elevated surfaces for testing, then they can perform coating inspections and corrosion testing, but they are exposed to dangerous conditions and the process becomes extremely time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of ladders, scaffolding, and bucket trucks with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can autonomously navigate to and inspect elevated surfaces. The UAV carries sensors and testing equipment to perform coating thickness measurements, corrosion detection, and surface temperature testing without requiring workers to physically access hazardous locations, thereby eliminating safety risks and reducing inspection time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a resilient sensor arm as an intermediary component between the UAV and the elevated surface being inspected. This sensor arm can extend from the UAV, make contact with the surface, and resiliently bend or spring back upon contact, enabling the UAV to perform tactile measurements and tests at dangerous heights without exposing workers to hazards while maintaining measurement accuracy
2Ease of operation
If workers physically reach elevated surfaces for testing, then they can perform tasks on hard-to-access areas, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical approach of workers climbing ladders or scaffolding with an autonomous UAV system that can rapidly deploy to elevated surfaces. The UAV navigates autonomously using GPS and onboard sensors, positions itself precisely over the target area, and performs inspections without the time-consuming setup and takedown of traditional access equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamically adjustable sensor arm that can extend, retract, and resiliently respond to surface contact forces. This dynamic mechanism allows the UAV to adapt to varying surface heights and contours, maintaining optimal sensing contact while performing inspections at difficult-to-reach locations, thereby improving accessibility without increasing inspection time
3Adaptability or versatility
If a sensor arm is designed to be resilient to impact forces, then it can bend or spring relative to surface contours upon contact, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a flexible, resilient sensor arm constructed from materials or structures that can elastically deform upon contact with surfaces. This resilient design allows the sensor arm to naturally bend and conform to surface contours when touched, providing passive adaptation to varying geometries without requiring complex active control mechanisms, motors, or sensors to adjust the arm's shape
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient sensor arm operates on a self-service principle where its inherent elastic properties automatically enable it to absorb impact forces and conform to surface shapes upon contact. The arm's material composition and structural design provide built-in compliance and adaptability, eliminating the need for additional complexity in the form of active adjustment mechanisms, control systems, or multiple interchangeable components
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 UAV system enables safe and efficient testing of elevated surfaces by reducing human exposure to hazards and increasing operational time, as it can perform tasks and monitor conditions autonomously, improving safety and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor arm being resilient to impact forces caused by direct contact of the sensor or sensor arm with the surface to bend, spring or swivel relative to a contour of the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A system including an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or aerial robotic system (ARS) to perform at least one task to an object during flight of the UAV in a movement mode configured for maneuvering near a surface of the object. A task sensor configured to sense at least one parameter of the surface. An adjustable sensor arm attachable to the UAV and supporting the task sensor to facilitate the task performed to the surface of the object by the UAV during flight of the UAV. The sensor arm being resilient to impact forces caused by direct contact of the sensor or sensor arm with the surface to bend, spring or swivel relative to a contour of the surface.