UAV Inspection of Vertical Structures via Autonomous Safe-Location Navigation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inspecting vertical structures such as cell phone towers or nuclear radiators for damage requires significant time and resources, including extensive training and use of cumbersome equipment, posing safety risks for personnel.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with sensors and cameras, an operator can create a safe flight plan, allowing the UAV to autonomously inspect structures without human intervention, reducing risk and eliminating the need for expensive equipment like cranes or raised platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If personnel are used to inspect vertical structures, then detailed inspection can be performed, but significant time investment and safety risks are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human personnel with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with cameras and sensors to perform visual inspections of vertical structures. The UAV captures images and data autonomously, eliminating the need for human inspectors to physically ascend or approach hazardous structures, thereby reducing inspection time while maintaining detailed examination capabilities through high-resolution imaging systems.
2Reliability
If personnel are trained and deployed for inspection, then safety procedures can be followed, but substantial training time and costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes human inspectors with an automated UAV system that inherently follows pre-programmed safety protocols and flight paths. The UAV requires no training to adhere to safety procedures, as its operations are governed by automated navigation systems and pre-defined inspection routines, thereby eliminating training time and costs while ensuring consistent safety compliance through systematic operational control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If expensive equipment like cranes or raised platforms are used, then stable inspection platform is provided, but high operational costs and equipment complexity are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex ground-based equipment such as cranes and raised platforms with an aerial UAV system that provides inherent stability through its flight control systems and gimbal-mounted sensors. The UAV maintains stable positioning using automated navigation and stabilization technologies, eliminating the need for cumbersome support equipment while reducing overall system complexity and operational costs.
4Loss of information
If personnel are deployed for inspection, then on-site assessment is possible, but significant safety risks are exposed to personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human inspectors with a UAV that collects visual data remotely from safe distances. The UAV's cameras and sensors capture high-resolution images and environmental data without exposing personnel to hazards such as heights, unstable structures, or hazardous materials, thereby eliminating safety risks while preserving complete on-site information through comprehensive imaging coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes obtaining, from a user device, flight operation information describing an inspection of a vertical structure to be performed, the flight operation information including locations of one or more safe locations for vertical inspection. A location of the UAV is determined to correspond to a first safe location for vertical inspection. A first inspection of the structure is performed is performed at the first safe location, the first inspection including activating cameras. A second safe location is traveled to, and a second inspection of the structure is performed. Information associated with the inspection is provided to the user device.