Utility UAV Inspection Path Randomization for Safer Grid Reconnaissance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility system components, such as substation equipment, often become inoperable due to damage, leading to power outages and increased costs for providers, with conventional inspection methods being inefficient and risky for both equipment and personnel.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for managing an inspection path of an unmanned inspection device using a randomized time function, accessing predicted inspection path information including weather, airspace classification, equipment type, hazards, and terrain, to autonomously monitor and generate inspection data, and autonomously generate work orders for repair crews.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual inspection methods are used for utility equipment, then inspection can be performed with simple equipment, but inspection efficiency is low and personnel safety is at risk
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system autonomously performs path generation, weather assessment, airspace evaluation, and hazard identification without human intervention. The UAV self-navigates to inspection points and automatically captures equipment data, eliminating the need for manual inspection while maintaining high efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated UAV-based system that uses electronic sensors, cameras, and GPS navigation. This substitution eliminates human personnel from dangerous environments while providing more consistent and comprehensive inspection capabilities
2Reliability
If frequent inspections are conducted to detect damaged components early, then reliability of power supply is improved, but operational costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assessments by analyzing weather conditions, airspace restrictions, and hazard levels before conducting full inspections. This allows the system to prioritize inspection routes and schedule inspections proactively before equipment failures occur, reducing both time and cost while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time conditions such as weather changes, equipment risk levels, and UAV availability. The system can intensify inspection frequency for high-risk areas while reducing frequency for stable equipment, optimizing the balance between reliability and time consumption
3Reliability
If randomized inspection paths are used to enhance safety, then predictability of inspection routes is reduced, but safety of inspection operations is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively addresses safety concerns by randomly varying inspection paths and timing, preventing potential threats from anticipating inspection routines. This preliminary countermeasure ensures that inspection operations cannot be compromised by pre-planned interference while the system maintains full knowledge of all planned routes for operational control
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing an inspection path of an unmanned inspection device. The method begins with generating a randomized time for a UAV inspection path using a randomizing time function. Next, predicted inspection path information is accessed for the randomized time of the UAV inspection path. An inspection path is generated for the randomized time based on the predicted inspection path information accessed. A UAV is programmed to traverse the inspection path. Before the UAV departs, the system confirms the current predicted inspection path information compared to one or more of the predicted inspection path information. In response, the current predicted inspection path information is with a threshold level of the predicted inspection path information or the predicted inspection path was last inspected more than a given time period, initiating operation of the UAV to traverse the inspection path, and otherwise, generating a new randomized time and new inspection path.