System for the automated inspection of structures at height

1. A method of inspecting a structure comprising:

providing an inspection apparatus comprising:

a motor;

a drive mechanism coupled to an access system, wherein the access system is coupled to a structure;

a plurality of sensors; and

a power source coupled to the motor and the plurality of sensors;

inspecting the access system using a first sensor of the plurality of sensors as the inspection apparatus ascends the access system;

inspecting a portion of the structure using a second sensor of the plurality of sensors;

displaying a first output from the first sensor and a second output from the second sensor; and

assessing whether the access system is safe;

wherein the access system is configured to allow a person to access the structure at height.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the drive mechanism comprises a suction cup, a pendulum motion device, a cam and crank mechanism, a magnetic attraction mechanism, or a gear and rail mechanism.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors comprises a still camera, a video camera, an infrared camera, an ultraviolet camera, a sonic detector, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a proximity sensor.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising repairing the access system prior to subsequent inspection of the structure by the person.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inspection apparatus further comprises a memory.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

storing the first output and the second output in the memory.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

retrieving the first output and the second output from the memory; and

displaying the first output and the second output retrieved from the memory.

8. A method of inspecting a structure comprising:

providing an inspection apparatus;

engaging the inspection apparatus with an access system coupled to a structure;

inspecting the access system using the inspection apparatus; and

inspecting a portion of the structure using the inspection apparatus.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the access system comprises a climbing system suitable for use by a human to access the structure at height, one or more connection elements, and one or more supporting elements.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the climbing system comprises at least one structure selected from the group consisting of: a ladder, a rail, a cable, a stairway, and a foothold.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the climbing system comprises one or more surface features.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the inspection apparatus comprises a communication system.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the communication system comprises a wired communication pathway, a wireless communication pathway, or both.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the communication system comprises a network connectivity device.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the communication system is coupled to a controller.

16. A method of inspecting a tower structure comprising:

providing an inspection apparatus configured to engage an access system coupled to a tower structure;

engaging the inspection apparatus with the access system;

inspecting the access system using a sensor coupled to the inspection apparatus as the inspection apparatus ascends the access system;

inspecting a piece of equipment disposed in an upper portion of the tower structure using the inspection apparatus; and

assessing whether the access system is safe:

wherein the access system is configured to allow a person to access the structure at height.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein a memory coupled to the inspection apparatus stores an output of the sensor during the inspection of the access system.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

inspecting the access system, a portion of the tower structure, or both as the inspection apparatus descends the access system.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the tower structure is a wind turbine tower.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the piece of equipment comprises one or more components of a wind turbine selected from the group consisting of: a generator, a portion of a rotor, and an associated power transfer equipment component.