Aerial Inspection System(s) and Method(s)
An aerial inspection system has at least one transmission line, an aerial vehicle, and a detection device coupled to the aerial vehicle. The detection device is configured to detect a condition of the transmission line as the aerial vehicle flies across the transmission line. The aerial vehicle may be in the form of a drone.
1 . An aerial inspection system, comprising:
a transmission line;
an aerial vehicle; and
a detection device coupled to the aerial vehicle, wherein the detection device is configured to detect a condition of the transmission line as the aerial vehicle flies across the transmission line.
2 . The aerial inspection system according to claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to control the aerial vehicle remotely.
3 . The aerial inspection system according to claim 1 , further comprising a communication network for sending data about the aerial inspection system.
4 . The aerial inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein the aerial vehicle further comprises an unmanned airplane.
5 . The aerial inspection system according to claim 4 , wherein the unmanned airplane further comprises a drone.
6 . The aerial inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein the aerial vehicle further comprises a remote controlled helicopter.
7 . The aerial inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection device further comprises a camera configured to capture data from the transmission line.
8 . The aerial inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection device further comprises a receiver.
9 . The aerial inspection system according to claim 8 , wherein the receiver is configured for detecting at least one waveform transmitted by the transmission line.
10 . The aerial inspection system according to claim 9 , wherein the receiver is configured for detecting the waveform transmitted by the transmission line at about 60 hertz.
11 . An aerial inspection system, comprising:
an electric transmission line;
a drone;
a controller configured to control the drone remotely;
a receiver coupled to the drone, wherein the receiver is configured to detect a condition of the electric transmission line as the drone flies across the electric transmission line; and
a communication network for sending data about the aerial inspection system.
12 . The aerial inspection system according to claim 11 , wherein the receiver is configured for detecting at least one waveform transmitted by the transmission line.
13 . The aerial inspection system according to claim 12 , wherein the receiver is configured for detecting the waveform transmitted by the transmission line at about 60 hertz.
14 . A method of aerially inspecting a transmission line, comprising:
flying an aerial vehicle over a transmission line; and
detecting a condition on the transmission line with a detection device on the aerial vehicle.
15 . The method according to claim 14 , further comprising collecting data from the detection device.
16 . The method according to claim 15 , further comprising analyzing the data for determining whether there is any defect in the transmission line.
17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein said step of flying the aerial vehicle over the transmission line comprises flying a drone over the transmission line.
18 . The method according to claim 17 , wherein said step of detecting a condition of the transmission line comprises detecting a waveform transmitted by the transmission line at about 60 hertz.
19 . The method according to claim 18 , further comprising the step of sending data, gathered by said step of detecting a condition, across a communication network.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , further comprising the step of controlling the drone remotely.