Unmanned aerial vehicle with attached apparatus for X-ray analysis of power lines
A device ( 200 ) includes a unit bracket weldment ( 201 ), a bridge weldment ( 202 ) extending from the unit bracket weldment to a plate bracket assembly ( 209 ), and an x-ray plate ( 203 ) extending distally from the plate bracket assembly. One or more cable hook weldments ( 211,212 ) are disposed to either side of the x-ray plate. A method of inspecting a cable ( 1102 ) or power line includes coupling the device to a drone ( 101 ). The drone can then be flown to capture the cable in the cable hook weldments such that an x-ray imager ( 1103 ) can capture one or more of x-ray images of the cable or power line.
1. A device, comprising:
a unit bracket weldment;
a bridge weldment extending from the unit bracket weldment to a plate bracket assembly;
an x-ray plate extending distally from the plate bracket assembly; and
cable hook weldments disposed to either side of the x-ray plate.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein each cable hook weldment defines an inverted, expanding U-shape.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the each cable hook weldment comprises an angled grasper coupled to one end of the inverted, expanding U-shape.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the each cable hook weldment comprises two expanding U-shape upper arms extending from a rounded portion.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the rounded portion has a radius of about one inch.
6. The device of claim 4 , wherein the two expanding U-shape upper arms have a length of about six inches.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the two expanding U-shape upper arms extend away from each other at an angle of between five and ten degrees.
8. The device of claim 4 , wherein the angled grasper has a length of between four and five inches.
9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the angled grasper extends from an end of one expanding U-shape upper arm at an angle of between thirty-five and forty degrees.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the angle is about thirty-eight degrees.
11. The device of claim 1 , further comprising an x-ray imager coupled to the device.
12. A device, comprising:
a unit bracket weldment;
a bridge weldment extending from the unit bracket weldment to an x-ray plate extending distally from the bridge weldment; and
cable hook weldments disposed to either side of the x-ray plate, wherein the cable hook weldments are coupled to the bridge weldment with one or more suspension arms.
13. The device of claim 12 , further comprising a plate bracket weldment coupled to the x-ray plate.
14. The device of claim 13 , the plate bracket weldment defining a V-shaped section having extension members extending from a top of the V-shaped section.
15. The device of claim 14 , further comprising one or more cable harnesses extending distally from the plate bracket weldment.
16. The device of claim 15 , further comprising a suspension plate coupled to a distal end of the one or more cable harnesses.
17. The device of claim 16 , further comprising a drone coupled to the suspension plate.
18. The device of claim 15 , further comprising an attachment mount assembly coupled to the bridge weldment.
19. A method, comprising:
attaching a device to a drone;
attaching an x-ray imager to a unit bracket weldment of the device; and
flying the drone to situate a power line within cable hook weldments of the device.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising capturing one or more x-ray images of the power line.