Apparatus and method for installing and replacing light fixture devices
Provided is a method and an apparatus for installing and replacing a lighting controller of an outdoor lighting fixture that includes a base portion supplying power, a telescopic stick portion attached to the base portion at a first end thereof, an extension stick portion attached to a second end of the telescopic stick portion, and a drone-type device attached to the extension stick portion at an end opposite telescopic stick portion. The drone-type device receives power from the base portion through the telescopic stick portion and travels over and land at a top surface of the outdoor lighting fixture and perform installation or replacement of the lighting controller.
1. An apparatus for installing and replacing a lighting controller of an outdoor lighting fixture comprising:
a base portion supplying power;
a telescopic stick portion attached to the base portion at a first end thereof;
a rigid extension stick portion attached to a second end of the telescopic stick portion; and
a drone-type device directly attached to the rigid extension stick portion at an end opposite telescopic stick portion, and configured to: (i) receive power from the base portion through the telescopic stick portion and (ii) travel over and land at a top surface of the outdoor lighting fixture and perform installation or replacement of the lighting controller.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises:
a power supply for supplying power to the drone-type device;
a ball joint at a top surface thereof to be connected with the telescopic stick portion to perform lateral movement of the telescopic stick portion;
a power switch configured to apply power to the drone-type device; and
a signal generator configured to emit a signal when the drone-type device is powered to indicate operability thereof.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the power supply is a rechargeable or replaceable battery.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the telescopic stick portion comprises:
a plurality of stick portions comprising:
a lower stick portion adjacent to the first end, and
an upper stick portion to be attached to the rigid extension stick portion, wherein the rigid extension stick portion is attached to the drone-type device, for performing movement in a horizontal and vertical directions to facilitate traveling and landing over the top surface of the lighting controller.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the lower stick portion and the upper stick portion are configured to be telescopic wherein one stick portion fits into the other stick portion, and each comprise an opening therein for receiving wires therethrough to receive power via the base portion, to be transmitted to the drone-type device for operation thereof.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the lower stick portion and the upper stick portion are configured to be telescopic wherein one stick portion fits into the other stick portion and each comprise a wire attached to an outside thereof or a conductor layer deposited on walls thereof whereby an electrical connection can be made to between the lower and upper stick portions.
7. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein an upper end of the telescopic stick portion is connected to the rigid extension stick portion to enable the rigid extension stick portion to rotate, wherein the connection is fixed at approximately 90 degrees.
8. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein a connection between the rigid extension stick portion and the drone-type device is a hinge-type or ball-joint type connection which enables 180 degree rotation of the rigid extension stick portion.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the rigid extension stick portion is deployed horizontally between the telescopic stick portion and the drone-type device when in an initial state.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the rigid extension stick portion is driven by the drone-type device when landing over the outdoor lighting fixture.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the rigid extension stick portion is telescopic and a length thereof is preset to be fixed by an operator according to characteristics of the outdoor lighting fixture, prior to take-off of the drone-type device.
12. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the drone-type device comprises:
at least a pair of propellers;
a backup battery to supply power in event of power failure at base portion;
a processor to receive instructions for operation thereof;
a camera to capture video; and
a captive tool to perform installation and replacement operations.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising:
a remote controller configured to control movement of the drone-type device, the remote controller comprising directional controls and an internal power supply, and communicates with the drone-type device via wireless communication.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the camera captures video to be used for video analytics on the drone-type device and at the remote controller, wherein remote controller is further configured to display video image for an operator to control the drone-type device to land over the outdoor lighting fixture.
15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein upon initiation of operation, the remote controller controls the drone-type device to lift the rigid extension stick portion over the top surface of the outdoor lighting fixture and land thereon to perform an install or replacement of the outdoor lighting controller.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein a vertical range of movement of the drone-type device corresponds to a maximum length of the telescopic stick portion.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein a horizontal range of movement of the drone-type device ranges from approximately 12 feet (ft) from each side of the outdoor lighting fixture.
18. A method for performing installation and replacement of the lighting controller of an outdoor lighting fixture comprising:
providing, via a remote controller, an apparatus comprising a base portion having a telescopic stick portion including a lower stick portion and an upper stick portion directly connected to a drone-type device within a predetermined distance of the outdoor lighting fixture,
supplying power, via the base portion, to the apparatus,
extending, via a rigid extension stick portion connected with the telescopic stick portion, the drone-type device over and landing at a top surface of the outdoor lighting fixture to perform installation or replacement of the lighting controller.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein providing the apparatus further comprises positioning, the telescopic stick portion with the drone-type device attached, horizontally on a ground surface.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein extending the drone-type device further comprises:
from a ground position, controlling a throttle of the drone-type device to raise and extend the telescopic stick portion up to a height of the outdoor lighting fixture;
maintaining the throttle to be constant when the drone-type device Is above the height of the outdoor lighting fixture;
controlling a position of the drone-type device through a movement of the telescopic stick portion and the rigid extension stick portion; and
controlling, via the remote controller, the drone-type device to land over the top surface of the outdoor lighting fixture to perform installation and replacement of the lighting controller.
21. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
landing, via the remote controller, the drone-type device using an internal backup battery in event of power failure at base portion.