New technology under development by Aerospect Precision Imaging, a unit of the Utah State University Research Foundation, will use sensors to inspect power lines, a technique that will help prevent major power outages.
“This system will revolutionize the current line patrol practices,” said Jack Rhodes, director of Aerospect. “It will provide electric companies and regional transmission operators with detailed knowledge of the health of transmission lines, structures and rights-of-way.”
The Imager Surveillance and Inspection System (ISIS) is mounted on the side of a helicopter and is equipped with several visible, infrared (IR), ultra violet (UV) and electro-magnetic sensors. The ISIS scans transmission lines, structures and the right of way during flight and records the data.
This recorded data can be automatically analyzed using software algorithms developed by Aerospect. Within a few hours of flight, data is processed and sent to the customer, reporting areas of concern.
“One of the most impressive aspects of this system is that it will automatically find problems such as broken structures, insulators or lines,” said Duane Hill, technical director for Aerospect.
Current detailed inspection processes use trained inspectors who fly aboard helicopters to inspect the lines with binoculars and cameras, while recording the data in a log book. The procedure is performed while the helicopter hovers over and around power lines and structures, creating an element of danger for the pilot and the inspector.
“The ISIS system is more economical, safe and effective,” Rhodes said. “It will provide data that the human eye is unable to detect or interpret in the helicopter environment.”
Rhodes said the data can be used in other areas: maintenance inspections, surveillance and security assessments, and power system modeling, simulation and analysis.
Using ISIS the helicopter will be able to fly at 55 mph, 300 feet away from wires and structures, while capturing and storing high resolution images. The IR and UV sensors will be able to see heat variations and any hot spots that are occurring along the lines and insulators.
According to Hill, the system could have many other uses such as surface and subsurface pipeline inspection, and homeland security applications, such as sabotaged equipment. Aerospect is currently pursuing government contracts to field the prototype system.
