SBIR Phase I: Unmanned Aerial Payload Systems for Live-line Access

SBIR 第一阶段：用于实时接入的无人机有效载荷系统

• 批准号: 2136680
• 负责人: Michael Beiro
• 金额: $ 25.6万
• 依托单位: BEIROBOTICS LLC
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2022-09-15 至 2024-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2136680&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Unmanned; Aerial; Payload

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Phase I project is the potential use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) applications in performing inspections and repairs on a variety of live transmission equipment without the need for manned helicopter or bucket truck crews, reducing the time linemen are in harm’s way. The cost of transmission grid inspections and maintenance may decrease, leading to more frequent routine inspection and more timely and proactive inspections of infrastructure with potential for failure. Transmission grid operators may have a more resilient grids with lower losses thanks to increased and improved data from frequent inspections. The American people can potentially benefit from a more resilient grid with fewer outages and more consistent delivery of electricity. Fewer line losses conserve energy and reduce the amount of fossil fuels burned to generate electricity locally. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project seeks to develop Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) inspection capabilities enabling access to utility infrastructure unreachable and/or difficult to reach by current methods. Inspection, maintenance, repair, and auditing processes for electrical utility infrastructure are costly and hazardous to personnel. Current UAS-mounted payload technology has demonstrated initial success with inspecting connectors by approaching horizontally-arranged transmission conductor sets from above. Vertically-arranged conductors that cannot be approached from above represent a significant portion of transmission infrastructure. The project’s research seeks develop UAS payload system technology that delivers linemen’s tools to vertically-arranged, high voltage transmission infrastructure by approaching from the side and from below. To accomplish this research, new approach methods will be designed, engineered, constructed, and rigorously tested in de-energized and live environments to prove viability. Completing the research objectives of the project may establish commercial feasibility for the next generation of UAS payload technology in the electrical utility sector, paving the way for a safer and more efficient national electrical grid.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响和商业潜力是无人机系统（UAS）在各种现场传输设备的检查和维修方面的潜在应用，而不需要有人驾驶的直升机或铲斗卡车人员，减少了时间线。输电网检查和维护的成本可能会降低，从而导致更频繁的例行检查，以及对潜在故障的基础设施进行更及时和主动的检查。由于频繁检查数据的增加和改进，输电网运营商可能拥有更有弹性的电网，损失更低。美国人民可能会受益于一个更有弹性的电网，更少的停电和更稳定的电力供应。更少的线路损耗可以节约能源，减少在当地发电时燃烧的化石燃料的数量。该小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目旨在开发无人机系统（UAS）检测能力，使其能够访问现有方法无法到达或难以到达的公用事业基础设施。电力基础设施的检查、维护、修理和审计过程对人员来说是昂贵和危险的。目前，安装在无人机系统上的有效载荷技术已经证明，通过从上方接近水平排列的传输导体组来检查连接器，取得了初步成功。无法从上方接近的垂直布置的导体是输电基础设施的重要组成部分。该项目的研究旨在开发无人机有效载荷系统技术，通过从侧面和从下方接近垂直布置的高压输电基础设施，为线路人员提供工具。为了完成这项研究，将设计、设计、构建新的方法，并在断电和带电环境中进行严格测试，以证明其可行性。完成该项目的研究目标可以为电力公用事业部门的下一代无人机有效载荷技术建立商业可行性，为更安全和更高效的国家电网铺平道路。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。