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

第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是无人机系统（UAS）应用程序在各种带电传输设备上进行检查和维修的潜在用途，而不需要有人驾驶的直升机或铲斗卡车机组人员，减少了线路工人处于危险状态的时间。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可能发生故障的基础设施进行更及时和主动的检查。输电网运营商可以拥有更有弹性的电网，由于频繁检查的数据增加和改善，损失更低。美国人民可以从一个更有弹性的电网中受益，减少停电和更一致的电力输送。更少的线路损耗节省了能源，减少了当地发电所消耗的化石燃料。该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目旨在开发无人机系统（UAS）检查能力，使其能够访问当前方法无法访问和/或难以访问的公用事业基础设施。用于电力设施基础设施的检查、维护、修理和审计过程是昂贵的并且对人员是危险的。目前UAS安装的有效载荷技术已经证明了通过从上方接近水平布置的传输导体组来检查连接器的初步成功。垂直布置的导线不能从上方接近，代表了输电基础设施的重要部分。该项目的研究旨在开发UAS有效载荷系统技术，通过从侧面和下面接近，将线路工的工具提供给垂直布置的高压输电基础设施。为了完成这项研究，新的方法将被设计，设计，建造，并在断电和现场环境中进行严格的测试，以证明可行性。完成该项目的研究目标可能会为电力部门的下一代无人机系统有效载荷技术建立商业可行性，为更安全，更高效的国家电网铺平道路。该奖项反映了NSF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。

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.