Design Mini UAV: Detect Powerline Hotspots- Sensors & Cost

[donstenx]

Hey guys. I want to design a UAV that can do mission such as detection of powerline's hotspot. I've no idea what is the best sensors should i use for this mini-uav? I've been looking at FLIR, but it's so expensive. so i think i should create my own sensors or use a cheaper one. Any idea what ir sensors are good? It's better if it is non-contact sensors, with high field of view & suitable detection range.

 

[jedishrfu]

It seems the proximity of hovering would be a bigger issue. Powerlines are pretty high up and would be affected by wind gusts that would make hovering an issue unless you have some sort of compensators on your UAV.

How close can your UAV hover without crashing into the wires?

 

[donstenx]

It seems the proximity of hovering would be a bigger issue. Powerlines are pretty high up and would be affected by wind gusts that would make hovering an issue unless you have some sort of compensators on your UAV.

How close can your UAV hover without crashing into the wires?

Well, I haven't still decided on that though. but i think around 1m should be fine? i am focused on the sensors right now.
btw, thanks for your reply

 

[jedishrfu]

Well, I haven't still decided on that though. but i think around 1m should be fine? i am focused on the sensors right now.
btw, thanks for your reply

Okay so your sensors need to work from a meter away which means you need to be careful about directionality.

What if you used an IR camera?

Here's a website with some commentary on IR cameras and drones:

http://www.diydrones.com/forum/topics/infrared-camera-options

 

[brenan]

There is some work being done with UAV hovering by a company in the north of the UK but so
far even a high powered device cannot hover reliably within the tolerances you describe (1M)
at the sort of heights I suspect you would be working at. If you ever find a solution
to that issue please PM me.

Can you give more information on your UAV design (main points only) as I think that will
affect the sensors you need to employ due to : the temperature variations you need to distinguish
will have a big effect - especially at a distance under differing wind/temp conditions.
(This is a complex project to engineer)
In other words - define your sensor platform and then choose the sensors that can work from
it might be a good approach?