Design Mini UAV: Detect Powerline Hotspots- Sensors & Cost

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around designing a mini UAV capable of detecting hotspots on powerlines. Participants explore sensor options, hovering challenges, and the implications of UAV design on sensor selection. The focus includes both theoretical considerations and practical applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using FLIR sensors for hotspot detection but expresses concern over their cost, proposing the development of cheaper or custom sensors instead.
  • Another participant raises the issue of hovering stability, noting that wind gusts could affect the UAV's ability to maintain a safe distance from powerlines.
  • There is uncertainty about how close the UAV can hover to the powerlines, with one participant tentatively suggesting around 1 meter as a safe distance.
  • A suggestion is made to consider using an IR camera, with a link provided to additional resources on IR camera options for drones.
  • One participant mentions ongoing work in the UK regarding UAV hovering capabilities, indicating that achieving reliable hovering within 1 meter of powerlines is currently challenging.
  • A recommendation is made to define the UAV design first, as this will influence the choice of sensors based on temperature variations and environmental conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various concerns regarding sensor selection and hovering stability, with no consensus reached on the best approach or specific sensor types. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal design and sensor integration for the UAV.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of the project, noting that temperature variations and environmental conditions will significantly impact sensor performance. There is also an acknowledgment of the need for compensatory mechanisms for stable hovering.

donstenx
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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.
 
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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?
 
jedishrfu said:
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
 
donstenx said:
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
 
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?
 

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