System and method for applying coating on overhead power transmission conductors using an unmanned aerial vehicle

• US 10,186,348 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2017
• Issued: 01/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Cable Technologies Corporation (General Cable Corporation)
• Original Assignee: General Cable Technologies Corporation (General Cable Corporation)
• Inventors: Davis, Cody R., Siripurapu, Srinivas, Ranganathan, Sathish Kumar, Mhetar, Vijay
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Laura
• Application Number:
  US15/406,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20170200530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 118 72, 118300
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 5/00 Apparatus in which liquid or other fluent material is projected, poured or allowed to flow on to the surface of the work B05C7/00 takes precedence; essentially involving spraying or electrostatic projection B05B
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 9/10 the auxiliary operation being performed before the application B05C9/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 9/12 the auxiliary operation being performed after the application B05C9/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 9/14 the auxiliary operation involving heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/12 Brushes
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/04 Cleaning involving contact with liquid
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/10 Rotorcrafts
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2201/20 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/19 using electrically powered motors
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 50/39 Battery swapping
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 60/50 with landing legs
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/28 Protection against damage caused by moisture, corrosion, chemical attack or weather
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/292 using material resistant to heat
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/00 Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/02 for overhead lines or cables

Abstract

Systems and methods of coating an installed overhead conductor with an unmanned aerial vehicle are disclosed. The unmanned aerial vehicles can attach to an installed overhead conductor and can apply a coating composition from one or more canisters.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an unmanned aerial vehicles (“

UAV”

) comprising;

an overhead conductor clamping member comprising;

a pair of jaws, wherein each jaw of the pair of jaws comprises an interior surface; and

a first set of coating apertures, wherein each coating aperture of the first set of coating apertures is disposed on the interior surface of one of the jaws; and

a first canister fillable with a first coating composition and fluidly connected to the first set of coating apertures via a first conduit; and

wherein the overhead conductor clamping member is configured to surround an installed overhead conductor to apply the first coating composition, and wherein at least one of the jaws is pivotable relative to the other jaw.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a ground support station comprising one or more of an electric charging port, a replacement power pack, and a supply of the first coating composition.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the supply of the first coating composition is in a replacement canister that is selectively interchangeable with the first canister of the UAV.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the overhead conductor clamping member further comprises a set of cleaning apertures, wherein retractable cleaning elements are at least partially disposed within the cleaning apertures.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the overhead conductor clamping member comprises a heating member configured to heat the installed overhead conductor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the overhead conductor clamping member comprises a fan configured to cool the installed overhead conductor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the overhead conductor clamping member is configured to electrically couples to the installed overhead conductor to facilitate recharging of the UAV.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the coating apertures comprise spaying heads that facilitate selective application of the first coating composition to the installed overhead conductor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the overhead conductor clamping member further comprises a second set of coating apertures and wherein the UAV further comprises a second canister fillable with a second coating composition and fluidly connected to the second set of coating apertures via a second conduit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first canister is pressurized or wherein the UAV comprises a pump that facilitates delivery of the first coating composition from the first canister to the first set of coating apertures.