System for the automated inspection of structures at height

• US 8,640,558 B2
• Filed: 09/12/2011
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Cabuz, Cleopatra
• Primary Examiner(s): Rogers, David A
• Application Number:
  US13/230,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20130061696A1
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 738/658
• US Class Current: 73/865.8
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 17/00 Monitoring or testing of wind motors, e.g. diagnostics testing during commissioning of wind motors F03D13/30
• CPC Class Codes: F03D 80/50 Maintenance or repair
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/88 Investigating the presence of flaws or contamination
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/9515 Objects of complex shape, e.g. examined with use of a surface follower device measuring contours and curvatures G01B11/24
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/952 Inspecting the exterior surface of cylindrical bodies or wires G01N21/956 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/265 by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/30 Wind power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/72 Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction

Abstract

A method of inspecting a structure comprises providing an inspection apparatus, engaging the inspection apparatus with an access system coupled to a structure, inspecting the access system using the inspection apparatus, and inspecting a portion of the structure using the inspection apparatus.

Claims

1. A method of inspecting a structure comprising:

providing an inspection apparatus comprising;

a motor;

a drive mechanism coupled to an access system, wherein the access system is coupled to a structure;

a plurality of sensors; and

a power source coupled to the motor and the plurality of sensors;

inspecting the access system using a first sensor of the plurality of sensors as the inspection apparatus ascends the access system;

inspecting a portion of the structure using a second sensor of the plurality of sensors;

displaying a first output from the first sensor and a second output from the second sensor; and

assessing whether the access system is safe;

wherein the access system is configured to allow a person to access the structure at height.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a suction cup, a pendulum motion device, a cam and crank mechanism, a magnetic attraction mechanism, or a gear and rail mechanism.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors comprises a still camera, a video camera, an infrared camera, an ultraviolet camera, a sonic detector, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a proximity sensor.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising repairing the access system prior to subsequent inspection of the structure by the person.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the inspection apparatus further comprises a memory.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

storing the first output and the second output in the memory.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

retrieving the first output and the second output from the memory; and

displaying the first output and the second output retrieved from the memory.

8. A method of inspecting a structure comprising:

providing an inspection apparatus;

engaging the inspection apparatus with an access system coupled to a structure;

inspecting the access system using the inspection apparatus; and

inspecting a portion of the structure using the inspection apparatus.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the access system comprises a climbing system suitable for use by a human to access the structure at height, one or more connection elements, and one or more supporting elements.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the climbing system comprises at least one structure selected from the group consisting of:

a ladder, a rail, a cable, a stairway, and a foothold.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the climbing system comprises one or more surface features.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the inspection apparatus comprises a communication system.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the communication system comprises a wired communication pathway, a wireless communication pathway, or both.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the communication system comprises a network connectivity device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the communication system is coupled to a controller.

16. A method of inspecting a tower structure comprising:

providing an inspection apparatus configured to engage an access system coupled to a tower structure;

engaging the inspection apparatus with the access system;

inspecting the access system using a sensor coupled to the inspection apparatus as the inspection apparatus ascends the access system;

inspecting a piece of equipment disposed in an upper portion of the tower structure using the inspection apparatus; and

assessing whether the access system is safe;

wherein the access system is configured to allow a person to access the structure at height.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein a memory coupled to the inspection apparatus stores an output of the sensor during the inspection of the access system.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

inspecting the access system, a portion of the tower structure, or both as the inspection apparatus descends the access system.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the tower structure is a wind turbine tower.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the piece of equipment comprises one or more components of a wind turbine selected from the group consisting of:

a generator, a portion of a rotor, and an associated power transfer equipment component.