Ruselectronics: The UAV for video monitoring of transmission lines

2019: Tests of the automated complex on condition monitoring of the power transmission line

The Ruselectronics holding and Avtomatika concern which are a part of Rostec state corporation tested the automated complex intended for status monitoring of transmission lines (power transmission line). During tests the pilotless complex confirmed all stated characteristics on autonomy and opportunities of the automated analysis of malfunctions on transmission lines, told TAdviser in Rostec on April 15, 2019. Tests took place in the Lipetsk region in April, 2019.

The complex includes UAVs with multifunction charging stations and the special software for processing of a collected photo and video information developed by Vega concern of Ruselectronics holding. As creators of a complex explained, at the expense of this software the autonomy of a complex is reached. Drones follow along the set route and independently define necessary foreshortenings for photo and video filming. Developers also retrofitted the drone the system of exact landing to a charging station, having combined orientation on coordinates of GPS with aiming by means of the separate video camera at automatically identified landing tags. According to them, at the expense of it the landing point deviation from planned does not exceed several centimeters. Using the UAVs multifunction stations can be recharged, receive the program of flight, transfer collected data and continue a way. Thus need of intervention of operators in system operation is minimized.

The special software developed by Avtomatika concern for processing and the analysis of the data obtained from UAVs helped to automate process of identification of defects of the power transmission line. The program carries out 3D - modeling of the area on the basis of geodata which she receives from the UAV, and analyzes geometry of the air power transmission lines. According to developers, on the basis of these data a system by means of machine learning reveals defects practically of any character: sagging of wires, a dangerous inclination of support, insulation failure and contacts and also detects the foreign objects capable to influence work of the power transmission line in a security zone.

Digitalization of a power complex is one of key tasks of Rostec within the Digital Economy national project. The automated system of monitoring allows to minimize shutdowns of the power transmission line for scheduled inspections and running repair and also to reduce accident rate of the power transmission line due to detection of threats at early stages. At the same time drones can conduct work in the round-the-clock mode in any weather. Hardware-software developed by our holdings gives the chance for creation of forecasts after technical to a status of objects and is easily integrated into the existing information systems of the enterprises — specified in the device of a radio-electronic cluster of Rostec.

According to representatives of state corporation, use of the UAVs equipped with the camera and the thermal imager allows to reveal faults in operation of the equipment and to repeatedly reduce accident rate on the power transmission line. At emergency recovery operations of the UAV reduces search time of damages and determination of the reasons of faults.

The UAVs used in a monitoring system are made of composite materials and can work at temperatures from-30 to +60 degrees, including in a rain, strong wind or snowfall. Accuracy of the image is provided at the expense of the gyrostabilized film-making complex which the thermal imager and the digital camera of visible range enters, added in Rostec.

2018: Announcement

The Ruselectronics holding provided on December 5, 2018 to State Corporation Rostec the UAV for video monitoring of transmission lines. The kopter created from composite materials can work at temperatures from-30 to +60 degrees, including in a rain, strong wind or snowfall. The device provides the high accuracy of the image that is reached at the expense of the gyrostabilized film-making complex which the thermal imager and the digital camera of visible range enters. At the same time the UAV is capable to operate in completely automatic mode, independently collecting and transferring state-of-health data of networks to operator services, claim in holding.

As a part of state corporation the Vega concern of Ruselectronics holding is engaged in development of the UAV. According to representatives of Ruselectronics, the drone is a part of a monitoring system of the air power transmission lines which also includes multifunction charging stations and the software for hands-off processing of a collected video information.

Assessment of a status of the power transmission line requires departure of specialists into place, the special equipment for raising of the person is used, and transmission lines should be disconnected. At inspection of sections of the power transmission line lying in the marshland through ravines, forest belts and water barriers, process considerably becomes complicated. The UAV simplifies these tasks, it is capable to reveal threats at early stages that allows to reduce repeatedly accident rate on the power transmission line. At emergency recovery operations of the UAV reduces search time of damages and determination of the reasons of faults, says holding.

Chargers for UAVs can be installed on roofs of transformer stations. With their help UAVs will be able to be recharged, receive the program of flight and to transfer collected data.

A system itself defines existence of saggings of wires, dangerous inclinations of support, insulation failure by the special software and contacts and also detects the foreign objects capable to influence work of the power transmission line in a security zone told in Ruselectronics.

Creation of similar complexes and systems allows to automate processes which required human participation earlier. Drones can conduct work in the round-the-clock mode in any weather. Pilotless technologies give the chance to increase quality of monitoring in a power network complex, to reduce quantity of errors and to react more quickly to non-staff situations. We continue to expand scopes of pilotless aircraft: it is the huge market which for December, 2018 grows for 50% a year and by 2020 will make more than 13 billion rubles — the speaker of Rostec said.

Robotics