3D Printing

Inching SkySweeper robot provides cheap way to inspect powerlines

Inching SkySweeper robot provides cheap way to inspect powerlines
The SkySweeper robot that inches along a cable using a motorized pivoting "elbow"
The SkySweeper robot that inches along a cable using a motorized pivoting "elbow"
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The SkySweeper robot that inches along a cable using a motorized pivoting "elbow"
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The SkySweeper robot that inches along a cable using a motorized pivoting "elbow"
The SkySweeper could be scaled up at a building cost of US$1,000
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The SkySweeper could be scaled up at a building cost of US$1,000
The SkySweeper uses off-the-shelf-parts and 3D printed components
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The SkySweeper uses off-the-shelf-parts and 3D printed components
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If you look up at a power line in a few years and see something skittering along the wires, it (hopefully) won't be a mutant crab monster, but a powerline inspection robot costing less than US$1,000. A prototype of such a robot, called SkySweeper, was presented this month at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Jacobs School of Engineering's Research Expo. The robot was built with off-the-shelf electronics and plastic parts printed on an inexpensive 3D printer.

Inspecting power and other utility lines is a long, arduous and often dangerous task. Sending a worker out to work on high-tension cables, for example, means either shutting off the power or employing a complex ballet of helicopters, protective clothing and elaborate static charge equalizing maneuvers. There are robots that can carry out wire inspections, but they have distinct disadvantages.

“Current line inspection robots are large, complex, and expensive. Utility companies may also use manned or unmanned helicopters equipped with infrared imaging to inspect lines,” said Nick Morozovsky, a graduate student in mechanical engineering. “This is much simpler.”

The SkySweeper uses off-the-shelf-parts and 3D printed components
The SkySweeper uses off-the-shelf-parts and 3D printed components

SkySweeper was designed by Morozovsky at UCSD's Coordinated Robotics Lab working under mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Tom Bewley. Looking a bit like a cable car for squirrels, the current design is V-shaped and uses a motor-driven “elbow” in the middle. This elbow pivots the arms that have clamps at their ends that alternately grasp and release the cables to inch the robot along.

Morozovsky is working on increasing the strength of the clamps to allow the robot to swing end over end so that it could swing past the cable support points.

While the elbow motor is currently powered by an off the shelf battery, Morozovsky says it would be possible to equip the robot with induction coils so that it could be powered indefinitely by the power line itself.

The video below shows SkySweeper in action.

Source: University of California, San Diego

SkySweeper Robot Makes Inspecting Power Lines Simple and Inexpensive

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6 comments
6 comments
gates
The idea is novel in it's simplicity of using only one motor. The distance between towers on average is less than a 1 mile (1.6 km). How does the robot navigate around the insulators at the next tower or obstructions on the power line, like aircraft marker balls.
Jay Finke
But can I ride on it.. looks like a good idea.
Slowburn
re; gates
The production model's pulleys will have to be open on one side so it can swing over and catch on.
Dave B13
"Utility companies may also use ... unmanned helicopters equipped with infrared imaging to inspect lines,” + "designed by Morozovsky at UCSD's Coordinated Robotics Lab" = Obvious 2 part robot - lower part has 3 cameras to cover entire surface of cable and propels it's self along wire as described above. Upper helicopter part attaches-moves-detaches from lower part to fly lower part up to wire and relocate around poles/insulators other wire obsticles.
Dave B13
It also comes to mind the helicopter part with cameras could inspect insulators / anchors / region of uppor part of pole. A coil incorporated in one or both parts of the device would have power induced by the current of a power cable being inspected. So batteries could be smaller than otherwise too.
Shang Li
I don't see the point of doing this, just make a cable car.