Abstract: A device (200) includes a unit bracket weldment (201), a bridge weldment (202) extending from the unit bracket weldment to a plate bracket assembly (209), and an x-ray plate (203) extending distally from the plate bracket assembly. One or more cable hook weldments (211,212) are disposed to either side of the x-ray plate. A method of inspecting a cable (1102) or power line includes coupling the device to a drone (101). The drone can then be flown to capture the cable in the cable hook weldments such that an x-ray imager (1103) can capture one or more of x-ray images of the cable or power line.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 2018
Date of Patent:
April 7, 2020
Assignee:
Talon Aerolytics (Holding), Inc.
Inventors:
Austin Wingo, Timothy Dunnigan, Phillip Bevel, Eric Hare, Timothy Dunnigan, Jr.
Abstract: A tower inspection system (100) includes an unmanned aircraft such as a drone (101). The drone includes one or more processors (105) operable with an image capture device (108) and a propulsion system (106). The propulsion system can navigate the unmanned aircraft about a wireless communication tower (300) along a flight path (321). The image capture device can capture one or more video images of identifying information (305) identifying the wireless communication tower disposed on an identification sign (304) prior to capturing other video images of one or more Radio Antenna Devices (RADs) (308,309,310,311) coupled to the wireless communication tower to make review of inspections faster and more efficient. Measurements of RADs can also be taken.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 8, 2017
Date of Patent:
September 17, 2019
Assignee:
Talon Aerolytics (Holding), Inc.
Inventors:
Austin Wingo, Jeffrey Stackhouse, Michael Payne, Phillip Bevel, John Santiago, Roland Beason, Ronnie Johnson, Timothy Dunnigan