micro air vehicle or similar to perform internal inspection 300ft high 2

[carterav]

I am looking for ideas related to performing a video/camera type inspection of a ~300ft tall stack with ~8.5ft diameter at it's top with remote controlled equipment. I've seen the T-Hawk from Honeywell and I am looking into it, but I wanted to ask for help on this site about what other options might be available (besides physically climbing up the chimney/stack and dropping a camera down inside).

 

[MikeHalloran]

Brookstone is selling a quad-rotor toy helicopter for a couple hundred bucks that would make a stable camera platform. I have no idea if it has enough endurance to climb that far while carrying a camera and transmitter, but it's cheap enough to just go ahead and try.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[KENAT]

Is the air in the stack fairly static, or is there considerable updraft or even worse turbulence?

If so then in that diameter it could be challenging.

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[carterav]

we don't know yet, but probably the answer to your question is yes.

 

[KENAT]

Why a controllable uav?

Why not a 'weather balloon' or similar with a camera that can be panned etc.? Or are there sharp edge to burst the balloon?

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[carterav]

the balloon is not a bad idea, but there are sharp edges (e.g., bolts) that would probably pop the balloon.

 

[MikeHalloran]

If the stack has draft, you could hack up a small steerable balloon, tethered and controlled by multiple fishing lines, like a 'control-line' model airplane with more bellcranks.

If the flow is particularly turbulent, that won't work well at all.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[carterav]

one problem with the balloon idea is that the balloon would have to enter through the top. there is no entrance from the below the top with the stack operating.

 

[IRstuff]

"stable camera platform"

That'll depend on what you're trying to see. The stability of a small quad-rotor is probably on the order of milliradians.

TTFN

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[KENAT]

Ok, if you're entering from the top anyway, can you not just lower down a 'camera' on a wire?

You could have some structure around it to stop it smacking things or getting caught up on them.

Do you have person access to the top of the stack?

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[MikeHalloran]

Sorry; I was assuming a manhole near the base for cleaning out bird crap and stuff.

So the UAV has to carry lights too, and climb over the top to get in. ... and your RF has to go through the stack.

You may have to climb the stack.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[carterav]

We are trying to avoid sending the workers up to the top of the stack. There is an existing step iron ladder system, but it was built in the 1940s. It should be ok, but we want to avoid sending workers up to the top of the stack (or up the stack at all). Typically, in the industry, a climbing inspection is typically what it performed, but we are looking for options to see if there is any other way to perform the inspection. An interesting website that has an option we might use is found at

http://www.thawkmav.com/demos.php

 

[IRstuff]

But, what are you trying to see/find? That's what determines the payload and required stabilization.

TTFN

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[KENAT]

I have a bad feeling any UAV you try putting down there will get bounced around pretty severely.

I accidentally flew over (or near) the stacks of a power station when I was pilot training and it was pretty bumpy!

Now of course this wasn't in the stacks, where the airflow may be more directional etc. but still, I have my doubts as Meryl said.

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[carterav]

the purpose is to perform an internal inspection of the stack. it has not been inspected in over a decade.

 

[carterav]

what do you think about the uav with the stack off? do you think it would still be hard to keep stable?

 

[rb1957]

if the balloon idea fails 'cause you only have access from the top, what about a long piece of rope ?

 

[IRstuff]

I know you're trying to do an inspection, but what level of detail do you want to see? 1 inch, 0.1 inch?

TTFN

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[MiketheEngineer]

There are a number of gas powered R/C helicopters out there that can carry a light weight camera - also quite available.

You might have to do a bit of cobbling together to get it all worked out. Like keeping the exhaust from clouding your lens. All together - it should cost less than a grand!!

I have even seen "services" offered that use RC planes or helicopters to do exactly what you are asking.

Not sure how to find them - but I am sure a "Google" would. Maybe "inspection services" or "RC helicopter"+"camera"

 

[KENAT]

Stack off would be better but, there may still be quite an updraft from the 'venturi' effect of wind blowing past the top of the stack.

Plus, MikeHalloran may have a point about RF issues.

If there are folk offering this service as MiketheEngineer suggests then it sounds like it would be worth talking to them.

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