Electrical Substation Inspection Robot
The new model of a robot for inspection of electrical equipment is proposed for delivery from mid-2020. The robot is equipped with a dual PTZ camera consisting of a thermal measuring camera and a high-resolution optical range camera. The S3.2 robot is able to automatically move along a pre-programmed route, stop near electrical and other equipment subject to thermography, and aim a PTZ camera on it. Next, the manual remote control mode of the PTZ camera is turned on. The remote operator has the ability to conduct a remote inspection of equipment by examining two video images, visible and infrared spectrum. Upon completion of the inspection carried out under the control of the operator, the robot will continue its automatic movement to the next piece of equipment.
Electrical substation inspection
Automated thermal imaging & infrared inspection for remote monitoring
The 2020 model provides for the installation of three types of PTZ cameras from different manufacturers. This helps to avoid the export restrictions of several countries. Also, the list of additional equipment installed on the robot has been expanded. By the request, and installation of a highly sensitive microphone, an ultraviolet camera, weather sensors, the multi-gas detector is available. To operate on the territory of electrical substations, the robot is equipped with a metal fence detector as standard. The robot has a body made of Fiberglass and has a coating that protects against strong electromagnetic fields, this allows you to use it in close proximity to high-voltage equipment and electrical lines.
Electrical equipment Inspection robot S3.2
Like all models of robots manufactured by SMP Robotics. The new model, S3.2, is able to automatically avoid obstacles, stop when there is a significant deviation from the inspection route, and return to charging when the batteries are discharged. The inspection robot is charged automatically using the charging station included in the delivery package. The design of the security robot ensures its reliable movement on an uneven surface covered with rubble or stones. The inspection robot is designed to work in an open area and has an extended range of operating temperatures. To protect robot against direct sunlight in hot climates, a shelter combined with an automatic charging station is offered for delivery
Thermography inspection & video observation
To monitor the work of the robot and conduct security patrols, it is equipped with six circular video surveillance cameras. The cameras have high resolution and allow you to inspect the territory along the path of the inspection route. The image from these cameras is analyzed by a separate on-board computer of a panoramic video surveillance system for detecting people. If they are detected, a two-way voice, communication can be established by using the intercom integrated in the robot.
Video transmission from the robot, information about its location, and operation of systems are carried out via 4G or Wi-Fi wireless channels. The status and location of robots on inspection routes are displayed in the web-based service for group monitoring of the operation of robots.
Applications
Electrical substation inspection
Solar power plant inspection
Commercial infrared thermography
Electrical equipment infrared Inspection
Power generation and heating plants (thermography motors, pump, transformer)
Electrical high-voltage power and distribution devices
Key features
Automated unmanned inspection of unattended facilities
High accuracy infrared thermography
Day/night fully autonomous movement
High-resolution video observation
Automatic charger station
Options
Omni direct or hi sensitive directional microphone
Embedded DSP computer for airborne ultrasound Inspection of electricity equipment
Deep learning embedded computer for gauge reader
Shelter for extra-strong temperature environment and protection from the dust storm
UV camera for detection corona discharge
Mobile whether station
Multi gas detectors
Send request
2020
2017
Thermal Image Inspection Robot
Auditing power equipment temperature is an effective way to prevent accidents at electrical substations and power grids.
Normally, this task is carried out by a qualified technician who uses a portable thermal vision camera to measure the IR emission intensity of the equipment, thus determine its heat rate.
To prevent accidents, this temperature audit should be conducted on a regular basis.
In some climatic regions, the audit of power equipment is performed in the early morning, when the equipment is covered with atmospheric condensation.
The S3 Mobile Robot has a flexible thermal vision camera and is designed for automated auditing of substation facilities’ power equipment temperatures.
Maintaining trained staff to regularly and safely audit all necessary equipment is costly as an expense that can be eliminated. Additionally, safety is increased with the use of the S3 Mobile Robot as hands-free remote diagnostics at unmanned electrical substations can be collected. If any unsafe conditions were to arise, off-site personnel can be alerted before any person comes into harm’s way.
Outfitted with an automated guidance system, the S3 robot navigates through the entire area of a substation and performs on-the-go scanning of the area’s power equipment with the robot’s onboard pan-tilt, positioner-mounted thermal vision camera.
If above-normal temperature is detected, the IR image processing system identifies an overheat and transmits an alarm signal, along with the thermal image, to an operator via WiFi.
The S3 series robots enable remote visual inspection of the equipment in case of a substation failure or electrical accidents therein. This precludes the risk of electric shock for electrical substation inspection technicians. Remote inspection of the substation equipment can provide reliable information before the repair team arrives. The new S3.2 robot for electrical substation inspection has fiberglass mast and body, is fitted with high-profile rubber tires. The robot’s overall height is less than that of an average human being. These solutions enhance the robot electrical safety
The inspection robot can optionally be equipped with an UV camera. UV inspection enables to detect high voltage corona phenomenon invisible to the naked human eye. Corona discharges cause power loss and damage to the surrounding hardware. Timely detection and containment of corona discharges will help preclude a substation failure and carry out timely electrical equipment maintenance.
Purchase and operation of an S3 will cost you a hundred times less than any possible losses incurred due to the facilities’ malfunction and damages caused to the electrical power’s consumers and suppliers.
Given all of these economical and safety benefits, the S3 robot is recommended as a standard component for unmanned electrical substations.
Mobile inspection robot
Positioning accuracy of the robot in front of the object of inspection
Accuracy of automated positioning of the robot at a site for remote inspection:
- R 2.6 ft using visual navigation
- R 38.3 yds using RFID tags
Pointing accuracy at the inspection object from a distance of 7-15 yards with automated positioning the robot at a site for inspection:
- 3-6 degrees horizontally using visual recognition of the inspection object
- 2-3 degrees vertically using visual recognition of the inspection object
- 1-2 degrees horizontally using visual marks of the inspection object by QR code size of 8×8 (in)
- 2-3 degrees vertically using visual marks of the inspection object by QR code size of 8×8 (in)
Thermal scanning time of objects with a higher resolution than that of the thermographic camera
Scanning time of the inspection object 6×6 with 15% overlap of cameras’ fields of view
- 110 sec using visual methods for recognition of inspection object
- 118 sec using visual marks for recognition of inspection object by QR code size of 8×8 (in)
Note: The camera takes pictures, and every time a picture is taken, the camera moves by 85% of the previous frame (generating a 15% overlap). This makes it possible to increase the resolution of the final image. After scanning by thermal imager (resolution 320×240) the final image will be ((320 × 240 × 0.85) × 6) × 6
Additional options
Computer module for three-dimensional temperature model image of the inspected object.
Note: Using two-dimensional images taken from several different positions, the computer module can create a three-dimensional model image that the operator can rotate on the computer screen to see all the details. This computer module is the subject of a major development.
Electric energy consumption of the robot during thermal inspection
- Number of positions around the inspection object: 6 — 24
- Standard consumption using the optional module for a 3D model restoration of the inspected object: 240 W
- Standard speed of the robot: 2.5 mph
- Standard consumption of the robot movement: 600 W
- Standard consumption of the robot during inspection: 90 W
- Batteries: 2×12V 110 A/h
Thermal image made after scanning with the thermographic camera
