Design and Optimization of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for Pipe Line Inspection

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue XII, December 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Design and Optimization of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for Pipe Line Inspection

Muhammed Hasnain Kabir Nayeem^1*, Md. Thariqul Islam Pranto¹, Raad Shahmat Haque¹, Taimum Al-Nafis¹

¹Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Military Institute of Science and Technolog (MIST), Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh
*Corresponding author

Abstract: – Gas, oil and electrical power companies usually carry out a regular inspection to check the status of their transmission lines to ensure safe and economical working condition. This inspection process may be completed by using helicopter fitted with external gimbals housing infrared and ultraviolet camera to recognize the heat difference or on foot and requires individuals to inspect power lines from the ground level. This solution is fairly expensive and time-consuming, sometimes injurious for the inspection crew. In this present study, we try to demonstrate a design process of a lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle which incorporated with an extremely lightweight airborne laser scanner to perform the concerning task. The UAV is advanced and designed to carry 5kg of payload covering a range of 50km. Using gasoline-powered engine enables it to carry extra gasoline and fly for a long period of time. Tapered wing configuration creates a dihedral effect which gives the aircraft more lift and stability and reduces the load on the engine. This paper presents the design methodology, performance analysis and manufacturing process of the UAV.

Keywords—UAV, Pipe line inspection, gimbal housing, laser-scanner, gasoline powered engine

I. INTRODUCTION

The advancement of low power consumption propulsion system, low cost and high durable airframe structure manufacturing process and easy control system has made the commercial unmanned aerial vehicle more popular. Adaptability in any change makes the unmanned aerial vehicle suitable to do any kind of work. There is a lot of latent commercial unmanned aerial vehicle mission that has great economic prospects. One of the major mission is the inspection of linear infrastructure which includes the electrical power transmission lines, gas lines and oil lines. Much of the electric power transmission infrastructure is above ground, sometimes oil lines and gas lines too, and therefore they are prone to damage due to vegetation interference and other phenomena. Companies clean the corridors for vegetation periodically, but growth persistently continues power outages are often caused by trees or branches falling on power lines. This frequently occurs in a storm with high winds. In addition, to the loss of power, vegetation interference can cause safety hazards such as fires and electrocution.

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