PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Aerial thermal sensors are used by Uaviation to support surveillance, inspect assets, detect faults, prevent failures and gather important data. The combination of low altitude flight (<100m) and high resolution digital thermographic imagery provides a more detailed view than could be obtained by other aerial thermal imaging methods.

The list of uses for infrared thermography is growing. Thermal imaging can be used for many purposes including to:

• Assess roofing and building thermal insulation and thermal bridging
• Monitor back burns and fire fronts
• Search and rescue
• Detect animals / count feral animals and other heat emitting sources
• Asset management and inspection

Successful thermography always depends on the operator’s understanding of the principles of emissivity, heat transfer and their application in the field in which they are working. Uaviation brings those skills to Melbourne.

We have also developed technology to support the highest quality thermal sensors to be transported by a Sub 25kg-RPAS. Our stock cameras are capable of digital imagery with over 2 Million temperature readings per second.

640 x 512 pixels * 7-9Hz

In the asset inspection industry, the benefits of ground-based thermography are well known. The ability to study images from the air brings new and innovative uses:

• Point of combustion
• Cold warm bridging
• Location of services and studs
• Insulation continuity
• Moisture ingress
• Underground or buried services leaks

There are diverse environments that can be inspected using infrared thermography. For most mechanical equipment the techniques used to inspect the equipment are straightforward, but specific knowledge and experience with some equipment is often required.

• Monitor Bearing wear and highlight misalignment
• Target steam system leaks
• Spot Corrosion before it is visible
• Monitoring heat exchangers and overheating motors
• Locating electrical insulation and capacitor breakdowns

Problems that can be spotted with aerial thermal imaging include:

• Bad cooling – due to reduced airflow
• Unbalance, overload or overvoltage
• Bad alignment
• Insulation problems with motor windings
• Bearing problems – lubrication, wear, etc.
• Friction due to wear, misalignment or inadequate lubrication

Thermography is used to monitor environmental issues as it is a highly flexible and effective diagnostic technique. Some of the uses include:

• Landfill gas generation and leaks
• subsurface combustion
• water course pollution
• Feral animal census
• Wind turbine inspections
• Solar panel / photovoltaic panel inspection
• Pipeline inspection / underground leak detection