JP7480588B2 - Fallen tree monitoring system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fallen tree monitoring system and program.

A fallen tree coming into contact with an electric wire can cause a ground fault. When a ground fault occurs, for safety reasons, a relay or other device will separate the section where the ground fault occurred from the electric circuit. This can result in a power outage in the section where the ground fault occurred. In order to prevent fallen trees from coming into contact with electric wires, trees near electric wires are systematically cut down. Devices that predict when to cut down trees have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2008-3855 A JP 2006-252310 A

The devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 predict the growth of trees and forecast the time when the growth will affect equipment (time to cut down trees). The devices in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are useful in that they allow trees to be cut down in a planned manner. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in the occurrence of unexpected fallen trees due to factors such as the increase in the number of sudden heavy rains and approaching typhoons. Because such unexpected fallen trees are not predicted, it can take time to discover them. Therefore, it would be ideal if it were possible to more easily detect the location of fallen trees and determine the condition of the fallen trees.

The present invention aims to provide a fallen tree monitoring system and program that can more easily detect the location of fallen trees and determine the condition of the fallen trees.

The present invention relates to a fallen tree monitoring system that uses flying objects to monitor the status of fallen trees near power lines, and includes a detection unit that detects vibrations in the utility pole caused by fallen trees coming into contact with the power lines, a flight control unit that flies the flying object from the utility pole along the power lines based on the detected vibrations, an image acquisition unit that acquires captured images of the power lines, a situation assessment unit that assesses the status of the power lines based on the acquired images, and an output unit that outputs the assessment results.

It is also preferable that the detection unit determines whether the vibration of the utility pole is in a pattern caused by a fallen tree.

In addition, it is preferable that the detection unit detects the direction of the fallen tree relative to the utility pole based on the difference in detection time between multiple vibration sensors arranged on either side of the utility pole, and the flight control unit flies the flying object in the direction of the detected fallen tree.

The fallen tree monitoring system further includes a position acquisition unit that acquires the position of the utility pole where vibrations are detected, and a determination unit that determines the equipment required for restoration based on the judgment result, and the output unit preferably outputs information about the determined equipment.

The present invention also relates to a program for operating a computer as a fallen tree monitoring system that uses flying objects to monitor the status of fallen trees near power lines, and causes the computer to function as a detection unit that detects vibrations in the utility pole caused by fallen trees coming into contact with the power lines, a flight control unit that flies the flying object along the power lines based on the detected vibrations, an image acquisition unit that acquires captured images of the power lines, a situation judgment unit that judges the status of the power lines based on the acquired images, and an output unit that outputs the judgment results.

The present invention provides a fallen tree monitoring system and program that can more easily detect the location of a fallen tree and determine the condition of the fallen tree.

1 is a schematic diagram of a system including a fallen tree monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a fallen tree position of a fallen tree monitoring system according to one embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a fallen tree monitoring system according to an embodiment; 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of a fallen tree monitoring system according to one embodiment.

Hereinafter, a fallen tree monitoring system 1 and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.
First, the electric wire L and the electric pole P monitored by the fallen tree monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

As shown in FIG. 1, the electric wires L are installed across multiple utility poles P. The electric wires L are, for example, power transmission lines installed in the mountains and power distribution lines installed in urban areas. In this embodiment, the fallen tree monitoring system 1 monitors, for example, power transmission lines installed in the mountains. Since the electric wires L are installed among trees, there is a possibility that they may come into contact with fallen trees T, etc., as shown in FIG. 2. If the electric wires L come into contact with fallen trees T, etc., an accidental power outage may occur.

When a fallen tree T comes into contact with an electric wire L, the vibrations caused by the fallen tree T are transmitted to the electric pole P. For example, a larger vibration is transmitted to an electric pole P closer to the location where the fallen tree T occurred by the fallen tree T via the electric wire L. In the fallen tree monitoring system 1 according to the following embodiment, the situation of the fallen tree T is determined using a flying object 10 by detecting the vibrations of the fallen tree T transmitted to the electric pole P. In the following embodiment, a pair of vibration sensors S that detect the vibrations of the electric pole P are arranged along the electric wire L with the electric pole P in between.

Next, the fallen tree monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment will be described.
The fallen tree monitoring system 1 is a device that uses an air vehicle 10 to monitor the status of a fallen tree T near an electric wire L. The fallen tree monitoring system 1 uses, for example, the air vehicle 10 to monitor the status of a fallen tree T. The fallen tree monitoring system 1 includes the air vehicle 10 and a monitoring server 20.

The flying object 10 is, for example, a drone, an automatically piloted unmanned aerial vehicle (helicopter). As shown in FIG. 1, the flying object 10 is intermittently placed on multiple utility poles P. The flying object 10 is configured to be able to fly a predetermined route based on, for example, automatic piloting. That is, the flying object 10 is configured to be able to fly based on a flight route stored in advance. In this embodiment, the flying object 10 is configured to be able to fly along the electric wire L. The flying object 10 includes a position measurement unit 11, a detection unit 12, a flight route storage unit 13, a flight control unit 14, an imaging unit 15, an image acquisition unit 16, and a situation assessment unit 17.

The position measurement unit 11 is realized, for example, by the operation of a CPU. The position measurement unit 11 measures the flight position of the flying object 10. The position measurement unit 11 measures the position of the flying object 10, for example, using a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal. In this embodiment, the position measurement unit 11 measures, for example, the position of a utility pole P where vibrations have been detected.

The detection unit 12 is realized, for example, by the operation of a CPU. The detection unit 12 detects vibrations of the utility pole P caused by the contact of a fallen tree T with the electric wire L. The detection unit 12 detects the presence or absence of a fallen tree T, for example, based on the vibration detected by the vibration sensor S. The detection unit 12, for example, judges whether the vibration of the utility pole P is a vibration pattern caused by a fallen tree T. Specifically, the detection unit 12 distinguishes between a vibration pattern caused by wind, which is a periodic vibration, and a vibration pattern caused by a fallen tree T, which is a sudden vibration, and judges whether the vibration is caused by a fallen tree T. The detection unit 12 also detects the direction of the fallen tree T relative to the utility pole P based on the difference in the detection time of multiple vibration sensors S arranged on either side of the utility pole P. The detection unit 12 detects in which direction the fallen tree T occurs relative to the utility pole P, for example, based on the time difference measured by a pair of vibration sensors S arranged on either side of the utility pole P. The detection unit 12 also notifies the monitoring server 20 of the detection of the vibration. The detection unit 12 notifies the monitoring server 20 of, for example, the time when the vibration was detected by either of the pair of vibration sensors S and the position measured by the position measurement unit 11 (the position of the utility pole P).

The flight route storage unit 13 is, for example, a recording medium such as a hard disk. The flight route storage unit 13 stores the flight route of the flying object 10. For example, the flight route storage unit 13 stores a flight route that flies from a utility pole P where a station N is located along an electric wire L and turns back toward the station N at a predetermined position.

The flight control unit 14 is realized, for example, by the operation of a CPU. The flight control unit 14 flies the flying object 10 from the utility pole P along the electric wire L based on the detection of vibrations. The flight control unit 14 flies the flying object 10, for example, in the direction of a fallen tree T detected by the detection unit 12. Specifically, the flight control unit 14 flies the flying object 10 from the utility pole P having the station N toward the direction of the detected fallen tree T. The flight control unit 14 also acquires a flight route and flies the flying object 10 along the acquired flight route.

The imaging unit 15 is, for example, a camera that captures images. The imaging unit 15 captures images (moving images) along the flight route of the flying object 10. In other words, the imaging unit 15 captures images (moving images) along the path of the electric wire L.

The image acquisition unit 16 is realized, for example, by the operation of the CPU. The image acquisition unit 16 acquires a captured image of the electric wire L.

The situation determination unit 17 is realized, for example, by the operation of a CPU. The situation determination unit 17 determines the status of the electric wires L, the status of the utility pole P, and the status of the fallen tree T based on the acquired images. The situation determination unit 17 determines, for example, whether the electric wires L are damaged, the degree of sagging, the inclination of the utility pole P, the misalignment of the cross arm (not shown), the type, size, and angle of the tree to have fallen, and any other situation that is determined to be different from normal. The situation determination unit 17 determines the status of the equipment included in the captured image, for example, based on teacher data related to the normal installation status of the electric wires L. The situation determination unit 17 is configured to be able to transmit the results of the determination to the monitoring server 20.

The monitoring server 20 is, for example, a server installed at a power company. The monitoring server 20 is configured to be able to communicate individually with multiple flying objects 10 placed on the power lines L. The monitoring server 20 includes a communication unit 21, a position acquisition unit 22, a determination unit 23, and an output unit 24.

The communication unit 21 is realized, for example, by the operation of the CPU. The communication unit 21 is configured to be able to communicate data with the flying object 10. The communication unit 21 acquires, for example, the detection of vibration, the detection time, and the measured position notified from the detection unit 12. The communication unit 21 also acquires the judgment result judged by the situation judgment unit 17.

The position acquisition unit 22 is realized, for example, by the operation of a CPU. The position acquisition unit 22 acquires the position of the utility pole P where vibrations are detected. The position acquisition unit 22 acquires, for example, the latitude and longitude of the utility pole P as the position.

The determination unit 23 is realized, for example, by the operation of a CPU. The determination unit 23 determines the equipment required for restoration based on the determination result. The determination unit 23 also determines the personnel required for restoration based on the determination result. The determination unit 23 determines the necessary equipment and personnel from teacher data related to past restoration, for example, depending on the type, size, angle, etc. of the fallen tree T. The determination unit 23 also determines the necessary equipment and personnel from teacher data related to past restoration, for example, depending on the status of the electric wires L and utility poles P.

The output unit 24 is realized, for example, by the operation of a CPU. The output unit 24 outputs the judgment result. The output unit 24 also outputs information on the determined equipment. The output unit 24 also outputs information on the determined personnel. The output unit 24 outputs, for example, the information on the determined equipment to a mobile terminal (not shown) carried by the determined personnel.

Next, the operation of the fallen tree monitoring system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the detection unit 12 determines whether or not a fallen tree T has been detected (step S1). If a fallen tree T has been detected (step S1: YES), the process proceeds to step S2. If a fallen tree T has not been detected (step S1: NO), the process repeats step S1.

In step S2, the detection unit 12 detects the flight direction. Next, the position measurement unit 11 measures the position of the utility pole P on which the flying object 10 is located (step S3). Next, the detection unit 12 notifies the monitoring server 20 of the detection of vibrations (step S4).

The flight control unit 14 then starts flying the flying object 10 in the detected flight direction (step S5). The imaging unit 15 then acquires an image (step S6). The situation assessment unit 17 then assesses the status of the electric wires L, electric poles P, and fallen trees T based on the image (step S7). The situation assessment unit 17 then transmits the assessment result to the monitoring server 20 (step S8).

Next, the communication unit 21 acquires the occurrence of vibration detection, the detection time, and the judgment result (step S9). Next, the position acquisition unit 22 acquires the position of the utility pole P where the vibration was detected (step S10). Next, the determination unit 23 determines the equipment and personnel required for recovery based on the judgment result (step S11). Next, the output unit 24 outputs information on the determined equipment and personnel (step S12). This ends the processing according to this flow.

Next, the program of this embodiment will be described.
Each component included in the fallen tree monitoring system 1 can be realized by hardware, software, or a combination of these. Here, being realized by software means being realized by a computer reading and executing a program.

The program can be stored and supplied to the computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R/Ws, and semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (random access memories)). The display program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer readable media can supply the program to the computer via wired communication paths such as electric wires and optical fibers, or wireless communication paths.

As described above, the fallen tree monitoring system 1 and program according to one embodiment have the following advantages.
(1) A fallen tree monitoring system 1 that uses an flying object 10 to monitor the status of fallen trees T near an electric power line L, and is equipped with a detection unit 12 that detects vibrations to an electric pole P caused by the fallen tree T coming into contact with the electric power line L, a flight control unit 14 that flies the flying object 10 from the electric pole P along the electric power line L based on the detected vibrations, an image acquisition unit 16 that acquires an image of the electric power line L, a situation judgment unit 17 that judges the status of the electric power line L based on the acquired image, and an output unit 24 that outputs the judgment result.
The program also operates a computer as a fallen tree monitoring system 1 that uses an flying object 10 to monitor the status of fallen trees T near power lines L, and causes the computer to function as a detection unit 12 that detects vibrations to the utility pole P caused by the fallen tree T coming into contact with the power line L, a flight control unit 14 that flies the flying object 10 along the power line L based on the detected vibrations, an image acquisition unit 16 that acquires captured images of the power line L, a situation judgment unit 17 that judges the status of the power line L based on the acquired images, and an output unit 24 that outputs the judgment result.
This makes it possible to detect the presence or absence of a fallen tree T by the vibrations of the utility pole P, making it easier to detect the presence or absence of a fallen tree T. In addition, the position of the fallen tree T can be more easily detected by using the position of the utility pole P. Furthermore, the condition of the fallen tree T can be determined by judging the condition of the fallen tree T from the captured image.

(2) The detection unit 12 determines whether the vibration of the utility pole P is in the form of a vibration pattern caused by a fallen tree T. This makes it possible to distinguish between the swaying of the electric wires L due to wind and the fallen tree T, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the fallen tree T.

(3) The detection unit 12 detects the direction of the fallen tree T relative to the utility pole P based on the difference in detection time between the vibration sensors S that are placed on either side of the utility pole P, and the flight control unit 14 flies the flying object 10 in the direction of the detected fallen tree T. This makes it possible to detect the direction of the fallen tree T according to the difference in detection time based on the placement positions of the vibration sensors S for vibrations transmitted along the electric wire L. In other words, the flight direction of the flying object 10 can be determined to be in the direction of the vibration sensor S that detected the vibration at an earlier time. This makes it possible to further improve the detection accuracy of the position of the fallen tree T.

Fallen tree monitoring system 1 also includes a position acquisition unit 22 that acquires the position of utility pole P where vibrations were detected, and a decision unit 23 that decides on the equipment required for restoration based on the judgment result, and output unit 24 outputs information on the decided equipment. This allows equipment and personnel to be arranged immediately based on the judgment result, further shortening the time until restoration.

The above describes a preferred embodiment of the fallen tree monitoring system and program of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.

For example, in the above embodiment, the flying object 10 is described as having a flight control unit 14, a detection unit 12, and a situation judgment unit 17, but this is not limited to the above. The monitoring server 20 may have a flight control unit 14, a detection unit 12, and a situation judgment unit 17 instead of the flying object 10. In this way, the monitoring server 20 may control the flying object 10.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the output unit 24 may output to an application that provides power outage information to the outside world that the fallen tree T is being restored. This makes it possible to provide information about the fallen tree T to the user.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the vibration sensor S is provided on the utility pole P, but this is not limited to this. The vibration sensor S may be provided on the drone station N. The vibration sensor S may also be placed in contact with the electric wire L.

In the above embodiment, the position measurement unit 11 measures the position of the utility pole P, but this is not limited to this. The position measurement unit 11 may also measure the position where the fallen tree T occurred.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Fallen tree monitoring system 2 Mobile terminal 10 Flying object 11 Position measurement unit 12 Detection unit 14 Flight control unit 16 Image acquisition unit 17 Situation judgment unit 22 Position acquisition unit 23 Determination unit 24 Output unit L Power line M Third party P Power pole S Vibration sensor T Fallen tree

Claims (4)

A fallen tree monitoring system that uses flying objects to monitor the status of fallen trees near electric wires,
A detection unit that detects vibrations of the utility pole caused by a fallen tree coming into contact with the electric wire;
A flight control unit that flies the flying object from the utility pole along the electric wire based on the detection of vibration;
An image acquisition unit that acquires a captured image of the electric wire;
a situation determination unit that determines a situation of the electric wire based on the acquired image;
an output unit that outputs a result of the determination;
Equipped with
The detection unit detects a direction of a fallen tree relative to the utility pole based on a difference in detection time between a plurality of vibration sensors disposed on either side of the utility pole,
The flight control unit is a fallen tree monitoring system that flies the flying object in the direction of a detected fallen tree . The fallen tree monitoring system according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit determines whether the vibration of the utility pole is in a pattern corresponding to a vibration caused by a fallen tree. A position acquisition unit that acquires the position of the utility pole where vibration is detected;
A decision unit that decides on equipment required for restoration based on the result of the decision;
Further equipped with
The fallen tree monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the output unit outputs information about the determined equipment. A program for operating a computer as a fallen tree monitoring system for monitoring the status of fallen trees near electric wires using an aerial vehicle, comprising:
The computer,
a detection unit that detects vibrations of the utility pole caused by a fallen tree coming into contact with the electric wire;
a flight control unit that causes the flying object to fly along the electric wire based on detection of vibrations;
an image acquisition unit for acquiring a captured image of the electric wire;
a situation determination unit that determines a situation of the electric wire based on the acquired image;
an output unit for outputting the judgment result;
Function as a
The detection unit detects a direction of a fallen tree relative to the utility pole based on a difference in detection time between a plurality of vibration sensors disposed on either side of the utility pole,
The flight control unit is a program that causes the flying object to fly in the direction of a detected fallen tree .

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