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System composed of drone, robotic arm and multifunction tool

[Category : - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING- Construction Processes & Equipment- Tools]
[Viewed 24 times]

Patent under filing - Italian Patent Office - request 102024000022281

SHORT DESCRIPTION
The patent application concerns a system that combines a drone, a robotic support arm and a multifunctional head for performing contact maintenance operations, while the drone is in flight, on structures that are difficult to reach, such as bridges, wind turbines, and other elevated or remote structures. The invention is also accompanied by a procedure for the use of the system in maintenance operations. The robotic arm is equipped with a terminal part, called multifunction head, equipped with a special frame. The frame consists of a support that can be adapted for different types of tools, a flat part to optimize contact with the surfaces to be maintained, a mechanical actuator or motor to perform operations and protection against falling processing residues or liquids to prevent damage to the drone. The novelty of the invention consists mainly in the use of a multifunctional head for contact maintenance. Drone and robotic arm are however essential elements and their combination with a multifunctional head is a new element

ADVANTAGES & POTENTIAL USES
The proposed invention aims to overcome the aforementioned limitations related to the difficulty of performing contact maintenance. The design of a specific multifunctional head allows maintenance operations to be carried out while the drone is in flight. In fact, the head not only ensures the proper attachment and distance of the drone from the surface to be maintained but also serves as a stable support for using tools to perform operations on the surface (such as spraying, drilling, surface treatments, etc.). Furthermore, the head protects the drone and its delicate components (rotors, propellers) from potential work residues. Finally, the presented methodology allows operations to be carried out on vertical, inclined, and even downward-facing horizontal surfaces, offering a significant advantage over existing solutions. This way, a drone-robotic arm-head system is proposed, capable of easily accommodating a wide range of interchangeable tools, ensuring operational flexibility and reducing time and costs associated with the maintenance of hard-to-reach infrastructures.
The technical solution consisting of a system composed of a drone with a robotic arm and multifunctional head, along with the related usage procedure, offers several advantages:

- More affordable inspections: The system allows for much more economical inspections and maintenance compared to traditional methods, as it reduces the need for scaffolding and expensive equipment. This contributes to improving the maintenance of infrastructures, such as the specific case of restoring exposed and corroded surface reinforcements in bridges, a task often overlooked in regular maintenance due to the bulky and expensive tools required.

- Improved safety: By using a drone to perform maintenance operations, risks for workers are reduced, avoiding the need to work at heights or in potentially dangerous situations. This approach keeps operators at a safe distance from critical areas, significantly enhancing their safety.

- Reduction in CO2 emissions: Using a drone reduces the resources needed compared to traditional maintenance. Fewer vehicles and heavy equipment are required for maintenance work, thus helping to reduce the CO? emissions associated with such operations.

- Flexibility and adaptability: The modular design allows the drone to be used with a variety of tools, making it easier to adapt to different operational needs without requiring costly or complex modifications. This way, the invention caters to a wide range of operators, including small businesses, in sectors like construction, maintenance, and inspections.

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flyfix (Italy)

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