Patent · US Active

Solar panel inspection by unmanned aerial vehicle

US11840334B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
4References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 24, 2018
Grant dateDec 12, 2023
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 13, 2040

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/50
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method for detecting a fault in a solar panel in a solar farm is disclosed. In some examples, the method includes obtaining, by a computing system (106), a first image of the solar panel captured by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (102) during a first flight and a second image of the solar panel captured by the UAV (102) during a second flight. In some examples, the method also includes determining, by the computing system (106), a first score for the solar panel based on the first image and determining a second score for the solar panel based on the second image. In some examples, the method further includes determining, by the computing system (106), whether the solar panel has the fault based on the first score and the second score and outputting an indication that the solar panel has the fault in response to determining that the solar panel has the fault.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.