Request for Proposal Linear Infrastructure Inspection UAS

Transcription

1 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Inspectin Unmanned Aircraft Request fr Prpsal Linear Infrastructure Inspectin UAS Abstract This Request fr Prpsal (RFP) is fr the design f a cmplete Unmanned Aerial (UAS) fr pwer transmissin line inspectin. The system is intended t have lwer cst and better safety than a manned fixed-wing aircraft r helicpter traditinally used fr this rle. The entry int service (EIS) is 2020 fr a system capable f inspecting 100 linear miles r pwer lines in ne wrking day. Backgrund Recent advances in lw pwer prpulsin systems, lw-cst airframe manufacturing techniques, and capable lw-cst autpilts has made cmmercial small Unmanned Aerial (UAS) a reality. UAS design slutins are taking n many frms t satisfy similar missins. Fr example, small electric fixed wing aircraft and Vertical Takeff and Landing (VTOL) systems ften cmpete fr similar markets and rles. There are numerus ptential cmmercial UAS missins that have great ecnmic ptential, but are nt yet cmmn. A majr missin set is linear infrastructure inspectin, which may include electrical pwer transmissin, pipelines, rads, and railways. This RFP fcuses n the pwer transmissin missin. Much f the electrical pwer transmissin infrastructure is abve grund and is therefre susceptible t damage due t vegetatin interference. Pwer cmpanies clear the crridrs fr vegetatin peridically, but grwth persistently cntinues. Pwer utages are ften caused by trees r branches falling n pwer lines. This frequently ccurs in strms with high winds. In additin t the lss f pwer, vegetatin interference can cause safety hazards such as fires and electrcutin. Knwledge f the vegetatin cnditins can make maintenance mre ecnmical. The heights, density, and types f trees can affect when the vegetatin will interfere with the pwer lines. This can help with scheduling f trimming the undergrwth and sides f the right f way. The maintenance can be perfrmed based n the need rather than by a peridic schedule, which will reduce csts and better prevent utages. Better knwledge f vegetatin cnditins can imprve asset utilizatin. The pwer line surveys must include vegetatin clearances, trees, vegetatin encrachments, span lengths, sag distances, and structure heights. The utput is typically a Digital Elevatin Mdel (DEM) r Digital Surface Mdel (DSM). Infrared imagers can help determine the temperature f the pwer lines. The pwer lines will sag as electrical current passes thrugh due t thermal expansin. The heat is caused by the electrical resistance lsses. The line sag is als

2 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Inspectin Unmanned Aircraft sensitive t ambient temperature; htter days will prduce mre line sag due t thermal expansin. The sagging lines are lwered clser t the vegetatin belw. A high reslutin still camera will be sued t map the vegetatin belw and prvide infrmatin n the cnditin f the transmissin twers. This imagery will be used t help identify specific tree species and identify transmissin twer cmpnents that require repairs. Cncept f Operatins Aircraft must perate frm a small unimprved site. One launch and recvery ptin is a dirt rad (like a fire rad r access rad). Alternatively, the system may launch and recver frm a clearing in the wds. Specialized launch and recvery equipment may be added t the pickup truck. The missin is t perfrm pwer transmissin line inspectin in rural areas. A survey crew will utilize standard seize 2018 F-150 pickup trucks as the base vehicle. The grund statin will be limited t the frnt passenger seat. Antennas fr cmmunicatins t the aircraft will be munted t the truck. All UAS must be carried within the vehicle. Missin: Cver 100 linear miles f pwer transmissin lines in ne day. The truck will psitin itself at the center f this linear extent at the beginning f the missin such that the aircraft must fly 50 miles in either directin befre returning t the midpint. Cmmunicatins: A distributed cmmunicatins netwrk will be set up alng the rute s that the aircraft may fly at lw altitude withut lss f cmmunicatins. Hwever, the minimum altitude abve the grund is set t 150 feet t avid grund bstructins. Per regulatins, the maximum altitude is 400 feet. The design teams may select the ptimal cruise altitude t enable best data cllectin. The number f survey vehicles, vehicle perfrmance, launch and recvery methds, and vehicle types may be selected by the team. The bjective is t perfrm the missin n a recurring basis at the lwest life cycle cst, which is defined here as the acquisitin plus the peratins cst. The teams shuld cnsider hw the system will be maintained. Mdularity is ne apprach. Cnsider which parts will be mdular based n reliability and durability. Cmpliant with FAA Part 107 regulatins with the exceptin f BVLOS restrictins. The aircraft must weigh less than 55 lbs. Requirements (M) = Mandatry Requirement (T) = Tradable requirement General Requirements (M) Capable f taking ff and landing frm unimprved dirt rads r clearings (dirt, grass) (M) shall be able t survey 100 linear miles f pwer transmissin lines in ne day.

3 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Inspectin Unmanned Aircraft (M) Capable f autnmus flight with an autpilt under lst link cnditins. (T) Capable f flight in 20 knt sustained winds and 35 knt gusting winds. (M) Meets applicable certificatin rules in FAA 14 CFR Part 107 Beynd Visual Line f Sight (BVLOS) exceptin (M) Prpulsin system assumptins dcumented Use f prpulsin systems that will be in service by Assumptins n at least specific fuel cnsumptin/efficiency, thrust/pwer and weight shuld be specified. - Ensure that the pwer used by alternatrs, generatrs r ther devices are accunted fr. Use f electric mtr(s) that will be in service by 2020 and dcument battery energy and pwer density assumptins based n reasnable technlgy trends. - Dcument system efficiency including at least the efficiency f the batteries, wires, cntrllers, thermal management system, cnnectrs, mtrs and prpellers t calculate a ttal prpulsive efficiency. - Dcument electric prpulsin system weight (T) Prvide systems and avinics architecture that culd enable autnmus flight (M) Flight thrugh zer-visibility weather at safe altitude. N paylad peratins will ccur in these cnditins. (M) Landing peratins may ccur in visibility f 100 feet. Paylad s Requirements (M) The baseline paylad will be a RIEGL minivux-1uav weighing 1.55 kg. The LiDAR pint cluds shuld have a density f 25 pints per square meter. (T) An ptinal paylad is a high-reslutin still camera. The camera selectin is pen. (T) An ptinal paylad is a Lng Wave Infrared fixed camera fr detecting transmissin line temperature. The camera selectin is pen. (M) The aircraft will use a GPS-based autpilt capable f autnmus peratins. (M) Transpnders: the aircraft will have an ADS-B with bradcast capability.

4 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Inspectin Unmanned Aircraft (T) The aircraft will avid terrain based n missin planning. Field Perfrmance (M) The aircraft must be able t launch and recver frm an unimprved dirt rad with a linear distance f 500 feet. The rad is 10 feet wide. Tall gras is n a 10-ft-wide shulder n either side. Trees 50 feet tall are situated at either end f the 500-ft length and 15 feet frm either side f the rad. (T) Alternatively, the aircraft may launch and recvery frm an pen area with a diameter f 150 fee. 50-ft tall trees are lcated at the edge f the circle. A 15-ft diameter regin at the center can be used fr launch and recvery peratins, which is cvered by slightly uneven grund with scattered 2 diameter rcks and 5 tall grass. (T) The pickup truck may supprt launch and recvery peratins with specialized launch and recvery equipment. Grund Statin and Supprt Requirements (M) will perate frm a 2018 Frd F-150 SuperCrew cab pickup truck. (M) Grund statin will use the right frnt seat and 12 Vlt truck pwer. (T) The cmmunicatins antennas will be munted t the truck. (M) The entire system must be cntained within the truck. (M) The system must be capable f attaining flight fifteen minutes after reaching the site. VTOL Requirements (M) Thrust t weight rati at maximum takeff weight and at maximum altitude shall be n less than 1.3. (M) If multiple vertical lift devices are used, the aircraft must be perable in a degraded state. (T) Peple n the grund must be prtected frm spinning blades. Fixed-Wing Requirements (M) The aircraft must have the ability t perfrm an emergency recvery in the event f a prpulsin failure. (M) The aircraft shuld be designed t minimize risk f injury fr peple n the grund..

5 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Inspectin Unmanned Aircraft Design Objectives Minimize prductin cst by chsing materials and manufacturing methds apprpriate fr the annual prductin rate that is supprted by the team s assessment f the ptential market size. Make the aircraft visually appealing s it will be marketable and identify what features are imprtant t the peratrs fr different missins. Make the aircraft reliability equal r better than that f cmparable aircraft. The flight reliability may be reduced based n prbability f injury fr thse n the grund. The time t swap ut a failed cmpnent shuld be 10 minutes r less. Other features and cnsideratins The air vehicle shuld be cmpatible with FAA Part 107 with the exceptin f Beynd Visual Lines f Sight (BVLOS) restrictins. The aircraft must weigh less than 55 lbs. The aircraft must perate belw 400 feet abve grund level (AGL). Cnsider what features will be basic and which will be ptinal t a custmer. Ntes and assumptins: Assume an EIS f 2020 when making technlgy decisins. Prpsal and Design Data Requirements The technical prpsal shall present the design f this aircraft clearly and cncisely; it shall cver all relevant aspects, features, and disciplines. Pertinent analyses and studies supprting design chices shall be dcumented. Full descriptins f the aircraft are expected alng with perfrmance capabilities and peratinal limits. These include, at a minimum: 1. A descriptin f the design missins defined fr the prpsed cncepts fr use in calculatins f missin perfrmance as per design bjectives. This includes the selectin f cruise altitude(s) and cruise speeds supprted by pertinent trade analyses and discussin. 2. Aircraft perfrmance summaries shall be dcumented, and the aircraft flight envelpe shall be shwn graphically. 3. Paylad range chart(s) 4. A V-n diagram fr the aircraft (if a fixed-wing design is used) with identificatin f necessary aircraft velcities and design lad factrs. a. Required gust lads are specified in 14 Cde f Federal Regulatins (CFR) Part Materials selectin fr main structural grups and general structural design, including layut f primary airframe structure as well as the strength capability f the structure and hw that cmpares t what is required at the ultimate lad limits f the aircraft. The maximum dive speed f the aircraft shall be specified.

6 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Inspectin Unmanned Aircraft 6. Cmplete gemetric descriptin, including dimensined drawings, cntrl surfaces sizes and hinge lcatins, and internal arrangement f the aircraft illustrating sufficient vlume fr ll necessary cmpnents and systems. a. Scaled three-views (dimensined) and 3-D mdel imagery f apprpriate quality are expected. The three-view must include at least: i. Fully dimensined frnt, left, and tp views ii. Lcatin f aircraft aerdynamic center (frm nse) fixed wing nly iii. Lcatin f average CG lcatin (relative t nse) iv. Tail mment arms fixed wing nly b. Diagrams and/r estimates shwing that internal vlume requirements are met, including as a minimum the internal arrangements f the paylads and subsystems. c. Diagrams shwing the lcatin and functins fr all aircraft systems. 7. Imprtant aerdynamic characteristics and aerdynamic perfrmance fr key missin segments and requirements 8. Aircraft weight statement, aircraft center-f-gravity envelpe reflecting paylads and fuel allcatin. Establish a frward and aft center f gravity (CG) limits fr safe flight. a. Weight assessment summary shall be shwn at least at the fllwing level f detail: i. Prpulsin (engine/mtr, batteries, cntrller, wiring, heat sink, cwl, strut, prpeller, spinner etc. as applicable) ii. Airframe Structure 1. Wing 2. Empennage 3. Landing Gear (including wheels tires and brakes) 4. Fuselage iii. Cntrl system (flight cntrls linkages, wires, actuatrs, prpulsin cntrls etc.) iv. Paylads v. s 1. Avinics 2. Fuel, batteries, r ther energy surces 3. Missin systems, including paylads, cmmunicatin systems, and nbard paylad data prcessing. 9. Prpulsin system descriptin and characterizatin including perfrmance, dimensins, and weights. The selectin f the prpulsin system(s), sizing, and airframe integratin must be supprted by analysis, trade studies, and discussin 10. Summary f basic stability and cntrl characteristics; this shuld include, but is nt limited t static margin, pitch, rll and yaw derivatives. 11. Summary f cst estimate and a business case analysis. This assessment shuld identify the cst grups and drives, assumptins, and design chices aimed at the minimizatin f prductin csts. a. Estimate the nn-recurring develpment csts f the airplane including engineering, regulatry cmpliance, prductin tling, facilities and labr b. Estimate the system ttal cst and aircraft unit fly away cst (including paylad) c. Estimate the price that wuld have t be sld fr t generate at least a 15% prfit

7 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Inspectin Unmanned Aircraft i. Shw hw the system culd be prduced prfitably at prductin rates ranging frm systems per mnth r a rate that is supprted by a brief market analysis d. Estimate f direct perating cst per airplane flight hur i. Fuel, battery cst and ther cnsumable quantities ii. Estimate f maintenance cst per flight hur iii. Flight and cabin crew csts per hur The prpsal respnse will include trade dcumentatin n the tw majr aspects f the design develpment, a) the cncept selectin trades, and b), the cncept develpment trade studies. The student(s) is (are) t develp and present the alternative cncepts cnsidered leading t the dwn-select f their preferred cncept. The methds and ratinale used fr the dwn-select shall be presented. At a minimum a qualitative assessment f strengths and weaknesses f the alternatives shall be given, discussing merits, leading t a justificatin as t why the selected prpsal is the best at meeting the prpsal measures f merit(s) will strengthen the prpsal. In additin, the submittal shall include the majr trade studies cnducted justifying the ptimizatin, sizing, architectural arrangement and integratin f the specifically selected prpsal cncept. Quantitative data shall be presented shwing why their cncept wrks and is the preferred design cmprmise that best achieves the RFP. Specific analysis and trade studies f interest sught in prpsals include: Missin perfrmance and sizing fr the definitin f a missin prfiles. Overall aircraft cncept selectin (airframe and prpulsin system) vs. design requirements bjectives All cncept and technlgy assumptins must be reasnable and justified fr the EIS year. Prcured Data N data is prcured as part f this RFP Additinal Cntacts All technical questins pertaining t this RFP shuld be directed t Jay Gundlach via at: jay.gundlach@fhengineering.cm Any updates t this RFP will be psted n the AIAA Design Cmpetitins web site Reference Material FAA Part 107 RIEGL Mini Vux LiDAR Paylad:

8 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Inspectin Unmanned Aircraft Representative Aircraft Designs Micrdrnes Riegl RiCpter AerVirnment Puma Insitu ScanEagle Textrn Aersnde Design Cmpetitin Rules Eligibility Requirements All AIAA Student members are eligible and encuraged t participate. Membership with AIAA must be current t submit a reprt and t receive prizes. Students must submit their letter f intent and final reprt via the nline submissin t be eligible t participate. N extensins will be granted. Mre than ne design may be submitted frm students at any ne schl. If a design grup withdraws their final reprt frm the cmpetitin, the team leader must ntify AIAA Headquarters immediately. Design prjects that are used as part f an rganized classrm requirement are eligible and encuraged fr cmpetitin. Schedule Letter f Intent 10 February 2019 (11:59 pm Eastern Time) Prpsal delivered t AIAA Headquarters 10 May 2019 (11:59 pm Eastern Time) Annuncement f Winners 31 August 2019 (11:59 pm Eastern Time) Engine Design Cmpetitin dates Letter f Intent 14 February 2019 (11:59 pm Eastern Time) Prpsal submitted, via nline submissin site t AIAA Headquarters 16 May 2019 (11:59 pm Eastern Time) Rund 1 evaluatins cmpleted 30 June 2019 (11:59 pm Eastern Time) Rund 2 presentatins at AIAA Prpulsin and Energy Frum 2019 Categries/Submissins Team Submissins Team cmpetitins will be grups f nt mre than ten AIAA Student Members per entry. Individual Submissins Individual cmpetitins will cnsist f nly ne AIAA Student member per entry. Graduate Graduate students may participate in the graduate categries nly.

9 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Inspectin Unmanned Aircraft Undergraduate Undergraduate students may participate in the undergraduate categries nly. Letter f Intent (LOI) A Letter f Intent indicating interest in participating in the design cmpetitins is required befre submitting a final reprt. All Letters f Intent must be submitted thrugh the nline submissin system. Letter f Intent must include student s names, s, AIAA membership numbers, faculty advisr(s) names, s, and prject advisr(s) names and s. Incmplete LOI s will result in the Team r Individual being ineligible t cmpete in the cmpetitin. Submissin f Final Design Reprt Each team r individual must prvide an electrnic cpy their design reprt as utlined belw t the nline Submissin site An electrnic cpy f the reprt in Adbe PDF frmat must be submitted t AIAA using the nline submissin site. Ttal size f the file cannt exceed 25 MB. Electrnic reprt files must be named: 2019_[university]_DESIGN_REPORT.pdf A Signature page must be included in the reprt and indicate all participants, including faculty and prject advisrs, alng with students AIAA member numbers and signatures. Electrnic reprt shuld be n mre than 100 pages, duble-spaced (including graphs, drawings, phtgraphs, and appendices) if it were t be printed n 8.5 x11.0 paper, and the fnt shuld be n smaller than 10 pt. Times New Rman. Cpyright All submissins t the cmpetitin shall be the riginal wrk f the team members. Authrs retain cpyright wnership f all written wrks submitted t the cmpetitin. By virtue f participating in the cmpetitin, team members and reprt authrs grant AIAA nn-exclusive license t reprduce submissins, in whle r in part, fr all f AIAA s current and future print and electrnic uses. Apprpriate acknwledgment will accmpany any reuse f materials. Cnflict f Interest It shuld be nted that it shall be cnsidered a cnflict f interest fr a design prfessr t write r assist in writing RFPs and/r judging prpsals submitted if (s)he will have students participating in, r that can be expected t participate in thse cmpetitins. A design prfessr with such a cnflict must refrain frm participating in the develpment f such cmpetitin RFPs and/r judging any prpsals submitted in such cmpetitins. Awards

10 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Inspectin Unmanned Aircraft The prize mney prvided fr the cmpetitins is funded thrugh the AIAA Fundatin. The mnetary awards may differ fr each cmpetitin, with a maximum award f $1,000. The award amunts are listed belw. The tp three design teams will be awarded certificates. One representative frm the first place team may be invited by the Technical Cmmittee respnsible fr the RFP t make a presentatin f their design at an AIAA frum. A travel stipend may be available fr sme cmpetitins, with a maximum travel stipend f $1,000 which may be used t help with csts fr flight, htel, r cnference registratin t attend an AIAA frum. Aircraft Design Cmpetitins Graduate Team Aircraft Electric Vertical Takeff and Landing (E-VTOL) Aircraft Undergraduate Team Aircraft Thin Haul Transprt and Air Taxi 1 st Place: $500; 2 nd Place: $300; 3 rd Place: $250 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Survey Unmanned Aircraft s 1 st Place: $1,000; 2 nd Place: $500; 3 rd Place: $300 Engine Design Cmpetitin Undergraduate Team Engine Candidate Engines fr Hybrid Electric Medium Altitude Lng Endurance Search and Rescue UAV 1 st Place: $500; 2 nd Place: $300; 3 rd Place: $250 Space Design Cmpetitin Undergraduate Team Space Design Reusable Lunar Surface Access Vehicle 1 st Place: $500; 2 nd Place: $300; 3 rd Place: $250 Structures Design Cmpetitin Graduate Team Structures Design f the Structure fr a VTOL Taxi Undergraduate Team Structures Design f Deplyable Slar Array Structure 1 st Place: $500; 2 nd Place: $300; 3 rd Place: $250 Missile s Design Cmpetitin Undergraduate Team Missile s - Design f a Lng Range Strategic Missile 1 st Place: $500; 2 nd Place: $300; 3 rd Place: $250 Prpsal Requirements

11 Undergraduate Individual Aircraft Pwer Line Inspectin Unmanned Aircraft The technical prpsal is the mst imprtant factr in the award f a cntract. It shuld be specific and cmplete. While it is realized that all f the technical factrs cannt be included in advance, the fllwing shuld be included: Demnstrate a thrugh understanding f the Request fr Prpsal (RFP) requirements. Describe the prpsed technical appraches t cmply with each f the requirements specified in the RFP, including phasing f tasks. Legibility, clarity, and cmpleteness f the technical apprach are primary factrs in evaluatin f the prpsals. Particular emphasis shuld be directed at identificatin f critical, technical prblem areas. Descriptins, sketches, drawings, systems analysis, methd f attack, and discussins f new techniques shuld be presented in sufficient detail t permit engineering evaluatin f the prpsal. Exceptins t prpsed technical requirements shuld be identified and explained. Include tradeff studies perfrmed t arrive at the final design. Prvide a descriptin f autmated design tls used t develp the design. Basis fr Judging The AIAA Technical Cmmittee that develped the RFP will serve as the judges f the final reprts. They will evaluate the reprts using the categries and scring listed belw. The judges reserve the right t nt award all three places. Judges decisins are final. 1. Technical Cntent (35 pints) This cncerns the crrectness f thery, validity f reasning used, apparent understanding and grasp f the subject, etc. Are all majr factrs cnsidered and a reasnably accurate evaluatin f these factrs presented? 2. Organizatin and Presentatin (20 pints) The descriptin f the design as an instrument f cmmunicatin is a strng factr n judging. Organizatin f written design, clarity, and inclusin f pertinent infrmatin are majr factrs. 3. Originality (20 pints) The design prpsal shuld avid standard textbk infrmatin, and shuld shw the independence f thinking r a fresh apprach t the prject. Des the methd and treatment f the prblem shw imaginatin? Des the methd shw an adaptatin r creatin f autmated design tls? 4. Practical Applicatin and Feasibility (25 pints) The prpsal shuld present cnclusins r recmmendatins that are feasible and practical, and nt merely lead the evaluatrs int further difficult r inslvable prblems.