UAV Blade Inspection – Thermal & Visual Analysis
UAV Blade Inspection – Thermal and Visual Analysis
About
Cloudcam UAV Ltd, in collaboration with Total Jobs Contracts (TJC), deployed UAV-mounted thermal imaging alongside high-resolution optical capture to inspect operational offshore wind turbines. The objective was to assess both external blade condition and internal structural integrity, identifying defects that cannot be detected through visual inspection alone.
The challenge
Internal structural issues such as delamination and material fatigue are often not visible externally but can significantly impact turbine performance and safety. Key challenges included:
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Detecting subsurface defects without intrusive access methods
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Operating safely within an offshore wind environment
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Capturing accurate thermal data under variable environmental conditions
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Providing reliable outputs to support engineering assessment
Our Approach
Planning & Coordination
Working alongside project partners, including TJC, to define inspection requirements, environmental constraints and suitable conditions for data capture.
Data Capture
Combined UAV-based thermal surveys and high-resolution optical imagery to assess both internal anomalies and external blade condition.
Data Processing & Modelling
Thermal data captured under controlled conditions to ensure consistency and accuracy, allowing for reliable comparison across blade surfaces.
Data Integration & Review
Thermal and visual datasets were processed and delivered in a structured format to support engineering analysis, including identification of potential defects such as delamination and fatigue zones.
Results & Deliverables
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Integrated thermal and visual inspection datasets
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Identification of potential delamination and fatigue zones
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High-resolution imagery for external condition assessment
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Structured technical outputs for engineering review
Outcome
The survey provided clear and actionable insight into blade integrity, supporting informed maintenance decisions while reducing downtime and avoiding the need for invasive inspection methods.