Reliable Tool for Assessing Structural Integrity of Guy Wires on Tall Antenna Tower

TUI proposes to develop a novel electro-magnetic inspection tool for assessment of guy wire integrity. The proposed tool will utilizing recent advances in hybrid flexible/rigid printed circuitry fabrication to implement the main-flux measurement technique within a clamshell-type enclosure. This innovation will provide significantly greater sensitivity than current tools utilizing the ‘modified-main-flux’ method while retaining the convenience of easy installation and operation. Integrating onboard signal processing and data storage, this tool will have the capability to transmit Loss of Metallic cross-section Area (LMA) and Localized Flaw (LF) data via a RF connection to a laptop or other suitable computer. Additionally, the tool will obtain close-up visual inspection of the cable using several cameras and transmit these images to the ground station to facilitate data analysis. Software hosted on the laptop will provide data analysis, archival, and comparison with historical data for a given guy wire. The tool will also use a novel method that will enable it to be readily adjusted for precision inspection of guy wires ranging in diameter between 1 and 3.5 inches as well as cables that have localized swelling.