Heron XL
For bundled conductors on 500 and 765 kV lines.
The same brain as Heron with a wider chassis that rides two- and four-conductor bundles, stronger drive units for steep spans and a hardened housing for the corona on extra-high-voltage lines.
Speed
2.1 km/h
Time out
Indefinite (line + solar)
Weight
54 kg
Range
9 spans per night
Voltage
345 kV to 765 kV
Install
Hot-stick or helicopter, 20 minutes
Sensors
4K visible · radiometric thermal · corona UV · LiDAR · acoustic
Priced
From $2,600 per km a year
Overview
For bundled conductors on 500 and 765 kV lines.
For the biggest lines
On 500 and 765 kV lines conductors come in bundles of two to four. Heron XL straddles the bundle on four wheels, spreads its weight across the sub-conductors and rides over spacer-dampers without stopping.
Listening as well as looking
An acoustic array hears partial discharge before it shows up on camera, and a shielded housing keeps the electronics quiet in the strongest fields.
Four ways of seeing the same span
Visible
The shattered bell, in 4K.
Thermal
The clamp, 46 degrees too hot.
Corona UV
Discharge at the broken glass.
LiDAR
The pine, 3.2 m from the wire.
The rest of the fleet
See it on your own line.
A 90-day pilot on your worst span, with a report every morning.