Drone-Mounted Compression Dead-Ends Inspection X-Ray Payload Device

A drone-mounted X-ray payload device comprising:

• an X-ray payload device having a first frame member, a second frame member, and a cantilever X-ray panel housing;
• wherein said first frame member fastened together with a support cage;
• wherein said support cage having a pair of longitudinal members extending between said first frame member and said second frame member;
• wherein said support cage further having a plurality of arms diverging from a hook;
• wherein said plurality of arms connecting said pair of longitudinal members of said support cage to said hook;
• wherein said first frame member having a first leg and a second leg forming an inverted U-shape of said first frame member, further wherein said first frame member said first leg is shorter than said second leg forming a first gap therebetween;
• wherein said second frame member having a first leg and a second leg forming an inverted U-shape of said second frame member, further wherein said second frame member said first leg is shorter than said second leg forming a second gap therebetween;
• wherein said first gap and said second gap include a spacing to enable a compression dead-end conductor to pass therethrough for X-raying of the compression dead-end;
• and
• further wherein said X-ray payload device having an X-ray generator and a support frame for holding said X-ray generator.

A method for inspecting compression dead-ends on power lines using a drone-mounted X-ray payload device, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) drone having an X-ray payload device including a frame with a first frame member and a second frame member fastened together with a support cage, and a cantilever X-ray panel housing, wherein said support cage having a pair of longitudinal members extending between said first frame member and said second frame member, wherein said support cage further having a plurality of arms diverging from a hook, wherein said plurality of arms connecting said pair of longitudinal members of said support cage to said hook, wherein said first frame member having a first leg and a second leg forming an inverted U-shape of said first frame member, wherein said first frame member said first leg and said second leg forming a first gap therebetween, wherein said second frame member having a first leg and a second leg forming an inverted U-shape of said second frame member, further wherein said second frame member said first leg and said second leg forming a second gap therebetween;
• attaching said X-ray payload device to said UAS drone;
• navigating said UAS drone to a compression dead-end location;
• positioning said X-ray payload device using said UAS drone to align an X-ray plate with the compression dead-end for inspection;
• and
• passing the compression dead-end conductor through a spacing formed by said first gap and said second gap for X-raying of the compression dead-end.