A UAV-Mounted Sensor Network for Close-Range Inspection of Wind Turbine Rotor Blades

Abstract

Inspection of offshore wind turbine rotor blades is critical for predictive maintenance to maximise efficiency and extend operational lifetime. However, it remains a challenging task due to remote locations, large structural dimensions, and the limitations of current UAV-compatible sensor systems. While existing approaches can detect certain types of surface anomalies, reliable classification of defect types often remains a manual and error-prone process. This paper presents the design of a UAV-mounted multimodal sensor network combining an industrial RGB camera, a passive thermal infrared camera, and an in-house developed 3D scanner. All sensors are co-calibrated into a common coordinate frame, enabling spatial superimposition of geometric, colour, and thermal data. The system is designed to operate at close range, addressing three fundamental sensing challenges: platform motion, large field of view, and millimetre-level measurement accuracy. Preliminary laboratory results demonstrate synchronised multi-sensor acquisition and initial point cloud reconstructions, forming the basis for future airborne inspection trials.