Pipeline Inspection | Shenzhen Yangda Technology Co., Ltd.

Pipeline Inspection

YANGDA's pipeline inspection solution is built on a long-endurance automated platform, integrating thermal imaging and real-time inspection feedback. Supporting both aerial and in-pipe pipeline inspection, it enables long-range, high-efficiency operations while reducing personnel exposure to hazardous inspection environments.

Pipeline Inspection

What Pipeline Inspection We Support

YANGDA pipeline inspection solutions support application across both aerial and in-pipe UGV pipeline inspections, including:

Aerial Oil and Gas Pipeline Inspection

We provide robust UAV platforms, high-performance battery systems, and gimbal cameras for long-range aerial inspections covering tens of kilometers per flight, improving efficiency while reducing personnel exposure to safety risks.

Water Pipeline Internal Inspection

Our imaging, communication, and battery systems can be seamlessly integrated with UGV platforms to support real-time subsurface leak detection and precise leak localization for maintenance operations and rapid fault response.

UAV / UGV Public Utility Pipeline Inspection

Through the integration of UAV and UGV platforms with YANGDA systems, including thermal imaging and ranging technologies, we help detect and localize leak risks, pipeline corrosion, and other defects, ensuring a safe and reliable public energy supply.

UAV / UGV Industrial Facility Pipeline Inspection

To reduce costly industrial downtime, we provide UAV and UGV solutions supporting versatile payloads such as LiDAR, mapping modules, and gimbal cameras for efficient inspections throughout the entire production cycle and across critical assets.

What Pipeline Inspection We Serve

YANGDA pipeline inspection solutions support application across both aerial and in-pipe UGV pipeline inspections, including:

Aerial Oil and Gas Pipeline Inspection

Water Pipeline Internal Inspection

UAV / UGV Public Utility Pipeline Inspection

UAV / UGV Industrial Facility Pipeline Inspection

What We Provide

Storm Eye 40IE-HTM50 EO/IR Gimbal Camera

EO camera with 40x optical zoom, IR camera with thermal imaging resolution of 1280x1024, and 5 km target coordinate tracking, enabling precise detection of subtle temperature differences caused by pipeline leaks.

Sky Eye-40HZ High-Definition EO Gimbal Camera

40x optical zoom with high-resolution imaging. Suitable for recording environmental changes along pipelines and collecting evidence of third-party construction damage.

Sky Whale Electric VTOL

Featuring MTOW 34 kg, wind resistance up to 13 m/s, and IP54 protection. Suitable for long-distance, full-coverage inspection of main pipeline corridors.

Sky Whale Mini Electric VTOL

Featuring MTOW 18 kg, high portability with single-operator rapid deployment. Suitable for short-distance pipeline segments, rapid response missions, and inspections in complex terrain.

N300 Video & Data Link

Offering a maximum transmission range of up to 300 km with AES-256 encryption, the N300 is designed for long-distance pipeline inspections across uninhabited and remote areas.

4G/LTE Image Transmission Module

Enables real-time video streaming with virtually unlimited range (dependent on cellular network coverage). Ideal for pipeline routes with reliable 4G connectivity.

Starlink Satellite Communication Module

Provides global and robust connectivity with real-time HD video transmission. Ensures reliable communications for pipeline inspections in areas without terrestrial networks, such as deserts and high-altitude regions.

LAUNCH Ground Control Software

A streamlined interface supporting one-click takeoff, mission planning, and real-time UAV telemetry monitoring, designed for efficient frontline pilot operations.

YDLINK Camera Control Software

Enables real-time video preview, gimbal control, target tracking, and target geolocation acquisition and sharing.

ROCK Fold Rugged Ground Station

Designed with waterproof and dustproof body, together with a high-brightness display, the ROCK Fold Ground Station is suitable for mobile command posts or vehicle-mounted deployment in harsh field environments.

XTurbo Smart Battery

12S 33000mAh high-capacity battery featuring SRTH intelligent return-to-home algorithm and up to 800 charge cycles, ensuring sustained multi-flight operations.

Saver-40 Parachute System

Automatically deploys in emergency situations to protect high-value equipment, suitable for high-risk flight operations.

Portable Flight Case

Custom protective case designed for single-person carrying, enabling rapid redeployment and mobile operations.

What We Solve

In pipeline inspection operations, traditional pipeline inspection methods often face the following key challenges:

High Labor Costs

Oil and gas pipelines often span hundreds to thousands of kilometers, crossing remote deserts, mountains, and rivers. Manual inspection on foot or by vehicle is inefficient and cannot achieve full-line coverage, resulting in significant blind spots in coverage.

Unidentified Leak Locations

Relying on human observation, traditional inspection methods often fail to identify small leaks. By the time a leak expands or triggers secondary incidents, significant damage and environmental pollution have already occurred.

Harsh Operational Environment

Pipelines often traverse hazardous environments such as steep slopes, canyons, and swamps, where manual inspection fails to reach or poses risks of falls, toxic exposure, and other safety hazards.

Thermal Anomalies Cannot Be Detected in Real Time

Hidden Thermal Anomalies

Conventional inspection methods cannot identify thermal anomalies caused by pipeline corrosion, wall thinning and insulation damage, making it difficult to identify potential risks in a timely manner.

Delayed Data Transmission

Traditional inspection methods rely heavily on manual data collection and recording, limiting real-time information sharing and timely analysis, which can lead to reduced efficiency and higher inspection miss rates.

Why We Excel

Long-Endurance, Wide Pipeline Coverage

We provide robust UAV airframes and high-performance power systems for UAVs, UGVs, and USVs. From aerial pipeline inspection to in-pipe robotic inspection, our solutions deliver longer endurance and wider coverage, improving inspection efficiency while reducing personnel exposure to hazardous environments.

High-Precision Thermal Leak Detection

Equipped with a high-sensitivity thermal imaging gimbal, the system offers a thermal resolution of 1280x1024 and can detect temperature differentials ranging from -20°C to +150°C. Even subtle thermal variations caused by pipeline leaks, insulation damage, or internal valve leakage can be accurately identified from the air, enabling high-precision localization of anomalies.

Flexible Route Planning and Control Mode

We provide advanced UAV flight planning software and a ground control station for responsive UAV and UGV operations. When a potential leak is detected, operators can switch to manual mode for hover-based UAV reinspection or designate an area of interest through the ground station for high-precision, detailed scanning.

Optimized for Extreme Environments

To address the harsh conditions commonly encountered in pipeline inspection, YANGDA develops products with dedicated engineering optimization measures:

High-temperature desert (>45℃)

We provide UAV airframes enhanced with motor heat-dissipation fins and optimized airflow channel designs, intelligent power systems with high-temperature resistance, and gimbal cameras and ground control stations capable of reliable operation at temperatures up to 50°C.

Low-temperature environments (<-20°C)

We have developed battery preheating technology that warms batteries to 10°C before operation, along with low-temperature motor lubricants to ensure reliable performance and smooth operation even in extreme cold conditions.

Humid and rainy conditions

Humid and rainy conditions: our UAV airframes are rated at IP54 or above, ensuring reliable aerial inspection operations in wet and high-humidity conditions.

Robust and Real-Time Inspection Feedback

We offer a range of communication solutions tailored to specific mission requirements, including point-to-point video and data links, 4G/LTE modules, satellite communication modules, and Starlink connectivity, helping overcome terrain and distance constraints. Among them, our video and data links feature adaptive frequency hopping and AES-256 encryption, ensuring reliable communications while maximizing the security of mission-critical data.

How to Get Customized Pipeline Inspection Solutions

YANGDA provides full-process services customized to different terrain conditions, extraction methods, observation priorities, and customer’s specific operational needs, with a streamlined but professional workflow as follows:

step 1

Requirement Assessment

YANGDA engineers conduct on-site assessments of pipeline conditions, existing inspection methods, communication infrastructure, and personnel capabilities, and then deliver a detailed survey report.

step 2

Solution Design

Based on the survey results, YANGDA provides a Pipeline Inspection UAV System Configuration Proposal, including equipment selection, flight route planning, and budget estimation.

step 3

Prototype Validation

A prototype is provided for trial flights on selected pipeline segments to collect real-world data and validate inspection performance and system reliability.

step 4

Delivery and Installment

YANGDA provides intuitive services after order delivery, including on-site installation and operation gudiance, to ensure that client can quickly establish operational inspection capabilities.

step 5

Ongoing Support

7x24-hour remote technical support is provided, with field engineers stationed in key markets and rapid spare parts supply to ensure continuous operational reliability.

Compliance & Safety Assurance

Export Control Compliance

YANGDA VTOL fixed-wing drones are subject to national export control regulations. All exports must obtain the Military Export License or Dual-Use Item Export License in accordance with applicable laws. We assist customers in providing the required technical documentation to ensure every transaction is fully legal and compliant.

Data Security Protection

Video transmission and ground station communications are protected with AES256 encryption, with dynamically updated encryption keys. The AI analytic platform can be deployed within the customer’s internal network and physically isolated from external networks, ensuring that pipeline data is not leaked or exposed to the outside network.

Airspace Management Compliance

The UAV supports geofencing functionality, allowing pre-defined no-fly zones to prevent accidental entry into sensitive areas. The ground control station software can be integrated with national UAV regulatory platforms, meeting airspace authorization and flight declaration requirements in certain countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How far can the thermal imaging camera identify pipeline leaks?

Detection range depends on the temperature difference of the leak and the pipeline diameter. Taking a 50 mm lens as an example, under a ground background temperature of 25°C and a fluid leakage temperature of 15°C (a 10°C temperature difference), a 4 cm leak point can be identified from up to 100 meters away. For detailed parameters, please consult a sales engineer.

Q: Can the UAV operate stably in complex terrain?

Yes. The Sky Whale series offers wind resistance of up to 13 m/s and a maximum operating altitude of 4,500 meters, enabling it to adapt to complex environments such as mountainous regions and river valleys. During flight planning, terrain-following mode can be enabled, allowing the UAV to automatically adjust its altitude and maintain a safe distance from the ground.

Q: How is inspection data stored and archived?

All flight logs, thermal imaging videos, visible-light imagery, and AI analysis reports are automatically archived to either a local server or the cloud. The system supports retrieval by time, pipeline segment, and risk level, enabling easy historical comparison and trend analysis.

Q: What is the recognition accuracy of the AI analytics platform?

In typical pipeline inspection environments, the thermal anomaly detection accuracy is ≥92%, with a false alarm rate of ≤8%. The AI models are continuously optimized through real-world inspection data, and accuracy is expected to improve over time.

Q: Is the product export compliant with regulations?

YANGDA fixed-wing VTOL drones fall under national export control regulations and require the appropriate export permits. We can provide the necessary technical documents and product information for customers to ensure compliance.