Custom Drone Deployable Bird Diverters

Bird diverters are tools that are used to prevent collisions between birds and powerlines. Traditionally these diverters have been installed manually using a helicopter as they hover within five feet of energized powerlines. The current installation process is not only dangerous, but also expensive. POWER Engineers designs overhead power transmission lines and they are interested in a more cost-effective bird deterrent. Our client requested the bird diverter to be lightweight, durable, effective, and to be compatible with a drone payload arm so that multiple diverters can be deployed in one flight. Throughout our design process, we collaborated with Pitch Aeronautics and their cyclorotor drone, Astria. Our solution eliminates the safety risks involved with installing bird diverters and minimizes the high costs associated with the installation process.

Team Members

Jeremy Abell
Julianna Buzzard
Gavin Hamilton
DJ Schramm
Saul Vasquez

Department

Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering

Mentor

Aaron Smith, Ph.D.
Zach Adams, PhD (Pitch Aeronautics)

Sponsor

POWER Engineers; William Pott