Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery – Data processing system error or fault handling – Reliability and availability
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-15
2001-01-16
Beausoliel, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 2785)
Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery
Data processing system error or fault handling
Reliability and availability
C714S026000, C714S027000, C700S177000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06175934
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to remote diagnostics and more particularly to satellite-based remote diagnostic system.
2. Prior Art
Service is a critical part in the operational life of an apparatus and includes all necessary functions to make the apparatus useful for its intended purpose. Service as used in this specification includes such activities as re-supplying necessary articles when depleted, making hardware and software updates, placing the apparatus into operation, conducting maintenance, and taking the apparatus out of service. Maintenance, a key part of service, is an important part of the operational life of the apparatus. There are three types of maintenance in the service life of an apparatus, which include: corrective maintenance, where the apparatus is repaired after breakdown; preventive maintenance, where periodic maintenance is performed according to a predetermined schedule; and predictive maintenance, where maintenance is conducted before a predicted apparatus failure based on trend analysis or the like.
Corrective maintenance is to be minimized as it is the most costly of the three maintenance types. Preventive maintenance encompasses the typical contemporary maintenance program for a apparatus but, it too is costly as it requires the apparatus to be out of service even though down-time has been scheduled. The service performed during the time that the apparatus is out of service may not be necessary, adding unnecessary cost because the components that are replaced may have many hours of operational life remaining. The service may also reduce the life of the apparatus' components, as disassembly for inspection can induce wear and introduce debris into the apparatus. Alternatively, when predictive maintenance is performed an attempt is made to identify the specific service an apparatus will need, and the appropriate time the apparatus can best be serviced, both from an apparatus component failure probability point of view and from a logistics point of view. In this way the negative aspects associated with preventive maintenance and corrective maintenance are minimized because most apparatus maintenance procedures can be performed before an impending failure will occur and at a time that is scheduled.
It would also be advantageous to conduct predictive assessment of apparatuses that may be desperately placed at various locations in a large facility or various facilities throughout the world by collecting performance data at a central site for analysis. Commercially available satellite based communications may be well suited for providing a communications service to facilitate the collection of apparatus data from various locations and relaying that data to a central base. There is thus a need to develop a satellite based remote diagnostic system to implement a predictive maintenance diagnostic program.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, a satellite-based remote diagnostic system is provided that conducts diagnostic assessment on at least one remotely located apparatus under test to aid in predictive maintenance. The system comprises a remote diagnostic station and at least one remote diagnostic unit which is coupled to the apparatus under test and communicates with the remote diagnostic station so as to provide diagnostic data from the apparatus under test for predictive maintenance analysis and reports. The system also provides for the use of a communication service that enables communication between the remote diagnostic station and each remote diagnostic unit located at a geographically remote site.
The communication service employed in this invention utilizes “geo-synchronous” based satellites that enable each remote diagnostic unit to communicate with the remote diagnostic station irrespective of the geographic location of the remote diagnostic unit. Alternatively, a close-earth orbit satellite-based communication service, such as a “little LEO,” is employed to facilitate communication between the remote diagnostic unit and the central diagnostic station. Alternatively, a two-way pager based communication service is utilized to facilitate communication between the remote diagnostic unit and the central diagnostic station.
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Article in the GE Research & Development Center paper, the Post, entitled “Remote Diagnostics: From Medical Systems Application to Corporate Initiative”, No. 1648, Sep. 8, 1997, pp. 1-2.
Abdel-Malek Aiman Albert
Fergus Ross John Anderson
Hershey John Erik
Puckette Charles McDonald
Beausoliel, Jr. Robert W.
Breedlove Jill M.
Crockett Robert G.
General Electric Company
Thompson John F.
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