Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system – Performance or efficiency evaluation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-06
2003-07-15
Wachsman, Hal (Department: 2857)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system
Performance or efficiency evaluation
C702S184000, C702S183000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06594621
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to plant monitoring equipment, and in particular to systems and methods for determining the condition of a plant with a portable processing device and a central processing system.
2. Description of Related Art
Current techniques for operating and maintaining facilities utilize one or more methodologies: “Breakdown” maintenance, or run-to-failure maintenance, is event based and awaits a failure before making repairs. “Preventive” maintenance is time based, with repairs or replacements being made on a scheduled basis. “Proactive” maintenance requires that the root-cause-of-failure-modes be understood and eliminated to prevent failure modes from occurring. “Reliability centered” maintenance assigns a risk value to each piece of equipment and sub-component so that maintenance and monitoring can be tailored to reduce risks to acceptable levels.
“Condition based” maintenance (also referred to as predictive maintenance or just-in-time maintenance) waits for an identified need for maintenance before doing that work. This type of maintenance is based on the concept that measurement of the equipment's condition will indicate the need for repair activity. This technique can be combined with other techniques to achieve “strategy assessment” maintenance, which requires a theoretical analysis of estimates, assumptions and methods of measurement to provide the most effective mix of breakdown, preventive, predictive and proactive maintenance and methodologies.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,612,620 hand-held device
10
(
FIG. 1
) connects to a vibration transducer
18
. An operator can take measurements using the transducer, based upon promptings from a test sequence stored in the hand-held device
10
. The operator can record qualitative observations by entering code numbers corresponding to predetermined conditions. Afterward, device
10
is taken to a central processor where these test results are uploaded and where a new set of test procedures are downloaded. This reference takes very limited data, does not have an efficient way for quickly identifying the measurement site, and is not generally set up for condition based monitoring of an entire plant.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,372 a number of remote units having bar code scanners are connected in a network to a central computer in a hospital. These remote units may in some cases be hand-held devices connected to the network by an R. F. link. Bar codes are placed on a patient's bracelet and on a badge carried by nurses and other hospital personnel. Bar code labels are printed for patient's specimens, special drugs etc. By scanning bar codes on the patient's bracelet, the nurse's badge, and on the drugs being administered, these central computer can keep track of the drugs being administered. The central computer can also send a signal to the remote units to notify a nurse of the need to administer a scheduled or overdue drug. The remote units can also have sensor inputs for monitoring blood pressure, temperature, respiration, etc. Alternatively, an operator can type this data into the remote unit instead. This system is not involved with condition based monitoring of a plant.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,840 a hand-held unit
10
can either operate with, or operate independently of, master unit
14
at an automobile repair facility. Hand-held unit
10
can also travel and record test data, while an automobile is taken for a test drive. Thereafter, the hand-held unit
10
can be disconnected from the automobile and connected to master unit
14
for diagnosis. Also, master unit
14
can download test procedures to hand-held unit
10
. Again, the system takes very limited data, is unconcerned with identifying various inspection sites, and is not adapted for condition based monitoring.
See U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,903 for a sound card in a PCMCIA slot of a portable computer that collects vibration data from an accelerometer and performs a fast Fourier transform on the collected data. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,549 for an expert system for diagnosing maintenance problems. See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,067.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system and method for monitoring conditions at a plant and efficiently presenting information that would be useful for maintenance purposes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a system for determining the condition of a plant, its equipment and facilities, at a plurality of inspection sites identified by a plurality of separate, machine-readable, identification codes. The system has at least one portable processing device with an inspection transducer adapted for sensing and storing in the processing device at least one measured characteristic of the plant equipment. The portable processing device is operable to read at least a selected one of the identification codes associated with the plant equipment. Also included is a central processing system adapted to communicate with and upload from the portable processing device at least the one measured characteristic and at least the selected one of the identification codes. The central processing means is operable in response to at least the one measured characteristic and at least the selected one of the identification codes to produce a condition signal signifying the condition of some aspect of the plant, in response to at least the one measured characteristic and at least the selected one of the identification codes.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention a method is provided that employs a central processing system and at least one portable processing device with an inspection transducer for determining the condition of a plant at a plurality of inspection sites identified by a plurality of separate, machine-readable, identification codes. The method includes the step of sensing and storing in the processing device at least one measured characteristic of the plant by using the inspection transducer. Another step is reading with the portable processing device at least a selected one of the identification codes associated with the inspection sites. The method also includes the step of communicating with and uploading from the portable processing device at least the one measured characteristic and at least the selected one of the identification codes using the central processing system. Also included is the step of producing with the central processing system a condition signal signifying the condition of some aspect of the plant, in response to at least the one measured characteristic and at least the selected one of the identification codes.
Systems and methods according to the principles of the present invention offer a highly cost-effective and unique program for the operation and maintenance of various buildings and grounds facilities. Several current or state-of-the-art technologies may be used in unique ways to achieve greater economies from the operations and maintenance labor and materials resources, while providing a more effective method of tracking the facilities condition. The resulting improved utilization of resources is preferably combined with the continuous, automated tracking of the facilities condition, and can integrate several technologies to provide a continuous, single loop feedback control system for the operation and maintenance of a facility.
The preferred system utilizes the technologies of condition based maintenance, such as, but not limited to, measuring vibration, ultrasound, infrared, ferrography wear particle analysis, etc. While conventional condition based maintenance concentrates primarily on monitoring the conditions of equipment, the preferred system will utilize technology to monitor, take corrective action and update the condition of the entire facility; including equipment, architectural features, finishes, furniture, housekeeping cleanliness, structural features, walls, roofs, grounds, roads, parkin
Adams Thomas L.
Wachsman Hal
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