Patents by Inventor Kevin D. Steele

Kevin D. Steele has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9977422
    Abstract: A machinery health monitoring module processes machine vibration data based on vibration signals and provides the machine vibration data to a distributed control system. A distributed control system operator computer executes a software user interface that filters relevant configuration parameters based on a selected machine measurement type so that only those parameters that are applicable to the selected measurement type appear on the user interface screen. Further, configuration parameters for individual measurement values within the measurement type are made available only when a particular measurement value is selected for acquisition. This greatly simplifies the information that is displayed on the configuration user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Computational Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Steele, Deane M. Horn
  • Patent number: 9727050
    Abstract: A vibration data acquisition and analysis module is operable to be inserted directly into a distributed control system (DCS) I/O backplane, so that processed vibration parameters may be scanned directly by the DCS I/O controller. Because the process data and the vibration data are both being scanned by the same DCS I/O controller, there is no need to integrate numerical data, binary relay outputs, and analog overall vibration level outputs from a separate vibration monitoring system into the DCS. The system provides for: (1) directly acquiring vibration data by the DCS for machinery protection and predictive machinery health analysis; (2) direct integration of vibration information on DCS alarm screens; (3) acquisition and display of real time vibration data on operator screens; (4) using vibration data to detect abnormal situations associated with equipment failures; and (5) using vibration data directly in closed-loop control applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Computational Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Willis, Deane M. Horn, Michael D. Medley, Richard W. Kephart, Kevin D. Steele
  • Publication number: 20160026173
    Abstract: A vibration data acquisition and analysis module is operable to be inserted directly into a distributed control system (DCS) I/O backplane, so that processed vibration parameters may be scanned directly by the DCS I/O controller. Because the process data and the vibration data are both being scanned by the same DCS I/O controller, there is no need to integrate numerical data, binary relay outputs, and analog overall vibration level outputs from a separate vibration monitoring system into the DCS. The system provides for: (1) directly acquiring vibration data by the DCS for machinery protection and predictive machinery health analysis; (2) direct integration of vibration information on DCS alarm screens; (3) acquisition and display of real time vibration data on operator screens; (4) using vibration data to detect abnormal situations associated with equipment failures; and (5) using vibration data directly in closed-loop control applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Computational Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Willis, Deane M. Horn, Michael D. Medley, Richard W. Kephart, Kevin D. Steele
  • Publication number: 20160026172
    Abstract: A machinery health monitoring module processes machine vibration data based on vibration signals and provides the machine vibration data to a distributed control system. A distributed control system operator computer executes a software user interface that filters relevant configuration parameters based on a selected machine measurement type so that only those parameters that are applicable to the selected measurement type appear on the user interface screen. Further, configuration parameters for individual measurement values within the measurement type are made available only when a particular measurement value is selected for acquisition. This greatly simplifies the information that is displayed on the configuration user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: COMPUTATIONAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Steele, Deane M. Horn
  • Patent number: 8958900
    Abstract: A method for importing data from a first system into a second system includes receiving configuration information about data storage structures in the first and second systems and information about communicating with the first and second systems. Information to be used in creating an import configuration file is entered via a user interface. The import configuration file is for use in preparing the second system to receive data from the first system. Based on the information about data storage structures, the information about communicating with the first and second systems, and the information entered via the user interface, the import configuration file is created to prepare the second system to receive data from the first system. Based on the import configuration file, data is transferred from the first system into the second system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: CSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Steele, Anthony J. Hayzen, Michael D. Rich, Deane M. Horn
  • Publication number: 20130268099
    Abstract: A method for importing data from a first system into a second system includes receiving configuration information about data storage structures in the first and second systems and information about communicating with the first and second systems. Information to be used in creating an import configuration file is entered via a user interface. The import configuration file is for use in preparing the second system to receive data from the first system. Based on the information about data storage structures, the information about communicating with the first and second systems, and the information entered via the user interface, the import configuration file is created to prepare the second system to receive data from the first system. Based on the import configuration file, data is transferred from the first system into the second system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Kevin D. Steele, Anthony J. Hayzen, Michael D. Rich, Deane M. Horn
  • Patent number: 8463417
    Abstract: A method performed by one or more computer processors imports data from a machinery monitoring system into a control system. The machinery monitoring system is a system that measures machine measurement parameters of a machine, and the control system is a system that controls processes in which the machine performs a function. The method includes accessing a first knowledge base containing information about communicating with the machinery monitoring system, and accessing a second knowledge base containing information about communicating with the control system. The method also includes extracting configuration information from the machinery monitoring system via a communication bus. Information is entered by a user for use in creating an import configuration file, which file is used in preparing the control system to receive data from the machinery monitoring system. The entering of information is performed via a user interface operatively connected to the one or more computer processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: CSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Steele, Anthony J. Hayzen, Michael D. Rich, Deane M. Horn
  • Publication number: 20110060428
    Abstract: A method performed by one or more computer processors imports data from a machinery monitoring system into a control system. The machinery monitoring system is a system that measures machine measurement parameters of a machine, and the control system is a system that controls processes in which the machine performs a function. The method includes accessing a first knowledge base containing information about communicating with the machinery monitoring system, and accessing a second knowledge base containing information about communicating with the control system. The method also includes extracting configuration information from the machinery monitoring system via a communication bus. Information is entered by a user for use in creating an import configuration file, which file is used in preparing the control system to receive data from the machinery monitoring system. The entering of information is performed via a user interface operatively connected to the one or more computer processors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: CSI TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Steele, Anthony J. Hayzen, Michael D. Rich, Deane M. Horn