Patents by Inventor Thoralf Schulz

Thoralf Schulz 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: 7526411
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for remote diagnostics of a field device in a process engineering system that is part of a distributed control system. The field devices are connected to I/O units and are operated by a central device. The diagnostics device is functionally divided into a recording unit and a physically separate processing unit. The recording unit and the processing unit are logically connected to one another via a wireless communications link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: ABB AG
    Inventors: Michael Gienke, Thoralf Schulz
  • Publication number: 20070288204
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for remote diagnostics of a field device in a process engineering system that is part of a distributed control system. The field devices are connected to I/O units and are operated by a central device. The diagnostics device is functionally divided into a recording unit and a physically separate processing unit. The recording unit and the processing unit are logically connected to one another via a wireless communications link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Gienke, Thoralf Schulz
  • Patent number: 6999829
    Abstract: A technique to optimize both the production schedule and the maintenance of plant assets based on predetermined criteria which may be economic or otherwise. In one embodiment the technique receives at least one maintenance trigger (MT) and one production order and evaluates those inputs to propose one or more solutions for the joint scheduling of the asset maintenance and required plant production. In another embodiment a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) acquires a new MT and proposes a new maintenance schedule. The technique transmits a blocking order to a production scheduling (PS) system for converting the maintenance request into a production schedule. In another embodiment, a CMMS acquires a new MT and asks for confirmation of a time slot to perform the maintenance action. The technique evaluates the priorities and finds based on the predetermined criteria the right time slot and communicates a request for that slot to the PS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignees: ABB Inc., ABB Service S.r.l.
    Inventors: Renzo Bazzocchi, Fabrizio Lorito, Thoralf Schulz, Hartmut Wuttig
  • Publication number: 20030130755
    Abstract: A technique to optimize both the production schedule and the maintenance of plant assets based on predetermined criteria which may be economic or otherwise. In one embodiment the technique receives at least one maintenance trigger (MT) and one production order and evaluates those inputs to propose one or more solutions for the joint scheduling of the asset maintenance and required plant production. In another embodiment a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) acquires a new MT and proposes a new maintenance schedule. The technique transmits a blocking order to a production scheduling (PS) system for converting the maintenance request into a production schedule. In another embodiment, a CMMS acquires a new MT and asks for confirmation of a time slot to perform the maintenance action. The technique evaluates the priorities and finds based on the predetermined criteria the right time slot and communicates a request for that slot to the PS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Renzo Bazzocchi, Fabrizio Lorito, Thoralf Schulz, Hartmut Wuttig