Maintenance Patents (Class 702/184)
  • Patent number: 8852775
    Abstract: An industrial process field device has a housing with a wall. The wall has a feedthrough opening between a battery compartment and an electronics compartment. A feedthrough connector seals the feedthrough opening and includes a power connector connected to industrial process field device electronics. A battery assembly includes a battery housing with a battery connector, and includes a battery and an energy limiter connected to the battery connector. The battery connector mates with the power connector to energize the industrial process field device electronics. A seal seals the mating connection of the power connector and the battery connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Chad M. McGuire, James Johnson
  • Patent number: 8843348
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the health of an engine. The method includes a plurality of standard noise spectra collected from engines with known defects. A noise spectrum of the engine being monitored is sensed and compared to the plurality of standard noise spectra from the engines with known defects. From the comparison, a type and a degree of defect is identified based upon the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Victor Pascu, Jay M. Francisco
  • Patent number: 8843846
    Abstract: System, method and graphical user interface for a simulation base calculator provides one or more selectable distribution models. One or more input fields are provided for inputting rules with one or more random variables. A processing module inputs one or more of the selectable distribution models and the rules into a simulator running on the system. An output field is provided for displaying one or more aspects of a result determined by the model run on the simulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Murray R. Cantor, Jacquelyn A. Martino, Paul M. Matchen
  • Publication number: 20140278248
    Abstract: A method and system for administering enterprise appliances facilitates maintenance, procurement, deployment and security of enterprise appliances by taking targeted administrative actions in response to detected power anomalies experienced by such appliances. By using detected power anomalies as triggers for targeted administrative actions, rather than waiting for administrators to be notified of problems with enterprise appliances by workers or departments to which such appliances are assigned, problems with enterprise appliances are resolved more quickly and costs to the enterprise arising from such problems are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Sharp Laboratories of America. Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Thompson WHITTLE, Andrew Rodney FERLITSCH
  • Patent number: 8823554
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing identification devices on an aircraft. An occurrence of an event is identified using information for a plurality of identification devices. Each of the plurality of identification devices is associated with a plurality of components on the aircraft. The information for the plurality of identification devices comprises data received from the plurality of identification devices and specification data for the plurality of identification devices. In response to identifying the occurrence of the event, a number of operations for the plurality of identification devices are initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Swanee Yourkowski, William P. Coop, Rebecca J. Shore, Kevin Yong Ung, Robert Lee Avery, Arun Ayyagari
  • Patent number: 8826314
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, obtaining regression coefficients that quantify a relationship between premises feedback and first network and premises performance indicators, obtaining second network performance indicators for the network elements, obtaining second premises performance indicators for the customer premises equipment, and predicting customer complaints by applying the obtained regression coefficients to at least the second network performance indicators and the second premises performance indicators. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP, Board of Regents, The University of Texas Systems
    Inventors: Jia Wang, Andrea Basso, Min-Hsuan Chen, Zihui Ge, Ajay Mahimkar, Han Hee Song, Jennifer Yates, Yin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8812267
    Abstract: A contamination level determination system for hydraulic oil is provided with a pilot filter arranged in a line of a hydraulic circuit of a hydraulic working machine to remove, from the hydraulic oil, foreign matter of particle sizes that may cause an operation failure of the hydraulic working machine. A first light-blocking sensor senses passage of foreign matter on an upstream side of the pilot filter. A second light-blocking sensor senses passage of foreign matter on a downstream side of the pilot filter. An onboard controller unit functions to determine a frequency of sensing of foreign matter by the first light-blocking sensor, to determine a frequency of sensing of foreign matter by the second light-blocking sensor, and to determine a contamination level on the upstream side of the pilot filter on the basis of results of the determinations from both sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Satake
  • Patent number: 8812265
    Abstract: A method for analyzing the condition of a machine having a rotating shaft, including: generating an analog electric measurement signal (SEA) dependent on mechanical vibrations emanating from rotation of the shaft; sampling the analog measurement signal at a sampling frequency (fS) so as to generate a digital measurement data signal (SMD) in response to the received analog measurement data; performing a decimation of the digital measurement data signal (SMD) so as to achieve a digital signal (SRED) having a reduced sampling frequency (fSR1, fSR2); wherein the decimation includes the step of controlling the reduced sampling frequency (fSR1, fSR2) such that the number of sample values per revolution of the shaft (8) is kept at a substantially constant value; and performing a condition analysis function (F1, F2, Fn) for analyzing the condition of the machine dependent on the digital signal (SRED) having a reduced sampling frequency (fSR1, fSR2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: S.P.M. Instrument AB
    Inventor: Lars-Olov Elis Hedin
  • Patent number: 8793099
    Abstract: System parameters are checked through self-assessment of a production wafer without a reference or a monitor wafer. In particular, exposure errors and substrate table positioning errors can be corrected for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Boris Menchtchikov, Alexander Viktorovych Padiy
  • Publication number: 20140188434
    Abstract: A method for determining whether to perform maintenance for an electronic device includes generating a baseline characterization of thermal performance for a heat-generating component of the electronic device at a baseline date. The method also includes generating an assessment characterization of the thermal performance at an assessment date after the baseline date. The method further includes generating a historical trend that includes the baseline characterization and the assessment characterization. Additionally, the method includes determining whether to perform maintenance for the heat-generating component based on the historical trend and a specified maintenance parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Robin A. Steinbrecher, Nishi Ahuja, Sandeep Ahuja
  • Patent number: 8762105
    Abstract: Either a complete overhaul for replacing with recommended devices the entire number of devices in a large group of managed devices T, or a partial overhaul for repairing or replacing with recommended devices only those managed devices T that are malfunctioning is selectively performed as an initial overhaul. A complete test involving the entire number of the managed devices T is then periodically performed to determine whether the devices are operating normally or have a malfunction. Any devices found to be malfunctioning during any complete test are repaired or replaced with recommended devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: TLV Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyasu Fujiwara, Kazunori Oda
  • Patent number: 8760260
    Abstract: A method for tracking procedures performed on an article of PPE includes the steps of providing an article of PPE configured with a first smart tag to a first individual prior to performance of a first task; processing the article of PPE in a first cycle after the first individual performs the first task; and retrieving first information from the first smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE in the first cycle. The method further includes the steps of providing the article of PPE configured with a second smart tag to a second individual prior to performance of a second task; processing the article of PPE in a second cycle after the second individual performs the second task; and retrieving second information from the second smart tag during at least one of: before, during and after processing the article of PPE in the second cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Luca D. Farioli Brioschi, Luis V. Ramirez Chaidez, Lawrence J. Ptasienski, Mark T. Anderson, Michael E. Hamerly
  • Patent number: 8746049
    Abstract: A creep indication system and a method for determining a creep amount are disclosed. The system includes a first creep indicating member on a first rotating component and a second creep indicating member on a second rotating component. The second creep indicating member has at least one different creep characteristic from the first creep indicating member. The system further includes at least one measurement device configured to measure a change in radial position of at least one of the first creep indicating member or the second creep indicating member. The method includes measuring a first creep amount of a first creep indicating member and measuring a second creep amount of a second creep indicating member. The method further includes estimating a temperature of a rotating component using the first creep amount and the second creep amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fred Thomas Willett, Jr., Paul Stephen DiMascio
  • Patent number: 8751173
    Abstract: A method for verifying whether a technician is accurately monitoring one or more Leak Detection And Repair (LDAR) components. The method includes receiving a request to display an assignment. The assignment lists one or more LDAR components to be monitored in one or more areas. The assignment also lists one or more artificial LDAR components that do not exist in the areas. After receiving the request to display the assignment, the method includes displaying the assignment and receiving information regarding one of the artificial LDAR components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: LDARtools, Inc.
    Inventor: Rex Moses
  • Patent number: 8744813
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting anomalies in an aeroengine. The method and system define a behavior model of a controller of the aeroengine using a time regression modeling the behavior of the controller as a function of a data set relating to the controller and including measurements of past behaviors and command and state measurements of the controller; continuously recalculate the behavior model for each new data set; and monitor statistical variation of the behavior model to detect a behavior anomaly of the controller representing an operating anomaly of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jerome Lacaille, Rostand Nya Djiki
  • Patent number: 8744432
    Abstract: A performance management method is operable for use with a performance management system linked to a telecommunication network. The method comprises receiving a problem report from a femtocell of a plurality of femtocells communicatively coupled to the telecommunication network. The femtocell is configured to provide communications from at least one mobile device to the telecommunication network through a broadband connection. The problem report identifies a fault being exhibited by a femtocell and a performance parameter identifying a degradation in the performance of the femtocell. The method includes analyzing the performance parameter for determining a corrective action to be performed in an environment linked to the femtocell. The method includes performing the corrective action in the environment linked to the femtocell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B French, Boris Ilijev, Mark J Lucas, Niall J Lucey, Fred Raguillat
  • Publication number: 20140149077
    Abstract: An outdoor device management system, in installations of at least one outdoor device such as a road lamp, a street trash can, an electrical box, a monitor, an electric meter or a sprinkler, uses a wireless sensor with a global positioning system (GPS) chip to sense an identification element of the outdoor device, capture a unique identifier address (UID) and generate sensed data containing coordinate data and then transmits the sensed data to a terminal device, labeling the outdoor device on a corresponding position in a map, and transmitting an operation instruction to trigger and control operations of the corresponding outdoor device. The outdoor device includes a detection element for detecting and reporting current operating status for the terminal device, using the map to plan an optimal path to expedite going to maintain the outdoor device when abnormality occurs so as to improve the convenience and accuracy of management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL LUMINAIRE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHIEN LEE, YUNG-HONG WANG
  • Patent number: 8731867
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring performance of an electronic product using a measurement control device that connects to a measuring machine and a display device. A component of the electronic product is determined according to a coordinate array, and a physical factor of the component to measured is determined according to performance specifications of the electronic product. A sensor corresponding to the physical factor of the component is selected from sensors of the measuring machine, and a physical factor of each the component is measured by the selected sensor. The system indicates whether the electronic product is workable or unworkable by comparing the physical factors of the components with the performance specifications of the components, and generates a measurement report for evaluating the performance of the electronic product according to the indication results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shen-Chun Li, Hsien-Chuan Liang, Shou-Kuo Hsu
  • Patent number: 8731766
    Abstract: A process for updating the scheduling of a service stop for a machine includes determining, for at least one service operation, a service occurrence specification, monitoring the machine's usage severity, and setting an earliest occurrence point and a latest occurrence point for the service occurrence specification which are determined according to the machine usage severity monitored during a monitoring interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Renault Trucks
    Inventor: Samuel Artus
  • Patent number: 8725424
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a physical characteristic of a seafood product are provided. In one system, the estimate is based on a slope defined by a ratio of changes in peak resonant amplitude and frequency of an electromagnetic resonant circuit in loaded and unloaded states. In another system, a first probe of a plurality of probes is driven with a test signal when the plurality of probes is loaded by a seafood product and the estimate is based on received test signals at one or more of the other probes. In another system, the estimate is based on the loading effect of a seafood product on an electromagnetic resonant circuit, which is also used to read an ID from an RFID associated with the seafood product. The systems and methods may be used for individual specimens, or to determine an average estimate for multiple specimens at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Timothy A. Burke, Peter H. Gregson, Gleb J. Sekretta, Stephen J. F. Hankinson
  • Patent number: 8721076
    Abstract: A process for controlling a lens manufacturing process comprising the steps of: a) manufacturing a master lens according to a manufacturing process using a manufacturing device, b) measuring by using at least a measuring device at least one parameter of the master lens of step a), c) recording the value of the parameter, d) repeating regularly step a) to c) and checking the evolution of the parameter over time, wherein the evolution of at least one parameter of the manufacturing device used during the lens manufacturing process is checked over time and the evolution over time of at least one parameter of the master lens is related with the evolution over time of the at least one parameter of the manufacturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Isabelle Lavrador, Xavier Lippens, Alain Chansavoir, Philippe Larue, Daniel Steigelman, Loïc Kabelaan, Jean-François Cailloux
  • Publication number: 20140122024
    Abstract: A booting verification method for a computer and an electronic device are provided. The booting verification method includes the following steps. Whether a manufacturing mode indication is present is determined. The manufacturing mode indicator is established and the manufacturing mode indicator is set to a predetermined value if the manufacturing mode indicator is absent, where the predetermined value is greater than or equal to 1. Whether the manufacturing mode indicator is greater than 0 is determined if the manufacturing mode indicator is present. A manufacturing booting mode is entered and the manufacturing mode indicator is decreased if the manufacturing mode indicator is greater than 0. A normal booting mode is entered if the manufacturing mode indicator is not greater than 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: WISTRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cheng-Te Chen, Wei-Chiang Tsou
  • Publication number: 20140114612
    Abstract: A method for automatic diagnosis of a mechanical system of a group of mechanical systems sharing mechanical characteristics includes obtaining data relating to a vibration. The vibration-related data is acquired by a portable communications device configured to communicate with a remote processor. The processor automatically diagnoses the mechanical system by applying a relationship to the obtained vibration-related data. The relationship is based on sets of vibration-related data previously obtained from the mechanical systems. Each set of vibration-related data relates to vibrations of a mechanical system. The relationship is further based on sets of operation data previously obtained for mechanical systems of the group. Each set of operation data indicates a previous state of operation of a mechanical system. Each of the previous states of operation is associated with at least one of the previously obtained sets of vibration-related data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: AUGURY SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Saar Yoskovitz, Shaul Gal
  • Publication number: 20140095113
    Abstract: A method of determining maintenance sections of a rail includes partitioning the rail into a plurality of sections based on railway topographical information and track defect information; identifying, from the plurality of sections, sections whose sectional speed limits are lower than a recommended running speed; and determining, from the identified sections, sections which need maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Shu Xia Cao, Ning Duan, Ke Hu, Li Li, Zhi Hu Wang, Xin Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140074435
    Abstract: An acoustic monitoring system includes a portable acoustic detection device, a sound analysis device and a confidence level device. The portable acoustic detection device is capable of receiving sound at one or more locations near a sound-producing device. The sound analysis device receives the sound from the portable sound detection device, determines a diagnosis based on a comparison between the sound and pre-recorded sound data, and outputs the diagnosis to the portable acoustic detection device. The sound analysis device also determines a corrective action for inhibiting the sound, which is also output to the portable sound detection device. The confidence level device determines a confidence level of the diagnosis indicating a likelihood that the diagnosis is successfully diagnosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John M. Cohn, James R. Kozloski, Clifford A. Pickover, Jinjun Xiong
  • Publication number: 20140067326
    Abstract: A method can include collecting time traces for N calibration instances of a device and identifying a key feature for the device based on the time traces. The method can also include using an equation to determine a key feature variation based on a predicted value and a measured value for each new qualified instance of the device. The method can also include generating an alert based on the key feature variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: VERLITICS, INC.
    Inventor: Harold Gene Alles
  • Publication number: 20140052412
    Abstract: A system including an environmental sensor that can travel with a product within a carrier's logistics network. The environmental sensor being configured to sense an environmental condition capable of affecting the product to generate product environment data. The system includes a scanner configured to read product environment data from the environmental sensor. The system also includes a hub control unit configured to communicate with the scanner and receive the product environment data from the scanner and determine whether the product environment data enters into a pre-defined range of values associated with an exposure of the product to an environmental condition. The hub control unit is also configured to generate alert data if it is determined that the environmental data has entered the range of values. If a limit within the values is further transcended, a transportation instruction is also generated to alter transport of the product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nagesh Kadaba
  • Patent number: 8655623
    Abstract: Disclosed are system and method embodiments for determining the root-causes of a performance objective violation, such as an end-to-end service level objection (SLO) violation, in a large-scale system with multi-tiered applications. This determination is made using a hybrid of component-level snapshots of the state of the system during a period in which an abnormal event occurred (i.e., black box mapping) and of known events and their causes (i.e., white-box mapping). Specifically, in response to a query about a violation (e.g., why did the response time for application a1 increase from r1 to r2), a processor will access and correlate the black-box and white-box mappings to determine a short-list of probable causes for the violation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, National Security Agency
    Inventors: Linda M. Duyanovich, Kristal T. Pollack, Elizabeth S. Richards, Sandeep M. Uttamchandani
  • Patent number: 8650002
    Abstract: A test system for facilitating determining whether a plasma processing system (which includes a plasma processing chamber) is ready for processing wafers. The test system may include a computer-readable medium storing at least a test program. The test program may include code for receiving electric parameter values derived from signals detected by at least one sensor when no plasma is present in the plasma processing chamber. The test program may also include code for generating electric model parameter values using the electric parameter values and a mathematical model. The test program may also include code for comparing the electric model parameter values with baseline model parameter value information. The test program may also include code for determining readiness of the plasma processing system based on the comparison. The test system may also include circuit hardware for performing one or more tasks associated with the test program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Choi, Gunsu Yun, Vijayakumar C. Venugopal, Norman Williams
  • Patent number: 8650060
    Abstract: The invention provides a plan execution control apparatus, a plan execution control method and a plan execution control program capable of giving instructions for sensitively and efficiently maintaining even installations located in a wide range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Watanabe, Hiroyuki Hori
  • Publication number: 20140039836
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for monitoring, diagnosing and optimizing operation of an electric submersible pump (ESP). At least some illustrative embodiments include a method that includes collecting measured data representative of a state of an ESP within a well or of well conditions and storing the measured data, matching a nodal analysis model of the well to the well by matching one or more modeled values to corresponding measured data, and identifying one or more likely conditions of the ESP based at least in part on data generated by a matched model. The method further includes updating the matched model to reflect a selected correction of one of the likely conditions identified, generating ESP performance curves using the updated model, and presenting to a user an action recommended to achieve an ESP performance consistent with an ESP operating point selected from one of the ESP performance curves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Giuseppe Moricca, Maiquel Querales, Joydeep Dhar, Gustavo Carvajal, Alvin S. Cullick, Rama K. Vellanki, Miguel Villamizar, Jose Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8643483
    Abstract: A system for maintaining a plurality of vehicle consumables includes a storage unit configured to store a consumable maintenance list according to an engine type and a transmission type of a vehicle; a control unit configured to control recommendation of when to change the consumable by calculating a change interval of each consumable and an actual consumption distance in the consumable maintenance list; and a display unit configured to display a screen that recommends when to change a particular consumable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Chi Nam Oh, In-Ho Yoon, Yun Joong Park
  • Publication number: 20140019091
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system may include a condition based replacement life (CBRL) approval system configured to receive a turbomachinery component data and to approve a turbomachinery component for CBRL based on the turbomachinery component data. The system further includes a CBRL validation system configured to repair the turbomachinery component into a repaired turbomachinery component, wherein the repaired turbomachinery component is configured to operate in a turbomachinery beyond a service time of the turbomachinery component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Dean Higgins, Thomas Bradley Beddard, David Stephen Muench, Michael Edward Bernard, Patrick Clinton Bowling
  • Patent number: 8626458
    Abstract: A machine implement includes sensors that measure a force imparted by the machine implement to a structure during a machining process. A sensor array coupled to the structure measures the vibrational response of the structure to the imparted force. Analysis software compares the imparted force to the vibrational response to generate a transfer function for the structure. Based on the transfer function, a tool-path of the machine implement may be adjusted such that the resulting structure has precise vibrational characteristics that substantially comply with a set of design goals for the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Vibration Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Cone
  • Patent number: 8626456
    Abstract: A method is provided herein for determining a remaining useful life of an air filter. The method includes, but is not limited to, measuring a first airflow rate and a first air pressure (P1) in an air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P1 corresponds to the first airflow rate. The method further includes measuring a second airflow rate and a second air pressure (P2) in the air cleaner assembly downstream of the air filter, wherein P2 corresponds to the second airflow rate. The method further includes obtaining pressure differentials A1, A2, B1, and B2 from a data storage device. The method also includes calculating with a processor a result indicative of a useful life remaining for the air filter by taking into account P1, P2, A1, A2, B1, and B2. The method also includes reporting the result to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph K. Moore, Terry W. Ostan, Lei Li, Jackson L. Bahm, Philip J. Fikany, Thomas J. Mockeridge, Dennis P. Stenson, Steven J. McCormick
  • Patent number: 8620621
    Abstract: A work performance acquisition module of an intelligent assets maintenance system obtains work performance data of intelligent assets from a device operation production control system. A status monitoring module obtains operation status data of the intelligent assets. A loss calculation module calculates a loss degree of the intelligent assets according to the obtained work performance and operation status data. A maintenance determining module determines whether the intelligent assets need maintenance according to the loss degree of the intelligent assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Xiao Wei Hu, Shaw-Ben Shi
  • Patent number: 8620514
    Abstract: A control process, which may be known as a toolset, for control of part or all of a maintenance method based on reliability centred maintenance (RCM) includes: a significant item selection (SIS) element a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) element; an algorithm element; a tasks element; a sampling element; and a reports element. The SIS element produces one or more of the following: reference data; and progress data. The SIS element makes use of input from design approved organisation functionality. The FMEA element makes use of input from maintenance approved organisation functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventor: Matthew Derek Bell
  • Patent number: 8620485
    Abstract: An electronic tag (8) displays and monitors a maintenance state of an associated electrically-powered device. The tag includes data storage (2) for storing data indicative of the maintenance state, the data comprising information defining an expiry date for the maintenance state. A data processing unit (3) monitors a remaining duration to the expiry date and a display (4) displays information indicative of the maintenance state. A cut-out unit (7) controllably enables transmission of electrical power to the associated electrically powered device dependent on the remaining duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: IntaCept Pty., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jan Huibert Vander Hout, Mark Geoffrey Lynn, Geoffrey Scott Knagge
  • Patent number: 8612029
    Abstract: A system includes at least one piece of equipment. The system also includes a state detector adapted to measure one or more operating parameters of the equipment. The system has a signature generator adapted to encode a plurality of data streams from the state detector into an operating signature for the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Michael Edward Cottrell, Kenneth John Innes, James Po-Cheung Kong, Charles Anthony Lickteig, Robert Frank Parchewsky, Steven Michael Schultheis, Daniel Dazhang Ying
  • Patent number: 8594978
    Abstract: A system including an environmental sensor that can travel with a product within a carrier's logistics network. The environmental sensor being configured to sense an environmental condition capable of affecting the product to generate product environment data. The system includes a scanner configured to read product environment data from the environmental sensor. The system also includes a hub control unit configured to communicate with the scanner and receive the product environment data from the scanner and determines whether the product environment data transcends a limit of exposure of the product to an environmental condition. The hub control unit is also configured to generate a transporting instruction to redirect transport of the product to an alternate destination different from its original destination if the hub control unit determines that the product environment data indicates the environmental condition of the product has transcended the limit of exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nagesh Kadaba
  • Patent number: 8594977
    Abstract: A method and system for identifying systemic failures and a root cause of incidents in a work environment. Failures, causes, and impacts related to a sample of incidents can be investigated in order to identify one or more systemic failures and root causes of the systemic failure(s). The incident details can be utilized to identify one or more root cause manifestation for each root cause of the systemic failure(s). The gaps in an existing system can be analyzed and one or more improvement solutions based on corrective actions can be identified. The improvement solutions with a highest priority can be selected and implemented to address the gaps identified in the current system based on the analysis of systemic failures and root causes. The effectiveness of the improvement solutions can be tracked and monitored to prevent the recurrence of future incidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Laberge, Peter Bullemer
  • Patent number: 8589589
    Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus are provided for organizing management information bases (MIB) in a network. A table, associated with an overlay MIB structure, is populated with entries. Each entry defines an object identifier (OID) of a mount point and an OID of a mount target. A selection is made between the existing OIDs and OIDs corresponding to a MIB overlay. When management communication refers to managed objects, they can be referred to in terms of OIDs defined by the MIB overlay, as an alternative to their existing OIDs. An agent infrastructure is defined to support the MIB overlay structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Clemm, Narayana Hosdurg Pai, Rohit Mehendiratta, Zbigniew W. Blaszczyk
  • Patent number: 8589088
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for evaluating pipeline using GIS data. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for evaluating pipeline using geographical information system (GIS) data. The method can include receiving component information from a GIS database for one or more components in a pipeline; determining a modified maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOPm) for the one or more components; determining an uprating pressure (MAOPm*) that the one or more components can withstand; and outputting a upgrade recommendation or an uprate recommendation based at least in part on the MAOPm and the MAOPm*.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vinoth Kumar Mohan, Kavitha Andoji, Christophe Faucherand
  • Patent number: 8589020
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating identity information in an aircraft network data processing system on an aircraft. A data processing device is connected to the aircraft network data processing system. Updated identity information and a digital signature for the updated identity information are received by the aircraft network data processing system from the data processing device. The aircraft network data processing system determines whether the digital signature is correct and whether the updated identity information is newer than current identity information stored in persistent storage in the aircraft network data processing system. Responsive to determinations that the digital signature is correct and that the updated identity information is newer than the current identity information, the updated identity information is stored in the persistent storage in the aircraft network data processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Ian Gareth Angus, Steven Craig Venema
  • Publication number: 20130304420
    Abstract: A system for centralized maintenance, intended for an aircraft comprising a set of devices necessary for the flight and able to issue fault messages or alert messages, the maintenance system being able to communicate with this set of devices, comprises a software kernel parametrizable by means of a database of parameters, the software kernel comprising at least four elementary cells: a first cell for acquiring the fault messages and alert messages originating from the set of devices of the aircraft, a second cell for formulating a maintenance diagnosis defined by means of the fault messages and alert messages, a third cell for formulating and displaying a maintenance report to a maintenance operator of the aircraft, defined on the basis of the maintenance diagnosis, a fourth cell for communicating between the maintenance operator and the set of devices of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventors: Laurent LAVAL, Pascal MARESTIN, Michel SUBELET
  • Patent number: 8570545
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body storage part, a determination part, and an initial adjustment part. The first image forming unit includes a first storage part storing first information indicative of whether or not an initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has been completed. The determination part determines whether or not the first information stored in the first storage part and the second information stored in the main body storage part satisfy respective prescribed conditions. The initial adjustment part causes the first and second image forming units to perform the initial adjustment when the first information indicates that the initial adjustment of the first image forming unit has not been completed and the second information indicates that the second image forming unit corresponds to an unused state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Okunishi, Hideo Mae, Junichi Taniguchi, Koichi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 8571833
    Abstract: A field device maintenance apparatus includes a field device connection unit that communicates with a field device whose operation contents are defined by parameters; a work-information acquisition unit that acquires parameter attribute information including whether or not the individual parameters are displayable and work instruction information that shows work contents; a display unit that displays one or more of the parameters of the field device depending on whether or not the individual parameters are displayable according to the parameter attribute information; an operation accepting unit that accepts a changing operation for changing one or more of the parameters displayed by the display unit; and an operation-history-information recording unit that records a history of operations accepted by the operation accepting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Yokoga Wa Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Morihiro Fujisaki
  • Publication number: 20130282336
    Abstract: In order to provide a facility of a plant or the like with an anomaly detection/diagnosis method and an anomaly detection/diagnosis system which are capable of detecting an anomaly of the facility with a high degree of sensitivity at an early time, pieces of maintenance-history information composed of past examples such as a work history and information on replaced parts are associated in advance with each other by the appearance frequency (context) of a keyword and, on the basis of anomaly detection making use of signals output by a multi-dimensional sensor installed in the facility as an object, the detected anomaly is linked to the pieces of maintenance-history information which are associated with each other. Thus, at a point of time prediction is detected, it is possible to give a relationship with a countermeasure such as a replacement of a part, an adjustment or a restart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Maeda, Hisae Shibuya, Hiroyuki Magara
  • Patent number: 8560272
    Abstract: A method and a system for monitoring a turbojet engine. The method acquires a signal representative of a vibratory level of an operating rotor of the turbojet engine, acquires a rotation speed of the rotor during operation, compares the amplitude of the signal with at least one predetermined threshold based on the rotor rotation speed and, in event an amplitude peak exceeds the threshold, analyzes the signal over a time slot defined around the amplitude peak to determine if the phenomenon at the origin of the amplitude peak is a mechanical shock undergone by the rotor of the turbojet engine or an electronic interference of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventors: Valerio Gerez, Julien Griffaton, Gregory Guillemand
  • Patent number: RE44932
    Abstract: A system for recording oil and gas inspection data comprising an inspection database server; a server-side vendor inspection database; at least one inspector client device; an inspector-side vendor inspection database; at least one customer client device; wherein at least one inspector inputs oil and gas inspection data to the inspection database server; wherein the inspection database server comprises computer instructions for instructing the inspection database server to provide at least one report; wherein the at least one inspector client device and the at least one customer client device are operable to access the oil and gas inspection data, the at least one report, or combinations thereof; and wherein the computer instructions instruct the inspection database server to formulate the at least one report for selected oil and gas inspection data and communicate the at least one report for viewing by at least one customer upon demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas Whiteley, Bryan Lane, Lane S. Wimberley