Method and apparatus for managing maintenance operations

• US 20030040826A1
• Filed: 06/11/2002
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Budnik, Daniel J., Hawman, Michael W., Roberts, Michael A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,340,319 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/116
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles

Abstract

A computerized method of assisting the routing of a part, comprising the steps of: providing at least one computer; receiving part identifier information; and generating a tag for affixing to the part. The tag has information thereon responsive to the identifier information. A computerized method of assisting the handling of a part, comprising the steps of: providing at least one computer; receiving part identifier information; processing the part identifier information; and generating output from the computer responsive to the part identifier information. A computerized method of tailoring work instructions to perform on a part, comprising the steps of: providing at least one computer having memory with global work instructions relevant to a plurality of parts and to a plurality of work locations; receiving part identifier information and work location information; processing the part identifier and work location information; and generating tailored work instructions from said computer responsive to the part identifier and work location information. A computerized method of dispositioning of parts, comprising the steps of: providing at least one computer; receiving part identifier information for first and second part; determining a disposition of the first part then the second part, each disposition responsive to the part identifier information; determining whether the second part disposition requires adjustment to the first part disposition; and if necessary, modifying said first part disposition.

Claims

1. A computerized method of assisting the routing of a part, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one computer;

receiving part identifier information; and

generating a tag for affixing to said part, said tag having information thereon responsive to said part identifier information;

wherein a user reviews said information on said tag and routes said part accordingly.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

evaluating a characteristic of said part based upon said information on said tag to determine a disposition of said part;

receiving said disposition of said part; and

generating a new tag for affixing to said part, said tag having information thereon responsive to said part characteristic;

wherein said user can review said information on said tag and route said part accordingly.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said part identifier information includes a part number.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said part identifier information also includes a serial number.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of generating an electronic record of said part.

6. A computerized method of assisting the handling of a part, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one computer;

receiving part identifier information;

processing said part identifier information; and

generating output from said computer responsive to said part identifier information;

wherein a user reviews said output and handles said part accordingly.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said part identifier information includes a part number.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said part identifier information also includes a serial number.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said output comprises routing instructions.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein said output comprises work instructions.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a disposition of said part in response to said output;

processing said part disposition; and

generating output from said computer responsive to said part disposition.

12. A computerized method of tailoring work instructions to perform on a part, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one computer having memory with global work instructions therein, said global work instructions relevant to a plurality of parts and to a plurality of work locations;

receiving part identifier information and work location information;

processing said part identifier information and said work location information; and

generating tailored work instructions from said computer responsive to said part identifier information and said work location information;

wherein a user reviews said tailored work instructions and performs said tailored work instructions accordingly.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said processing step comprises searching said global work instructions for tasks relevant to said part and said work location.

14. A computerized method of dispositioning of parts, comprising the steps of:

providing at least one computer;

receiving part identifier information for a first part;

determining a disposition of said first part responsive to said first part identifier information;

receiving part identifier information for a second part to said computer;

determining a disposition of said second part responsive to said second part identifier;

determining whether said second part disposition requires adjustment to said first part disposition; and

if necessary, modifying said first part disposition;

wherein a user reviews said first and second part dispositions and dispositions said first and second parts accordingly.