Performing predictive maintenance based on a predictive maintenance target

• US 20050004821A1
• Filed: 09/04/2001
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture LLP (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Newton, Charles P. III, Weir, David P. II, Well, Patrick E., Garrow, Gary R., Wetzer, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,502,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063 Operations research, analysis or management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06314 Calendaring for a resource
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1097 Task assignment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99952 Coherency, e.g. same view to multiple users
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

A method and system for performing predictive maintenance on an item of equipment comprises establishing a desired configuration of the item of equipment based on a predictive maintenance target of the item of equipment. The predictive maintenance target may include at least one of a functional configuration objective, a logical configuration objective, and an operational configuration objective. An actual configuration of the item of equipment is monitored. It is determined if the actual configuration complies with the desired configuration. An upgrade requirement is planned for upgrading the actual configuration to the desired configuration if the actual configuration is non-compliant.

Claims

1. A method of performing predictive maintenance on an item of equipment, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing a desired configuration of the item of equipment based on a predictive maintenance target of the item of equipment, wherein the predictive maintenance target includes at least one of a physical configuration objective, a functional configuration objective, a logical configuration objective, and an operational configuration objective;

evaluating an actual configuration of the item of equipment;

determining if the actual configuration complies with the desired configuration; and

planning an upgrade requirement for upgrading the actual configuration to the desired configuration if the actual configuration is noncompliant.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the establishing comprises determining the functional configuration objective of the item consistent with meeting a performance metric of a group of equipment.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the establishing comprises defining the logical configuration objective as a decision to substitute a generally suitable replacement component for an existing component of the item, rather than repair the existing component.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the establishing comprises defining the logical configuration objective as a decision to repair an existing component, rather than substitute a generally suitable replacement component for an existing component of the item.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the establishing comprises defining the logical configuration objective as a decision to repair a component, rather than replace the component in kind.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the establishing comprises defining the logical configuration objective as a decision to replace the component in kind, rather than repair a component.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the establishing comprises defining the operational configuration objective as a measured response of the item to at least one operating requirement and an associated operating environment.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the establishing comprises defining the operational configuration objective as a measured response of a component of the item to at least one operating requirement and an associated operating environment.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the establishing comprises defining the operational configuration objective as a measured response of a system of the item to at least one operating requirement and an associated operating environment.

10. The method according to claim 1 further comprising enhancing the reliability of the item by incorporating redundant components into the desired configuration.

11. The method according to claim 1 further comprising enhancing the reliability of the item by incorporating a self-healing system into the desired configuration.

12. A system for performing predictive maintenance on an item of equipment, the system comprising:

a desired configuration database for storing a desired configuration of the equipment based on a predictive maintenance target of the item of equipment, wherein the predictive maintenance target includes at least one of a physical configuration objective, a functional configuration objective, a logical configuration objective, and an operational configuration objective;

an actual configuration database for storing an actual configuration of the equipment based on an evaluation of the equipment;

a data processor determining if the actual configuration complies with the desired configuration, the data processor determining an upgrade requirement for upgrading the actual configuration to the desired configuration if the actual configuration is noncompliant.

13. The system according to claim 12 wherein the functional configuration objective of the item is consistent with meeting a performance metric of a group of equipment.

14. The system according to claim 12 wherein the logical configuration objective is defined as a decision to substitute a generally suitable replacement component for an existing component of the item, rather than repair the existing component.

15. The system according to claim 12 wherein the logical configuration objective is defined as a decision to repair an existing component, rather than substitute a generally suitable replacement component for an existing component of the item.

16. The system according to claim 12 wherein the logical configuration objective is defined as a decision to repair a component, rather than replace the component in kind.

17. The system according to claim 12 wherein the logical configuration objective is defined as a decision to replace the component in kind, rather than repair a component.

18. The system according to claim 12 wherein the operational configuration objective is defined as a measured response of the item to at least one operating requirement and an associated operating environment.

19. The system according to claim 12 wherein the operational configuration objectives is defined as a measured response of a component of the item to at least one operating requirement and an associated operating environment.

20. The system according to claim 12 wherein the operational configuration objective is defined as a measured response of a system of the item to at least one operating requirement and an associated operating environment.