Arrangement, method and computer program product for enhanced prognostics

• US 20080059116A1
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saab AB
• Original Assignee: Saab AB
• Inventors: Johansson, Rikard, Fransson, Torbjorn
• Granted Patent: US 7,636,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance

Abstract

A method, a computer program product, a device and a monitoring arrangement for monitoring operation of an exchangeable unit in a machine. The monitoring arrangement includes at least one sensor, a control unit and a memory, that is arranged on the exchangeable unit.

Claims

1. A monitoring arrangement for monitoring operation of an exchangeable unit in a machine, the monitoring arrangement comprising:

at least one sensor,

a control unit and

a memory arranged on the exchangeable unit.

2. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the memory comprises levels and logic in order to be able to generate maintenance reports.

3. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged to record operational data.

4. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of sensors.

5. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is associated with the exchangeable unit.

6. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the memory is arranged to receive and store events and data that are predefined and the events and data are configured to be used in a prognostic function.

7. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged locally on the exchangeable unit.

8. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is arranged to communicate with a central unit of the machine over a data link.

9. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged as a central unit O of the machine.

10. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to run a prognostic function of the machine.

11. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 10, wherein a built in test with safety critical functions is configured to run on the control unit separated from the prognostic function.

23. An exchangeable unit of an arrangement according to claim 1, comprising a memory arranged on the exchangeable unit.

12. A method for collecting operational data of a machine that comprises at least one exchangeable unit, the method comprising:

sensing a property associated with the operation of the machine;

processing the property into operational data; and

storing the operational data in a memory mounted on the at least one exchangeable unit.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the operational data is stored according to levels and logic stored in the memory used to generate maintenance reports.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprises:

recording events in the machine when a predefined event, stored in the memory, occurs in the exchangeable unit; and

storing the recordings in the memory mounted on the exchangeable unit.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the recording events comprises collecting and storing data from sensors associated with a part of the machine being different than the exchangeable unit.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the further comprising:

dismounting the exchangeable unit from the machine;

shipping the dismounted exchangeable unit to a maintenance entity, and storing operational data concerning different parts of the dismounted exchangeable unit retrieved from the memory of the exchangeable unit.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

storing informative data, whereas parts of the exchangeable unit has been serviced, replaced and/or repaired, concerning the replaced/repaired parts in association with the operational data, in order to update a prognostic function of the machine; and

resetting or adjusting operational data concerning the parts that has been serviced and/or repaired in the memory of the exchangeable unit.

18. The method according to claims 17, wherein an update of the prognostic function of the vehicle is transferred to a processor running the prognostic function of the machine.

22. Use data that is stored in a memory of an exchangeable unit of a machine in a prognostic function, wherein the data has been collected according to the method according to claim 12.

19. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

computer program instructions recorded on the computer readable medium and executable by a processor, thereby running a prognostic function of components and parts of a machine, using data that has been collected according to a method comprising sensing a property associated with the operation of the machine, processing the property into operational data, and storing the operational data in a memory mounted on the at least one exchangeable unit.

20. The computer program product according to claim 19, wherein the prognostic function is running locally on a processor on the exchangeable unit.

21. The computer program product according to claim 19, wherein the prognostic function is running on a central unit associated to the machine.