SYSTEM FOR INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF A PLANT OR OTHER FACILITY

• US 20140039648A1
• Filed: 07/31/2013
• Published: 02/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Inventors: BOULT, David, AL-SALEH, Ayedh S.
• Application Number:
  US13/955,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20140039648A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/79
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0283 Predictive maintenance, e.g. involving the monitoring of a system and, based on the monitoring results, taking decisions on the maintenance schedule of the monitored system; Estimating remaining useful life [RUL] preventive maintenance, i.e. planning maintenance according to the available resources without monitoring the system G06Q10/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 Management or planning

Abstract

The present invention is a computerized inspection and maintenance system for an industrial plant or other facility. The system comprises a plurality of software modules which are both interactive with inspectors, maintenance, and supervisory personnel and interact with one another

Claims

1. An inspection and maintenance system for an industrial plant or other facility comprising a computer having a processor, input/output equipment coupled to said processor for sending electronic information to, and receiving electronic information from, external personnel, notification equipment to generate and send notifications electronically to selected plant personnel;

and a plurality of software modules communicating with said processor;

wherein each said module is programmed to control a specific inspection or maintenance procedure for equipment in the plant which requires periodic inspection and maintenance, including modules which are programmed to perform the following functions;

store and track the next upcoming inspection date for each piece of such equipment;

cause the notification equipment to send electronic notification to a preselected inspector when an inspection date for a piece of equipment is coming due;

receive electronically information from such inspector reporting on such inspection and determine, store, and track a new next upcoming inspection date for such equipment piece;

receive electronically from such inspector information indicating that maintenance is required on such equipment piece and, in response, cause the notification equipment to send notification to a preselected maintenance personnel that maintenance work is required;

receive electronically from such maintenance personnel an acknowledgement that maintenance is required, and provide a Worksheet to specify the flow of maintenance work; and

communicate interactively with such maintenance personnel during the maintenance work until receiving confirmation that the maintenance work has been completed.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein at least two modules are programmed to work together interactively during at least certain circumstances during maintenance work.