Diagnostic system and method
First Claim
1. A diagnostic system for monitoring a process at a first location, said process including a plurality of sensors generating output signals related to operating conditions of the process, comprising:
- (A) first data storage means at said first location;
(B) first computer means at said first location operable to periodically scan said sensor output signals and place into said first data storage means those signals which exhibit a predetermined difference from its value from a previous scan and those signals which exceed respective predetermined threshold values;
(C) a diagnostic center at a second location remote from said first location and including second data storage and second computer means operable to perform diagnostic analysis;
(D) first transmitter/receiver means, under control of said first computer means, for transmitting the contents of said first data storage means, via a data link, to said diagnostic center at predetermined scheduled periods of time and for transmitting said contents at an unscheduled period of time whenever a signal exceeds its predetermined threshold;
(E) said diagnostic center including second transmitter/receiver means, under control of said second computer means to receive data sent from said first location whereby said second computer means may perform said diagnostic analysis;
(F) said second transmitter/receiver means being additionally operable to transmit, via said data link, information resulting from said analysis back to said first transmitter/receiver means;
(G) said first transmitter/receiver means being additionally operable to receive said transmitted information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic system wherein a central diagnostic center receives sensor data relative to the operating condition of a plurality of remote plants. Each plant records just certain sensor signals and transmits them at respective prescheduled transmisssion times. If certain activation limits are exceeded, a data link with the diagnostic center is immediately established so that the data may be transmitted ahead of its normally scheduled transmission time in order that an immediate diagnostic analysis be made on the plant. A communication link between the plant and diagnostic center is kept open for a predetermined period of time in which more data may be sent from the plant to the diagnostic center, and results and instructions, sent from the diagnostic center back to the plant. Such instructions may include the changing of certain parameters in the examination of the sensor signals.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A diagnostic system for monitoring a process at a first location, said process including a plurality of sensors generating output signals related to operating conditions of the process, comprising:
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(A) first data storage means at said first location; (B) first computer means at said first location operable to periodically scan said sensor output signals and place into said first data storage means those signals which exhibit a predetermined difference from its value from a previous scan and those signals which exceed respective predetermined threshold values; (C) a diagnostic center at a second location remote from said first location and including second data storage and second computer means operable to perform diagnostic analysis; (D) first transmitter/receiver means, under control of said first computer means, for transmitting the contents of said first data storage means, via a data link, to said diagnostic center at predetermined scheduled periods of time and for transmitting said contents at an unscheduled period of time whenever a signal exceeds its predetermined threshold; (E) said diagnostic center including second transmitter/receiver means, under control of said second computer means to receive data sent from said first location whereby said second computer means may perform said diagnostic analysis; (F) said second transmitter/receiver means being additionally operable to transmit, via said data link, information resulting from said analysis back to said first transmitter/receiver means; (G) said first transmitter/receiver means being additionally operable to receive said transmitted information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification