System and method for remotely monitoring the condition of machine

• US 6,654,673 B2
• Filed: 12/14/2001
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: OʼNeal, Steven W., Wood, Daniel C., Ferguson, Alan L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US10/017,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20030114966A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/33, 701/50, 709/203
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24048 Remote test, monitoring, diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2663 Tractor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0213 Modular or universal configuration of the monitoring system, e.g. monitoring system having modules that may be combined to build monitoring program; monitoring system that can be applied to legacy systems; adaptable monitoring system; using different communication protocols
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring various conditions of a machine which may be remotely located. The parameters available in the machine'"'"'s monitoring system are synchronized in machine and remote systems. A diagnostic system comprised of a prognostics engine or an interface reviews data stored in the remote system and determines the parameters to be monitored and the allowable tolerances, which are relayed to the machine system. The monitoring system monitors the condition of the machine based upon the diagnostic system'"'"'s directions, and the machine system reports when the parameters vary from the defined tolerances.

Claims

1. A system for modifying a monitoring system of a machine, said monitoring system monitoring at least one condition of the machine, comprising:

a diagnostic system for modifying said monitored condition to a modified condition, wherein said diagnostic system comprises a prognostics engine, said prognostics engine having at least one pre-defined condition based on machine status; and

a communications system for relaying said modified condition to said monitoring system, wherein said monitoring system monitors the machine based on said modified condition.

2. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said prognostics engine modifies said monitored condition to said pre-defined condition when the machine has a status equal to said stored machine status.

3. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said monitored condition includes at least one parameter to be monitored.

4. The system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said monitored condition includes at least one tolerance for determining a normal operating condition of said monitored condition.

5. The system, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a remote data system for receiving said monitored condition from said monitoring system, said remote data system storing said monitored condition and providing said monitored condition to said prognostics engine.

6. The system, as set forth in claim 5, wherein said diagnostic system comprises an interface accessible by an owner.

7. The system, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said interface includes an interactive website for accepting at least one modification to said monitored condition.

8. The system, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said modified condition is relayed from said website to said monitoring system through at least an Internet connection.

9. A system for modifying a monitoring system of a machine, said monitoring system monitoring at least one condition of the machine, comprising:

a remote data system for storing said monitored condition remotely from the machine, said monitored condition including at least one of a parameter and a tolerance;

a communication system for relaying said machine condition to said remote data system; and

a prognostics engine, said prognostics engine having at least one pre-defined condition based on a stored machine status, said prognostics engine modifying said monitored condition to said pre-defined condition when the machine has a status equal to said stored machine status, said prognostics engine storing said modified condition in said remote data system, wherein said communication system relays said modified condition to said monitoring system.

10. The system, as set forth in claim 9, further comprising:

an interface for allowing an owner to modify said monitored condition stored in said remote data system, said interface comprised of an interactive website and an Internet connection, said modified condition being stored in said remote data system for relay to said monitoring system of the machine.

11. A method for modifying a monitoring system of a machine, said monitoring system monitoring at least one condition of the machine, comprising the steps of:

storing said monitored condition in a remote data system;

modifying said monitored condition to a modified condition through a diagnostic system, wherein said diagnostic system comprises a prognostics engine, said prognostics engine having at least one pre-defined condition based on a stored machine status; and

relaying said modified condition to said monitoring system wherein said monitoring system monitors the machine based on said modified condition.

12. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said prognostics engine modifies said monitored condition to said pre-defined condition when the machine has a status equal to said stored machine status.

13. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said monitored condition includes at least one parameter to be monitored.

14. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said monitored condition includes at least one tolerance for determining a normal operating condition of said monitored condition.

15. The method, as set forth in claim 11, wherein said diagnostic system comprises an interface, said interface including an interactive website and an Internet connection, wherein said website accepts said modified condition.