Diagnostics/prognostics using wireless links

• US 6,941,202 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2003
• Issued: 09/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Original Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
• Inventors: Wilson, Bary W., Greitzer, Frank L., Heister, Earl
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US10/643,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20040039502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/30, 701/33, 701/23, 701/34, 701/35, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/439, 340/572.1, 340/525, 455/423, 702/183, 702/184
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 9/005 Solid-state data loggers
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/05 by combined monitoring of two or more different engine parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/007 Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles G01M17/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring operating parameters of a machine (such as a vehicle) and producing diagnostic and/or prognostic results are disclosed. Active, semi-active, or semi-passive sensors are wirelessly linked with an interrogator that selectively interrogates the sensors, such as through transponders in wired communication with the sensors. A data concentrator or processor analyzes data from certain sensors and generates diagnostic/prognostic conclusions, in some cases using additional data selectively requested from and acquired by the sensors. In some embodiments, raw or abstracted data is communicated with a management center that provides troubleshooting information (again, possibly using additional, selectively acquired data), makes resource management decisions (such as preparing parts or labor resources to make a repair), and tracks problems in all or a subset of the machines being managed.

Claims

1. A method of performing diagnostic or prognostic analysis on operating parameters of a vehicle, comprising:

capturing a plurality of data points that characterize two or more operating parameters of the vehicle;

producing an interrogation signal that includes a selection from among the plurality of data points;

responding to the interrogation signal with the selected data points; and

performing a diagnostic or prognostic analysis on the data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the analysis yields a result that is indicated to an operator of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1:

wherein the analysis yields a result; and

further comprising wirelessly communicating the result to a vehicle management facility.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the wirelessly communicating is via a cellular telephone network.

5. The method of claim 3, further comprising the vehicle management facility controlling maintenance or repair resources based on the result.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the wirelessly communicating is via a satellite link.

7. The method of claim 1:

wherein the analysis yields a result; and

further comprising wirelessly communicating the results from a plurality of vehicles to a vehicle information management facility.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the facility stores the results from the plurality of vehicles.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the facility analyzes the results from the plurality of vehicles to yield a value that characterizes the operation of at least two of the plurality of the vehicles.

10. An apparatus, comprising

a first number of sensors collectively configured to provide data signals indicative of one or more operating parameters of a machine, where the first number is at least one;

a second number of semi-passive RF tags, coupled to the first number of sensors effectively to transmit the data signals, where the second number is at least one; and

one or more data collection devices that interrogate the semi-passive RF tags to read the data signals.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first number is at least two.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second number is at least two.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the data signals are indicative of two or more operating parameters of the machine.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a processor, in communication with said one or more data collection devices, that processes the one or more operating parameters indicated by the data signals.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second number is less than the first number.

16. A method for monitoring vehicles, comprising:

acquiring two or more operating parameters of a vehicle using one or more sensors on the vehicle;

wirelessly transmitting a first signal representative of a first number of the operating parameters to a first receiver on the vehicle, where the first number is at least two;

wirelessly transmitting a second signal representative of a second number of the operating parameters via cellular telephone connection to a remote receiver, where the second number is at least one;

processing the operating parameters with a remote receiver, and

selecting with an on-board processor on the vehicle which of the first number of operating parameters are re-transmitted;

wherein the first number is greater than the second number.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the selecting is performed based on the value of one or more of the first number of parameters.

18. The method of claim 16:

further comprising transmitting a third signal from the remote processor to the on-board processor;

wherein the selecting is performed based on the content of the third signal.

19. A method for monitoring vehicles, comprising:

acquiring two or more operating parameters of a vehicle using one or more sensors on the vehicle;

wirelessly transmitting a first signal representative of a first number of the operating parameters to a first receiver on the vehicle, where the first number is at least two;

wirelessly transmitting a second signal representative of a second number of the operating parameters via cellular telephone connection to a remote receiver, where the second number is at least one; and

processing the operating parameters with a remote receiver; and

receiving a third signal at the vehicle from the remote processor, where the third signal is responsive to the second signal.

20. The method of claim 19:

further comprising transmitting a fourth signal from the vehicle to the remote processor;

wherein the third signal is a request for additional data, and

wherein the fourth signal represents the additional data.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the additional data includes at least one of the first number of parameters.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the additional data includes at least one parameter that is not in the first number of parameters.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the third signal represents a result of prognostic analysis.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the third signal represents a result of diagnostic analysis.