Knowledge-based condition survey inspection (KBCSI) framework and procedure
First Claim
1. A method for tailoring inspections and maintenance of component-sections of facilities that may incorporate components and systems, at least one said component-section incorporated in at least one said component, said component sections having an established life cycle, comprising:
- linking to at least one database of at least one engineering management system (EMS),wherein said linking provides at least one identifier and at least one parameter for each said component-section;
establishing at least one type of condition survey inspection;
establishing at least one criterion for inspection of said component-sections during said life cycle,wherein at least one said criterion may be established from data collected during said condition survey inspections;
establishing at least one component-section condition index (CSCI) having discrete values for said component-sections;
employing at least one algorithm to establish a relationship between said values of said condition index and time over said life cycle of each said component-section,wherein said algorithm may use said data from at least one of said condition survey inspections and at least one of said criteria to at least partially establish said relationship, andwherein said relationship may be displayed as a curve on a graph;
defining at least one zone within said relationship by applying at least one of said criteria,wherein within each said zone, both said types of condition survey inspections and the frequency of conducting said condition survey inspections are optimized by at least applying said criteria; and
wherein said method enables said condition survey inspections to be tailored based on the life cycle of said component-section.
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Abstract
A knowledge-based condition survey inspection (KBSCI) framework and procedure for use with an engineering management system (EMS) that tailors types of condition survey inspections (CSIs) and inspection intervals to empirically-established life cycles of component-sections. Embodiments of the invention facilitate proactive life cycle management, scheduling appropriate types of CSIs only when needed. The frequency and type of inspection is tailored to items important to a facility manager, such as the importance to the operation of individual component-sections and their individual life cycle, not the overall life cycle of a system or facility. Further, additional useful information is available from the data collected to maintain embodiments of the KBCSI framework so that meaningful “What-If” analysis may be performed in support of decision makers. By tailoring CSIs to needs rather than an arbitrary inspection schedule designed to only catch deficiencies, significant life cycle cost savings are realized.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for tailoring inspections and maintenance of component-sections of facilities that may incorporate components and systems, at least one said component-section incorporated in at least one said component, said component sections having an established life cycle, comprising:
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linking to at least one database of at least one engineering management system (EMS), wherein said linking provides at least one identifier and at least one parameter for each said component-section; establishing at least one type of condition survey inspection; establishing at least one criterion for inspection of said component-sections during said life cycle, wherein at least one said criterion may be established from data collected during said condition survey inspections; establishing at least one component-section condition index (CSCI) having discrete values for said component-sections; employing at least one algorithm to establish a relationship between said values of said condition index and time over said life cycle of each said component-section, wherein said algorithm may use said data from at least one of said condition survey inspections and at least one of said criteria to at least partially establish said relationship, and wherein said relationship may be displayed as a curve on a graph; defining at least one zone within said relationship by applying at least one of said criteria, wherein within each said zone, both said types of condition survey inspections and the frequency of conducting said condition survey inspections are optimized by at least applying said criteria; and wherein said method enables said condition survey inspections to be tailored based on the life cycle of said component-section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for managing facilities that may incorporate systems, components and component-sections, at least one said component-section incorporated in at least one said component, said component sections having an established life cycle, comprising:
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providing an engineering management system (EMS) incorporating at least one database; linking to at least one said database, wherein said linking provides at least one identifier and at least one parameter for each said component-section; establishing at least one type of condition survey inspection; establishing at least one criterion for inspection of said component-sections during said life cycle, wherein at least one said criterion may be established from data collected during said condition survey inspections; establishing at least one component-section condition index (CSCI) having discrete values for at least said component-sections; employing at least one algorithm to establish a relationship between said values of said condition index and time over said life cycle of each said component-section, wherein said algorithm may use said data from at least one of said condition survey inspections and at least one of said criteria to at least partially establish said relationship, and wherein said relationship may be displayed as a curve on a graph; defining at least one zone within said relationship by applying at least one of said criteria, wherein within each said zone, both said types of condition survey inspections and the frequency of conducting said condition survey inspections are optimized by at least applying said criteria; and rolling up said relationship into a condition index of at least a component of said facility that incorporates said component-section, wherein said method enables said condition survey inspections to be tailored based on the life cycle of said component-section. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A knowledge-based condition survey inspection framework for use with an engineering management system (EMS) to manage maintenance of component-sections of components of a facility incorporating components and systems, comprising:
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a range of discrete condition indexes, said indexes used to assign a rating of condition for said component-section; a description of each of one or more types of condition survey inspection (CSI); a list of objectives to be met in said managing; a matrix listing applicability of each of said types of CSIs to said objectives; a list of criteria for at least determining at least one optimum type of said CSI to use and for establishing at least one interval during which to schedule said optimum type of CSI; data from at least one such CSI; means for applying said criteria and said data such that at least one life cycle (LC) curve representing said condition index of said component-section versus time may be developed; and a description of zones of interest to be applied to said LC curve to facilitate assigning a said optimum type of CSI within each said zone. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification