Arrangement, method and computer program product for enhanced prognostics

• US 7,636,648 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2007
• Issued: 12/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Saab AB
• Original Assignee: Saab AB
• Inventors: Fransson, Torbjorn, Johansson, Rikard
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui; Bryan
• Application Number:
  US11/896,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20080059116A1
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 702/91, 702/184
• US Class Current: 702/184
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance

Abstract

A method, a computer program product, a device and a monitoring arrangement for monitoring operation of an exchangeable unit in a machine. The monitoring arrangement includes at least one sensor, a control unit and a memory, that is arranged on the exchangeable unit.

Claims

1. A monitoring arrangement for monitoring operation of an exchangeable unit in a machine, the monitoring arrangement comprising:

at least one sensor configured to sense operational information and operational conditions of the exchangeable unit,

a control unit, and

a memory arranged on the exchangeable unit and configured to store and receive events and data regarding operational information and operational conditions for the exchangeable unit, wherein the data and events are predefined and configured to be used in a prognostic function, wherein the control unit is configured to run a prognostic function using the stored data and events, and wherein the prognostic function is arranged to predict and forecast errors occurring in the exchangeable unit based on the stored events and data.

2. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the memory comprises levels and logic in order to be able to generate maintenance reports.

3. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is arranged to record operational data.

4. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of sensors.

5. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is associated with the exchangeable unit.

6. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged locally on the exchangeable unit.

7. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is arranged to communicate with a central unit of the machine over a data link.

8. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged as a central unit of the machine.

9. The monitoring arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a built in test with safety critical functions is configured to run on the control unit separated from the prognostic function.

10. A method for collecting operational data of a machine that comprises at least one exchangeable unit, the method comprising:

sensing with at least one sensor a property associated with the operation of the machine;

processing the property into operational data;

storing the operational data in a memory mounted on the at least one exchangeable unit;

recording events in the machine when a predefined event, stored in the memory, occurs in the at least one exchangeable unit;

storing the recorded events in the memory mounted on the at least one exchangeable unit;

storing the operational data and the recorded events retrieved from the memory of the at least one exchangeable unit;

storing informative data, whereas parts of the exchangeable unit has been serviced, replaced and/or repaired, concerning the replaced/repaired parts;

updating a prognostic function of the machine based on the stored operational data, the recorded events and the informative data, wherein said prognostic function is arranged to predict and forecast errors occurring in the at least one exchangeable unit based on said operational data; and

resetting or adjusting operational data concerning the parts that has been serviced and/or repaired in the memory of the exchangeable unit.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the operational data is stored according to levels and logic stored in the memory used to generate maintenance reports.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the recording events comprises collecting and storing data from sensors associated with a part of the machine being different than the exchangeable unit.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

dismounting the exchangeable unit from the machine;

shipping the dismounted exchangeable unit to a maintenance entity, and

storing operational data concerning different parts of the dismounted exchangeable unit retrieved from the memory of the exchangeable unit.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein an update of the prognostic function of the vehicle is transferred to a processor running the prognostic function of the machine.

15. The method according to claim 10, further comprising:

servicing, replacing and/or repairing the exchangeable unit based on the prognostic function.

16. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

computer program instructions recorded on the computer readable medium and executable by a processor, to make a computer operable to carry out a method comprising sensing a property associated with the operation of the machine, processing the property into operational data, storing the operational data in a memory mounted on the at least one exchangeable unit, recording events in the machine when a predefined event, stored in the memory, occurs in the at least one exchangeable unit, storing the recorded events in the memory mounted on the at least one exchangeable unit, storing the operational data and the recorded events retrieved from the memory of the at least one exchangeable unit, storing informative data, whereas parts of the exchangeable unit has been serviced, replaced and/or repaired, concerning the replaced/repaired parts, updating a prognostic function of the machine based on the stored operational data, the recorded events and the informative data, wherein said prognostic function is arranged to predict and forecast errors occurring in the at least one exchangeable unit based on said operational data, and resetting or adjusting operational data concerning the parts that has been serviced and/or repaired in the memory of the exchangeable unit.

17. The computer program product according to claim 16, wherein the prognostic function is running locally on a processor on the exchangeable unit.

18. The computer program product according to claim 16, wherein the prognostic function is running on a central unit associated to the machine.