Recommendations for time to replace parts on machines
First Claim
1. A method of recommending replacement of parts, the method comprising:
- receiving, at a data interface of a recommendation system, data for a part indicating durations of time in which the part was installed on machines before replacement;
determining, by a controller of the recommendation system, a first probability density function over time for an infant mortality of the part based on the data;
determining, by the controller, a second probability density function over time for a natural life of the part based on the data;
determining, by the controller, a first cumulative probability function for the infant mortality of the part by integrating the first probability density function for the infant mortality of the part over a time period;
determining, by the controller, a second cumulative probability function for the natural life of the part by integrating the second probability density function for the natural life of the part over the time period;
defining, by the controller, a lower time boundary and an upper time boundary between which the part is considered operative, wherein the lower time boundary is defined at a first time point at an intersection between the first cumulative probability function for the infant mortality of the part and the second cumulative probability function for the natural life of the part, and the upper time boundary is defined at a second time point representing an estimated end of an operative life of the part;
for a suspect part that is installed on a machine;
receiving, at a user interface of the recommendation system, an indication of a length of time that the suspect part is installed on the machine; and
recommending replacement of the suspect part if the length of time that the suspect part is installed on the machine is less than the lower time boundary or greater than the upper time boundary by displaying the recommendation at the user interface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods of recommending replacement of parts on machines. In one embodiment, a method of recommending replacement includes receiving data for a part type, determining a cumulative probability function for an infant mortality of the part type, and determining a cumulative probability function for a natural life of the part type. The method includes defining a lower time boundary and an upper time boundary between which the part type is considered operative. The lower time boundary is defined at a time point at an intersection between the cumulative probability function for the infant mortality and the cumulative probability function for the natural life of the part type. The upper time boundary is defined at a time point representing an estimated end of an operative life of the part type. Recommending replacement of a part on a machine may then be determined based on the upper and lower time boundaries.
47 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of recommending replacement of parts, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a data interface of a recommendation system, data for a part indicating durations of time in which the part was installed on machines before replacement; determining, by a controller of the recommendation system, a first probability density function over time for an infant mortality of the part based on the data; determining, by the controller, a second probability density function over time for a natural life of the part based on the data; determining, by the controller, a first cumulative probability function for the infant mortality of the part by integrating the first probability density function for the infant mortality of the part over a time period; determining, by the controller, a second cumulative probability function for the natural life of the part by integrating the second probability density function for the natural life of the part over the time period; defining, by the controller, a lower time boundary and an upper time boundary between which the part is considered operative, wherein the lower time boundary is defined at a first time point at an intersection between the first cumulative probability function for the infant mortality of the part and the second cumulative probability function for the natural life of the part, and the upper time boundary is defined at a second time point representing an estimated end of an operative life of the part; for a suspect part that is installed on a machine; receiving, at a user interface of the recommendation system, an indication of a length of time that the suspect part is installed on the machine; and recommending replacement of the suspect part if the length of time that the suspect part is installed on the machine is less than the lower time boundary or greater than the upper time boundary by displaying the recommendation at the user interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for recommending replacement of parts, the apparatus comprising:
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a recommendation system comprising; a user interface; a data interface configured to receive data for a part indicating durations of time in which the part was installed on machines before replacement, wherein the data interface connects to a database that stores historical data for parts installed on the machines; a controller configured to determine a first probability density function over time for an infant mortality of the part based on the data, to determine a second probability density function over time for a natural life of the part based on the data, to determine a first cumulative probability function for the infant mortality of the part by integrating the first probability density function for the infant mortality of the part over a time period, to determine a second cumulative probability function for the natural life of the part by integrating the second probability density function for the natural life of the part over the time period, and to define a lower time boundary and an upper time boundary between which the part is considered operative, wherein the lower time boundary is defined at a first time point at an intersection between the first cumulative probability function for the infant mortality of the part and the second cumulative probability function for the natural life of the part, and the upper time boundary is defined at a second time point representing an estimated end of an operative life of the part; for a suspect part that is installed on a machine; the user interface is configured to receive an indication of a length of time that the suspect part is installed on the machine, and to recommend replacement of the suspect part if the length of time that the suspect part is installed on the machine is less than the lower time boundary or greater than the upper time boundary by displaying the recommendation. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of recommending replacement of a Line-Replaceable Unit (LRU) installed on an aircraft, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a data interface of a recommendation system, data regarding prior replacements of the LRU on a plurality of aircraft; determining, at a controller of the recommendation system, a first probability density function over time for an infant mortality of the LRU based on the data; determining, at the controller, a second probability density function over time for a natural life of the LRU based on the data; determining, at the controller, a first cumulative probability function for the infant mortality of the LRU by integrating the first probability density function for the infant mortality of the LRU over a time period; determining, at the controller, a second cumulative probability function for the natural life of the LRU by integrating the second probability density function for the natural life of the LRU over the time period; defining, at the controller, a lower time boundary and an upper time boundary between which the LRU is considered operative, wherein the lower time boundary is defined at a first time point at an intersection between the first cumulative probability function for the infant mortality of the LRU and the second cumulative probability function for the natural life of the LRU, and the upper time boundary is defined at a second time point representing an estimated end of an operative life of the LRU; for a target LRU that is installed on the aircraft; receiving, at a user interface of the recommendation system, an indication of a length of time that the target LRU is installed on the aircraft; and recommending replacement of the target LRU if the length of time that the target LRU is installed on the aircraft is less than the lower time boundary or greater than the upper time boundary by displaying the recommendation at the user interface. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying programmed instructions which, when executed by a processor, are operable for performing a method of recommending replacement of parts, the method comprising:
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receiving data for a part indicating durations of time in which the part was installed on machines before replacement; determining a first probability density function over time for an infant mortality of the part based on the data; determining a second probability density function over time for a natural life of the part based on the data; determining a first cumulative probability function for the infant mortality of the part by integrating the first probability density function for the infant mortality of the part over a time period; determining a second cumulative probability function for the natural life of the part by integrating the second probability density function for the natural life of the part over the time period; defining a lower time boundary and an upper time boundary between which the part is considered operative, wherein the lower time boundary is defined at a first time point at an intersection between the first cumulative probability function for the infant mortality of the part and the second cumulative probability function for the natural life of the part, and the upper time boundary is defined at a second time point representing an estimated end of an operative life of the part; for a suspect part that is installed on the machine; receiving an indication of a length of time that the suspect part is installed on the machine; and recommending replacement of the suspect part if the length of time that the suspect part is installed on the machine is less than the lower time boundary or greater than the upper time boundary by displaying a recommendation at a user interface.
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Specification