US5210704A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for prognosis and diagnostics of failure and wearout monitoring and for prediction of life expectancy of helicopter gearboxes and other rotating equipment
Assignee: Technology International Inc
•
Filing: 1990-10-02
•
Granted: 1993-05-11
•
Expires: 2010-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A wearout monitor for failure prognostics is a prognosis tool to predict incipient failure in rotating mechanical equipment. The wearout monitor provides maintenance management of a plant or process with information essential to planning preventive maintenance strategies. The monitor also assists in constructing a data base for development and implementation of policies for plant life extension, refurbishment, and modernization. The apparatus identifies systems of operation degradation of the whole system, as well as diagnosis of signs of commencing aging cycles of specific equipment, components or parts of equipment during operation. Data from the system is stored and also supplied to a central processing unit which includes an expert system, rule-based failure data bank, a predictor, a performance evaluator and a system identifier. The results of the predictions are supplied to management terminals or other indicators for subsequent use. Combination of prognostics and diagnostics of the symptoms of existing fault in mechanical equipment allows continuous on-line monitoring of systems to predict failures at early stages before leading to catastrophic breakdown and to assure safe and economic operation. By providing correlations between defect sizes and life expectancy of a rotating mechanical component, the monitor can provide the operator of the equipment with a warning time that indicates the time before loss of operation, thereby being critical to operation of transport systems wherein gearboxes can lead to loss of transmission power and subsequent loss of life particularly in helicopters.
Inventors
- 👤 Abdo A. Husseiny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H1/00; G01H1/003; G05; G05B; G05B23/00; G05B23/02; G05B23/0205; G05B23/0218; G05B23/0224; G05B23/024; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S706/00; Y10S706/902; Y10S706/911; Y10S706/912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A wearout monitor and control device for failure prognostics comprising: a component susceptible to failure; a system data acquiring means for acquiring system data relating to the operation of said component; a data processing means for processing data received from said system data acquiring means relating to the operation of said component, said data processing means including a performance evaluation means for evaluating the performance of said component and a failure predicting means for predicting failure of said component; a failure indicating means for indicating a failure predicted by said failure predicting means; and means for regulating further operation of said component in response to a failure being predicted by said failure predicting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A wearout monitor and control device for failure prognostics comprising: a component susceptible to failure; a system data acquiring means for acquiring system data relating to the operation of said component; a data processing means for processing data received from said system data acquiring means relating to the operation of said component, said data processing means including a performance evaluation means for evaluating the performance of said component and a failure predicting means for predicting failure of said component; a failure indicating means for indicating a failure predicted by said failure predicting means; and means for regulating further operation of said component in response to a failure being predicted by said failure predicting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means of acquiring system data comprise sensors for measuring data related to said component being monitored and sensors for measuring overall system parameters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 2, wherein data received by said system data acquiring means is received by a multiband pass filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a sample-and-hold means for receiving signals form said multiband pass filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a multiplexer-and-switch means for receiving signals from said sample-and-hold means, wherein said multiplexer-and-switch means supplied signals to an analog-to-digital converter means, which in turn supplies signals to a data storing means for storing data representative of the state of said component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein data processing means includes a performance evaluation means for evaluating the performance of said component, and a failure predicting means for predicting failure of the component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 6, wherein said performance evaluation means includes fitting said system data with an empirical time series model and establishing a model parameter of said model with a dynamic estimator means for filtering the noise in said system data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 7, wherein said model parameter provides indication of the dynamic behavior of the component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said performance evaluation means analyzes the performance of a plurality of components.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said failure predicting means includes an expert shell means for failure conditions and inference of failure states from a failure data bank.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said failure predicting means includes a rule-based failure data bank.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said failure indicating means includes at least one display terminal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a data storing means for storing data, wherein said data storing means receives data from said system data acquiring means and supplies the data to the data processing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 7, wherein said failure predicting means comprises means for matching said empirical model parameters with rule-based failure data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A wearout monitor as claimed in claim 10, wherein said expert system identifies the nature and location of a failure.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for predicting failure of and regulating components in a system during a continuous operation of the components, comprising the steps of: providing at least one component to be monitored; providing a means for receiving data relating to the operation of said component; providing a means for processing the data relating to the operation of said component, said means for processing the data including an expert system, a means for predicting failure, and a performance evaluating means; providing a means for indicting predicted failure of said component; receiving data indicative of the operation of said component with said means for receiving data; processing data received from said means for receiving data by said means for processing data including evaluating the performance of said component by said means for evaluating performance, and analyzing the data to predict failure of said component by said means for prediction failure; indicating predicted failure of said component by said means for indicating predicted failure; and regulating further operation of said component in response to a predicted failure.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for predicting failure of and regulating components in a system during a continuous operation of the components, comprising the steps of: providing at least one component to be monitored; providing a means for receiving data relating to the operation of said component; providing a means for processing the data relating to the operation of said component, said means for processing the data including an expert system, a means for predicting failure, and a performance evaluating means; providing a means for indicting predicted failure of said component; receiving data indicative of the operation of said component with said means for receiving data; processing data received from said means for receiving data by said means for processing data including evaluating the performance of said component by said means for evaluating performance, and analyzing the data to predict failure of said component by said means for prediction failure; indicating predicted failure of said component by said means for indicating predicted failure; and regulating further operation of said component in response to a predicted failure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising providing a means for component identification.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising providing a rule-based failure data bank.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, further providing a template means and applying said template means to the processed data to determine a match for prediction of expected local failures, expected global failures, and for indicating whether no match has occurred.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said means for data processing conducts a trend analysis of predictions, said trend analysis of predictions includes comparing extrapolated predictions with prior extrapolated predictions, checking the trend of the comparison, and supplying information for matching.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 20, further comprising providing a rule-based failure data bank; and applying information from said rule-based failure data bank during checking of a trend relating to the prior extrapolated predictions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 21, further comprising providing a means for updating rules and updating rules in said rule-based failure data bank.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said step of updating rules includes: providing a means for supplying signals to said means for updating rules; and, supplying signals to said means for updating rules to cause updating of said rule-based failure data bank.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of predicting incipient failure of and regulating the operation of rotating mechanical components, comprising the steps of: providing at least one component to be monitored; developing knowledge based models of a system employing said component; examining the process design and analyzing failure modes, causes of failure, and the effects of failure on the system; examining operation procedures constructing rule-based operation rules indicative of failure modes, causes of failure and effects of failure; monitoring said component and said system and predicting failure of said component and said system; and regulating further operation of said system in response to a failure being predicted.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of predicting incipient failure of and regulating the operation of rotating mechanical components, comprising the steps of: providing at least one component to be monitored; developing knowledge based models of a system employing said component; examining the process design and analyzing failure modes, causes of failure, and the effects of failure on the system; examining operation procedures constructing rule-based operation rules indicative of failure modes, causes of failure and effects of failure; monitoring said component and said system and predicting failure of said component and said system; and regulating further operation of said system in response to a failure being predicted.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said analyzing failure modes, causes of failure, and the effects of failure are performed on the overall system and said component including the effects of component failure on the overall system.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said constructing rule-based operation rules relates changes in instrumentation signals to the failure modes, failure causes, and failure effects.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising: synthesizing an empirical time series model from measured signals; estimating the parameters of the empirical model through time series analysis of measured data using a dynamic estimator; predicting the optimum dynamic behavior of the system and the component by evaluating the noise covariance matrix and dynamic estimator gain; employing a feature matching algorithm to identify the empirical model parameters from a knowledge-based model; and using a rule-based expert system to identify the nature and location of failure.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising performing process simulation and analysis scenarios of anticipated failures.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 28, constructing matching templates of failure from simulation results.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, constructing matching templates of failure from said rule-based operation rules.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus for on-line diagnosis of defects and failure, prognosis of incipient failures and controlling of mechanical systems having rotating equipment, comprising: at least one component of a system susceptible to incipient failure; two independent channel means for acquisition of signals from global sensors and local sensors; a data acquisition means for processing the signals from the said channel means for use by a central processing unit; said central processing unit including means for analyzing the data input from said data acquisition means relating to the operation of said component; analyzing means for identifying abnormalities in said data input in comparison with reference normal data compiled in a knowledge base means stored in said central processing unit; identifying means for identifying the type and extent of the abnormality relating to the operation of said component by the aid of said knowledge base means; display means for displaying the abnormalities identified by said identifying means and relating to the operation of said component; and control means connected to the system for controlling the operation of the system and shutting down the operation of the system in response to an abnormality detrimental to the operation of the system.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
196 words
An apparatus for on-line diagnosis of defects and failure, prognosis of incipient failures and controlling of mechanical systems having rotating equipment, comprising: at least one component of a system susceptible to incipient failure; two independent channel means for acquisition of signals from global sensors and local sensors; a data acquisition means for processing the signals from the said channel means for use by a central processing unit; said central processing unit including means for analyzing the data input from said data acquisition means relating to the operation of said component; analyzing means for identifying abnormalities in said data input in comparison with reference normal data compiled in a knowledge base means stored in said central processing unit; identifying means for identifying the type and extent of the abnormality relating to the operation of said component by the aid of said knowledge base means; display means for displaying the abnormalities identified by said identifying means and relating to the operation of said component; and control means connected to the system for controlling the operation of the system and shutting down the operation of the system in response to an abnormality detrimental to the operation of the system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein said data acquisition means comprises: a multiband pass filter means for processing signals according to predefined frequency bands; a means for sampling data according to predetermined sampling intervals; a hold means, a multiplexer means and switch means for managing the flow of data to the central processing unit means in batches appropriate for processing according to predetermined data acquisition strategy; and, a converter means for converting analog signals to digital signals.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein analysis means comprises a fast Fourier transform analyzer and a time series analysis module.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 33, wherein said analysis means provides indices of normal and abnormal behavior in the operation of said component and generates empirical models from said data of said component to be monitored.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
85 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 34, wherein said identifying means comprises: means for identifying component abnormalities from said indices and said models; pattern recognition means for comparison of abnormalities with said knowledge base; prognostic means for predicting faults before their occurrence; diagnostic means for detecting failures and monitoring symptoms of potential faults; and, means for localizing failure by attributing the failure to one of a plurality of components, wherein said prognostic and diagnostic means operate independently and in parallel as a redundant detection system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 35, further comprising a pattern recognition means for recognizing patterns including templates of defect patterns.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 35, wherein said comparison involves identifying minimum distance between failure indices and said templates of defect patterns.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein said knowledge base means is continuously updated with new failure data and includes a self learning means for upgrading the knowledge base.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 38, wherein the knowledge base includes a knowledge base for diagnosis, a knowledge base for prognosis and maintenance management means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 35, wherein said identifying means includes a diagnostic logic means and prognostic logic means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 40, wherein said diagnostic logic means and said prognostic logic means provide diagnosis and prognosis messages respectively indicating trends, symptoms and signals of incipient failures of said component.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 41, wherein said messages and said maintenance management means are used by a decision means to determine the type and location of actual faults or incipient failure of said component.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 31, wherein said display means comprises a printing means, a video display means and graphics display means.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for on-line diagnosis and prognosis of failure in rotating mechanical equipment and controlling the operation of the equipment, comprising: providing mechanical components constituting mechanical equipment which is susceptible to failure; sensing local conditions of specific components and global conditions of a system containing said components; monitoring said components by performing analysis of signals representing said local and global conditions; performing time series analysis and signal analysis on said signals to provide empirical model identifying equipment operating conditions relative to preselected indices appropriate for representation of normal and abnormal conditions of the operation of said equipment; performing diagnosis and prognosis independently using separate knowledge bases and using pattern recognition to recognize symptoms of failure or incipient failure in any one of said components; producing messages indicative of changes in trends or of identified symptoms of the operation of said equipment; and regulating operation of said equipment if the changes in trends or in identified symptoms relate to a potentially failing component.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for on-line diagnosis and prognosis of failure in rotating mechanical equipment and controlling the operation of the equipment, comprising: providing mechanical components constituting mechanical equipment which is susceptible to failure; sensing local conditions of specific components and global conditions of a system containing said components; monitoring said components by performing analysis of signals representing said local and global conditions; performing time series analysis and signal analysis on said signals to provide empirical model identifying equipment operating conditions relative to preselected indices appropriate for representation of normal and abnormal conditions of the operation of said equipment; performing diagnosis and prognosis independently using separate knowledge bases and using pattern recognition to recognize symptoms of failure or incipient failure in any one of said components; producing messages indicative of changes in trends or of identified symptoms of the operation of said equipment; and regulating operation of said equipment if the changes in trends or in identified symptoms relate to a potentially failing component.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 44, further comprising, providing a learning knowledge base for continuous updating of stored data and for constructing new templates for pattern recognition.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
115 words
The method of claim 44, wherein the step of monitoring includes: global monitoring of said components using a global database comprising data relating to operating conditions to provide diagnosis and prognosis fault messages as they relate to said components; fault searching using a rule base formed by fault tree analysis associating predetermined faults to certain equipment, assigning probabilities to each fault, and tracing the root causes of major faults identified by said global monitoring; and, local monitoring of said components within said equipment using a local database comprising data relating to conditions of said components and said fault searching to provide diagnosis and prognosis fault messages as they relate to said components of said equipment.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 44, further comprising the steps of: acquiring signal analysis data from the sensors of the equipment; setting up the diagnostic and prognostic procedure; implementing an on-line monitoring method iteratively by searching for abnormal conditions; evaluating the pattern of each index, and evaluating different matched filters for different indices; performing prognosis with a first prognostic knowledge base; performing diagnosis with the same logic of the prognostic step with a second knowledge base; and shutting down the equipment and replacing a potentially defective component if the potential failures are determined to be serious.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 47, wherein setting up the diagnostic and prognostic procedure comprises: determining an adequate sample size sampling frequency, and filtering strategy of the signals data; initiating the model parameters by fitting the signal data in normal conditions; selecting an index vector which is sensitive to malfunctions; calculating an index vector in normal conditions; setting the threshold vectors for prognostics and diagnostics.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
164 words
The method of claim 47, wherein the step of implementing the on-line monitoring method comprises the steps of: measuring input data vectors from various sensors relating to selected components; estimating model parameters in the monitored conditions; updating the model parameters for the monitored conditions; storing the model parameters in model storage files; computing an index vector in the monitored conditions; calculating the values of prognostic vectors and diagnostics vectors as composite vectors of the index vector of said normal conditions and index vector of said monitored conditions; comparing said prognostic vector with a prognostic failure threshold index vector as criterion for incipient failure of any one of said components; comparing said diagnostic vector with a diagnostic failure threshold index vector as criterion for the presence of fault; waiting for the next sample if no abnormality evaluated by prognostics/diagnostics exists; indicating abnormality if any one of the criteria for prognostics and diagnostics is violated; and, implementing said prognostic and diagnostic monitoring sequentially and in parallel.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 49, wherein evaluating the pattern of each index, and evaluating different matched filters for different indices; includes performing pattern recognition through a series of pattern evaluations in the matched filter.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
126 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said performing prognosis and performing diagnosis comprise the steps of: invoking prognostic functions and diagnostic functions; retrieving the model parameters from the model storage file for predicting future faults; predicting a future data vector; calculating a specific prognostic index vector for failure pattern recognition; storing and providing pattern classification of each index; identifying and indicating all possible types of defect; checking possible failure alternatives if one defect has been prognosed; managing a maintenance scheme if prognostic failures are identified; displaying the information of prognostic failures and correct compensation; sounding an alarm when the prognostic mechanism and its knowledge base are unable to manage a potential fault; and, supplementing said prognostic knowledge base by the new potential fault for future usage.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
159 words
A wearout monitoring method for predicting life expectancy of rotating equipment and controlling the operation of the equipment, comprising: providing at least one component of the rotating equipment to be monitored; detecting defect sizes; analyzing anticipated failures of said components, identifying failure modes, failure causes, and failure effects; analyzing and classifying historical data of operation and failure of the equipment and said components according to a taxonomy of failure modes, failure causes, failure effects, types of defects, and size of defects; constructing a knowledge base from said analyzed historical data and said analyzed anticipated failures as they relate to different loading conditions; specifying defect threshold size that results in wearout failure of said component; constructing a life expectancy prediction model based on predetermined defect growth rates and said defect threshold size; computing the remaining life of said component corresponding to each defect size; and controlling the operation of the equipment in response to the remaining life of said component.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
159 words
A wearout monitoring method for predicting life expectancy of rotating equipment and controlling the operation of the equipment, comprising: providing at least one component of the rotating equipment to be monitored; detecting defect sizes; analyzing anticipated failures of said components, identifying failure modes, failure causes, and failure effects; analyzing and classifying historical data of operation and failure of the equipment and said components according to a taxonomy of failure modes, failure causes, failure effects, types of defects, and size of defects; constructing a knowledge base from said analyzed historical data and said analyzed anticipated failures as they relate to different loading conditions; specifying defect threshold size that results in wearout failure of said component; constructing a life expectancy prediction model based on predetermined defect growth rates and said defect threshold size; computing the remaining life of said component corresponding to each defect size; and controlling the operation of the equipment in response to the remaining life of said component.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 52, wherein said knowledge base contains data from dynamic simulation of the equipment and said component under different loading conditions and data derived from said dynamic simulation on life expectancy and defect growth rates.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 53, wherein said knowledge base contains data derived from structural analysis of said component as it relates to local stresses and loading stresses and the associated strain leading to development of defects.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 52, wherein said computing of the remaining lief is provided as a warning time that indicates the time before a catastrophic operation failure which is less than the remaining life of said component.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 55, further comprising the incorporation of said warning time and prognostics of incipient failure into a warning system.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 56, wherein said prognostics of incipient failure uses additional indicators from a group including decline of torque and or temperature increase in a lubricant.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 54, wherein each of said structural analysis and said dynamic simulation use a finite element method.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 58, wherein said finite element method provides stress and strain distribution in the component.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 52, wherein said life expectancy prediction model comprises: analyzing drift and diffusion of defects in the component; calculating drift coefficients and diffusion coefficients from a predetermined rate of defect growth and defect size; and computing mean times to first failure for each type of defect according to a predetermined statistical distribution of defects.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 60, wherein drift coefficient is the mean of a defect size statistical distribution and said diffusion coefficient is the variance of said distribution.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 60, wherein a warning time is determined to be the minimum mean time to first failure.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 62, wherein the said minimum mean time to first failure is compared to a time drop of torque and to other time characteristics of operation.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 63, wherein the shortest characteristic time is a time at which to abort the operation of said component.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for determining on-line operation life of a component of rotating equipment before the rotating equipment can no longer transmit the required operating power and for aborting the operation of the equipment, comprising: at least one component of the equipment having an operational life expectancy; a chip detecting means for detecting the size of defects by the size of chips in said component and generating an analog signal indicative thereof; a debris indicating means for indicating debris from said component of the rotating equipment and generating an analog signal indicative thereof; means for converting analog signals from said chip detecting means and said debris indicating means; data processing means for processing data and implementing a life expectancy prediction; means for displaying a warning time; and control means for aborting the operation of the equipment in response to a predetermined warning time.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for determining on-line operation life of a component of rotating equipment before the rotating equipment can no longer transmit the required operating power and for aborting the operation of the equipment, comprising: at least one component of the equipment having an operational life expectancy; a chip detecting means for detecting the size of defects by the size of chips in said component and generating an analog signal indicative thereof; a debris indicating means for indicating debris from said component of the rotating equipment and generating an analog signal indicative thereof; means for converting analog signals from said chip detecting means and said debris indicating means; data processing means for processing data and implementing a life expectancy prediction; means for displaying a warning time; and control means for aborting the operation of the equipment in response to a predetermined warning time.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 65, wherein said data processing means comprises test data files and means for computing drift coefficients and diffusion coefficients from statistical analysis of defect size distribution and subsequently computing a mean time to first failure associated with each defect.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 66, wherein said data processing means processes data from said indicator and said detector and sample relevant test data from said test data files.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 66, wherein said mean time to first failure of each defect are used to predict life expectancy and compute said warning time.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 65, wherein said means for displaying the warning time comprises a digital display means for displaying said warning time in hours, minutes and seconds and a warning light for indicating when said warning time is short.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 66, wherein said data processing means computes the change in parameters associated with operation of the equipment other than defect growth including torque and temperature rise.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 66, wherein said test data files are generated from off-line testing, engineering investigation and simulated computation of warning time as it relates to defect size and type.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3390248A
Cited
US3544774A
Cited
US3697957A
Cited
US4023044A
Cited
US3962694A
Cited
US4084245A
Cited
US4115867A
Cited
USRE31750E
Cited
US4433385A
Cited
US4472784A
Cited
US4587470A
Cited
US4866635A
Cited
US5020007A
Cited
US4967337A
Cited
US5027268A
Cited
US5025392A
Cited
US5018069A
Cited
US5050108A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-10 | 1996-11-09 | 1997-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-10 | 2000-11-09 | 2001-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-10 | 2004-11-09 | 2005-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |