US5216612A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intelligent computer integrated maintenance system and method
Assignee: RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co
•
Filing: 1990-07-16
•
Granted: 1993-06-01
•
Expires: 2010-07-16
Abstract
Abstract An intelligent computer integrated maintenance system and method includes an electronically stored parts manual which contains a hierarchical listing of all parts in production machines, and a maintenance operations computer controller which includes a maintenance schedule management subsystem, an engineering change control subsystem, a parts manual management subsystem and a spares inventory management subsystem. The maintenance schedule management subsystem obtains a schedule of actual and planned production, and groups maintenance activities in order to minimize lost production time. The engineering change control subsystem integrates engineering change activities with maintenance activities to maximize production time. The automated parts manual is also updated to account for engineering changes. The spare parts inventory management subsystem orders spare parts based on predicted maintenance rather than on prescribed inventory levels. Production efficiency is thereby maximized, as is the use of available maintenance manpower. Engineering changes are easily accommodated and spare parts inventory is kept to a minimum.
Inventors
- 👤 Rickey R. Cornett
- 👤 R. Victor Walsh
- 👤 Ronald S. Willard
- 👤 Michael Z. Johnston
- 👤 Jaime P. Saluta
- 👤 Daniel J. Tylak
- 👤 Michael J. Bird
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/06; G06F; G06F17/00; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/418; G05B19/4184; G06Q10/08; G06Q10/087; G06Q10/0872; G06Q10/08726; G06Q10/0875; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/23; G05B2219/23047; G05B2219/24; G05B2219/24019; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/32; G05B2219/32028; G05B2219/32088; G05B2219/32226; G05B2219/32234; G05B2219/32235; G05B2219/32256; G05B2219/32294; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02; Y02P90/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 175
Claim 1
Independent Claim
295 words
A computer integrated maintenance system for use with a computer integrated manufacturing system, the computer integrated manufacturing system including a computer controller for controlling a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, the manufacturing system computer controller including an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes, the manufacturing system computer controller controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the planned production in the master schedule file; said computer integrated maintenance system comprising: an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; and, maintenance operations computer controlling means, communicatively connected to said electronically stored parts manual and adapted to be communicatively connected to the master schedule file, comprising: first means for obtaining a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes from the master schedule file; second means for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; third means for reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost production time for each of the plurality of complexes; fourth means for generating a revised schedule of planned production based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; and fifth means for communicating the revised schedule of planned production to the master schedule file; whereby the plurality of complexes are controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned production to allow for maintenance activities while maximizing production.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
295 words
A computer integrated maintenance system for use with a computer integrated manufacturing system, the computer integrated manufacturing system including a computer controller for controlling a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, the manufacturing system computer controller including an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes, the manufacturing system computer controller controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the planned production in the master schedule file; said computer integrated maintenance system comprising: an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; and, maintenance operations computer controlling means, communicatively connected to said electronically stored parts manual and adapted to be communicatively connected to the master schedule file, comprising: first means for obtaining a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes from the master schedule file; second means for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; third means for reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost production time for each of the plurality of complexes; fourth means for generating a revised schedule of planned production based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; and fifth means for communicating the revised schedule of planned production to the master schedule file; whereby the plurality of complexes are controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned production to allow for maintenance activities while maximizing production.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said third means comprises; means for determining when a complex is inactive, based upon the obtained schedule; and, means for reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for at least some of the identified parts to the time when the complex including the a least some of the identified parts is inactive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said third means comprises means for grouping at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in a complex, to reduce lost production time for that complex.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 3 wherein said third means further comprises means for identifying a critical part to be maintained in a complex and a corresponding critical maintenance time, and means for reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for other parts in the complex to the critical maintenance time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said third means further comprises means for determining manpower needed to perform maintenance according to the reassigned maintenance times, and means for further reassigning the reassigned maintenance times to permit maintenance to be performed with available manpower.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an end of life indicator for selected ones of the production machines, the end of life indicator indicating that the associated production machine is scheduled to be replaced or modified; and wherein said third means comprises means for eliminating the corresponding maintenance for parts in machines having an associated end of life indicator, to thereby reduce lost production time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further contains means for identifying the type of maintenance for a part to be one of time dependent maintenance or usage dependent maintenance; and wherein said second means comprises means for identifying parts to be maintained and a corresponding maintenance time for identified parts having usage dependent maintenance, based upon the obtained schedule.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said second means further comprises means for accepting a user selection of said predetermined time period.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further contains an image file, including a corresponding image for parts in the hierarchical listing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said hierarchical listing comprises a complete bill of materials for each complex.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said electronically stored parts manual identifies each of the parts as being one of a consumable, replaceable, generic or non-stocked part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an associated part number for each of the parts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 12 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes a replacement part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 12 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an industry standard part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said electronically stored parts manual comprises a plurality of electronically stored parts manuals, a respective one of which contains a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in a respective one of said plurality of complexes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said maintenance operations computer controller further comprises: sixth means for generating a list of the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 16 wherein said sixth means further comprises means for generating a list of corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts to be available for the corresponding maintenance times.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 16 wherein said sixth means further comprises means for generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 17 wherein said sixth means further comprises means for generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
108 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1: wherein the manufacturing system computer controller further includes an engineering change file having therein a schedule of engineering changes to be made on the production machines; wherein said maintenance operations computer controller is further adapted to be communicatively connected to the engineering change file; wherein said first means further obtains a schedule of engineering changes from the engineering change file; and, wherein said second means further comprises means for identifying the parts to be maintained and the corresponding maintenance time based upon the obtained schedule of actual production and planned production and based upon the obtained schedule of engineering changes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
74 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said third means further comprises: means for accepting an indication that unplanned maintenance is performed on a broken part at a predetermined time; and means for reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in the same complex as the first part, to correspond to said predetermined time; whereby at least some planned maintenance is rescheduled to occur during unplanned maintenance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
295 words
A computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system for controlling manufacturing and maintenance of a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, said computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system comprising: an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes; means for controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the schedule of planned production in the master schedule file; an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; first means, communicatively connected to said master schedule file, for obtaining a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes from the master schedule file; second means, communicatively connected to said first means and said electronically stored parts manual, for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; third means, communicatively connected to said second means, for reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost production time for each of the plurality of complexes; fourth means, communicatively connected to said third means, for generating a revised schedule of planned production based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; and fifth means, communicatively connected to said fourth means and said master schedule file, for communicating the revised schedule of planned production to the master schedule file; whereby the plurality of complexes are controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned production to allow for maintenance activities while maximizing production.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
295 words
A computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system for controlling manufacturing and maintenance of a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, said computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system comprising: an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes; means for controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the schedule of planned production in the master schedule file; an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; first means, communicatively connected to said master schedule file, for obtaining a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes from the master schedule file; second means, communicatively connected to said first means and said electronically stored parts manual, for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; third means, communicatively connected to said second means, for reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost production time for each of the plurality of complexes; fourth means, communicatively connected to said third means, for generating a revised schedule of planned production based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; and fifth means, communicatively connected to said fourth means and said master schedule file, for communicating the revised schedule of planned production to the master schedule file; whereby the plurality of complexes are controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned production to allow for maintenance activities while maximizing production.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
61 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 wherein said third means comprises; means for determining when a complex is inactive, based upon the obtained schedule; and, means for reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for at least some of the identified parts to the time when the complex including the at least some of the identified parts is inactive.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 wherein said third means comprises means for grouping at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in a complex, to reduce lost production time for that complex.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 24 wherein said third means further comprises means for identifying a critical part to be maintained in a complex and a corresponding critical maintenance time, and means for reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for other parts in the complex to the critical maintenance time.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 wherein said third means further comprises means for determining manpower needed to perform maintenance according to the reassigned maintenance times, and means for further reassigning the reassigned maintenance times to permit maintenance to be performed with available manpower.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
77 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an end of life indicator for selected ones of the production machines, the end of life indicator indicating that the associated production machine is scheduled to be replaced or modified; and wherein said third means comprises means for eliminating the corresponding maintenance for parts in machines having an associated end of life indicator, to thereby reduce lost production time.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
69 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further contains means for identifying the type of maintenance for a part to be one of time dependent maintenance or usage dependent maintenance; and wherein said second means comprises means for identifying parts to be maintained and a corresponding maintenance time for identified parts having usage dependent maintenance, based upon the obtained schedule.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 wherein said second means further comprises means for accepting a user selection of said predetermined time period.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further contains an image file, including a corresponding image for parts in the hierarchical listing.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 wherein said hierarchical listing comprises a complete bill of materials for each complex.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 wherein said electronically stored parts manual identifies each of the parts as being one of a consumable, replaceable, generic or non-stocked part.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an associated part number for each of the parts.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 33 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes a replacement part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 33 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an industry standard part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 wherein said electronically stored parts manual comprises a plurality of electronically stored parts manuals, a respective one of which contains a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in a respective one of said plurality of complexes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 further comprising: sixth means, communicatively connected to said third means, for generating a list of the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 37 wherein said sixth means further comprises means for generating a list of corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts to be available for the corresponding maintenance times.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 37 wherein said sixth means further comprises means for generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 38 wherein said sixth means further comprises means for generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
93 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 22 further comprising: an engineering change file having therein a schedule of engineering changes to be made on the production machines; said first means being communicatively connected to said engineering change control file to obtain a schedule of engineering changes from the engineering change file; and, said second means further comprising means for identifying the parts to be maintained and the corresponding maintenance time based upon the obtained schedule of actual production and planned production and based upon the obtained schedule of engineering changes.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
76 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 1 wherein said third means further comprises: means for accepting an indication that unplanned maintenance is performed on a first part at a predetermined time; and means for reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in the same complex as the first part, to correspond to said predetermined time; whereby at least some planned maintenance is rescheduled to occur during unplanned maintenance.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
267 words
A computer integrated maintenance method for use with a computer integrated manufacturing system, the computer integrated manufacturing system including a computer controller for controlling a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, the manufacturing system computer controller including an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes, the manufacturing system computer controller controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the planned production in the master schedule file; said computer integrated maintenance method being practiced on a maintenance operations computer controller and comprising the steps of: generating an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; obtaining a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes from the master schedule file; identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost production time for each of the plurality of complexes; generating a revised schedule of planned production based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; and communicating the revised schedule of planned production to the master schedule file; whereby the plurality of complexes are controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned production to allow for maintenance activities while maximizing production.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
267 words
A computer integrated maintenance method for use with a computer integrated manufacturing system, the computer integrated manufacturing system including a computer controller for controlling a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, the manufacturing system computer controller including an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes, the manufacturing system computer controller controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the planned production in the master schedule file; said computer integrated maintenance method being practiced on a maintenance operations computer controller and comprising the steps of: generating an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; obtaining a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes from the master schedule file; identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost production time for each of the plurality of complexes; generating a revised schedule of planned production based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; and communicating the revised schedule of planned production to the master schedule file; whereby the plurality of complexes are controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned production to allow for maintenance activities while maximizing production.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
58 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said reassigning step comprises the steps of: determining when a complex is inactive, based upon the obtained schedule; and, reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for at least some of the identified parts to the time when the complex including the at least some of the identified parts is inactive.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said reassigning step comprises the step of grouping at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in a complex, to reduce lost production time for that complex.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 45 wherein said reassigning step further comprises the steps of: identifying a critical part to be maintained in a complex and a corresponding critical maintenance time; and reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for other parts in the complex to the critical maintenance time.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said reassigning step further comprises the steps of: determining manpower needed to perform maintenance according to the reassigned maintenance times; and further reassigning the reassigned maintenance times to permit maintenance to be performed with available manpower.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
76 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an end of life indicator for selected ones of the production machines, the end of life indicator indicating that the associated production machine is scheduled to be replaced or modified; and wherein said reassigning step comprises the step of eliminating the corresponding maintenance for parts in machines having an associated end of life indicator, to thereby reduce lost production time.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
68 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further contains means for identifying the type of maintenance for a part to be one of time dependent maintenance or usage dependent maintenance; and wherein said identifying step comprises the step of identifying parts to be maintained and a corresponding maintenance time for identified parts having usage dependent maintenance, based upon the obtained schedule.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said identifying step further comprises the step of accepting a user selection of said predetermined time period.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual containing an image file, including a corresponding image for parts in the hierarchical listing.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said hierarchical listing comprises a complete bill of materials for each complex.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual which identifies each of the parts as being one of a consumable, replaceable, generic or non-stocked part.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual including an associated part number for each of the parts.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 54 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual including a replacement part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 54 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual including an industry standard part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating a plurality of electronically stored parts manuals, a respective one of which contains a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in a respective one of said plurality of complexes.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 further comprising the step of: generating a list of the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 58 wherein said list generating step further comprises the step of generating a list of corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts to be available for the corresponding maintenance times.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 58 wherein said list generating step further comprises the step of generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 59 wherein said list generating step further comprises the step of generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
96 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43: wherein the manufacturing system computer controller further includes an engineering change file having therein a schedule of engineering changes to be made on the production machines; wherein said schedule obtaining step further comprises the step of obtaining a schedule of engineering changes from the engineering change file; and, wherein said identifying step further comprises the step of identifying the parts to be maintained and the corresponding maintenance time based upon the obtained schedule of actual production and planned production and based upon the obtained schedule of engineering changes.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
73 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 43 wherein said reassigning step further comprises the steps of: accepting an indication that unplanned maintenance is performed on a first part at a predetermined time; and reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in the same complex as the first part, to correspond to said predetermined time; whereby at least some planned maintenance is rescheduled to occur during unplanned maintenance.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
239 words
A compute integrated manufacturing and maintenance method for controlling manufacturing and maintenance of a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, the computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method comprising the steps of: generating an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes; controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the planned production in the master schedule file; generating an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; obtaining a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes from the master schedule file; identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost production time for each of the plurality of complexes; generating a revised schedule of planned production based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; and communicating the revised schedule of planned production to the master schedule file; whereby the plurality of complexes are controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned production to allow for maintenance activities while maximizing production.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
239 words
A compute integrated manufacturing and maintenance method for controlling manufacturing and maintenance of a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, the computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method comprising the steps of: generating an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes; controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the planned production in the master schedule file; generating an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; obtaining a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes from the master schedule file; identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost production time for each of the plurality of complexes; generating a revised schedule of planned production based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; and communicating the revised schedule of planned production to the master schedule file; whereby the plurality of complexes are controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned production to allow for maintenance activities while maximizing production.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
60 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 wherein said reassigning step comprises the steps of; determining when a complex is inactive, based upon the obtained schedule; and, reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for at least some of the identified parts to the time when the complex including the at least some of the identified parts is inactive.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 wherein said reassigning step comprises the step of grouping at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in a complex, to reduce lost production time for that complex.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
56 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 66 wherein said reassigning step further comprises the steps of identifying a critical part to be maintained in a complex and a corresponding critical maintenance time, and reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for other parts in the complex to the critical maintenance time.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 wherein said reassigning step further comprises the steps of determining manpower needed to perform maintenance according to the reassigned maintenance times, and further reassigning the reassigned maintenance times to permit maintenance to be performed with available manpower.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
78 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an end of life indicator for selected ones of the production machines, the end of life indicator indicating that the associated production machine is scheduled to be replaced or modified; and wherein said reassigning step comprises the step of eliminating the corresponding maintenance for parts in machines having an associated end of life indicator, to thereby reduce lost production time.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
70 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further contains means for identifying the type of maintenance for a part to be one of time dependent maintenance or usage dependent maintenance; and wherein said identifying step comprises the step of identifying parts to be maintained and a corresponding maintenance time for identified parts having usage dependent maintenance, based upon the obtained schedule.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 wherein said identifying step further comprises the step of accepting a user selection of said predetermined time period.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual further containing an image file, including a corresponding image for parts in the hierarchical listing.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 wherein said hierarchical listing comprises a complete bill of materials for each complex.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 64 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual identifies each of the parts as being one of a consumable, replaceable, generic or non-stocked part.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual which includes an associated part number for each of the parts.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 75 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of electronically stored parts manual which includes a replacement part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 75 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of electronically stored parts manual which includes an industry standard part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
53 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating a plurality of electronically stored parts manuals, a respective one of which contains a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in a respective one of said plurality of complexes.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 further comprising the step of: generating a list of the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 79 wherein said list generating step further comprises the step of generating a list of corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts to be available for the corresponding maintenance times.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of 79 wherein said list generating step further comprises the step of generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of 79 wherein said list generating step further comprises the step of generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 80 wherein said list generating step further comprises the step of generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
87 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 further comprising the step of: generating an engineering change file having therein a schedule of engineering changes to be made on the production machines; and obtaining a schedule of engineering changes from the engineering change file; and, wherein said identifying step further comprises the step of identifying the parts to be maintained and the corresponding maintenance time based upon the obtained schedule of actual production and planned production and based upon the obtained schedule of engineering changes.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
75 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance method of claim 64 wherein said reassigning step further comprises the steps of accepting an indication that unplanned maintenance is performed on a first part at a predetermined time; and reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in the same complex as the first part, to correspond to said predetermined time; whereby at least some planned maintenance is rescheduled to occur during unplanned maintenance.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
251 words
A computer integrated maintenance system for use with a computer integrated manufacturing system, the computer integrated manufacturing system including a computer controller for controlling a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, the manufacturing system computer controller including an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes, the manufacturing system computer controller controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the planned production in the master schedule file, said computer integrated maintenance system comprising: an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; maintenance operations computer controlling means, adapted to be communicatively connected to the manufacturing system computer controller, and communicatively connected to the electronically stored parts manual, said maintenance operations computer controlling means comprising: maintenance schedule management means, for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period based upon the planned production in the master schedule file, and for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts to reduce disruption of production; engineering change control management means, for integrating engineering change control activities into the scheduled maintenance activities; parts manual management means, for updating the hierarchical listing in response to maintenance activities and engineering change control activities; and, spares inventory management means, for generating requirements to order replacement parts for the identified parts to be available for use in the scheduled maintenance activities.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
251 words
A computer integrated maintenance system for use with a computer integrated manufacturing system, the computer integrated manufacturing system including a computer controller for controlling a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, the manufacturing system computer controller including an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes, the manufacturing system computer controller controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the planned production in the master schedule file, said computer integrated maintenance system comprising: an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; maintenance operations computer controlling means, adapted to be communicatively connected to the manufacturing system computer controller, and communicatively connected to the electronically stored parts manual, said maintenance operations computer controlling means comprising: maintenance schedule management means, for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period based upon the planned production in the master schedule file, and for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts to reduce disruption of production; engineering change control management means, for integrating engineering change control activities into the scheduled maintenance activities; parts manual management means, for updating the hierarchical listing in response to maintenance activities and engineering change control activities; and, spares inventory management means, for generating requirements to order replacement parts for the identified parts to be available for use in the scheduled maintenance activities.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
63 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 85 wherein said maintenance schedule management means further comprises: means for accepting an indication that unplanned maintenance will be performed during said predetermined time period; and, means for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts based upon the planned production in the master schedule file and the indication of unplanned maintenance, to reduce disruption of production.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 85 wherein said maintenance schedule management means identifies parts to be maintained during the predetermined time period based upon one of projected use or the elapsed time since last replacement.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 85 wherein said maintenance schedule management means minimizes disruption of production by scheduling non-critical maintenance in a predetermined complex to occur concurrently with critical maintenance in the predetermined complex.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 85 wherein said maintenance schedule management means further comprises means for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts to allow scheduled maintenance activities to be performed using predetermined manpower levels.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
101 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 85 wherein said hierarchical listing of parts in said electronically stored parts manual comprises a plurality of parts levels from a lowest level to a highest level, and wherein each part in the lowest level is identified as being one of a consumable part which is consumed by the production process, a replaceable part which has an extended life but is subject to wear or failure, a generic part which is a common part used in large numbers on many of the production machines, and a non-stocked part which does not normally require replacement.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 85 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an associated part number for each of the parts.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 91 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes a replacement part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 91 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an industry standard part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 85 wherein said electronically stored parts manual comprises a plurality of electronically stored parts manuals, a respective one of which contains a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in a respective one of said plurality of complexes.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 85 wherein said engineering change control management means comprises means for integrating engineering change control activities into the scheduled maintenance activities based upon one of a specified engineering control implementation date, consumption of spare parts, or a specified maintenance activity.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 85 wherein said maintenance schedule management means further comprises means for generating a daily maintenance schedule to identify maintenance activities to be performed each day to reduce disruption of production.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
82 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 85 further comprising: an electronically stored spares inventory file for identifying generic parts used in said plurality of production machines and replaceable parts used in said plurality of production machines; and said spares inventory management means further comprising means for generating requirements to order a generic part when an inventory quantity falls below a predetermined quantity and for identifying requirements to order a replacement part to be available for use in the scheduled maintenance activities.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
201 words
A computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system for controlling manufacturing and maintenance of a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, said computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system comprising: an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes; means for controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the planned production in the master schedule file; an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; maintenance schedule management means, for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period based upon the planned production in the master schedule file, and for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts to reduce disruption of production; engineering change control management means, for integrating engineering change control activities into the scheduled maintenance activities; parts manual management means, for updating the hierarchical listing in response to maintenance activities and engineering change control activities; and, spares inventory management means, for generating requirements to order replacement parts for the identified parts to be available for use in the scheduled maintenance activities.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
201 words
A computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system for controlling manufacturing and maintenance of a plurality of production complexes each of which includes a plurality of production machines, said computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system comprising: an electronically stored master schedule file having therein a schedule of actual production and planned production for the plurality of complexes; means for controlling the plurality of production machines based upon the planned production in the master schedule file; an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in the plurality of production complexes; maintenance schedule management means, for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period based upon the planned production in the master schedule file, and for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts to reduce disruption of production; engineering change control management means, for integrating engineering change control activities into the scheduled maintenance activities; parts manual management means, for updating the hierarchical listing in response to maintenance activities and engineering change control activities; and, spares inventory management means, for generating requirements to order replacement parts for the identified parts to be available for use in the scheduled maintenance activities.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
65 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 98 wherein said maintenance schedule management means further comprises: means for accepting an indication that unplanned maintenance will be performed during said predetermined time period; and, means for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts based upon the planned production in the master schedule file and the indication of unplanned maintenance, to minimize disruption of production.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 98 wherein said maintenance schedule management means identifies parts to be maintained during the predetermined time period based upon projected use or the elapsed time since last replacement.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 98 wherein said maintenance schedule management means minimizes disruption of production by scheduling non-critical maintenance in a predetermined complex to occur concurrently with critical maintenance in the predetermined complex.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 98 wherein said maintenance schedule management means further comprises means for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts to allow scheduled maintenance activities to be performed using predetermined manpower levels.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
103 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 98 wherein said hierarchical listing of parts in said electronically stored parts manual comprises a plurality of parts levels from a lowest level to a highest level, and wherein each part in the lowest level is identified as being one of a consumable part which is consumed by the production process, a replaceable part which has an extended life but is subject to wear or failure, a generic part which is a common part used in large numbers on many of the production machines, and a non-stocked part which does not normally require replacement.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 98 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an associated part number for each of the parts.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 104 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes a replacement part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 104 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an industry standard part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
50 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 98 wherein said electronically stored parts manual comprises a plurality of electronically stored parts manuals, a respective one of which contains a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of production machines in a respective one of said plurality of complexes.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
49 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 98 wherein said engineering change control management means comprises means for integrating engineering change control activities into the scheduled maintenance activities based upon one of a specified engineering control implementation date, consumption of spare parts, or a specified maintenance activity.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 98 wherein said maintenance schedule management means further comprises means for generating a daily maintenance schedule to identify maintenance activities to be performed each day to reduce disruption of production.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
84 words
The computer integrated manufacturing and maintenance system of claim 98 further comprising: an electronically stored spares inventory file for identifying generic parts used in said plurality of production machines and replaceable parts used in said plurality of production machines; and said spares inventory management means further comprising means for generating requirements to order a generic part when an inventory quantity falls below a predetermined quantity and for identifying requirements to order a replacement part to be available for use in the scheduled maintenance activities.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
191 words
A computer integrated maintenance system for a complex including a plurality of machines used to perform a primary function and which also require maintenance; said computer integrated maintenance system comprising: an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of machines in the complex; and, maintenance operations computer controlling means, communicatively connected to said electronically stored parts manual comprising: first means for obtaining a schedule of actual and planned use for the plurality of machines; second means for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; third means for reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost use time for the complex; and fourth means for generating a revised schedule of planned use based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; whereby use of the complex may be controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned use to allow for maintenance activities.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
191 words
A computer integrated maintenance system for a complex including a plurality of machines used to perform a primary function and which also require maintenance; said computer integrated maintenance system comprising: an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of machines in the complex; and, maintenance operations computer controlling means, communicatively connected to said electronically stored parts manual comprising: first means for obtaining a schedule of actual and planned use for the plurality of machines; second means for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; third means for reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost use time for the complex; and fourth means for generating a revised schedule of planned use based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; whereby use of the complex may be controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned use to allow for maintenance activities.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said third means comprises; means for determining when a machine is inactive, based upon the obtained schedule; and, means for reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for at least some of the identified parts to the time when the machine including the at least some of the identified parts is inactive.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said third means comprises means for grouping at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in a machine, to reduce lost use time for that machine.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
55 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 113 wherein said third means further comprises means for identifying a critical part to be maintained in a machine and a corresponding critical maintenance time, and means for reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for other parts in the machine to the critical maintenance time.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said third means further comprises means for determining manpower needed to perform maintenance according to the reassigned maintenance times, and means for further reassigning the reassigned maintenance times to permit maintenance to be performed with available manpower.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
73 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an end of life indicator for selected ones of the machines, the end of life indicator indicating that the associated machine is scheduled to be replaced or modified; and wherein said third means comprises means for eliminating the corresponding maintenance for parts in machines having an associated end of life indicator, to thereby reduce lost use time.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
67 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further contains means for identifying the type of maintenance for a part to be one of time dependent maintenance or usage dependent maintenance; and wherein said second means comprises means for identifying parts to be maintained and a corresponding maintenance time for identified parts having usage dependent maintenance, based upon the obtained schedule.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said second means further comprises means for accepting a user selection of said predetermined time period.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further contains an image file, including a corresponding image for parts in the hierarchical listing.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said hierarchical listing comprises a complete bill of materials for each machine.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said electronically stored parts manual identifies each of the parts as being one of a consumable, replaceable, generic or non-stocked part.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an associated part number for each of the parts.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 122 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes a replacement part number for selected one of the parts.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 122 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an industry standard part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said electronically stored parts manual comprises a plurality of electronically stored parts manuals, a respective one of which contains a hierarchical listing of parts in a respective one of the machines.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said maintenance operations computer controller further comprises: fifth means for generating a list of the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 126 wherein said fifth means further comprises means for generating a list of corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts to be available for the corresponding maintenance times.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 126 wherein said fifth means further comprises means for generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 127 wherein said fifth means further comprises means for generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
96 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 further comprising an engineering change file having therein a schedule of engineering changes to be made on the machines; wherein said maintenance operations computer controller is communicatively connected to the engineering change file; wherein said first means further obtains a schedule of engineering changes from the engineering change file; and, wherein said second means further comprises means for identifying the parts to be maintained and the corresponding maintenance time based upon the obtained schedule of actual and planned use and based upon the obtained schedule of engineering changes.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
74 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 111 wherein said third means further comprises: means for accepting an indication that unplanned maintenance is performed on a broken part at a predetermined time; and means for reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in the same machine as the first part, to correspond to said predetermined time; whereby at least some planned maintenance is rescheduled to occur during unplanned maintenance.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
176 words
A computer integrated maintenance method for a complex including a plurality of machines used to perform a primary function and which also require maintenance; said computer integrated maintenance method being practiced on a maintenance operations computer controller and comprising the steps of: generating an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of machines in the complex; obtaining a schedule of actual and planned use for the plurality of machines; identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost use time for complex; and generating a revised schedule of planned use based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; whereby use of the complex may be controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned use to allow for maintenance activities.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
176 words
A computer integrated maintenance method for a complex including a plurality of machines used to perform a primary function and which also require maintenance; said computer integrated maintenance method being practiced on a maintenance operations computer controller and comprising the steps of: generating an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of machines in the complex; obtaining a schedule of actual and planned use for the plurality of machines; identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period, and a corresponding maintenance time during the predetermined time period for each identified part, based upon the obtained schedule; reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, based upon the hierarchical listing of parts in the electronically stored parts manual, to reduce lost use time for complex; and generating a revised schedule of planned use based upon the reassigned maintenance times for the identified parts; whereby use of the complex may be controlled based upon the revised schedule of planned use to allow for maintenance activities.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
58 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said reassigning step comprises the steps of: determining when a machine is inactive, based upon the obtained schedule; and, reassigning the corresponding maintenance times for at least some of the identified parts to the time when the machine including the at least some of the identified parts is inactive.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said reassigning step comprises the step of grouping at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in a machine, to reduce lost use time for that machine.
Claim 144
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 134 wherein said reassigning step further comprises the steps of: identifying a critical part to be maintained in a machine and a corresponding critical maintenance time; and reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for other parts in the machine to the critical maintenance time.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said reassigning step further comprises the steps of: determining manpower needed to perform maintenance according to the reassigned maintenance times; and further reassigning the reassigned maintenance times to permit maintenance to be performed with available manpower.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
74 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an end of life indicator for selected ones of the machines, the end of life indicator indicating that the associated machine is scheduled to be replaced or modified; and wherein said reassigning step comprises the step of eliminating the corresponding maintenance for parts in machines having an associated end of life indicator, to thereby reduce lost use time.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
68 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further contains means for identifying the type of maintenance for a part to be one of time dependent maintenance or usage dependent maintenance; and wherein said identifying step comprises the step of identifying parts to be maintained and a corresponding maintenance time for identified parts having usage dependent maintenance, based upon the obtained schedule.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said identifying step further comprises the step of accepting a user selection of said predetermined time period.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual containing an image file, including a corresponding image for parts in the hierarchical listing.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said hierarchical listing comprises a complete bill of materials for each machine.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual which identifies each of the parts as being one of a consumable, replaceable, generic or non-stocked part.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual including an associated part number for each of the parts.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 143 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual including a replacement part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 143 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating an electronically stored parts manual including an industry standard part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 155
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said generating step further comprises the step of generating a plurality of electronically stored parts manuals, a respective one of which contains a hierarchical listing of parts in a respective one of the machines.
Claim 156
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 further comprising the step of: generating a list of the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts.
Claim 157
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 147 wherein said list generating step further comprises the step of generating a list of corresponding maintenance times for the identified parts, to facilitate ordering of the identified parts to be available for the corresponding maintenance times.
Claim 158
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 147 wherein said list generating step further comprises the step of generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 159
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 148 wherein said list generating step further comprises the step of generating orders for the identified parts.
Claim 160
Dependent Claim
92 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 further comprising the step of obtaining an engineering change file having therein a schedule of engineering changes to be made on the machines; wherein said schedule obtaining step further comprises the step of obtaining a schedule of engineering changes from the engineering change file; and, wherein said identifying step further comprises the step of identifying the parts to be maintained and the corresponding maintenance time based upon the obtained schedule of actual and planned use and based upon the obtained schedule of engineering changes.
Claim 161
Dependent Claim
73 words
The computer integrated maintenance method of claim 132 wherein said reassigning step further comprises the steps of: accepting an indication that unplanned maintenance is performed on a first part at a predetermined time; and reassigning at least some of the corresponding maintenance times for identified parts in the same machine as the first part, to correspond to said predetermined time; whereby at least some planned maintenance is rescheduled to occur during unplanned maintenance.
Claim 162
Dependent Claim
175 words
A compute integrated maintenance system for a complex including a plurality of machines used to perform a primary function and which also require maintenance; said computer integrated maintenance system comprising; an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of machines in the complex; maintenance operations computer controlling means, communicatively connected to the electronically stored parts manual, said maintenance operations computer controlling means comprising: maintenance schedule management means, for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period based upon a planned use schedule for the machines, and for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts to reduce loss of use of the complex; engineering change control management means, for integrating engineering change control activities into the scheduled maintenance activities; parts manual management means, for updating the hierarchical listing in response to maintenance activities and engineering change control activities; and, spares inventory management means, for generating requirements to order replacement parts for the identified parts to be available for use in the scheduled maintenance activities.
Claim 163
Dependent Claim
175 words
A compute integrated maintenance system for a complex including a plurality of machines used to perform a primary function and which also require maintenance; said computer integrated maintenance system comprising; an electronically stored parts manual, containing a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of machines in the complex; maintenance operations computer controlling means, communicatively connected to the electronically stored parts manual, said maintenance operations computer controlling means comprising: maintenance schedule management means, for identifying parts in the hierarchical listing to be maintained during a predetermined time period based upon a planned use schedule for the machines, and for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts to reduce loss of use of the complex; engineering change control management means, for integrating engineering change control activities into the scheduled maintenance activities; parts manual management means, for updating the hierarchical listing in response to maintenance activities and engineering change control activities; and, spares inventory management means, for generating requirements to order replacement parts for the identified parts to be available for use in the scheduled maintenance activities.
Claim 164
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 153 wherein said maintenance schedule management means further comprises: means for accepting an indication that unplanned maintenance will be performed during said predetermined time period; and, means for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts based upon the planned use schedule and the indication of unplanned maintenance, to reduce loss of use.
Claim 165
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 153 wherein said maintenance schedule management means identifies parts to be maintained during the predetermined time period based upon one of projected use or the elapsed time since last replacement.
Claim 166
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 153 wherein said maintenance schedule management means minimizes loss of use by scheduling non-critical maintenance in a predetermined machine to occur concurrently with critical maintenance in the predetermined machine.
Claim 167
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 153 wherein said maintenance schedule management means further comprises means for scheduling maintenance activities for the identified parts to allow scheduled maintenance activities to be performed using predetermined manpower levels.
Claim 168
Dependent Claim
99 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 153 wherein said hierarchical listing of parts in said electronically stored parts manual comprises a plurality of parts levels from a lowest level to a highest level, and wherein each part in the lowest level is identified as being one of a consumable part which is consumed by the machine, a replaceable part which has an extended life but is subject to wear or failure, a generic part which is a common part used in large numbers on many of the machines, and a non-stocked part which does not normally require replacement.
Claim 169
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 153 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an associated part number for each of the parts.
Claim 170
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 159 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes a replacement part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 171
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 159 wherein said electronically stored parts manual further includes an industry standard part number for selected ones of the parts.
Claim 172
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 153 wherein said electronically stored parts manual comprises a plurality of electronically stored parts manuals, a respective one of which contains a hierarchical listing of parts in the plurality of machines.
Claim 173
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 153 wherein said engineering change control management means comprises means for integrating engineering change control activities into the scheduled maintenance activities based upon one of a specified engineering control implementation date, consumption of spare parts, or a specified maintenance activity.
Claim 174
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 153 wherein said maintenance schedule management means further comprises means for generating a daily maintenance schedule to identify maintenance activities to be performed each day to reduce loss of use.
Claim 175
Dependent Claim
80 words
The computer integrated maintenance system of claim 153 further comprising: an electronically stored spares inventory file for identifying generic parts used in said plurality of machines and replaceable parts used in said plurality of machines; and said spares inventory management means further comprising means for generating requirements to order a generic part when an inventory quantity falls below a predetermined quantity and for identifying requirements to order a replacement part to be available for use in the scheduled maintenance activities.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-31 | 1996-11-30 | 1997-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-31 | 2000-11-30 | 2001-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-31 | 2004-11-30 | 2005-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |