US5481481A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated diagnostic system having temporally coordinated wireless sensors
Assignee: ARCHIETECTURAL ENERGY CORP
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Filing: 1992-11-23
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Granted: 1996-01-02
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Expires: 2012-11-23
Abstract
Abstract The diagnostic system makes use of a knowledge based controller and a plurality of data logger units, at least one of which is a wireless unit, to collect temporally coordinated data indicative of the real time operation of a system under test that comprises a plurality of spatially disjunct but operationally interdependent components. The diagnostic system controller automatically architects an instrumentation plan to collect the data and calculates performance factors from this collected data. A comparison of the calculated performance factors with optimum and typical failure mode performance factors identifies performance problems in the system under test.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J. Frey
- 👤 Michael J. Holtz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:08
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B21/00; G05B21/02; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/042; G05B19/0421; G05B19/418; G05B19/4184; G05B19/41845; G05B23/00; G05B23/02; G05B23/0205; G05B23/0218; G05B23/0224; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/24; G05B2219/24053; G05B2219/25; G05B2219/25187; G05B2219/25255; G05B2219/25323; G05B2219/25329; G05B2219/26; G05B2219/2638; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P90/00; Y02P90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A maintenance apparatus for analyzing a system under test, which system under test has a plurality of operationally interdependent components, at least one of which is spatially disjunct from the remainder of said components, comprising: control means; a plurality of data collecting means, each said data collecting means being installable in said operationally interdependent components for measuring predefined parameters at said operationally interdependent components, absent direct connection to said control means while said data collection means are installed in said operationally interdependent components, each of which data collecting means comprises: means for determining a value for at least one predetermined parameter at each of a plurality of points in time, means for storing a plurality of sets of data, each said set of data being indicative of each said determined value of each said predetermined parameter at a one of said plurality of points in time, means for temporally enabling said determining means simultaneously with said determining means located in others of said data collecting means independent of said control means, means for transmitting a plurality of said sets of said collected data to said control means; wherein said control means comprises: means for storing each said set of collected data received from said plurality of data collecting means, and means for analyzing said system under test using said stored sets of data to identify performance problems in said system under test.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A maintenance apparatus for analyzing a system under test, which system under test has a plurality of operationally interdependent components, at least one of which is spatially disjunct from the remainder of said components, comprising: control means; a plurality of data collecting means, each said data collecting means being installable in said operationally interdependent components for measuring predefined parameters at said operationally interdependent components, absent direct connection to said control means while said data collection means are installed in said operationally interdependent components, each of which data collecting means comprises: means for determining a value for at least one predetermined parameter at each of a plurality of points in time, means for storing a plurality of sets of data, each said set of data being indicative of each said determined value of each said predetermined parameter at a one of said plurality of points in time, means for temporally enabling said determining means simultaneously with said determining means located in others of said data collecting means independent of said control means, means for transmitting a plurality of said sets of said collected data to said control means; wherein said control means comprises: means for storing each said set of collected data received from said plurality of data collecting means, and means for analyzing said system under test using said stored sets of data to identify performance problems in said system under test.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means further comprises: means for receiving initialization data from a user that specifics operational characteristics of said system under test, said initialization data defining said plurality of operationally interdependent components; and means, responsive to said initialization data, for selecting said predetermined parameters for each said plurality of data collecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said control means further comprises: means for displaying to a user data indicative of said selected predetermined parameters for each said plurality of data collecting means to enable said user to equip each said plurality of data collecting means with determining means to perform tests to determine said value for said selected predetermined parameters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said control means comprises: means for transmitting data to said plurality of data collecting means to temporally coordinate said plurality of data collecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said control means further comprises: means for temporally coordinating said stored sets of collected data-to form a set of real time indicia indicative of the simultaneously measured values for all said selected predetermined parameters for all said data collecting means at said predefined points in time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said temporally coordinating means in each said data collecting means activates said determining means at said predefined points of time to determine said value for said selected predetermined parameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analyzing means comprises: means for storing data indicative of typical failure mode performance of said system under test; and means for comparing said collected data to said stored data indicative of failure mode performance of said system under test to identify system under test performance anomalies in said collected data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said analyzing means further comprises: means, responsive to detected anomalies, for identifying at least one of said operationally interdependent components that failed to function properly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said control means further comprises: means, responsive to an identified failed operational component, for displaying in human readable form data identifying said failed component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analyzing means comprises: means for storing data indicative of typical failure mode performance of each of said operationally interdependent components of said system under test; and means for comparing said collected data to said stored data indicative of failure mode performance of said operationally interdependent components of said system under test to identify system under test performance anomalies in said collected data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said analyzing means further comprises: means, responsive to detected anomalies, for identifying at least one of said operationally interdependent components that failed to function properly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said control means further comprises: means, responsive to an identified failed operational component, for displaying in human readable form data identifying said failed component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each said data collecting means further comprises: battery means for supplying power to said storing means to maintain said collected data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said analyzing means comprises: artificial intelligence means for processing said collected data to identify a failed component in said system under test.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said artificial intelligence means comprises: first processing means for processing said collected data to create at least one symptom, indicative of an identifiable effect of a failed component in said system under test.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said artificial intelligence means further comprises: second processing means for processing said created symptoms to identify at least one failed component in said system under test that has caused said symptoms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said first processing means comprises a neural network.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said second processing means comprises an expert system that is programmed with a set of rules to deduce the identity of said at least one failed component from said symptoms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transmitting means comprises a wireless transmitter for transmitting data to said control means at a radio frequency.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for analyzing a system under test which system under test has a plurality of operationally interdependent components, at least one of which is spatially disjunct from the remainder of said components, using a central control unit and a plurality of data collection units installable in said operationally interdependent components absent direct connection to said control means while said data collection units are installed in said operationally interdependent components, for measuring predefined parameters at said operationally interdependent components, comprising the steps of: determining at each of said data collection units a value for at least one predetermined parameter at predefined points in time. storing a plurality of sets of data, each said set of data being indicative of each said determined value of each said predetermined parameter at a one of said plurality of points in time, temporally enabling said step of determining in at least one of said data collection units simultaneously with said step of determining in others of said data collection units independent of said central control unit, transmitting said plurality of sets of said collected data to said central control unit from each of said data collection units; storing in said central control unit each said set of collected data received from said plurality of data collection units, and analyzing in said central control unit said system under test using said stored sets of data to identify performance problems in said system under test.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for analyzing a system under test which system under test has a plurality of operationally interdependent components, at least one of which is spatially disjunct from the remainder of said components, using a central control unit and a plurality of data collection units installable in said operationally interdependent components absent direct connection to said control means while said data collection units are installed in said operationally interdependent components, for measuring predefined parameters at said operationally interdependent components, comprising the steps of: determining at each of said data collection units a value for at least one predetermined parameter at predefined points in time. storing a plurality of sets of data, each said set of data being indicative of each said determined value of each said predetermined parameter at a one of said plurality of points in time, temporally enabling said step of determining in at least one of said data collection units simultaneously with said step of determining in others of said data collection units independent of said central control unit, transmitting said plurality of sets of said collected data to said central control unit from each of said data collection units; storing in said central control unit each said set of collected data received from said plurality of data collection units, and analyzing in said central control unit said system under test using said stored sets of data to identify performance problems in said system under test.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of: transmitting data to said plurality of data collection units to temporally coordinate said plurality of data collection units.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of analyzing includes: storing data indicative of typical failure mode performance of said system under test; and comparing said collected data to said stored data indicative of typical failure mode performance of said system under test to identify system under test performance anomalies in said collected data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said step of analyzing further includes: identifying, in response to detected anomalies, at least one of said operationally interdependent components that failed to function properly.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of: displaying, in response to an identified failed operational component, in human readable form data identifying said failed component.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said step of analyzing includes: storing data indicative of typical failure mode performance of each of said operationally interdependent components of said system under test; and comparing said collected data to said stored data indicative of typical failure mode performance of said operationally interdependent components of said system under test to identify system under test performance anomalies in said collected data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said step of analyzing further includes: identifying, in response to detected anomalies, at least one of said operationally interdependent components that failed to function properly.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 26 further comprising the step of: displaying, in response to an identified failed operational component, in human readable form data identifying said failed component.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said step of analyzing comprises: processing, using artificial intelligence apparatus, said collected data to identify a failed component in said system under test.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 28 wherein said artificial intelligence apparatus performs the step of: processing said collected data to create at least one symptom, indicative of an identifiable effect of a failed component in said system under test.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said artificial intelligence further performs the step of: processing said created symptoms to identify at least one failed component in said system under test that has caused said symptoms.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said first processing apparatus comprises a neural network.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said step of transmitting comprises transmitting data to said controller at a radio frequency.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
221 words
A method for analyzing a system under test which system under test has a plurality of operationally interdependent components, at least one of which is spatially disjunct from the remainder of said components, using a central control unit and a plurality of dam collection units installable in said operationally interdependent components for measuring predefined parameters at said operationally interdependent components, comprising the steps of: determining at each of said data collection units a value for at least one predetermined parameter at predefined points in time, storing a plurality of sets of data each said set of data indicative of each said determined value of each said predetermined parameter at a one of said plurality of points in time, temporally enabling said step of determining in at least one of said data collection units in temporal coordination with said step of determining in others of said data collection units independent of said central control unit, transmitting said plurality of sets of said collected data to said central control unit from each of said data collection units; storing in said central control unit each said set of collected data received from said plurality of data collection units, and analyzing in said central control unit said system under test using said stored sets of data to identify performance problems in said system under test.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
221 words
A method for analyzing a system under test which system under test has a plurality of operationally interdependent components, at least one of which is spatially disjunct from the remainder of said components, using a central control unit and a plurality of dam collection units installable in said operationally interdependent components for measuring predefined parameters at said operationally interdependent components, comprising the steps of: determining at each of said data collection units a value for at least one predetermined parameter at predefined points in time, storing a plurality of sets of data each said set of data indicative of each said determined value of each said predetermined parameter at a one of said plurality of points in time, temporally enabling said step of determining in at least one of said data collection units in temporal coordination with said step of determining in others of said data collection units independent of said central control unit, transmitting said plurality of sets of said collected data to said central control unit from each of said data collection units; storing in said central control unit each said set of collected data received from said plurality of data collection units, and analyzing in said central control unit said system under test using said stored sets of data to identify performance problems in said system under test.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 33 further comprising the steps of: receiving initialization data at said central control unit from a user that specifies operational characteristics of said system under test, said initialization data defining said plurality of operationally interdependent components; and selecting, in response to said initialization data, said predetermined parameters for each said plurality of data collection units.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said step of temporally coordinating in each said data collection units activates said step of determining at said predefined points of time to determine said value for said selected predetermined parameters.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of: temporally coordinating said stored sets of collected data to form a set of real time indicia indicative of the simultaneously measured values for all said selected predetermined parameters for all said data collection units at said predefined points in time.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said second processing apparatus comprises an expert system that is programmed with a set of rules to deduce the identity of said at least one failed component from said symptoms.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
231 words
A maintenance system for analyzing an HVAC system which HVAC system has a plurality of operationally interdependent air handling components, at least one of which is spatially disjunct from the remainder of said air handling components, comprising: control means; a plurality of data collecting means, each of which data collecting means is installable in said air handling components to measure environmental parameters at said air handling components, at least one of which data collecting means operates absent a direct electrical connection to said control means and each of which includes: means for determining a value for at least one environmental parameter at a one of said air handling components at predefined points in time, means for storing a plurality of sots of data, each said set of data being indicative of each said determined value of each said environmental parameter at a one of said plurality of points in time, means for temporally enabling said determining means simultaneously with said determining means located in others of said data collecting means independent of said control means, means for transmitting a set of said collected data to said control means; wherein said control means includes: means for storing each said set of collected data received from said plurality of data collecting means, and means for analyzing said HVAC system using said stored sets of data to identify performance problems in said HVAC system.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
231 words
A maintenance system for analyzing an HVAC system which HVAC system has a plurality of operationally interdependent air handling components, at least one of which is spatially disjunct from the remainder of said air handling components, comprising: control means; a plurality of data collecting means, each of which data collecting means is installable in said air handling components to measure environmental parameters at said air handling components, at least one of which data collecting means operates absent a direct electrical connection to said control means and each of which includes: means for determining a value for at least one environmental parameter at a one of said air handling components at predefined points in time, means for storing a plurality of sots of data, each said set of data being indicative of each said determined value of each said environmental parameter at a one of said plurality of points in time, means for temporally enabling said determining means simultaneously with said determining means located in others of said data collecting means independent of said control means, means for transmitting a set of said collected data to said control means; wherein said control means includes: means for storing each said set of collected data received from said plurality of data collecting means, and means for analyzing said HVAC system using said stored sets of data to identify performance problems in said HVAC system.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said control means further comprises: means for receiving initialization data from a user that specifies operational characteristics said HVAC system under test, said initialization data defining said plurality of operationally interdependent air handling components; and means, responsive to said initialization data, for identifying a site in said plurality of air handling components to install each said data collecting means and a set of said identified environmental parameters to be measured by each said plurality of data collecting means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 39 wherein said control means further comprises: means for displaying to a user data indicative of both said installation site and said identified environmental parameters for each said plurality of data collecting means to enable said user to program and install each said plurality of data collecting means to perform tests to determine said value for said identified environmental parameters.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said temporally coordinating means in each said data collecting means activates said determining means at said predefined points of time to determine said value for said identified environmental parameters.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said control means further comprises: means for transmitting data to said plurality of data collecting means to temporally coordinate said plurality of data collecting means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein said control means further comprises: means for temporally coordinating said stored sets of collected data to form a set of real time indicia indicative of the simultaneously measured values for all said identified environmental parameters at said predefined points in time.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
93 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said analyzing means comprises: means for storing data that defines a plurality of performance factors indicative of typical failure mode performance of said HVAC system under test; means for using said collected data to compute measured performance factors that correspond to said plurality of typical failure mode performance factors; and means for comparing said measured performance factors to said typical failure mode performance factors of said HVAC system under test to identify anomalies in operation of said HVAC system under test as reflected in said collected data.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said analyzing means further comprises: means, responsive to identified anomalies, for identifying at least one of said operationally interdependent air handling components that failed to function properly.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said control means further comprises: means, responsive to an identified failed operational component, for displaying in human readable form data identifying said failed component.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said analyzing means comprises: neural network means for processing said collected data to create at least one symptom, indicative of an identifiable effect of a failed component in said system under test.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said analyzing means further comprises: expert system means programmed with a set of rules for processing said created symptoms to deduce the identity of at least one failed component in said system under test that has caused said symptoms.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein said transmitting means comprises a wireless transmitter for transmitting data to said control means at a radio frequency.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein each said data collecting means further comprises: battery means for supplying power to said storing means to maintain said collected data.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of operating a maintenance system having a controller for analyzing an HVAC system, which HVAC system has a plurality of operationally interdependent air handling components, at least one of which is spatially disjunct from the remainder of said air handling components, comprising the steps of: measuring environmental parameters at said air handling components using a plurality of apparatus for collecting data, each said data collecting apparatus being installable in said air handling components, at least one of which data collecting apparatus operates absent a direct electrical connection to said controller, including: determining a value for at least one environmental parameter at a one of said air handling components at predefined points in time, storing a plurality of sets of data, each said set of data being indicative of each said determined value of each said environmental parameter at a one of said plurality of points in time, temporally enabling said step of determining simultaneously with others of said data collecting apparatus independent of said controller, transmitting a plurality of sets of said collected data to said controller; storing each said set of collected data received from said plurality of data collecting apparatus in said controller, and analyzing said HVAC system using said stored sets of data to identify performance problems in said HVAC system.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of operating a maintenance system having a controller for analyzing an HVAC system, which HVAC system has a plurality of operationally interdependent air handling components, at least one of which is spatially disjunct from the remainder of said air handling components, comprising the steps of: measuring environmental parameters at said air handling components using a plurality of apparatus for collecting data, each said data collecting apparatus being installable in said air handling components, at least one of which data collecting apparatus operates absent a direct electrical connection to said controller, including: determining a value for at least one environmental parameter at a one of said air handling components at predefined points in time, storing a plurality of sets of data, each said set of data being indicative of each said determined value of each said environmental parameter at a one of said plurality of points in time, temporally enabling said step of determining simultaneously with others of said data collecting apparatus independent of said controller, transmitting a plurality of sets of said collected data to said controller; storing each said set of collected data received from said plurality of data collecting apparatus in said controller, and analyzing said HVAC system using said stored sets of data to identify performance problems in said HVAC system.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 51 further comprising the steps of: receiving initialization data from a user that specifies operational characteristics of said HVAC system under test, said initialization data defining said plurality of operationally interdependent air handling components; and identifying, in response to said initialization data, a site in said plurality of air handling components to install each said data collecting apparatus and a set of said identified environmental parameters to be measured by each said plurality of data collecting apparatus.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of: displaying to a user data indicative of both said installation site and said identified environmental parameters for each said plurality of data collecting apparatus to enable said user to program and install each said plurality of data collecting apparatus to perform tests to determine said value for said identified environmental parameters.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 51 wherein each said data collecting apparatus performs measurements of said identified environmental parameters at predefined points of time to determine said value for said identified environmental parameters.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 51 further comprising the step of: transmitting data to said plurality of data collecting apparatus to temporally coordinate said plurality of data collecting apparatus.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 54 further comprising the step of: temporally coordinating said stored sets of collected data to form a set of real time indicia indicative of the simultaneously measured values for all said identified environmental parameters at said predefined points in time.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 51 wherein said step of analyzing comprises: storing data that defines a plurality of performance factors indicative of typical failure mode performance of said HVAC system under test; using said collected data to compute measured performance factors that correspond to said plurality of typical failure mode performance factors; and comparing said measured performance factors to said typical failure mode performance factors of said HVAC system under test to identify anomalies in operation of said HVAC system under test as reflected in said collected data.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 57 wherein said step of analyzing further comprises: identifying, in responsive to identified anomalies, at least one of said operationally interdependent air handling components that failed to function properly.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 58 further comprising the step of: displaying, in response to an identified failed operational component, in human readable form data identifying said failed component.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 51 wherein said step of analyzing comprises: processing, using neural network apparatus, said collected data to create at least one symptom, indicative of an identifiable effect of a failed component in said system under test.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 60 wherein said step of analyzing further comprises: processing, using an expert system apparatus programmed with a set of rules, said created symptoms to deduce the identity of at least one failed component in said system under test that has caused said symptoms.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 51 wherein said step of transmitting comprises transmitting data at a radio frequency.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-01 | 1999-07-03 | 2000-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-01 | 2003-07-03 | 2004-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-01 | 2007-07-03 | 2008-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |