Patent ID: 6256594
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: G05B,G07C

Abstract:
A machine fault monitoring apparatus having, for each of a plurality of machines, fault detection means for detecting various faults occurring during the operation of the machines, and remote monitoring station for monitoring operating status of the plurality of machines by collecting fault detection data locally detected by the fault detection means of the plurality of machines, wherein each machine comprises:operating parameter detection means for locally sequentially detecting various types of operating parameter values which change during the operation of said machine;history data update means locally updating fault detection history data every time a fault is detected by said fault detection means during the operation of said machine;determination means for locally determining, based on said history data and the value of the fault, whether or not to transmit to said monitoring station sequential values of the operating parameters within a specified period of time around a point in time at which the fault was detected, in cases where said fault was detected by said fault detection means during the operation of said machine;transmission means for transmitting to said remote monitoring station, in cases where it has been determined locally by said determination means that a transmission should be made, a type of fault that was detected, a value detected by said operating parameter detection means at the point in time at which the fault was detected, as well as the sequential values of said operating parameters within the specified period of time around the point in time at which the fault was detected, and also for transmitting to said remote monitoring station, in cases where it has been determined by said determination means that no transmission should be made, the type of fault that was detected and the value detected by said operating parameter detection means at the point in time the fault was detected.