This application claims priority to India Patent Application No. 4462/CHE/2012, filed Oct. 26, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates generally to a method and system of asset integrity management. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and system for automated integrity management of field assets.
Integrity management of engineering assets such as Oil and Gas pipelines, aircrafts and power plants necessitate extensive field activities including inspection, maintenance, monitoring, survey and repair activities, at regular intervals of time. Additionally, relevant asset integrity related regulations are enforced by regulatory authorities, on an engineering asset owner, in order to ensure maintenance of integrity of the engineering assets, as per accepted industry standards and practices. Such asset integrity related regulations, require the engineering asset owner to capture data related to the inspection, maintenance, monitoring, survey and repair of the engineering assets throughout an annual year, thereby leading to an accumulation of such data in geographically distributed storage devices. Secondly, while carrying out the field activities, inspection, maintenance and repair related standards, codes, procedures and practices need to followed, thereby requiring a field inspector, to perform a manual cross reference with such standards, codes, procedures and practices. Such manual cross referencing lack result repeatability, when performed by the field inspector at another time or when performed by a second field inspector. Thirdly, such manual cross referencing can also lead to high turn-around-time for the field inspector to complete the field activities, thereby leading to a revenue loss to the asset owner. Fourthly, such manual cross referencing, requires the field inspector to carry the inspection, maintenance and repair related standards, codes, procedures and practices in paper form while carrying out the field activities. Existing technologies require the field inspector to travel back and forth for receiving a field activity order and submitting the field activity report, thereby increasing the turnaround time for completing the field activity order.
Hence, there is a need for an alternative method and system that can provide an automated digital cross referencing to the standards, codes, procedures and practices thereby eliminates the need for the manual cross referencing by the field inspector. The alternative method and system must provide automatic engineering calculations and automatic workflow processes, in order to make decision making and the result independent the field inspector conducting the field activities. Further, the system must eliminate the necessity for the field inspector to carry the heavy inspection, maintenance and repair related standards, codes, procedures and practices in paper form. Additionally, the system must also reduce the turnaround time of completing the field activity order by the field inspector, by providing an automated synchronization and alert mechanism of the field activities with a centralized server and database. Thus a method for centralized asset integrity management and automated digital cross referencing and synchronization of field activities is proposed.
The present invention provides a method and system for managing integrity of a field asset. In accordance with a disclosed embodiment, the method may include receiving, by a handheld device, a request for managing the integrity of the field asset. A set of integrity data of the field asset essential for resolution of the request, is captured by the handheld device. One or more workflows, cross-referenced from one or more existing engineering processes, are executed and a set of fitness-for-service evaluations are performed on the captured set of integrity data, during the execution of the one or more workflows. A report of the received request is created, when the one or more workflows are executed completely.
In an additional embodiment, a system for managing integrity of a field asset is disclosed. The system comprises an input module of a handheld device, the input module configured to receive a request for managing the integrity of the field asset over a first communication link. A receptor module of the handheld device is configured to capture a set of integrity data of the field asset, where the set of integrity data is essential for resolving the received request. A workflow module is configured to execute one or more workflows while cross referencing the one or more workflows from one or more existing engineering standards. A calculation module is configured to perform a set of fitness-for-service evaluations on the captured set of integrity data, during execution of the one or more workflows. The workflow module is further configured to create a report of the received request, from one or more execution results that may be obtained on execution of the one or more workflows.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description and claims.
While systems and methods are described herein by way of example and embodiments, those skilled in the art recognize that systems and methods for electronic financial transfers are not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood that the drawings and description are not intended to be limiting to the particular form disclosed. Rather, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used herein, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to) rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including, but not limited to.
Disclosed embodiments provide computer-implemented methods, systems, and computer-program products for managing integrity of a field asset.
In an embodiment the asset management server 140, can be configured to create a request for managing the integrity of the field asset, and allocate the request to an agent 136. In the disclosed embodiment, the request can include an inspection, maintenance, monitoring, survey or repair of the field asset. The agent 136 is preferably, a field inspector, associated with the handheld device 122, and the handheld device 122, can be configured to receive the request via the mobile information server 116. The polling module 114, can be configured to poll the handheld device 122, for a connection session with the handheld device 122 over a first communication link 118. In the embodiment, the first communication link 118 can be an existing wireless technology accessible over a wireless access point 120. In an event the connection session is established with the handheld device 122, the receiving module 106, can fetch the request from the asset management server 140, over a second communication link 144. In the embodiment, instances of the second communication link 144, can include an internet link, an Ethernet bus and the like. The transmitting module 112, further transmits the received request to the handheld device 122. The input module 128, at the handheld device 122, can receive the request over the first communication link 118.
Based on the request, a set of integrity data essential for resolution of the request may be captured by the receptor module 134. In an instance, the set of integrity data may be manually inputted by the agent 136. In another instance, the set of integrity data may be acquired by a data acquisition device, or a sensor attached to the field asset, and subsequently fed to the receptor module 134. The set of integrity data can include an inspection data, a maintenance related data, a monitored data, a survey or repair related data of the field asset. One or more of the captured set of integrity data can be taken as an input on a displayed image of a nominal three dimensional model of the field asset on the display module 126 and be used for reconstructing the nominal three dimensional model, as per the captured set of integrity data by the reconstruct module 134. The set of integrity data can be transmitted by the transmitter module 130 of the handheld device 122 to the mobile information server 116. On receiving the set of captured set of integrity data by the receiving module 106 of the mobile information server 116, the mobile information server 116 can be configured to operate the workflow module 108 and the calculation module 110. One or more workflows as essential for resolution of the request can be executed by the workflow module 108. The one or more workflows is usually cross-referenced from one or more engineering processes, standards, codes and procedures. Instances of the one or more engineering processes, codes, standards and procedures. For execution of the one or more workflows, a set of fitness for service evaluations may need to be performed. A plurality of calculation libraries stored in the calculation module 110, may be invoked from the workflow module 108, for performing the set of fitness for service evaluations. In the disclosed embodiment, the workflow module 108 may include a plurality of application interfaces, where each application interface can invoke one or more of the application interfaces or one or more of the calculation libraries as required for execution of a workflow. During the execution of the one or more workflows, one or more execution results may be generated which can be transmitted to the handheld device 122, by the transmitting module 112. The one or more execution results can be received by the input module 128 of the handheld device 122, and displayed to the user on the display module 126 of the handheld device 122. On completing the execution of the one or more workflows, a report of the request may be created by the workflow module 108. The report can be transmitted to the handheld device and displayed on the display module 126. The report can include a plurality of elements such as a session log, the set of integrity data as captured by the receptor module 132, a set of calculated values that may be calculated during the execution of the one or more workflows, a location reference of the field asset and a set of images of the field asset. The plurality of elements of the report may be stored in the server database 102 of the mobile information server 116. The synchronizing module 104 of the mobile information server 116, shall synchronize the server database 102 with a master database 138 of the asset management server 140. On synchronizing the asset management server 140 gets updated with the plurality of elements of the report.
The asset management server 140 can be configured to create a request for managing the integrity of the field asset, and allocate the request to an agent 136. In an embodiment, the request can include an inspection, maintenance, monitoring, survey or repair of the field asset. The agent 136 is preferably, a field inspector, associated with the handheld device 122, and the handheld device 122, is configured to receive the request via the mobile information server 116. The polling module 114, can be configured to poll the handheld device 122, for a connection session with the handheld device 122 over a first communication link 118. In the embodiment, the first communication link 118 can be an existing wireless technology accessible over a wireless access point 120. In an event the connection session is established with the handheld device 122, the receiving module 106, can fetch the request from the asset management server 140, over a second communication link 144. In the embodiment, instances of the second communication link 144, can include an internet link, an Ethernet bus and the like. The transmitting module 112, further transmits the received request to the handheld device 122. The input module 128, at the handheld device 122, can receive the request over the first communication link 118.
Based on the request, a set of integrity data essential for resolution of the request may be captured by the receptor module 134. In an instance, the set of integrity data may be manually inputted by the agent 136. In another instance, the set of integrity data may be acquired by a data acquisition device, or a sensor attached to the field asset, and subsequently fed to the receptor module 134. The set of integrity data can include an inspection data, a maintenance related data, a monitored data, a survey or repair related data of the field asset. One or more of the captured set of integrity data can be taken as an input on a displayed image of a nominal three dimensional model of the field asset on the display module 126 and be used for reconstructing the nominal three dimensional model, as per the captured set of integrity data by the reconstruct module 134. The reconstructed three dimensional model shall represent a real image of the field asset on which computations and further analysis may be carried out.
In the disclosed embodiment, on receiving the request, the handheld device 122 may download a set of application interfaces from the workflow module 108, and a set of associated calculation libraries from the calculation module 110, where the set of application interfaces and the set of calculation libraries may be essential for executing one or more workflows for the purpose of resolution of the request. The handheld device 122, can deploy the downloaded set of application interfaces and the set of calculation libraries, and hence execute the one or more workflows. The one or more workflows is usually cross-referenced from one or more engineering processes, standards, codes and procedures. Instances of the one or more engineering processes, codes, standards and procedures. For execution of the one or more workflows, a set of fitness for service evaluations may need to be performed. The fitness for service evaluations can be computed by the set of downloaded calculation libraries.
One or more execution results generated during the execution of the one or more workflows can be displayed on the display module 126. On completing the execution of the one or more workflows, a report can be created and stored in the local database 124. The report can include a plurality of elements such as a session log, the set of integrity data as captured by the receptor module 132, a set of calculated values that may be calculated during the execution of the one or more workflows, a location reference of the field asset and a set of images of the field asset. The plurality of elements of the report may be stored in the local database 124 of the handheld device 122. The transmitter module 130 can transmit the created report to the mobile information server 116, and the transmitting module 112 of the mobile information server 116 can transmit the created report to the Asset management server 140. The created report shall be stored in the master database 138 of the asset management server 140. Further, when the handheld device 122 establishes a connection session with the mobile information server 116, the synchronizing module 146 synchronizes the local database with the master database of the asset management server.
One or more of the above-described techniques can be implemented in or involves one or more computer systems.
With reference to
A computing environment may have additional features. For example, the computing environment 600 includes storage 640, one or more input devices 640, one or more output devices 660, and one or more communication connections 670. An interconnection mechanism (not shown) such as a bus, controller, or network interconnects the components of the computing environment 600. Typically, operating system software (not shown) provides an operating environment for other software executing in the computing environment 600, and coordinates activities of the components of the computing environment 600.
The storage 640 may be removable or non-removable, and includes magnetic disks, magnetic tapes or cassettes, CD-ROMs, CD-RWs, DVDs, or any other medium which can be used to store information and which can be accessed within the computing environment 600. In some embodiments, the storage 440 stores instructions for the software 680.
The input device(s) 650 may be a touch input device such as a keyboard, mouse, pen, trackball, touch screen, a voice input device, a scanning device, a digital camera, or another device that provides input to the computing environment 600. The output device(s) 660 may be a display, printer, speaker, or another device that provides output from the computing environment 600.
The communication connection(s) 670 enable communication over a communication medium to another computing entity. The communication medium conveys information such as computer-executable instructions, audio or video information, or other data in a modulated data signal. A modulated data signal is a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media include wired or wireless techniques implemented with an electrical, optical, RF, infrared, acoustic, or other carrier.
Implementations can be described in the general context of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media are any available media that can be accessed within a computing environment. By way of example, and not limitation, within the computing environment 600, computer-readable media include memory 620, storage 640, communication media, and combinations of any of the above.
Having described and illustrated the principles of our invention with reference to described embodiments, it will be recognized that the described embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. It should be understood that the programs, processes, or methods described herein are not related or limited to any particular type of computing environment, unless indicated otherwise. Various types of general purpose or specialized computing environments may be used with or perform operations in accordance with the teachings described herein. Elements of the described embodiments shown in software may be implemented in hardware and vice versa.
As will be appreciated by those ordinary skilled in the art, the foregoing example, demonstrations, and method steps may be implemented by suitable code on a processor base system, such as general purpose or special purpose computer. It should also be noted that different implementations of the present technique may perform some or all the steps described herein in different orders or substantially concurrently, that is, in parallel. Furthermore, the functions may be implemented in a variety of programming languages. Such code, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skilled in the art, may be stored or adapted for storage in one or more tangible machine readable media, such as on memory chips, local or remote hard disks, optical disks or other media, which may be accessed by a processor based system to execute the stored code. Note that the tangible media may comprise paper or another suitable medium upon which the instructions are printed. For instance, the instructions may be electronically captured via optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.
The following description is presented to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of the requirement for a obtaining a patent. The present description is the best presently-contemplated method for carrying out the present invention. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles of the present invention may be applied to other embodiments, and some features of the present invention may be used without the corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
While the foregoing has described certain embodiments and the best mode of practicing the invention, it is understood that various implementations, modifications and examples of the subject matter disclosed herein may be made. It is intended by the following claims to cover the various implementations, modifications, and variations that may fall within the scope of the subject matter described.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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4462/CHE/2012 | Oct 2012 | IN | national |