44 results about "Predictive failure analysis" patented technology

The present invention provides an improved method and system for real-time monitoring, validation, optimization and predictive fault analysis in a process control system. The invention monitors process operations by continuously analyzing sensor measurements and providing predictive alarms using models of normal process operation and statistical parameters corresponding to normal process data, and generating secondary residual process models. The invention allows for the creation of a fault analyzer directly from linearly independent models of normal process operation, and provides for automatic generation from such process models of linearly dependent process models. Fuzzy logic is used in various fault situations to compute certainty factors to identify faults and / or validate underlying assumptions. In one aspect, the invention includes a real-time sensor data communications bridge module; a state transition logic module; a sensor validation and predictive fault analysis module; and a statistical process control module; wherein each of the modules operates simultaneously.

A prognostic processor for predicting machine failure in avionics electronics comprises prognostic capabilities in a single integrated circuit, with a processor, volatile and non-volatile memory, clock, on-chip and off-chip sensors and transducers, A / D converters, a common I / O interface adapted to be employed in a network of similar prognostic processors, and predictive Failure Analysis (FA) model software, which may be distributed throughout the network. The FA software employs a log file history, with the log file history storing data collected by the prognostic processor, real-time execution of a predictive model, with the ability to update the FA model with data from field failures. The prognostic processor network supports hierarchical processing to work with multiple prognostic processors. The prognostic processor system is applicable to FA monitoring of a wide range of avionics electronic equipment, in particular, Line Replacement Units (LRUs).

A method of performing predictive failure analysis (PFA) for a disc drive includes maintaining at least two primary error counts during operation of the disc drive. The primary error counts each correspond to disc drive errors associated with different attributes of the disc drive and are potentially indicative of disc drive failure. Imminent disc drive failure is predicted based upon a combination of the primary error counts.

The present invention provides an improved method and system for real-time monitoring, validation, optimization and predictive fault analysis in a process control system. The invention monitors process operations by continuously analyzing sensor measurements and providing predictive alarms using models of normal process operation and statistical parameters corresponding to normal process data, and generating secondary residual process models. The invention allows for the creation of a fault analyzer directly from linearly independent models of normal process operation, and provides for automatic generation from such process models of linearly dependent process models. Fuzzy logic is used in various fault situations to compute certainty factors to identify faults and / or validate underlying assumptions. In one aspect, the invention includes a real-time sensor data communications bridge module; a state transition logic module; a sensor validation and predictive fault analysis module; and a statistical process control module; wherein each of the modules operates simultaneously.

A method of predicting failures of data storage devices in a data storage network. In predicting failures, birth and / or health records of data storage devices in the data storage network are requested. The records are then scaled and thresholded and processed using a probabilistic neural network to classify the data storage devices. Based on the classification, an action is taken to improve the reliability and availability of the data storage network.

Operating computer memory in a computer including dynamically monitoring, by a predictive failure analysis (‘PFA’) module, correctable memory errors and memory temperature and managing cooling resources in the computer in dependence upon the correctable memory errors and memory temperature.

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for monitoring drive health.A method for monitoring drive health may comprise: a) conducting a predictive fault analysis for at least one drive of a RAID; and b) copying data from the at least one drive of the RAID to a replacement drive according to the predictive fault analysis.A system for monitoring drive health may comprise: a) means for conducting a predictive fault analysis for at least one drive of a RAID; and b) means for copying data from the at least one drive of the RAID to a replacement drive according to the predictive fault analysis.

Re-arranging data handling in a computer-implemented system that comprises a plurality of existing physical entities. At least one reliability rating is assigned to each of various existing physical entities of the computer-implemented system; and in response to change. Reverse predictive failure analysis uses the assigned reliability ratings to determine cumulative reliability rating(s) for at least one arrangement of the system. Data handling is re-arranged with respect to at least a portion of the existing computer-implemented system to provide a designated cumulative reliability rating.

Detecting, predicting, and diagnosing faults in a cooling system. According to one embodiment, a heat sink is in thermal contact with a heat-generating electronic component. When a temperature differential between the electronic component and the heat sink exceeds a set point, a fault signal is generated. The set point may be empirically or theoretically determined. The set point may be a static set point, or it may be a dynamic set point determined according to real-time operational parameters of the system. The system may be implemented with predictive failure analysis (PFA) to provide a more reliable, efficient, inexpensive, and robust computer system.

A method for predicting the failure of a data storage device having a slider heater is disclosed. For slider heaters exhibiting a decreasing resistance aging characteristic, a failure warning is produced when heater resistance suddenly increases 2 to 5%, or dR / dt changes sign from negative to positive. For slider heaters exhibiting an increasing resistance aging characteristic, a failure warning is produced when the heater resistance suddenly drops 2 to 5%, or dR / dt changes sign from positive to negative. Additionally, random changes in heater resistance exceeding nominal measurement error may also be utilized to produce a failure warning. This method provides advance warning of potential data read / write errors well before the open circuit failure of the slider heater occurs.

A method for predicting the failure of a data storage device having a slider heater is disclosed. For slider heaters exhibiting a decreasing resistance aging characteristic, a failure warning is produced when heater resistance suddenly increases 2 to 5%, or dR / dt changes sign from negative to positive. For slider heaters exhibiting an increasing resistance aging characteristic, a failure warning is produced when the heater resistance suddenly drops 2 to 5%, or dR / dt changes sign from positive to negative. Additionally, random changes in heater resistance exceeding nominal measurement error may also be utilized to produce a failure warning. This method provides advance warning of potential data read / write errors well before the open circuit failure of the slider heater occurs.

A method and system for detecting performance degradation of a plurality of monitored components in a networked storage system. Performance data is collected from the plurality of monitored components. Component statistics are generated from the collected performance data. Heuristics are applied to the generated component statistics to determine the likelihood of failure or degradation of each of the plurality of monitored components.

A large population of mass-produced devices (80) such as a particular model of computer hard disk drive, are distributed around the world. Each device (80) includes an arrangement for collecting failure analysis data of the device (50). Each device (80) is arranged to transmit this data to the device manufacturers server (10) via the internet (20). The server (10) analyses the data in order to determine trends in failure performance of the population of devices in order to improve future designs and to provide updated software for distribution to the devices (80) via the internet (20).

A method, system, and computer program for predicting the failure of an electronic circuit. One embodiment of the invention monitors the current utilization, environment conditions, and operating conditions of the electronic circuit. A system manager is altered if the current utilization of the electronic circuit is outside a pass range at the measured environmental conditions and the measured operating conditions of the electronic circuit. The invention may also be configured such that if the electronic circuit fails, the electronic circuit is isolated from among a plurality of potentially failed electronic circuits using the measured current utilization, environment conditions, and operating conditions of the electronic circuit.

Determining a contact condition between read-write head and accessed disk surface inside hard disk drive, where micro-actuator assembly mechanically couples to slider and electrically interacts through signal path. Signal path sensed, creating sensed feedback signal, used to determine contact condition, which indicates when read-write head is, or is not, in contact with accessed disk surface. Means for implementing this process. Contact condition is product of process. The process may respond to contact condition, altering read-write head flying height. Process may be implemented as operations of embedded control system and / or servo controller. Method of predictive failure analysis using the contact condition to estimate performance parameter and create performance degradation warning. Manufacture process collecting contact condition to partly create reliability estimate of the hard disk drive, which may be form of Mean Time to Failure. Manufacturing may further include screening the hard disk drive based upon the reliability estimate.

The invention relates to the management of large stationary batteries. The invention is a comprehensive system and process for the management of stationary batteries that are used for backup power and are deployed in widely dispersed locations. The system is comprised of Mega-Tags, a battery testing and data acquisition device, and web-based software. The system software can automatically analyze, determine and report predicted battery failure data such as a future anticipated failure date by aging standard ohmic test values such as impedance, conductance, or resistance, by multiplying the test value by a monthly factor derived from statistical analysis and comparing the aged value to a baseline value to determine the predicted failure date.

The invention relates to the management of large stationary batteries. The invention is a comprehensive system and process for the management of stationary batteries that are used for backup power and are deployed in widely dispersed locations. The system is comprised of Mega-Tags, a battery testing and data acquisition device, and web-based software. The system software can automatically analyze, determine and report predicted battery failure data such as a future anticipated failure date by aging standard ohmic test values such as impedance, conductance, or resistance, by multiplying the test value by a monthly factor derived from statistical analysis and comparing the aged value to a baseline value to determine the predicted failure date.

Operating system (‘OS’)-firmware interface update recovery including determining, for each of a plurality of available OS-firmware interface images for booting a computer, whether each available OS-firmware interface image is corrupted or uncorrupted; setting, for each corrupted OS-firmware interface image, a predictive failure analysis (‘PFA’) bit in nonvolatile memory available to the OS-firmware interface update recovery module; selecting an uncorrupted OS-firmware interface image; initiating a boot for the computer with the selected OS-firmware interface image; determining whether a previous update to one of the available OS-firmware interface images was interrupted; and notifying a user that the previous update was interrupted if the previous update to one of the available OS-firmware interface images interrupted.

A data storage subsystem in a distributed storage system having a plurality of predictive failure analyzing data storage devices. The subsystem furthermore has a circuit that is responsive to a predicted failure indication by a data storage device in relation to predetermined rules stored in memory for deterministically initiating a preventive recovery either by a data recovery procedure in the data storage device or by a fault tolerance storage arrangement in the subsystem.

A large population of mass-produced devices (80) such as a particular model of computer hard disk drive, are distributed around the world. Each device (80) includes an arrangement for collecting failure analysis data of the device (50). Each device (80) is arranged to transmit this data to the device manufacturers server (10) via the internet (20). The server (10) analyses the data in order to determine trends in failure performance of the population of devices in order to improve future designs and to provide updated software for distribution to the devices (80) via the internet (20).

A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for adjusting Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) polling rates based on a temperature of an electronic device is presented. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of by recognizing the danger that high temperatures pose to the HDD, adjusts PFA polling rates. In one embodiment, the invention includes the steps of setting a maximum temperature at which an electronic device (for example, a hard disk drive) can operate without damage; measuring a temperature of the electronic device; and increasing a frequency of Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) operations as the temperature of the electronic device approaches the maximum temperature. The PFA operations include, but are not limited to, polling performance data that is being collected in real-time for the electronic device.

Determining a contact condition between read-write head and accessed disk surface inside hard disk drive, where micro-actuator assembly mechanically couples to slider and electrically interacts through signal path. Signal path sensed, creating sensed feedback signal, used to determine contact condition, which indicates when read-write head is, or is not, in contact with accessed disk surface. Means for implementing this process. Contact condition is product of process. The process may respond to contact condition, altering read-write head flying height. Process may be implemented as operations of embedded control system and / or servo controller. Method of predictive failure analysis using the contact condition to estimate performance parameter and create performance degradation warning. Manufacture process collecting contact condition to partly create reliability estimate of the hard disk drive, which may be form of Mean Time to Failure. Manufacturing may further include screening the hard disk drive based upon the reliability estimate.

Determining a contact condition between read-write head and accessed disk surface inside hard disk drive, where micro-actuator assembly mechanically couples to slider and electrically interacts through signal path. Signal path sensed, creating sensed feedback signal, used to determine contact condition, which indicates when read-write head is, or is not, in contact with accessed disk surface. Means for implementing this process. Contact condition is product of process. The process may respond to contact condition, altering read-write head flying height. Process may be implemented as operations of embedded control system and / or servo controller. Method of predictive failure analysis using the contact condition to estimate performance parameter and create performance degradation warning. Manufacture process collecting contact condition to partly create reliability estimate of the hard disk drive, which may be form of Mean Time to Failure. Manufacturing may further include screening the hard disk drive based upon the reliability estimate.

A method, system, and computer program for predicting the failure of an electronic circuit. One embodiment of the invention monitors the current utilization, environment conditions, and operating conditions of the electronic circuit. A system manager is altered if the current utilization of the electronic circuit is outside a pass range at the measured environmental conditions and the measured operating conditions of the electronic circuit. The invention may also be configured such that if the electronic circuit fails, the electronic circuit is isolated from among a plurality of potentially failed electronic circuits using the measured current utilization, environment conditions, and operating conditions of the electronic circuit.

The invention relates to the management of large stationary batteries. The invention is a comprehensive process for the management of stationary batteries that are used for backup power and are deployed in widely dispersed locations. The OMS(TM) (Optimization Management System) solution is comprised of Mega-Tags (preferably serialized bar-coded identification labels), a battery testing and data acquisition device, and web-based software. The OMS(TM) system employs algorithmic testing to determine whether a particular battery unit needs to be replaced or whether it can be advantageously redeployed. It also determines whether a particular deployment location contains anomalous readings, signifying potential problems with either the batteries themselves or possibly with other electrical equipment at the location. These components work together to provide a platform for managing a large number of perishable, expensive, and geographically dispersed assets.

A computing system includes a semiconductor which sources / sinks current to / from components within the system, an in-circuit semiconductor on-resistance characterization circuit which measures the on-resistance of the semiconductor, and a processor which periodically or continuously engages the characterization circuit over the life of the semiconductor to obtain a series of on-resistance measurements. Depending on the type of semiconductor used, or depending on arbitrary design limitations, the computing system predicts semiconductor failure based on either a relative mode or an absolute mode. The relative mode is useful when using FET's since on-resistance values vary significantly. In the relative mode, an optional NVRAM is used to store one or more on-resistance measurements which may serve as a reference for assuring proper circuit operation within tolerable deviations from the reference. In the absolute mode, one or more optional thresholds are utilized to assure that circuit operation remains in a known good region.

A method and apparatus are provided for implementing enhanced tiered Predictive Failure Analysis (PFA) at domain intersections in a computer system. When recoverable errors trigger PFA calculations on an individual threshold unit, PFA calculations are performed on the individual threshold unit. A threshold domain of all intersection hardware with the individual threshold unit is established. PFA calculations are performed on all intersection hardware in the threshold domain. A repair action is triggered based upon comparing the PFA calculations for the individual threshold unit and comparing the PFA calculations for each intersection hardware.

A computing system includes a semiconductor which sources / sinks current to / from components within the system, an in-circuit semiconductor on-resistance characterization circuit which measures the on-resistance of the semiconductor, and a processor which periodically or continuously engages the characterization circuit over the life of the semiconductor to obtain a series of on-resistance measurements. Depending on the type of semiconductor used, or depending on arbitrary design limitations, the computing system predicts semiconductor failure based on either a relative mode or an absolute mode. The relative mode is useful when using FET's since on-resistance values vary significantly. In the relative mode, an optional NVRAM is used to store one or more on-resistance measurements which may serve as a reference for assuring proper circuit operation within tolerable deviations from the reference. In the absolute mode, one or more optional thresholds are utilized to assure that circuit operation remains in a known good region.

A predictive failure system for a cooling apparatus having sensors measuring operational components of a cooling apparatus to determine performance data and means to analyze the data to determine a performance profile, wherein anomalies in the performance profile are determined and the operator of the cooling apparatus is warned prior to failure of the operational components.