Data collection device and associated system for monitoring and storing performance and maintenance data related to a component of an electrical system

摘要

The present invention provides systems and methods for testing and storage of information related to a component. A data collection device having a memory is fixedly connected to the component. A test device communicates with the data collection device to store test data concerning the component in the data collection device. The test device also performs analysis of the test data and provides information concerning the health and maintenance history of the component. The present invention also provides systems and methods for determining the current drawn or supplied by electrical components connected in parallel in an electrical system. A current sensor located between the electrical components determines the current supply or draw of one of the electrical components, while a current sensor between the electrical components and the remainder of the electrical system determine a cumulative current draw or supply by both the electrical components.

主权项

1. A data collection device for use with an electrical component of an electrical system, the data collection device comprising:
a memory configured to store data associated with the electrical component that is selected from the group consisting of maintenance data from a maintenance procedure run on the electrical component and provided by a test device offboard the data collection device, test data from the test device offboard the data collection device, fleet name, technician comments and a health analysis based upon a comparison of current data to historical data from the test device offboard the data collection device; a radio frequency (RF) chip comprising an antenna and electronics configured to communicate offboard from the data collection device via the antenna so as to receive the data associated with the electrical component for storage by the memory, wherein the electronics are configured to provide for transmission of the data associated with the electrical component; and an encasement configured to support the memory and the RF chip, wherein the encasement is configured to be carried by a vehicle along with the electrical component.