Output method, output device and program

Abstract

To grasp the timing at which replacement of a steam trap is needed.SOLUTION: An output method in an output device which outputs information about replacement of steam traps includes the steps of: acquiring first information indicating the temporal transition of a leakage amount of steam in the most recent first period of the first steam trap; acquiring multiple pieces of second information indicating the temporal transition of the leakage amount of the steam in a second period longer than the first period of the multiple second steam traps in the same type as the first steam trap; extracting similar result information in which the temporal transition of the leakage amount of the steam in a third period with the same length as the first period is similar to the temporal transition of the leakage amount of the steam indicated by the first information in the multiple pieces of second information; predicting the first timing at which replacement of the first steam trap is needed on the basis of the similar result information; and outputting information about the first timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for outputting information regarding the replacement of a steam trap. [Background technology]

[0002] In facilities such as plants and factories equipped with steam piping systems, condensate (drain) generated by heat exchange or heat radiation is discharged outside the piping system by steam traps installed in appropriate locations in the piping system. If the performance of the steam trap is impaired due to aging or malfunction, the steam in the piping system will leak outside through the steam trap, resulting in unnecessary steam loss. For this reason, periodically, such as once a year, multiple staff members are tasked with bringing in a measurement and diagnostic device (hereinafter, diagnostic device) such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1, and sharing the task of diagnosing approximately 1,000 steam traps in a single day.

[0003] However, manual diagnosis of steam traps using a diagnostic device by an individual takes a great deal of time, so some facilities have adopted a system in which a measuring device is permanently installed on each steam trap and the measurement data required for diagnosis is transmitted to a server device, which then diagnoses each steam trap.

[0004] After completing the diagnosis of multiple steam traps, a report on the diagnosis results, such as a report showing the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from each steam trap, is prepared and presented to the client who manages the steam traps. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-84418 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, while conventional reports could determine the timeline of steam leakage up to the time of the steam trap diagnosis, it was difficult to determine the timeline of future steam leakage. For this reason, it was difficult for customers to determine from the presented report when the steam trap would need to be replaced.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an output method, output device, and program that can determine when a steam trap needs to be replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An output method according to one embodiment of the present invention is an output method in an output device that outputs information regarding steam trap replacement, comprising the steps of: obtaining first information indicating the time progression of steam leakage amount from a first steam trap in a most recent first period; obtaining a plurality of second information indicating the time progression of steam leakage amount from a plurality of second steam traps of the same type as the first steam trap in a second period longer than the first period; extracting from the plurality of second information similar historical information in which the time progression of steam leakage amount in a third period the same length as the first period is similar to the time progression of steam leakage amount indicated by the first information; predicting a first time when replacement of the first steam trap will be necessary based on the similar historical information; and outputting information regarding the first time.

[0009] In this configuration, similar performance information is extracted from the multiple pieces of second information, in which the time transition of the steam leakage amount in a third period having the same length as the first period is similar to the time transition of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information. Therefore, among the time transitions of the steam leakage amount indicated by the similar performance information, the time transition of the steam leakage amount from the third period onwards can be understood as the time transition of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap in the future from the first period onwards.

[0010] This makes it possible to appropriately predict the first time when the first steam trap will need to be replaced, based on the future change in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap over time, which is indicated by the similar performance information. With this configuration, information related to the first time is output, so that the time when the first steam trap will need to be replaced can be ascertained from the information.

[0011] In the above output method, a second timing when consideration of replacement of the first steam trap will become necessary may be predicted based on the similar performance information, and information relating to the second timing may be output.

[0012] According to this configuration, information is output about a second time when consideration of replacement of the first steam trap will be required, which is predicted based on the future change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap indicated by the similar performance information. Therefore, the time when consideration of replacement of the first steam trap will be required can be grasped from the information.

[0013] In the above output method, the first steam trap may include a plurality of third steam traps installed in a specified facility, and the information regarding the first period may include information indicating the number of third steam traps among the plurality of third steam traps that will need to be replaced at a specified time in the future.

[0014] According to this configuration, it is possible to ascertain the number of third steam traps that will require replacement at a predetermined time in the future, out of the multiple third steam traps, from the output information relating to the first time period.

[0015] In the above output method, the first steam trap may include a plurality of third steam traps installed in a specified facility, and the information regarding the first period may include information indicating the number of third steam traps among the plurality of third steam traps that will require replacement at a specified time in the future, and the information regarding the second period may include information indicating the number of third steam traps among the plurality of third steam traps that will require consideration of replacement at the specified time.

[0016] According to this configuration, from the output information regarding the second period, it is possible to determine the number of third steam traps among the multiple third steam traps that will require consideration of replacement at a specified time in the future.

[0017] In the above output method, the predetermined time period may be a plurality of time periods arranged in chronological order at predetermined time intervals.

[0018] According to this configuration, the number of third steam traps that will require replacement at multiple future periods that are arranged in chronological order at predetermined time intervals can be determined from the output information regarding the first period.

[0019] An output device according to another embodiment of the present invention outputs information regarding the replacement of a steam trap, and includes a first acquisition unit that acquires first information indicating a time progression of steam leakage amount from a first steam trap in a most recent first period; a second acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of second information indicating a time progression of steam leakage amount from a plurality of second steam traps of the same type as the first steam trap in a second period longer than the first period; an extraction unit that extracts similar historical information from the plurality of second information in which the time progression of steam leakage amount in a third period the same length as the first period is similar to the time progression of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information; a prediction unit that predicts a first time when replacement of the first steam trap will be necessary based on the similar historical information; and an output unit that outputs information regarding the first time.

[0020] According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned output method can be obtained.

[0021] A program according to another aspect of the present invention is a program for an output device that outputs information regarding the replacement of a steam trap, and causes the output device to execute a process of acquiring first information indicating a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from a first steam trap in a most recent first period, acquiring a plurality of second information indicating a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from a plurality of second steam traps of the same type as the first steam trap in a second period longer than the first period, extracting from the plurality of second information similar historical information in which the change over time in the amount of steam leakage in a third period the same length as the first period is similar to the change over time of the amount of steam leakage indicated by the first information, predicting a first time when replacement of the first steam trap will be necessary based on the similar historical information, and outputting information regarding the first time.

[0022] According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the above-mentioned output method can be obtained. Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an output method, an output device, and a program that can grasp the time when a steam trap needs to be replaced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a steam trap management system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a server device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from a first steam trap. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow during diagnostic work in a steam trap management system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a diagnostic process. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of a report creation process. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a first report. [Figure 8]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a second report. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a third report. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, elements with the same reference numerals in different drawings indicate the same or corresponding elements.

[0026] <System configuration> 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of steam trap management system 100. Steam trap management system 100 includes a diagnostic device 1, an information processing device 2 such as a notebook computer or a tablet terminal, a measuring device 3, and a server device 4 (output device) such as a cloud server.

[0027] The diagnostic device 1 and the information processing device 2 can communicate with each other by any communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The information processing device 2 and the server device 4 can communicate with each other by any communication method such as IP via any communication network 9 such as a public line network or the Internet.

[0028] In facilities such as plants and factories equipped with steam piping systems, multiple steam traps are installed at appropriate locations in the piping systems to discharge condensate (drain) generated in the piping systems to the outside of the piping systems. If the performance of the steam traps is impaired due to aging or malfunction, the steam in the piping system will leak to the outside through the steam trap, resulting in unnecessary steam loss.

[0029] In addition, impurities such as rust and scale that have accumulated in the piping due to reactions between the steam and the piping material over a long period of time can flow through the steam trap, causing uneven wear on the steam trap and impairing its performance. Scale is a precipitate of inorganic salt compounds such as calcium, magnesium, and silica contained in the steam and condensate that flow into the piping.

[0030] For this reason, work to diagnose multiple steam traps (hereinafter referred to as diagnostic work) is performed periodically, such as once a year. Note that the diagnostic work does not have to be performed periodically, but may be performed irregularly. The diagnostic work is shared among multiple workers. Each worker carries diagnostic device 1 and moves around the facility, using it to sequentially diagnose one or more steam traps for which he or she is responsible.

[0031] If bringing an information processing device 2 such as a laptop computer into the facility is permitted, the worker can carry the information processing device 2 along with the diagnostic device 1 and diagnose each steam trap in turn. In this case, the diagnostic device 1 can transmit the diagnosis results of each steam trap in real time to the server device 4 via the information processing device 2 and communication network 9. On the other hand, if bringing in the information processing device 2 is prohibited, the worker stores the information processing device 2 in a waiting area such as a business vehicle or a field office, carries only the diagnostic device 1, and uses the diagnostic device 1 to diagnose the multiple steam traps for which he is responsible in turn.

[0032] For example, diagnostic device 1 measures the vibration and temperature of a steam trap in response to operation by an operator. Based on the vibration and temperature measurement data, diagnostic device 1 diagnoses whether the steam trap is in a normal state or a defective state. Diagnostic device 1 also calculates the amount of steam leakage from the steam trap based on the vibration and temperature measurement data. Diagnostic device 1 diagnoses the condition of the steam trap (e.g., no leakage, small leakage, medium leakage, large leakage, blowing, etc.) based on the calculated amount of steam leakage.

[0033] The diagnosis results for each steam trap are stored in memory within diagnostic device 1. After the worker returns to the waiting area, diagnostic device 1 transmits the diagnosis results for the multiple steam traps that the worker is responsible for, which are stored in memory within diagnostic device 1, to server device 4 via information processing device 2 and communication network 9.

[0034] In a large-scale facility, there may be thousands or tens of thousands of steam traps installed. In such cases, it would take a lot of time for an operator to manually diagnose each steam trap using diagnostic device 1. For this reason, some facilities permanently install measuring device 3, which can communicate with server device 4 via communication network 9, on each steam trap.

[0035] Measurement device 3 measures the vibration and temperature of each steam trap periodically, for example once a month, and transmits the vibration and temperature measurement data to server device 4. In this case, server device 4, like diagnostic device 1, diagnoses each steam trap based on the received measurement data.

[0036] Server device 4 manages various information such as information indicating the diagnostic results of multiple steam traps received from diagnostic device 1, measurement data received from measuring device 3, and information indicating the diagnostic results of each steam trap diagnosed based on the measurement data.

[0037] Any information processing device (not shown) having access rights to the server device 4 can access the server device 4 via the communication network 9. This makes it possible for the information processing device to view various information managed by the server device 4.

[0038] <Configuration of Server Device 4> Next, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of the server device 4. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server device 4. The server device 4 has a communication unit 46, a storage unit 45, and a control unit 41.

[0039] The communication unit 46 is configured using a communication circuit compatible with any communication method such as IP, etc. The communication unit 46 communicates with external devices such as the information processing device 2 via the communication network 9.

[0040] The storage unit 45 is configured using any rewritable storage device such as a HDD, SSD, flash memory, etc. The storage unit 45 stores device information 51 of each facility in association with identification information of one or more facilities.

[0041] The facility equipment information 51 is information relating to a plurality of steam traps and piping systems managed by the facility. The facility equipment information 51 includes identification information, location information, attribute information, condition information, and characteristic information for each of the plurality of steam traps managed by the facility. The facility equipment information 51 also includes piping characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the piping that constitutes each piping system managed by the facility, and information indicating the time when the equipment information 51 was stored in the server device 4 (hereinafter, registration time information).

[0042] The piping characteristic information includes group identification information indicating each piping system, and a function indicating the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from a steam trap in a normal state that is installed in the piping that constitutes each piping system (hereinafter referred to as the leakage amount characteristic function). The leakage amount characteristic function is determined in advance based on experimental values, etc. The leakage amount characteristic function indicates a first-order function (linear function) in which the amount of steam leakage increases linearly with the passage of time. The rate of increase in the amount of steam leakage indicated by the leakage amount characteristic function differs depending on the material of the piping that constitutes each piping system.

[0043] For example, on a pipe made of low alloy steel (Cr-Mo steel), a layer of steam oxide scale made of magnetite and a layer of steam oxide scale made of spinel oxide accumulate flatly with approximately the same thickness. Although the steam oxide scale accumulates thickly on a low alloy steel pipe, the steam oxide scale has the characteristic that it is unlikely to peel off from the pipe.

[0044] On the other hand, in piping made of austenitic stainless steel, steam oxide scale accumulates in a complex shape due to the influence of the chromium-enriched layer in the piping, and as a result, steam oxide scale is more likely to peel off from piping made of austenitic stainless steel than from piping made of low alloy steel (Cr-Mo steel).

[0045] Therefore, the rate of increase in the steam leakage rate indicated by the leakage rate characteristic function of a piping system composed of austenitic stainless steel piping (the slope of the leakage rate characteristic function) is set to be greater than the rate of increase in the steam leakage rate indicated by the leakage rate characteristic function of a piping system composed of low alloy steel (Cr-Mo steel) piping.

[0046] Management ledger 52 corresponding to each of one or more diagnostic work in each facility is stored in storage unit 45 in association with identification information of each of the one or more facilities. Management ledger 52 corresponding to a diagnostic work is management ledger 52 that includes information necessary for diagnosing each of a plurality of steam traps that are the targets of diagnosis in the diagnostic work.

[0047] The management ledger 52 includes information indicating the time when the diagnostic work is performed (hereinafter, referred to as time information). The time information is expressed, for example, by the date when the diagnostic work is performed. However, the time information is not limited to the date when the diagnostic work is performed, and may further be expressed using morning, afternoon, or time.

[0048] In management ledger 52, the identification information, location information, attribute information, condition information, and characteristic information of each steam trap is described in the order of diagnosis for each of the multiple steam traps to be diagnosed in the diagnostic work. Hereinafter, the identification information, location information, attribute information, condition information, and characteristic information of the steam trap will be collectively referred to as steam trap management information.

[0049] The identification information is information that identifies each steam trap to be diagnosed. For example, the identification information may be the trap number indicating the order in which each steam trap was registered as a steam trap to be managed at the facility. For example, a certain steam trap may be registered third as a steam trap to be managed at the facility. In this case, the trap number "3" of that steam trap is used as the identification information of that steam trap.

[0050] The location information is information that indicates the location where each steam trap is installed. A plurality of piping systems installed in a facility are classified into a plurality of groups according to the material of the pipes that make up the piping systems. The piping materials include, for example, low alloy (Cr-MO) steel and stainless steel. For example, a piping system made up of piping made of low alloy steel is classified into a group identified by the identification information "low alloy steel". On the other hand, a piping system made up of piping made of stainless steel is classified into a group identified by the identification information "stainless steel".

[0051] The location information includes identification information of an area including a location where each steam trap is installed when the facility is divided into a plurality of areas, and also includes information indicating a row number and a column number of a grid where each steam trap is installed when each area is divided into a plurality of grids arranged in a plurality of rows and columns.

[0052] The attribute information is information that indicates the attributes of each steam trap, and includes, for example, information that identifies the manufacturer name, model name, and valve opening and closing method (hereinafter, "type") of each steam trap, and information that identifies the maximum condensate discharge amount (hereinafter, "model").

[0053] The condition information is information that indicates the operating conditions of each steam trap, for example, the condition information includes the operating pressure and set temperature of each steam trap.

[0054] The characteristic information is information that indicates the characteristics of each steam trap. For example, the characteristic information includes information that indicates the relationship between the amount of steam leakage and the vibration value in each steam trap (hereinafter, vibration characteristics), and a vibration threshold value used to determine the degree of steam leakage in each steam trap. The characteristic information also includes a temperature threshold value used to determine the state of each steam trap.

[0055] When the diagnosis of each steam trap is completed, information indicating when each steam trap was diagnosed (hereinafter, diagnosis time information) and information indicating the diagnosis result of each steam trap (hereinafter, diagnosis result information) are added to management ledger 52. The diagnosis result information includes information indicating whether the steam trap is in a normal or defective state, the amount of steam leakage from the steam trap, the state of steam leakage from the steam trap, etc.

[0056] A part of the memory area of ​​memory unit 45 is used as a management table 53 for managing information relating to the diagnosis of the steam trap in which measuring device 3 is installed in each facility, in association with each identification information of one or more facilities. Management table 53 stores, in association with each other, the identification information of the steam trap in which measuring device 3 is installed in each facility, measurement data indicating the measurement results of the steam trap, diagnosis time information indicating the time when the diagnosis of the steam trap was performed, and diagnosis result information indicating the diagnosis result of the steam trap.

[0057] Standard report forms 54 relating to the diagnostic results of a plurality of steam traps are stored in memory unit 45. For example, memory unit 45 stores a leakage amount transition form F2 (FIG. 7), an area-specific replacement prediction form F3 (FIG. 8), and a facility replacement prediction form F4 (FIG. 9) as standard report forms 54 relating to the amount of steam leakage from a steam trap.

[0058] The control unit 41 is configured using a CPU etc. The control unit 41 has a management unit 411, a diagnosis unit 412, a reception unit 413, an acquisition unit 414 (first acquisition unit, second acquisition unit), a calculation unit 415, an extraction unit 416, a prediction unit 417, a creation unit 418, and an output unit 419 as functions realized by the CPU executing a predetermined program.

[0059] The management unit 411 manages the management ledger 52 .

[0060] Specifically, when the communication unit 46 receives a management ledger 52 related to diagnostic work at a certain facility from the information processing device 2, the management unit 411 acquires the management ledger 52 from the communication unit 46. If the management ledger 52 (hereinafter, acquired ledger) does not contain diagnostic timing information and diagnostic result information, the management unit 411 stores the acquired ledger in the memory unit 45 as the management ledger 52 corresponding to new diagnostic work in association with the identification information of the facility.

[0061] On the other hand, if the acquisition ledger includes diagnosis timing information and diagnosis result information for one or more steam traps, management unit 411 adds the diagnosis timing information and diagnosis result information for the one or more steam traps to management ledger 52 that corresponds to the same diagnostic work as the acquisition ledger stored in memory unit 45. As a result, management unit 411 updates management ledger 52 that corresponds to the same diagnostic work as the acquisition ledger stored in memory unit 45.

[0062] Specifically, management unit 411 identifies management ledger 52 stored in memory unit 45 that includes the same time information as the acquisition ledger and that includes the same location information as one or more steam traps corresponding to the diagnosis time information and diagnosis result information included in the acquisition ledger, as management ledger 52 corresponding to the same diagnostic work as the acquisition ledger. Management unit 411 adds the diagnosis time information and diagnosis result information of the one or more steam traps included in the acquisition ledger to the identified management ledger 52.

[0063] The management unit 411 further manages the management table 53 .

[0064] Specifically, when the communication unit 46 receives measurement data, identification information of the facility, identification information of the steam trap, and measurement date and time information from a measuring device 3 installed in a facility, the management unit 411 acquires the measurement data, identification information of the facility, identification information of the steam trap, and measurement date and time information from the communication unit 46.

[0065] Management unit 411 extracts management information of the steam trap including the identification information of the acquired steam trap from device information 51 whose registration time information indicates the latest date among one or more pieces of device information 51 corresponding to the acquired identification information of the facility stored in memory unit 45. Management unit 411 regards the measurement date and time information acquired from communication unit 46 as diagnosis time information, and stores the extracted management information, the measurement data acquired from communication unit 46, and the diagnosis time information in association with each other in management table 53 corresponding to the acquired identification information of the facility.

[0066] Diagnosis unit 412 diagnoses the steam trap corresponding to the measurement data, based on the measurement data and management information of the steam trap corresponding to the measurement data stored in management table 53. The steam trap corresponding to the measurement data is the steam trap that is the measurement target of measuring device 3 that transmitted the measurement data to server device 4.

[0067] Specifically, the diagnosis unit 412 acquires characteristic information of the steam trap from management information of the steam trap associated with the measurement data to be used for diagnosis (hereinafter, target measurement data) in management table 53. The diagnosis unit 412 compares a temperature threshold included in the characteristic information with the temperature data included in the target measurement data, and also compares a vibration threshold included in the characteristic information with the vibration data included in the target measurement data. Based on the results of these comparisons, the diagnosis unit 412 diagnoses whether the steam trap corresponding to the target measurement data is in a normal state or in a defective state.

[0068] Furthermore, the diagnostic unit 412 calculates the amount of steam leakage from the steam trap corresponding to the target measurement data based on the vibration characteristics included in the acquired characteristic information and the vibration data included in the target measurement data. The diagnostic unit 412 diagnoses the state of the steam trap (e.g., no leakage, small leakage, medium leakage, large leakage, blowing, etc.) according to the calculated amount of steam leakage.

[0069] When diagnosis unit 412 completes diagnosis of the steam trap corresponding to the target measurement data, it stores diagnosis result information indicating the diagnosis result of the steam trap corresponding to the target measurement data in management table 53 in association with the target measurement data.

[0070] The reception unit 413 receives input of information instructing the creation of a report (hereinafter, "creation instruction information").

[0071] For example, the reports include a report (hereinafter, Report 1) showing the time trend of the amount of steam leakage from a specified steam trap (hereinafter, Steam Trap 1) installed at a specified facility. The reports also include Report 2 and Report 3 regarding the replacement of the steam trap.

[0072] The second report is a report that indicates whether or not replacement or consideration of replacement is required for each of the steam traps installed in the designated facility at a specified time in the future, by area in which each steam trap is installed.

[0073] The third report is a report that indicates the number of steam traps (multiple third steam traps) installed in the designated facility that will require replacement at a specified time in the future and the number of steam traps that will require consideration for replacement at that specified time.

[0074] Specifically, when the communication unit 46 receives creation instruction information from an external device such as the information processing device 2, the accepting unit 413 accepts input of the creation instruction information. The creation instruction information includes information for identifying the contents of the report.

[0075] For example, the creation instruction information instructing the creation of the first report includes identification information of the first steam trap and identification information of the facility in which the first steam trap is installed. The creation instruction information instructing the creation of the second report and the third report includes identification information of the facility and information specifying a predetermined time in the future (hereinafter, time designation information).

[0076] For example, suppose that a number of periods arranged in chronological order at a predetermined time interval are specified as future predetermined periods. In this case, the period specification information includes the time interval (e.g., one year) and the number of periods arranged in chronological order at the time interval (e.g., N periods).

[0077] The acquisition unit 414 acquires information indicating the diagnosis results of the steam trap required for creating the report indicated by the creation instruction information (hereinafter, result information corresponding to the report).

[0078] For example, it is assumed that the receiving unit 413 receives creation instruction information instructing the creation of a first report. In this case, the acquiring unit 414 acquires information (hereinafter, first information) indicating a temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in a most recent predetermined period (hereinafter, first period (e.g., six years)) as result information corresponding to the first report.

[0079] Specifically, acquisition unit 414 acquires the identification information of the first steam trap and the identification information of the facility in which the first steam trap is installed from creation instruction information that instructs the creation of the first report.

[0080] The acquisition unit 414 refers to diagnostic result information that is associated with the identification information of the first steam trap and diagnostic timing information indicating the time within the most recent first period in one or more management ledgers 52 and one or more management tables 53 stored in the memory unit 45 in correspondence with the acquired facility identification information.

[0081] The acquisition unit 414 acquires combinations of diagnosis time information corresponding to the diagnosis result information and the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap included in the diagnosis result information in order from the oldest diagnosis time information indicated by the diagnosis time information, thereby acquiring one or more acquired combinations as first information indicating a temporal transition of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in a most recent first period.

[0082] The acquisition unit 414 further acquires, as result information corresponding to the first report, information (hereinafter, second information) indicating the temporal change in the amount of steam leakage for each of multiple steam traps (hereinafter, second steam traps) of the same model as the first steam trap over a period longer than the first period (hereinafter, second period (e.g., 10 years)).

[0083] Specifically, acquisition unit 414 acquires identification information of the first steam trap and identification information of the facility in which the first steam trap is installed from creation instruction information that instructs creation of a first report. Acquisition unit 414 refers to device information 51 corresponding to the identification information of the facility stored in storage unit 45, the device information 51 having the latest registration time information. Acquisition unit 414 acquires information specifying the model of the first steam trap from attribute information corresponding to the identification information of the first steam trap.

[0084] Acquisition unit 414 refers to one or more management ledgers 52 and one or more management tables 53 stored in memory unit 45, whose attribute information includes information identifying the same model as the model of the first steam trap.

[0085] The acquisition unit 414 refers to the identification information of each steam trap contained in the one or more management ledgers 52 and one or more management tables 53, and among the multiple pieces of diagnosis time information associated with the identification information, the diagnosis time information indicating the oldest time (hereinafter, oldest diagnosis time information) and the diagnosis time information indicating the newest time (hereinafter, latest diagnosis time information).

[0086] The acquisition unit 414 acquires, as the identification information of the second steam trap, the identification information of a steam trap in which the period from the time indicated by the earliest diagnosis time information to the time indicated by the latest diagnosis time information is longer than the first period.

[0087] For each of the acquired identification information of the multiple second steam traps, the acquisition unit 414 refers to one or more pieces of diagnostic result information that are associated with the identification information of each second steam trap in the one or more management ledgers 52 and one or more management tables 53 referenced above.

[0088] The acquisition unit 414 acquires combinations of diagnosis time information corresponding to each piece of referred diagnosis result information and the amount of steam leakage from each second steam trap included in each piece of referred diagnosis result information in order from the oldest diagnosis time indicated by the diagnosis time information. In this way, the acquisition unit 414 acquires one or more acquired combinations as second information indicating a temporal transition of the amount of steam leakage from each second steam trap in a second period longer than the first period.

[0089] The calculation unit 415 performs statistical processing on the report based on the result information corresponding to the report acquired by the acquisition unit 414.

[0090] For example, calculation unit 415 performs statistical processing on the first report based on the first information acquired by acquisition unit 414 as result information corresponding to the first report. Specifically, calculation unit 415 calculates an approximation function indicating a temporal transition of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap as the statistical processing on the first report.

[0091] For example, assume that as the time indicated by the diagnosis time information included in the first information becomes later, the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap included in the first information and corresponding to the diagnosis time information increases linearly. In this case, calculation unit 415 calculates a linear function showing the relationship between them by linear approximation using the time indicated by the diagnosis time information included in the first information as an explanatory variable and the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap included in the first information and corresponding to the diagnosis time information as a response variable. Calculation unit 415 calculates the linear function as an approximation function showing the time transition of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap.

[0092] On the other hand, it is assumed that as the time indicated by the diagnosis time information included in the first information becomes later, the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap corresponding to the diagnosis time information included in the first information increases nonlinearly. In this case, calculation unit 415 calculates a quadratic function showing the relationship between them by polynomial approximation using the time indicated by the diagnosis time information included in the first information as an explanatory variable and the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap corresponding to the diagnosis time information included in the first information as a response variable. Calculation unit 415 calculates the quadratic function as an approximation function showing the time transition of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap.

[0093] The extraction unit 416 extracts various pieces of information related to the report from the result information corresponding to the report acquired by the acquisition unit 414.

[0094] For example, the extraction unit 416 extracts, from among the multiple pieces of second information acquired by the acquisition unit 414 as result information corresponding to the first report, second information (hereinafter, similar performance information) in which the time progression of the steam leakage amount during a period of the same length as the first period (hereinafter, third period) is similar to the time progression of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information acquired by the acquisition unit 414 as result information corresponding to the first report.

[0095] Specifically, the extraction unit 416 extracts, from among the multiple pieces of second information, second information that indicates that the increase in the amount of steam leakage during any period of the same length as the first period of the second steam trap is closest to the increase in the amount of steam leakage during the first period indicated by the first information, as similar performance information.

[0096] Note that the method of extracting similar performance information by the extraction unit 416 is not limited to this. For example, the extraction unit 416 may extract similar performance information from a plurality of pieces of second information by using a model generated by machine learning such as deep learning.

[0097] Specifically, a model based on machine learning of the relationship between the time progression of steam leakage amount in a most recent first period of time (hereinafter referred to as the first time progression), the time progression of steam leakage amount in a second period longer than the first period for each of a plurality of steam traps of the same type as the target steam trap (hereinafter referred to as the plurality of second time progressions), and a second time progression (hereinafter referred to as the third time progression) among the plurality of second time progressions, in which the time progression of steam leakage amount in a third period of the same length as the first period is similar to the first time progression, may be stored in advance in memory unit 45.

[0098] In this case, the extraction unit 416 may acquire the above model from the storage unit 45, and input the first information and the multiple pieces of second information acquired by the acquisition unit 414 to the model, thereby extracting information indicating the third time transition output by the model as similar performance information.

[0099] Furthermore, the extraction unit 416 extracts second information (hereinafter, minimum performance information) that indicates the highest rate of increase in the amount of steam leakage over the entire period (second period) from among the multiple pieces of second information acquired by the acquisition unit 414 as result information corresponding to the first report. The rate of increase in the amount of steam leakage over the entire period (second period) is the ratio of the increase in the amount of steam leakage from the start point of the second period to the end point of the second period relative to the length of the second period (=the increase / length of the second period).

[0100] The prediction unit 417 predicts various pieces of information regarding the report based on at least one of the result information corresponding to the report acquired by the acquisition unit 414, the results of statistical processing regarding the report by the calculation unit 415, and various pieces of information regarding the report extracted by the extraction unit 416.

[0101] For example, the prediction unit 417 predicts the future change in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap over time based on the first information acquired by the acquisition unit 414 as result information corresponding to the first report, the approximation function calculated by the calculation unit 415 as statistical processing related to the first report, and the similar performance information and minimum performance information extracted by the extraction unit 416 as information related to the first report.

[0102] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap. In Figure 3, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap. Threshold value TH1 written on the vertical axis of graph area A21 represents the lower limit of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap at which the steam leakage state is "large leakage" and replacement should be considered. Threshold value TH2 written on the vertical axis of graph area A21 represents the lower limit of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap at which the steam leakage state is "uninterrupted" and replacement should be considered.

[0103] A solid line V511 indicates the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the most recent first period T1, which is indicated by the first information acquired by the acquisition unit 414.

[0104] Dashed line V512 indicates the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap in the second period T2a, as indicated by the similar performance information extracted by extraction unit 416. In other words, dashed line V512 indicates the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from a second steam trap, among multiple second steam traps of the same model as the first steam trap, whose change over time in the amount of steam leakage in a third period T3, which has the same length as the first period T1, is similar to the change over time in the amount of steam leakage indicated by the first information, as indicated by solid line V511.

[0105] 3, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap during the second time period, as indicated by the dashed line V512, is such that the amount of steam leakage increases with increasing time, as indicated by the similar performance information extracted by extraction unit 416. However, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap during the second time period, as indicated by the similar performance information, is not limited to this, and may also include a decrease in the amount of steam leakage as time increases.

[0106] A dotted line V513 indicates the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap, which is indicated by the approximation function calculated by the calculation unit 415.

[0107] The two-dot chain line V514 indicates the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap in the second period T2b, as indicated by the minimum performance information extracted by the extraction unit 416. In other words, the two-dot chain line V514 indicates the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the second steam trap which, among multiple second steam traps of the same model as the first steam trap, has the largest rate of increase in the amount of steam leakage in a period longer than the first period T1 (the second period T2b).

[0108] 3, the transition over time of the steam leakage amount from the second steam trap in the second time period indicated by the minimum performance information extracted by extraction unit 416 is such that the steam leakage amount increases with increasing time, as indicated by dashed two-dot line V514. However, the transition over time of the steam leakage amount from the second steam trap in the second time period indicated by the minimum performance information is not limited to this, and may also include a decrease in the steam leakage amount with increasing time.

[0109] In the above case, the prediction unit 417 predicts, for example, as shown by the dotted circle V515, the time progression of the average value of the steam leakage amount from the first period T1 onwards indicated by the approximation function calculated by the calculation unit 415 and the steam leakage amount from the third period T3 onwards indicated by the similar performance information extracted by the extraction unit 416, as a single time progression of the future steam leakage amount from the first steam trap (hereinafter, the first predicted time progression).

[0110] Specifically, the prediction unit 417 calculates the average value of the steam leakage amount indicated by the approximation function and the steam leakage amount indicated by the similar performance information at multiple sample points corresponding to the elapsed time from the end points of the first period T1 and the third period T3.

[0111] In addition, the prediction unit 417 predicts, for example, as shown by the dotted line V516, the time progression of the average value of the steam leakage amount from the first period T1 onwards indicated by the approximation function calculated by the calculation unit 415 and the steam leakage amount from the third period T3 onwards indicated by the minimum actual information extracted by the extraction unit 416, as another time progression of the future steam leakage amount from the first steam trap (hereinafter, the second predicted time progression).

[0112] Specifically, the prediction unit 417 calculates an average value of the steam leakage amount indicated by the approximation function and the steam leakage amount indicated by the lowest performance information at multiple sample points corresponding to the elapsed time from the end point of the first period T1 and the third period T3. As a result, the prediction unit 417 calculates a temporal transition of the average value of the steam leakage amount after the first period T1 indicated by the approximation function and the steam leakage amount after the third period T3 indicated by the lowest performance information.

[0113] The prediction unit 417 may predict only one of the first predicted time transition and the second predicted time transition.

[0114] Furthermore, as indicated by dashed line V512, prediction unit 417 may predict, as a time transition of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap in the future, the time transition of the steam leakage amount from the third period T3 and thereafter, which is indicated by the similar performance information extracted by extraction unit 416. In this way, the time transition of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap in the ideal future may be predicted.

[0115] Alternatively, as indicated by a two-dot chain line V514, the prediction unit 417 may predict the change over time of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap in the future based on the change over time of the steam leakage amount from the third period T3 and onwards, which is indicated by the lowest performance information extracted by the extraction unit 416. This may allow the prediction of the change over time of the future steam leakage amount from the first steam trap in the event of an exceptional failure of the first steam trap.

[0116] Alternatively, as shown by dotted line V513, prediction unit 417 may predict the time transition of the steam leakage amount from the first steam trap in the first period T1 and thereafter, which is indicated by the approximation function calculated by calculation unit 415. In this way, the theoretically estimated time transition of the future steam leakage amount from the first steam trap may be predicted.

[0117] The creation unit 418 inserts at least one of the creation instruction information, the result information corresponding to the report acquired by the acquisition unit 414, the result of the statistical processing on the report by the calculation unit 415, the various information on the report extracted by the extraction unit 416, and the various information on the report predicted by the prediction unit 417 into the standard form 54 of the report indicated by the creation instruction information accepted by the acceptance unit 413, which is stored in the storage unit 45. In this way, the creation unit 418 creates the report indicated by the creation instruction information accepted by the acceptance unit 413.

[0118] The output unit 419 returns (outputs) data indicating the report created by the creation unit 418 (hereinafter, report data) to the external device that transmitted the creation instruction information, using the communication unit 46. The output unit 419 may store (output) the returned report data in the storage unit 45. This may allow an information processing device such as the information processing device 2 that can access the server device 4 to acquire the report data stored in the storage unit 45.

[0119] <Diagnosis process flow> Next, a description will be given of the flow of processing carried out in steam trap management system 100 when an operator performs diagnostic work on multiple steam traps using diagnostic device 1. Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing during diagnostic work in steam trap management system 100. In response to operations by the operator, information processing device 2 creates management ledger 52 for the multiple steam traps that are the subject of diagnostic work (step S1).

[0120] Information processing device 2 transmits management ledger 52 created in step S1 to server device 4 together with identification information of the facility in which the multiple steam traps that are the subject of the diagnosis work are installed (step S2).

[0121] In the server device 4, the communication unit 46 receives the facility identification information and the management ledger 52 transmitted from the information processing device 2. The management unit 411 acquires the facility identification information and the management ledger 52 from the communication unit 46, and stores the management ledger 52 in the storage unit 45 in association with the facility identification information (step S3).

[0122] The information processing device 2 stores the management ledger 52 created in step S1 in a flash memory in response to an operation by an operator. The operator connects the flash memory in which the management ledger 52 is stored to the diagnostic device 1 (step S4).

[0123] When the flash memory in which the management ledger 52 is stored is connected to the diagnostic device 1, the diagnostic device 1 automatically or in response to an operation by an operator retrieves the management ledger 52 from the flash memory and stores the management ledger (step S5).

[0124] If the worker carries the diagnostic device 1 and the information processing device 2, in step S4, the information processing device 2 may transmit the management ledger 52 created in step S1 to the diagnostic device 1. Then, when the diagnostic device 1 receives the management ledger 52 transmitted from the information processing device 2, in step S5, the management ledger 52 may be stored in a memory provided in the diagnostic device 1.

[0125] The worker carries diagnostic device 1 (and, if permitted, information processing device 2) around the facility and uses diagnostic device 1 to diagnose each steam trap in turn (step S6). At that time, the worker operates diagnostic device 1 to display management ledger 52 stored in advance on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that the diagnostic device 1 is equipped with. This allows the worker to recognize the diagnosis order of multiple steam traps and the management information of each steam trap (identification information, position information, attribute information, and characteristic information).

[0126] In addition, when the worker carries the diagnostic device 1 and the information processing device 2, the management ledger 52 may be displayed on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display provided in the information processing device 2. Since the information processing device 2 usually has a larger display unit than the diagnostic device 1, displaying the management ledger 52 on the display unit of the information processing device 2 improves visibility for the worker.

[0127] The worker moves to the location where the steam trap to be diagnosed is installed, according to the diagnosis order and location information that can be recognized from the displayed management ledger 52. The worker operates diagnostic device 1 to select one steam trap to be diagnosed this time from the multiple steam traps included in management ledger 52.

[0128] Next, the operator presses the probe (not shown) of diagnostic device 1 against the steam trap to be diagnosed this time (hereinafter referred to as the target steam trap). This causes diagnostic device 1 to measure the temperature and vibration of the target steam trap. Diagnostic device 1 obtains management information including identification information of the target steam trap from management ledger 52, and diagnoses the target steam trap based on characteristic information included in the management information and the measurement data of the temperature and vibration of the target steam trap. Diagnostic device 1 displays diagnosis result information showing the results of the diagnosis of the target steam trap on the display unit.

[0129] Diagnostic device 1 updates management ledger 52 stored in memory by adding diagnosis time information indicating the diagnosis time of the target steam trap and diagnosis result information indicating the diagnosis result of the target steam trap to management ledger 52 (step S7).

[0130] When the worker finishes the diagnostic work on one or more steam traps for which he / she is responsible, he / she connects the flash memory to diagnostic device 1. When the flash memory is connected to diagnostic device 1, diagnostic device 1 stores updated management ledger 52 stored in the memory in the flash memory, either automatically or in response to an operation by the worker. The worker connects the flash memory in which updated management ledger 52 is stored to information processing device 2 (step S8).

[0131] When the flash memory is connected, the information processing device 2 acquires the updated management ledger 52 from the flash memory automatically or in response to an operation by an operator (step S9).

[0132] If the worker carries the diagnostic device 1 and the information processing device 2, in step S8, the diagnostic device 1 may transmit the updated management ledger 52 stored in the memory to the information processing device 2. Then, in step S9, the information processing device 2 may acquire the updated management ledger 52 received from the diagnostic device 1.

[0133] Next, information processing device 2 transmits updated management ledger 52 acquired in step S9 to server device 4 together with identification information of the facility in which the steam trap for which diagnosis work has been performed is installed (step S10).

[0134] In the server device 4, when the communication unit 46 receives the updated management ledger 52 and the identification information of the facility from the information processing device 2, the management unit 411 acquires the updated management ledger 52 and the identification information of the facility received by the communication unit 46 from the communication unit 46. The management unit 411 updates, using the acquired management ledger 52, the management ledger 52 corresponding to the same diagnostic work as the acquired management ledger 52, which is stored in the memory unit 45 in association with the acquired identification information of the facility (step S11).

[0135] Furthermore, in step S10, instead of sending the updated management ledger 52 to the server device 4, the information processing device 2 may send to the server device 4 the timing information contained in the updated management ledger 52, the diagnosis timing information and diagnosis result information of each steam trap added to the management ledger 52 in step S7, and the position information of the steam trap corresponding to the diagnosis timing information and diagnosis result information.

[0136] In response to this, in server device 4, in step S11, management unit 411 may acquire from communication unit 46 the timing information, position information of each steam trap, diagnosis timing information, and diagnosis result information received by communication unit 46. In conjunction with this, management unit 411 may add the acquired diagnosis timing information and diagnosis result information to management ledger 52 that is stored in storage unit 45 in association with the identification information of the facility acquired in step S10, includes the same timing information as the acquired timing information, and includes the same location information as the acquired location information.

[0137] <Diagnosis process flow> Next, a description will be given of the flow of diagnostic processing performed in steam trap management system 100. The diagnostic processing is processing for diagnosing a plurality of steam traps based on measurement data indicating the results of measurement of the plurality of steam traps by a plurality of measuring devices 3. Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the diagnostic processing.

[0138] Each of the multiple measuring devices 3 periodically executes a measurement process (step S21). Each measuring device 3 transmits measurement data indicating the measurement results of the temperature and vibration of the target steam trap obtained by the measurement process, identification information of the facility in which the target steam trap is installed, identification information of the target steam trap, and measurement date and time information indicating the current date and time to the server device 4 (step S22).

[0139] In server device 4, management unit 411 acquires from communication unit 46 the measurement data, facility identification information, target steam trap identification information, and measurement date and time information that communication unit 46 has received from measuring device 3 (step S23).

[0140] Management unit 411 references equipment information 51 of a facility whose registration time information indicates the most recent (closest in the past) time from equipment information 51 of the facility corresponding to the identification information of the facility acquired in step S23, which is stored in storage unit 45. Management unit 411 extracts steam trap management information including the identification information of the target steam trap acquired in step S23 from the referenced equipment information 51 (step S24).

[0141] The management unit 411 treats the measurement date and time information acquired in step S23 as diagnosis time information, associates the management information extracted in step S24 with the measurement data acquired in step S23, and the diagnosis time information, and stores them in a management table 53 corresponding to the facility identification information acquired in step S23, which is stored in the memory unit 45 (step S25).

[0142] Diagnosis unit 412 diagnoses the steam trap corresponding to the measurement data, based on the measurement data stored in management table 53 and the management information of the steam trap corresponding to the measurement data (step S26). Note that step S26 may be performed immediately after the completion of step S25, or may be performed when a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion of step S25.

[0143] Diagnosis unit 412 stores in management table 53 diagnosis result information indicating the diagnosis result of the steam trap corresponding to the measurement data in step S26 in association with the measurement data (step S27).

[0144] <Report creation process flow> Next, a description will be given of the flow of report creation processing performed in steam trap management system 100. The report creation processing is processing for creating a report indicated by creation instruction information inputted in information processing device 2. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the report creation processing.

[0145] When production instruction information for creating a report is input in the information processing device 2 in response to an operation by an operator (step S31), the information processing device 2 transmits the production instruction information to the server device 4 (step S32).

[0146] When the communication unit 46 receives the creation instruction information from the information processing device 2, the accepting unit 413 accepts the input of the creation instruction information (step S33). The acquiring unit 414 acquires result information corresponding to the report to be created, which is indicated by the creation instruction information accepted in step S33 (step S34).

[0147] For example, suppose that in step S33, the receiving unit 413 receives creation instruction information instructing the creation of a first report. In this case, in step S34, the acquiring unit 414 acquires first information indicating a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in a most recent first period as result information corresponding to the first report. Also in step S34, the acquiring unit 414 acquires second information indicating a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from each of a plurality of second steam traps of the same model as the first steam trap in a second period longer than the first period as result information corresponding to the first report.

[0148] The calculation unit 415 performs statistical processing on the report based on the result information corresponding to the report acquired in step S34 (step S35).

[0149] For example, in step S35, the calculation unit 415 calculates an approximation function indicating the temporal progression of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap as a statistical processing related to the first report based on the first information acquired in step S34 as result information corresponding to the first report.

[0150] The extraction unit 416 extracts various pieces of information related to the report from the result information corresponding to the report acquired in step S34 (step S36).

[0151] For example, in step S36, the extraction unit 416 extracts similar performance information from among the multiple pieces of second information acquired in step S34 as result information corresponding to the first report, in which the time progression of the steam leakage amount in a third period having the same length as the first period is similar to the time progression of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information acquired in step S34 as result information corresponding to the first report. Furthermore, in step S36, the extraction unit 416 extracts the lowest performance information indicating the largest rate of increase in the steam leakage amount over the entire period (second period) from among the multiple pieces of second information acquired in step S34 as result information corresponding to the first report.

[0152] The prediction unit 417 predicts various pieces of information regarding the report based on at least one of the result information corresponding to the report obtained in step S34, the results of the statistical processing regarding the report in step S5, and the various pieces of information regarding the report extracted in step S36 (step S37).

[0153] For example, in step S37, the prediction unit 417 predicts the future change in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap over time based on the result information corresponding to the first report obtained in step S34, the results of the statistical processing on the first report in step S35, and the similar performance information and minimum performance information extracted in step S36.

[0154] The creation unit 418 acquires the template form 54 of the report indicated by the creation instruction information received in step S33, which is stored in the storage unit 45. The creation unit 418 inserts at least one of the creation instruction information received in step S33, the result information corresponding to the report acquired in step S34, the result of the statistical processing related to the report in step S35, the various pieces of information related to the report extracted in step S36, and the various pieces of information related to the report predicted in step S37 into the template form 54. In this way, the creation unit 418 creates the report indicated by the creation instruction information (step S38).

[0155] The output unit 419 uses the communication unit 46 to return report data indicating the report created in step S38 to the information processing device 2 that transmitted the creation instruction information accepted in step S33 (step S39).

[0156] When the information processing device 2 receives the report data from the server device 4, the information processing device 2 displays the report indicated by the report data on the display unit provided in the information processing device 2 itself (step S40).

[0157] <First example of the report> In the following, a first report showing a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap will be described as a first specific example of a report created in the report creation process.

[0158] 7 is a diagram showing an example of the first report R2. In step S38 (FIG. 6), the creation unit 418 acquires from the storage unit 45 a leakage amount transition form F2, which is the template form 54 (FIG. 2) for the first report R2.

[0159] The creation unit 418 inserts the creation instruction information accepted in step S33 (FIG. 6), the first information acquired in step S34 (FIG. 6), and the approximation function calculated in step S35 (FIG. 6) into the leakage amount transition form F2. The creation unit 418 also inserts the similar performance information and the lowest performance information extracted in step S36 (FIG. 6), and the first predicted time transition and the second predicted time transition predicted in step S37 (FIG. 6) into the leakage amount transition form F2. In this way, the creation unit 418 creates the first report R2.

[0160] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the leakage amount transition form F2 is provided with a title area T20, a graph area A21, and a legend area A22.

[0161] The title region T20 is an insertion section for the title of the first report R2. The creation unit 418 creates the title of the first report R2, “Changes in the amount of steam leakage from the steam trap “E51” of plant A,” using the facility identification information “Plant A” included in the creation instruction information and the first steam trap identification information “E51” included in the creation instruction information, and inserts the title into the title region T20.

[0162] Graph area A21 is an insert for a graph showing the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap. The horizontal axis of graph area A21 indicates time, and the vertical axis of graph area A21 indicates the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap. Note that "replacement required" written on the vertical axis of graph area A21 indicates the lower limit of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap when the steam leakage state is "open air" and replacement is required. "review required" written on the vertical axis of graph area A21 indicates the lower limit of the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap when the steam leakage state is "large leakage" and replacement consideration is required.

[0163] The creation unit 418 creates a graph G511 showing the first information acquired in step S34 (FIG. 6) and a graph G512 showing the similar performance information extracted in step S36 (FIG. 6). The creation unit 418 creates a graph G513 showing the approximation function calculated in step S35 (FIG. 6) and a graph G514 showing the lowest performance information extracted in step S36 (FIG. 6). The creation unit 418 creates a graph G515 showing the first predicted time transition predicted in step S37 (FIG. 6) and a graph G516 showing the second predicted time transition predicted in step S37 (FIG. 6). The creation unit 418 inserts the six created graphs G511 to G516 into the graph area A21.

[0164] Legend area A22 is an insertion portion for the legends of six graphs G511 to G516 to be inserted into graph area A21.

[0165] In step S38 (FIG. 6), creation unit 418 inserts legends for the six graphs G511-G516 into legend area A22. Specifically, creation unit 418 creates combinations of images indicating the line type of each graph (solid line, dashed line, square dotted line, two-dot chain line, circle dotted line, one-dot chain line) and the name of each graph ("performance value", "similar performance value", "approximation function", "minimum performance value", "approximation function & average value of similar performance values", "approximation function & average value of minimum performance values"). Creation unit 418 inserts the six created combinations into legend area A22 as legends for the six graphs G511-G516.

[0166] According to the first report R2, the temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" onwards, as shown by graphs G512 to G516 displayed in the graph area A21, can be understood as an example of the temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future.

[0167] For example, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" shown in graph G512 can be understood as an example of an ideal change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future. The change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" shown in graph G515 can be understood as an example of a realistic change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future. The change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" shown in graph G513 can be understood as an example of a theoretically estimated change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future.

[0168] Furthermore, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" onwards shown in graph G514 can be understood as an example of a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future if an exceptional failure occurs in the first steam trap. The change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future if a realistic failure occurs in the first steam trap can be understood as an example of a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future if a realistic failure occurs in the first steam trap.

[0169] Also, according to first report R2, in the transition over time of the steam leakage amount after the "present" shown by graphs G512-G516 displayed in graph area A21, the time when the steam leakage amount becomes "required replacement" can be understood as an example of a time when replacement of the first steam trap will be necessary. Also, according to first report R2, in the transition over time of the steam leakage amount after the "present" shown by graphs G512-G516 displayed in graph area A21, the time when the steam leakage amount becomes "required consideration" can be understood as an example of a time when consideration of replacement of the first steam trap will be necessary.

[0170] For example, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" shown in graph G512 can be understood as an example of an ideal change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future. The change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" shown in graph G515 can be understood as an example of a realistic change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future. The change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" shown in graph G513 can be understood as an example of a theoretically estimated change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future.

[0171] Furthermore, the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the "present" onwards shown in graph G514 can be understood as an example of a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future if an exceptional failure occurs in the first steam trap. The change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future if a realistic failure occurs in the first steam trap can be understood as an example of a change over time in the amount of steam leakage from the first steam trap in the future if a realistic failure occurs in the first steam trap.

[0172] Alternatively, creation unit 418 may not insert one or more of graphs G513 to G516 into graph area A21, and may create a legend for the graph to be inserted into graph area A21 and insert it into legend area A22.

[0173] <Second specific example of the report> Below, as a second specific example of a report created in the report creation process, a second report will be described which indicates whether or not replacement or consideration of replacement is required for each of multiple steam traps installed in a specified facility at a specified time in the future, by area in which each steam trap is installed.

[0174] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the second report R3. Assume that creation instruction information instructing the creation of the second report R3 is received in step S33 (Fig. 6). In this case, in steps S34 to S37 (Fig. 6), each of the multiple steam traps installed in the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information is treated as a first steam trap, and the same processing as that for creating the first report R2 (Fig. 7) is performed.

[0175] Specifically, in step S34, acquisition unit 414 acquires first information indicating the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from each first steam trap in the most recent first period (hereinafter, the first information of each first steam trap) as result information corresponding to second report R3. Acquisition unit 414 acquires second information indicating the change over time in the amount of steam leakage from each first steam trap in a second period longer than the first period for each second steam trap for each of multiple second steam traps of the same model as the first steam trap (hereinafter, the multiple pieces of second information of each first steam trap) as result information corresponding to second report R3.

[0176] In step S35, the calculation unit 415 calculates an approximation function indicating the temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from each first steam trap (hereinafter, referred to as the approximation function of each first steam trap) based on the first information of each first steam trap obtained in step S34 as result information corresponding to the second report R3.

[0177] In step S36, extraction unit 416 extracts similar performance information (hereinafter referred to as similar performance information of each first steam trap) from the multiple pieces of second information of each first steam trap acquired in step S34, in which the time progression of the steam leakage amount during a third period having the same length as the first period is similar to the time progression of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information of each first steam trap acquired in step S34.

[0178] In step S37, the prediction unit 417 predicts a first predicted time trend, which is a time trend of the future steam leakage amount from each first steam trap (hereinafter referred to as the first predicted time trend of each first steam trap), based on the first information and multiple pieces of second information of each first steam trap acquired in step S34, the approximate function of each first steam trap calculated in step S35, and the similar performance information of each first steam trap extracted in step S36.

[0179] Furthermore, based on the predicted first predicted time progression of each first steam trap (e.g., V515 (Figure 3)), the prediction unit 417 predicts whether the future specified time indicated by the timing designation information is a time when each first steam trap will need to be replaced, a time when replacement of each first steam trap will need to be considered, or a time when replacement of each first steam trap is not necessary and replacement is not necessary.

[0180] Specifically, if the amount of steam leakage from each first steam trap at a predetermined future time in the first predicted time progression of each first steam trap is greater than or equal to threshold value TH2 (Figure 3), the prediction unit 417 predicts that the predetermined time will be the time when each first steam trap will need to be replaced.

[0181] If, in the first predicted time progression of each first steam trap, the amount of steam leakage from each first steam trap at a specified future time point is greater than or equal to threshold value TH1 (Figure 3) and less than threshold value TH2 (Figure 3), the prediction unit 417 predicts that the specified time point will be a time when it will be necessary to consider replacing each first steam trap.

[0182] If, in the first predicted time progression of each first steam trap, the amount of steam leakage from each first steam trap at a predetermined future time is less than threshold value TH1 (Figure 3), the prediction unit 417 predicts that the predetermined time will be a time when it is no longer necessary to replace or consider replacing each first steam trap.

[0183] Then, in step S38 (FIG. 6), the creation unit 418 acquires the area-specific replacement prediction form F3 (FIG. 8), which is the template form 54 (FIG. 2) of the second report R3, from the storage unit 45. The creation unit 418 acquires the facility identification information and time designation information included in the creation instruction information accepted in step S33 (FIG. 6). The creation unit 418 inserts various pieces of information predicted by the prediction unit 417 in step S37 into the area-specific replacement prediction form F3. As a result, the creation unit 418 creates the second report R3.

[0184] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the area-specific exchange forecast form F3 is provided with a title region T30 and a table region A31.

[0185] The title region T30 is a section for inserting the title of the second report R3. The creation unit 418 creates the title of the second report R3, “Plant A Area-by-Area Steam Trap Replacement Timing Prediction,” using the facility identification information “Plant A” included in the creation instruction information, and inserts the title into the title region T30.

[0186] The table area A31 is an insertion portion for a table showing various pieces of information predicted by the prediction unit 417. The table area A31 is provided with three insertion columns F31 to F33.

[0187] The creation unit 418 classifies the multiple steam traps by area in which they are installed, by referring to location information of multiple steam traps installed in the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information, which is stored in the memory unit 45. The creation unit 418 inserts the identification information of the area in which one or more steam traps are installed into the insertion field F31. The creation unit 418 inserts the identification information of the one or more steam traps installed in the area indicated by the identification information inserted in the insertion field F31 into the insertion field F32.

[0188] For example, FIG. 8 shows an example in which the identification information "E1" of an area in which M steam traps are installed is inserted into the insertion field F31, and the identification information "E11", "E12", ..., "E1M" of the M steam traps installed in the area are inserted into the insertion field F32.

[0189] The creation unit 418 inserts into insertion field F33 information indicating that the future specified time predicted in step S37 is a time (first time) when the steam trap indicated by the identification information inserted in insertion field F32 will need to be replaced, information indicating that the future specified time is a time (second time) when consideration of replacement of the steam trap will be required, or information indicating that the future specified time is a time when replacement of the steam trap and consideration of replacement will not be required.

[0190] For example, assume that the predetermined periods specified by the period designation information included in the creation instruction information are "N" periods arranged in chronological order at a time interval of "1 year." Fig. 8 shows an example in which, in this case, information "x" indicating that each of the "N" periods predicted in step S37 is a period when the steam trap indicated by the identification information "E11" inserted in the insertion field F32 will need to be replaced, information "△" indicating that each of the "N" periods is a period when the steam trap will need to be considered for replacement, or information "o" indicating that each of the "N" periods is a period when the steam trap does not need to be replaced or when consideration of replacement is not required is inserted in the insertion field F33.

[0191] For example, Fig. 8 shows an example in which information "x" indicating that the time "N years from now" out of "N" time periods arranged in chronological order at time intervals of "1 year" is the time when the steam trap indicated by identification information "E11" will need to be replaced is inserted into the insertion field F33. Fig. 8 also shows an example in which information "△" indicating that the time "4 years from now" is the time when it will be necessary to consider replacing the steam trap indicated by identification information "E11" is inserted into the insertion field F33. Fig. 8 also shows an example in which information "o" indicating that the three time periods "1 year from now," "2 years from now," and "3 years from now" are times when it is not necessary to replace the steam trap or consider replacing it is inserted into the insertion field F33.

[0192] Therefore, by referring to the second report R3, it is possible to understand, for each of one or more steam traps installed in each area of ​​the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information, the time when each steam trap will need to be replaced, the time when replacement of each steam trap will need to be considered, and the time when replacement of each steam trap will not be required or replacement consideration will not be required.

[0193] The prediction unit 417 may be configured not to predict that the predetermined future time will be a time when it will be necessary to consider replacing each first steam trap. In accordance with this, the creation unit 418 may be configured not to insert, into the insertion field F33, the information "△" indicating that the predetermined future time will be a time when it will be necessary to consider replacing the steam trap indicated by the identification information inserted into the insertion field F32.

[0194] Furthermore, the prediction unit 417 may not predict that the predetermined future time will be a time when replacement or consideration of replacement of each first steam trap is unnecessary. In accordance with this, the creation unit 418 may not insert, into the insertion field F33, the information "◯" indicating that the predetermined future time will be a time when replacement or consideration of replacement of the steam trap indicated by the identification information inserted into the insertion field F32 is unnecessary.

[0195] Furthermore, the future predetermined time specified by the time designation information is not limited to multiple time periods arranged in chronological order at a predetermined time interval. The future predetermined time specified by the time designation information may be a single time period, or multiple time periods arranged in chronological order at any time interval. Furthermore, one or more future times, such as "one year later" and "three years later", may be fixed as the predetermined time periods, and the creation instruction information that instructs the creation of the second report R3 may not include the time designation information.

[0196] In addition, the table region A31 may not include the insertion column F31, and the creation unit 418 may insert the identification information of multiple steam traps installed in the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information into the insertion column F32 in any order.

[0197] <Third example of the report> Below, as a third specific example of a report created in the report creation process, we will explain a third report that indicates the number of steam traps that will need to be replaced at a specified time in the future, among the multiple steam traps installed in a specified facility, and the number of steam traps that will need to be considered for replacement at that specified time.

[0198] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the third report R4. Assume that creation instruction information instructing the creation of the third report R4 is received in step S33 (Fig. 6). In this case, in steps S34 to S37 (Fig. 6), each of the multiple steam traps installed in the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information is treated as a first steam trap, and the same processing as that for creating the second report R3 (Fig. 8) is performed.

[0199] However, in step S37, the prediction unit 417 further refers to the location information of each first steam trap installed in the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information, which is stored in the memory unit 45, and obtains identification information of the area in which each first steam trap is installed.

[0200] Furthermore, the prediction unit 417 performs the following processing using the prediction result of whether the future specified time specified by the timing designation information included in the creation instruction information is a time when each first steam trap will need to be replaced, a time when replacement of each first steam trap will need to be considered, or a time when replacement of each first steam trap is not necessary or replacement consideration is not required, and identification information of the area in which each first steam trap is installed.

[0201] Specifically, for each of one or more areas of the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information, the prediction unit 417 calculates (predicts) the number of steam traps that will need to be replaced at a specified time in the future, the number of steam traps that will need to be considered for replacement at the specified time, and the number of steam traps that do not need to be replaced or for which replacement is not considered at the specified time, among one or more steam traps installed in each area.

[0202] Then, in step S38 (FIG. 6), the creation unit 418 acquires the facility replacement prediction form F4 (FIG. 9), which is the template form 54 (FIG. 2) for the third report R4, from the storage unit 45. The creation unit 418 acquires the facility identification information and time designation information included in the creation instruction information accepted in step S33 (FIG. 6). The creation unit 418 inserts various pieces of information predicted by the prediction unit 417 in step S37 into the facility replacement prediction form F4. In this way, the creation unit 418 creates the third report R4.

[0203] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the facility replacement prediction form F4 is provided with a title area T40 and a table area A41.

[0204] The title region T40 is a section for inserting the title of the third report R4. The creation unit 418 creates the title of the third report R4, “Plant A Steam Trap Replacement Time Prediction,” using the facility identification information “Plant A” included in the creation instruction information, and inserts the title into the title region T40.

[0205] Table area A41 is an insertion section for a table showing various pieces of information predicted by prediction section 417. Table area A41 is provided with two display columns F42, F44 and three insertion columns F41, F43, F45.

[0206] The creation unit 418 refers to the location information of multiple steam traps installed in the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information, which is stored in the memory unit 45, and inserts identification information of the area in which one or more steam traps are installed into the insertion field F41.

[0207] For example, FIG. 9 shows an example in which identification information "E1", "E2", . . . "EK" of K areas in which one or more steam traps are installed are inserted in the insert field F41.

[0208] The creation unit 418 inserts the number of steam traps that will need to be replaced at a specified time in the future, out of one or more steam traps installed in the area indicated by the identification information inserted in the insertion field F41, as predicted in step S37, into the insertion field F43 corresponding to the insertion field F41 and the display field F42 that displays ``Required.''

[0209] For example, suppose that the predetermined time periods specified by the time period specification information included in the creation instruction information are "N" time periods arranged in chronological order at a time interval of "1 year". Fig. 9 shows an example in which the numbers "e111", "e121", "e131", "e141", ..., "e1n1" of steam traps installed in an area indicated by identification information "E1" that will need to be replaced at each of the "N" time periods "1 year later", "2 years later", "3 years later", "4 years later", ..., "N years later" predicted in step S37 are inserted into the insertion field F41 into which the identification information "E1" is inserted, the display field F42 displaying "Necessary", and the corresponding insertion field F43.

[0210] The creation unit 418 inserts the number of steam traps that will need to be considered for replacement at a specified time in the future, out of one or more steam traps installed in the area indicated by the identification information inserted in the insertion field F41, as predicted in step S37, into the insertion field F41 and the display field F42 that displays ``Requires consideration'' into the insertion field F43 corresponding to that insertion field F41 and the display field F42 that displays ``Requires consideration.''

[0211] For example, suppose that the predetermined time periods specified by the time period specification information included in the creation instruction information are "N" time periods arranged in chronological order at a time interval of "1 year". Fig. 9 shows an example in which the numbers "e112", "e122", "e132", "e142", ..., "e1n2" of steam traps installed in an area indicated by identification information "E1" that will require replacement consideration at each of the "N" time periods "1 year later", "2 years later", "3 years later", "4 years later", ..., "N years later" predicted in step S37 are inserted into the insertion field F41 into which the identification information "E1" is inserted, the display field F42 displaying "requires consideration", and the corresponding insertion field F43.

[0212] The creation unit 418 inserts the number of steam traps that do not need to be replaced or whose replacement is to be considered at a specified time in the future, among one or more steam traps installed in the area indicated by the identification information inserted in the insertion field F41, as predicted in step S37, into the insertion field F43 corresponding to the insertion field F41 and the display field F42 displaying ``Not required.''

[0213] For example, suppose that the predetermined time periods specified by the time period specification information included in the creation instruction information are "N" time periods arranged in chronological order at time intervals of "1 year". Fig. 9 shows an example in which the numbers "e113", "e123", "e133", "e143", ..., "e1n3" of steam traps installed in an area indicated by identification information "E1" that are predicted in step S37 and that do not require replacement or consideration of replacement at each of the "N" time periods "1 year later", "2 years later", "3 years later", "4 years later", ..., "N years later" are inserted into the insertion field F41 into which the identification information "E1" is inserted and the display field F42 displaying "Not required".

[0214] The creation unit 418 inserts the total number of steam traps that will need to be replaced at a specified time in the future, out of the multiple steam traps installed in the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information, as predicted in step S37, into the insertion field F45 corresponding to the display field F44 that displays ``Required.''

[0215] For example, suppose that the predetermined time periods specified by the time period specification information included in the creation instruction information are "N" periods arranged in chronological order at a time interval of "1 year." Fig. 9 shows an example in which the total numbers of steam traps that will need to be replaced at "N" periods "1 year later," "2 years later," "3 years later," "4 years later," ..., "N years later," "e11," "e21," "e31," "e41," ..., "en1," among the multiple steam traps installed in the facility indicated by the identification information "Plant A," are inserted into the insertion field F45 corresponding to the display field F44 that displays "Necessary."

[0216] The creation unit 418 inserts the total number of steam traps that will need to be considered for replacement at a specified time in the future, out of the multiple steam traps installed in the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information, as predicted in step S37, into the insertion field F45 corresponding to the display field F44 displaying "Requires consideration."

[0217] For example, suppose that the predetermined time periods specified by the time specification information included in the creation instruction information are "N" time periods arranged in chronological order at time intervals of "1 year." Fig. 9 shows an example in which, in this case, the total number of steam traps that will require consideration for replacement at each of "N" time periods "1 year later," "2 years later," "3 years later," "4 years later," ..., "N years later," "e12," "e22," "e32," "e42," ..., "en2," among the multiple steam traps installed in the facility indicated by the identification information "Plant A," are inserted into the insertion field F45 corresponding to the display field F44 displaying "requires consideration."

[0218] The creation unit 418 inserts the total number of steam traps that do not require replacement or consideration of replacement at a specified time in the future, among the multiple steam traps installed in the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information, as predicted in step S37, into the insertion field F45 corresponding to the display field F44 displaying ``Not required.''

[0219] For example, suppose that the predetermined time periods specified by the time period specification information included in the creation instruction information are "N" periods arranged in chronological order at time intervals of "1 year." Fig. 9 shows an example in which, in this case, the total numbers of steam traps that do not require replacement or consideration of replacement at each of "N" periods "1 year later," "2 years later," "3 years later," "4 years later," ..., "N years later," "e13," "e23," "e33," "e43," ..., "en3," among the multiple steam traps installed in the facility indicated by the identification information "Plant A," are inserted into the insertion field F45 corresponding to the display field F44 displaying "Not required."

[0220] Therefore, by referring to the third report R4, it is possible to understand how many steam traps installed in each area of ​​the facility and in the facility indicated by the facility identification information included in the creation instruction information will need to be replaced or considered for replacement at a specified future time indicated by the timing designation information included in the creation instruction information, and how many steam traps do not need to be replaced or considered for replacement.

[0221] Note that the display column F42 and the display column F44 displaying "requires consideration" and the insertion column F43 and the insertion column F45 corresponding to the display column F42 and the display column F44 displaying "requires consideration" may not be included in the table region A41. In accordance with this, the prediction unit 417 may not predict that a predetermined future time will be a time when consideration of replacement of each first steam trap will be required. In this way, the prediction unit 417 may not calculate the number of steam traps installed in each area and the total number of steam traps installed in the facility that will require consideration of replacement at a predetermined future time.

[0222] Furthermore, the display column F42 and the display column F44 displaying "unnecessary" and the insert column F43 and the insert column F45 corresponding to the display column F42 and the display column F44 displaying "unnecessary" may not be included in the table region A41. In accordance with this, the prediction unit 417 may not predict that a predetermined future time will be a time when replacement or consideration of replacement of each first steam trap is not necessary. This may prevent the prediction unit 417 from calculating the number of steam traps installed in each area and the total number of steam traps installed in the facility that do not require replacement or consideration of replacement at a predetermined future time.

[0223] Furthermore, the future predetermined time specified by the time designation information is not limited to multiple time periods arranged in chronological order at a predetermined time interval. The future predetermined time specified by the time designation information may be a single time period, or multiple time periods arranged in chronological order at any time interval. Furthermore, one or more future times, such as "one year later" and "three years later", may be fixed as the predetermined time periods, and the creation instruction information that instructs the creation of the third report R4 may not include the time designation information.

[0224] In addition, the insert field F41, the display field F42, and the insert field F43 may not be included in the table area A41.

[0225] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications can be adopted, for example.

[0226] In step S37 (Figure 6) when creating the second report R3 and the third report R4 in the report creation process, the prediction unit 417 may predict the time progression of the average value of the steam leakage amount from the first period onwards indicated by the approximate function of each first steam trap calculated in step S35 and the steam leakage amount from the third period onwards indicated by the minimum performance information of each first steam trap extracted in step S36 as the time progression of the future steam leakage amount from each first steam trap (hereinafter, the future time progression of each first steam trap).

[0227] Alternatively, the prediction unit 417 may predict, as the future temporal change of each first steam trap, the temporal change of the steam leakage amount from the first period onwards indicated by the approximate function of each first steam trap calculated in step S35, or the temporal change of the steam leakage amount from the third period onwards indicated by the similar performance information or minimum performance information of each first steam trap extracted in step S36.

[0228] In these cases, the prediction unit 417 may use two threshold values ​​TH2 (Figure 3) and TH1 (Figure 3) to predict, based on the future temporal progression of each first steam trap (e.g., V516, V513, V512, or V514 (Figure 3)), whether the future specified time indicated by the timing designation information is a time when each first steam trap will need to be replaced, a time when replacement of each first steam trap will need to be considered, or a time when replacement of each first steam trap is not necessary or replacement consideration is not required. [Explanation of symbols]

[0229] 4: Server device (output device) 414: Acquisition part (1st acquisition part, 2nd acquisition part) 416:Extraction part 417: Prediction Department 419: Output section T1: First period T2a: 2nd period T2b: Second period T3: Third period

Claims

1. 1. An output method for an output device that outputs information regarding replacement of a steam trap, comprising: acquiring first information indicating a change over time in a steam leakage amount from a first steam trap during a most recent first period; acquiring a plurality of second information pieces indicating a time transition of a steam leakage amount from a plurality of second steam traps of the same model as the first steam trap during a second period longer than the first period; extracting similar performance information from the plurality of second information, the similar performance information having a time transition of the steam leakage amount in a third period having the same length as the first period similar to the time transition of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information; predicting a first time when the first steam trap will need to be replaced based on the similar performance information; outputting information relating to the first period; Output method.

2. Furthermore, a second time when consideration of replacement of the first steam trap is required is predicted based on the similar performance information; and outputting information about the second time period. The output method according to claim 1 .

3. The first steam trap includes a plurality of third steam traps installed in a given facility, the information relating to the first time period includes information indicating the number of third steam traps that will require replacement at a predetermined time in the future, among the plurality of third steam traps; The output method according to claim 1 .

4. The first steam trap includes a plurality of third steam traps installed in a given facility, the information relating to the first time period includes information indicating the number of third steam traps that will require replacement at a predetermined time in the future, among the plurality of third steam traps; the information relating to the second time period includes information indicating the number of third steam traps that will require consideration of replacement at the specified time period among the plurality of third steam traps; The output method according to claim 2 .

5. The predetermined time period is a plurality of time periods arranged in chronological order at predetermined time intervals.

5. The output method according to claim 3 or 4.

6. An output device that outputs information regarding the replacement of a steam trap, a first acquisition unit that acquires first information indicating a temporal change in a steam leakage amount from the first steam trap during a most recent first period; a second acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of second information pieces indicating a temporal change in the amount of steam leakage from a plurality of second steam traps of the same type as the first steam trap during a second period longer than the first period; an extraction unit that extracts, from the plurality of second information, similar performance information in which a time transition of a steam leakage amount in a third period having the same length as the first period is similar to a time transition of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information; a prediction unit that predicts a first time when the first steam trap will need to be replaced based on the similar performance information; and an output unit that outputs information regarding the first period; An output device comprising:

7. A program for an output device that outputs information regarding the replacement of a steam trap, The output device includes: acquiring first information indicating a change over time in a steam leakage amount from a first steam trap during a most recent first period; acquiring a plurality of second information pieces indicating a time transition of a steam leakage amount from a plurality of second steam traps of the same model as the first steam trap during a second period longer than the first period; extracting similar performance information from the plurality of second information, the similar performance information having a time transition of the steam leakage amount in a third period having the same length as the first period similar to the time transition of the steam leakage amount indicated by the first information; predicting a first time when the first steam trap will need to be replaced based on the similar performance information; outputting information relating to the first period; A program that executes a process.

Images