Allocation of two redundancies in two‐component series systems

The allocation of redundancies in a system to optimize the reliability of system performance is an interesting problem in reliability engineering and system security. In this article, we focus on the optimal allocation of two exponentially distributed active (standby) redundancies in a two‐component series system using the tool of stochastic ordering. For the case of active redundancy, stochastic comparisons are carried out in terms of the likelihood ratio and reversed hazard rate orders. For the case of standby redundancy, a likelihood ratio ordering result is developed. The results established here generalize and strengthen corresponding results in the recent literature. In addition, several numerical examples are used to explicate the results. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2013     

Tail hazard rate ordering properties of order statistics and coherent systems

We study tail hazard rate ordering properties of coherent systems using the representation of the distribution of a coherent system as a mixture of the distributions of the series systems obtained from its path sets. Also some ordering properties are obtained for order statistics which, in this context, represent the lifetimes of k‐out‐of‐n systems. We pay special attention to systems with components satisfying the proportional hazard rate model or with exponential, Weibull and Pareto type II distributions. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2007     

Some comparisons of residual life of coherent systems with exchangeable components

Most of the research, on the study of the reliability properties of technical systems, assume that the components of the system operate independently. However, in real life situation, it is more reasonable to assume that there is dependency among the components of the system. In this article, we give sufficient conditions based on the signature and the joint distribution of component lifetimes to obtain stochastic ordering results for coherent and mixed systems with exchangeable components. Some stochastic orders on dynamic (or conditional) signature of coherent systems are also provided. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 61: 549–556, 2014     

A note on necessary and sufficient conditions for ordering properties of coherent systems with exchangeable components

We give necessary and sufficient conditions based on signatures to obtain distribution‐free stochastic ordering properties for coherent systems with exchangeable components. Specifically, we consider the stochastic, the hazard (failure) rate, the reversed hazard rate, and the likelihood ratio orders. We apply these results to obtain stochastic ordering properties for all the coherent systems with five or less exchangeable components. Our results extend some preceding results. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2011     

On the application and extension of system signatures in engineering reliability

Following a review of the basic ideas in structural reliability, including signature‐based representation and preservation theorems for systems whose components have independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) lifetimes, extensions that apply to the comparison of coherent systems of different sizes, and stochastic mixtures of them, are obtained. It is then shown that these results may be extended to vectors of exchangeable random lifetimes. In particular, for arbitrary systems of sizes m < n with exchangeable component lifetimes, it is shown that the distribution of an m‐component system's lifetime can be written as a mixture of the distributions of k‐out‐of‐n systems. When the system has n components, the vector of coefficients in this mixture representation is precisely the signature of the system defined in Samaniego, IEEE Trans Reliabil R–34 (1985) 69–72. These mixture representations are then used to obtain new stochastic ordering properties for coherent or mixed systems of different sizes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2008     

Estimating reliability of components with increasing failure rate using series system data

The maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) for a distribution function with increasing failure rate is derived, based on a collection of series system data. Applications can arise in industries where operating environments make available only such system-level data, due to system configuration or type-II censoring. The estimator can be solved using isotonic regression. For the special case in which systems contain one component, the estimator is equivalent to the restricted maximum likelihood estimator of Marshall and Proschan [9]. The MLE is illustrated using emergency diesel generator failure data from the nuclear industry. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 45: 115–123, 1998     

Properties of some stochastic orders: A unified study

The notions of the likelihood ratio order of degree s (s ≥ 0) are introduced for both continuous and discrete integer‐valued random variables. The new orders for s = 0, 1, and 2 correspond to the likelihood ratio, hazard rate, and mean residual life orders. We obtain some basic properties of the new orders and their up shifted stochastic orders, and derive some closure properties of them. Such a study is meaningful because it throws an important light on the understanding of the properties of the likelihood ratio, hazard rate, and mean residual life orders. On the other hand, the properties of the new orders have potential applications. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.     

The “signature” of a coherent system and its application to comparisons among systems

Various methods and criteria for comparing coherent systems are discussed. Theoretical results are derived for comparing systems of a given order when components are assumed to have independent and identically distributed lifetimes. All comparisons rely on the representation of a system's lifetime distribution as a function of the system's “signature,” that is, as a function of the vector p= (p₁, … , p_n), where p_i is the probability that the system fails upon the occurrence of the ith component failure. Sufficient conditions are provided for the lifetime of one system to be larger than that of another system in three different senses: stochastic ordering, hazard rate ordering, and likelihood ratio ordering. Further, a new preservation theorem for hazard rate ordering is established. In the final section, the notion of system signature is used to examine a recently published conjecture regarding componentwise and systemwise redundancy. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 46: 507–523, 1999     

On matched active redundancy allocation for coherent systems with statistically dependent component lifetimes

This study addresses the allocation of matched active redundancy components to coherent systems with base components having statistically dependent lifetimes. We consider base component lifetimes and redundancy component lifetimes which are both stochastic arrangement monotone with respect to a pair of components given the lifetimes of the other components. In this context, allocating a more reliable redundancy component to the weaker base component is shown to incur a stochastically larger system lifetime. Numerical examples are presented as an illustration of the theoretical results.     

Stein–Chen approximation and error bounds for order fill rates in assemble‐to‐order systems

Assemble‐to‐order (ATO) is an important operational strategy for manufacturing firms to achieve quick response to customer orders while keeping low finished good inventories. This strategy has been successfully used not only by manufacturers (e.g., Dell, IBM) but also by retailers (e.g., Amazon.com). The evaluation of order‐based performance is known to be an important but difficult task, and the existing literature has been mainly focused on stochastic comparison to obtain performance bounds. In this article, we develop an extremely simple Stein–Chen approximation as well as its error‐bound for order‐based fill rate for a multiproduct multicomponent ATO system with random leadtimes to replenish components. This approximation gives an expression for order‐based fill rate in terms of component‐based fill rates. The approximation has the property that the higher the component replenishment leadtime variability, the smaller the error bound. The result allows an operations manager to analyze the improvement in order‐based fill rates when the base‐stock level for any component changes. Numerical studies demonstrate that the approximation performs well, especially when the demand processes of different components are highly correlated; when the components have high base‐stock levels; or when the component replenishment leadtimes have high variability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012     

On allocating one active redundancy to coherent systems with dependent and heterogeneous components' lifetimes

This article studies coherent systems of heterogenous and statistically dependent components' lifetimes. We present a sufficient and necessary condition for a stochastically longer system lifetime resulted by allocating a single active redundancy. For exchangeable components' lifetimes, allocating the redundancy to the component with more minimal path sets is proved to produce a more reliable system, and for systems with stochastic arrangement increasing components' lifetimes and symmetric structure with respect to two components, allocating the redundancy to the weaker one brings forth a larger reliability. Several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the theoretical results as well. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 63: 335–345, 2016     

Coherent systems based on sequential order statistics

The sequential order statistics (SOS) are a good way to model the lifetimes of the components in a system when the failure of a component at time t affects the performance of the working components at this age t. In this article, we study properties of the lifetimes of the coherent systems obtained using SOS. Specifically, we obtain a mixture representation based on the signature of the system. This representation is used to obtain stochastic comparisons. To get these comparisons, we obtain some ordering properties for the SOS, which in this context represent the lifetimes of k‐out‐of‐n systems. In particular, we show that they are not necessarily hazard rate ordered. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2011     

高倍率脉冲放电锂电池的功率输出特性

由于电池内阻和极化现象的存在,锂电池在放电的瞬间会出现较大的电压跌落,高倍率脉冲放电锂电池更是如此。为了研究高倍率脉冲放电锂电池的功率输出特性,探讨温度、荷电状态和老化等因素对电池功率性能的影响规律,定义了锂电池的功率特性曲线,搭建了高倍率电池测试平台,并从温度、荷电状态和老化3个阻抗敏感因素开展实验研究。研究方法和结论对后期开展锂电池系统的峰值功率评估和功率曲线预测有一定的指导意义。     

Pareto-optimality in classical inventory problems

In this paper the inventory problem with backorders both deterministic and stochastic is studied using trade-off analysis in the context of vector optimization theory. The set of Pareto-optimal solutions is geometrically characterized in both the constrained and unconstrained cases. Moreover, a new way of utilizing Pareto-optimality concepts to handle classical inventory problems with backorders is derived. A new analysis of these models is done by means of a trade-off analysis. New solutions are shown, and an error bound for total inventory cost is provided. Other models such as multi-item or stochastic lead-time demand inventory problems are addressed and their Pareto-optimal solution sets are obtained. An example is included showing the additional applicability of this kind of analysis to handle parametric problems. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 45: 83–98, 1998     

A load-sharing model: The linear breakdown rule

An n-component parallel system is subjected to a known load program. As time passes, components fail in a random manner, which depends on their individual load histories. At any time, the surviving components share the total load according to some rule. The system's life distribution is studied under the linear breakdown rule and it is shown that if the load program is increasing, the system lifetime is IFR. Using the notion of Schur convexity, a stochastic comparison of different systems is obtained. It is also shown that the system failure time is asymptotically normally distributed as the number of components grows large. All these results hold under various load-sharing rules; in fact, we show that the system lifetime distribution is invariant under different load-sharing rules.     

Systems composed of two types of nonidentical and dependent components

A coherent system of order n that consists two different types of dependent components is considered. The lifetimes of the components in each group are assumed to follow an exchangeable joint distribution, and the two random vectors, which represent the lifetimes of the components in each group are also assumed to be dependent. Under this particular form of dependence, all components are assumed to be dependent but they are categorized with respect to their reliability functions. Mixture representation is obtained for the survival function of the system's lifetime. Mixture representations are also obtained for the series and parallel systems consisting of disjoint modules such that all components of Type I are involved in one module (subsystem) and all components of Type II are placed in the other module. The theoretical results are illustrated with examples. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 62: 388–394, 2015     

军用车辆行动部分疲劳寿命随机有限元分析

阐述了基于随机有限元的车辆行动部分可靠性原理及基本过程,将结构件的弹性模量、泊松比和几何尺寸等因素定义为随机场,并对其进行离散,同时分析了车辆行驶的典型路面的路面谱,利用随机有限元求解在不同的路面状况下车辆行动零部件的受力情况,得到了零部件危险点应力的随机分布和不同路面状况下疲劳可靠性,并对相关的实例进行分析。     

Analysis and optimal design of discrete order picking technologies along a line

Order picking accounts for most of the operating expense of a typical distribution center, and thus is often considered the most critical function of a supply chain. In discrete order picking a single worker walks to pick all the items necessary to fulfill a single customer order. Discrete order picking is common not only because of its simplicity and reliability, but also because of its ability to pick orders quickly upon receipt, and thus is commonly used by e‐commerce operations. There are two primary ways to reduce the cost (walking distance required) of the order picking system. First is through the use of technology—conveyor systems and/or the ability to transmit order information to pickers via mobile units. Second is through the design—where best to locate depots (where workers receive pick lists and deposit completed orders) and how best to lay out the product. We build a stochastic model to compare three configurations of different technology requirements: single‐depot, dual‐depot, and no‐depot. For each configuration we explore the optimal design. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2008     

Preservation of stochastic orders for random minima and maxima,with applications

It is shown, in this note, that the right spread order and the increasing convex order are both preserved under the taking of random maxima, and the total time on test transform order and the increasing concave order are preserved under the taking of random minima. Some inequalities and preservation properties in reliability and economics are given as applications. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004.     

Analysis of down times of jib cranes—A stochastic approach

In this paper a case study dealing with the maintenance problem of jib cranes is presented. A jib crane is viewed as a complex system whose performance is observed as a single realization over period of time. After pointing out limitations of existing stochastic models to analyze the observed realization a new family of bivariate stochastic processes is introduced. The data of jib crane is analyzed using new model and cross‐validated using part of the data set. It is noted that the new family of stochastic processes is useful to analyze bivariate data where one of the variables is finitely valued and the other is nonnegative and continuous. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 49: 231–243, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/nav.10006