A general approach to the shape of failure rate and MRL functions

Failure rate and mean residual life are two important characteristics for studying reliability of products. In literature, some work studied the shape of failure rate function based on the knowledge of the associated probability density function; some other work investigated the shape of mean residual life function based on the shape of the associated failure rate function separately for continuous case and discrete case. In this article, a general approach is developed which can be applied to the aforementioned studies. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004     

Mean residual life of coherent systems consisting of multiple types of dependent components

Mean residual life is a useful dynamic characteristic to study reliability of a system. It has been widely considered in the literature not only for single unit systems but also for coherent systems. This article is concerned with the study of mean residual life for a coherent system that consists of multiple types of dependent components. In particular, the survival signature based generalized mixture representation is obtained for the survival function of a coherent system and it is used to evaluate the mean residual life function. Furthermore, two mean residual life functions under different conditional events on components’ lifetimes are also defined and studied.     

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.     

On the median residual lifetime and its aging properties: A characterization theorem and applications

This paper is devoted to study several aspects of the median residual life function (MERLF). In reliability studies, it is well known that, although the MERLF have several advantages over the mean residual life function (MRLF), the MRLF has the good property of uniquely determine a life distribution whereas either the median residual life function (MERLF) or an α‐percentile residual life do not have such good property. We shall give a characterization result where knowledge of both the MERLF and the survival function on an interval does uniquely determine the distribution. Moreover, in order to apply this characterization in practical situations, we propose a method to estimate the necessary information of the survival function. Relationships between analytical properties of the survival function and its associated MERLF are also obtained. Bryson and Siddiqui [J Am Statist Assoc 64 (1969), 1472–1483] proved relationships among seven criteria for aging, out of which two contained the MRLF (decreasing MRLF and net decreasing MRLF). In this paper, we prove that the same pattern of relationships holds if the MRLF is replaced by the MERLF. We also examine the aging criteria corresponding to an increasing MERLF and show that there is no relation between the behavior (increasing or decreasing) of the MERLF and of the MRLF. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005     

Model parameter estimation and residual life prediction for a partially observable failing system

We consider a partially observable degrading system subject to condition monitoring and random failure. The system's condition is categorized into one of three states: a healthy state, a warning state, and a failure state. Only the failure state is observable. While the system is operational, vector data that is stochastically related to the system state is obtained through condition monitoring at regular sampling epochs. The state process evolution follows a hidden semi‐Markov model (HSMM) and Erlang distribution is used for modeling the system's sojourn time in each of its operational states. The Expectation‐maximization (EM) algorithm is applied to estimate the state and observation parameters of the HSMM. Explicit formulas for several important quantities for the system residual life estimation such as the conditional reliability function and the mean residual life are derived in terms of the posterior probability that the system is in the warning state. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the estimation procedure and failure prediction method. A comparison results with hidden Markov modeling are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed model. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 62: 190–205, 2015     

随机滤波模型在变速箱剩余寿命预测中的应用研究

摘要：基于变速箱加速寿命实验的振动信号,提取信号的多种特征参量．通过分析各特征参量的敏感性和稳定性,选择幅域裕度指标、峰值指标、波形指标和RMS（RootMeanSquare）作为特征参量,建立一种基于随机滤波的变速箱剩余寿命预测模型,给出剩余寿命后验概率密度的递推公式,设计了极大似然估计方法求解模型参数,并经实例验证模型的有效性和实用性．     

A model to predict the residual life of aircraft engines based upon oil analysis data

This paper reports on a study using the available oil monitoring information, such as the data obtained using the Spectrometric Oil Analysis Programme (SOAP), to predict the residual life of a set of aircraft engines. The relationship between oil monitoring information and the residual life is established using the concept of the proportional residual, which states that the predicted residual life may be proportional to the wear increment measured by the oil analysis programmes. Assuming such a relationship between wear and the residual life exists, we formulated a recursive prediction model for the item's residual life given measured oil monitoring information to date. A set of censored life data of 30 aircraft engines (right censored due to preventive overhaul) along with the history of their monitored metal concentration information are available to us. The metal concentration information includes many variables, such as Fe, Cu, Al, etc.; not all of them are useful, and some of them may be correlated. The principal component analysis (PCA) has been adopted to reduce the dimension of the original data set and to produce a new set of uncorrelated variables, which we shall use in the prediction model. The procedure associated with estimating model parameters is discussed. The model is fitted to the actual SOAP data from the aircraft engines, and the goodness‐of‐fit test has been carried out. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005.     

基于贝叶斯模型的装备剩余寿命预测研究

为了解决武器装备日益复杂及维修工作日趋繁重的问题,运用贝叶斯模型预测装备修理后的剩余寿命,为合理安排其修理计划提供依据。替代传统的指数分布,用威布尔分布描述系统寿命特征,并运用极大似然方法和贝叶斯方法估计威布尔分布的两个未知参数,给出其置信区间。在此基础上,对先验样本和后验样本两种不同情况,分别运用贝叶斯模型预测装备修理后的剩余寿命,并给出实例。结果表明了该方法的有效性。     

基于维纳过程金属化膜电容器的剩余寿命预测

金属化膜电容器是惯性约束聚变激光装置能源系统最重要的元器件,对个体电容器的剩余寿命进行有效的预测对整个装置的可靠性水平有着重要的影响.为有效地预测个体电容器的剩余寿命,提出了融合单个电容器性能退化数据与先验性能退化数据信息的预测方法.采用Wiener过程对其性能退化过程进行建模,并根据先验退化数据信息构造参数的先验分布...     

Some new results on the preservation of the NBUE and NWUE aging classes under the formation of coherent systems

We consider the classical problem of whether certain classes of lifetime distributions are preserved under the formation of coherent systems. Under the assumption of independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) component lifetimes, we consider the NBUE (new better than used in expectation) and NWUE (new worse than used in expectation) classes. First, a necessary condition for a coherent system to preserve the NBUE class is given. Sufficient conditions are then obtained for systems satisfying this necessary condition. The sufficient conditions are satisfied for a collection of systems which includes all parallel systems, but the collection is shown to be strictly larger. We also prove that no coherent system preserves the NWUE class. As byproducts of our study, we obtain the following results for the case of i.i.d. component lifetimes: (a) the DFR (decreasing failure rate) class is preserved by no coherent systems other than series systems, and (b) the IMRL (increasing mean residual life) class is not preserved by any coherent systems. Generalizations to the case of dependent component lifetimes are briefly discussed.     

The NBUL class of life distribution and replacement policy comparisons

Let X and X_τ denote the lifetime and the residual life at age τ of a system, respectively. X is said to be a NBUL random variable if X_τ is smaller than X in Laplace order, i.e., X_τ ≤_L X. We obtain some characterizations for this class of life distribution by means of the lifetime of a series system and the residual life at random time. We also discuss preservation properties for this class of life distribution under shock models. Finally, under the assumption that the lifetimes have the NBUL property, we make stochastic comparisons between some basic replacement policies. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 48: 578–591, 2001.     

基于SF-REM的齿轮箱剩余寿命预测方法研究

剩余寿命预测是视情维修决策的重点和难点.针对工程实践中历史数据少、模型参数估计精度低的问题,建立一种基于随机滤波(SF)的齿轮箱剩余寿命预测模型.该方法采用递归期望最大化(REM)算法对模型参数进行递归更新,推导极大似然估计方法的参数递归更新过程,最后经实例验证模型的有效性和实用性.     

Inventory models with nonlinear shortage costs and stochastic lead times; applications of shape properties of randomly stopped counting processes

In this article, we study generalizations of some of the inventory models with nonlinear costs considered by Rosling in (Oper. Res. 50 (2002) 797–809). In particular, we extend the study of both the periodic review and the compound renewal demand processes from a constant lead time to a random lead time. We find that the quasiconvexity properties of the cost function (and therefore the existence of optimal (s, S) policies), holds true when the lead time has suitable log‐concavity properties. The results are derived by structural properties of renewal delayed processes stopped at an independent random time and by the study of log‐concavity properties of compound distributions. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 62: 345–356, 2015     

残差GM（1，1）模型在恒加试验中的应用

介绍了目前恒加试验中,正常应力水平下特征寿命点估计的数据统计分析方法及其不足。针对恒加试验的特点和所需解决的问题,基于灰色预测理论的残差GM(1,1)模型,给出了一种新的求解方法。最后分别运用三种不同的方法对给出的应用实例进行正常应力水平下特征寿命值的求解,证明了本文所给出的方法确实可行。     

基于最小二乘支持向量机的坦克炮身管剩余寿命预测方法

针对高膛压坦克炮身管剩余寿命预测的难题,结合坦克实弹射击试验数据量少和非线性的特点,基于最小二乘支持向量机构建了坦克炮身管剩余寿命预测模型,给出了模型参数的选取方法,并以某型坦克炮射击试验为基础,对坦克炮身管剩余寿命预测模型进行了验证。结果表明:该模型预测坦克炮身管剩余寿命效果良好。     

Warranty analysis and renewal function estimation

Estimation of the expected cost of a warranty for a stochastically failing unit is closely tied to estimation of the renewal function. The renewal function is a basic tool also used in probabilistic models arising in other areas such as reliability theory, inventory theory, and continuous sampling plans. In these other areas, estimation of a straight line approximation of the renewal function instead of direct estimation of the renewal function has proved successful. This approximation is based on a limit expression for large values of the argument, say t, of the renewal function. However, in warranty analusis, typically t is small compared to the mean failure time of the unit. Hence, alternative methods for renewal function estimation, both parametric and nonparametric, are presented and discussed. An important aspect of this paper is to discuss the performance of the renewal function estimators when only a small number of failed units is available. A Monte Carlo study is given which suggests guidelines for choosing an estimator under various circumstances.     

喷丸强化对18Cr2Ni4WA渗碳钢性能的影响

采用强力喷丸工艺对渗碳18Cr2Ni4WA钢试样进行了表面喷丸强化处理。利用Nano Test 600纳米测试仪、2903X射线应力仪和TR200表面粗糙度仪，分别测试分析了试样处理前后的显微硬度、残余应力和表面粗糙度，并在JP-52接触疲劳试验机上考察了喷丸强化处理对渗碳18Cr2Ni4WA钢接触疲劳性能的影响。试验结果表明：渗碳试样经强力喷丸后，在0～0．50mm深的表层内形成一个喷丸硬化层，显微硬度提高了约1．1GPa；最大残余压应力由-478 MPa提高到-760 MPa；表面粗糙度由1．255μm降为0．979μm。接触疲劳特征寿命以与中值寿命L50均提高了2倍多，额定寿命L10提高了1倍多。     

Sensitivity of the (Q,R) inventory model to penalty cost parameter

This paper treats an approximate continuous review inventory model with backlogging of excess demand and stochastic leadtime. The major result derived is that the behavior of the optimal order size with respect to the shortage cost parameter is determined solely by the “conditional mean residual life” function corresponding to the leadtime demand distribution. Some minor results and illustrative examples are also included.     

Applications of renewal theory in analysis of the free-replacement warranty

Under a free-replacement warranty of duration W, the customer is provided, for an initial cost of C, as many replacement items as needed to provide service for a period W. Payments of C are not made at fixed intervals of length W, but in random cycles of length Y = W + γ(W), where γ(W) is the (random) remaining life-time of the item in service W time units after the beginning of a cycle. The expected number of payments over the life cycle, L, of the item is given by M_Y(L), the renewal function for the random variable Y. We investigate this renewal function analytically and numerically and compare the latter with known asymptotic results. The distribution of Y, and hence the renewal function, depends on the underlying failure distribution of the items. Several choices for this distribution, including the exponential, uniform, gamma and Weibull, are considered.     

Stochastic framework for partially degradation systems with continuous component degradation‐rate‐interactions

Many conventional models that characterize the reliability of multicomponent systems are developed on the premise that for a given system, the failures of its components are independent. Although this facilitates mathematical tractability, it may constitute a significant departure from what really takes place. In many real‐world applications, system components exhibit various degrees of interdependencies, which present significant challenges in predicting degradation performance and the remaining lifetimes of the individual components as well as the system at large. We focus on modeling the performance of interdependent components of networked systems that exhibit interactive degradation processes. Specifically, we focus on how the performance level of one component affects the degradation rates of other dependent components. This is achieved by using stochastic models to characterize how degradation‐based sensor signals associated with the components evolve over time. We consider “Continuous‐Type” component interactions that occur continuously over time. This type of degradation interaction exists in many applications, in which interdependencies occur on a continuum. We use a system of stochastic differential equations to capture such “Continuous‐Type” interaction. In addition, we utilize a Bayesian approach to update the proposed model using real‐time sensor signals observed in the field and provide more accurate estimation of component residual lifetimes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 61: 286–303, 2014