Abstract:

Predicting the reliability of a system in its actual life cycle conditions and estimating its time to failure is helpful in decision making to mitigate system risks. There are three approaches to prognostics: the physics-of-failure approach, the data-driven approach, and the fusion approach. A key requirement in all these approaches is the identification of the appropriate parameter(s) to monitor the collection of the data that can be employed to assess impending failure. This article presents the physics-of-failure approach, which uses failure modes, mechanisms, and effects analysis (FMMEA) to enhance prognostics planning and implementation. This article also
presents the fusion approach to prognostics and the applicability of FMMEA to this approach. As an example, a case of generating FMMEA information, and using that to identify appropriate parameters to monitor, is presented.

Keywords: Failure mechanisms, Precursor parameters, Physics-of-failure, Remaining life, Fusion prognostics

Complete article is available from the publisher and to CALCE consortium members.