RAM analysis of dynamic positioning system: An approach taking into account uncertainties and criticality equipment ratings

Currently, a Dynamic Position (DP) System is commonly used for offshore operations. However, DP failures may generate environmental and economic losses; thus, this paper presents the Reliability, Availability and Maintainability (RAM) analysis for two different generations of DP system (DP2 and DP3) used in drilling operations. In addition to the RAM analysis, the approach proposed herein considers the uncertainties present in the equipment failure data and provides more information about criticality equipment ratings and probability density functions (pdf) of the repair times. The reliability analysis shows that, for 3 months of operation, the total failure probability of the DP2 system is 1.52% whereas this probability for the DP3 system is only 0.16%. The results reveal that the bus-bar is the most critical equipment of the DP2 system, whereas the wind sensor represents the priority equipment in the DP3 system. Using 90% confidence level, each DP configuration was evaluated for a 1-year operation, finding a reliability mean equal to 70.39% and 86.77% for the DP2 system and the DP3 system, respectively. The DP2 system asymptotic availability tends to present a constant value of 99.98% whereas for the DP3 system, it tends to be 99.99%. Finally, the maintainability analysis allows concluding that the mean time for system repair is expected to be 3.6 h. This paper presents a logical pathway for analysts, operators, and reliability engineers of the oil and gas industry.

An Approach to Reliability, Availability and Maintainability Analysis of a Plug-In Electric Vehicle

Electric vehicle technologies have seen rapid development in recent years. However, Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) related concerns still have restricted large-scale commercial utilization of these vehicles. This paper presents an approach to carry out a quantitative RAM analysis of a plug-in electric vehicle. A mathematical model is developed in the Markov Framework incorporating the reliability characteristics of all significant electrical components of the vehicle system, namely battery, motor, drive, controllers, charging unit, and energy management unit. The study shows that the vehicle’s survivability can be increased by improving its components’ restoration rates. The paper also investigates the role of a charging station on the availability of the vehicle. It illustrates how the grid power supply’s reliability influences the operational effectiveness of a plug-in electric vehicle. The concepts that are presented in the article can support further study on the reliability design and maintenance of a plug-in electric vehicle.

Application of a Novel Virtual Maintenance System: Digital Enterprise Lean Manufacturing Interactive Application-Ergonomics for Integrating Human Factors into Maintenance Processes Design of Carrier-Based Aircraft

The novel virtual maintenance system has been used to explain ‘how’ DELMIA-Ergonomics (DE) to go from a reactive, maintenance in security procedures, which will be proactively integrated into every step of the research and development design cycle process. DELMIA software has been widely applied in carrier-based aircraft department as the platform, promotion of virtual prototype pre-maintenance technology in carrier borne design and daily inspection/maintenance is introduced, interactive virtual maintenance flow, the virtual scene structuring, the processes of maintenance simulation of virtual actual working conditions, predictable maintainability analysis/valuation technology based on DELMIA software are expounded. The worldwide trend to popularize gradually increasing use of taking DELMIA software in maintenance technology applications is a carrier-based aircraft for gaining interest. DE has become a means to improve carrier-based aircraft performance.