A new reliability analysis method for repairable systems with closed-loop feedback links

A new reliability analysis method for repairable systems with closed-loop feedback link (CLFL) is proposed based on GO methodology. A method for creating new function GO operators is used to describe the CLFL. Next, methods for deducing the formulae of the new GO function are proposed. In addition, a 2-level GO model is proposed for the GO operation of repairable systems with CLFL. And then, quantitative and qualitative analysis methods for repairable systems with CLFL based on the GO method are proposed, and a process for analyzing repairable systems with CLFL based on the new GO method is formulated. Finally, we used this new GO method to analyze the reliability of an electro-hydraulic servo speed control system and a power-shift steering transmission control system for a heavy vehicle. To verify the feasibility, advantages, and reasonability of the new GO method, we compared our results with those obtained by fault tree analysis, Monte Carlo Simulation, and an existing GO method using serial and parallel structures to represent the CLFL. All in all, the proposed method overcomes the limitations of the existing methods as well as increasing its applicability. And it provides a new approach for reliability analysis of repairable systems with CLFL.