Reliability evaluation of uncertain multi-state systems based on weighted universal generating function

Universal generating function (UGF) is a basic and important technology in the reliability evaluation of multi-state systems (MSSs). It has been widely noticed by reliability scholars and engineers since its introduction. In the process of reliability evaluation of MSSs with UGF, universal generating operators play a great role in synthesizing the system output performance rate. For many uncertain MSSs in actual engineering, when the connection structure between components is unknown and/or the performance relationship is unclear, the definition of the weighted universal generating function is proposed. By designing reliability evaluation indices and constructing a weighted universal generating function of MSSs, reliability parameters of MSSs can be evaluated. A real case of steam turbine power generation system in a repairable naval equipment system is conducted to illustrate the applications. © 2019 Totem Publisher, Inc. All rights reserved.