Improving Equipment Reliability in Non-operating State with an Integrated Prognostics Method : A Case Study of HLD-9C

It is known that the equipment performance and reliability are decreasing as the storage time increases due to many factors such as humility, temperature, shocks, vibration, radiation and corrosion. To specify these factors and characterize their impacts are therefore important in storage reliability design and maintenance strategy development. The purpose of this thesis is to identify the impact factors which will influence the equipment reliability in a non-operating state and explore the methods to improve the equipment reliability. A case study is implemented with a qualitative approach. The literature related to the impact factors and prognostics method of equipment reliability in a non-operating state, FMEA and PHM has been reviewed for identifying the existing methods in order to develop new ones. Telephone interviews have been made for collecting valuable information on the case system: one type of the emergency rescue equipment on the HLD-9C ship. As the result, the impact factors on the equipment reliability in a non-operating state have been identified, and an integrated prognostics method integrating FMEA and PHM is developed in this thesis. Moreover, the limitations, the recommendations for the administrators and suggestions for further research are provided.