Combined Degradation Process and Remaining Useful Life Improvement in an Actuator

Abstract

Actuator usually deteriorate due to some degradation processes and random shocks. Accurate modeling of the effect of these processes on the actuator leads to better system reliability estimation. This paper investigates the impact of degradation processes and random shocks on reliability of the actuator over time. Moreover, in industrial automation systems, the actuator becomes more vulnerable to damage. Hence, we propose to model the stochastic degradation process with two laws of degradation (Combined process: continuous wear and accumulated shock damages). However, we will predict the reliability evolution of the actuator. It can be estimated by probabilistic approach, which required to evaluate the pdf of the RUL prediction. Finally, the proposed degradation modeling and remaining useful life prediction are applied to a double-tank level control system. The actuator deterioration process is considered as a source of performance deterioration in physical system.