Real time consequence engine

This paper presents a brief overview of a prognostics and health management (PHM) system, the basic capabilities and architecture of the real time consequence engine (RTCE), and how the RTCE fits into a PHM system. Also, examples of consequence analysis results as applied to a past prototype development effort and the results of ongoing modification efforts to RTCE are presented. By varying operational settings, maintenance schedules, and other parameters of interest, the RTCE can be used to examine the consequences of such actions in terms of common performance metrics; such as, mean time between failures (MTBF), mean time to repair (MTTR), system availability, maintenance cost, downtime cost, etc. In its final form, the RTCE will provide the capability to evaluate the potential cost/benefit of an embedded PHM system, which is considered to be a precursor to implementing a PHM system; and, provide the capability for real-time consequence analysis, which is typically viewed as the final step in the development of a complete PHM system.