A note on steady-state availability for series systems

Abstract

In this note so-called (N, n, r)-systems are considered. (N, n, r)-systems are series systems of N elements, where all elements are stopped, if an element in fails. Otherwise all failed elements will not be stopped. Symbol r denotes the number of repair equipment. Under the assumption that for ail elements the time to failure and the repair time are independent exponentially distributed random variables formulae are given for the steady-state availability of (N N − 1r)-and (N N − 2r)-systems. Various Properties and two pohenomena, which contravene man's experience, are also discussed.

Keywords:

• (N n r)-systems
• steady-state availability

AMS 1980 Subject Classification:

• Primary: 90B25
• Secondary: 62N05