Minimal Cut-Set Generation for Large Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating minimal cut-sets in highly integrated large systems, such as those in aircraft or networked systems, are time-consuming due to the need for exhaustive calculations of numerous potential component failures and dependencies, which hampers efficiency in reliability assessment and design assurance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that reuse data by identifying common resources and clustering components, pre-computing cut-sets for dependent components, and storing them for later use, thereby reducing the need for repetitive calculations and enhancing efficiency in cut-set generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exhaustive cut-set generation methods are used for large systems, then completeness of reliability assessment is improved, but computation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computation of cut-sets for individual components before assembling them into system-level cut-sets. By pre-computing and storing component-level cut-sets in a repository, the method avoids repetitive calculations when analyzing system configurations, thereby reducing overall computation time while maintaining assessment completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the system into individual components and computes cut-sets for each component separately. This segmentation allows the complex system-level reliability assessment to be broken down into manageable component-level analyses, with results that can be reused across different system configurations.
2Measurement precision
If model-based methods are applied to highly integrated systems, then assessment accuracy is improved, but the number of conditions to be assessed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates reusable templates of cut-sets for common component failure modes. Once a cut-set is computed for a particular component failure condition, it is stored and copied for use in similar situations throughout the system, reducing the number of unique conditions that need to be assessed while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal cut-set computation framework that can be applied across different system configurations and component types. The same computational methods and data structures are used regardless of the specific system being analyzed, enabling efficient handling of multiple assessment scenarios.
3Reliability
If traditional Fault Tree Analysis is used for system reliability assessment, then thorough dependency analysis is achieved, but the process becomes time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual, step-by-step mechanical process of traditional Fault Tree Analysis with an automated computational system. The computer-implemented method automatically constructs fault trees, computes cut-sets, and analyzes dependencies without requiring manual intervention at each step, thereby maintaining thoroughness while dramatically improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating and storing cut-set data that can be reused for future assessments. Once cut-sets are computed for a system configuration, the results are stored and automatically applied to similar assessments, eliminating the need to repeat computations and enabling the system to serve future analysis needs with pre-computed data.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for generating minimal cut-sets for highly integrated large systems. The method includes receiving a system model (102) and a scenario (104), and obtaining a dependency array (300) from the system model (102) according to the scenario, with the dependency array (300) including at least one case (302). The method includes selecting a case (302) in the dependency array (300). The method includes querying a cut-set repository (110) to determine if a cut-set for a component (200) in the case (302) is already stored, and retrieving said cut-set; and if a cut-set is not stored, generating the minimal cut-set for the component (200). And the method includes computing a final cut-set list (112) by expanding the dependency array (300) using the cut-set for the component (200). The method improves the efficiency of cut-set generation applied to manufactured systems with great number of components.