Advances in PHM Application Frameworks: Processing Methods, Prognosis Models, Decision Making

Abstract

Competitiveness in high technological sectors such as industrial processes, utility networks, railway, renewable energy, aircraft, etc., is continuously demanding innovations –with new and more restrictive requirements, specially, reliability requirements- and operation and maintenance costs reduction (prevention, appraisal and failure costs). In this context, both maintenance strategies and maintenance methodologies improvements are needed in order to adapt them to such a new technological complex scenario. Within this challenge there is a big opportunity as well: all these advances or innovations include information and communication technologies (ICT), allowing the development of concept PHM (Prognosis Health Management) as the key for achieving efficient maintenance and lowering life-cycle costs. This paper outlines the main topics that are included in an integrated view of PHM application framework, from the signal monitoring and diagnostic techniques to prognosis, toward the generation of “business value”. Then, describes the importance of the “detection function” in the emerging challenges of designing efficient PHM frameworks. Finally, an integrated view that relates PHM with e-maintence strategies is proposed.