On the mean residual life of a generalized k-out-of-n system

Abstract

ABSTRACTA generalized k-out-of-n system consists of N modules in which the i th module is composed of ni components in parallel. The system failswhen at least f components in the whole system or at least k consecutive modules have failed. In this article, we obtain the mean residual life function of such a generalized k-out-of-n system under different conditions, namely, when the number of components in each module is equal or unequal and when the components of the system are independent or exchangeable.