Abstract: A gas turbine performance analysis system includes a performance computation module for receiving an actual measured value of an inlet air temperature introduced to a compressor, a compressor pressure ratio, and a flow rate of fuel supplied to the gas turbine, and for calculating and outputting values of the gas turbine's power output and exhaust temperature based on these actual measured values. A performance estimation module evaluates the performance of the gas turbine based on the deviation between the values of power output and exhaust temperature outputted from the performance computation module and the actual measured values of power output and exhaust temperature. An adjustment module calculates a corrected value of the fuel flow rate based on the actual measured values of inlet air temperature, compressor pressure ratio and fuel flow rate, and inputs the corrected fuel flow rate value into the performance computation module.

Abstract: A computer based system and method for establishing one or more patches related to a seat to be designed is provided. The system method establish a set of environment characteristics, a set of interface characteristics, and a pool of body templates. The pool of body templates are representative of target occupants of the seat. The system and method further establish a seat design as a function of the established environment characteristics, interface characteristics, and body templates by defining a plurality of patches.

Abstract: A system and method for modeling supervisory control of heterogeneous unmanned vehicles through discrete event simulation is provided. Generally, the system contains a memory and a processor configured by the memory to perform the steps of: simulating events in the system; simulating arrival processes for the events in the system; simulating how long a human operator takes to respond to the simulated events in the system, where the time that the human operator takes to respond to a simulated event is referred to as a service time; and prioritizing the events to be handled by the human operator, wherein the system models human operator involvement in the unmanned vehicle system.

Abstract: A method for estimating the performance, during a braking situation, of a tire to be provided to a vehicle, this method comprising an experimental phase (EXPERIM) including a step (EVAL_MU) of assessing the grip coefficient (?) of the tire on the ground. This assessment step is performed for different values (Vi) of the relative displacement speed of the tire axis with regard to the ground and for different values (gi%) of the tire slip rate on the ground. The experimental phase (EXPERIM) further comprises a modelization step (MODEL) of representing the grip coefficient of this tire, as resulting from the assessment step (EVAL_MU), by a function (MU3D) of the relative displacement speed of the tire axis with regard to the ground and of the slip rate of this tire on the ground.

Abstract: Values of multiple tire dynamic element parameters are set for a tire dynamic model constructed using the tire dynamic element parameters for calculating a tire axial force and a self-aligning torque under a given slip ratio. Next, the values of the tire axial force and the self-aligning torque are calculated using the tire dynamic model and output. The tire dynamic model allows a center position of a contact patch thereof against a road surface to move in accordance with a longitudinal force that occurs as the tire axial force when a slip ratio in a braking/driving direction is given so that a position of the contact patch moves in a longitudinal direction due to the longitudinal force. When designing a vehicle or when designing a tire, the tire dynamic model is used.

Abstract: Methods for optimizing at least one operating parameter of an engine component using an experimentally measured 3D flow field involving providing a magnetic resonance imaging machine, providing a model of an engine component, placing the model into the magnetic resonance imaging machine with a fluid flow source for applying an external fluid flow, applying the external fluid flow to the model, collecting data related to the external fluid flow about the model, and optimizing at least one operating parameter of the component using the data.

Abstract: A system for subjective evaluation of a vehicle design within a virtual environment includes a scaleable physical property representative of the vehicle design and a computer system for digitally creating a virtual environment having a virtual human immersed within. The system also includes a motion capture system for sensing a motion of an evaluator and communicating the sensed motion of the evaluator to the computer system and a virtual reality display mechanism for providing the evaluator a view of the virtual environment while evaluating the vehicle design.

Abstract: A method of setting a parameter in a method of detecting a decreased tire air pressure for detecting a decreased tire air pressure based on a wheel rotational speed obtained from tires attached to a four-wheel driving vehicle. The method includes a vehicle model preparation step of preparing a vehicle model including a suspension member; a tire model preparation step of preparing a tire model; a step of inputting a friction coefficient between a tire and a road surface; and a simulation step of performing a running simulation of the vehicle model attached with the tire model. A determination parameter for determining whether the tire has a decreased air pressure or not is set based on wheel rotational speeds of the tires of the respective four wheels obtained in the simulation step.

Abstract: A method and device for creating an accurate simulation or model of the performance of a vehicle or an internal combustion engine in accordance with the invention comprises accessing the engine on-board diagnostic port (OBD), reading data from the desired industry standard parameter indicators (PID), using these data to produce a basic simulation of the engine operating characteristics, accessing and reading non-industry standard PIDs and using the output from the basic simulation in order to identify the non-industry standard PIDs with a high degree of certainty.

Abstract: A simulator is provided for simulating a real-water-droplet for an arbitrary simulation time in an entire space to be observed in which the real-water-droplets collide by a certain probability within a predetermined volume in a predetermined time interval, and in which the real-water-droplet is specified by a group of an arbitrary number of attributes and position coordinates at an initial time in one of divided spaces into which the entire space is divided, a super-water-droplet representing a group of an arbitrary number of the real-water-droplets which have a predetermined identical group of the attributes, when the multiplicity which is the arbitrary number of the real-water-droplets represented by the super-water-droplet changes when the super-water-droplet collides with another by a probability based on the certain probability and the multiplicity, calculating data about the super-water-droplet to output data about the real-water-droplet after the arbitrary simulation time elapses.

Abstract: The present invention's new calculative methodology models the motion of a seagoing vessel in six dimensions, uniquely employing a total velocity potential as the sole parameterization for taking into consideration all linear and nonlinear dynamical effects involved in interaction between the vessel and environmental water. The solid-body rotational motion of the vessel about the vessel's center of mass is determined in three dimensions (roll, pitch, yaw) by calculating the pressure torque and the buoyancy torque. The solid-body translational motion of the vessel's center of mass is determined in three dimensions (heave, surge, sway) by calculating the pressure force and the buoyancy force. The pressure torque and the pressure force are each associated with pressure (e.g., non-hydrostatic pressure) of water on the vessel's surface. The buoyancy torque and the buoyancy force are each associated with the displacement of the vessel with respect to the vessel's equilibrium position in the water.

Abstract: In a remote control system, the remote control of a vehicle function is executed. The remote control system includes a control terminal and a cancellation device. The control terminal transmits a request for the remote control of the vehicle function to a vehicle. The cancellation device cancels the remote control of the vehicle function if the local control of the vehicle function is requested before the remote control of the vehicle function is executed according to the request for the remote control.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting liability estimates associated with past or theoretical accidents. Embodiments may be used in association with methods and systems for estimating liability in a vehicle accident. In an embodiment, liability estimates may be associated with past or theoretical accidents. The liability estimates associated with the past or theoretical accidents may be used in methods and systems for estimating liability in a vehicle accident. The liability estimates associated with the past or theoretical accidents may be tested to determine if they yield a desired or expected liability estimate for a real accident. If the liability estimates associated with the past or theoretical accidents do not yield the desired or expected liability estimate for the real accident they may be adjusted.

Abstract: Use of scientific models to generate graphical virtual environments is described. In an embodiment at least two different scientific models are used. Input data which is representative of a real world environment is used by a first scientific model, such as a climate model, and data output by the first scientific model is then fed into a second, different, scientific model, such as an ecological model, in order to generate simulation data. The simulation data, which may, for example, detail the required population density of particular plant species and their size and age, is then used by a graphical simulation engine to generate a graphical virtual environment which may, for example, be used in a computer game such as a flight simulation game.

Abstract: Disclosed is a configurable cockpit system based on design parameters, which comprises: a configurable cockpit which has an interface between a user and the cockpit, and various sub-systems for efficiently measuring design parameters; an interface for synchronizing configuration which converts the design parameters measured in the configurable cockpit to the cockpit design parameters for the CAD system, or converts the cockpit design parameters of the CAD system to the design parameters of the configurable cockpit; and cockpit design parameter database which accumulates cockpit design parameters and automatically modifies the CAD 3D configuration through automatic linking to the cockpit configuration template based on the cockpit design parameters.

Abstract: A method and a device are described for acquiring driving data of a vehicle. Moreover, a computer program and a computer program product are put forward for carrying out the method. In the method described, a three-dimensional, kinematic vehicle model is calculated, including linear-motion-dynamics signals and lateral-motion-dynamics signals. This model can be utilized for reconstructing the vehicle movement.

Abstract: A wind tunnel testing technique or method involves using feedback to position control surfaces of a model so that there is substantially no moment on the model for its given orientation to the airstream. The model is mounted on a sting that allows change in orientation of the model relative to the airstream. A balance is used to provide data regarding the forces and/or moments on the model. This data on forces and/or moments is used in one or more feedback loops to position the control surfaces of the model so that there are substantially no moments on the model. This may be done automatically, with a controller automatically controlling the position of the control surfaces to zero out the moments on the model. The use of the method may allow faster determination of model characteristics, such as determination of the trim envelope of the model.

Abstract: In one embodiment a device is provided for visually demonstrating stagger. In this embodiment, the device includes first and second tires coaxially mounted on an axle, wherein the first tire has a smaller diameter than the second tire. The device also includes a member configured to be pushed or pulled by a person. The device may be pushed or pulled on a flat surface, such as a paved road. When the device is pushed or pulled in a forward direction, the first and second tires will rotate at the same rotational speed, but because the second tire has a larger diameter than the first tire, the second tire will travel a greater distance than the first tire during each tire rotation. Thus, the device will move in a curved path.

Abstract: Each spot weld in a structure is represented by a cluster of at least one solid element in a finite element analysis model of the structure. Each spot weld is used for tying together two parts. Each of the two parts are generally represented or modeled as a number of two-dimension shell elements. Since the tie-connection between the spot weld and the two parts can be located arbitrarily within the respective part, the shell elements representing the two parts do not have to be aligned in space. The only requirement is the two shell elements must be overlapped each other such that the spot weld can tie the two shell elements (i.e., one from each part) together. A spot weld failure criterion used for determining failure including shear and axial stresses acted on the spot weld, shell element size and spot weld location sensitivity scale factors and strain rate effect.

Abstract: A process for simulating and assembling flexible parts includes creating an ideal path between first and second planes and placing a virtual rigid envelope around the ideal path, and possibly tubular extensions beyond the path. A virtual flexible part is marked with reference features and pulled through the virtual rigid envelope, such that the path of the virtual flexible part is constrained but may rotate. Removing the virtual rigid envelope allows the virtual flexible part to relax, causing it to move to its lowest energy state. Zero-twist end conditions on the virtual flexible part are marked, corresponding to the intersection of the reference features with the planes. Identification marks are placed on a real flexible part, corresponding to the reference strips on the virtual flexible part. The real flexible part may then be assembled by aligning zero-twist marks on mating features to the identification marks on the real flexible part.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the design and execution of an aerospace or aeronautic system are provided. The aerospace or aeronautic system may incorporate planetary environment models and models of equations of motion. The planetary environment models mathematically represent planetary environment specifications, such as atmosphere and wind. Atmosphere models include standard day atmosphere models and non-standard day atmosphere models, and wind models include continuous wind turbulence models and discrete wind turbulence models. The models of equations of motion include models of three-degree-of-freedom equations of motion with variable mass and models for six-degree-of-freedom equations of motion with variable mass. As a result, the present invention can design and execute a target system more accurately than the conventional system that provides only standard day planetary environment models, continuous wind turbulence models, or fixed mass equations of motion models.

Abstract: A system and method for planning/replanning collision free flight plans in real-time (or accelerated-time) including planning individual flight plans for each flying asset, executing (or simulating) the planned individual flight plans, detecting violations of safety zones of each of the flying assets by negotiation and by other assets monitoring (radar sensing), and repairing the individual flight plans by real-time replanning.

Abstract: A simulation system is provided. A simulator is configured to execute simulation of a simulation object at a processing speed. A user interface module is configured to generate at least one of a first operation screen for inputting simulation conditions on the simulation executed by the simulator and an output screen for representing a result of the simulation executed by the simulator, and to display the at least one of the first operation screen and the output screen on a display unit. An adjustor is configured to adjust an updating speed of the at least one of the first operation screen and the output screen which are displayed on the display unit by the user interface module to be different from the processing speed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronous communication in a control system is disclosed. Within a first time interval, a first source task is executed to broadcast a first destination task, within a second sequential time interval, the first destination task is communicated over a channel to a first destination, and within a third sequential time interval, the first destination task is consumed. Within the first time interval, a second source task may be executed to broadcast a second destination task, within the second sequential time interval, the second destination task may be communicated over the channel to a second destination, and within the third sequential time interval, the second destination task may be consumed. The first source task is allowed to be scheduled ahead of the second source task, and the second source task is allowed to be scheduled ahead of the first source task.

Abstract: A method for automatically generating a multi-component multilevel model for simulation of an automotive propulsion system and/or subsystem. The method comprises a capture component and a build component. The capture component operates to automatically parse all relevant information of an existing model and to generate one or more files indicative of the systems and subsystems of the model. The files are created such that they may be efficiently searched, manipulated, and applied for subsequent use in various user defined models created through the build component. The build component obtains the information in the one or more files and additional user defined files based on user selections to automatically create an executable model ready for analysis.

Abstract: A transmission modeling system includes an in-gear module that determines an in-gear acceleration when a vehicle is in gear. A shift module determines a shift acceleration based on a clutch torque when the vehicle is shifting between gears. A shaft acceleration determination module determines a shaft acceleration based on at least one of the in-gear acceleration and the shift acceleration.

Abstract: A simulation system (30) for simulating an operation of an automotive vehicle includes an input (34) providing vehicle information and path information and a controller (38) having a vehicle computer model therein. The controller (38) is programmed to determine a rear side slip angle of a vehicle computer model; when the rear side slip angle is greater than a threshold, determine a look ahead scale factor; when the rear side slip angle is greater than the threshold, increase a look ahead point as a function of the look ahead scale factor; determine a steering wheel angle input to the computer model by comparing the look ahead point and the intended path; operate the computer model with the steering wheel angle input; and generate an output in response to the vehicle model and the initial steering wheel input or the first steering wheel input.

Abstract: A simulation system (30) for simulating an operation of an automotive vehicle includes an input (34) providing vehicle information and path information and a controller (38) having a vehicle computer model therein. The controller (38) is programmed to determine an initial steering wheel angle input to the computer model; determine a first steering wheel angle input to the computer model at a time later than the initial steering wheel angle input by comparing a look ahead point and an intended path; when the vehicle model is understeering, operate the computer model with the initial steering wheel angle input until an error of the first steering wheel angle and the initial is decreasing; when the error decreases, operate the computer model with the first steering wheel angle input; and generate an output in response to the vehicle model and the initial steering wheel input or the first steering wheel input.

Abstract: A 6-axis road simulator test system is disclosed which allows for dynamic simulation of vehicles on road surfaces in a controlled environment for development or production testing conditions. The system turns the vehicle wheels, or provides resistance to turning of the wheels while subjecting each of the vehicle's wheel in up to 6-axis of displacement, based on road profile simulation.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise obtaining and analyzing data from at least one discrete machine, automatically determining relationships related to the data, taking corrective action to improve machine operation and/or maintenance, automatically and heuristically predicting a failure associated with the machine and/or recommending preventative maintenance in advance of the failure, and/or automating and analyzing mining shovels, etc.

Abstract: An easy and cost-effective method of generating high fidelity simulation service loads. This invention, however, provides a simple but theoretically sound approach to conducting an accelerated simulation test, while obtaining a reasonable acceleration rate for the test. The method includes the steps of developing a service load history database; combining multiple time series models; adjusting the change of each time series model creating an accelerated service load model; regenerating a random vibration load data; and feeding the load data to drive an actuator for a high fidelity random vibration simulation test.

Abstract: A computer implemented fuel management method and system for monitoring and minimizing a fuel consumption of an aircraft. The fuel management system and method determines, on the basis of model assumptions, a theoretical value relating to the quantity of fuel that is necessary for travelling along at least one sector of a flight route. Furthermore, the fuel management system and method determine a practical value relating to a quantity of fuel that is necessary for travelling along the same sector of the flight route, taking into account actual measured values. Moreover, the system and method compare the theoretical value with the practical value and to provide at least one measure in order to save fuel during a flight when the practical value differs from the theoretical value by a predeterminable amount.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, each bolt is modeled using a beam element in a FEA model. To apply desired pretension to one or more bolts, at least one pretension-versus-time curve is specified. Each pretension-versus-time curve includes ramp portion, desired pretension portion and optional unloading portion. Duration_of the pretension-versus-time curve generally covers first 0.5-1% of total simulation time of a car crashworthiness analysis. Ramp portion starts from zero to desired pretension in a substantially linear manner, and hence being configured for applying desired pretension to a bolt gradually with smaller increments. Desired pretension portion is configured for ensuring the desired pretension can actually be applied to the beam element during an initialization process—a series of quasi-static analyses. Since the method is independent of the deformation of the beam, the method completely avoids the need to iteratively determine an axial strain or displacement that gives the desired pretension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating motion controls for a mobile platform of a vehicle simulator. The method uses, as input, accelerations calculated by a process for simulating the behavior of the vehicle. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of: filtering the accelerations calculated accelerations by use of a filter constructed according to a mathematical model of human perception of a motion; calculating successive positions of the mobile platform as a function of the filtered acceleration controls; scaling the positions of the mobile platform as a function of physical limitations of the mobile platform, to produce scaled successive positions of the mobile platform; and calculating acceleration controls to be applied by the mobile platform, as a function of the scaled successive positions of the mobile platform, to produce calculated acceleration controls.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system is disclosed, which uses road parameters defining the road network and model parameters used as initial-value parameters, thereby performing traffic simulation by the microsimulation method. The system includes a traffic simulator and a display controller. The traffic simulator performs traffic simulation to predict a traffic condition on an object road of a road network. The display controller controls a display unit, displaying the result of the simulation. More precisely, the display controller displays a dynamic image showing the traffic condition of vehicles running on the road network, on the screen of the display unit, and changes the image in terms of pattern, in accordance with a display instruction.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing claims data to a liability assesment program are provided. In one embodiment, data regarding a vehicle accident may be provided to a liability assessment program via a graphical user interface. The data may include information regarding one or more vehicles in the accident and an assessment of the vehicle accident. The data may be stored in a memory associated with the liability assessment program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for simulating the driving behavior of vehicles on a test stand in which the engine of the vehicle is coupled on the test stand to an electronically controllable braking apparatus and a simulation model calculates simulation values of variables which are representative of the driving state of the vehicle in that the reaction of the vehicle to the behavior of the engine and the values of the variables as determined immediately prior thereto are calculated, with at least the vehicle speed and the slip occurring in the driving wheels being calculated as variables. An improved calculation can be achieved in such a way that for controlling the braking apparatus a virtual vehicle speed is used which is changed by a corrective value which depends on the slip.

Abstract: A method of creating a simplified computer implement for engine model comprises obtaining a complete computer implement for engine model (110) and selecting, from the complete engine model (110), elements defining the simplified engine model (110). The method further comprises obtaining from a library of rules at least one computer implementable model creation rule corresponding to the selected elements and using that at one rule to create the simplified computer implementable engine model (110).

Abstract: A spot weld fracture analysis method for a spot weld portion of three or more mutually superimposed plates that are spot-welded at a common welding point comprises an analysis step of executing an analysis by using a finite element model in which each plate is modeled by shell elements, and the shell elements corresponding to a spot weld point position of each plate are individually interconnected via beam elements, and a prediction step of finding an element force of a beam element that acts on a shell element relevant to a middle plate from a difference between the element forces of two beam elements connected to the shell element on a basis of the analysis result, and predicting a possibility of fracture of a spot weld between the middle plate and an adjacent plate by using the difference element force found from the difference.

Abstract: A method aiding in relative positioning of 3D objects, in a complex environment involving several techniques, according to a set of geometrical and/or mathematical constraints. A parametric model is selected for each of the objects, parametric models including models of the constraints are also selected. A representation of one of the objects is displayed, permitting positioning of another object and the display of a representation of the positioning. A piece of data relating to the position of one of the objects is accessed for each parametric model including a constraint modeling and a piece of data relating to the position of one of the objects is accessed to permit an evaluation of the corresponding constraint. When an object is added or displaced the relative positions of the objects and the constraints are reevaluated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for simulating the driving behavior of vehicles on a test stand in which the engine of the vehicle is coupled on the test stand to an electronically controllable braking apparatus and a first simulation model calculates simulation values of variables which are representative of the driving state of the vehicle in that the reaction of the vehicle to the behavior of the engine and the values of the variables as determined immediately prior thereto are calculated, with at least one evaluation variable w being calculated on the basis of the values measured on the test stand for measurable variables and engine torque M and the values calculated therefrom with the simulation model for non-measurable variables.

Abstract: A collision determination area set for a dog as an object in a virtual three-dimensional space is, for example, a sphere having the center at the chest of the dog and having a radius of 30 in the “on all fours” state, a sphere having the center at the hip of the dog and having a radius of 10 in the “standing” state, and a sphere having the center at the head of the dog and having a radius of 10 in the state of the dog “trying to fawn with another dog” in the virtual three-dimensional space. Using the collision determination area set in this manner, it is determined whether or not the dog has collided against another object. Therefore, a collision determination suitable to individual situations can be realized while suppressing an increase in the amount of calculations required for the collision determination.

Abstract: Techniques for providing synthetic air traffic management in a fast-time environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of providing a closed-loop air traffic management simulation gateway between a decision support tool (DST) and an airspace modeler includes receiving airspace simulation data from an airspace modeler. The airspace simulation may be converted to emulated radar signals at an update interval. The emulated radar signals may be transmitted to a decision support tool for analysis. A recommendation may be received from the decision support tool based on the emulated radar signals, which may be used to generate a synthetic actor response based on the recommendation. The synthetic actor may provide the response to the airspace modeler to enable updating the airspace simulation data. In this manner the design of more efficient airspace routes, arrival and departure routes and procedures may be more quickly achieved.

Abstract: A Driveline Angle Analyzer (DAA) for determining a torsional acceleration and inertias of a vehicle driveline by entering measurements of a vehicle driveline configuration into a graphical user interface program. The user selects the driveline configuration of interest from a plurality of driveline configurations. Then, the user enters information, such as driveline measurements relating to the selected driveline configuration. To aide in gathering the correct information, the user can print out a worksheet for the selected driveline configuration. After the user inputs the information for the selected driveline configuration, the user can select a corrective mode that allows the user to improve the selected driveline configuration. For example, the user can change the angle of a component with the surrounding components by changing their angles and/or length while enabling the components to stay connected to each other, thus maintaining the vehicle's driveline geometry.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for automatically reconstructing a traffic accident. The accident reconstructing system includes a data collecting unit, a geographical data providing unit, and an accident analyzing unit. The data collecting unit collects/transmits accident-related data according to the occurrence of a traffic accident. The geographical data providing unit transmits the geographical data of the neighborhood of the accident site. The accident analyzing unit reconstructs the traffic accident virtually on the basis of the data outputted from the data collecting unit and the geographical data providing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a traffic simulator which can simulate traffic conditions with high accuracy. Cautionary object searching portion searches for cautionary objects which a driver should heed when driving a vehicle model; recognized cautionary object selection portion and driver-recognized cautionary object selection portion, based on driver ability information set by data creation portion, select cautionary objects recognized by a driver from the found cautionary objects; and movement determination portion determines the movement of a vehicle model based on the selected cautionary objects.

Abstract: A method and system of planning hydrocarbon extraction from a hydrocarbon formation. The various methods and systems take a holistic approach to producer well placement and completion, injector well placement and completion, and borehole trajectories to reach the various producer wells and injector wells, the placement and completion selections based on parameters such as initial and expected time-varying stress in the formation, stress in overburden formations, and proximity to faults.

Abstract: To provide a method of and an apparatus for displaying a structure optimizing result which are capable of displaying rigidity values calculated on the basis of an initial wall thickness value, an optimum wall thickness value, and a standard wall thickness value in such a manner that a change between two of these rigidity values is clearly indicated. The structure optimizing result is displayed wherein an actual rigidity value of a structure is calculated on the basis of an inputted initial value of a wall thickness of each component of the structure. An optimum value of the wall thickness of each of the components is calculated on the basis of a sensitivity analysis result in order to make the calculated actual rigidity value close to a required rigidity value of the structure and the calculated result is displayed.

Abstract: A method for predicting object movements in a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle, in which the movements of objects located periodically by a locating device (12) are precalculated by dynamic modeling of the objects, characterized in that a plurality of dynamic models (16) are held in readiness which are based on different hypotheses about the object, and that the models are selected and/or weighted as a function of the situation in accordance with the correctness probability (P1, P2) of the hypotheses for the prediction.

Abstract: A method of developing maintenance optimization model includes finding relevant criteria to drive the design towards operational performances at minimal cost for the end user, selecting inputs necessary to assess criteria selected, defining mathematical models to jointly drive the equipment/sub-system/system design and its support towards better supportability, and presenting the maintenance optimization model results to enable the exploration of the cause and effect relationships between design decisions and their operational and support impacts. The selected inputs may cover all the potential factors influencing the criteria values. The mathematical modeling can facilitate leveraging the intuitive “cause and effect” relationship between design and support, and affordability.