An Improved Assessment Method for FMEA for a Shipboard Integrated Electric Propulsion System Using Fuzzy Logic and DEMATEL Theory

Abstract

Shipboard integrated electric propulsion systems (IEPSs) are prone to suffer from system failures and security threats because of their complex functional structures and poor operational environments. An improved assessment method for failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), integrating fuzzy logic and decision–making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) theory, is proposed to enhance the system’s reliability and handle the correlation effects between failure modes and causes. In this method, information entropy and qualitative analysis are synthesized to determine the credibility weights of domain experts. Each risk factor and its relative importance are evaluated by linguistic terms and fuzzy ratings. The benchmark adjustment search algorithm is designed to obtain the alpha-level sets of fuzzy risk priority numbers (RPNs) for defuzzification. The defuzzified RPNs are regarded as the inputs for the DEMATEL technique to investigate the causal degrees of failure modes and causes. Accordingly, the risk levels of the failure modes are prioritized with respect to the causal degrees. The practical application to the typical failure modes of the propulsion subsystem is provided. The assessment results show that this system contributes to risk priority decision-making and disastrous accident prevention.

Improved FMEA based on IVF and fuzzy VIKOR method: A case study of workpiece box system of CNC gear milling machine

“…20,21 Triangular and trapezoid fuzzy numbers are commonly used. Liu et al, 22 Kutlu et al, 23 Mohsen and Fereshteh, 24 Barak et al, 25 Liu et al, 26 and Wang et al 27 proposed that linguistic variables are expressed using triangular and trapezoid fuzzy numbers when applying FMEA, and fuzzy numbers are converted into precise numbers through defuzzification. The above references show that great efforts have been made to solve problems of uncertain information expression and processing in FMEA method and some of them work well in some specific applications.…”

“…Commonly used methods include technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS), 18,23,31 gray relational analysis (GRA), 19,28,32 VIKOR, 22,24,30 and decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory. 26,33 Professor Yugoslav Opricovic proposed a multiple-attribute decision-making method for complex systems called the fuzzy VIKOR method. The core content of the fuzzy VIKOR method is to determine positive and negative ideal solutions and rank advantages and disadvantages of each alternative according to its proximity to the ideal solution.…”

“…Triangular and trapezoid fuzzy numbers are commonly used. Liu et al., 22 Kutlu et al., 23 Mohsen and Fereshteh, 24 Barak et al., 25 Liu et al., 26 and Wang et al 27 . proposed that linguistic variables are expressed using triangular and trapezoid fuzzy numbers when applying FMEA, and fuzzy numbers are converted into precise numbers through defuzzification.…”

“…Finally, finding a suitable method to solve the ranking problem of failure modes is also crucial. Commonly used methods include technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS), 18,23,31 gray relational analysis (GRA), 19,28,32 VIKOR, 22,24,30 and decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory 26,33 . Professor Yugoslav Opricovic proposed a multiple‐attribute decision‐making method for complex systems called the fuzzy VIKOR method.…”

A Matrix FMEA Analysis of Variable Delivery Vane Pumps

“…Currently, in the literature, various approaches are used in the evaluation of risk analysis. One of the alternatives is fuzzy logic, which was used by Liu HC et al [22], S. Bahrebar et al [23], S. Liu et al [24], Y. Lv et al [25], and G. Filo et al [26]. The weakness of the classical RPN model was also noticed by the industry and recently was replaced by action-priority [27].…”