On the Mean Number of Remaining Components in Three-State <i>k</I>-out-of-<i>n< System

Abstract

A three-state k-out-of-n system with n independent components is considered, where the vector k of integers is determined by given fixed scalars k(1) and k(2) such that k(1), k(2) <= n. The mean number of components of each type either in a perfect functioning state or in a partially working state at the time of the system failure and at a time while the system is working are studied. An optimization problem concerned with the most economical value of n is also formulated. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.