Patent ID: 8725456

Claim:
A program storage device embodying a program of instructions contained on non-transitory, computer readable media, executable by the computer to explicitly decompose uncertainties associated with a remaining useful life (RUL) of a worn or otherwise damaged active object, wherein the uncertainties comprise: (i) a first uncertainty in at least one-failure precursor-feature-to-damage mapping, where the first uncertainty is numerically computed and represented as a first uncertainty distribution; (ii) a second uncertainty in a user-defined future usage of the object, where the second uncertainty is numerically computed and represented as a second uncertainty distribution; (iii) a third uncertainty in at least one estimated future damage growth rate, where the third uncertainty is numerically represented as a third uncertainty distribution; and (iv) wherein the uncertainties (i), (ii) and (iii) are implemented using an uncertainty management program that numerically combines the computed first, second and third uncertainties to further compute and present to a user a remaining useful life (RUL) uncertainty for a future time, of a worn or otherwise damaged active object, as an output of a kernel function that computes a RUL, by quantifying how much time is left until functionality of the object is lost.