Using functional maintenance to improve fault tolerance

Abstract

A machine can be made self-maintaining by taking advantage of functionally similar components when faults occur. The performance of the machine might degrade, but the required functions will continue. A self-maintenance machine should: constantly monitor its state; judge normal or faulty status using monitor data; diagnose even unknown faults by itself; generate a repair plan (based on the diagnostic results) that would enable the machine to perform at least some of the required functions; and execute the repair plan.<>