A novel Modelica-based reliability modelling approach for electric propulsion systems

The electric propulsion system of a ship represents a quintessential electromechanical system, the reliability of which is crucial to assess. This paper introduces a novel approach for modeling the reliability of electric propulsion systems using the Modelica language, designed to overcome the shortcomings of traditional reliability modeling methods that often fail to account for the heterogeneity, dynamicity, and interactivity inherent in electric propulsion systems. This approach utilizes multi-domain modeling to address system heterogeneity, employs parametric modeling to capture environmental dynamics, and facilitates device interactions through the connectors provided by the Modelica language. Additionally, modeling efficiency is enhanced through the reuse of the device model packages. An electric propulsion system from a specific vessel is used as a case study to demonstrate the modeling process and simulation results, validating the effectiveness and adaptability of the proposed method. This approach introduces a novel tool for the reliability modeling of complex electromechanical systems, thereby enhancing the precision and efficiency of system reliability assessments.