Investigation of Fault Modeling in the Identification of Bearing Wear Severity

Abstract

Recent research into machines involved in the power generation process has demanded deep investigation of model-based techniques for fault diagnosis and identification. The improvement of critical fault characterisation is crucial in the maintenance process effectiveness, hence in time/costs saving, increasing performance and productivity of the whole system. Consequently, this paper deals with a common fault in hydrodynamically lubricated bearings assembled in rotating systems, namely, that of abrasive wear. Research on this topic points to an interesting query about the significance of model detail and complexity and the identification of its characteristic parameters for the important stages of fault diagnosis and fault identification. For this purpose, two models are presented and analysed in their completeness concerning the fault signature by vibration measurements, as well as the identification of fault critical parameters which determine the machine lifetime estimation, maintenance procedures and time costs regarding performance and productivity. From this study, the detailing in fault modelling has a substantial impact on fault parameter identification, even if its improvement is not so expressive in fault diagnosis procedures involving standard signal processing techniques of vibration signatures.

Dynamic of a Flexible Rotor-Bearing System Supported by Worn Tilting Journal Bearings Experiencing Rub-Impact

“…They reported an increase in journal-worn bearing vibration amplitude due to the bearing wear. Alves et al [21,22] developed a model to describe wear in journal-hydrodynamic bearings. They used temperature and the system vibration spectral analysis to determine the severity of wear in plain bearings and concluded that wear increments the system anisotropy.…”

Dynamic of a Flexible Rotor-Bearing System Supported by Worn Tilting Journal Bearings Experiencing Rub-Impact

“…They reported an increase in journal-worn bearing vibration amplitude due to the bearing wear. Alves et al [24,25] developed a model to describe wear in journalhydrodynamic bearings. They used temperature and the system vibration spectral analysis to determine the severity of wear in plain bearings and concluded that wear increments the system's anisotropy.…”