On-shaft ball bearings monitoring by using an inertial measurement unit (IMU): defects severity signatures under stationary and non-stationary conditions

Abstract

Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology is widely used in many applications relative to automotive, aerospace, medicine, telecommunication or consumer electronic. Those devices are able to access to several physical parameters such as pressure, temperature, acceleration and vibrations, in real time and with a great precision. The present work focuses on the using of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in order to monitor the signatures of defects in ball bearings under stationary and non-stationary regimes.
For both of these regimes, the present paper completes the current literature by (i) investigating the influence of IMU parameters on signals derived from the six axes and by (ii) proposing signal processing methodologies to detect defects in outer and inner rings.
Defects are both declined on the inner and the outer ring according five severities, and are studied according six rotation speeds (5rpm to 400rpm) and five radial loads (100kg to 500kg). Data are recorded in stationary and no-stationary (linear acceleration) regimes. Results are conclusive and open ways for the improvement of inertial units and their application field.