Detection of localised bearing spalling and backlash damage rom dynamic modelling of an im-gearbox signal analaysis

Abstract EN

The use of an Induction Machine (IM) coupled with spur gears in power transmission, instrumentation and as an integral part of position devices has become almost ubiquitous.

Consequently, any faults in gear transmission severely affect the performance of such systems.

These faults can be diverse and depending on the situation, can affect the performance of the system considerably.

Common examples of such faults are broken gear teeth, backlash between the teeth, interference between the teeth, bearing crack and eccentric mounting of mating gears.

But regardless of the source of degraded performance and the chances of preventing the occurrence of such faults altogether ; early detection of the cause can prevent severe damaging consequences in many cases.

This work concentrates on the detection of backlash warp between mating gear teeth and the degradation affecting asynchronous motor bearing [1].

Backlash is a common fault that occurs in geared mechanisms, and can produce inaccuracy or uncontrollability of the mechanism.

It is shown that, by modeling backlash fault as physical impact, mkpresence can be detected.

The first stage of modelling establishes the need for the use of nonlinear elastic and damping forces in establishing the gear-teeth reaction force.

The second stage of modeling used a detailed digital multibody (Induction Motor-gearbox-bearing) simulation to develop and test the effectiveness of the proposed detection approach.

Finally, the results can be quantified for a tested mechanism, indicating that this methodology may be useful for condition monitoring of other industrial mechanisms.