Instrumentation for Predicting Bearing Damage.
Abstract
This report describes the use of Mechanical Signature Analysis techniques for prediction of fatigue damage in large azimuth antenna bearings without interruption of antenna operation. Bearing areas of specific concern were the inner race, outer race, and rolling elements. The hardware used for this prediction consisted of six accelerometers and data processing equipment capable of sensing, recording, and analyzing vibration signals generated during bearing tests. Three bearings were tested, with only the second bearing generating enough data for analysis. This testing, carried on at a Rome Air Development Center site, confirmed that Mechanical Signature Analysis can detect impending fatigue failure much earlier than currently used conventional techniques. It was also concluded that Mechanical Signature Analysis can pinpoint the location of the defect. The report describes an electronic system, a Bearing Condition Monitor, which could be used to perform the failure prediction in real time at field antenna sites. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0869633
Entities
People
- Bjorn Weichbrodt
- Frank J. Bowden
Organizations
- General Electric