Identification of linearized dynamic characteristics of rolling element bearings

This study presents a new method for estimating linearized coefficients of rolling element bearings. The rotor-bearing systems considered here are composed of a flexible shaft, which may be changed stepwise along the axial direction, and multiple rigid disks supported on anisotropic bearings. The main feature of this identification technique is that it eliminates the need to measure the external input force. The estimator is constructed by using the relations of unbalance responses and known system parameters to estimate the coefficients of rolling element bearings incorporated with the least-squares method without using an input force device. The theoretical development of the procedures is presented together with simulation and experimental results.