Statistical Approach for Tapered Bearing Fault Detection using Different Methods

The study investigated the sensitivity of using a contact and a non contact method in tapered roller bearing damage detection. Accelerometers mounted on the bearing housing and connected to Sound and Vibration Analyzer (SVAN) 958 was used to measure the radial accelerations from the bearing housing. The Laser vibrometer which uses a laser beam without making contact with the bearing housing was also used to measure the radial accelerations from the bearing housing. The data obtained from the two measuring techniques was processed to detect damage of the bearing using statistical tools and the results were subsequently compared and it was found that the laser vibrometer gave higher kurtosis values and hence was more sensitive to bearing damage than the accelerometers. However, the accelerometers which were attached directly to the tapered bearing casing gave higher vibration values. From this study it can be recommended that in places where high sensitivity is extremely important it recommended that laser vibrometers be used.