Bearing condition assessment. Part 1: Size and frequency of surface roughness interactions in impulsive vibration measurements

Abstract

Impulsive vibrations generated during the operation of a rolling Hertzian line contact under elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) conditions, typically found in tapered rolling bearings, are analysed using two-dimensional surface roughness profiles containing spherical asperities. The cause of these vibrations is modelled as a series of collisions between the asperities forming the surfaces in contact. Asperity heights are considered to vary according to a Gaussian distribution, and an innovative method, based upon probability, is developed so that the rates and the magnitudes of collisions between asperities of various heights under different lubrication conditions can be studied. The magnitude of individual collisions are predicted to allow them to be compared with those measured using a calibrated master piezoelectric transducer.