A novel similarity-based status characterization methodology for gear surface wear propagation monitoring

authored by: Ke Feng, Qing Ni, Michael Beer, Haiping Du, Chuan Li
Abstract: The gearbox is a vital component for rotating machinery and has been used in many critical engineering applications. Surface wear is a common but inevitable phenomenon during the lifespan of the gearbox. Its propagation can result in some catastrophic failures and cause unexpected economic loss. Therefore, it is vital to evaluate the degradation process of the gear system caused by surface wear propagation in order to make reliable predictive maintenance-based decisions to ensure the safe operation of the gearbox transmission system. The vibration analysis technique is a prevailing tool for rotating machine condition monitoring. However, research on vibration-based gear wear monitoring is relatively rare as the dynamic interactions between gear surface wear and gear system dynamic characteristics would produce complex gear dynamic responses and vibration features. Therefore, this paper presents a novel similarity-based status characterization methodology for gear wear monitoring. In this proposed methodology, a novel gear wear monitoring indicator is developed to evaluate gear tooth contact characteristics at different wear severities, which could significantly benefit gear systems' health management. The effectiveness of the proposed method for gear wear propagation process monitoring is presented and proven through a series of run-to-failure tests with different lubrications and operational conditions.
Organisation(s): Institute for Risk and Reliability
External Organisation(s): University of British Columbia
UTS University of Technology Sydney
University of Liverpool
Tongji University
University of Wollongong
Dongguan University of Technology
Type: Article
Journal: Tribology international
Volume: 174
ISSN: 0301-679X
Publication date: 10.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Mechanics of Materials, Mechanical Engineering, Surfaces and Interfaces, Surfaces, Coatings and Films
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2022.107765 (Access: Closed)