Vibration signatures in ball bearings as a function of lubricant viscosity ratio κ, under alternating lubrication conditions

This paper analyses the vibrations emitted by a set of grease lubricated ball bearings run under load, when lubrication conditions alternate between good and insufficient. Conditions are varied by adjusting the operational parameters rotational speed and temperature. The dependency of the vibration signature on the lubrication ratio kappa is considered. The results show a good correlation between kappa and spectral kurtosis for a given frequency band, a: when the bearing is new, and b: when kappa is below 0.6.

Automated summary

This paper analyzes the vibrations emitted by a set of grease lubricated ball bearings run under load, when lubrication conditions alternate between good and insufficient. The study shows a good correlation between the lubrication ratio κ and spectral kurtosis for a given frequency band, both when the bearing is new and when κ is below 0.6.