Fault signature modeling and detection of inner race bearing faults

This research develops a fault signature model and fault detection scheme for using machine vibration to detect inner race defects. To motivate this research, it is explained and illustrated with experimental results why fault signatures from non-outer race defects (e.g., inner race defects) can be less salient than those from outer race defects. Afterwards, a signal model is presented for the production and propagation of an inner race fault signature; this model is then used to design an inner race fault detection scheme. This scheme examines machine vibration spectra for peaks with phase coupled sidebands occurring at a spacing predicted by the model. The proficiency of this fault detection scheme at detecting inner race bearing faults is then experimentally verified with results from 12 bearings representing varying degrees of fault severity