Nonlinear modeling and analysis of a rolling element bearing with a clearance

Rolling element bearings are the key components in many rotating machinery. For efficient performance of the machine it is necessary to accurately predict the effect of various parameters and operating conditions on the machine’s behavior. This paper deals with the development of a nonlinear model of the rotor-bearing system on rolling element bearings with clearance. Clearance is an important nonlinearity which can cause bifurcations and chaos as has been shown in this paper. In this paper a detailed model for clearance is developed. In this model the inner race center and the outer race center are not assumed to be collinear when relations for deflections in the rolling element are developed. The model is non-dimensionalized and then analyzed to reveal rich nonlinear phenomena. Further, for better performance of any machine it is necessary to identify and stay out of chaotic regimes of operation. Hence, Lyapunov exponents and Poincaré mappings are used to analyze the system and determine the regions of chaotic response.