DSP applications in the condition monitoring of bearings

There are a number of techniques used to assess the condition of rolling element bearings. Traditional methods have measured the magnitude or energy distribution of the shock pulse emitted whenever the bearing is in contact with the defect. Digital signal processing permits frequency analysis of the vibration data, from which assessment of the bearing condition is possible. The authors concentrate on a technique known as enveloping. Analysis is possible at critical bearing defect frequencies and this may then be incorporated into a rule based system