Evolution of the instantaneous distribution of energy density on a local meshing plane as the measure of gear failures

In the paper a method of vibroacoustic signal analysis based on meshing local plane ldquopinion tooth - gear toothrdquo concept is presented. The method is based on calculation of instantaneous energy density of the signal´s envelope for the consecutive meshes and allows for acquiring information about the disturbances of the meshing process for particular teeth pairs. It permits the observation of the energy density changes for the consecutive teeth (or teeth pairs) during the normal exploitation of the gearbox. The meshing local plane concept allows finding in the signal the local disturbances caused by meshing errors or developing fatigue related failures like pitting or gear cracks and link them to the meshes of particular teeth.