A New Model for Estimating Vibrations Generated in the Defective Rolling Element Bearings

Prediction of the vibration response due to defects on rolling element bearings requires having an accurate representative vibration model. In this paper, a new model for vibration generation in the rolling element bearings has been introduced. The proposed model assumes a stochastic source of vibration excitation, which is produced as a result of metallic contact between bearing elements during rolling. This model explains high frequency vibration in the acceleration spectrum clearly. When a defect grows in the bearing, the roughness of the contacting surfaces increases locally and stochastic excitation becomes stronger in the defective area. The increased vibration level at the defective area is a good indicator of bearing faults. A numerical simulation of the proposed model was validated with experimental results. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4003595]