Statistical correlation between vibration characteristics, surface temperatures and service life of rolling bearings - artificially contaminated by open pit coal mine debris particles

Abstract

Nowadays, two most often used methods for rolling bearings condition monitoring are thermographic inspection and vibrodiagno stic. However, analysis of the relevant literature has shown that so far there is no established correlation between rolling bearings surface temperatures and measured radial vibration intensities. These variables also strongly depend on rolling bearing's service life and it's environmental operating conditions, especially in case of open pit coal mine conveyor idler's rolling bearings; where high concentration of debris particles (such as surface dust, dirt and excavated coal) is present. Taking into account previously listed facts; the main goal of the presented research results was to establish statistically significant correlation between listed variables: rolling bearings surface temperatures, radial vibration intensities, service life and concentration level of debris particles in bearing grease. In order to achieve this goal, specific experimental methodology was developed and implemented. Obtained results were then processed using standardized statistical software and appropriate correlation was generated and later verified in praxis. At this moment, developed experimental methodology is applied only to open pit coal mine conveyor idler's rolling bearings, but its principles are universal, so with minor modifications it could be used for prediction of any of listed variables for different kinds of rolling bearings, operating in different environments.