A diagnostic approach to rolling element bearing based on vibration signal of shaft in a rotating reference frame

In order to diagnose local defects in a rolling element bearing, an approach was developed based on vibration signal of shaft in a rotating reference frame. A test rig for rolling element bearing was established, and piezoelectric accelerometers were used to measure the vibration signals of shaft. The feasibility of this approach was demonstrated by the experimental results from four typical defects involving inner race, outer race, rolling element and cage. It was found that the transmission path of vibration signals of shaft is relatively simple, contributing to early detection and diagnosis of minor defects for inner race, outer race, rolling element and cage.