The application of correlation dimension in gearbox condition monitoring

This paper reports a study of correlation dimension in gearbox condition monitoring. In contrast to other fault diagnosis methods, such as Fourier spectrum analysis? time-frequency analysis, etc., the correlation dimension can provide some intrinsic information of an underlying dynamic system reconstructed from measured scalar time series. A three-stage analysis procedure using correlation dimension is presented. Some important influencing factors relating directly to the computational precision of correlation dimension are discussed. Industrial gearbox vibration signals measured from different operating conditions are analyzed using the above method. Results show that the correlation dimension is able to identify clearly a gearbox-operating condition with fatigue crack or broken tooth compared with the normal condition. (C) 1999 Academic Press.