An analytical model for the prediction of the vibration response of rolling element bearings due to a localized defect

An analytical model has been proposed for predicting the vibration frequencies of rolling bearings and the amplitudes of significant frequency components due to a localized defect on outer race, inner race or on one of the rolling elements under radial and axial loads. The model predicts a discrete spectrum having peaks at the characteristic defect frequencies and their harmonics. In the case of an inner race defect or a rolling element defect under a radial load, there are sidebands around each peak. The effect of load and pulse shape on the vibration amplitude has been considered in the model. Typical numerical results for a 6002 deep groove ball bearing have been obtained and plotted. A comparison with the experimental values obtained from published literature shows that the model can be successfully used to predict amplitude ratios among various spectral lines. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.