Structure design and feasibility analysis of intelligent bearing with multi-parameter monitoring capability

Bearing is an important component of rotating machinery. Intelligent bearings can realize self-diagnosis, self-regulation and self-adaptation for the bearings. The condition monitoring of the existing intelligent bearings mostly monitors one parameter, which is not enough for bearing fault diagnosis. This paper proposes an intelligent bearing with a new structure, which can realize the real-time monitoring of various bearing running state parameters. Firstly, the proposed intelligent bearing structure can effectively increase the number of sensors and improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Secondly, considering the strength can be affected by slotting on the bearing outer ring, the maximum deformation and stress of the bearing outer ring are analyzed with Simdroid. Finally, the new intelligent bearing is manufactured to run on a bearing life enhancement testing machine, the vibration and temperature signal of bearing are monitored during the experiments. The proposed intelligent bearing structure did not show significant temperature rise in terms of temperature, and the fault frequency in terms of vibration was not obvious, which ensured the early diagnosis rate of intelligent bearings. The proposed intelligent bearing structure provides a foundation for the realization of multi-parameter intelligent bearing.