Detection and identification of ovalization fault in hydrodynamic bearings

• Grant number: 20/07150-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2020
• End date: July 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Mechanics of Solids
• Principal Investigator: Gregory Bregion Daniel
• Grantee: Matheus Victor Inacio
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica (FEM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hydrodynamic bearings play a crucial role in the life cicle of rotating machines, as they represent one of the most critical sources of faults in these machines. In addition, the faults identification in hydrodynamic bearings is still challenging in the current scenario, since it is not completely known how these specific faults can influence the rotor dynamic response.Within this context, this project aims to develop a method to detect and identify a specific fault in the hydrodynamic bearing, which in this case refers to an ovalization fault of the bearing. Based on the knowledge acquired by the researcher during the first scientific initiation project (Fapesp 2019-11070-6), the main influences of this type of fault in the rotor dynamic response were investigated and identified. Thus, this proposal aims now to develop a robust and efficient method to detect this fault and also to perform the identification of the ovalization angle and magnitude.For this, dynamic analyses will be performed in the time domain and the rotor dynamic responses will be processed and transformed for the directional domain, thus allowing to identify the forward and backward components. Using these components, it is possible to identify the ovalization faults in the bearings that support the rotor.Therefore, this project contibutes with the developement of a robust and efficient method to detect and identify the ovalization faults in hydrodynamic bearings, thus allowing to improve the monitoring of the rotating machines and, consequently, avoid the occurrence of interruptions in the production system.