A Study on Bearing Dynamic Features under the Condition of Multiball–Cage Collision

Cage stability directly affects the dynamic performance of rolling bearing, which, in turn, affects the operating state of rotating equipment. The random collision between the rolling elements and the cage pocket is the main reason for cage instability. In this paper, from the perspective of the relative sliding velocity between the rolling elements and the bearing raceway, the interactions of the rolling elements and the cage pockets were analyzed, and the four zones with different collision features were defined. On this basis, and on the basis of the bearing dynamics model, the interaction of two adjacent rolling elements and the cage pockets in the a’–b’ area is discussed, and the peak impact force of the adjacent two balls and the cage pockets was investigated in terms of the rotation speed, radial load, acceleration/deceleration, and materials. When the ball runs close to the loaded zone, the probability of multiball random collision increases, which leads to an increase in the cage instability. At the entrance of the loaded zone, the peak impact force has the greatest impact on the cage stability during the acceleration process. Compared to the radial load applied to the bearing, the peak impact force is more sensitive to the bearing speed changes. The multiball collision analysis method provides a new idea for the research of cage stability.

Electrical Discharges in Oil-Lubricated Rolling Contacts and Their Detection Using Electrostatic Sensing Technique

The reliability of rolling element bearings has been substantially undermined by the presence of parasitic and stray currents. Electrical discharges can occur between the raceway and the rolling elements and it has been previously shown that these discharges at relatively high current density levels can result in fluting and corrugation damages. Recent publications have shown that for a bearing operating at specific mechanical conditions (load, temperature, speed, and slip), electrical discharges at low current densities (<1 mA/mm2) may substantially reduce bearing life due to the formation of white etching cracks (WECs) in bearing components, often in junction with lubricants. To date, limited studies have been conducted to understand the electrical discharges at relatively low current densities (<1 mA/mm2), partially due to the lack of robust techniques for in-situ quantification of discharges. This study, using voltage measurement and electrostatic sensors, investigates discharges in an oil-lubricated steel-steel rolling contact on a TE74 twin-roller machine under a wide range of electrical and mechanical conditions. The results show that the discharges events between the rollers are influenced by temperature, load, and speed due to changes in the lubricant film thickness and contact area, and the sensors are effective in detecting, characterizing and quantifying the discharges. Hence, these sensors can be effectively used to study the influence of discharges on WEC formation.

Methods for estimating the durability of the needle bearing of the piston head of the connecting rod of a transportation diesel

The article presents the results of an experimental study and analytical evaluation calculations to check service life and increase durability of the needle bearing of piston head of connecting rod of a transport diesel engine. The primary reasons for the violation of the nominal operation of the main units of this mechanism have been established. Corresponding recommendations are proposed for carrying out accelerated tests for durability, reducing the thermal loads of the bearing operation and, as a consequence, improving the quality and service life of its entire piston group. Theoretical and experimental methods for determining the nominal life of the needle bearing of the piston head of the connecting rod (PHCR) of a transport diesel engine are proposed. The theoretical methodology allows obtaining reliable values of durability, taking into account the distribution of the working load over the rolling elements, as well as the mobility of the piston pin and sleeve. The performed calculations make it possible to correct and clarify the standard mathematical model for determining the nominal life of the PHCR needle bearing, depending on the distribution of loads on the rolling elements (rollers) under different operating conditions. This experimental technique with an acceleration factor of 10 is based on a twofold increase in the force effect on the elements of the PHCR needle bearing. This was achieved by assembling the bearing using a special technology, which is described in detail in the work. A significant decrease in the thermal effect and a decrease in radial loads on working rollers have been established. For ensure the regular oil supply into bearing during engine operation, a technique was developed to increase the load on the roller in contact zone, which significantly influenced durability and made it possible to conduct accelerated tests with a reliable yield. Its results of operational research and experience in design work correlate and are sufficiently explained by the developed methods, which allows them to be used for the improvement and modernization of connecting rods with needle bearings in PHCR. That is a permission to use these methodic for doing perfect and modern the needle bearing of the connecting-rod piston. Keywords: diesel, test procedure, needle bearing, rollers, piston head of the connecting rod, durability.

Express method for the testing of tribotechnical properties of lubricants

The paper presents the results of experimental study of the tribotechnical properties of lubricants on a unit that simulates the geometric, kinematic and force similarity of well drilling conditions. Bearings with different radial clearances and the same chemical-thermal treatment were investigated. Data registration was carried out on cathode, loop oscilloscopes and electronic recorders. The load on the bearing, the moment of rolling resistance on the journal, and the angular speed of rotation of the outer race were recorded. The temperature was registered using artificial and semiartificial thermocouples. A strobotachometer was used to determine the portable speed of the rolling bodies. The external appearance of all rolling elements was investigated, metallographic analysis of thin surface layers of all rolling elements was carried out, mathematical processing of test results was carried out. It is shown that for the express assessment of the tribotechnical properties of lubricants, the amplitude value of the oscillation of the rolling resistance moment can be used. Keywords: friction; lubrication; tribotechnical Properties; drilling.

Research on the Possibility of Lowering the Manufacturing Accuracy of Cycloid Transmission Wheels with Intermediate Rolling Elements and a Free Cage

Purpose: In the present work, different combinations of fits and accuracies, in relation to the profiles of mating parts, have been analysed in order to assess the degree of the engagement of transmissions that contain intermediate rolling elements. The aim of this work is to determine which fits have decreased accuracy, but nevertheless provide a minimum manufacturing clearance for the transmission engagement in order to reduce the cost of parts production. Methods and materials: Considering the normal probabilistic distribution law in relation to the obtained dimensions of the manufacturing equipment, a combination of fits were selected using the incomplete interchangeability method, taking into account the peculiarities of the cycloid engagement in transmissions with intermediate rolling elements (IRE). Results: Having studied various combinations of fits of parts that are engaged in transmissions with intermediate rolling elements and a free cage (IREFC), a combination of fits for a “ring, rolling-element cam” were determined, in which a technological clearance of 3 µm is formed in the engagement. At the same time, cycloid disk profiles are manufactured according to the 9th tolerance grade, which reduces the laboriousness and cost of the production. Discussion. When reducing the manufacturing accuracy of cycloid disks, it is possible to obtain both very ample clearances and significant negative allowances. For example, having manufactured a ring with the H9 fit, rolling elements with h6 and a cam with js9, the maximum manufacturing clearance can reach 0.086 mm, while the clearance limits vary from 0.025 mm to 0.061 mm. Additionally, if mating parts are manufactured using a combination of K9-h6-js9 fits, a negative allowance varying from 0.014 mm to 0.026 mm will emerge in the engagement. Both described cases are unacceptable because both ample clearances and large negative allowances will negatively influence the working capacity of the mechanism. However, it is possible to select a combination of fits using the 9th tolerance grade of the basic parts, by which the parts will contact in the range from a small negative allowance of 1 µm to a clearance of 3–4 µm. Furthermore, if this is considered, taking into account the machine settings, it is possible to obtain parts according to the 9th accuracy tolerance grade and, at the same time, provide a clearance in the engagement that is almost equal to zero. Moreover, such a combination of fits is relevant for any transmission with IRE. This is a positive result because it reduces the laboriousness when manufacturing parts and, at the same time, provides high accuracy of the mechanism. Conclusions: It has been established that when lowering the accuracy of manufacturing transmission parts with IRE, both clearances and negative allowances may occur in the engagement, depending on the combination of fits. At the same time, it is possible to select such a combination of fits, by which the parts manufactured according to the 9th tolerance grade, will provide almost zero clearance of the engagement of the transmission. In this way, it is possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing the parts for gears with intermediate rolling elements and, at the same time, maintain a high accuracy of the transmission mechanism.

Cutting Force When Machining Hardened Steels

This article deals primarily with the problem of determining the cutting force when machining hardened steels. Secondary issues are focused on the evaluation of surface quality on machined samples and the recommendation of cutting conditions. A wide variety of components are used in engineering, the final heat treatment of which is hardening. These components are usually critical in a particular product. The quality of these components determines the correct functioning of the entire technical equipment and ultimately its service life. In our case, these are the core parts of thrust bearings, specifically the rolling elements. The subject of the experiment is machining these components in the hardened state with cubic boron nitride tools and continuous measurement of the cutting force using a dynamometer. The following evaluation assesses the surface quality by both touch and non-touch methods. A structural equation with appropriate constant and exponents was then constructed from the data obtained using the dynamometer.

Application of nanofluids on various performance characteristics of hydrodynamic journal bearing—A review

Bearings are designed to support the loads normally applied to the shaft, while allowing relative movement between two machine elements. Journal or sliding bearings are perhaps the most well-known sorts of hydrodynamic bearings. The journal bearings contain no rolling elements and these bearings’ design and construction are simple, but their operation and theory are complex. Due to this and other advantages, journal bearings are much preferred in engineering applications. Simultaneously, the associated research and development have resulted in reasonable progress and therefore, a thorough review of these is earnestly felt. The static and dynamic characteristics of hydrodynamic journal bearings mainly depend on the lubricant viscosity and other factors such as load, speed, friction, and eccentricity. The review analysis focused on nanofluid lubricated hydrodynamic journal bearings are one of the rare topics of interest among tribologists. The use of a nanofluid as a lubricant is very important as it significantly improves the performance characteristics of the investigated bearing. The aggregation of nanoparticles in lubricants available commercially can cause a sharp increase in pressure drop and significantly improve the lubricant viscosity, which leads to an increase in load-carrying capacity. The tribological properties of various lubricants/base oils can be augmented by nanoparticles containing the lubricant. Studies have shown that compared to other conventional engine oils the load-carrying capacity is increased with nanoparticles containing the lubricant.

Global load determination in linear guides based on the fusion of local rolling element loads determined from strain sensitive sensor groups

Measuring the mechanical load on linear guides provides many possibilities regarding predictive maintenance and process monitoring. In this contribution, we provide an in depth evaluation of a Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) based sensor system integrated into the runner block’s raceway that is capable of directly measuring the load on individual rolling elements. An efficient algorithm based on an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) for local sensor fusion and load estimation is presented and proven to reliably retrieve the load regardless of the rolling element’s position. Afterwards, we compare locally measured loads to results from a theoretical load distribution model, providing valuable insight into modeling parameters and a verification of the sensor measurement principle. In a final step, an algorithm to invert the load distribution model is derived and used for an evaluation of the sensor system, achieving Root-Mean-Square (RMS) estimation errors of equivalently 1.4 kN in the preload range and 2.75 kN overall for one dimensional loads. Load mode distinction was equally successful with a suppression RMS error of 0.7 kN in the preload range and 2.87 kN in total.

A Study of Possible Reasons of the Damage by Electric Current of Traction Induction Motors Bearings of Electric Trains Lastochka and the Ways to Prevent This

There is a problem of damage of bearings of traction induction motors of electric trains Lastochka by electric current. Based on the fact that the bearings have a ceramic insulation coating, and the cases of its electrical breakdown is not fixed, the authors put forward a version that a high-frequency current flows through the bearing as through an electric capacitance. The analysis show that the cause of the current can be a radio standard GSM-R. The proposed technical solution against the damage of bearings: the use of grounding shaft rings, replace the bearings on the other with ceramic rolling elements, arrangement of separate high-frequency grounding for the GSM-R antenna.

Vibration response of defect-ball-defect of rolling bearing with compound defects on both inner and outer races

Aiming at the problem that the existing compound defects model of rolling bearings under radial load is difficult to reflect the actual contact between rolling elements and defects. A new model is proposed to accurately reflect the simultaneous or sequential contact between inner and outer race defects and rolling elements. Considering the coupled excitation between shaft and bearing and pedestal, time-varying displacement excitation, and radial clearance, a four degree-of-freedom vibration model of rolling bearing with compound faults on both inner and outer races is built. The vibration equations are calculated by the method of numerical way, and the model is verified by experiment. The vibration response characteristics of the Defect-Ball-Defect model are studied, which renders a theoretical criterion for bearing fault diagnosis.