Bearing fault detection using an alternative analytic energy operator: a fast and non-filtering method

Abstract

Teager energy operator (TEO), as a classic energy demodulation method, is specially employed to detect both the amplitude and frequency modulations of the vibration signals recorded from damaged elements. The fault characteristic frequency is identified in the spectrum of energy-transformed signal through the inherent amplitude demodulation. However, the TEO is easily sensitive to intensive noise and vibration interferences. To conquer this disadvantage, an alternative energy operator method, which is realized using a multiresolution symmetric difference and analytic energy operator, is proposed to cope with the vibration signals corrupted by strong noise and multiple vibration interference components. It is simple to implement bearing fault detection and provides excellent time resolution. So, the proposed energy detector is a fast and non-filtering method. The results of simulated tests and real experiments show that the enhanced energy operator can detect fault characteristics effectively in harsh working conditions and certify its superiority according to compare with previous energy operator techniques as well as some popular fault detection methods.