Nonlinear Dynamics as a Tool in Selection of Working Conditions for Radial Ball Bearing

Abstract

This paper contains elements of a comprehensive research devoted to the dynamic behavior of radial ball bearings in real working conditions. The general motivation for this topic comes from the requirements for high performance operation of bearings within complex mechanical systems, defined in many industrial branches during the last decades. The discussion of the fundamental postulates of the approach used for analyzing the vibration response of rolling ball bearings in order to select the optimal working conditions is given. The certain simplifications and reductions used for analyzing the radial ball bearings are explained. The developed procedure can be used for research of influence of different damages and variable operation conditions on the rolling bearings dynamics. The detail analyses of the dynamic behavior of rolling bearings are performed for particular types of radial ball bearings in two case studies: for the damaged outer raceway surface in accordance with real fatigue damage shapes and dimensions and, for variable working temperature. Obtained results are shown by comparative diagrams of vibration and phase plane portraits. Presented results could be a base for more widely research of nonlinear dynamics of radial ball bearings with different damages and for the application of phase plane analysis in order to choose the optimal operation conditions.