Ball bearings as sensors for systematical combination of load and failure monitoring

Abstract

In modern machine architecture, complex mechanical components guarantee the function of the system. Specific maintenance rates reduce maintenance effort and cost. The combination of load and failure monitoring provide data to establish an individual maintenance rate depending on component specific remaining lifetime. In addition, algorithms can optimise the operation strategy to relieve the weakest components and extend the system lifetime. Adapted ball bearings contain a sensor mechanism depending on the relation of beating load and electric bearing impedance to measure load and failure data.