Using Acceleration Enveloping on Sleeve Bearings

SKF has a long history of using enveloping as part of a multi-parameter condition monitoring approach. The multi-parameter approach typically includes vibration velocity, acceleration and enveloped acceleration measurements, along with temperature measurements. Traditionally, enveloped acceleration measurements are performed on rolling element bearings, gearboxes and other components that tend to generate impulsive type fault signals.

Sleeve bearings have not typically fallen into this category, and vibration monitoring on machinery using these types of bearings normally employs non-contact eddy current probes, especially in the machinery protection arena.

This Application Note will present two of four cases submitted for this study. In the first case, a failed sleeve bearing was detected on an absorption fan, and with the second case, a failed sleeve bearing was detected on a bypass fan.