Do machine elements have a “fingerprint”?
摘要
Several classes of machine elements are known to exhibit sensorial effects mainly in highly loaded tribological contacts such as helical gears, rolling elements and plain bearings. Departing from measurements in different lubrication conditions the question is discussed whether the underlying electrical effect can give rise to the hypothesis that machine elements have a fingerprint as a characteristic signal pattern. This signal pattern offers interesting features that may be exploited in future technical applications summarized as operational state monitoring including approaches like operational control, condition monitoring or predictive maintenance. Current opportunities and existing limits as well as a mutual uniqueness of the fingerprints are discussed based on the experimental evidence available so far.