Rolling-Element Bearing Fault Diagnosis Using Advanced Machine Learning-Based Observer

Rotating machines represent a class of nonlinear, uncertain, and multiple-degrees-of-freedom systems that are used in various applications. The complexity of the system’s dynamic behavior and uncertainty result in substantial challenges for fault estimation, detection, and identification in rotating machines. To address the aforementioned challenges, this paper proposes a novel technique for fault diagnosis of a rolling-element bearing (REB), founded on a machine-learning-based advanced fuzzy sliding mode observer. First, an ARX-Laguerre algorithm is presented to model the bearing in the presence of noise and uncertainty. In addition, a fuzzy algorithm is applied to the ARX-Laguerre technique to increase the system’s modeling accuracy. Next, the conventional sliding mode observer is applied to resolve the problems of fault estimation in a complex system with a high degree of uncertainty, such as rotating machinery. To address the problem of chattering that is inherent in the conventional sliding mode observer, the higher-order super-twisting (advanced) technique is introduced in this study. In addition, the fuzzy method is applied to the advanced sliding mode observer to improve the accuracy of fault estimation in uncertain conditions. As a result, the advanced fuzzy sliding mode observer adaptively improves the reliability, robustness, and estimation accuracy of rolling-element bearing fault estimation. Then, the residual signal delivered by the proposed methodology is split in the windows and each window is characterized by a numerical parameter. Finally, a machine learning technique, called a decision tree, adaptively derives the threshold values that are used for problems of fault detection and fault identification in this study. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is validated using a publicly available vibration dataset of Case Western Reverse University. The experimental results show that the machine learning-based advanced fuzzy sliding mode observation methodology significantly improves the reliability and accuracy of the fault estimation, detection, and identification of rolling element bearing faults under variable crack sizes and load conditions.