Application of laser interferometry to the evaluation of the dynamic characteristics of rolling bearings and comparison with piezoelectric device measurements

Bearings are elements of rotating machinery that are widely used as low friction joint elements between other machine elements. Like any other machine element they posses a finite life which is dependent on a number of factors, among them manufacture, assembling, maintenances, load, etc. Bearing failures are amongst the principal causes of machinery overhaul. They by themselves are a source of vibration which is a function of surface conditions, clearances, misalignment, etc. Each of these defects present a specific dynamic signature, and can be analyzed by a number of techniques already in used, among them the laser vibrometry. This is a non-contact, non-disturbing method commonly used for measurements of vibrations on static objects. The technique offers the possibility to measure vibrations on thin-walled (light), and rotating objects as well as sound fields. Common vibration signal analysis in rotating machinery are restricted to low frequencies, up to 3000 Hz, and in some cases when analyzing contact problems and fatigue at 7000 up to 15000 Hz. In this work, are presented the primary results to employ laser interferometry to study the dynamic signals generated by rolling bearings, and the feasibility to employ it to study high frequency problems of these machine elements.