title: Digital and analog readout systems for fiber-optic strain sensors as applied to the monitoring of roller element bearing systems.
abstract: A rotating machinery test rig was instrumented with fiber Fabry-Perot interferometer strain sensors for condition monitoring of rolling element bearings. Strain variations produced by ball passes were observed and analyzed in the time and frequency domain. Wavelength division multiplexing was utilized to simultaneously monitor the sensors with analog and digital readout systems--analog for high bandwidth and digital for high dynamic range and the monitoring of multiple sensors. The effects of imbalance on the shaft, changes in rotational speed, effects on the rotor system, and detection of bearing defects were investigated. Frequency peaks observed in the bearing sensor spectra closely matched predicted values. Imbalance and rotational speed tests showed good agreement with expected trends, and bearing defects were successfully detected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Engineering, 214 Zachry Engineering Center, Mail Stop 3128, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3128, USA. jcj@tamu.edu
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Juarez
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Conkey
authors.forename: Robert X
authors.initials: RX
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Henry F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Taylor