Ultrasound measurement of lubricant-film thickness distribution in cylindrical roller bearings

Abstract

In this paper, a ultrasonic method for measuring the cylindrical roller bearing lubricant film thickness distribution is presented. And the test bench and the high-frequency ultrasound signal acquisition and analysis system have been designed and initially built for the real-time measurement of the cylindrical roller bearing lubricant film thickness distribution in the industry condition. The minimum lubricant-film thickness measured by 50MHz broadband ultrasonic probe are described at high radial loads and low rotary speeds for proving the feasibility and the reliability of the system.