Evaluation of bearing assembly lifespan for electric motors - a case study on agriculture

In this work, the essential information on the bearing assemblies of electric drives is given. A problem of using bearing assemblies in agriculture conditions is also shown. In the paper, the wear rate of the working surface was chosen as the most critical parameter of the run-out process for the bearing assemblies. Dedicated tests were carried out to define the statistically substantiated values of this parameter. Values of gap clearance for bearing assemblies of electric motors have been specified that make it possible to evaluate the total expected lifespan of bearing assemblies for particular types of electric motors. The engineering method for evaluating the total and remaining lifespan of bearing assemblies of electric motors operated in agricultural production conditions has been developed. Values of the standard radial bearing clearance for various spindle heights have been determined that were calculated based on the standard values of gap clearance tolerance for mounting seats, and an example of calculations has been described. Values of an expected radial bearing clearance and those of lifespan of bearings for electric motor under control have been obtained, in the process of its operation, that characterize its wear rate, at a particular moment.