An Investigation of Vibration Signal Averaging of Individual Components in an Epicyclic Gearbox

Abstract : An investigation of vibration signal averaging for individual components in an epicyclic gearbox has been conducted. A new signal averaging technique was developed specifically for analysing planetary gears within epicyclic transmissions using the vibration measured on the annulus gear casing. It enables the acquisition of signal averages for individual planetary gears whereas previous methods gave a composite vibration pattern form all the planet gears. The new technique is outlined and its implementation is described. Results of tests on an epicyclic gearbox showed the advantages of separating individual planetary gear averages, compared with previous methods. Other conclusions include the effects of transducer location, number of tooth mesh cycles averaged, window width and the use and difficulties with the composite sun gear signal average.