Thermo-dynamical modelisation of the degradation of a ball bearing in variables use conditions

Abstract

Many sources of heat can emanate from the operation of a rotating machine, and one of which is the friction among the different parts of the ball bearings. Over time, these frictions may lead to a tearing of matter of the rings or on the rolling elements that cause some type of degradation by flaking. Flaking, in turn, produces a repetitive shock as a new source of thermal energy. This work proposes a physical model for the study of the thermal heating of a ball bearing during operation. The resolution of the energy balance is achieved by the Nodal method where both the heating due to friction and the heat induced by the passage of the balls on defect are taken into account. The proposed thermal model is validated through an experimental thermal analysis. The obtained results show that the temperature increases in the position of defect ball ring with increasing rotational speed. The same results are obtained for the influence of radial load.