Bearing assembly and method of monitoring same
A method for predicting bearing failure of a differential bearing including an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the inner and outer race. The method includes coupling a strain gage to the differential bearing, generating a bearing performance model, receiving a signal from the strain gage, and comparing the strain gage signal to the bearing performance model to predict a differential bearing failure.
1. A method for predicting bearing failure of a differential bearing including an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements positioned between the inner and outer race, said method comprising:
coupling a strain gage to the differential bearing;
generating a bearing performance model;
receiving a signal from the strain gage; and
comparing the strain gage signal to the bearing performance model to predict a differential bearing failure.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein coupling a strain gage to the differential bearing comprises coupling a strain gage to the differential bearing outer race such that the strain gage rotates with the outer race.
3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said outer race comprises a first portion and a second portion, said method further comprising coupling a strain gage to the first portion, and coupling the second portion circumferentially around the first portion to facilitate protecting the strain gage.
4. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising coupling the differential bearing between a first shaft and a second shaft.
5. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising transmitting a signal from the swain gage to a bearing monitoring system utilizing a radio frequency signal.
6. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:
utilizing the strain gage signal to identify a bearing spall; and
utilizing a bearing monitoring system to monitor the progression of the bearing spall.
7. A differential bearing assembly for a rotor, said differential bearing assembly comprising:
an inner race coupled to a first shaft;
an outer race coupled to a second shaft, said outer race comprising a first portion, and a second portion coupled circumferentially around said first portion, at least one of said first portion and said second portion comprising a flange portion extending radially with respect to said second shaft, said outer race coupled to said second shaft using the flange portion;
a plurality of rolling elements positioned between said inner and outer races; and
a strain gage coupled to said outer race, said strain gage configured to transmit a signal to a bearing monitoring system to facilitate predicting a failure of said differential bearing.
8. A differential bearing assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said strain gage comprises at least one of a wire strain gage and a semiconductor strain gage.
9. A differential bearing assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said strain gage is configured to transmit a signal to said bearing monitoring system utilizing a radio frequency signal.
10. A differential bearing assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said outer race comprises a plurality of openings, said bearing assembly further comprises:
a plurality of fasteners extending through said openings and configured to couple said outer race to said second shaft; and
a wiring harness coupled to said strain gage, said wiring harness inserted through at least one of said plurality of openings.
11. A differential bearing assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said bearing monitoring system is configured to utilize the strain gage signal to identify a bearing spall and monitor the progression of the bearing spall.
12. A differential bearing assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said strain gage is configured to determine an amplitude and frequency of said differential bearing assembly.
13. A gas turbine engine assembly comprising:
a core gas turbine engine comprising
a first rotor shaft;
a second rotor shaft;
a differential bearing coupled between said first and second rotor shafts; and
a strain gage coupled to said differential bearing and configured to transmit a signal to facilitate predicting a failure of said differential bearing.
14. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein said differential bearing comprises:
an inner race coupled to said first shaft;
an outer race coupled to said second shaft;
a plurality of rolling elements positioned between said inner and outer races; and
a strain gage coupled to said outer race.
15. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein said outer race comprises:
a first portion; and
a second portion coupled circumferentially around said first portion to facilitate protecting said strain gage.
16. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein said outer race comprises a plurality of openings, said differential bearing assembly further comprises:
a plurality of fasteners extending through said openings and configured to couple said outer race to said second shaft; and
a wiring harness coupled to said strain gage, said wiring harness inserted through at least one of said plurality of openings.
17. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 13 wherein said strain gage comprises at least one of a wire strain gage and a semiconductor strain gage.
18. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 13 further comprising a bearing monitoring system, said strain gage is configured to transmit a signal to said bearing monitoring system utilizing a radio frequency signal.
19. A gas turbine engine assembly in accordance with claim 18 wherein said bearing monitoring system is configured to utilize the strain gage signal to identify a bearing spall and monitor the progression of the bearing spall.