Bearing degradation indicator using characteristic frequencies applied on non-stationary vibration signals

International audienceThe well-known bearing characteristic frequencies (BPFO,BPFI,...etc.) reflect the complex kinematic of oper-ating bearings. Far from the idealised perfect rolling assumptions, the experimental frequencies deviate fromtheir theoretical values. The deterioration of the bearing health is likely to induce changes in the kinematics,materialising by a shift in the characteristic frequencies. However, non-stationary operating conditions are alsoknown to influence these frequencies. In this work, the effect of loading and angular acceleration is assessedto measure the feasibility of a bearing degradation indicator using characteristic frequencies for non-stationaryoperating machines. The method is applied to the monitoring of industrial wind turbines