Application of wavelet transform to gearbox fault diagnosis

The use of gearboxes is quite common in industry. Typical applications are in large electrical utilities, automotive industries, ships and helicopters. Effective gear diagnostic techniques can improve the operability and availability of the equipment. Many of the tools currently in use for the diagnosis of gearbox faults are based on gear vibration signal. Recently researchers have begun to pay their attention to wavelet transform (WT) to utilize its unique features in machinery diagnostics. This paper considers wavelet transforms to detect the local faults of gear transmission systems. Experimental studies conducted on the gearbox include healthy gear and faulty gear with gradual removal of tooth. The gearbox was operated at constant speed and load. Results show that wavelet transform serves as a good visual inspection tool to determine fault severity.