Vibrothermography in diagnostic bearings during operation

The continual development of technologies helps in expanding the scope of using them in various industry types. One of the most rapidly developing fields, in which vibrothermography is used, is the field of monitoring technical objects [1, 2]. Determination of the intensiveness of heat phenomena present during the work of machines may be very useful for evaluating their performance [3-5]. The analysis of thermal images may be a rich source of information on the technical condition of the machine, the quality of work and the assembly of kinematic pairs that constitute the heat load of the bodies. Diagnostic with the usage of vibrothermography enables an accurate indication of the defectively functioning elements of machines and devices, as well as performing efficient repairs without the unnecessary replacement of the properly functioning parts [6]. It also helps in creating optimum working conditions and energy usage of those devices. It is especially significant for the bearing elements of toothed gears, in which the relative rotational motion results in generating a high amount of heat due to friction of cooperating elements. This elaboration has presented the usage of thermography technologies for identification and documentation of temperature distribution values in heat loads of toothed gear subassemblies. An analysis of the acquired thermograms has been conducted with the dedicated software FLIR ThermaCAM Researcher