System and method for monitoring the condition of a gear assembly

摘要

A system and method for monitoring the condition of a gear assembly 3 analyzes a signal output by a vibration detector that is attached to the gear assembly. Each time that an amplitude of the signal output from the vibration detector exceeds a threshold value, the system assumes that a debris particle has passed between meshing parts 12, 13 of the gear assembly 3. The number of times that this occurs, and possibly the amplitude of the vibrations are analyzed to determine a condition of the gear assembly, and possibly a damage index. This system and method are particularly applicable to planetary gear arrangements where the vibration detector can be mounted on a fixed ring gear 11 of the gear assembly, or a structure upon which the fixed ring gear 11 is mounted.