Bearing condition monitoring method and apparatus

摘要

A method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of an oil lubricated bearing based on the phenomenon that the bearing will operate at a reduced temperature for a limited time period after losing its flow of lubricating oil. The invention includes steps and means for comparing the bearing temperature to an average of similar bearing temperatures, and for generating a low temperature alarm when the bearing temperature drops more than a threshold amount. The setpoint of this threshold may be a function of the standard deviation of the temperatures of a plurality of similar bearings. The invention may include steps and apparatus for generating a high bearing temperature alarm and for communicating data to a remote location.