Method for Estimating the Residual Life of Gears in the Inter-Repair Period

The aim of the work is to create a computational and experimental method for the operational evaluation of the residual life of spur gears of technically complex products in the inter-repair period by conducting periodic vibration control. The proposed method is based on the main provisions of the theory of vibration-pulse diagnostics of gears developed in the Joint Institute of Mechanical Engineering of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. At the same time, the current value of the KV coefficient, which takes into account the internal dynamic load in the engagement of each gear, and its change during operation is determined based on the analysis of the time realizations of vibration accelerations. The main operation capacity criteria are the contact and bending strength of the teeth. An example of estimating the residual life of a gear pair is given that limits the reliability of a double-row planetary gear motor-wheel of a heavy-duty dump truck. The proposed method makes it possible at any stage of operation of a gear mechanism to assess the residual life of its gears, identify its most “weak” links, determine the probability of failure of the object, minimize the risk of accidents, optimize maintenance schedules, increase the inter-repair time. Thus, it is possible to organize highly effective monitoring of the reliability-limiting components of the technically complex products during operation and transition from planned preventive maintenance of machines to maintenance according to the actual condition.