LAUSR

The paper is presenting a methodology for developing model-based method of gear fault diagnostics. First the simulation model of the helical gearbox is discussed allowing analysis of the phenomena taking place during teeth mating in the presence of manufacturing and assembly errors. It includes observation of influence of errors on the generated signals. The model was initially used to analyze the teeth contact in the presence of pitch errors and later to verify the sensitiveness of proposed diagnostic methods and their availability to detect the fatigue damages of teeth. The common feature of discussed approach is the direct use of time signal processing algorithms, and in contrary to the methods based on spectral analysis it allows precise localization of gear defects like pitting and tooth fracture associating them to the particular pinion or gear teeth. Their advantage is the simplicity and speed of action that is of great significance for the implementation in the autonomous transmission diagnostic systems and diagnostic systems working online. Presented methods of signal processing were first tested on a simulation model of the gear assembly and later verified during the experiments on a back-to-back test stand.