Data-driven monitoring of the gearbox using multifractal analysis and machine learning methods

University of Technology and Humanities, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 26-600 Radom, Poland

^* Corresponding author: andrzej.puchalski@uthrad.pl

Abstract

Data-driven diagnostic methods allow to obtain a statistical model of time series and to identify deviations of recorded data from the pattern of the monitored system. Statistical analysis of time series of mechanical vibrations creates a new quality in the monitoring of rotating machines. Most real vibration signals exhibit nonlinear properties well described by scaling exponents. Multifractal analysis, which relies mainly on assessing local singularity exponents, has become a popular tool for statistical analysis of empirical data. There are many methods to study time series in terms of their fractality. Comparing computational complexity, a wavelet leaders algorithm was chosen. Using Wavelet Leaders Multifractal Formalism, multifractal parameters were estimated, taking them as diagnostic features in the pattern recognition procedure, using machine learning methods. The classification was performed using neural network, k-nearest neighbours’ algorithm and support vector machine. The article presents the results of vibration acceleration tests in a demonstration transmission system that allows simulations of assembly errors and teeth wear.