GLOSSARY

Absolute fault limit Acceleration Accelerometers Amplitude Apex Balance The maximum recommended level of overall vibration accepted in machinery. The rate of change of velocity with respect to time. Use a piezoelectric crystal to convert mechanical energy into electrical signals. The maximum absolute value attained by the disturbance of a wave or by any quantity. The pitch angle is the sum of the pitch lines extended, which meet at a point. All forces generated by or acting on the rotating element of a machine-train are in a state of equilibrium. The spinning motion of the balls or rollers within a bearing. The ballholler rotating speed relative to the inner race. The relative speed between the balls or rollers in a rolling-element bearing and the outer race.
A band with a wide range of frequencies.

Ball spin frequency (BSF) Ball-pass inner-race (BPFI) Ball-pass outer-race (BPFO) Broadband Broadband energy Broadband trending

Provides a gross approximation of machines condition and its relative rate of degradation. Vibration analysis technique that plots the change in the overall or broadband vibration of a machine-train.

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Centrifugal pump

A machine for moving a liquid, such as water, by accelerating it radially outward in an impeller to a surrounding volute casing.

Chatter

An irregular alternating motion of the parts of a relief valve due to the application of pressure where contact is made between the valve disk and the seat. This occurs when the machines driver is turned off and the suspect frequency is recorded as the speed decreases. The individual shafts that exist in all machinetrains. The change in distance or position of an object relative to a reference point; the actual distance, off-centerline, of a rotating shaft as compared to a stationary reference, usually the machine housing. When the natural frequency of a rotating or dynamic structure, such as the rotor assembly in a fan, is energized, the rotating element will resonate. Converts a time-domain plot into its unique frequency components using a mathematical process. The slightly eccentric rotation (off-center) of a shaft will generate a low-level frequency component that coincides with the rotating speed of the shaft.

Coastdown

Common shaft Displacement

Dynamic resonance

Fast Fourier transform (FFT)

First mode

Fourth mode Frequency Frequency domain

A shaft can flex or deform into mode shapes that will generate running-speed harmonics.
The number of cycles completed by a periodic quantity in a unit time.

A plane on which signal strength can be represented graphically as a function of frequency, instead of a function of time.
The lowest critical speed. Generated by the precession of the cage as it rotates around the bearing races.

Fundamental or first critical speed Fundamental train frequency

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Vibration Fundamentals

Gear mesh Gravity Harmonic motion

Frequency is equal to the number of gear teeth times the running speed of the shaft. The gravitational attraction at the surface of a planet or other celestial body.

A periodic motion that is a sinusoidal function of time, that is, motion along a line given by equation x = a cos(kt + 0), where t is the time parameter, and a, k, and 0 are constants. A sinusoidal component of a periodic wave, having a frequency that is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency. Also known as harmonic component.
Gear wheels running on parallel axes, with teeth twisted oblique to the gear axis. The equivalent of two helical gears of opposite hand placed side by side. Unit of frequency; a periodic oscillation has a frequency of n hertz if in 1 second it goes through n cycles. The study of the motion of a fluid and of the interactions of the fluid with its boundaries, especially in the incompressible inviscid case. Any change in the state of equilibrium. Arranged in thin layers. Pertaining to viscous streamline flow without turbulence. A frequency below which the gain of a system or device decreases rapidly.
A total machine including the driver, drive train, and machine.

Harmonics

Helical gears Herringbone gears Hertz

Hydrodynamic

Imbalance Laminar Low frequency cutoff Machine-train Narrowband

The total energy within a user-selected range, or windows. Referring to a bandwith of 300 hertz or less. Monitors the total energy for a specific bandwidth of vibration frequencies. The natural frequency of free vibration of a system. The frequency at which an undamped system with a single degree of freedom will oscillate upon momentary displacement from its rest position.

Narrowband trending Natural frequency

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Node points Oil whip

Where the shaft flexes into a double bend that crosses its true centerline. Occurs when the clearance between the rotating shaft and sleeve bearing is allowed to close to a point approaching actual metal-to-metal contact. See also Oil whirl. An unstable free vibration whereby a fluid-film bearing has insufficient unit loading. The shaft centerline dynamic motion is usually circular in the direction of rotation. Oil whirl occurs at the oil flow velocity within the bearing, usually 40 to 49% of the shaft speed. Oil whip occurs when the whirl frequency coincides with (and becomes locked to) a shaft resonant frequency. (Oil whirl and whip can occur in any case where a fluid is between two cylindrical surfaces.) Amplitude of an alternating quantity measured from positive peak to negative peak. The amount of change of some quantity during a time interval divided by the length of the time interval. Provides levels of vibration severity that range from extremely smooth, best possible operating condition, to an absolute fault limit, or the maximum level where a machine can operate. A vibration of large amplitude in a mechanical system caused by a small periodic stimulus of the same or nearly the same period as the natural vibration period of the system. Method for exciting natural frequencies is to strike or excite a machine or structure with a timber or hammer. Based on machine-train operation and how its dynamics affect the vibration spectrum. Related to the motion of the rolling elements, cage, and rings or races. The true rotational speed of the shaft or shafts. The machines driver is turned on and records the amplitude and phase as the machine accelerates from dead-stop to full speed.

Oil whirl

Peak-to-peak Rate

Rathbone chart

Resonance

Ringing

Root-cause failure Rotational frequencies Running speed Run-up

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Vibration Fundamentals

Sawtooth (waveform) Second mode

A waveform characterized by a slow rise time and a sharp fall, resembling a tooth of a saw.

As the shaft rotates, the double bend shape will create two high spots as it passes the vibration transducer.
The characteristic pattern of target as displayed by detection and classification equipment. Usually applied to the vibration frequency spectrum unique to a particular machine or machine component, system, or subsystem at a specific location and point of time. A hissing, crackling, or other sudden sharp sound that tends to interfere with the reception, utilization, or enjoyment of desired signals or sounds. Without motion or change. If the natural frequency of a stationary or nondynamic structure, such as a casing, bearing pedestal, piping or other structure, is energized, the structure will resonate. In step or in phase, as applied to two or more circuits, devices, or machines. A shaft can flex or deform into mode shapes that will generate running-speed harmonics. The time rate of change of position of a body; it is a vector quantity having direction as well as magnitude. A continuing periodic change in a displacement with respect to a fixed reference. In its general sense is a periodic motion. The motion will repeat itself in all its particulars after a certain interval of time. Used for nonintersecting shafts at 90 degrees. A horizontal axis in a system of rectangular coordinates.
A vertical axis in a system of rectangular coordinates.

Signature Signature (FFT)

Static

Static resonance

Synchronous Third mode Velocity

Vibration

Worm gears X-axis Y-axis