Runout tracking in gear motors using a microsensor based on all-fiber Fabry-Perot interferometry

Area of Science:

• Optical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Gear motor performance and longevity depend on precise monitoring of radial runout.
• Existing measurement methods may lack the sensitivity or accessibility required for comprehensive fault diagnosis.
• All-fiber Fabry-Perot interferometry offers a promising avenue for developing compact and high-precision sensors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate a novel radial runout measurement method for gear motors.
• To develop and validate a microsensor based on all-fiber Fabry-Perot interferometry for rotating shaft analysis.
• To enable effective fault diagnosis through accurate radial runout detection.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a single-mode fiber as a microsensor to detect radial runout.
• Employed all-fiber Fabry-Perot interferometry principles for signal generation and detection.
• Validated sensor performance by comparing measurements against a Portable Digital Vibrometer-100 laser vibrometer.

Main Results:

• The proposed fiber optic microsensor successfully measured radial runout of rotating shafts.
• Experimental validation demonstrated a high degree of accuracy, with measurement differences of approximately ±0.55µm compared to a laser vibrometer.
• The results confirm the feasibility of the all-fiber Fabry-Perot interferometry method for precise runout assessment.

Conclusions:

• A novel and accurate method for measuring gear motor radial runout using an all-fiber Fabry-Perot interferometry microsensor has been demonstrated.
• This technique provides a viable solution for fault diagnosis in rotating machinery.
• The sensor's performance is comparable to established laser-based measurement systems, highlighting its potential for practical applications.