Bearing replacement extension without failure data. (24th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reuben, Lim Chi Keong; Corsar, Michael; Mba, David
• Is Part Of: International journal of risk assessment and management. Volume 18:Number 1(2015)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2015-03-24
• Subjects: rolling element bearings -- Weibull plot equation -- Monte Carlo simulation -- reliability assessment -- failure data -- probabilistic modelling -- damage accumulation -- bearing replacement extension -- aircraft components -- bearing reliability -- gearbox bearing replacement -- replacement intervals -- flight monitoring data; Risk assessment -- Periodicals; Risk management -- Periodicals; 361.1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-8297

Abstract

For operators and maintainers, extension of maintenance intervals is desired to alleviate costs. For aircraft components, traditional failure time–based reliability methods can seldom be applied as defect occurrence tends to be rare. In this paper, methods to estimate the reduction in bearing reliability from extensions without failure data are explored. The methods are illustrated using a case study to extend a gearbox bearing replacement interval from 2, 000 to 3, 000 hours. Reliability assessment using the Weibull plot equation is first carried out. This assessment is then improved upon by using Monte Carlo simulation to estimate the variation in the bearing minimum life and to build confidence bounds. The assessment further takes into consideration usage severity by using flight monitoring data. A different approach using probabilistic modelling of damage accumulation is then applied. From this study, a conservative estimate of the bearing reliability from interval extension can be obtained.