Sleeve Bearing Diagnostics Using

Proximity Probes

Charles Phelps
Field Engineer
GE Energy
312 Thompson Ave
Lehigh Acres, FL 33972

Basic Concepts of Rotor Dynamics

Relative Phase

ONE CYCLE

Signal A
(Y)

1. Two Signals

Amplitude

2. Same Frequency
3. Same Units
RELATIVE
PHASE

4. Either Signal May

Be Reference
5. Relative Phase is
0 to 180 degrees
Leading or Lagging

Signal B
(X)
ONE CYCLE

Time

Once Per Turn Reference Pulse

0
-V
ONE
REVOLUTION

-V

ONE
REVOLUTION

Shaft Balancing
Shaft Crack Detection
Shaft / Structural Resonance Detection
Shaft Mode Shape
Direction of Precession
Location of Fluid-Induced Instability
Source

Timebase Vibration
Characteristics
Y

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Vibration Amplitude
Vibration Frequency
Phase
rpm
Direction of Precession
Signal Shape
Gap
(from proximity probe)

Time
Amplitude

Time

0.2

2.0

Volts/
div.

ms/
div.

X to Y (counterclockwise)

Direction of Precession

Y
Y

X
X

Given X to Y Precession (ccw)

and (ccw) Rotation: Precession = Forward

Orbit Vibration Characteristics

1.
2.
3.
4.

X
Y

Vibration Amplitude (X & Y)

Absolute Phase (X & Y)
Relative Phase
Relative Frequency (X & Y)
vs Running Speed
X vs Y
5. Direction of Precession
6. Shape

Amplitude

X = 5.6 mils pp Y = 5.4 mils pp

Orbit Vibration Characteristics

1.
2.
3.
4.

Vibration Amplitude (X & Y)

Absolute Phase (X & Y)
Relative Phase
Relative Frequency (X & Y)
vs Running Speed
X vs Y
5. Direction of Precession
6. Shape
Amplitude

Given X to Y (ccw)
Rotation:
Forward Precession

Shaft Deflection Shape

Different Bearings, Same Speed with

Keyphasor Marker.

Average Shaft Centerline

Position
TRAIN:
115 MW TG
45 deg
Ref: -9.76 volts
Point
ID: BRG #1 VERT
315 deg
Ref: -9.28 volts
Point
ID: BRG #1 HORIZ
Var: PROBE GAP
TRANSIENT FILE
30 SEP 88 07:02:52 to 30 SEP 88 07:42:15
AVERAGE SHAFT CENTERLINE POSITION

UP

6.0

* 07:26:4
07:26:1
*

4.0

* 07:24:5
* 07:23:3
* 07:19:2
* 07:17:1
* 07:15:0

2.0

0.0

-2.0

AMPLITUDE 0.20 mils/div

0.0

2.0

X to Y (CCW) ROTATION

1/2X Vibration

0.5X

Oscilloscope

1X

2X

Spectrum Analyzer

Vibration Signal

COMPLEX
WAVEFORM

8X
6X
TIM

3X
E

1X

Full Spectrum
POINT: Bearing 1 Vibration vertical

UP
Y
+

+ X

POINT: Bearing 1 Vibration horizontal

5.00 ms/div

4935 rpm

B
A

1.0 mil/div X to Y (CCW) Rotation

Amplitude: (mil pp/div)

2xA

B
A

2.5

A
A

2.0 mil/div X to Y (CCW) Rotation

2.0
1.5
2xB

1.0
0.5
0
Reverse
Vibration

-1X

Frequency
(Orders)

1X

Forward
Vibration

Full Spectrum
AMPLITUDE: 10.0 mils/div

POINT: PT BRG 4 VERT 0

POINT: PT BRG 4 VERT 90
14 SEP 93
13:17:44 4890 rpm

40
30
20

1X

10
0
-4000

-2000

Reverse Vibration
Components
Up

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10 mils/div
DIRECT

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2000

4000

FREQUENCY: 200 cpm/div

Forward Vibration
X to Y (CCW) Rotation
Components
POINT: Dual Vibr OB VERT

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X to Y (CCW)
Rotation

POINT: Dual Vibr OB HORIZ

5.00 ms / div

4890 rpm

Full Waterfall Plot

HOW TO MAKE PHASE

MEASUREMENTS

Relative Phase

ONE CYCLE

Signal A
(Y)

1. Two Signals

Amplitude

2. Same Frequency
3. Same Units
RELATIVE
PHASE

4. Either Signal May

Be Reference
5. Relative Phase is
0 to 180 degrees
Leading or Lagging

Signal B
(X)
ONE CYCLE

Time

Deflection Shape

Once Per Turn Reference Pulse

0
-V
ONE
REVOLUTION

-V

ONE
REVOLUTION

Absolute Phase Measurements

Timing (in degrees) between two (2) points on a vibration signal,
the Keyphasor pulse and positive peak in vibration.

Vibration
Signal

Phase
Lag

Time

Keyphasor
Signal
Degrees of
Rotation

360

NOTE: Frequency must be the same or harmonically related.

HOW TO INTERPRET STEADY

STATE DATA FORMATS

Timebase Vibration
Characteristics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Time
Amplitude

Time

0.2

2.0

Volts/
div.

ms/
div.

Vibration Amplitude
Vibration Frequency
Phase
rpm
Direction of Precession
Signal Shape
Gap
(from proximity probe)

Timebase Vibration
Characteristics
Y

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Vibration Amplitude
Vibration Frequency
Phase
rpm
Direction of Precession
Signal Shape
Gap
(from proximity probe)

Time
Amplitude

Time

0.2

2.0

Volts/
div.

ms/
div.

X to Y (counterclockwise)

Direction of Precession

Y
Y

X
X

Given X to Y Precession (ccw)

and (ccw) Rotation: Precession = Forward

Timebase Vibration
Characteristics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Vibration Amplitude
Vibration Frequency
Phase
rpm
Direction of Precession
Signal Shape
Gap
(from proximity probe)

Time
Amplitude

Time

0.2

2.0

Volts/
div.

ms/
div.

Sinusoidal

Relative Vibration Frequency

1/2X

2X

Orbit Vibration Characteristics

1.
2.
3.
4.

Vibration Amplitude (X & Y)

Absolute Phase (X & Y)
Relative Phase
Relative Frequency (X & Y)
vs Running Speed
X vs Y
5. Direction of Precession
6. Shape
Amplitude

Orbit Vibration Characteristics

1.
2.
3.
4.

X
Y

Vibration Amplitude (X & Y)

Absolute Phase (X & Y)
Relative Phase
Relative Frequency (X & Y)
vs Running Speed
X vs Y
5. Direction of Precession
6. Shape

Amplitude

X = 5.6 mils pp Y = 5.4 mils pp

Orbit Vibration Characteristics

1.
2.
3.
4.

Vibration Amplitude (X & Y)

Absolute Phase (X & Y)
Relative Phase
Relative Frequency (X & Y)
vs Running Speed
X vs Y
5. Direction of Precession
6. Shape
Amplitude

X = 180

Y = 270

Orbit Vibration Characteristics

1.
2.
3.
4.

Vibration Amplitude (X & Y)

Absolute Phase (X & Y)
Relative Phase
Relative Frequency (X & Y)
vs Running Speed
X vs Y
5. Direction of Precession
6. Shape
Amplitude

X leads Y by 90

Orbit Vibration Characteristics

1.
2.
3.
4.

Vibration Amplitude (X & Y)

Absolute Phase (X & Y)
Relative Phase
Relative Frequency (X & Y)
vs Running Speed
X vs Y
5. Direction of Precession
6. Shape
Amplitude

1X

Orbit Vibration Characteristics

1.
2.
3.
4.

Vibration Amplitude (X & Y)

Absolute Phase (X & Y)
Relative Phase
Relative Frequency (X & Y)
vs Running Speed
X vs Y
5. Direction of Precession
6. Shape
Amplitude

Given X to Y (ccw)
Rotation:
Forward Precession

Orbit Vibration Characteristics

1.
2.
3.
4.

Vibration Amplitude (X & Y)

Absolute Phase (X & Y)
Relative Phase
Relative Frequency (X & Y)
vs Running Speed
X vs Y
5. Direction of Precession
6. Shape
Amplitude

Circular

Shaft Deflection Shape

Different Bearings, Same Speed with

Keyphasor Marker.

Relative Phase

X leads Y by 10 - 15

Relative Phase

X leads Y by 170 - 175

Vibration Frequency vs
Rotative Speed

X = 1X, Y = 2X

Frequency Ratio Using Orbits

180 OF ORBITING 180 ORB 1
=
= X
360 OF ROTATION 360 ROT
2

120 OF ORBITING 120 ORB 1

=
= X
360 OF ROTATION 360 ROT
3

240 OF ORBITING 240 ORB 2

=
= X
360 OF ROTATION 360 ROT
3

Average Shaft Centerline

Position
TRAIN:
115 MW TG
45 deg
Ref: -9.76 volts
Point
ID: BRG #1 VERT
315 deg
Ref: -9.28 volts
Point
ID: BRG #1 HORIZ
Var: PROBE GAP
TRANSIENT FILE
30 SEP 88 07:02:52 to 30 SEP 88 07:42:15
AVERAGE SHAFT CENTERLINE POSITION

UP

6.0

* 07:26:4
07:26:1
*

4.0

* 07:24:5
* 07:23:3
* 07:19:2
* 07:17:1
* 07:15:0

2.0

0.0

-2.0

AMPLITUDE 0.20 mils/div

0.0

2.0

X to Y (CCW) ROTATION

1/2X Vibration

0.5X

Oscilloscope

1X

2X

Spectrum Analyzer

Vibration Signal

COMPLEX
WAVEFORM

8X
6X
TIM

3X
E

1X

Full Spectrum
POINT: Bearing 1 Vibration vertical

UP
Y
+

+ X

POINT: Bearing 1 Vibration horizontal

5.00 ms/div

4935 rpm

B
A

1.0 mil/div X to Y (CCW) Rotation

Amplitude: (mil pp/div)

2xA

B
A

2.5

A
A

2.0 mil/div X to Y (CCW) Rotation

2.0
1.5
2xB

1.0
0.5
0
Reverse
Vibration

-1X

Frequency
(Orders)

1X

Forward
Vibration

Full Spectrum
AMPLITUDE: 10.0 mils/div

POINT: PT BRG 4 VERT 0

POINT: PT BRG 4 VERT 90
14 SEP 93
13:17:44 4890 rpm

40
30
20

1X

10
0
-4000

-2000

Reverse Vibration
Components
Up

.
.
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.
.
.
.
.

.
.
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.
.
.
.

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.
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.
.
.
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.
.

10 mils/div
DIRECT

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

2000

4000

FREQUENCY: 200 cpm/div

Forward Vibration
X to Y (CCW) Rotation
Components
POINT: Dual Vibr OB VERT

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X to Y (CCW)
Rotation

POINT: Dual Vibr OB HORIZ

5.00 ms / div

4890 rpm

Full Waterfall Plot

HOW TO INTERPRET STARTUP AND

SHUTDOWN PLOTS

1X Bode Plot
Slow Roll
Phase

180
240
300
360
60
120

Slow Roll Vector

180
240

Amplitude: 1.0 mils pp

Phase: 225 Deg. Lag

3
2

Slow Roll
Amplitude

1
0
0

500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

rpm

Slow roll speed range (no dynamic data).

Uncompensated Polar Plot

0

2310

*
* 2280

270

4.0 mil pp Full Scale

2205 * 2250
*
2145

2370

2385

2400

2415
*
*
1845
Slow Roll * 2430
*
300 *
Vector
3615 *
* 2445
2985 * 2775
* 2460
*
* 2475
2685* 2610
*
*
2505

180

90

X to Y (CCW) Rotation

1X Bode Plot
180
Uncompensated

240

Angle of
Heavy Spot

300
360

Compensated

60

180 Plot of

High Spot

120
180
240
4
Balance
Resonance

3
2
1
0
0

Uncompensated
Compensated

500

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

rpm

1X Compensated Polar Plot

Direction of Mass
Unbalance

Amplitude and Direction

of Response at Balance
Resonance

2310

*
*2280

270
Amplitude and Direction
of Response Above
Balance Resonance

4.0 mil pp Full Scale

2205 **2250
2070 * 90
300

*
3615*

90

* 2775
2610*

180

2370

2385*
2405*
2415
*
2430 *
2445 *
2460 *

90

*2505

X to Y (CCW) Rotation

Vertical and Horizontal 1X

Bode Plot
Split Critical and Structural Resonances
180
240
300
360
60
120
180
10

Inboard
Horizontal

8
6

Structural
Resonances

4
2

Inboard
Vertical

0
0

1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

rpm
Split Critical

Polar Plot
Balancing Effect

Mu Before
Balancing

Mu After
Balancing

2340

*
* 2295

270

4.0 mil pp Full Scale

2385*
2400 *

* 2235
2415 *
*2065
2400
*
300 2055
90
2415
3285 **
*
2445
2745 *
*
2445
2460
*
*
2775 *
*
2475
* 2475
2685*
*
*
2505
2610

180

X to Y (CCW) Rotation

Frequently Observed Polar Plot

0

High Speed
90

270

180

Two Mass Rotor System

Vertical
Probe

Vertical
Probe

Mass

Split Translational Resonance

90

High Speed

180
INBOARD

270 90

High Speed

180
OUTBOARD

270

Translational and Pivotal

Resonance
0

High Speed
High Speed

90

270 90

270

180

180

INBOARD

OUTBOARD

Typical Flexible Rotor Mode

Shapes
P1

P2P3P4

Typical Rotor

P3
Cylindrical / Translational Mode
P2
Pivot / Conical Mode
P1
Third Mode

P4

Node Locations are Affected by System Stiffness

Average Shaft Centerline

(Not Orbit or Polar Plot)
Top

3.0

2.0

*9500
* 9400
*9200
* 8700
* 8000
7600
*
1200
*
* 4500
*500
*5500

1.0

*300

0.0
-1.0

Amplitude 0.20 mils / div

0.0

1.0

X to Y (CCW) Rotation

Half Cascade Plot

1X
2X

4000
3000

3X

2000
1000
0
0

1000

2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000

Frequency (cpm)
Hanning Window

Full Cascade Plot

HOW TO EVALUATE PRELOADS (MISALIGNMENT) AND

RADIAL POSITION MEASUREMENTS

Direct Measurements
Vibration and Position
Rotor Speed
Bearing Temperature

Indirect Data
Process Data
Performance Data

Radial Preloads
Gravitational
Fluidic Preloads
Bearing Preloads
Internal Misalignment
Parallel and Angular Misalignment
Pipe Strain
Thermal Warping

Axial Preloads
Gravity (Vertical Machines)
Fluidic
Process Thrust Loads
Differential Expansion

Orbit Plot Can Show Preloads

(Misalignment)
(No Resonance Near Twice Rotative Speed)

Rare

Common

Rare

Orbit Plot Can Show Preloads

(Misalignment)
(Resonance Near Twice Rotative Speed)

Rare

Common

Rare

Orbit and Position Indicators

of Preload
X
RO
TN

BEARING
CL
Normal Orbit
and Position

Y = - 6.8 Vdc
X = - 7.2 Vdc

AVERAGE
SHAFT CL

Normal steady load downward, such as gravity.

Orbit and Position Indicators

of Preload

RO
TN

X
AVERAGE
SHAFT CL
Abnormal Orbit
and Position
BEARING CL

Y = - 6.2 Vdc
X = - 5.8 Vdc

Gap Voltage Measurement

PROVIDES:
Shaft Centerline Position
Shaft Attitude Angle
Eccentricity
Shaft Trend Plots
Alignment Along Shaft

Radial Position Calculation

Y
Vertical Transducer
200 mV/mil

Diametral
Clearance 10 mils

Horizontal
Transducer
200 mV/mil

X
Rotor (Not to Scale)
Shaft Centerline

Y = - 10 Vdc
X = - 10 Vdc

Radial Position Calculation

Y
Vertical Transducer
200 mV/mil

Diametral
Clearance 10 mils

Horizontal
Transducer
200 mV/mil

X
Rotor (Not to Scale)

Shaft Centerline

Y = - 9.6 Vdc
X = - 10.2 Vdc

Radial Position Calculation

Left 1 mil Vertical Transducer Y

Up 2 mils 200 mv/mil
Horizontal
Transducer
200 mV/mil

X
to Scale)

Shaft Centerline

Y = - 9.6 Vdc
X = - 10.2 Vdc

Average Shaft Centerline

Position
Top
3.0

2.0

* 9500
*

9400
* 9200
* 8700

1.0
1200

*500

* 8000
7600
*
*

4500

*5500

* 300

0.0
-1.0

Amplitude 0.20 mils / div

0.0

1.0

X to Y (CCW) Rotation

Shaft Centerline Plot Can

Show Misalignment

Turbine

Generator

Axial Position Measurements

AXIAL (THRUST) POSITION
Thrust Collar

12 Max

12 Max

DIFFERENTIAL EXPANSION