Gearbox fault detection using Hilbert and wavelet packet transform

Demodulation is an important issue in gearbox fault detection. Non-stationary modulating signals increase difficulties of demodulation. Though wavelet packet transform has better time–frequency localisation, because of the existence of meshing frequencies, their harmonics, and coupling frequencies generated by modulation, fault detection results using wavelet packet transform alone are usually unsatisfactory, especially for a multi-stage gearbox which contains close or identical frequency components. This paper proposes a new fault detection method that combines Hilbert transform and wavelet packet transform. Both simulated signals and real vibration signals collected from a gearbox dynamics simulator are used to verify the proposed method. Analysed results show that the proposed method is effective to extract modulating signal and help to detect the early gear fault.