Abstract
Detection and monitoring of machinery component deterioration by checking the debris in lubricating oil are desired for early prediction of the failure. For hybrid bearings with silicon nitride rolling elements, however, it is difficult to detect the wear debris because the particles are non-magnetic and non-metallic ceramics. This paper proposes a mechanical detection system, which can sense the size and amount of such debris by using a capacitance detector, and reports some experimental results using a sensing apparatus consists of two electrode plates and a linear actuator.
