Determining Test Stand Usability through Frequency Response and Principal Component Analysis

The subject study outlines the methods used to verify that the NAVAIR Oil Cooler test stand located at Patuxent River MD can be used successfully for bearing Condition Indicator development. This effort has two primary objectives. The first objective is to demonstrate environmental similarity between the aircraft and the test stand. The second objective is to then demonstrate a method for effectively determining frequency content for successful diagnostics. In order to meet these two objectives, this study evaluates Health and Usage Monitoring System data from aircraft, data from healthy and faulted bearings run on the test stand, and frequency response function data from aircraft as well as the test stand.