Vibration Signal Analysis of a Reciprocating Air Compressor under Different Mechanical Faults

Vibration signals are very sensible to the mechanical condition of reciprocating compressors. To make better understanding of vibration symptoms under different mechanical faults some typical faults were simulated including loosen foot bolts, broken piston rings, broken suction valves, and broken discharge valves on a wp135 reciprocating compressor. Vibration signals were analyzed in time domain and frequency domain respectively. It is discovered that time domain analysis of the vibration signals can detect the general condition of the compressor, but cannot identify specific faults. Different fault has different symptoms on the spectrum of vibration signal, so typical mechanical faults of the reciprocating air compressor can be diagnosed with the analysis of vibration signals in frequency domain.