Iterative feature mode decomposition: A novel adaptive denoising method for mechanical fault diagnosis

Abstract Remaining useful life prediction of rolling bearings highly relies on feature extraction of signals. The use of denoising algorithms helps to better eliminate noise and extract features, thereby constructing health indicators to predict remaining useful life. This paper proposes a novel adaptive denoising method based on iterative feature mode decomposition (IFMD) to accurately and efficiently extract fault features. The feature mode decomposition (FMD) employs correlation kurtosis (CK) as the objective function for iterative filter bank updates, enabling rapid identification of fault features. To achieve IFMD, the sparrow search algorithm combines sine-cosine algorithm and cauchy variation (SCSSA) to optimize two key parameters in FMD. During the continuous iteration process of the SCSSA algorithm, filter length and number of modes were determined. IFMD does not require empirical setting of initial parameters. During iterative process, the signal is accurately decomposed and the noise is eliminated. Compared with other optimization algorithms, SCSSA has obvious advantages in iterative rate and global optimization. The envelope spectrum feature energy ratio (ES-FER) is used to select decomposed modes, and the mode with the largest ES-FER is chosen as the optimal mode. Bearing fault diagnosis is realized by envelope spectrum analysis of the optimal mode. The numerical simulations and experimental verifications both validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed IFMD in mechanical fault diagnosis.