Enhanced fault diagnosis of rolling bearings using an improved inception-lstm network

Rolling bearings are integral to the operation of various mechanical systems, where their condition directly impacts equipment reliability and performance. Accurate fault diagnosis is essential for preventing unexpected failures and minimising downtime in industrial settings. This study presents a novel diagnostic model that combines Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, enhanced by an improved Inception module. This integrated approach captures both spatial and temporal features of vibration signals, leading to superior diagnostic accuracy under diverse operating conditions. Experimental results using the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) bearing dataset demonstrate an impressive average fault diagnosis accuracy of 99.83%, outperforming conventional models. The robustness of the proposed model against noise and its adaptability to varying operational environments underscore its practical value for real-world engineering applications, offering a reliable solution for maintaining the safety and efficiency of critical machinery.