A condition detection apparatus comprising an AE sensor 1 that detects AE
waves, which elastically-occur when a plurality of balls included in an
LM system self-rotate and revolve within a circulation section at the
same time, and generates detection signals Sae, and a signal processing
unit 4 that generates a first parameter indicating an intensity of the AE
waves based on the generated detection signals Sae, generates based on
the detection signals Sae a second parameter by weighting only detection
signals Sae temporally-continuously detected among the detection signals
Sae, generates based on the detection signals Sae a third parameter by
weighting only detection signals Sae temporally-discontinuously detected
in correspondence with the movement of the balls among the detection
signals Sae, and judges contents of an operational condition of the LM
system using any one of the first, second or third parameter, is provided
to enable prognosis of occurrences of failures in the LM system, to
improve maintainability for a user of the LM system, and to contribute to
the prolonging of the operation life of the LM system as well as
performance assurance and quality improvement of apparatuses or devices
incorporated with the LM system.