An apparatus for providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft which includes an attaching member releasably connectable to a shaft and a press mechanism coupled to the attaching member. The press mechanism is configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. An aligning ring has an aligning projection configured to engage a shaft slot of the shaft to align the press mechanism relative to the shaft when the attaching member connects to the shaft. The projection extends radially inwardly from a circumferential portion of the aligning ring. The aligning ring extends circumferentially around the attaching member and is rotatable relative to the attaching member. The aligning ring includes a plurality of ring indicating markings to allow an alignment of a ring indicating marking of the plurality of ring indicating markings with a lock nut connected to the shaft.

A system for use in providing a load on a bearing mounted to a shaft includes a preload apparatus having a first extension and a second extension engageable with an inner race of the bearing and configured to provide a compressive load to the bearing. The first extension has a first projection and the second extension has a second projection. A stop ring is configured to limit a radially inward movement of the first extension and the second extension toward each other to position the first projection and the second projection relative to the bearing.

A composite shaft with an end fitting mounted on one end of said shaft and a preload structure arranged to provide a biasing force to bias the composite shaft against the end fitting. The end fitting has a first interface surface, the first interface surface being tapered at an angle to the shaft axis and the shaft has a second interface surface for engagement with the first interface surface and is tapered at an angle to the shaft axis, the second interface surface extending axially from a first end to a second end, the shaft being thicker at the second end than at the first end. The shaft has a third interface surface and the preload structure has a fourth interface surface and the contact pressure of the third interface against the fourth interface increases from the first end of the shaft to the second end of the shaft.

In the methods for monitoring a bearing clearance of a roller bearing (4), in particular the bearing clearance of a main bearing of a wind turbine, within the scope of a first measuring series using at least one distance sensor (18), a distance (a, a.sub.1, a.sub.2) between a rotating part (12) and a stationary part (14) is respectively sensed in at least two different recurring load states (L1, L2), and a difference (Δa) between the measured distances (a.sub.1, a.sub.2) is determined. At a later time the distance measurements are repeated in the same at least two recurring load states (L1, L2) within the scope of a second measuring series. A change in the bearing clearance is inferred on the basis of the changes in the distance difference (Δa) within the scope of condition monitoring.

A flywheel system comprises a flywheel rotor comprising a rotor disc and a rotor shaft and has a longitudinal axis extending centrally through the rotor disc and the rotor shaft. The system further comprises a journal assembly configured to facilitate rotation of the flywheel rotor. The journal assembly comprises a sleeve having an aperture extending therethrough from a first end to a second, opposite end, a rod at least partially disposed within the aperture of the sleeve, and a nut coupled to a portion of the rod. The rod has a length greater than the sleeve such that a portion of the rod extends axially beyond the first end of the sleeve. A method of forming the flywheel comprises coupling the rod to the rotor shaft and pulling the second end of the rod to tension the rod. The nut maintains the tension in the rod when coupled thereto.

A system and method for adjusting wheel-end tapered roller bearing preload force on an axle spindle with a diameter, a longitudinal groove or flat, and a thread pattern to receive an adjustment nut, having an inner washer, an inner adjustment nut, an outer washer with first detent features and an outer adjustment nut with second detent features. The first and second detent features interact so as to define at least one detent position between the outer washer and the outer adjustment nut for adjusting the preload force.

In the methods for monitoring a bearing clearance of a roller bearing (4), in particular the bearing clearance of a main bearing of a wind turbine, within the scope of a first measuring series using at least one distance sensor (18), a distance (a, a.sub.1, a.sub.2) between a rotating part (12) and a stationary part (14) is respectively sensed in at least two different recurring load states (L1, L2), and a difference (a) between the measured distances (a.sub.1, a.sub.2) is determined. At a later time the distance measurements are repeated in the same at least two recurring load states (L1, L2) within the scope of a second measuring series. A change in the bearing clearance is inferred on the basis of the changes in the distance difference (a) within the scope of condition monitoring.

A tensioning arrangement for a bearing ring, which introduces a compressive force towards a rotational centre of the bearing ring, to prevent the bearing ring distorting as a shaft supported by the bearing turns. The tensioner arrangement includes a strap and a tensioner. The strap has a connector at each end, and tensioner has an element for connecting to the connectors. The tensioner also has an element for applying tension to the strap. In use, the strap is arranged around the bearing ring and a circumferential length of the strap in contact with the bearing ring is reduced, thereby applying compressive force to the bearing ring.

A wheel hub unit having a rotatable hub provided with an axially outer flange and a bearing unit. The bearing unit providing a radially outer ring, a radially inner ring and a plurality of rolling bodies positioned respectively between the radially outer ring and the hub and between the radially outer ring and the radially inner ring. The radially inner ring has a finished axial length which ensures a predetermined value of an axial preload of the bearing unit and a finished axial length is defined by the following formula: X=(X+X)X1

A method of making a preloaded bearing arrangement and a preloaded bearing arrangement are provided. The method comprises the steps of placing a bearing around a shaft and then placing a frustoconical disc spring around the shaft such that a portion of the disc spring abuts the bearing. A deformable cup is placed around the shaft, and an annular section of the deformable cup is spaced apart from the frustoconical disc spring and the cup is held at a fixed position along the shaft. A split shim is inserted between the annular section of the deformable cup and the disc spring to apply a preload to the disc spring. The deformable cup is then deformed such that a sidewall of the deformable cup extends around the split shim to hold the split shim in place relative to the shaft.