Low-friction, abrasion resistant systems of replaceable bearing surfaces and methods of using the system are disclosed. The system comprises a device having at least one recess, each recess having a groove in an inner wall of the recess; a plurality of replaceable bearing surfaces adapted to be inserted into and removed from the at least one recess without damaging the device; and at least one snap ring adapted to engage the groove in each recess and secure a replaceable bearing surface within the recess.

The invention provides a tool and a method for extracting a sensor body clipped to a first ring of a bearing. The sensor body includes engaging portions provided on a first radial edge thereof, and a second radial edge opposite to the first radial edge. The sensor body is configured to be mounted such that a circular gap is formed between the second radial edge and a component configured to be in relation with the first ring. The tool includes a plurality of hooks configured to be inserted into the gap and to reach under the second radial edge.

A method of determining the axial load on load-sharing thrust bearings including: providing first and second thrust bearings, each including an inner race and an outer race supported by at least one resilient element; applying a test axial load to each of the first and second thrust bearings to elastically deform the at least one resilient element so as to axially displace the outer race; determining the test axial displacement of each outer race to obtain calibration data comprising values of axial load versus axial displacement; applying an in-service axial load to the first and second thrust bearings to elastically deform the resilient elements so as to axially displace the respective outer races; measuring the in-service axial displacement of each outer race; and based on the measured in-service axial displacements, inferring from the calibration data the values of the in-service axial loads on the first and second thrust bearings.

A method for replacing a sliding pad of a rotational sliding bearing, wherein the bearing includes a plurality of sliding pads each supporting an annual rotatable part of the bearing on a stationary part of the bearing in an axial direction and/or a radial direction, including the steps: removing a load of the rotatable part from the sliding pad to be removed by releasing a force applied to the sliding pad and/or by applying a force to the rotatable part, removing the sliding pad in an axial and/or a radial direction, inserting a replacement sliding pad, supporting the rotatable part on the replacement sliding pad by applying a force to the replacement sliding pad and/or by removing the force applied to the rotatable part.

A method for performing uptower maintenance of a wind turbine in order to replace the main bearing on the turbine shaft is disclosed. Embodiments of this method to perform maintenance may include installing a rotor lock to resist rotation of the main shaft during maintenance, providing a lifting device in order to elevate the main shaft, removing the main bearing from its main bearing housing, and installing a replacement split main bearing. A crane may also be installed uptower to assist in the maintenance.

A fluid film bearing for a rotor hub of a wind turbine is provided including a first part and a second part rotatably coupled to each other about a longitudinal axis. The first part includes an annular first sliding surface extending in the circumferential direction of the fluid film bearing along the first part. In addition, the second part includes a support structure and a first group of bearing pads coupled to the support structure and having a bearing pad sliding surface configured to slide on the first sliding surface. In addition, the support structure includes a plurality of openings for replacing the bearing pads.

Bearing assemblies and methods of using bearings are provided in the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a bearing ring is provided having a plurality of carrier components removably coupled therewith. Each carrier component may carry one or more bearing elements. Upon wearing of the bearing elements beyond a desired amount, the carrier components may be removed from the bearing ring and installed in a different bearing ring to place the mearing elements at their original bearing surface radius. In another embodiment, individual bearing elements may be radially adjustable relative to the bearing ring to define and redefine the radius of a radial bearing surface.

A drive shaft has a central tubular portion formed of a polymer composite with imbedded fibers. It extends between a first end and a second end. The central tubular portion has an outer peripheral surface. There is at least one ring on the outer peripheral surface of the central tubular portion. A method of repairing a composite material tube includes the steps of (a) identifying a damaged area on a composite tube, and (b) placing a patch on a surface of the tube and over the damaged area.

Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture, and methods for rotary bearing maintenance are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a valve body defining a fluid passageway; a flow control member in the fluid passageway; a drive shaft coupled to the flow control member, the drive shaft extending through a shaft bore defined in the valve body; and a bearing around at least a portion of the drive shaft. The bearing includes: a first layer including a first material having a first coefficient of friction with the drive shaft when the first material is in contact with the drive shaft; and a second layer including a second material having a second coefficient of friction with the drive shaft when the second material is in contact with the drive shaft, the second coefficient of friction greater than the first coefficient of friction.

A main bearing assembly of a wind turbine includes at least one main bearing with a rotation axis and at least one bearing row in which a rotor shaft of the wind turbine is mounted. The main bearing assembly has at least one stationary bearing ring, a circulating bearing ring and rolling elements. A method of extending the service life or servicing the main bearing assembly includes rotating the stationary bearing ring about the rotation axis of the main bearing assembly. Alternatively, only a new stationary bearing ring, preferably with at least two bearing ring segments is installed instead of a damaged outer ring, in particular without further important bearing components such as the inner ring being exchanged.