A wind turbine component includes an inner member and an outer member disposed relative to the inner member, wherein the inner and outer members move relative to each other. A plain bearing is coupled to one of the inner or outer member and configured to provide a fluid film for maintaining separation of and facilitating relative movement between the inner and outer members. A position adjustment mechanism is coupled to the one of the inner or outer member for selectively moving the plain bearing. A position controller may be operatively coupled to the position adjustment mechanism for controlling the position of the plain bearing. The wind turbine component may be a wind turbine generator with the inner member and outer member corresponding to one of the stator and rotor assemblies. Methods for controlling the generator are also disclosed.

Proposed is a novel coupling mechanism capable of applying a preload to a ball portion and a socket portion which constitute a coupling mechanism of a titling pad bearing, without using a spring element.

A compressor includes a housing, a shaft that is rotated relative to the housing to compress a working fluid, and a foil bearing that supports the shaft. The foil bearing includes a top foil. The foil bearing is a foil gas bearing that is backed up by a ball bearing, or a mesh foil bearing with an actuator to compress a wire mesh dampener. A heat transfer circuit includes a compressor and a working fluid. The compressor includes a shaft that is rotated to compress the working fluid, and a foil bearing for supporting the shaft as it rotates.

A method for operating a rotating machinery comprising a rotor, a rotor shaft, and at least one journal bearing supporting the rotor shaft is disclosed. The bearing comprises a bearing housing, a bearing surface in the bearing housing, a sleeve torsionally and axially fitted on the shaft, and a lubrication oil film filling a clearance between the outer surface of the sleeve and the bearing surface. The method comprises the step of modifying the clearance by modifying a radial dimension of the outer surface of the sleeve as a function of a rotation speed of the shaft.

A method for operating a rotating machinery comprising a rotor, a rotor shaft, and at least one journal bearing supporting the rotor shaft is disclosed. The bearing comprises a bearing housing, a bearing surface in the bearing housing, a sleeve torsionally and axially fitted on the shaft, and a lubrication oil film filling a clearance between the outer surface of the sleeve and the bearing surface. The method comprises the step of modifying the clearance by modifying a radial dimension of the outer surface of the sleeve as a function of a rotation speed of the shaft.

A foil bearing includes a bearing back, a foil arrangement, and a setting mechanism. The bearing back includes a passage opening configured to receive a shaft, such that a gap is formed between the shaft and the bearing back. The foil arrangement defines a first inner circumference and includes a first segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap adjacent to the bearing back, a second segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap adjacent to the first segment-shaped foil, and a third segment-shaped foil arranged in the gap between the shaft and the second segment-shaped foil. The setting mechanism is configured to set the first inner circumference.

Self-adjusting bushing bearings having a springy element. The self-adjusting bushing bearing has a bearing subassembly that is configured to be received in a housing and also has a plurality of bearing segments that together are configured to receive a shaft therein. A springy element biases the plurality of bearing segments radially inwardly towards the shaft. The springy element is mated with at least one bearing segment in the plurality of bearing segments.

A supercharging device, for example an exhaust gas turbocharger, may include a rotor mounted in a housing via an axial bearing. The axial bearing may include an axial bearing disc, a membrane, and a screw connection that secures the axial bearing disc to the membrane through an opening in the membrane. The axial bearing may further include a bush connected to the housing. The membrane may be clamped in between the bush and the housing. An adjusting screw may be inserted into an opening of the bush. The adjusting screw may delimit and/or facilitate an axial movement of the screw connection and the axial bearing disc.

In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus configured with an off-set drive assembly. In an example, the apparatus has an inner race structure, which has a cylindrical region coupled to a main body region, the main body comprising an off-set open region. The cylindrical region is an annular sleeve structure coupled to the main body region, which occupies the spatial region within the cylindrical region. In an example, the apparatus has an outer race structure coupled to enclose the inner race structure, configured to couple the inner race structure to allow the inner race structure to move in a rotational manner about a spatial arc region; and configured to allow the inner race structure to pivot about a region normal to a direction of the spatial arc region. In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly that is configured to pivot a torque tube.

In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus configured with an off-set drive assembly. In an example, the apparatus has an inner race structure, which has a cylindrical region coupled to a main body region, the main body comprising an off-set open region. The cylindrical region is an annular sleeve structure coupled to the main body region, which occupies the spatial region within the cylindrical region. In an example, the apparatus has an outer race structure coupled to enclose the inner race structure, configured to couple the inner race structure to allow the inner race structure to move in a rotational manner about a spatial arc region; and configured to allow the inner race structure to pivot about a region normal to a direction of the spatial arc region. In an example, the solar tracker has a clamp assembly that is configured to pivot a torque tube.