A device for assembling a sliding bearing, in particular a spherical bearing, which has an inner ring and a divided outer ring, the device including a clamping ring provided for receiving the outer ring, the inner diameter of the clamping ring corresponding at most to the outer diameter of the outer ring in the maximally compressed state thereof. To shrink the clamping ring onto the outer ring and to detach the clamping ring from the outer ring, a temperature control device, in particular in the form of an induction-heating device, which heats the clamping ring, is provided.

A bearing assembly includes a housing, a spherical bearing located within the housing, and two outer races positioned between the spherical bearing and the housing. The outer races are configured in sliding engagement with the spherical bearing to allow the spherical bearing to rotate relative to the housing. The assembly also includes a tightening element configured to engage a first of the two outer races and tighten the outer races against the spherical bearing. The assembly is configured to provide a primary load path from the tightening element to the housing, wherein the primary load path leads from the tightening element to the housing via the outer races whilst bypassing the spherical bearing.

A self-lubricating bearing includes an outer ring having a concave inside surface that defines an interior area of the outer ring. The bearing includes an inner member having a convex exterior surface. The inner member is disposed in the interior area, and the convex exterior surface has a physical vapor deposition coating thereon. A self-lubricating liner is bonded to the concave inside surface. The outer ring is made from a first metallic alloy, and the inner member made from a second metallic alloy.

A spherical plain bearing includes an outer ring having a concave interior spherical surface, and an inner member having a convex exterior spherical surface. The inner member is pivotally disposed in the outer ring such that the inner member and the outer ring are angularly misalignable relative to one another. The spherical plain bearing includes an angular misalignment restraint system which includes an inner member restraint feature on the inner member and an outer ring restraint feature on the outer member. The first and second portions are spaced apart when the inner member and the outer ring are angularly misaligned relative to one another by less than a predetermined maximum angle θ, and come into abutment when the inner member and the outer ring are angularly misaligned relative to one another by angle θ. The abutment prevents any further relative angular misalignment of the inner member and the outer ring.

A spherical bearing which extends from and connects to a deformable component includes an outer member and an inner member. The inner member is pivotable relative to the outer member about an axis. The inner member has an opening formed therein that defines a plurality of coplanar contact surfaces shaped to accommodate and contact the component. The plurality of contact surfaces are movable to accommodate deformation of the component positioned within the opening.

A device including a ball, cage housing the ball and a centering lug, wherein the centering lug has a generally annular form with a radially outer annular periphery and a radially inner annular periphery, the outer annular periphery is integral with the cage and the inner annular periphery is inserted in a groove in the outer periphery of the ball, and the centering lug is elastic and arranged to hold the ball along a predefined axis in a rest position.

An improved bushing assembly for a solar tracker is provided. The bushing assembly includes a bushing that is seated within a ring-shaped bracket. The bushing includes an annular ridge that is disposed within an annular channel in the bracket. Alternatively, the bracket includes an annular ridge that is disposed within an annular channel in the bushing. In each configuration, the bushing is retained in position during installation of the bracket. The bushing defines an internal passage for a solar tracker crossbar and provides complete rotational freedom for the crossbar about its lengthwise axis and limited rotational freedom for the crossbar about the remaining orthogonal axes. Additional features including side skirts for minimizing the entry of debris between the bushing and the bracket, a resilient latch for securing bracket sections together, and vertical openings in the bracket sections to allow debris to escape.

A spherical bearing assembly includes a shaft extending through an opening of an inner ring, the inner ring having a spherically curved outer surface, a clamping sleeve on the shaft, the clamping sleeve extending through the opening of the inner ring, and an outer ring having an inner surface complementary to the outer surface of the inner ring. The inner ring is mounted in the outer ring with the outer surface of the inner ring slidably supported by the inner surface of the outer ring.

A wind turbine has a main shaft line with a main shaft, a rotor hub, and a rotor lock plate having an opening for receiving a pin, and a nacelle having a bed plate. A multi-part main bearing has a housing, an inner ring, and an outer ring. A pin is moveable between a first, second, and third position, and is retracted from the opening in the first position so that the main shaft line is rotatable. The pin is inserted into the opening in the second position so that the main shaft line is not rotatable. In the third position, the pin is shifted and the main shaft line is supported by the pin such that the weight of shaft and loads on the main shaft are not transmitted through the multi-part main bearing but are transferred via the rotor lock plate and the pin to the bed plate.

A spherical ball joint having an inner ring and an outer ring that cooperate by way of respective truncated spherical contact surfaces, the inner ring having a central bore with a cylindrical bore portion. The spherical ball joint includes a cylindrical sleeve mounted securely in the cylindrical bore portion, the sleeve configured to be mounted around a shaft, the sleeve being made of a wear-resistant material different from that of the inner ring.