A bearing cage for large rolling-element bearings includes a first side part and a second side part and a plurality of bridge elements connecting the first and second side parts to form a plurality of cage pockets each configured to receive a rolling element. The at least one bridge element and/or the first side part and/or the second side part includes at least one opening, and an insert element is mounted in each of the at least one opening and configured to contact the rolling element.

A bearing assembly includes a bearing cage and a supplementary ring. The bearing cage includes an annular body and a plurality of bearing elements disposed about the annular body. The supplementary ring includes an annular collar and a plurality of retention elements. The annular collar is disposed concentrically about the bearing cage. The plurality of retention elements is connected to and extends axially from the first annular collar. Each retention element is aligned between adjacent bearing elements. The plurality of retention elements is disposed to retain the plurality of bearing elements in the annular body of the bearing cage.

A method for producing an annular-shaped cage for a rolling bearing assembly. The method comprises steps of: (a) providing a workpiece contained in a plane having a first side and a second side; (b) forming an annular-shaped cage from the workpiece, the annular-shaped cage having a U-shaped cross section such that portions of the first side of the workpiece face each other; and (c) forming a plurality of windows in the workpiece for receiving and positioning a set of rolling elements.

A bearing cage for large rolling-element bearings includes a first side part and a second side part and a plurality of bridge elements connecting the first and second side parts to form a plurality of cage pockets each configured to receive a rolling element. The at least one bridge element and/or the first side part and/or the second side part includes at least one opening, and an insert element is mounted in each of the at least one opening and configured to contact the rolling element.