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.

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 method of performing an operation such as a maintenance operation on a vessel assembly, said vessel assembly having a vessel, such as a crystallizing vessel, a rotor, said rotor including an upright, rotatable shaft, said shaft having a top shaft section extending above a top wall of the vessel, to perform maintenance. The top shaft section includes a first member chosen from a male member and a female member for engaging a device. The device has a top end, and a bottom end. The bottom end includes a complementary second member for the first member. According to the method, the device is connected to the top shaft section of the shaft, the rotor is lifted by lifting the shaft at its top end section using the device, following which the operation is performed.

A pre-tensioned bearing assembly, including: a first rolling bearing including a first outer ring, first inner ring including a first cylindrical surface, and a plurality of rolling elements radially disposed between the first inner and outer rings; a second rolling bearing including a second outer ring, a second inner ring including a second cylindrical surface, and a plurality of rolling elements radially disposed between the second inner and outer rings; a shaft including a shoulder in contact with the second rolling bearing; a first conically-shaped sleeve in contact with the first cylindrical surface and the second cylindrical surface, and including a conical inner surface; a second conically-shaped sleeve in contact with the conical inner surface; and a shaft nut including an internal thread in cooperation with the shaft, and fixing the first inner ring and the second inner ring axially onto the shaft.

A bearing assembly includes a bearing flange and a flange receptacle having a longitudinal axis, which comprise a mutual axial stop and a fixing for securing the mutual stop position. The fixing is designed as a wedge-type clamp which can be actuated transversely, in particular radially, to the longitudinal axis. The wedge-type clamp clamps the bearing flange and the flange receptacle axially into the mutual stop position. The bearing assembly may be, for example, provided for a robot and its rotary body.

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 main shaft fixture for fixing a main shaft on a wind turbine during installation and repair work on heavy parts of the wind turbine nacelle, in the case where the fixture is formed of several sections for mounting on stable structural parts in the nacelle, including the nacelle's bottom frame. The main shaft fixture has adjustable pressure mandrels with tap shoes, which cause the fixture to be usable regardless of the turbine main shaft geometry, such that it can be mounted without fixing the rotor. The main shaft fixture also has facilities for mounting of a lightweight crane and a self-hoisting crane with a ground-based winch, respectively, as well as a rotor lock which, in combination with actuators of the main shaft fixture, enables the main shaft and the main shaft bearing to be sufficiently displaced vertically from its bearing in the nacelle to service or replace the bearing.

Disclosed herein is a gripping mechanism for use with a pulling device for removal of and/or installation of a bearing race, ring, bushing, or other device press-fit into a recess. The apparatus uses a plurality of arms which rotate outward in a plane orthogonal to the axis of insertion/removal of the bearing race.

A pre-tensioned bearing assembly, including: a first rolling bearing including a first outer ring, first inner ring including a first conical surface, and a plurality of rolling elements radially disposed between the first inner and outer rings; a second rolling bearing including a second outer ring, a second inner ring including a second conical surface, and a plurality of rolling elements radially disposed between the second inner and outer rings; a shaft including a shoulder in contact with the second rolling bearing; a first conically-shaped sleeve in contact with the first conical surface and the second conical surface, and including a cylindrical inner surface; a second conically-shaped sleeve in contact with the cylindrical inner surface; and a shaft nut including an internal thread in cooperation with the shaft, and fixing the first inner ring and the second inner ring axially onto the shaft.

The present invention relates to a tool for expediting the separation of different components of a wheel hub. The tool includes a base and a top that is rotatably connected to the base. The tool may also include a bearing that is connected to the base and to the top, where the bearing enables the rotation of the top relative to the base. A portion of a wheel hub may be located relative to the top, after which the wheel hub and top can be rotated. While this occurs, a heat source can be applied to a portion of the wheel hub to enable even heating. As a result of this heating and related expansion, a first wheel hub piece may be separated from a second wheel hub piece.