In a main bearing replacement method for a wind turbine power generation facility including a nacelle, a rotor head rotatably supported by the nacelle, a drive shaft to which rotation of the rotor head is transmitted, a main bearing disposed between the rotor head and the nacelle, and a coupling connecting the rotor head and the drive shaft on a radially inner side of the main bearing, the wind turbine power generation facility includes a main bearing sleeve fitted and fixed to an inner ring of the main bearing and mounted with the rotor head, and the main bearing is replaced at least while the main bearing sleeve is fitted and fixed to the inner ring of the main bearing.

An input gear assembly in which the input gear is coupled to the input shaft via a pair of spaced-apart pilot regions of the input shaft. One of the pilot regions is disposed adjacent to one of the bearings used, with the pilot region formed in or on the input shaft itself and engaging a corresponding internal surface of the input gear. Another of the pilot regions is formed in the inner bearing raceway of another of the bearings used, with the pilot region formed as an elongate portion of the inner bearing raceway of the input shaft and engaging another corresponding internal surface of the input gear. For manufacturing simplicity, this additional pilot region and the remainder of the elongate inner bearing raceway have the same material properties, surface treatment, straightness, and cylindricity. This arrangement prevents tilting of the input gear with respect to the input shaft and bearing shaft, thereby enhancing performance.

An input gear assembly in which the input gear is coupled to the input shaft via a pair of spaced-apart pilot regions of the input shaft. One of the pilot regions is disposed adjacent to one of the bearings used, with the pilot region formed in or on the input shaft itself and engaging a corresponding internal surface of the input gear. Another of the pilot regions is formed in the inner bearing raceway of another of the bearings used, with the pilot region formed as an elongate portion of the inner bearing raceway of the input shaft and engaging another corresponding internal surface of the input gear. For manufacturing simplicity, this additional pilot region and the remainder of the elongate inner bearing raceway have the same material properties, surface treatment, straightness, and cylindricity. This arrangement prevents tilting of the input gear with respect to the input shaft and bearing shaft, thereby enhancing performance.

A retaining ring 1 for a shaft 2a usable with a bearing 3 having an outer ring 3a and an inner ring 3b fixed on the shaft, wherein the inner ring 3b and the outer ring 3a are rotatable relative to each other, and the retaining ring 1 is provided on the shaft 2a adjacent to the bearing 3 in a thrust direction to restrict a position of the bearing 3 in the thrust direction, the retaining ring 1 includes a protrusion 1a protruding in the thrust direction from a surface opposing the inner ring 3b in the thrust direction to contact the inner ring 3b so that the retaining ring 1 is out of contact from the outer ring 3a.

A lock for use with an assembly is provided. The assembly includes an inner race having a bore with a generally tapered periphery. The bearing assembly supports a shaft. The bearing lock includes a sleeve having a generally cylindrical internal periphery adapted for cooperation with the shaft and a generally tapered external periphery that cooperates with the bore. The sleeve conforms from a first condition whereby the internal periphery defines a first diameter to a second condition whereby the internal periphery defines a second diameter different than the first. The bearing lock also includes a collar that cooperates with the sleeve to urge the sleeve from the first condition to the second condition. The collar conforms from a first condition whereby the generally cylindrical internal periphery defines a first diameter to a second condition whereby the internal periphery defines a second diameter substantially different than the first.

A lock for use with an assembly is provided. The assembly includes an inner race having a bore with a generally tapered periphery. The bearing assembly supports a shaft. The bearing lock includes a sleeve having a generally cylindrical internal periphery adapted for cooperation with the shaft and a generally tapered external periphery that cooperates with the bore. The sleeve conforms from a first condition whereby the internal periphery defines a first diameter to a second condition whereby the internal periphery defines a second diameter different than the first. The bearing lock also includes a collar that cooperates with the sleeve to urge the sleeve from the first condition to the second condition. The collar conforms from a first condition whereby the generally cylindrical internal periphery defines a first diameter to a second condition whereby the internal periphery defines a second diameter substantially different than the first.

A support ring assembly for a railway axle having a support ring configured to be inserted between a rolling bearing and a collar of the railway axle, the support ring having an annular seat, a surface of a radially inner side wall fitted with a radial clearance over the collar and an end wall that abuts against the collar, an annular insert fitted into the seat by means of an annular shield and having an elastomeric annular element having at least two annular protuberances that engage with the collar, the annular element configured to engage with the collar so as to occupy the radial clearance.

A wheel bearing assembly with an outer race, a first roller bearing, a second roller bearing, a first shield, and a second shield. The outer race may have a first inner surface and a second inner surface. The first roller bearing and the second roller bearing may have a plurality of rollers configured to engage with the first inner surface and with the second inner surface, respectively. The first shield and the second shield may be configured to engage with the first roller bearing and the second roller bearing, respectively, and push the first roller bearing and the second roller bearing against the first inner surface and the second inner surface, respectively. The first shield and the second shield may each have a rubber seal configured to reduce passage of fluid into or out of the first roller bearing and the second roller bearing, respectively.

A wheel bearing assembly with an outer race, a first roller bearing, a second roller bearing, a first shield, and a second shield. The outer race may have a first inner surface and a second inner surface. The first roller bearing and the second roller bearing may have a plurality of rollers configured to engage with the first inner surface and with the second inner surface, respectively. The first shield and the second shield may be configured to engage with the first roller bearing and the second roller bearing, respectively, and push the first roller bearing and the second roller bearing against the first inner surface and the second inner surface, respectively. The first shield and the second shield may each have a rubber seal configured to reduce passage of fluid into or out of the first roller bearing and the second roller bearing, respectively.

A tripot housing and method of manufacture thereof. The tripot housing includes a housing body extending along an axis between a first end having an end wall and an open second end. A drive shaft extends from the end wall along the axis away from the second end. The housing body has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a guide channel that extends between the first end and the second end. The outer surface has a first region extending axially along a direction from the first end toward the second end to a shoulder that extends radially outwardly from the first region. The outer surface has a second region extending axially from the shoulder toward the second end. A ring has an inner surface disposed in an interference fit on first region and an outer surface extending radially outwardly from the second region.