Abstract: An angular contact self-aligning toroidal roller bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring, and a set of rolling elements formed of rollers arranged in an intermediate configuration between the inner and outer rings. Each roller is arranged to self orient in its axial direction in relation to the inner and outer rings in a loaded zone during operation. Furthermore, a method for determining dimensional parameters of structural members of an angular contact self-aligning toroidal rolling element bearing and a method for manufacturing an angular contact self-aligning toroidal rolling element bearing are described herein.

Abstract: A cage (1) for separating rollers in a toroidal roller bearing. The cage (1) comprises a first and second annular ring (2, 3), a plurality of elongated axial members (4) interposed between the first and second annular ring to thereby form a number of roller pockets (5). The cage further comprises a portion (6) extending radially inwardly on at least one of the first and second annular ring. The portion further extends in at least a part of the circumference of the at least one first and second annular ring. The radially outer peripheral surface of the annular ring comprising the portion further comprises axial grooves (7) at least at the circumference having the portion, wherein each axial groove is located at the axial end face of each roller pocket in such a way that a roller can be inserted and pulled out via the axial groove into and out of each roller pocket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bearing arrangement having a first and a second support structure for supporting a rotating member, a first rolling bearing supporting the first support structure in relation to the second support structure at a first support location, a second rolling bearing supporting the first support structure in relation to the second support structure at a second support location. The first and second rolling bearings are arranged in a coaxial configuration in relation to each other. Furthermore, the first rolling bearing forms a radially outer bearing, and the second rolling bearing is arranged radially inside the first rolling bearing by a bearing radial distance, and the first support location and second support location are axially aligned. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a bearing arrangement.

Abstract: The invention presents a cage (1) for separating rollers in a toroidal roller bearing. The cage (1) comprises a first and second annular ring (2, 3), a plurality of elongated axial members (4) interposed between the first and second annular ring to thereby form a number of roller pockets (5). The cage further presents a portion (6) extending radially inwardly on at least one of the first and second annular ring. The portion further extends in at least a part of the circumference of the at least one first and second annular ring. The radially outer peripheral surface of the annular ring presenting the portion presents axial grooves (7) at least at the circumference having the portion, wherein each axial groove is located at the axial end face of each roller pocket in such a way that a roller can be inserted and pulled out via the axial groove into and out of each roller pocket.

Abstract: An angular contact self-aligning toroidal roller bearing comprising an inner ring, an outer ring, and a set of rolling elements formed of rollers arranged in an intermediate configuration between the inner and outer rings. Each roller is arranged to self orient in its axial direction in relation to the inner and outer rings in a loaded zone during operation. Furthermore, a method for determining dimensional parameters of structural members of an angular contact self-aligning toroidal rolling element bearing and a method for manufacturing an angular contact self-aligning toroidal rolling element bearing are described herein.

Abstract: A spacer device for roller elements of a toroidal roller bearing includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The toroidal roller bearing allows for axial and angular displacement between the inner and outer rings. The spacer device comprises a first roller element-contacting surface and a second roller element-contacting surface on opposite sides thereof. First and second roller-contacting surfaces are arranged to separate two adjacent roller elements in a tangential direction of the toroidal roller bearing when the spacer device is in use. Each of the first and second roller element-contacting surfaces has a concave shape adapted to conform to respective convex contacting surfaces of the roller elements. The spacer device comprises end members that have projections that extend outwards from first and second roller-contacting surfaces and which are arranged to extend at least partly over the ends of two adjacent roller elements when the spacer device is in use.

Abstract: A cage for separating rollers in a toroidal roller bearing. The cage comprises a first and second annular ring, a plurality of elongated axial members interposed between the first and second annular ring to thereby form a number of roller pockets. The cage further presents a portion extending radially inwardly on at least one of the first and second annular ring. The portion further extends in at least a part of the circumference of the at least one first and second annular ring. The radially outer peripheral surface of the annular ring presenting the portion presents axial grooves at least at the circumference having the portion, wherein each axial groove is located at the axial end face of each roller pocket in such a way that a roller can be inserted and pulled out via the axial groove into and out of each roller pocket.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor shaft arrangement comprising a shaft supporting wind turbine blades and a non-rotating first housing structure (mounted to a wind turbine nacelle framing) along with a first rolling bearing supporting (in a first axial direction) the shaft to the first housing structure at a first support point. The first rolling bearing is a self-aligning bearing comprising a first inner ring, a first outer ring and a set of rolling elements interposed therebetween. Each roller is asymmetric, having a curved raceway-contacting surface contacting at least one of the curved inner/outer raceways of the first inner/outer ring, respectively. A contact angle between each roller and the respective raceway is inclined respective to the shaft radial direction. A non-rotating second housing structure (mounted to the wind turbine nacelle framing) supports the shaft. A second rolling bearing supports the shaft by the second housing structure at a second support point.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is for rotatably coupling a shaft and a housing includes an inner ring with an inner surface disposable about the shaft, an outer ring disposed about the inner ring and having an outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings. A retainer has a first end engageable with the shaft or housing and a second end engaged with the inner ring or outer ring. The retainer positions the inner or outer ring with respect to the central axis such that the ring is generally centered on the axis. The retainer is further configured to substantially prevent angular displacement of the inner or outer ring about the central axis and to bias the ring generally axially.

Abstract: A method of rotating an output gear at a rotational rate that is slower than an input rotational rate. The input rotation moves a planetary gear in a circular motion about a central axis. A first stage external gear configuration of the planetary gear engages with an internal gear configuration of a stationary gear. The engagement rotates the planetary gear about a concentrically located planetary gear rotational axis. A second stage external gear configuration is rotated by and at a same rate the first stage external gear configuration. The first stage diameter and/or number of teeth differs from the second stage diameter and/or number of teeth. The planetary gear rotation in conjunction with the difference between the first and second stages causes the output gear to rotate respective to the stationary gear. Rotational positioning of the output gear can be monitoring and adjusted by controlling the input rotational rate.

Abstract: A reduction gear assembly integrates a stationary section having a stationary internal gear configuration, an output section having an output internal gear configuration, an input shaft and planetary carrier comprising an input shaft having a shaft rotational axis and a planetary gear cam having a planetary gear rotational axis, wherein the shaft axis and cam axis are offset. A planetary gear comprising a planet wheel first stage and a planet wheel second stage is rotationally assembled to the planetary gear cam. The first stage planet wheel engages with the stationary gear. The second stage planet wheel engages with the output gear. Rotation of the input shaft rotates the planetary gear about a circular path. Engagement between the first stage and the stationary gear rotates the planetary gear. Second stage teeth engage with the output gear. Difference in first stage and second stage teeth counts causes rotation of the output section.

Abstract: A bearing assembly is for rotatably coupling a shaft and a housing includes an inner ring with an inner surface disposable about the shaft, an outer ring disposed about the inner ring and having an outer circumferential surface, and a plurality of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings. A retainer has a first end engageable with the shaft or housing and a second end engaged with the inner ring or outer ring. The retainer positions the inner or outer ring with respect to the central axis such that the ring is generally centered on the axis. The retainer is further configured to substantially prevent angular displacement of the inner or outer ring about the central axis and to bias the ring generally axially.

Abstract: A reduction gear assembly integrates a stationary section having a stationary internal gear configuration, an output section having an output internal gear configuration, an input shaft and planetary carrier comprising an input shaft having a shaft rotational axis and a planetary gear cam having a planetary gear rotational axis, wherein the shaft axis and cam axis are offset. A planetary gear comprising a planet wheel first stage and a planet wheel second stage is rotationally assembled to the planetary gear cam. The first stage planet wheel engages with the stationary gear. The second stage planet wheel engages with the output gear. Rotation of the input shaft rotates the planetary gear about a circular path. Engagement between the first stage and the stationary gear rotates the planetary gear. Second stage teeth engage with the output gear. Difference in first stage and second stage teeth counts causes rotation of the output section.

Abstract: A method of rotating an output gear at a rotational rate that is slower than an input rotational rate. The input rotation moves a planetary gear in a circular motion about a central axis. A first stage external gear configuration of the planetary gear engages with an internal gear configuration of a stationary gear. The engagement rotates the planetary gear about a concentrically located planetary gear rotational axis. A second stage external gear configuration is rotated by and at a same rate the first stage external gear configuration. The first stage diameter and/or number of teeth differs from the second stage diameter and/or number of teeth. The planetary gear rotation in conjunction with the difference between the first and second stages causes the output gear to rotate respective to the stationary gear. Rotational positioning of the output gear can be monitoring and adjusted by controlling the input rotational rate.

Abstract: The invention presents a cage (1) for separating rollers in a toroidal roller bearing. The cage (1) comprises a first and second annular ring (2, 3), a plurality of elongated axial members (4) interposed between the first and second annular ring to thereby form a number of roller pockets (5). The cage further presents a portion (6) extending radially inwardly on at least one of the first and second annular ring. The portion further extends in at least a part of the circumference of the at least one first and second annular ring. The radially outer peripheral surface of the annular ring presenting the portion presents axial grooves (7) at least at the circumference having the portion, wherein each axial groove is located at the axial end face of each roller pocket in such a way that a roller can be inserted and pulled out via the axial groove into and out of each roller pocket.

Abstract: A double bearing assembly is for supporting a rotatable shaft within a housing and includes two axially-spaced inner races mounted on the shaft. Each inner race has an outer race surface with a radially-outwardly extending shoulder section adjacent one axial end and are arranged such that the two shoulder surfaces are facing. Two axially-spaced outer races are disposed within the housing, each about one of the inner races. Each outer race has an inner race surface with a radially-inwardly extending shoulder section adjacent one end and are arranged such that the two shoulder surfaces face away from each other. A set of rolling element are disposed between each pair of races. At least one biasing member biases one of the outer races axially to retain the associated rolling elements sandwiched between the inner shoulder surface of the outer race and the outer shoulder surface of the corresponding inner race.