Abstract: A gear system has a gear housing and a lower planetary carrier disposed in the gear housing, the lower planetary carrier being adapted to rotate relative to the gear housing. A top drive system is operatively coupled to the gear system, the top drive system having a top drive shaft that is adapted to be driven by the gear system. A single bearing that is adapted to facilitate rotation of the lower planetary carrier is positioned between the gear housing and the lower planetary carrier. A motor apparatus is operatively coupled to and adapted to drive the gear system by rotating the lower planetary carrier relative to the gear housing, wherein a rotational axis of the single bearing is adapted to move in a lateral translational direction with respect to the gear housing while the motor apparatus is rotating the lower planetary carrier.

Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations and method for facilitating rotation thereof. The system includes a main body and a motor, preferably a salient pole motor. A motor shaft extends from the motor and a gear system is driven by the shaft and interconnected with a drive shaft. The gear system has a housing and a bearing retainer integral with the housing and is driven by the motor apparatus so that driving the gear system drives the drive shaft.

Abstract: A system includes a gear system having a gear housing and a lower planetary carrier disposed in the gear housing, the lower planetary carrier being adapted to rotate relative to the gear housing. A top drive system is operatively coupled to the gear system, the top drive system having a top drive shaft that is adapted to be driven by the gear system. A single bearing that is adapted to facilitate rotation of the lower planetary carrier is positioned between the gear housing and the lower planetary carrier. A motor apparatus is operatively coupled to and adapted to drive the gear system by rotating the lower planetary carrier relative to the gear housing, wherein a rotational axis of the single bearing is adapted to move in a lateral translational direction with respect to the gear housing while the motor apparatus is rotating the lower planetary carrier.

Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations and method for facilitating rotation thereof. The system includes a main body and a motor, preferably a salient pole motor. A motor shaft extends from the motor and a gear system is driven by the shaft and interconnected with a drive shaft. The gear system has a housing and a bearing retainer integral with the housing and is driven by the motor apparatus so that driving the gear system drives the drive shaft.

Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system in certain aspects including a main body, a motor (in certain aspects a salient pole motor), a motor apparatus, a motor shaft extending from the motor, a gear system driven by the motor shaft and interconnected with a drive shaft, the gear system driven by the motor apparatus so that driving the gear system drives the drive shaft, the gear system having a housing and a bearing retainer integral with the housing. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).