Abstract: A wind turbine having a tower and a rotor hub that is supported by the tower. At least one blade extends from the rotor hub, and a nacelle is located proximate the rotor hub. The wind turbine also has a transport conduit that selectively provides communication between an interior of the nacelle and an interior of the rotor hub. The transport conduit may have a collapsed condition in which the transport conduit is located completely within the nacelle, and an extended condition in which the transport conduit partially extends into the interior of the rotor hub. In a specific embodiment, the transport conduit is a telescoping structure. A method for using the transport conduit includes accessing the interior of the nacelle to position an object therein and transporting the object to the interior of the rotor hub using the transport conduit.

Abstract: A bearing with at least one row of rolling elements, where at least one of the at least one row of rolling elements includes a plurality of first rolling elements adapted for substantially transferring axial forces, and a plurality of second rolling elements adapted for substantially transferring radial forces. To minimize friction, at least one of the at least one row of rolling elements includes a mechanism for separating rolling elements, where the mechanism for separating rolling elements includes one or more cages for retaining the rolling elements, where the one or more cages include a pocket adapted for allowing the rolling element to be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the row of elements. A method for transferring forces through a bearing of a wind turbine is also contemplated.