Abstract: An apparatus for replacing at least one tooth of a gear includes an elongate anchoring lip having a laterally extending lip body with at least one anchoring hole extending longitudinally therethrough. The lip body is bounded within a lateral plane by transversely spaced front and rear lip faces and laterally spaced first and second side edges. A tooth block extends longitudinally from a selected one of the front and rear lip faces. The tooth block includes at least one replacement gear tooth extending longitudinally therealong. The tooth block is spaced laterally apart from at least one of the first and second side edges, with at least a portion of the lip body extending laterally between the tooth block and the at least one of the first and second side edges.

Abstract: A method of replacing at least one tooth of a gear includes providing a tool jig including a mounting block with a plurality of indexing jig features. The tool jig also includes a tool-supporting feature in laterally movable contact with a jig rail feature. With at least one indexing jig feature, relative motion of the tool jig relative to the gear is resisted. A material-removal tool is operated, while attached to the tool-supporting feature in the tooth-removal position, to remove at least a portion of a working circumference of the gear including a native gear tooth to be replaced. Motion of the material-removal tool is guided to generate a circumferential gear cut including a relatively smooth first cut surface formed by removal of at least the native gear tooth to be replaced. The material-removal tool is removed from the tool-supporting feature. The tool jig is removed from the gear.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of lowering a wind turbine blade after removal from a wind turbine lowers the blade in a vertical position to a point near the ground, and rotates it to a horizontal position for emplacement on a cradle. A winch is situated in the nacelle of the wind turbine. A cable extends downward from the winch to the blade root where it may be secured to a load cell. A tip end shoe is placed around the lower portion of the blade, and includes a crane hook receiving component that is used when the blade orientation is being changed. Tag lines are attached to the root and the tip end shoe, and extend to points on the ground where technicians manipulate them to prevent the blade from being blown into the tower.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of lowering a wind turbine blade after removal from a wind turbine lowers the blade in a vertical position to a point near the ground, and rotates it to a horizontal position for emplacement on a cradle. A winch is situated in the nacelle of the wind turbine. A cable extends downward from the winch to the blade root where it may be secured to a load cell. A tip end shoe is placed around the lower portion of the blade, and includes a crane hook receiving component that is used when the blade orientation is being changed. Tag lines are attached to the root and the tip end shoe, and extend to points on the ground where technicians manipulate them to prevent the blade from being blown into the tower.

Abstract: A method of minimizing the flow of hydraulic fluid within a hydraulic accumulator mounted in the rotating hub of a wind turbine comprises mounting the accumulator within the hub such that the longitudinal axis of the accumulator is substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the hub.

Abstract: A self aligning bearing assembly comprising a split inner ring and a split outer ring, and two rows of rolling elements arranged at different contact angles, for supporting a main shaft of a wind turbine.

Abstract: A method of minimizing the flow of hydraulic fluid within a hydraulic accumulator mounted in the rotating hub of a wind turbine comprises mounting the accumulator within the hub such that the longitudinal axis of the accumulator is substantially parallel with the axis of rotation of the hub.