Abstract: A wind turbine main bearing realized to bear a shaft of a wind turbine, which shaft is caused to rotate by a number of blades connected to the shaft is disclosed. The wind turbine main bearing includes a fluid bearing with a plurality of bearing pads arranged about the shaft. Also disclosed is a wind turbine with a number of blades connected to a shaft and realized to rotate the shaft, which wind turbine includes as main bearing a wind turbine main bearing. Further described is a method of performing maintenance on a wind turbine, including the steps of halting a rotation of the shaft, operating a lifting arrangement to raise the shaft, and removing a bearing pad of the wind turbine main bearing from the bearing housing of the wind turbine main bearing.

Abstract: A wind turbine main bearing realized to bear a shaft of a wind turbine, which shaft is caused to rotate by a number of blades connected to the shaft is disclosed. The wind turbine main bearing includes a fluid bearing with a plurality of bearing pads arranged about the shaft. Also disclosed is a wind turbine with a number of blades connected to a shaft and realized to rotate the shaft, which wind turbine includes as main bearing a wind turbine main bearing. Further described is a method of performing maintenance on a wind turbine, including the steps of halting a rotation of the shaft, operating a lifting arrangement to raise the shaft, and removing a bearing pad of the wind turbine main bearing from the bearing housing of the wind turbine main bearing.

Abstract: A tilting pad journal bearing, an annular housing for an array of arcuate bearing pads resiliently mounted by spring means which biases the pads against heads of restraining bosses that limit radial displacement and cause the bearing pads to define a shaft space. The pads have associated therewith support pegs secured to housing or pad at one end and movable relative to the pad or housing at the other, and the spring means comprises stacks of individually deflectable elements mounted between relatively moving pad, housing or peg and pre-loaded by adjusting the effective gap with the pads against the bosses. Relative_movement between springs provide friction damping. The_restraining bosses may be displaceable together to eliminate the shaft space clearance if the magnetic suspension fails or shows signs of failing.

Abstract: A tilting pad bearing assembly consists of an array of bearing pads each supported on a rigid carrier by way of an intervening pivot ridge extending from the pad or carrier. The individual pad surfaces are able to tilt or rock to a limited extent about a pivot or fulcrum ridge. A pad hole depth permits a pin to be inserted via a carrier hole such that with the pad supported on the carrier the pin head is spaced slightly from a shoulder and the pad able to tilt. The assembly permits simplified manufacture by supporting the pads on their bearing surfaces, overlaying the carrier to effect contact at the pivot ridge and forcing the pins into the pads to the limits of the blind holes that gives the correct clearance with respect to the carrier.