Clamping apparatus for securing a main bearing of a wind turbine during an installation and/or repair procedure

A system for securing an installed main bearing of a wind turbine, the system comprising:

• a clamp member configured for securement to a seal ring arranged with the main bearing after a cover of the main bearing is separated and slid away therefrom, the clamp member comprising at least one upwind plate member and at least one downwind plate member, the at least one upwind plate member comprising a lip, the at least one upwind plate member further comprising an outer plate and one or more inner plates arranged in a stacked configuration, the one or more inner plates comprising a height that is less than a height of the outer plate, so as to define a gap with the lip of the upwind plate member that receives a lip of the seal ring;
• at least one clamping fastener configured through the clamp member, the at least one clamping fastener configured to tighten the clamp member around the seal ring;
• at least one jacking fastener configured through the clamp member, the at least one jacking fastener configured to push against the main bearing when tightened so as to maintain the main bearing in place during an installation or repair procedure;
• and,
• wherein the at least one downwind plate member is configured to engage a downwind side of the seal ring when tightened by the at least one clamping fastener.

A method for securing a main bearing of a wind turbine, the method comprising:

• separating a cover of the mail bearing therefrom;
• installing a system for securing an installed main bearing having a clamp member, at least one clamping fastener, and at least one jacking fastener, wherein the clamp member comprises at least one upwind plate member and at least one downwind plate member, the at least one upwind plate member comprising a lip, the at least one downwind plate member configured to engage a downwind side of the seal ring when tightened by the clamping fastener, the at least one upwind plate member further comprising an outer plate and one or more inner plates arranged in a stacked configuration, the one or more inner plates comprising a height that is less than a height of the outer plate, so as to define a gap with the lip of the upwind plate member that receives a lip of the seal ring;
• securing the clamp member to the seal ring arranged with the main bearing via the at least one clamping fastener, the at least one clamping fastener being configured through the clamp member;
• and
• tightening the jacking fastener such that the jacking fastener pushes against the ruin bearing so as to maintain the main bearing in place during an installation or repair procedure, wherein the at least one jacking fastener is configured through the clamp member.