Bearing for a wind turbine
AssigneeRicardo UK Limited
InventorsJonathan Charles Wheals, Pierre Marc Guern
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A rotary mechanism for incrementally advancing a rotary element (13) with respect to a ground member (12) comprises a unidirectional clutch (41) and a rotary actuator (21, 33, 39). Actuation of the actuator is against a resilient bias (34), and overcomes friction between the rotary element and the ground member to advance the rotary element with the unidirectional clutch locked. Release of the actuator allows re-setting thereof by the resilient bias, the friction between the rotary element and the ground member resisting further relative movement.
Claims12
A rotary mechanism for incrementally advancing a bearing race with respect to a hub, the bearing race and hub being engaged with resistance to relative angular movement with one another, the rotary mechanism comprising:
- a circular actuator rotationally fixed to the bearing race and having a support ring configured to be coupled via a circular sprag assembly to the hub,
- wherein said actuator is configured to generate a torque sufficient to advance said bearing race arcuately with respect to the hub in a locked condition of said circular sprag assembly,
- and said support ring is adapted to advance relative to said hub on release of said actuator in an unlocked condition of said circular sprag assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.