Segmented composite bearings and wind generator utilizing hydraulic pump/motor combination
OwnerJochen Cortsinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bearing assembly and wind generator. The bearing assembly includes a plurality of bearing segments defining a sliding member and a bearing body, with the sliding member and bearing body being joined together, and the plurality of bearing segments being coupled together to define an annular bearing structure. Also, a wind generator includes a wind rotor supported upon a tower, a hydraulic pump coupled to the wind rotor, and with rotation of the hydraulic pump pressurizing a hydraulic fluid, and a hydraulic motor in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump, and an electrical generator driven by the hydraulic motor to produce electrical energy.
Claims20
A segmented ring bearing comprising:
- a plurality of bearing segments with each bearing segment comprising a non-metallic sliding member and a metal bearing body;
- an annular ring supporting the plurality of bearing segments;
- a ring housing carrying the annular ring and plurality of bearing segments;
- and
- a bearing support positioned between the annular ring and a surface of the ring housing, said bearing support having flexibility to accommodate changes in alignment of the plurality of bearing segments during use.
A segmented ring bearing comprising:
- a plurality of bearing segments with each of said plurality of bearing segments comprising a bearing body and a non-metallic sliding member;
- a top annular ring positioned to engage the plurality of sliding members;
- a bearing housing for mechanically coupling the plurality of bearing segments into the shape of a ring, wherein at least some of the plurality of bearing segments include a retention structure, said retention structure including an undercut cavity into which at least a portion of the non-metallic sliding member is secured.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.