Thrust bearing cartridge

Abstract

A thrust bearing system (400) for reacting axial loads applied to a shaft. The system includes thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f) positioned at different mounting positions (418a-f) in a cartridge mounting ring (414) positioned about the shaft. The thrust bearing cartridges are each separately removable radially from the cartridge mounting ring. The cartridges include a cartridge housing (504) and thrust bearing pads (506) mounted to the cartridge housing in a common orientation to engage the shaft. The cartridge mounting ring carries all of the cartridges in a row to engage the shaft. The cartridge mounting ring is rotatably mounted to a housing about the shaft and releasably secured in a rotational position with respect to the shaft to position a selected cartridge in a desired angular position for radial removal.

Description

Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1THRUST BEARING CARTRIDGE CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 769,638 filed March 10, 2025, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to thrust bearings, and more particularly to a thrust bearing cartridge assembly for rotating machinery, such as wind turbines or turbomachinery.BACKGROUND

[0003] Wind turbines and tidal turbines rotate to generate electricity. These turbines have blades attached to a shaft. An electrical generator is also attached to the shaft. Fluid such as air or water move past the blades causing the blades to move, rotating the shaft. The electrical generator produces electricity when rotated by the shaft. These turbines have thrust bearings that axially support the shaft within the turbine. The shaft rotates in contact with the thrust bearings. Over the lifetime of the turbine, the shaft wears on the thrust bearings.Sometimes, the worn thrust bearings are replaced with new thrust bearings. Replacing worn thrust bearings on operating wind turbines or tidal turbines can be a long, complicated, and expensive operation. Some other types of rotating machinery, such as marine drive systems and turbomachinery, are also subjected to high thrust loads.SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure relates to thrust bearings for rotating machinery, such as wind turbines, tidal turbines, and turbomachinery. Thrust bearings react to axial loads.

[0005] One aspect of the invention features a thrust bearing system for reacting axial loads applied to a rotating shaft. The thrust bearing system includes a set of thrust bearing cartridges and a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring. Each thrust bearing cartridge of the set of thrust bearing cartridges has a cartridge housing and multiple thrust bearing pads. The thrust bearing pads are mounted to a common side of the cartridge housing. Each thrust bearing pad has a slide bearing surface. The slide bearing surfaces of all the thrust bearingAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1pads are aligned in a common orientation to slide together along a radially extending surface of the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring defines multiple cartridge mounting positions to carry all of the thrust bearing cartridges of the set in a row about the rotating shaft with all of the slide bearing surfaces of the thrust bearing pads positioned to engage the radially extending surface of the rotating shaft through a film of fluid in use. Each of the thrust bearing cartridges is separately removable from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring in a corresponding radial direction with respect to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring. The thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring is rotatably mounted to a housing about the rotating shaft and releasably secured in a rotational position with respect to the rotating shaft such that the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring is releasable for rotation to position a selected one of the thrust bearing cartridges of the set in a desired angular position for radial removal.

[0006] In some examples, the rotating shaft is a rotating shaft of a wind turbine.

[0007] In some embodiments, the thrust bearing pads are tiltably mounted to the common side of the cartridge housing.

[0008] In some cases, the corresponding radial direction is away from a longitudinal axis of the rotating shaft.

[0009] Some embodiments include the cartridge housing and the multiple thrust bearing pads mounted to a common side of the cartridge housing. Each thrust bearing pad has a slide bearing surface. The slide bearing surfaces of all the thrust bearing pads are aligned in a common orientation to slide together along a radially extending surface of the rotating shaft.

[0010] In some instances, a proximal end of the cartridge housing is planar and a distal end of the cartridge housing is arcuate. The proximal end is engaged to a cover plate and the distal end is locked in an outward facing radially oriented channel of the housing to hold the thrust bearing cartridge in the associated cartridge mounting position.

[0011] In some embodiments, each of the cartridge mounting positions include a pair of slots extending into the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring. Each of the cartridge housings include wings extending from opposite sides cartridge housing. The wings are sized to fit within the slots.

[0012] In some cases, the proximal end of the cartridge housing and the outward facing radially oriented channel of the housing, the distal end of the cartridge housing and the coverAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1plate, and the wings of the cartridge housing and the pair of slots of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring form a loose key style fit holding the associated thrust bearing cartridge secure radial towards a longitudinal axis of the shaft and positioned to engage the radially extending surface of the rotating shaft through the film of fluid in use.

[0013] Some examples include the multiple thrust bearing pads captured on the common side of the cartridge housing by padstops. Each thrust bearing pad includes a pair of scalloped channels on opposite sides of each thrust bearing pad. A top disc of each padstop is engaged to one scalloped channel of the pair of scalloped channels to limit axial and radial movement of the associated thrust bearing pad as the associated thrust bearing pad articulates about a pivot boss extending from a surface opposite the slide bearing surface and contacting the cartridge housing.

[0014] Another aspect of the invention features a thrust bearing system for reacting axial loads applied to a rotating shaft. The thrust bearing system includes a set of thrust bearing cartridges and a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring. Each cartridge of the set of thrust bearing cartridges has a cartridge housing and multiple thrust bearing pads mounted to a common side of the cartridge housing. Each thrust bearing pad have a slide bearing surface. The slide bearing surfaces of all the thrust bearing pads are aligned in a common orientation to slide together along a radially extending surface of the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring defines multiple cartridge mounting positions to carry all of the thrust bearing cartridges of the set in a row about the rotating shaft with all of the slide bearing surfaces of the thrust bearing pads positioned to engage the radially extending surface of the rotating shaft through a film of fluid in use. Each of the thrust bearing cartridges is secured to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring by a first set of fasteners extending perpendicular toward the shaft into the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring and each thrust bearing cartridge is separately removable from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring in a corresponding radial direction with respect to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring.

[0015] In some cases, each of the cartridge mounting positions have a planar surface shaped to receive a cover plate. The cover plate has voids. Each void is sized to pass one fastener of the first set of fasteners into the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring.Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1

[0016] In some examples, a center plane of the cover plate is tangentially oriented relative to the radially extending surface of the rotating shaft.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cover plate includes a perimeter groove extending about an inner surface of the cover plate. The perimeter groove is sized to receive an o-ring. The o-ring is compressed within the perimeter groove between the cover plate and the planar surface of the cartridge mounting position.

[0018] In some examples, the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring is rotatably mounted to a housing about the rotating shaft and releasably secured in a rotational position with respect to the rotating shaft such that the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring is releasable for rotation to position a selected one of the thrust bearing cartridges of the set in a desired angular position for radial removal.

[0019] In some embodiments, the thrust bearing system includes a second set of fastener. The second set of fasteners extends through the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring into the housing to fix the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring in position relative to the housing. The second set of fasteners is oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotating shaft. The second set of fasteners is removable and replaceable externally from the thrust bearing system.

[0020] In some cases include an externally removable anti-rotation pin. The housing includes multiple voids extending longitudinally into the housing from a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface and sized to receive a portion of the externally removable anti-rotation pin. The thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring has a channel sized to receive another portion of the externally removable anti-rotation pin. Responsive to removal of the second set of fasteners and the externally removable anti-rotation pin, the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring is rotatable relative to the housing.

[0021] In some instances, the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring has a first half portion and a second half portion. The first half portion and the second half portion are separable to allow removal of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring from about the rotating shaft.

[0022] In some embodiments, the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring is held in contact with the housing by multiple barring brackets. Each barring bracket is individually accessible after removal of an associated cover plate and associated thrust bearing cartridge.Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1

[0023] In some cases, the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring is rotatable relative to the housing within a channel on a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface of the housing. The barring brackets hold the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring in the channel.

[0024] Another aspect of the invention features a thrust bearing system for reacting to axial loads of a rotating machine. The bearing system includes a radially extending reaction surface and a set of thrust bearing cartridges. Each thrust bearing cartridge has a cartridge housing and multiple thrust bearing pads mounted to a common side of the cartridge housing. Each thrust bearing pad has a slide bearing surface. The slide bearing surfaces of all the thrust bearing pads are aligned in a common orientation to slide together along the radially extending reaction surface. Each of the thrust bearing pads defines an aperture extending through its slide bearing surface and a pad lubrication conduit in hydraulic communication with the aperture. Each cartridge housing defines one or more housing lubrication conduits extending from at least one inlet to multiple outlets arranged to feed the pad lubrication conduits of the thrust bearing pads mounted to the common side of the cartridge housing. The housing lubrication conduit of one of the cartridge housings is arranged to receive lubricating fluid via the housing lubrication conduit of an adjacent one of the thrust bearing cartridges.

[0025] In some examples, the radially extending reaction surface is a surface of a rotating shaft and the thrust bearing system further includes a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring defining cartridge mounting positions to carry all of the thrust bearing cartridges of the set in a row about the rotating shaft.

[0026] In some embodiments, each of the multiple outlets are fluidically coupled to the associated pad lubrication conduit by a fitting. The fitting can articulate within a void partially defined by the cartridge housing and the associated thrust bearing pad.

[0027] In some cases, the thrust bearing system includes a housing about the rotating shaft. The housing includes a carrier ring end plate. The thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring is rotatably mounted to a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface of the carrier ring end plate. The carrier ring end plate includes a lubrication distribution channel, multiple inlet ports, and multiple outlet ports. The lubrication distribution channel is positioned on an interior surface of the carrier ring end plate. The inlet ports extend from an outer surface of the carrier ring end plate to the lubrication distribution channel on theAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1interior surface of the carrier ring end plate. The outlet ports extend from the lubrication distribution channel back to thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface of the carrier ring end plate to a position inward from the inlet ports to supply lubrication to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring.

[0028] Some embodiments include where the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring has multiple mounting ring lubrication conduits. Each mounting ring lubrication conduit is fluidly coupled to one outlet port of the carrier ring end plate. Each mounting ring lubrication conduit extends to one slot of the cartridge mounting position to supply lubrication to the housing lubrication conduits of the cartridge housing.

[0029] In some instances, each mounting ring lubrication conduit is fluidically coupled to an associated wing of the thrust bearing cartridge positioned with the respective slot of the cartridge mounting position by a fitting. The fitting can articulate within a void partially defined by the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring within the slot and the cartridge housing.

[0030] In some embodiments, the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring includes crossconnecting lubrication conduits fluidly connecting the adjacent mounting ring lubrication conduits.

[0031] In some cases, each cartridge housing defines one or more housing lubrication conduits extending from only one inlet to the multiple outlets arranged to feed the pad lubrication conduits of the thrust bearing pads mounted to the common side of the cartridge housing.

[0032] Another aspect of the invention features a method of replacing an individual thrust bearing cartridge in a thrust bearing system arranged to carry axial loads applied to a rotating shaft of a wind turbine. The method includes removing a thrust bearing cartridge mounted to a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring and carrying multiple thrust bearing pads disposed to slide against the rotating shaft by disconnecting the thrust bearing cartridge from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring and moving the disconnected thrust bearing cartridge away from the shaft in a radial direction; and then installing a replacement thrust bearing cartridge by moving the replacement thrust bearing cartridge toward the shaft in a radial direction; and then connecting the replacement thrust bearing cartridge to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring. The removing and installing are performed withoutAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1displacing the shaft or the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring axially with respect to the shaft.

[0033] In some examples, removing the thrust bearing cartridge from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring includes removing a first set of first fasteners from a first cover plate sealing the thrust bearing cartridge in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring at a first cartridge mounting position and removing the first cover plate from the first cartridge mounting position. The first set of the first fasteners extend into the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring. In some examples, installing the replacement thrust bearing cartridge in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring at the first cartridge mounting position includes replacing the first cover plate on the first cartridge mounting position, engaging the first set of the first fasteners to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring through the first cover plate, and responsive to engaging the first set of the first fasteners to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring through the first cover plate, sealing the first replacement thrust bearing cartridge in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring.

[0034] Some embodiments include removing second fasteners coupling the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring to a housing about the rotating shaft. The second fasteners extend through the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring into the housing to fix the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring in position relative to the housing. The second fasteners are oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rotating shaft. The second fasteners are removable and replaceable externally from the thrust bearing system. Some embodiments include removing an externally removable anti-rotation pin from a first void of a set of voids in the housing and a channel in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring. The set of voids extends longitudinally into the housing from a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface. When the externally removable anti-rotation pin is positioned in the channel and the first void, rotation of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring relative to the housing is prevented. Some embodiments include rotating the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring from a first position to a second position positioning a second thrust bearing cartridge of the multiple thrust bearing cartridges at a second cartridge mounting position in a desired angular position for radial removal. Some embodiments include radially removing the second thrust bearing cartridge of the multiple thrust bearing cartridges from the second cartridge mounting position defined in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring in the direction away from theAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1shaft. Some embodiments include radially installing a second replacement thrust bearing cartridge at the second cartridge mounting position within the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring. Some embodiments include installing the externally removable anti-rotation pin in the channel of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring. Some embodiments include passing the externally removable anti-rotation pin through the channel with a portion of the externally removable anti-rotation pin extending into a second void of multiple voids in the housing.

[0035] In some instances, responsive to installing the externally removable anti -rotation pin through the channel of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring and the second void of the multiple voids in the housing, rotation of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring relative to the housing is prevented. In some instances, the method includes installing the second fasteners through the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring and into the housing.

[0036] In some embodiments, rotating the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring from a first position to the second position positioning the second thrust bearing cartridge of the multiple thrust bearing cartridges from the second cartridge mounting position in the desired angular position for radial removal includes rotating the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring sixty degrees.

[0037] In some cases, a position of a selected one of the multiple thrust bearing cartridges in the desired angular position for radial removal is a top dead center position.

[0038] Some examples include, before radially removing the first thrust bearing cartridge from the first cartridge mounting position, halting rotation of the rotating shaft.

[0039] Another aspect of the invention features a method of replacing an individual thrust bearing cartridge in a thrust bearing system arranged to carry axial loads applied to a rotating machine component. The method includes activating an actuator to axially separate a set of thrust bearing pads of a thrust bearing cartridge from an associated thrust reaction surface against which the thrust bearing pads slide in use, such that the actuator applies a separating axial load to the thrust reaction surface and to a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring to which the thrust bearing cartridge is secured; removing the thrust bearing cartridge by moving the thrust bearing cartridge radially away from between the thrust reaction surface and the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring; positioning a replacement thrust bearing cartridge between the thrust reaction surface and the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ringAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1with the actuator activated; and then deactivating the actuator to reduce a gap between thrust bearing pads of the replacement thrust bearing cartridge and the thrust reaction surface.

[0040] In some cases, prior to activating the actuator, the method includes manually inserting the actuator into a space between the thrust reaction surface and the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring, and, after deactivating the actuator, manually removing the actuator from the space.

[0041] Another aspect of the invention features a thrust bearing system for reacting axial loads applied to a rotating shaft. The thrust bearing system includes a set of thrust bearing cartridges, a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring, and one or more actuators. Each thrust bearing cartridge has a cartridge housing and multiple thrust bearing pads mounted to a common side of the cartridge housing. Each thrust bearing pad has a slide bearing surface. The slide bearing surfaces of all the thrust bearing pads are aligned in a common orientation to slide together along a radially extending surface of the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring defines cartridge mounting positions to carry all of the thrust bearing cartridges of the set in a row about the rotating shaft with all of the slide bearing surfaces of the thrust bearing pads positioned to engage the radially extending surface of the rotating shaft through a film of fluid in use. The one or more actuators are positioned between the radially extending surface and the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring. The one or more actuators are operable to temporarily separate the radially extending surface from the thrust bearing pads of at least one of the thrust bearing cartridges of the set for radial removal and replacement.

[0042] In some cases, the one or more actuators are mounted on a radially extending surface of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring.

[0043] In some examples, the one or more actuators are each positioned between a respective pair of adjacent thrust bearing cartridges.

[0044] In some examples, the one or more actuators are aligned in a common orientation along an inner radially extending surface of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring to extend longitudinally to axially engage an outwardly radially extending surface of the rotating shaft.Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1

[0045] In some embodiments, the one or more actuators are aligned in a common orientation along the inner radially extending surface of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring to open an axial gap between the rotating shaft and the thrust bearing pads.

[0046] Another aspect of the invention features a bearing system for reacting axial and radial loads applied to a rotating shaft. The bearing system includes a thrust bearing cartridge and a radial bearing cartridge. The thrust bearing cartridge includes a thrust cartridge housing and at least one thrust bearing pad mounted to the thrust cartridge housing and having a slide thrust bearing surface arranged to slide along a radially extending surface of the rotating shaft. The radial bearing cartridge includes a radial cartridge housing and a radial bearing pad mounted to the radial cartridge housing and having a slide radial bearing surface arranged to slide along a cylindrical surface of the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing cartridge and the radial bearing cartridge are both releasably mounted to a reaction housing and disposed adjacent one another. The thrust bearing cartridge is removable in a radial direction with respect to the rotating shaft. The radial bearing cartridge is removable in an axial direction with respect to the rotating shaft.

[0047] In some examples, the thrust bearing cartridge is secured with elongated fasteners extending perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the rotating shaft.

[0048] In some embodiments, the radial bearing cartridge is secured with elongated fasteners extending parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotating shaft.

[0049] In some cases, the slide thrust bearing surface and the slide radial bearing surface are separated by a distance less than an axial width of the slide radial bearing surface, as measured along an axis of rotation of the rotating shaft.

[0050] These systems and methods can improve the ease of replacing thrust bearings in rotating machinery such as wind turbines. For example, individual thrust bearing cartridges can be removed or replaced one at a time, without having to remove or displace axially adjacent components, which may in the case of wind turbines be quite heavy and can require bringing the entire shaft assembly down for disassembly.

[0051] These systems and methods can improve maintainability for wind turbine bearings. For example, wind turbine nacelles can be space-constrained environments.Access to the thrust bearing assembly in some wind turbines may only be available from a single side, complicating thrust bearing replacement. By providing a thrust bearing assemblyAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1with a rotatable mounting ring containing multiple thrust bearing cartridges, the individual thrust bearing cartridges can be replaced one at a time as the rotatable mounting ring is rotated, simplifying maintenance operations and improved maintainability of the wind turbine. Moreover, the overall time required to replace all the thrust bearing pads can be reduced, improved maintainability of the wind turbine. Additionally, when only one or a few thrust bearing pads are worn or damaged, only the thrust bearing cartridges containing the worn thrust bearing pads need to be replaced, further reducing time, cost, and complexity of maintenance operations. Also, routine inspection of the thrust bearing pads is simplified as each individual thrust bearing cartridge can be removed, inspected, and replaced, without complete disassembly of the thrust bearing assembly. Furthermore, each thrust bearing cartridge and corresponding mounting position as mechanical features that correctly align and orient the thrust bearing pads to the thrust collar of the shaft, simplifying assembly operations and reducing alignment errors. Also, individual thrust bearing cartridges can, in some cases, be removed and replaced without having to separately disconnect or reroute lubricating oil lines.

[0052] These systems and methods can increase operational uptime of the wind turbine. For example, by simplifying maintenance and reducing the maintenance time, the overall operation uptime of the wind turbine can be increased.

[0053] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0003] FIG. l is a schematic side view of a wind turbine system.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the rotating portion of the wind turbine system.

[0005] FIG. 3 A is a perspective view of a bearing system of the wind turbine of FIG. 1.

[0006] FIG. 3B is a cross-section view of the bearing system of FIG. 3 A.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a top view of the bearing system of FIG. 3 A.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a thrust bearing sub-system of the bearing system of FIG. 3.Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1

[0009] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the bearing system, taken along line A-A in Fig.4.

[0010] FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of the inner thrust bearing sub-system.

[0011] FIGS. 8A-8B are perspective views of a thrust bearing cartridge assembly being removed from the thrust bearing sub-system FIG. 7.

[0012] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cartridge housing of the thrust bearing cartridge assembly of FIGS. 8A-8B.

[0013] FIGS. 10A-10B are front and back perspective views, respectively of a thrust pad of the thrust bearing cartridge assembly of FIGS. 9A-9C.

[0014] FIGS. 11A-1 IB are opposite perspective views of a barring bracket of the thrust bearing sub-system of FIG. 6.

[0015] FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of a carrier end plate of the bearing system of FIG. 3 showing a portion of an oil supply sub-system for the thrust bearing sub-system.

[0016] FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of the carrier end plate and a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring showing another portion of the oil supply sub-system.

[0017] FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of the thrust bearing cartridge assembly of FIGS.8A-8B showing another portion of the oil supply sub-system.

[0018] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring showing an oil supply feed hole.

[0019] FIG. 16 is a vertical cross-section view of the thrust bearing cartridge assembly of FIGS. 8A-8B showing another portion of the oil supply sub-system.

[0020] FIG. 17 is a horizontal cross-section view of the thrust bearing cartridge assembly of FIGS. 8A-8B showing another portion of the oil supply sub-system.

[0021] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an articulatable coupler of the oil-supply subsystem.

[0022] FIG. 19 is a cross-section view of a portion of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring showing cross-connecting lubrication conduits between cartridge mounting positions.

[0023] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the bearing system of FIG. 4 including an axial actuator for axially separating thrust bearing pads from an associated thrust collar.

[0024] FIG. 21 is a cross-section view of the axial actuator of FIG. 20.Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1

[0025] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Wind turbines rotate to generate electricity. Wind turbines have blades attached to a shaft. An electrical generator is also attached to the shaft. Wind moving past the blades causes the blades to move, rotating the shaft. The electrical generator produces electricity when rotated by the shaft. The wind turbine has thrust bearings that axially support the shaft within the wind turbine. The shaft rotates in contact with the thrust bearings. Over the operating lifetime of the wind turbine, the shaft wears on the thrust bearings. Sometimes, the worn thrust bearings are replaced with new thrust bearings. Replacing worn thrust bearings on operating wind turbines can be a long, complicated, expensive, and dangerous operation.

[0055] The thrust bearings of the present disclosure are mounted in a set of thrust bearing cartridges in a rotatable mounting ring that surrounds the shaft. Each of the thrust bearing cartridges are individually removable from the mounting ring without disassembly of the mounting ring. The thrust bearing cartridges are removed by unbolting a cover plate from the mounting ring and radially pulling the thrust bearing cartridge out of the mounting ring and away from the shaft.

[0056] The mounting ring is rotatably mounted to a housing about the shaft and releasably secured in a rotational position with respect to the shaft so when the mounting ring is released for rotation, the mounting ring may be positioned at a selected position so the desired thrust bearing cartridge can be placed in a desired angular position for radial removal.

[0057] Referring first to FIG. 1, wind turbine system 100 includes a nacelle 102, turbine blades 104, a hub 106, and a tower 108. The nacelle 102, the turbine blades 104, and the hub 106 are part of a rotor assembly that sits atop the tower 108. Turbine system 100 generates electricity from wind and may float off-shore or be land-based. The nacelle 102 can also include a yaw mechanism (not shown) that allows it to rotate to face the wind direction.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 2, nacelle 102 has a housing 110 enclosing functional subsystems of the turbine system, including a shaft 202 connecting the hub 106 to an electrical generator 204, one or more radial bearings 206 (e g., journal bearings) supporting the shaft, and / or one or more axial bearings 208 (e.g., thrust bearings) resisting axial loadsAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1applied to the hub 106. The bearings receive and support loads of the shaft 202 while allowing the shaft 202 to move as desired in at least one degree of freedom.

[0059] Kinetic energy from wind interfacing with the turbine blades 104 causes the shaft 202 to rotate. The generator 204 is coupled with the shaft 202 and is configured to convert the kinetic energy to electrical energy. In some implementations, the generator 204 includes a gearbox connecting the shaft to the generator, e.g., to increase the rotational speed at the generator 204.

[0060] The radial bearings 206 include a first radial bearing 206a and a second radial bearing 206b spaced apart along the shaft 202. The radial bearings 206 are configured to bear radial loads of the shaft 202, such as loads generally applied in a radial direction 612, shown in FIG. 6, that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 202, including the weight of the rotating components. The first radial bearing 206a and the second radial bearing 206b are removable in an axial direction 614, shown in FIG. 6, with respect to the shaft 202. The axial bearings 208 include a first axial bearing 208a and a second axial bearing 208b. The axial bearings 208 are configured to bear axial loads of the shaft 202, such as loads generally applied in the axial direction 614 parallel to the longitudinal axis 416 of the shaft 202. The shaft 202 has a thrust collar 210 located, in the axial direction 614, between the first axial bearing 208a and the second axial bearing 208b. The first axial bearing 208a and the second axial bearing 208b are removable in the radial direction 612, shown in FIG. 6, with respect to the shaft 202. Axial loads in a direction toward the turbine blades 104 are supported by the first axial bearing 208a, and axial loads in a direction toward the generator 204 are supported by the second axial bearing 208b. In many cases, the axial loads pushing the shaft toward the generator are the larger axial loads and, in some cases, the first axial bearing 208a may be omitted or designed for much lower loads.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 3A-3B, another bearing system 300 of thrust and axial bearings in a different arrangement is shown. The bearing system 300 as shown is part of a four-point suspension for the shaft 202, but the thrust bearing arrangement would equally work in a three-point suspension or any other number of points. The bearing system 300 includes the first axial bearing 208a, second axial bearing 208b, the first radial bearing 206a, and the second radial bearing 206b in order from left to right supporting the shaft 202. The first axial bearing 208a and the second axial bearing 208b are coupled together and positioned aboutAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1the thrust collar 210 to balance forward and reverse thrust on the shaft 202. The second axial bearing 208b is coupled to the radial bearing 206a on the opposite side from the first axial bearing 208a. The first axial bearing 208a and the second axial bearing 208b are removable in the radial direction 612, shown in FIG. 6, with respect to the shaft 202. The second radial bearing 206b is spaced apart from the first radial bearing 206a. In this implementation, the second axial bearing 208b and the radial bearings 206 are coupled together and described in detail herein as bearing system 400.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 4, the bearing system 400 includes a housing 402 positioned about the shaft 202 and a thrust bearing system 404 coupled to the housing 402. In the implementation shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the two axial thrust bearings 208a, 208b are coupled together. The housing 402 is mounted within housing 110 of the nacelle 102. The housing 402 has a carrier ring end plate 410 coupled to one side of a main body 412 of the housing 402 and another end plate 426 opposite the carrier ring end plate 410 on the other side of the main body 412. The thrust bearing system 404 is bolted to the carrier ring end plate 410. The thrust bearing system 404 is rotatable relative to the carrier ring end plate 410 when unbolted.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 4-8B, the thrust bearing system 404 includes a set of thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f and a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414. The thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f are held within the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 in contact with the shaft 202 through a film of fluid in use. The thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f react to axial loads applied by the shaft 202. The thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f are removed and replaced radially from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 which simplifies maintenance and allows replacement to be performed without complete disassembly of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 or other adjacent housing components. Each of the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f is separately removable from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 in a corresponding radial direction with respect to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 away from the shaft 202.

[0064] The thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 defines multiple cartridge mounting positions 418a-f to carry all of the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f. Each of the cartridge mounting positions 418a-f hold one of the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f. For example, cartridge mounting position 418a holds thrust bearing cartridge 502a. The cartridgeAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1mounting positions 418a-f hold and align the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f in a row about the shaft 202. In FIG. 4, cartridge mounting positions 418a, 418b, and 418f are shown. In FIG. 5, cartridge mounting positions 418a-f are shown. In FIG. 4, a window 420 has been cut into cartridge mounting position 418a to show the thrust bearing cartridge 502a.

[0065] The thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f are held in place in the cartridge mounting position 418a by cover plate 422a-f. A set of bolts 424 pass through each cover plate 422a-f and into threaded voids in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414. When viewed from the side a longitudinal axis of the shaft of the bolts 424 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 416 of the shaft 202. The bolts 424 are removed from the cover plates 422a-f radial in the outward direction away from the shaft 202 external to the bearing system 400. Removal of the cover plates 422a-f permits the operator to access the associated cartridge mounting position 418a-f to radial remove the associated thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f by pulling the associated thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f in the radial direction away from the shaft 202 from outside the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414. After the associated thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f has been removed, the operator can install another new replacement thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f at the desired cartridge mounting position 418a-f. The operator can then place the associated cover plate 422a-f on the desired cartridge mounting position 418a-f and install the bolts 424 to a threshold torque level, sealing the associated thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f within the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414. The cartridge mounting positions 418a-f and the associated cover plates 422a-f hold the respective thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f in contact with the thrust collar 210 of the shaft 202 through a fdm of fluid in use. A center plane of the each of the cover plates 422a-f is tangentially oriented relative to the radially extending surface of the thrust collar 210.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 5-10B, each thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f includes a cartridge housing 504, thrust bearing pads 506, and padstops 508 that mechanically couple the thrust bearing pads 506 to the cartridge housing 504. The thrust bearing pads 506 are mounted to a common side 702 of the cartridge housing 504 as shown in FIGS. 8A-9. The common side 702 can also be called the front side of the cartridge housing 504. The cartridge housing 504 thrust bearing pads are aligned in a common orientation to slide together along a radially extending surface of the thrust collar 210 as the shaft 202 rotates.Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1

[0067] Referring to FIG. 7, the cartridge housing 504 has a rear side 704. The rear side 704 is opposite the common side 702 (the front side). The rear side 704 faces the carrier ring end plate 410. The rear side 704 has at least one guide groove that engages with a corresponding groove on the carrier ring end plate 410 or an opposing body, such that the groove-guidance mechanism controls position of the cartridge housing 504 and prevents uncontrolled displacement of the thrust cartridge inward or outward in the radial direction during operation.

[0068] The cartridge housing 504 has a top surface 706. The top surface 706 is generally planar. The top surface 706 of the cartridge housing 504 contacts a bottom surface 708 of the cover plate 422a when the cartridge housing 504 is installed in at the cartridge mounting position 418a. The top surface 706 is a proximal end of the cartridge housing 504 when the operator is placing the cartridge 502a in the cartridge mounting position 418a.

[0069] The common side 702 (the front side) has an arcuate boss 710 positioned between an upper recessed portion 712 and a lower recessed portion 714. The thrust bearing pads 506 are positioned on the arcuate boss 710.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 9, the cartridge housing 504 has threaded voids 902 extending into the arcuate boss 710 and the body of the cartridge housing 504. The threaded voids 902 receive and couple a threaded end of the padstops 508.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 7-9, the cartridge housing 504 has a bottom side 716. The bottom side 716 is opposite the top surface 706. The bottom side 716 extends from the lower recessed portion 714. The bottom side 716 is a distal end of the cartridge housing 504 when the operator is placing the cartridge 502a in the cartridge mounting position 418a.

[0072] The cartridge housing 504 has a tongue 718 on the bottom side 716. The tongue 718 extends into an outward facing radially oriented channel 720 in the carrier ring end plate 410. The tongue 718 and the outward facing radially oriented channel 720 are a locating feature to properly position the thrust bearing pads 506 axially to engage the thrust collar 210. The tongue 718 and the outward facing radially oriented channel 720 lock the cartridge housing 504 in position. The cartridge housing 504 is held in the cartridge mounting position 418a by the cover plate 422a and the outward facing radially oriented channel 720 of the carrier ring end plate 410. The cartridge housing 504 has a loose key style fit with the cover plate 422a and the outward facing radially oriented channel 720 of the carrier ring end plateAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1410 so the thrust bearing cartridge 502a is held securely axially towards the thrust collar 210. The thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f sit on a front surface 722 of the carrier ring end plate 410 to ensure even loading of the thrust bearing pads 506 during operation. The thrust bearing cartridges 502a are held radially in their associated cartridge mounting positions 418a-f by the associated cover plates 422a-f by the bolts 424 compressing an o-ring 724 in an o-ring groove 726 in the cover plate 422a. The o-ring 724 seals for leakage from the bearing system 400 to the surrounding environment.

[0073] Each cartridge mounting position 418a-f has a void 728 extending therethrough. The void 728 is sized to pass the associated thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f into the cartridge mounting ring 414.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 9, the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 has pair of slots 802 at each cartridge mounting position 418a-f. The slots 802 extend into the body of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 to receive and couple with the associated cartridge housing 504.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 8A-9, the cartridge housing 504 has a pair of wings 804. The wings 804 extend from opposite lateral ends of the cartridge housing 504. The wings 804 are sized to fit within and engage the slots 802. The slots 802 allow the cartridge 502a a small degree of axial freedom to facilitate assembly and eliminate any tolerance stack-up that may hinder the assembly.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 8A, the cartridge housing 504 has threaded voids 806 on the top surface 706. The threaded voids 806 extend into the cartridge housing 504. Other fasteners such as a ring bolt or other extraction mechanism can be engaged into the threaded voids 806 to aid the operator in removal of the cartridge housing 504 from the cartridge mounting position 418a. Thus, the top surface 706 (the proximal end) of the cartridge housing 504 and the outward facing radially oriented channel 720 of the carrier ring end plate 410, the distal end 716 of the cartridge housing 504 and the cover plate 422a, and the wings 804 of the cartridge housing 504 and the pair of slots 802 of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 form the loose key style fit holding the thrust bearing cartridge 502a secure radial towards the longitudinal axis 416 of the shaft 202 and positioned to engage the radially extending surface of the thrust collar 210 through the film of fluid when the shaft 202 rotates.Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1

[0077] The cartridge housing 504 has an outer diameter edge 904. The outer diameter edge 904 limits thrust bearing pad 506 radial movement in the outward direction.

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 5-8B and 10A-B, the thrust bearing pads 506 react to axial loads applied by the thrust collar 210 of the shaft 202. The thrust bearing pads 506 prevent axial movement of the shaft 202. The thrust bearing pads 506 are pre-mounted on the cartridge housing 504 before the cartridge 502a is radially inserted into the cartridge mounting ring 414 at the associated cartridge mounting position 418a-f. The cartridge mounting positions 418a-f, the associated cover plates 422a-f, along with the tongue 718 of the cartridge housing 504 and the outward facing radially oriented channel 720 if the carrier ring end plate 410 hold the respective thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f in contact with the thrust collar 210 of the shaft 202.

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 10A-10B, each thrust bearing pad 506 has a slide bearing surface 1002, shown in FIG. 10A, and a rear surface 1004, shown in FIG. 10B. The slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 of all the thrust bearing pads 506 are aligned in a common orientation to slide together along a radially extending surface of the thrust collar 210. The slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 are positioned to engage the radially extending surface thrust collar 210 by the cartridge mounting positions 418a-f and the associated cover plates 422a-f and the and the wings 804 of the cartridge housing 504 and the pair of slots 802 of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 hold the respective thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f in contact with the thrust collar 210 of the shaft 202. The slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 of all the thrust bearing pads 506 are aligned in a common orientation to slide together along the thrust collar 210.

[0080] The thrust bearing pads 506 are tiltably mounted to the common side 702 of the cartridge housing 504. The thrust bearing pad 506 has a pivot boss 1006 on the rear surface 1004. The pivot boss 1006 contacts the arcuate boss 710 of the cartridge housing 504. The pivot boss 1006 spaces the remainder of the rear surface 1004. The pivot boss 1006 allows the thrust bearing pads 506 to pivot or tilt relative to the arcuate boss 710 of the cartridge housing 504. The upper recessed portion 712 and lower recessed portion 714 of the cartridge housing 504 provide space for the thrust bearing pads 506 to tilt in the radial direction.

[0081] The pivot boss 1006 extends from the rear surface 1004 to a height above the rear surface 1004. In this implementation, the pivot boss 1006 is stadium-shaped constructedAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1from a rectangle with semi -circulars at the lateral ends of the rectangle. The sides of the pivot boss 1006 are angled outward from the top of the pivot boss 1006 to reach the pivot boss 1006. In other implementations, the pivot boss 1006 can have any other suitable shape or height. The longitudinal axis of the pivot boss 1006 is in the radial direction. The longitudinal axis of the pivot boss 1006 is aligned with the center of the thrust bearing pads 506. The pivot boss 1006 is an offset pivot. In other implementations, the pivot boss 1006 can have any other suitable shape or alignment to allow for center pivoting. The desired direction and amount of pivot (tiltability) can change based on load requirements and direction of rotation.

[0082] The thrust bearing pad 506 has a side surfaces 1008. The thrust bearing pads 506 has a pair of scalloped channels 1010 on opposite side surfaces 1008. Each of the scalloped channels 1010 are sized to receive and partially engage a top disc 810 of one padstop 508. When the padstops 508 are threaded into the threaded voids 902 on the cartridge housing 504, the padstops 508 engage the scalloped channels 1010 and capture the thrust bearing pads 506 on the arcuate boss 710. The thrust bearing pads 506 are captured on the common side 702 of the cartridge housing 504 by the padstops 508. The top disc 810 of each padstop 508 engage to one scalloped channel 1010 of the pair of scalloped channels 1010 to limit axial and radial movement of the associated thrust bearing pads 506 as the associated thrust bearing pad 506 articulates about the pivot boss 1006 during operation. As shown in FIGS.8A-8B, the two outermost padstops 508 are engaged to a single scalloped channel and the two innermost padstops 508 are engaged to two scalloped channels 1010 of adjacent thrust bearing pads 506. The top discs 810 are spaced apart from the arcuate boss 710 to engage the scalloped channels 1010. The top discs 810 limit the axially and radially movement of the thrust bearing pads 506. The thrust bearing pads 506 have limited movement, but the thrust bearing pads 506 are still free to tilt in a manor to allow an oil wedge to be formed without locking-up or binding. The padstops 508 are assembled using a hex key or slot head feature in the top disc 810. An anti -vibration and anti-loosening thread such as a liquid fastener or plastic insert can be fitted in the threaded voids 902 to lock the padstops 508 in the threaded voids 902 of the cartridge housing 504.

[0083] Each thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f includes at least one thrust bearing pads 506. In this embodiment, each thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f includes three thrust bearing padsAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1506. The thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f can include any suitable number of thrust bearing pads 506 based on the diameter of the shaft 202.

[0084] In other embodiments, the thrust bearing pads 506 can have a fixed profile such as a non-tilting type with a bump face or a taper land bearing. When the thrust bearing pads 506 have a fixed profile, padstops 508 may not be required and the thrust bearing pads 506 may be bolted, pinned, or keyed into place or even incorporated into part of the cartridge housing 504.

[0085] Turning to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 and referring to FIGS.4- 8B, the cartridge mounting ring 414 is rotatably mounted to the housing 402 about the rotating shaft 202 and releasably secured to the housing 402. The cartridge mounting ring 414 is secured in a rotational position with respect to the rotating shaft 202 and releasable for rotation to multiple other selected positions so each of the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f may be easily removed and replaced at a desired angular position. In this embodiment, the desired angular position is 0° or top dead center. In other embodiments, any suitable angular position may be used, for example, to facilitate access by a worker. The thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 is releasable for rotation to position a selected one of the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f to the desired angular position for radial removal. In this embodiment, the cartridge mounting ring 414 is rotated 60° between so the selected one of the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f is positioned at the top dead center position for radial removal.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 6-7, the carrier ring end plate 410 has a channel 602 to receive a flange 604 of the cartridge mounting ring 414. The bearing system 400 includes a set of baring brackets 606 which engage an inward portion 608 of the flange 604. The set of barring brackets 606 are explained in reference to FIGS. 11 A-B. The bearing system 400 includes a set of bolts 610 coupling each of the barring brackets 606 to the carrier ring end plate 410. The channel 602 and the brackets 606 capture the flange 604 of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 and allow the flange 604 of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 to slide within the channel 602 as the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 is rotated. The channel 602 has a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface. The barring brackets 606 sandwich the flange 604 of the cartridge mounting ring 414 but still allow rotation of the cartridge mounting ring 414 by the operator.Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 8A-8B, the bearing system 400 includes two features to prevent rotation of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 during normal operation of the wind turbine. First, the bearing system 400 includes a set of bolts 510. Second, the bearing system 400 includes an externally removable anti-rotation pin 512 that extends through an anti-rotation channel 514 to couple with one void of a set of voids 516 in the carrier ring end plate 410.

[0088] The bolts 510 extend longitudinally to pass through a portion of the cartridge mounting ring 414 and into the carrier ring end plate 410. The set of bolts 510 prevent axial movement and rotation of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 relative to the carrier ring end plate 410. When the set of bolts 510 are removed and the externally removable anti -rotation pin 512 is removed, the operator may rotate the cartridge mounting ring 414 to the desired angular position. The set of bolts 510 are removed and replaced longitudinally in the direction of the longitudinal axis 416 from the cartridge mounting ring 414 and the carrier ring end plate 410 thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface of the carrier ring end plate 410.

[0089] In FIG. 5, only one void 516 of the set of voids 516 is shown. The externally removable anti-rotation pin 512 is engaged to the anti-rotation channel 514 and the one shown void 516. The remaining voids 516 are positioned on the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface of the carrier ring end plate 410 at every 60° so the operator can fix the cartridge mounting ring 414 at the desired angular position to remove the selected one of the thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f and install a replacement thrust bearing cartridge 502. The set of voids 516 extend longitudinally into the carrier ring end plate 410 from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface of the carrier ring end plate 410.

[0090] The externally removable anti-rotation pin 512 is a hollow cylinder. The externally removable anti-rotation pin 512 includes a bolt 518 that passes through the hollow cylinder into the set of voids 516 to capture the externally removable anti-rotation pin 512 in the anti -rotation channel 514.

[0091] The anti-rotation channel 514 includes a first portion 520 and a second portion 522. The first portion 520 is wider than the second portion 522. The first portion 520 provides space for the operator to insert a tool such as a hex wrench into the bolt 518 to engage and disengage the externally removable anti -rotation pin 512 from the second portionAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1522 of the anti-rotation channel 514 and the selected void 516. When a distal portion of the externally removable anti-rotation pin 512 is installed in the selected void 516 and a proximal portion of the externally removable anti-rotation pin 512 in the second portion 522 of the anti-rotation channel 514, rotation of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 is prevented. The thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 can be rotated in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction as desired by the operator. The operator can rotate the cartridge mounting ring 414 relative to the carrier ring end plate 410 to any one of the desired angular positions to radially remove the selected thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f.

[0092] Referring to FIGS. 6-8B, returning to the barring brackets 606, the barring brackets 606 hold the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 in the channel 602.Rotation of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414. The bolts 610 extend longitudinally through the barring brackets 606 and into the carrier ring end plate 410 to secure the barring brackets 606 to the carrier ring end plate 410. The barring brackets 606 limit longitudinal movement of the flange 604 of the thrust bearing system 404 in the channel 602. The barring brackets 606 hold the flange 604 of the cartridge mounting ring 414 in the channel 602 while still allowing rotation of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 in the channel 602 by the user. The flange 604 of the cartridge mounting ring 414 can slide relative to the channel 602 and the barring brackets 606 when the externally removable antirotation pin 512 and the bolts 510 have been removed from the carrier ring end plate 410 and the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414.

[0093] In this embodiment, the bearing system 400 has six barring brackets 606. Each of the barring brackets 606 are positioned at one of the cartridge mounting position 418a-f The barring brackets 606 are accessible to the operator when the operator removes the associated cover plate 422a-f covering the associated void 728 and then removes the associated thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f from the void 728 at the associated cartridge mounting position 418a-f.

[0094] Referring to FIGS 7 and 11A-1 IB, the barring brackets 606 as a cartridge housing facing side 1102 shown in FIG. 11 A and a carrier ring end plate facing side 1104 shown in FIG. 1 IB. The carrier ring end plate facing side 1104 is opposite the cartridge housing facing side 1102. The cartridge housing facing side 1102 has first face 1106 and second face 1108. The second face 1108 is angled inward relative to the first face 1106. The second faceAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO11108 is angled to ensure a top surface 1114 of barring bracket 606 or the second face 1108 does not interfere with insertion of the thrust bearing cartridge 502a.

[0095] The barring brackets 606 has voids 1110 extending from the cartridge housing facing side 1102 to the carrier ring end plate facing side 1104. The voids 1110 are stepped to engage a head of the bolts 610. The voids 1110 receive the bolts 610 and pass the shaft of the bolts 610 into the carrier ring end plate 410.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 5, the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 has a first half portion 522a and a second half portion 522b that mate together to form the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414. The first half portion 522a and the second half portion 522b are separable to allow removal of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 from about the shaft 202.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 1 IB, the barring brackets 606 has a lip 730. The lip 730 captures the inward portion 608 of the flange 604 to retain the flange 604 within the channel 602. Referring to FIG. 1 IB, outer regions 1112 are angled inward. The outer regions 1112 provide a ramped surface to facilitate rotation of either the first half portion 522a or the second half portion 522b within the channel 602 when the other second half portion 522b has been removed. This can reduce or prevent the leading edge of the first half portion 522a or the second half portion 522b from engaging or fouling on the barring brackets 606 as the first half portion 522a or the second half portion 522b is rotated in the channel 602.

[0098] Referring to FIGS. 4-8B, the operator can remove the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 from about the shaft 202. To remove the first half portion 522a and the second half portion 522b, the operator first longitudinally removes all the bolts 510 fixing the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 in place relative to the carrier ring end plate 410. The operator next removes the cover plate 422a by radially removing the bolts 424 securing the cover plate 422a to the cartridge mounting position 418a. The operator can now access the thrust bearing cartridge 502a. The operator radially removes the thrust bearing cartridge 502a from the cartridge mounting position 418a through the void 728.

[0099] The operator removes and installs the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f without displacing the shaft 202 or the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 axially with respect to the shaft 202. When the operator desires to replace the original thrust bearing cartridge 502a, the operator can install a new replacement thrust bearing cartridge 502a by radiallyAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1inserting the replacement thrust bearing cartridge 502a inward toward the longitudinal axis 416 through the void 728 at the cartridge mounting position 418a. The operator can then reinstall the cover plate 422a by placing the bottom surface 708 of the cartridge mounting position 418a on the cartridge mounting position 418a and radially inserting the bolts 424 through the cover plate 422a and tightening the bolts 424 to compress the o-ring 724 in the o-ring groove 726 and securing the cover plate 422a to the cartridge mounting position 418a. The cartridge 502a is held in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 by the slots 802, the cover plate 422a, and the outward facing radially oriented channel 720.

[0100] When the operator desires to remove and replace another or all the thrust bearing cartridges 502b-f, the operator then removes the externally removable anti-rotation pin 512 longitudinally from the void 516. The operator then rotates the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 in the channel 602 to the selected angular position so the selected thrust bearing cartridge 502a is at the top dead center position. The operator inserts the externally removable anti-rotation pin 512 into the channel and the selected void 516, locking the cartridge mounting ring 414 in position for the removal of the selected thrust bearing cartridge 502.

[0101] When the operator desires to completely disassembly the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414, the operator removes all of the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f as previously described. The operator rotates the cartridge mounting ring 414 so cartridge mounting position 418a is at the top dead center position. This positions the first half portion 522a as the upper portion and the second half portion 522b as the lower portion. The plane between the first half portion 522a and the second half portion 522b is horizontal. The operator then removes the externally removable anti-rotation pin 512 after the all the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f have been removed.

[0102] The operator then removes the barring brackets 606 which are capturing the flange 604 of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 in the channel 602. The operator accesses the associated bolts 610 through the void 728 at the associated cartridge mounting position 418a-f. The operator removes the bolts 610 longitudinally. The operator then removes the bolts 610 and the barring bracket 606 through the void 728. The operator removes the top three barring brackets through the respective cartridge mounting position 418a, 418b, and 418f The first half portion 522a (the upper portion) of the cartridgeAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1mounting ring 414 is now longitudinally unrestrained in the direction away from the carrier ring end plate 410 the operator can pull the first half portion 522a longitudinally away from the carrier ring end plate 410 towards the thrust collar 210, moving the flange 604 longitudinally out of the channel 602. The operator then raises the first half portion 522a away from the second half portion 522b, separating the first half portion 522a of the cartridge mounting ring 414 from the second half portion 522b and the carrier ring end plate 410.

[0103] The operator then rotates the second half portion 522b 180° so the cartridge mounting position 418d is at the top dead center position. Next, the operator removes the three barring brackets securing the second half portion 522b to the carrier ring end plate 410. through the respective cartridge mounting position 418c, 418d, and 418e. The second half portion 522b of the cartridge mounting ring 414 is now longitudinally unrestrained in the direction away from the carrier ring end plate 410 the operator can pull the second half portion 522b longitudinally away from the carrier ring end plate 410 towards the thrust collar 210, moving the flange 604 longitudinally out of the channel 602. The operator then raises the second half portion 522b from the shaft 202, removing the second half portion 522b from the carrier ring end plate 410. This completes dismantling and removal of the thrust bearing assembly. The thrust bearing assembly can be reinstalled by performing this process in reverse.

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 4-1 IB, the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f are removable in the radial direction 612 and the radial bearings 206a, 206c are removable in the axial direction 614. The main body 412 of the housing 402 serves as the foundational component for thrust bearing system 404 and the radial bearing 206a, 206c. The thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f and the radial bearings 206a, 206c are both releasably mounted to the housing 204 and disposed adjacent one another. The main body 412 of the housing 402 serves as a reaction housing responsive to the shaft 202 imparting forces on the thrust bearing system 404 and the radial bearing 206a, 206c. The thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f are removable from the thrust bearing system 404 in the radial direction 612 with respect to the shaft 202 as described in reference to FIGS. 4-1 IB. Referring to FIGS 4 and 6, the radial bearing 206a, 206c are removable from the housing 402 in the axial direction 614. Although only two radial bearings 206a, 206c are shown since FIG. 6 is a cross-section view, theAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1bearing system 400 can include any suitable number of radial bearings disposed within the main body 412.

[0105] The thrust bearing system 404 is mounted on one side of the main body 412 and the end plate 426 is mounted on the other side of the main body 412 opposite the thrust bearing system 404. The carrier ring end plate 410 and the end plate 426 are fastened to the main body 412 by elongated fasteners such as bolts 616. The longitudinal axes of the bolts 616 are generally parallel with the axial direction 614. The bolts 616 are removed from the main body 412, the carrier ring end plate 410, and the end plate 426 in the axial direction 614. The main body 412, the carrier ring end plate 410, and the end plate 426 position and retain the radial bearings 206a, 206c within the housing 402.

[0106] The radial bearings are described in reference to radial bearing 206a. The radial bearing 206a is a radial bearing cartridge that is positioned within the housing 402. The radial bearing 206a is held in place within the housing 402 by the main body 412, the carrier ring end plate 410, and the end plate 426. The radial bearings 206a are held in place to contact the shaft 202 by the main body 412, the carrier ring end plate 410, and the end plate 426.

[0107] The radial bearings 206a includes a radial cartridge housing 618, a ball 620, and a radial bearing pad 622. The radial bearing pad 622 is mounted to the radial cartridge housing 618 and the ball 620.

[0108] The radial bearing pad 622 has a slide radial bearing surface 626. The slide radial bearing surface 626 slides along the cylindrical surface 628 of the shaft 202 when the shaft 202 is rotated.

[0109] The thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f and the radial bearings 206a, 206c are disposed within the housing 402 adjacent one another. The slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 of the thrust bearing pads 506 are oriented toward the radially extending surface of the thrust collar 210. The slide thrust bearing surface 1002 and the slide radial bearing surface 626 are separated by a distance 630 that is less than an axial width 632 of the slide radial bearing surface 626, as measured along the axis of rotation 416 of the shaft 202.

[0110] Referring to FIGS. 6, 8A-10B, and 12, the bearing system 400 includes a lubrication distribution system 1200 that supplies lubrication to the thrust bearing pads 506. The lubrication forms a fluid film between the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 of the thrustAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1bearing pads 506 and the radially extending surface of the thrust collar 210 in use to reduce friction and increase life of the thrust bearing pads 506 and the thrust collar 210. The lubrication distribution system 1200 extends from the carrier ring end plate 410, through the carrier ring end plate 410 to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414, through the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 to the cartridge housing 504, through the cartridge housing 504 to the thrust bearing pads 506, and finally through the thrust bearing pads 506 to the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 to form a film of lubrication between the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 and the radially extending surface of the thrust collar 210 in use.

[0111] The lubrication can be an oil. The lubrication distribution system 1200 receives lubrication from an external lubrication source that stores, filters, and transports the oil.

[0112] Referring to FIGS. 12-13, the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 is mounted on the carrier ring end plate 410. The carrier ring end plate 410 has a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface 1202 and an inner surface 1204. The inner surface 1204 is opposite the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface 1202. The inner surface 1204 couples to the housing 402. The remainder of the housing 402 has been removed to show the lubrication distribution system 1200.

[0113] The lubrication distribution system 1200 includes fittings coupled to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface 1202. The fittings receive lubrication from the lubrication source and provide the lubrication to the carrier ring end plate 410.

[0114] The carrier ring end plate 410 has a lubrication distribution channel 1206, inlet ports 1208, and outlet ports 1210 to conduct the lubrication through the carrier ring end plate 410 and deliver the lubrication to the cartridge mounting ring 414. The inlet ports 1208, the lubrication distribution channel 1206, and the outlet ports 1210 are fluidly connected.

[0115] The fittings are coupled to the inlet ports 1208 on the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface 1202. The inlet ports 1208 extend from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface 1202 to the inner surface 1204 to conduct the lubrication from the lubrication source to the lubrication distribution channel 1206.

[0116] The lubrication distribution channel 1206 extends in an entire circle across the inner surface 1204. The lubrication distribution channel 1206 includes outward oriented fingers 1212 and inward oriented fingers 1214 that extend from a center channel 1216. The center channel 1216 is circular. The outward oriented fingers 1212 receive the lubricationAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1from the inlet ports 1208 and conduct the lubrication to the center channel 1216. The outward oriented fingers 1212 conduct the lubrication inward in the radial direction toward the longitudinal axis 416. The center channel 1216 distributes the lubrication from all the inlet ports 1208 to all the outlet ports 1210. The inward oriented fingers 1214 conduct the lubrication from the center channel 1216 to the outlet ports 1210. The outlet ports 1210 receive the lubrication inward oriented fingers 1214. The inward oriented fingers 1214 conduct the lubrication inward in the radial direction toward the longitudinal axis 416 from the center channel 1216 to the outlet ports 1210. The outlet ports 1210 extend from the inner surface 1204 to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface 1202. The outlet ports 1210 conduct the lubrication from the inner surface 1204 to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface 1202. This arrangement alters the radial position of the lubrication in an inward direction toward the longitudinal axis 416 to supply to the cartridge mounting ring 414.

[0117] In this embodiment, the lubricant distribution system 1200 feeds into the carrier ring end plate 410 so disassembly of the fittings and hoses are not required to rotate the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 or remove the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f. In other embodiments, the fittings can be coupled directly to one or both of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 or the cover plates 422a-f to supply lubrication to the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f In some embodiments, the lubrication distribution system 1200 can include an adapter coupled to one or more of the cover plates 422a-f to conduct lubrication from the lubrication source directly into the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f. The adapter can be threaded or fastened with fasteners such as bolts to the associated cover plates 422a-f. The adapter can hold an articulatable coupler (i.e., dolley) that extends from the adapter into the top surface 706 of the cartridge housing 504.

[0118] Referring to FIGS. 13-15, the cartridge mounting ring 414 receives the lubrication from the carrier ring end plate 410 and conducts the lubrication to the cartridge housings 504 at each of the cartridge mounting position 418a-f. The cartridge mounting ring 414 has multiple mounting ring lubrication conduits 1302. Each mounting ring lubrication conduit 1302 is fluidly coupled to one outlet port 1210 of the carrier ring end plate 410. The mounting ring lubrication conduits 1302 extend into the slots 802. Each multiple mounting ring lubrication conduits 1302 extends to one slot 802 of associated cartridge mountingAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1position 418a-f to supply lubrication to both sides of the cartridge housing 504 through the wings 804.

[0119] Referring to FIGS. 14, 15, and 18, each multiple mounting ring lubrication conduits 1302 includes a first portion 1402 of a void 1414 sized to accept an articulatable coupler 1404. The articulatable coupler 1404 can be referred to as a dolley. The articulatable coupler 1404 is shown and explained in reference to FIG. 18. The articulatable coupler 1404 can articulate within the first portion 1402 of the void 1414 as the cartridge housing 504 moves slightly. Fluidly connecting the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 to the cartridge housing 504 using the articulatable coupler 1404 maintains continuity of lubrication flow between moving parts.

[0120] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 16, the cartridge housing 504 includes a second portion 1406 of the void 1414 sized to accept the articulatable coupler 1404, a cartridge housing main lubrication conduit 1408, and one or more cartridge housing branch lubrication conduits 1410. The articulatable coupler 1404 can articulate within the second portion 1406 of the void 1414 as the cartridge housing 504 moves slightly within the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414. The cartridge housing main lubrication conduit 1408 extends between the wings 804. The cartridge housing main lubrication conduit 1408 fluidly couples the second portions 1406 of the void 1414 in the wings 804. The cartridge housing main lubrication conduit 1408 provides the lubrication to the cartridge housing branch lubrication conduits 1410. The one or more cartridge housing branch lubrication conduits 1410 supply the lubrication to each of the thrust bearing pads 506. The cartridge housing main lubrication conduit 1408 and the one or more cartridge housing branch lubrication conduits 1410 are formed by a drilling operation, and then blocked with plugs 1412 to direct the flow of lubrication through the cartridge housing 504.

[0121] Referring to FIGS. 16-17, the cartridge housing 504 includes a first portion 1602 of another void 1604 sized to accept another articulatable coupler 1606. The articulatable coupler 1606 can articulate within the first portion 1602 of the void 1604 of the cartridge housing 504 as the cartridge housing 504 and the thrust bearing pads 506 move or tilt slightly relative to each other responsive to a force applied to the thrust bearing pads 506 from the thrust collar 210. The cartridge housing 504 includes at least one cartridge housing branch lubrication conduit 1410 for each thrust bearing pad 506. In this implementation, eachAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1cartridge housing 504 has three articulatable couplers 1606, with each articulatable coupler 1606 connected one of the three thrust bearing pads 506 mounted on the common side 702 of the cartridge housing 504.

[0122] Referring to FIGS. 10A-10B and 16-17, the thrust bearing pads 506 receive lubrication from the cartridge housing 504 through the articulatable couplers 1606 and conduct the lubrication to the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 of the respective thrust bearing pad 506. Each thrust bearing pad 506 has a second portion 1014, shown in FIGS. 10B and 16-17, of the void 1604 sized to accept the other end of the articulatable coupler 1606. The articulatable coupler 1606 can articulate within the second portion 1014 of the void 1604 as the thrust bearing pads 506 move or tilt slightly relative to the cartridge housing 504. The voids 1414 and voids 1604 can be referred to as apertures.

[0123] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 16-17, the thrust bearing pad 506 has a pad lubrication conduit 1016 in hydraulic communication with the void 1604 and a leading-edge groove 1012 of the thrust bearing pad 506. The pad lubrication conduit 1016 extends from the second portion 1014 of the void 1604 to the leading-edge groove 1012. The leading-edge groove 1012 is a lubrication distribution channel. The leading-edge groove 1012 extends across the slide bearing surface 1002 and dispenses the lubrication over a wider area of the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002. In use, the lubrication spreads across the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 creating a thin fdm or wedge between the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 and the radially extending surface of the thrust collar 210. The diameters of all lubrication conduits sized to ensure the appropriate amount of lubrication reaches to the leading-edge groove 1012 without restricting the lubrication supply covering the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 18, the articulatable coupler 1606 extends between components provides a movable flow path between components as the components more relative to one another. The articulatable coupler 1606 articulates within the components as the components move. The articulatable coupler 1606 has a first end 1802 and a second end 1804. The second end 1804 is opposite the first end 1802. The articulatable coupler 1606 has a tube 1806 defining avoid 1808 and two spheres 1810.

[0125] The void 1808 extends from the first end 1802 to the second end 1804. The void 1808 conducts the lubrication from the first end 1802 to the second end 1804. The void 1808Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1is sized to allow for lubrication supply and the diameter of the void 1808 is selected to ensure the correct amount of lubrication is fed to the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 without throttling the lubrication supply.

[0126] The one of the two spheres 1810 is positioned at the first end 1802 and the other sphere 1810 is positioned at the second end 1804. The spheres 1810 contact the side surfaces of the voids 1414 and voids 1604. The spheres 1810 allow the articulatable coupler 1606 to move as the components move as lubrication is fed between components without restricting the fed components required freedom of movement.

[0127] The two spheres 1810 each have a groove 1812 sized to accept an o-ring 1814. The groove 1812 is positioned about the circumference of the two spheres 1810 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the void 1808. The o-ring 1814 prevent oil leakage out of the respective first portion 1602 and second portion 1014 or first portion 1402 and second portion 1406 as the articulatable coupler 1606 articulates.

[0128] In some implementations, a portion of the void 1808 can be tapped with a thread 1816 at one or both ends to allow an orifice to be fitted to the articulatable coupler 1606. The orifice can control the flow of lubrication through the articulatable coupler 1606.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 19, the cartridge housing main lubrication conduit 1408 of one of the cartridge housings 504 can receive lubrication via the cartridge housing main lubrication conduit 1408 of an adjacent one of the cartridge housings 504. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 includes a cross-connecting lubrication conduit 1902 fluidly connecting adjacent cartridge housing main lubrication conduits 1408. The cross-connecting lubrication conduit 1902 extends between the adjacent first portions 1402 of the voids 1414 at cartridge mounting positions 418c and 418d.

[0130] Referring to FIGS. 20-21, the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414 can include one or more axial actuator mechanisms 2002. As shown in FIG. 21, each axial actuator mechanism 2002 is operable between a disengaged position 2004 and an engaged position. When the axial actuator mechanisms 2002 are in the disengaged position 2004, the axial actuator mechanisms 2002 are spaced apart from the outwardly radially extending surface 2008 of the thrust collar 210. When the axial actuator mechanisms 2002 are in the engaged position 2006, the axial actuator mechanisms 2002 are extended longitudinally to axially engage the outwardly radially extending surface 2008 of the thrust collar 210, thusAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1longitudinally displacing the shaft 202 in the direction of arrow 2010 with respect to the thrust bearing pads. When the axial actuator mechanisms 2002 longitudinally displace the shaft 202 in the direction of arrow 2010, the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 of the thrust bearing pads 506 are moved out of contact with the outwardly radially extending surface 2008, facilitating outwardly radially removal of the thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f. In a similar manner, when a new or replacement thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f is being installed, the axial actuator mechanisms 2002 can longitudinally displace the shaft 202 in the direction of arrow 2010 to facilitate installation of the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f without dragging the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002 of the thrust bearing pads 506 across the outwardly radially extending surface 2008 of the thrust collar 210. This can reduce premature damage such as radial gouging on the slide thrust bearing surfaces 1002. The actuator mechanisms can move the shaft in some instances, or move the thrust cartridge mounting ring in the direction opposite of arrow 2010, in either case creating a gap between the thrust bearing pads and the thrust collar.

[0131] Referring to FIG. 20, the axial actuator mechanisms 2002 are mounted on an inner radially extending surface 2012 of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring 414. The axial actuator mechanisms 2002 are each positioned between a respective pair of adjacent thrust bearing cartridges 506a-f. In this embodiment, the bearing system 400 includes five axial actuator mechanisms 2002 interspersed between six thrust bearing cartridges, but another example has four actuator mechanisms disposed as one pair on either side of a top thrust bearing cartridge, and another pair on either side of a bottom thrust bearing cartridge, in other words, the five axial actuator mechanisms 2002 are arranged with two axial actuators 2002 positioned adjacent to the thrust bearing cartridge 502a at the top dead center position and two axial actuator mechanisms 2002 at the bottom dead center position. The axial actuator mechanisms 2002 are aligned in a common orientation along the inner radially extending surface 2012 of the cartridge mounting ring 414 to extend longitudinally to axially engage the outwardly radially extending surface 2008 of the thrust collar 210 and open an axial gap between the thrust collar and the thrust bearing pads 506a-f.

[0132] The axial actuator mechanism 2002 includes an actuator 2014 and a pad 2016. The pad 2016 is mounted on the actuator 2014. The actuator 2014 is mounted to the inner radially extending surface 2012 of the cartridge mounting ring 414. The actuator 2014Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1moves the pad 2016 between the disengaged position 2004 and the engaged position 2006 to displace the thrust collar 210 and facilitate radial remove and installation of the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f. The actuator 2014 can include one or more hydraulic or pneumatic pistons, mechanical gear assemblies, or electric motors. Actuator mechanisms 2002 can be activated individually, such as by activating those on either side of a given thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f to be removed and replaced, or can be activated simultaneously, such as by energizing a hydraulic circuit interconnecting all of the actuator mechanisms 2002. The actuator mechanisms 2002 can remain activated until the replacement thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f is inserted. The actuator mechanism pads 2016 are never intended to contact the thrust collar 210 during operation, or to bear axial load during rotation of the shaft 202.

[0133] In some embodiments, the axial actuator mechanisms 2002 can be mounted on cartridge housings 504a-f. In other embodiments, the one or more axial actuator mechanisms 2002 can be mounted on the carrier ring end plate 410 or other locations on the housing 402.

[0134] In some embodiments, the thrust bearing system can be used with a direct drive train of a wind turbine. Direct drive trains eliminate the use of a gear box. In a direct drive train, the rotor of generator 204 is coupled to the hub 106 which is rotated wind moving across the turbine blades 104. The rotor of the generator 204 rotates at the same speed as the hub 106. The shaft 202 is stationary. In a direct drive system, the thrust turbine cartridges 502a-f rotate with the hub 106. The thrust bearing cartridge 502a-f is mounted onto the hub 106 (the rotating structure) with fasteners such as bolts, allowing for secure fixation while maintaining the flexibility to rotate for removal as previously described.

[0135] In some embodiments, the thrust bearing cartridge assembly described herein can also be mounted on the shaft 202. For example, the thrust bearing cartridges 502a-f can be mounted to the thrust collar 210 and face a stationary reaction ring mounted in the housing 402.

[0136] The bearing system 400 described here may be used in any suitable application involving a rotating shaft or replace any other thrust bearing with the thrust bearing system 404 described herein. In some applications, the thrust bearing system 404 can be used with any suitable turbine. For example, the thrust bearing system 404 can be integrated into a tidal turbine that says submerged in the ocean or other body of water.Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1

[0137] In some embodiments, the thrust bearing system can be used with an integrated drive train of a wind turbine. In an integrated drive train, the shaft is coupled to a single stage gearbox and the rotor of the generator is turned by the single stage gearbox.

[0138] While a number of examples have been described for illustration purposes, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. There are and will be other examples and modifications within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A thrust bearing system (400) for reacting axial loads applied to a rotating shaft (202), the thrust bearing system (400) comprising:a set of thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f), each thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) having a cartridge housing (504) and multiple thrust bearing pads (506) mounted to a common side (702) of the cartridge housing (504), each thrust bearing pad (506) having a thrust slide bearing surface (1002), the slide thrust bearing surfaces (1002) of all the thrust bearing pads (506) aligned in a common orientation to slide together along a radially extending surface (2008) of the rotating shaft (202); anda thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) defining cartridge mounting positions (418a-418f) to carry all of the thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f) of the set in a row about the rotating shaft (202), with all of the slide thrust bearing surfaces (1002) of the thrust bearing pads (506) positioned to engage the radially extending surface (2008) of the rotating shaft (202) through a film of fluid in use;wherein each of the thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f) is separately removable from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) in a corresponding radial direction (612) with respect to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414);wherein the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) is rotatably mounted to a housing (402) about the rotating shaft (202) and releasably secured in a rotational position with respect to the rotating shaft (202), such that the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) is releasable for rotation to position a selected one of the thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f) of the set in a desired angular position for radial removal.

2. The thrust bearing system (400) according to claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft is a rotating shaft of a wind turbine.

3. The thrust bearing system (400) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cartridge housing (504) and the multiple thrust bearing pads (506) are tiltably mounted to a common side (702) of the cartridge housing (504), each thrust bearing pad (506) having a slide thrust bearing surface (1002), the slide thrust bearing surfaces (1002) of all the thrust bearing pads (506) aligned in a common orientation to slide together along a radially extending surface (2008) of the rotating shaft (202).Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO14. The thrust bearing system (400) according to any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein a proximal end of the cartridge housing (504) is planar and a distal end of the cartridge housing (504) is arcuate, the proximal end engaged to a cover plate (422a-422f) and the distal end locked in an outward facing radially oriented channel (720) of the housing (402) to hold the thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) in the associated cartridge mounting position (418a-418f).

5. The thrust bearing system (400) according to claim 4, wherein each of the cartridge mounting positions (418a-418f) comprise a pair of slots (802) extending into the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414), and each of the cartridge housings (504) comprises wings (804) extending from opposite sides of the cartridge housing (504), the wings (804) sized to fit within the slots (802).

6. The thrust bearing system (400) according to claim 5, wherein the proximal end of the cartridge housing (504) and the outward facing radially oriented channel (720) of the housing (402), the distal end of the cartridge housing (504) and the cover plate (422a-422f), and the wings (804) of the cartridge housing (504) and the pair of slots (802) of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) form a loose key sty le fit holding the associated thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) secure radially towards a longitudinal axis (416) of the rotating shaft (202) and positioned to engage the radially extending surface (2008) of the rotating shaft (202) through the film of fluid in use.

7. The thrust bearing system (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the multiple thrust bearing pads (506) are captured on the common side (702) of the cartridge housing (504) by padstops (508), each thrust bearing pad (506) comprising a pair of scalloped channels (1010) on opposite sides of the each thrust bearing pad (506), atop disc (810) of each padstop (508) engaged to one scalloped channel (1010) of the pair of scalloped channels (1010) to limit axial and radial movement of the associated thrust bearing pad (506) as the associated thrust bearing pad (506) articulates about a pivot boss (1006) extending from a surface (1004) opposite the slide thrust bearing surface (1002) and contacting the cartridge housing (504).

8. The thrust bearing system (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each of the thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f) is secured to the thrust bearing cartridgeAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1mounting ring (414) by a first plurality of fasteners (424) extending perpendicular toward the shaft (202) into the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) and is separately removable from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) in a corresponding radial direction (612) with respect to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414), particularly wherein each of the cartridge mounting positions (418a-418f) comprise a planar surface (706) shaped to receive a cover plate (422a-422f), the cover plate (422a-4221) comprising voids, each void sized to pass one fastener (424) of the first plurality of fasteners (424) into the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414), particularly wherein a center plane of the cover plate (422a-422f) is tangentially oriented relative to the radially extending surface (2008) of the rotating shaft (202), particularly wherein the cover plate (422a-4221) comprises a perimeter groove (726) extending about an inner surface of the cover plate (422a-422f), the perimeter groove (726) sized to receive an o-ring (724), the o-ring (724) compressed within the perimeter groove (726) between the cover plate (422a-422f) and the planar surface (706) of the cartridge mounting position (418d) (418a).

9. The thrust bearing system (400) according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) is rotatably mounted to a housing (402) about the rotating shaft (202) and releasably secured in a rotational position with respect to the rotating shaft (202), such that the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) is releasable for rotation to position a selected one of the thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f) of the set in a desired angular position for radial removal, particularly wherein a second plurality of fasteners (510) extends through the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) into the housing (402) to fix the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) in position relative to the housing (402), the second plurality of fasteners (510) oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis (416) of the rotating shaft (202), the second plurality of fasteners (510) removable and replaceable externally from the thrust bearing sy stem (400).

10. The thrust bearing system (400) according to claim 9, further comprising an externally removable anti-rotation pin (512), the housing (402) comprising a plurality of voids (516) extending longitudinally into the housing (402) (110) from a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) facing surface (1202) and sized to receive a portion of the externally removable anti-rotation pin (512), the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ringAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1(414) comprises a channel (514) sized to receive another portion of the externally removable anti-rotation pin (512), wherein responsive to removal of the second plurality of fasteners (510) and the externally removable anti-rotation pin (512), the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) is rotatable relative to the housing (402), and / or wherein the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) comprises a first half portion (522a) and a second half portion (522b). the first half portion (522a) and the second half portion (522b) separable to allow removal the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) from about the rotating shaft (202).

11. The thrust bearing system (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) is held in contact with the housing (404) by a plurality of barring brackets (606), each of the barring brackets (606) individually accessible after removal of an associated cover plate (422a-422f) and associated thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f), particularly wherein the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) is rotatable relative to the housing (402) within a channel (602) on a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring facing surface (1202) of the housing (402), the plurality of barring brackets (606) holding the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) in the channel (602).

12. The thrust bearing system (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 11. further comprising a lubrication distribution system (1200), wherein each of the thrust bearing pads (506) defines an aperture (1014) extending through its slide thrust bearing surface (1002) and a pad lubrication conduit (1016) in hydraulic communication with the aperture (1014). wherein each cartridge housing (504) defines one or more housing lubrication conduits (1408, 1410) extending from at least one inlet to multiple outlets arranged to feed the pad lubrication conduits (1016) of the thrust bearing pads (506) mounted to the common side (702) of the cartridge housing (504), wherein the housing lubrication conduit (1408, 1410) of one of the cartridge housings (504) is arranged to receive lubricating fluid via the housing lubrication conduit (1408, 1410) of an adjacent one of the thrust bearing cartridges (506); particularly wherein the radially extending reaction surface (2008) is a surface of the rotating shaft (202); particularly wherein the thrust bearing system (400) further comprises a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) defining cartridge mounting positions (418a-418f) to carry all of the thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f) of the set in a row about the rotating shaft (202), particularlyAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1wherein each of the multiple outlets are fluidically coupled to the associated pad lubrication conduit (1016) by a fitting (1606) configured to articulate within a void (1808) (1604) (1414) partially defined by the cartridge housing (504) and the associated thrust bearing pad (506); and / orwherein the housing (402) about the rotating shaft (202) comprises a carrier ring end plate (410), the thrust bearing cartridge (502) (502a) mounting ring (414) rotatably mounted to a thrust bearing cartridge (502) (502a) mounting ring (414) facing surface (1202) of the carrier ring end plate (410), the carrier ring end plate (410) comprising:a lubrication distribution channel (1206) on an interior surface (1204) of the carrier ring end plate (410);a plurality of inlet ports (1208) extending from an outer surface (1202) of the carrier ring end plate (410) to the lubrication distribution channel (1206) on the interior surface (1204)of the carrier ring end plate (410); anda plurality of outlet ports (1210) extending from the lubrication distribution channel (1206) back to thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) facing surface (1202) of the carrier ring end plate (410) to aposition inward from the plurality of inlet ports (1208) to supply lubrication to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414), particularly wherein the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) comprises a plurality of mounting ring lubrication conduits (1302), each mounting ring lubrication conduit (1302) fluidly coupled to one outlet port (1210) of the carrier ring end plate (410), each mounting ring lubrication conduit (1302) extending to one slot (802) of the cartridge mounting position (418a-418f) to supply lubrication to the housing lubrication conduits (1408, 1410) of the cartridge housing (504); particularly wherein each mounting ring lubrication conduit (1302) is fluidically coupled to an associated wing (804) of the thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) positioned with the respective slot (802) of the cartridge mounting position (418a-4181) by afitting (1606) configured to articulate within a void (1808) (1604) (1414) partially defined by the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) within the slot (802) and the cartridge housing (504); particularly wherein the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) further comprises cross-connecting lubrication conduits (1902) fluidly connecting the adjacent mounting ring lubrication conduits (1302); and / orAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1wherein each cartridge housing (504) defines one or more housing lubrication conduits (1408) extending from only one inlet to the multiple outlets arranged to feed the pad lubrication conduits (1016) of the thrust bearing pads (506) mounted to the common side (702) of the cartridge housing (504).

13. The thrust bearing system (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising one or more actuators (2014) positioned between the radially extending surface (2008) and the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) and operable to temporarily separate the radially extending surface (2008) from the thrust bearing pads (506) of at least one of the thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f) of the set for radial removal and replacement;particularly wherein the one or more actuators (2014) are mounted on a radially extending surface (2012) of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414); and / or wherein the one or more actuators (2014) are each positioned between a respective pair of adjacent thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f); and / orwherein the one or more actuators (2014) are aligned in a common orientation along an inner radially extending surface (2008) of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) to extend longitudinally to axially engage an outwardly radially extending surface (2008) of the rotating shaft (202), particularly wherein the one or more actuators (2014) are aligned in the common orientation along the inner radially extending surface (2012) of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414)to open an axial gap between the rotating shaft (202) and the thrust bearing pads (502a-502f).

14. The thrust bearing system (400) according to any one of claims 1 to 13. further comprisinga radial bearing cartridge (206a, 206b) comprising a radial cartridge housing (618) and a radial bearing pad (622) mounted to the radial cartridge housing (618) and having a slide radial bearing surface (626) arranged to slide along a cylindrical surface (628) of the rotating shaft (202);wherein the thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) and the radial bearing cartridge (206a, 206b) are both releasably mounted to a reaction housing (402) and disposed adj acent one another; andwherein the thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) is removable in a radial direction (612) with respect to the rotating shaft (202),Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1wherein the radial bearing cartridge(206a, 206b) is removable in an axial direction (614) with respect to the rotating shaft (202); particularly wherein the thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) is secured with elongated fasteners (424) extending perpendicular to an axis of rotation (416) of the rotating shaft (202); and / or wherein the radial bearing cartridge (206a, 206b) is secured with elongated fasteners (616) extending parallel to the axis of rotation (416) of the rotating shaft (202); and / or wherein the slide thrust bearing surface (626) and the slide radial bearing surface (1002) are separated by a distance (630) less than an axial width (632) of the slide radial bearing surface (626), as measured along the axis of rotation (416) of the rotating shaft (202).

15. A method of replacing an individual thrust bearing cartridge (502a) in a thrust bearing system (400) arranged to carry axial loads applied to a rotating shaft (202) of a wind turbine (100), the method comprising:removing a thrust bearing cartridge (502a) mounted to a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) and carrying multiple thrust bearing pads (506) disposed to slide against the rotating shaft (202), bydisconnecting the thrust bearing cartridge (502a) from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414), andmoving the disconnected thrust bearing cartridge (502a) away from the shaft (202) in a radial direction (612); and theninstalling a replacement thrust bearing cartridge (502a) bymoving the replacement thrust bearing cartridge (502a) toward the shaft (202) in the radial direction (612); and thenconnecting the replacement thrust bearing cartridge (502a) to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414),wherein the removing and installing are performed without displacing the shaft (202) or the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) axially with respect to the shaft (202).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein removing the thrust bearing cartridge (502a) from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) comprises:removing a first set of a first plurality' of fasteners (424) from a first cover plate (422a) sealing the thrust bearing cartridge (502a) in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) at a first cartridge mounting position (418a), theAtty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1first set of the first plurality of fasteners (424) extending into the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414); andremoving the first cover plate (422a) from the first cartridge mounting position (418a); andinstalling the replacement thrust bearing cartridge (502a) in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) at the first cartridge mounting position (418a) comprises:replacing the first cover plate (422a) on the first cartridge mounting position (418a);engaging the first set of the first plurality' of fasteners (424) to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) through the first cover plate (422a); and responsive to engaging the first set of the first plurality’ of fasteners (424) to the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) through the first cover plate (422a), sealing the first replacement thrust bearing cartridge (502a) in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414); and / orwherein removing the thrust bearing cartridge (502a) from the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) comprises:removing a second plurality of fasteners (510) coupling the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) to a housing (402) about the rotating shaft (202), the second plurality of fasteners (510) extending through the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) into the housing (402) to fix the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) in position relative to the housing (402), the second plurality’ of fasteners (510) oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis (416) of the rotating shaft (202), the second plurality of fasteners (510) removable and replaceable externally from the thrust bearing system (400);removing an externally removable anti-rotation pin (512) from a first void (516) of a plurality of voids (516) in the housing (402) and a channel (514) in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414), the plurality of voids (516) extend longitudinally into the housing (402) from a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) facing surface (1202), wherein when the externally removable antirotation pin (512) is positioned in the channel (514) and the first void (516), rotation of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) relative to the housing (402) is prevented;rotating the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) from a first position to a second position positioning a second thrust bearing cartridge (502b)Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO1of the multiple thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f) at a second cartridge mounting position (418b) in a desired angular position for radial removal;radially removing the second thrust bearing cartridge (502b) of the multiple thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f) from the second cartridge mounting position (418b) defined in the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) in the direction (612) away from the shaft (202);radially installing a second replacement thrust bearing cartridge (502b) at the second cartridge mounting position (418b) within the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414);installing the externally removable anti-rotation pin (512) in the channel (514) of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414);passing the externally removable anti-rotation pin (512) through the channel (514) with a portion of the externally removable anti-rotation pin (512) extending into a second void (516) of the plurality of voids (516) in the housing (402);responsive to installing the externally removable anti-rotation pin (512) through the channel (514) of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) and the second void (516) (516) of the plurality' of voids (516) in the housing (402), preventing rotation of the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) relative to the housing (402); andinstalling the second plurality of fasteners (424) through the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) and into the housing (402); particularly wherein rotating the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) from a first position to the second position positioning the second thrust bearing cartridge (502b) of the multiple thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502f) from the second cartridge mounting position in the desired angular position for radial removal comprises rotating the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) sixty degrees; particularly wherein a position of a selected one (502b) of the multiple thrust bearing cartridges (502a-502g) in the desired angular position for radial removal comprises a top dead center position; particularly whereinbefore radially removing the selected one (502b) of the thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) from the first cartridge mounting position, halting rotation of the rotating shaft (202).Atty Docket No.: 49379-0324WO117. The method according to claim 15 or claim 16, further comprising:activating an actuator (2014) to axially separate a set of thrust bearing pads (506) of a thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) from an associated thrust reaction surface (2008) against which the thrust bearing pads (506) slide in use, such that the actuator (2014) applies a separating axial load to the thrust reaction surface (2008) and to a thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) to which the thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) is secured;removing the thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) by moving the thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) radially away from between the thrust reaction surface (2008) and the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414);positioning a replacement thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) between the thrust reaction surface (2008) and the thrust bearing cartridge mounting ring (414) with the actuator (2014) activated; and thendeactivating the actuator (2014) to reduce a gap between thrust bearing pads (506) of the replacement thrust bearing cartridge (502a-502f) and the thrust reaction surface (2008).

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