Patent ID: 8075190
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: F16C

Abstract:
1. A plain bearing assembly for a wind turbine configured to receive a shaft, comprising: a bearing housing including a passageway configured to receive the shaft therein; a bearing surface defining the passageway and having a generally spherical configuration at least along a portion thereof, the bearing surface including a lower portion and an upper portion defined relative to a first midline plane extending through a center of the passageway and generally perpendicular to a gravitational field, the bearing surface further including a first side and a second side defined relative to a second midline plane extending through the center of the passageway and generally parallel to the gravitational field; and a plurality of fluid cavities in the bearing surface including a first group of fluid cavities located at a first longitudinal position adjacent a first end of the bearing surface and a second group of fluid cavities located at a second longitudinal position spaced from the first longitudinal position and adjacent a second end of the bearing surface, the first group of fluid cavities defining a cavity pattern that is different than the cavity pattern defined by the second group of fluid cavities.