General Electric Company
Ball plug retention for slewing ring bearing

Abstract:

A bearing assembly for a wind turbine includes a bearing comprising an outer race, an inner race rotatable relative to the outer race, and a plurality of roller elements positioned within at least one raceway defined between the outer and inner races. Further, at least one of the outer race or the inner race defines a radial opening. The bearing assembly also includes at least one ball plug positioned within the radial opening of at least one of the outer race or the inner race. The ball plug(s) is removable such that the plurality of roller elements can be inserted between the outer and inner races. Moreover, at least a portion of the ball plug(s) has a tapered cross-section.