WIND TURBINE PITCH BEARING AND METHOD

摘要

A pitch bearing and related method for wind electric turbines has an annularly shaped first bearing ring connected with an associated wind turbine blade, and includes a first raceway groove. An annularly shaped second bearing ring is connected with the rotor portion of the wind turbine, and includes a second raceway groove aligned with the first raceway groove. Rolling elements are positioned in the first and second raceway grooves to rotatably interconnect the two bearing rings. A gear segment is formed on one of the bearing rings, and is configured to engage a pitch drive portion of the wind turbine to pivot the blade axially between different pitch angles. The gear segment has an arcuate measure of less than 200 degrees to facilitate economical manufacture.