Bearing arrangement
Disclosed is a bearing arrangement for a bearing wheel in a turret, the bearing arrangement being providable between the bearing wheel and a wheel shaft around which the bearing wheel is rotatably connectable. The bearing arrangement includes a slide bearing enabling the bearing wheel to slide axially on the shaft. The bearing arrangement further includes a roller bearing. A plurality of bearing arrangements may form a bearing system that is employed in a turret of a vessel. A method for mounting a bearing arrangement in a bearing system is also disclosed.
1. A bearing arrangement for a bearing wheel in a turret, said bearing arrangement being providable between the bearing wheel and a wheel shaft around which the bearing wheel is rotatably connectable and comprising:
a slide bearing enabling said bearing wheel to slide axially on said shaft, said bearing arrangement comprising:
two roller bearings provided with an axial distance therebetween; and
an insert hub configured to support and/or connect said slide bearing and said roller bearings between said bearing wheel and said wheel shaft.
2. A bearing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said bearing arrangement comprises a spherical roller bearing.
3. A bearing arrangement according to claim 2 , wherein said bearing arrangement is provided with spacing means arranged between said roller bearings.
4. A bearing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said bearing arrangement comprises a cylindrical roller bearing.
5. A bearing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said bearing arrangement comprises one cylindrical roller bearing and one spherical roller bearing.
6. A bearing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said bearing arrangement comprises a tapered roller bearing.
7. A bearing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein the slide bearing is connected on the inside of said insert hub, and wherein the outside of said insert hub is adapted to support said roller bearing(s).
8. A bearing arrangement according to claim 1 , wherein said insert hub is formed with recesses for accommodating said slide bearing(s) and roller bearings.
9. A bearing arrangement according to claim 8 , wherein said bearing arrangement is provided with locking means for locking said insert hub so as to prevent said insert hub from rotating relative to said shaft.
10. A bearing arrangement according to claim 9 , wherein said locking means is selectively engageable.
11. A bearing system for a turret comprising a plurality of bearing arrangements according to claim 1 .
12. A turret comprising a bearing system according to claim 11 .
13. A vessel comprising a turret according to claim 12 .
14. A method for mounting a bearing arrangement according claim 1 between a bearing wheel and a shaft in a bearing system comprising a plurality of such bearing arrangements, the method comprising:
assembling the bearing arrangement and the wheel as one unit prior to mounting the unit onto the shaft.
15. A method according to claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises:
using an insert hub for connecting and/or supporting the bearings of the bearing arrangement between the bearing wheel and the shaft.
16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:
shrink fitting at least one of the slide bearing and roller bearings to the inside of the wheel; and
shrink fitting the other one of the slide bearing and the roller bearings to the inside of the insert hub.