US Patent 11279601 Hoisting and tensioning bearing saver

A sheave assembly for use in a handling system or tensioning system, the sheave assembly having one or more sheaves arranged about a shaft and cone sub-assembly. The shaft and cone sub-assembly may include one or more pairs of bearing cones configured to interface with a plurality of bearing rollers to facilitate rotation of the one or more sheaves about the shaft and cone sub-assembly. The shaft and cone sub-assembly may be configured to be arranged in a fixed rotational position during handling or tensioning operations. The shaft and cone sub-assembly may further be configured to be rotated or repositioned about a central, longitudinal axis of the sub-assembly. The shaft and cone sub-assembly may be configured to rotate independent of the sheave(s) so as to reposition the one or more pairs of cones with respect to applied loading on the sheave assembly from the handling or tensioning operations.