Patent ID: 6758598
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: F01D,F16C

Abstract:
An integrated roller bearing and fluid transfer sleeve adapted for supporting and transferring fluid to a rotating shaft in a gas turbine engine reduction gearbox, the integrated roller bearing and fluid transfer sleeve comprising:a fluid transfer sleeve comprising a sleeve casing defining therein an annular fluid plenum open radially outwardly; at least two spaced apart roller bearing assemblies each comprising an annular outer race integral with the sleeve casing and each assembly including a plurality of roller elements supported by said outer race, each roller bearing assembly being disposed within the sleeve casing, one at each opposing end thereof, and the plurality of roller elements in each assembly defining a first inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the rotating shaft adapted to be supported by the roller bearing assemblies; the sleeve casing having an inner circumferential, axially extending surface, between said roller bearing assemblies, and defining a second inner diameter greater than said first inner diameter, such that an annular fluid leakage clearance can be formed between said inner circumferential surface of the sleeve casing and an outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft; and at least an aperture being defined in the sleeve casing, permitting fluid flow from the annular fluid plenum to the fluid leakage clearance; whereby fluid in the fluid leakage clearance is transferable to the roller elements of the roller bearing assemblies and to the rotating shaft.