Patent ID: 7937946
Filing Date: 2011-05-10
Classification: F01D,F02C,F05D

Abstract:
1. A process for lubricating and cooling a set of bearings in a small gas turbine engine, the engine comprising a compressor and a bypass fan and a forward and a rearward bearing, the process comprising the steps of: diverting a portion of the bypass fan air through the forward bearing to cool the forward bearing; diverting a portion of the bypass fan air through the rearward bearing to cool the rearward bearing; injecting fuel into the forward bearing cooling air upstream from the forward bearing to provide lubrication to the forward bearing; injecting fuel into the rearward bearing cooling air upstream from the rearward bearing to provide lubrication to the rearward bearing; collecting the bearing lubricating fuel in the rotating shaft of the engine; and, injecting the bearing lubricating fuel into the combustor to be burned therein; and, separating the fuel from the cooling air within the rotor shaft and discharging the cooling air without being burned with fuel out through an aft end of the rotor shaft.