A load coupling device for a turbomachine, the turbomachine comprising: a compressor portion; a turbine portion operatively connected to the compressor portion; a combustor assembly fluidically connected to each of the compressor portion and the turbine portion; and a load mechanically linked to one of the compressor portion and the turbine portion; the load coupling device being configured to interface with the one of the compressor portion and the turbine portion and the load; said load coupling device comprising: a housing including an interior portion; an ambient air inlet provided in the housing; a load coupling guard arranged in the housing, the load coupling guard including a turbomachine end and a load end and a passage extending therebetween; a vent extending upwardly from the load coupling guard, the vent having an inlet fluidically connected to the passage and an outlet connected to the ambient and being fluidically exposed to the load end, the vent being sized to establish a chimney effect sufficient to overcome any negative pressure in passage; an ambient air inlet passage formed in the load coupling guard and fluidically connecting the ambient air inlet and the vent; wherein the load coupling guard further includes at least one baffle member extending radially inwardly into the passage, said baffle member being axially located between the ambient air inlet in the housing and the vent, the at least one baffle member substantially preventing gases entering the load end from passing to the turbomachine end; wherein the vent is axially located between the load end and the baffle; and wherein the load is configured to be mechanically linked to one of the compressor portion and the turbine portion through a shaft extending through the load coupling guard. a compressor portion; a turbine portion operatively connected to the compressor portion; a combustor assembly fluidically connected to each of the compressor portion and the turbine portion; and a load mechanically linked to one of the compressor portion and the turbine portion; the load coupling device being configured to interface with the one of the compressor portion and the turbine portion and the load; said load coupling device comprising: a housing including an interior portion; an ambient air inlet provided in the housing; a load coupling guard arranged in the housing, the load coupling guard including a turbomachine end and a load end and a passage extending therebetween; a vent extending upwardly from the load coupling guard, the vent having an inlet fluidically connected to the passage and an outlet connected to the ambient and being fluidically exposed to the load end, the vent being sized to establish a chimney effect sufficient to overcome any negative pressure in passage; an ambient air inlet passage formed in the load coupling guard and fluidically connecting the ambient air inlet and the vent; wherein the load coupling guard further includes at least one baffle member extending radially inwardly into the passage, said baffle member being axially located between the ambient air inlet in the housing and the vent, the at least one baffle member substantially preventing gases entering the load end from passing to the turbomachine end; wherein the vent is axially located between the load end and the baffle; and wherein the load is configured to be mechanically linked to one of the compressor portion and the turbine portion through a shaft extending through the load coupling guard. a housing including an interior portion; an ambient air inlet provided in the housing; a load coupling guard arranged in the housing, the load coupling guard including a turbomachine end and a load end and a passage extending therebetween; a vent extending upwardly from the load coupling guard, the vent having an inlet fluidically connected to the passage and an outlet connected to the ambient and being fluidically exposed to the load end, the vent being sized to establish a chimney effect sufficient to overcome any negative pressure in passage; an ambient air inlet passage formed in the load coupling guard and fluidically connecting the ambient air inlet and the vent; wherein the load coupling guard further includes at least one baffle member extending radially inwardly into the passage, said baffle member being axially located between the ambient air inlet in the housing and the vent, the at least one baffle member substantially preventing gases entering the load end from passing to the turbomachine end; wherein the vent is axially located between the load end and the baffle; and wherein the load is configured to be mechanically linked to one of the compressor portion and the turbine portion through a shaft extending through the load coupling guard.