System to provide reliable flow of low temperature cooling air to an antifriction bearing buried inside a rotating machine

Abstract

A rotating machine includes a housing and a first bearing received in the housing. The rotating machine also includes a shaft supported by the first bearing. The shaft defines a central axis that extends in a longitudinal direction. The rotating machine also includes at least one duct radially interior to the outer diameter of the shaft. The duct includes an inlet port and a radial outlet port that are in fluid communication with one another. The inlet port is configured to receive air and the radial outlet port is configured to discharge the air. The rotating machine also includes an air mover longitudinally disposed between the first bearing and the inlet port of the duct. The air mover creates an area of air pressure at the radial outlet port that is less than an air pressure at the inlet port.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.