Integrated support and mixer for turbo machinery

An integrated bearing support and air mixer for turbo machinery comprising:

• a substantially circular inner annular member having a central axis;
• a substantially circular outer annular member concentric about the central axis and shaped and positioned such that an annular air gap is formed between the inner annular member and the outer annular member;
• a plurality of support members positioned around the inner annular member such that each pair of adjacent support members have an air separation gap therebetween in fluid communication with the annular air gap, the support members interconnecting the inner annular member and the outer annular member;
• and
• a plurality of air mixing pipes, each air mixing pipe having an air mixing passageway therethrough and each having an inner portion connected to the inner annular member, an outer portion connected to the outer annular member, and first and second opposing side portions connected to respective adjacent support members such that the air mixing passageway is in fluid communication with the annular air gap through the respective air separation gap between the respective adjacent support members.

A turbine engine comprising:

• a casing;
• a bearing extending through the casing;
• a plurality of disks connected to the bearing;
• and
• an integrated bearing support and air mixer supporting an end of the bearing, the integrated bearing support and air mixer comprising:
• a substantially circular inner annular member having a central axis;
• a substantially circular outer annular member concentric about the central axis and shaped and positioned such that an annular air gap is formed between the inner annular member and the outer annular member;
• a plurality of support members positioned around the inner annular member such that each pair of adjacent support members have an air separation gap therebetween in fluid communication with the annular air gap, the support members interconnecting the inner annular member and the outer annular member;
• and
• a plurality of air mixing pipes, each air mixing pipe having an air mixing passageway therethrough and each having an inner portion connected to the inner annular member, an outer portion connected to the outer annular member, and first and second opposing side portions connected to respective adjacent support members such that the air mixing passageway is in fluid communication with the annular air gap through the respective air separation gap between the respective adjacent support members.