Integrated oil transfer sleeve and bearing

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 comprises a fluid transfer sleeve having a sleeve casing defining therein an annular fluid plenum open radially outwardly, and at least two spaced apart roller bearing assemblies each comprising an annular outer race integral with the sleeve casing and each assembly comprising a plurality of roller elements supported by the outer race. Each roller bearing assembly is disposed within the sleeve casing, one at each opposing end thereof, and the plurality of roller elements in each assembly define a first inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the rotating shaft adapted to be supported by the roller elements. The sleeve casing has an inner circumferential, axially extending surface, between the roller bearing assemblies, and defining a second inner diameter greater than the 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. A plurality of apertures are defined in the sleeve casing to permit 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 and the rotating shaft.