Abstract: A system includes an air chamber and an oil capture cavity. The air chamber includes an inlet to receive pressurized air from a gas turbine engine. The oil capture cavity is positioned between the air chamber and an oil sump supplying lubricating oil to the gas turbine engine. The oil capture cavity includes an auxiliary vent formed in a base of the oil capture cavity. A seal may separate the oil capture cavity from fluid communication with the oil sump. A nozzle provides fluid communication between the oil capture cavity and the air chamber. The nozzle is configured and positioned to direct a stream of the pressurized air into the oil capture cavity against an opposite wall of the oil capture cavity to create a quiescent zone at the base of the oil capture cavity. The quiescent zone includes the auxiliary vent.

Abstract: A system includes an air chamber and an oil capture cavity. The air chamber includes an inlet to receive pressurized air from a gas turbine engine. The oil capture cavity is positioned between the air chamber and an oil sump supplying lubricating oil to the gas turbine engine. The oil capture cavity includes an auxiliary vent formed in a base of the oil capture cavity. A seal may separate the oil capture cavity from fluid communication with the oil sump. A nozzle provides fluid communication between the oil capture cavity and the air chamber. The nozzle is configured and positioned to direct a stream of the pressurized air into the oil capture cavity against an opposite wall of the oil capture cavity to create a quiescent zone at the base of the oil capture cavity. The quiescent zone includes the auxiliary vent.

Abstract: A system includes an air chamber and an oil capture cavity. The air chamber includes an inlet to receive pressurized air from a gas turbine engine. The oil capture cavity is positioned between the air chamber and an oil sump supplying lubricating oil to the gas turbine engine. The oil capture cavity includes an auxiliary vent formed in a base of the oil capture cavity. A seal may separate the oil capture cavity from fluid communication with the oil sump. A nozzle provides fluid communication between the oil capture cavity and the air chamber. The nozzle is configured and positioned to direct a stream of the pressurized air into the oil capture cavity against an opposite wall of the oil capture cavity to create a quiescent zone at the base of the oil capture cavity. The quiescent zone includes the auxiliary vent.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sealing a high pressure fluid cavity from a low pressure fluid cavity in a rotating machine such as a gas turbine engine. The cavities are at least partially disposed between a rotatable shaft and a sump housing radially displaced from the rotatable shaft. A seal assembly comprises an air riding carbon seal ring and a circumferential ceramic runner. The carbon seal ring is sealingly engaged with the sump housing and has a radially inward facing seal surface. The circumferential ceramic runner is carried by the shaft and has a radially outward facing seal surface extending axially along the shaft. The radially inward facing seal surface of the air riding carbon seal ring sealingly engages the radially outward facing seal surface of the ceramic runner during rotation of the rotatable shaft at a predetermined range of rotational speeds.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sealing a high pressure fluid cavity from a low pressure fluid cavity in a rotating machine such as a gas turbine engine. The cavities are at least partially disposed between a rotatable shaft and a sump housing radially displaced from the rotatable shaft. A seal assembly comprises an air riding carbon seal ring and a circumferential ceramic runner. The carbon seal ring is sealingly engaged with the sump housing and has a radially inward facing seal surface. The circumferential ceramic runner is carried by the shaft and has a radially outward facing seal surface extending axially along the shaft. The radially inward facing seal surface of the air riding carbon seal ring sealingly engages the radially outward facing seal surface of the ceramic runner during rotation of the rotatable shaft at a predetermined range of rotational speeds.

Abstract: A system includes an air chamber and an oil capture cavity. The air chamber includes an inlet to receive pressurized air from a gas turbine engine. The oil capture cavity is positioned between the air chamber and an oil sump supplying lubricating oil to the gas turbine engine. The oil capture cavity includes an auxiliary vent formed in a base of the oil capture cavity. A seal may separate the oil capture cavity from fluid communication with the oil sump. A nozzle provides fluid communication between the oil capture cavity and the air chamber. The nozzle is configured and positioned to direct a stream of the pressurized air into the oil capture cavity against an opposite wall of the oil capture cavity to create a quiescent zone at the base of the oil capture cavity. The quiescent zone includes the auxiliary vent.