Seal runner with deflector and catcher for gas turbine engine

1. A gas turbine engine, comprising:

a bearing compartment;

a seal runner;

a seal configured to cooperate with the seal runner to seal the bearing compartment;

a catcher in contact with the seal runner to minimize deflection of the seal runner; and

a stack spacer arranged about a shaft of the gas turbine engine, wherein the catcher is integrally formed with the stack spacer,

wherein the catcher includes a first leg extending radially from the stack spacer and a second leg extending axially from a free end of the first leg such that the catcher is substantially L-shaped in cross-section,

wherein a radially inner surface of the second leg of the catcher is in contact with a radially outer surface of a tab of the seal runner,

wherein the first leg of the catcher includes at least one passageway configured to permit fluid to flow into the bearing compartment,

wherein the stack spacer includes at least one orifice configured to permit fluid to flow into a space between a radially inner surface of the seal runner and a radially outer surface of the stack spacer,

wherein the at least one orifice is configured to cause fluid to impinge upon the radially inner surface of the seal runner at a location opposite the interface between the seal and the seal runner,

wherein the stack spacer and seal runner are arranged such that, after fluid impinges on the radially inner surface of the seal runner, the fluid turns in an aft direction and flows toward the at least one passageway of the catcher, and ultimately through the at least one passageway of the catcher and into the bearing compartment.

2. A method, comprising:

using a catcher to restrict deflection of a seal runner relative to a seal, wherein the seal and seal runner are configured to seal a bearing compartment of a gas turbine engine, wherein the seal runner includes a tab in contact with the catcher, wherein the catcher is integrally formed with a stack spacer arranged relative to a shaft of the gas turbine engine, wherein the seal runner includes a deflector integrally formed therewith and projecting radially from an axially-extending portion of the seal runner, and wherein the catcher contacts the seal runner adjacent the intersection of the deflector and the axially-extending portion;

establishing a flow of fluid through an orifice in the stack spacer such that the flow of fluid impinges on a radially inner surface of the seal runner;

turning the flow of fluid in an aft direction toward the catcher; and

introducing the flow of fluid into the bearing compartment via a passageway in the catcher.