Wick lubrication of motor bearing for inclined operation

[jimhokie]

I'm having trouble understanding the wick lubrication feature in a large horizontal electric motor. The bearing housings at each end contain an oil sump where, when level, the balls roll through a shallow depth of oil. An oil wick is also installed that leads from the bottom of the oil sump to the edge of the bearing. Apparently from the drawing, the wick just contacts the edge of the bearing outer race. I'm told the purpose of the wick is to provide oil to the bearing during possible inclined operation, where the oil level drains away from the bearing. Supposedly, the wick delivers enough oil to the outer race to support indefinite running while inclined. It might make sense to me if the wick was touching the moving balls or the cage and continually wiping oil off the wick, but how will just touching the stationary outer race deliver enough oil to the bearing? The bearings are size 321 and 322, running at 3600rpm. Does anyone have experience with this type of lubrication system, or is otherwise able to explain how this works?