Abstract: A retaining ring is provided for use in conjunction with a carburetor assembly having a flow passage therethrough for conducting a fuel-air mixture into a combustion chamber, the carburetor assembly comprising an air flow modifier and a fuel injector receiving element adjacent thereto. The retaining ring comprises a collar configured to engage the fuel injector receiving element so as to maintain its position adjacent the air flow modifier, and a retaining portion coupled to the collar and configured to engage the air flow modifier to secure the airflow modifier to the combustion chamber. The retaining portion cooperates with the collar to form an aperture through the retaining ring for receiving the carburetor assembly.

Abstract: A combustor includes two or more sets of effusion cooling holes that extend through the inner and outer liners. Each set of effusion cooling holes includes one or more initial rows of effusion cooling holes, one or more final rows of effusion cooling holes disposed downstream of the one or more initial rows, and a plurality of interposed rows of effusion cooling holes disposed between the initial and final rows. Each effusion cooling hole is disposed at a tangential angle relative to an axial line. The tangential angle of the effusion cooling holes in each set of effusion cooling holes gradually transitions from a substantially transverse tangential angle in each initial row to a substantially axial tangential angle in each final row.

Abstract: A system is provided for aerodynamically coupling air flow from a centrifugal compressor to an axial combustor. The system includes a diffuser, a deswirl assembly, combustor inner and outer annular liners, a combustor dome, and a curved annular plate. The diffuser has an inlet that communicates with the centrifugal compressor, an outlet, and a flow path that extends radially outward. The deswirl assembly has an inlet that communicates with the diffuser outlet to receive air flowing in a radially outward direction, an outlet, and a flow path configured to redirect the air in a radially inward and axial direction through the deswirl assembly outlet at an angle toward a longitudinal axis. The curved annular plate is coupled to combustor inner and outer annular liner upstream ends to form a combustor subplenum therebetween and has a first opening and a second opening formed therein, the first opening aligned with the deswirl assembly outlet to receive air discharged therefrom.

Abstract: A cooling scheme for a dome comprises an effusion array drilled directly through a single walled dome. In one embodiment, the layout of the holes comprises two regions, a region close to the fuel injector where the holes follow a tangential path around the injector, and a second region where the direction of the holes is radially outward from the injector axis. A film of cooling air may be applied on the interior side of the combustor dome via an air swirler, which projects air radially outward from the injector axis. The first series of cooling holes supplement this air supply so that cooling efficacy is extended along the dome surface and is directed in a counter-rotating manner with respect to the main air swirler. The second series of dome cooling holes infuse further cooling flux that reduces the temperature in the corner regions between fuel injectors.

Abstract: A fuel-air mixer for use in a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine is provided. The fuel air mixing apparatus comprises an annular fuel injector having a plurality of discrete plain jet orifices, a first swirler wherein the first swirler is located upstream from the fuel injector and a second swirler wherein the second swirler is located downstream from the fuel injector. The plurality of discrete plain jet orifices are situated between the highly swirling airstreams generated by the two radial swirlers. The distributed injection of the fuel between two highly swirling airstreams results in rapid and effective mixing to the desired fuel-air ratio and prevents the formation of local hot spots in the combustor primary zone. A combustor and a gas turbine engine comprising the fuel-air mixer of the present invention are also provided as well as a method using the fuel-air mixer of the present invention.

Abstract: A premix chamber for a combustor of a gas turbine engine comprises a cylindrical chamber having a premix chamber wall, the cylindrical chamber having a chamber inlet end longitudinally separated from a chamber outlet end along a central axis, a chamber inlet plate in communication with the premix chamber wall at the chamber inlet end, the chamber inlet plate having a fuel nozzle inlet hole disposed through the chamber inlet plate, the chamber inlet plate further comprising a plurality of swirler passages disposed through the chamber inlet plate, and the chamber outlet end being open. A method of producing turbine gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor includes a plurality of main fuel injector assemblies, and a plurality of pilot fuel injector assemblies, that are arranged and configured to reduce exhaust gas emissions during engine operation. The plurality of main fuel injector assemblies are arranged in a substantially circular pattern of a first radius, and each includes an outlet port having a first divergence angle. The plurality of pilot fuel injector assemblies are arranged in a substantially circular pattern of a second radius. Each pilot fuel injector assembly is disposed between at least two main fuel injector assemblies, and each includes an outlet port having a second divergence angle.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit (APU) includes a rotary fuel slinger, and a single-spool, two-stage turbine. The rotary fuel slinger receives a rotational drive force from the turbine, and a supply of fuel from a fuel source. The rotary fuel slinger injects the fuel into a combustor as a continuous “fuel sheet.” As a result, fuel mixing and atomization inside the combustor is improved, which reduces emissions and pattern factor, which in turn increases turbine life.