Abstract: A combustor heat shield has a body with heat exchange promoting protuberances extending from a back face thereof. The density of protuberances is less in hot spot regions than in other heat shield regions which require less cooling.

Abstract: A splash plate dome assembly for a combustion liner of a turbine engine is disclosed. The splash plate may include an outer periphery having a plurality of corners and an inner periphery defining an aperture and an annular flange. The splash plate may include a plurality of first flow guides extending from the outer periphery to the inner periphery. The splash plate may further include a plurality of second flow guides extending from the outer periphery to a location intermediate the inner periphery and the outer periphery. The splash plate, annular flange, first flow guides, and second flow guides may be integrally formed by casting. The splash plate may be mounted to a combustion dome having a plurality of distributed through holes for forming impingement jets on an upstream face of the splash plate.

Abstract: Impingement hole patterns are provided in a combustor dome panel to provide efficient cooling of a combustor dome heat shield. The impingement holes are substantially aligned or located above partial height protuberances provided on the back face of the heat shield.

Abstract: A method for operating a gas turbine engine includes channeling fluid from a cooling fluid source to a combustor that includes at least one deflector and flare cone. The deflector and flare cone are coupled together and are configured to define a cooling fluid channel therebetween. The flare cone has a plurality of cooling injectors extending therethrough. The plurality of injectors are spaced circumferentially about a centerline axis of the flare cone and are coupled in flow communication with the fluid source. The plurality of injectors has a plurality of first injectors and a plurality of second injectors. The method also includes directing a portion of the fluid through the plurality of first injectors. The method further includes directing a portion of the fluid through the plurality of second injectors, wherein the first plurality of injectors facilitates cooling a portion of the deflector more than the second plurality of injectors.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine having an inner combustor wall and an outer combustor wall with a number of heat shields mounted internally thereto with fasteners. Each combustor wall has an end wall defining a combustor dome with a number of: fuel nozzle openings; impingement air openings; and heat shield fastener openings. Each of the end walls has an overlapping portion with mutually engaging sealing surfaces with the openings within the overlapping portions being aligned in overlapping pairs, where an exterior overlapping portion has at least one of the aligned openings of one overlapping pair being of larger dimension than the aligned opening in an interior overlapping portion.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine includes a first combustor component and a second combustor component. The second combustor component is at least partially insertable into the first combustor component, and the first combustor component and second combustor component define a combustion fluid pathway. A combustor seal is located between the first combustor component and the second combustor component. The combustor seal defines at least one inner cooling pathway between the combustor seal and the second combustor component and at least one outer cooling pathway between the combustor seal and the first combustor component for cooling the first combustor component and second combustor component. A method for cooling a first combustor component and a second combustor component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine includes a first combustor component and a second combustor component. The second combustor component is at least partially insertable into the first combustor component, and the first combustor component and second combustor component define a combustion fluid pathway. A combustor seal is located between the first combustor component and the second combustor component. The combustor seal defines at least one inner cooling pathway between the combustor seal and the second combustor component and at least one outer cooling pathway between the combustor seal and the first combustor component for cooling the first combustor component and second combustor component. A method for cooling a first combustor component and a second combustor component is also disclosed.

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 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 combustor heat shield has a body defining a fuel nozzle hole. The back face of the body is mounted adjacent and spaced-apart from a combustor dome. A ridge extends around the nozzle opening to a height adapted to substantially contact the combustor dome. The ridge thereby defines a cooling compartment between the body and the combustor dome. A plurality of slots is provided through the ridge. The slots are closed by the combustor dome to provide cooling holes when the heat shield is mounted on the combustor. The cooling holes direct pressurized cooling air from the compartment to adjacent regions of the back face of the heat shield body.

Abstract: The invention relates to an annular combustor (13) for a gas turbine (10), into which combustor (13) burners (14, 15) open on an inlet side, and which combustor (13) extends in the axial direction from the inlet side to an outlet side (33) and is lined on the insides with cooled liner segments (16, 17) for protection from the hot gases. In such a combustor, increased mechanical stability and flexibility in design and also simplification in manufacture and fitting are achieved by the liner segments (16, 17) being subdivided in the axial direction into a plurality of parts (16, 17) arranged one behind the other.

Abstract: A method facilitates assembling a combustor for a gas turbine engine. The method includes providing a dome assembly that includes at least one cooling slot lip and at least one filler projection, wherein a gap defined between the cooling slot lip and the at least one filler projection has a height defined between cooling slot lip and the at least one filler projection that is substantially uniform through the gap. The method also includes coupling a liner assembly to the dome assembly, such that a combustion chamber is defined by the liner assembly, and coupling an inner and an outer support to the dome assembly, such that the dome assembly extends between the inner and outer supports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bulkhead panel for use in a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine. The bulkhead panel comprises a first side and a second side, a plurality of panel holes extending from the first side to the second side through which cooling air flows, and a circumferential inner rail on said first side dividing said first side into a first cavity region having a plurality of the panel holes and a second cavity region having a plurality of the panel holes. Each of the panel holes has an exit nozzle which is angled so as to create a swirling flow of cooling air over the second side of the panel.

Abstract: A method and system for designing an impingement film floatwall panel system for a combustion chamber for a gas turbine engine comprising the steps of creating an impingement film floatwall panel knowledge base of information. The knowledge base has a plurality of design rule signals with respect to a corresponding plurality of parameter signals of associated elements of impingement film floatwall panels for a combustion chamber, wherein the knowledge base comprises at least one data value signal for each one of the plurality of design rule signals. The steps also include entering a desired data value signal for a selected one of the plurality of parameter signals of an associated element of the impingement film floatwall panels and comparing the entered desired data value signal for the selected one of the plurality of parameters with the corresponding at least one data value signal in the knowledge base for the corresponding one of the plurality of design rule signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combustion chamber for a gas turbine having at least one closed-circuit-cooled burner insert which can be disposed in an inlet opening of the combustion chamber for the purpose of feeding and/or igniting a combustible gas/air mixture, and having an outlet opening. The object of the present invention is therefore to create an arrangement enabling simplified manufacture and assembly to be achieved.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a test model of a gas turbine engine combustor dome, and the test model produced thereby. The method entails individually stamping a plurality of dome wall segments and first and second mounting band segments. Each wall segment comprises at least one cup between radially inward and outward edges of the wall segment, and an opening in the cup. At least one wall segment and its two corresponding mounting band segments are placed on a fixture that locates the opening of the wall segment, locates the first and second mounting band segments at the radially-inward and outward edges of the wall segment, and orients the wall segment to establish a dome angle of the fixtured dome assembly. The wall segment and mounting band segments are then joined while the fixtured dome assembly remains on the fixture to form at least a unitary sector of the test model.

Abstract: A gas-turbine engine combustor having a plurality of venturi mixers, each connected to an air supply path that passes air compressed by a compressor and to a supply source of gaseous fuel, which mix the air and the gaseous fuel to produce an air-fuel mixture and supply the air-fuel mixture to a combustion chamber for generating premixed combustion or diffusive combustion such that produced combustion gas is supplied to a turbine through a turbine nozzle to rotates the turbine that outputs its rotation through an output shaft, while driving the compressor by the rotation.

Abstract: In order to provide a method of air guidance and a design for a gas turbine combustion chamber which permits improved cooling and reduced pressure losses and which avoids the overcooling phenomena by specific reaction to hot spots, a gas turbine combustion chamber includes a casing and at least one hollow element. The at least one hollow element is in connection with air guidance regions of the combustion chamber via at least two openings. As such, a tangential through-flow exists with a subsequent axial flow to the burner.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor, in particular for an aircraft engine, has at least one chamber, through which combustion gas flows in use, and which is defined by a lateral wall with channeling for feeding cooling air into the chamber and cooling the lateral wall; part of the channeling is defined by at least one double wall for guiding a relative stream of cooling air into the chamber in a tangential direction with respect to the lateral wall.

Abstract: A connector segment for connecting a combustor liner and a transition piece in a gas turbine has a substantially cylindrical shape and is of double-walled construction including inner and outer walls and a plurality of cooling channels extending axially along the segment, between the inner and outer walls. The cooling channels are defined in part by radially inner and outer surfaces, wherein at least one of the radially inner and outer surfaces is formed with an array of concavities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bulkhead panel for use in a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine. The bulkhead panel comprises a first side and a second side, a plurality of panel holes extending from the first side to the second side through which cooling air flows, and a circumferential inner rail on said first side dividing said first side into a first cavity region having a plurality of the panel holes and a second cavity region having a plurality of the panel holes. Each of the panel holes has an exit nozzle which is angled so as to create a swirling flow of cooling air over the second side of the panel.

Abstract: A method of combustor cycle air flow adjustment for a gas turbine engine according to the present invention solves the problem of a higher flame temperature in the combustor, thereby affecting the emission levels when a heat-recuperated air flow cycle is used to increase the compressed air temperature. In low emission combustors this impact is severe because emission levels are significantly dependent on the primary combustion zone flame temperature. The method of the present invention includes a step of changing a geometry of an air flow passage and thereby changing distribution of a total air mass flow between an air mass flow for combustion and an air mass flow for cooling in order to ensure that flame temperature in a primary combustion zone of a combustor are maintained substantially the same whether the gas turbine engine is manufactured to operate as a simple air flow cycle engine or as a heat-recuperated air flow cycle engine.

Abstract: A method of making a dome plate for a gas turbine engine combustor includes forming an annular body and forming a plurality of swirler openings in the annular body. Then, an array of impingement cooling holes and an array of blow-off holes are electrically discharge machined into the annular body adjacent to each swirler opening. For each one of the plurality of swirler openings, the corresponding array of impingement cooling holes and the corresponding array of blow-off holes are machined in a single electrical discharge machining operation. This results in an annular dome plate having radially outer and inner curved corners that define a single radius of curvature. The blow-off holes are located in at least one of the outer and inner curved corners.

Abstract: A turbine includes a sealing element with a receiving area for sealing the guide blade vanes which are adjacent to each other in the peripheral direction of the turbine. The foot plates of the guide blade vanes extend into the receiving area. The edge area of the foot plates does not have to be reinforced compared to a conventional seal, which enables the entire foot plate to be cooled homogeneously. A closed cooling system can therefore be used for cooling, especially with steam.

Abstract: A turbine installation, especially a gas turbine installation, includes foot plates of the guide blades of adjacent turbine stages being interconnected with a clip-type sealing element on their rear sides facing away from the gas area. This provides a simple seal between adjacent foot plates which is effective regardless of the thermal expansion of the foot plates. The clip-type sealing element is also suitable for sealing the tiles of a combustor of the turbine installation together.

Abstract: A combustor liner for use in a gas turbine engine includes an annular panel section having a cooling nugget formed on one end thereof. An annular cooling lip is formed on the cooling nugget so as to define a cooling slot. The cooling lip includes a hot side, a cold side and a trailing edge surface. The hot side defines a compound taper for minimizing the thickness of the trailing edge surface. In one embodiment, the compound taper includes a first tapered surface disposed on a forward portion of the cooling lip and a second tapered surface disposed on an aft portion of the cooling lip, wherein the second tapered surface has a greater taper than the first tapered surface.

Abstract: A component formed at least in part by a CMC material and equipped with an integrally-formed surface feature, such as an airflow enhancement feature in the form of a turbulator or flow guide. The CMC material comprises multiple sets of tows woven together to form a preform that is infiltrated with a matrix material. The surface feature is integrally defined at a surface of the cooling passage by an insert member disposed between adjacent tows of at least one of the tow sets. The insert member has a cross-sectional size larger than the adjacent tows, forming a protrusion in the preform that defines the surface feature in the infiltrated, consolidated and cured CMC material.

Abstract: A method of combustor cycle air flow adjustment for a gas turbine engine according to the present invention solves the problem of a higher flame temperature in the combustor, thereby affecting the emission levels when a heat-recuperated air flow cycle is used to increase the compressed air temperature. In low emission combustors this impact is severe because emission levels are significantly dependent on the primary combustion zone flame temperature. The method of the present invention includes a step of changing a geometry of an air flow passage and thereby changing distribution of a total air mass flow between an air mass flow for combustion and an air mass flow for cooling in order to ensure that flame temperature in a primary combustion zone of a combustor are maintained substantially the same whether the gas turbine engine is manufactured to operate as a simple air flow cycle engine or as a heat-recuperated air flow cycle engine.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a deflector assembly that enhances heat transfer from the combustor and minimizes low cycle fatigue stresses induced within the combustor. The deflector assembly includes a plurality of deflectors secured to a spectacle plate. Each deflector has tapered edges and includes a plurality of cylindrical projections extending outward from the deflector to facilitate heat transfer. The projections include rounded edges and are arranged in a high density pattern. The deflector is coated with a thermal barrier coating and a bondcoat to minimize exposure to hot combustion gases or flame radiation.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine includes a dome assembly that facilitates extending a useful life of the combustor in a cost-effective and reliable manner. The dome assembly includes a dome plate and a heat shield coupled to the dome plate. The dome plate includes an impingement baffle and an opening extending therethrough and sized to receive a fuel injector. The impingement baffle also includes a plurality of cooling openings in flow communication with the heat shield that direct cooling airflow for impingement cooling and film cooling of the heat shield.

Abstract: In a twin wall combustion chamber for a gas turbine engine, the outer wall has impingement holes so that compressed air surrounding the chamber can pass through the holes to impinge on the inner wall, and the inner wall has effusion holes whereby air can effuse into the combustion chamber. The number of effusion holes is greater than the number of impingement holes, the effusion-holes preferably being arranged in groups of seven, comprising six holes equi-spaced around a central seventh hole, each group having an impingement hole in a fixed positional relationship to the central hole, preferably downstream of it.

Abstract: A one-piece deflector-flare cone assembly for a gas turbine engine combustor that facilitates extending a useful life of the combustor in a cost-effective and reliable manner is described. The one-piece assembly includes a deflector portion and a flare cone portion. The deflector portion includes an integral opening that extends through the deflector portion for receiving cooling fluid therein. The cooling opening extends circumferentially within the deflector portion. Cooling fluid discharged from the cooling opening is used for impingement cooling a portion of the flare cone portion to facilitate reducing an operating temperature and extending a useful life of the combustor.

Abstract: A structure of a 50 pound thrust level gas turbine jet engine combustor is a small type 50 pound gas turbine jet engine combustor. The combustor includes a combustor outer liner, a combustor inner liner and a hub. Pressure swirl fuel atomizer and thin film cooling devices are further used. In the combustor, a primary jet flow is matched with a jet tube so as to build a stable recirculation in the primary zone. 12 SIMPLEX fuel atomizers are installed in the inner liner for jetting fuel radially. The fuel must be jetted properly, if it is too close the front plate, the droplet will impact the front plate, then the downstream will possible destroy the recirculation structure. Therefore, if the fuel is jetted in proper positions, then the retaining time of fuel will be reduced greatly and the burning in the primary zone can be enhances. By analyzing and testing, it is appreciated that high temperature will induce at the middle section near the wall of the inner liner.

Abstract: A combustor liner has a stepped combustor liner surface defining a combustion zone and an overhang portion forming an air cooling slot. A layer of thermal barrier material is applied to the combustor liner such that at least one portion of the combustor liner receives a layer of thermal barrier material with a thickness greater than 0.01 inches. Thus, the combustor liner absorbs less heat, and the combustor may operate at higher temperatures. As a result, low cycle fatigue and thermal creep are reduced within the combustor and the life cycle for the combustor is extended.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an annular liner for a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine. The combustion chamber has a dome including a fuel nozzle for delivering fuel to the combustion chamber. A metal piece is formed into an annular section constituting at least a portion of the liner and having at least one seam extending generally axially with respect to an axial centerline of the liner. An upstream end of the liner is machined to have a registration feature for connecting the liner to the combustion chamber dome in at least one predetermined orientation with respect to the dome. Further, the method includes ensuring the registration feature and the seam are located relative to each other on the liner so the seam is at a preselected position with respect to the combustion chamber dome when the liner is connected to the combustion chamber dome in the predetermined orientation.

Abstract: An improved dual-stage, dual-mode turbine combustor capable of reducing nitric oxide (NOx) emissions is disclosed. This can-annular combustor utilizes multiple, single wall sheet metal combustor liners, generally annular in shape, and each liner having multiple hole film cooling means, which includes at least one pattern of small, closely spaced film cooling holes angled sharply in the downstream direction and various circumferential angles for improved liner cooling and improved fuel/air mixing within the liner, resulting in lower NOx emissions.

Abstract: Cooling structure of gas turbine combustor in which cooling medium flows through grooves in wall is improved so that adjustment of flow velocity, pressure loss and heat transfer rate of cooling medium flow in the wall becomes possible and cooling effect thereof is enhanced. Wall of combustor tail tube is made in double structure in which outer plate (1) and inner plate (4) are jointed together being lapped one on another. The outer plate (1) has air inlet hole (3) and groove (2) formed therein. The groove (2) is closed by jointing of the inner plate (4) to the outer plate (1). The inner plate (4) has air outlet hole (5) formed therein. The groove (2) communicates with the air inlet hole (3) and the air outlet hole (5). Cross sectional shape of the groove (2) is changed two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally such that width enlarges toward the hole (5) from the hole (3) or depth is constant or changed in tapered form.

Abstract: The combustor has three injection stages to supply fuel or a fuel/air mixture progressively to a pre-chamber or a main combustion chamber wherein the third injection stage comprises an elongated passage with an arrangement for introducing fuel into the passage. Preferably the passage extends alongside the combustion chamber and/or another passage for cooling air.

Abstract: An improved combustor bulkhead 70 for a gas turbine engine 10 includes a plurality of holes 72 and baffles 90 which directs cooling air radially inward around a fuel injector to set up and shape a toroidal recirculation zone 114 surrounding the fuel injector vortex 116 and suppress smoke and carbon formation in the combustion chamber. Various construction details are described to provide an aerodynamically superior bulkhead design.

Abstract: The invention provides in a gas turbine engine combustion chamber, an array of elongate louver strips between fuel nozzles of a combustion chamber dome wall, to cool the dome wall and contain combustion gases in the area between nozzles. The elongate louver strips are each disposed symmetrically along the median line on the inner surface dome wall and extend between each nozzle cup of the annular array. Each strip includes an elongate flange extending into the combustion chamber from the inner dome wall. The flange has an inner surface, and lateral side walls, with the inner surface generally parallel to the inner surface of the dome wall. Compressed air outlets are disposed along each flange lateral side wall, for directing a compressed air film along the inner surface of the dome wall in a direction away from the median line. A compressed air inlet extends from the outer surface of the dome wall to the outlets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel nozzle guide for use in gas turbine engines. The nozzle guide comprising an annular bushing sized for receiving a fuel nozzle, wherein the bushing has a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to a nozzle guide retainer. A flange extends radially from the second end of the bushing, wherein the flange has a proximal portion spaced proximal to the bushing, and a distal portion spaced distal from the bushing. The distal portion of the flange extends substantially parallel to a combustion chamber bulkhead heat shield. A plurality of radially extending ribs are disposed about the distal portion of the flange, each of the ribs having leading ends and trailing ends, wherein the trailing ends are arcuate in shape, thereby facilitating a reduction in film cooling air vortices as film cooling air passes between the ribs, and thereby assisting in the cooling of the bulkhead heat shield.

Abstract: In a burner for operating a combustion chamber, which burner essentially comprises a swirl generator (100), a transition piece (200) arranged downstream of the swirl generator, and a mixing tube (20), transition piece (200) and mixing tube (20) forming the mixing section of the burner and being arranged upstream of a combustion space (30), there are means (302, 303, 304) in the lower region of the mixing tube (20) which bring about cooling of the base plate (305) forming a front wall. The air quantity (307) used here is passed into the flow (40) of the mixing tube (20). A leaner mixing and lower NOx emissions are thereby achieved.

Abstract: A low emissions combustion system for a gas turbine engine, including a generally annular combustor with a plurality of tangential fuel injectors to introduce a fuel/air mixture. The annular combustor includes a skirt shaped flow control baffle from the inner liner and air dilution holes in the inner liner underneath the flow control baffle and also in the cylindrical outer liner. The fuel injectors extend through the recuperator housing and into the combustor through an angled tube and then through a tangential guide in the cylindrical outer liner of the combustor housing. The fuel injectors generally comprise an elongated injector tube with the outer end including a coupler having at least one fuel inlet tube. Compressed combustion air is provided to the interior of the elongated injector tube from either holes or slits therein which receive compressed air from the angled tube around the fuel injector which is open to the space between the recuperator housing and the combustor.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine has a fuel nozzle located in the upstream end thereof and is positioned within a cylinder coaxial with said nozzle. The cylinder comprises at its downstream end an annular flange extending from the cylinder in a generally radial direction. The flange has a plurality of cooling air apertures radially extending therethrough so as to direct cooling air along the face of an adjacent heatshield.

Abstract: A heat shield for the head area of a combustion chamber has as usual a through-hole for the burner. A continuous collar with air passage holes projects from the back side of the heat shield at the edge of the through-hole. Cooling air can flow through the holes into a ring-shaped channel arranged between the heat shield and the burner, then into the combustion chamber. This cool air flow lies as a cool air film on the surface of the heat shield. For that purpose, the cool air flow or cool air film swirls in the same direction as the combustion air supplied through the burner. To generate this swirling motion, the air passage holes in the collar are inclined in the radial direction. The heat shield is further provided with appropriate inclined effusion holes.

Abstract: In order to cool the hot surface of the heat shield that surrounds the burner of a gas turbine annular combustion chamber as efficiently as possible, especially in the vicinity of the burner throughflow opening, a cooling air stream that escapes through a ridge that runs around the edge of the throughflow opening is guided by a guide rib in the direction of the throughflow opening. This guide rib is aligned essentially parallel to the ridge and on the combustion chamber side has an end that is bent in such fashion that the cooling air stream that flows into the gap between the ridge and the guide rib is deflected thereby in the direction of the hot surface of the heat shield.

Abstract: A low emissions combustion system for a gas turbine engine, including a generally annular combustor with a plurality of tangential fuel injectors (14) to introduce a fuel/air mixture. The annular combustor includes a skirt shaped flow control baffle (48) from the inner liner and air dilution holes (50-54) in the inner liner underneath the flow control baffle and also in the cylindrical outer liner. The fuel injectors (14) extend through the recuperator housing and into the combustor through an angled tube and then through a tangential guide in the cylindrical outer liner of the combustor housing. The fuel injectors generally comprise an elongated injector tube with the outer end including a coupler having at least one fuel inlet tube. Compressed combustion air is provided to the interior of the elongated injector tube from either holes or slits therein which receive compressed air from the angled tube around the fuel injector which is open to the space between the recuperator housing and the combustor.

Abstract: A system is provided for cooling especially the backplate of a flame tube of a combustion chamber for gas turbine engines, of the type having at least one burner arranged on the backplate and having a fuel nozzle and at least one swirler arranged coaxially with the fuel nozzle for the supply of combustion air. The backplate is cooled with compressed air diverted from a compressor and ducted to a head end of the combustion chamber. The backplate forms at least one cooling air duct to carry the compressed air supplied for backplate cooling, and the cooling air duct communicates at its outlet end at the burner with the flame tube such that the compressed air issuing from the cooling air duct enters into combustion in the primary zone. At its outlet end the cooling air duct can communicate with the air inlets of at least one swirler.

Abstract: A compact gas turbine engine having improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions, better starting capability, and longer operational life is provided at low cost through the use of a combustor incorporating tangential fuel injection in conjunction with certain strategically placed and sized oxidant inlet jets. The oxidant inlet jets include deflector jets which deflect a generally circumferentially spiralling flow of gases within the combustor in a manner causing fuel and oxidant to recirculate for a longer period of time within a primary combustion zone, to thereby improve combustion efficiency and reduce undesirable emissions. Apparatus and methods for regulating injection of the fuel and oxidant in or primary, secondary, and dilution zones of the combustor in a manner providing improvements in fuel efficiency, high altitude starting and other advantages are also defined.

Abstract: This invention pertains to small air breathing gas turbine engines (1). Engines of the invention employ improved combustion systems, including improved fuel injection systems and improved combustor design. These improvements enable the engine to idle at speeds as low as one-tenth the maximum operating speed of the engine, which gives the engine an increased range of operating speeds. The improved designs generally provide for pre-mix assemblies intimate with the fuel injectors, a typically flame-free primary "A" mixing zone in the combustion chamber, and a primary "B" combustion zone, in addition to the secondary combustion zone and the dilution zone. In preferred embodiments, the bearing assembly is located between the compressor and the turbine wheel. A cooling cavity is provided between the turbine wheel and the bearing assembly, thus protecting the bearings from the turbine heat.