Abstract: A combustor assembly includes a convergent segment followed by a divergent segment to advantageously improve combustion. The combustor assembly includes a first segment beginning at a forward end that transitions to a second segment past a transition segment in a direction along a combustor axis toward an aft end. The reduction in cross-sectional area within the first segment provides desirable fuel and air mixing properties. The convergent first segment in combination with the divergent second segment decreases residence time of fuel-air mixture within the combustor chamber that decreases production of undesirable emissions from the combustor assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 2005
Date of Patent:
October 4, 2011
Assignee:
United Technologies Corporation
Inventors:
Steven W. Burd, William Sowa, Albert K. Cheung, Stephen Karl Kramer, Reid Dyer Curtis Smith, James Hoke