Abstract: An improved fuel injection apparatus is provided to uniformly disperse a low pressure fuel in a highly atomized manner for introduction into a combustion apparatus. The fuel injection apparatus of this invention employs a system of counter-rotating air swirl means disposed about a shroud member whereby the primary atomizing forces are the high shear stresses developed at the confluence of the counter-rotating air streams and the greater velocity and uniformity at which the fuel is dispersed within the shroud provides for a substantially increased atomization efficiency.

Abstract: A fluid valve suitable for either metering or pressure regulating fluids at various temperatures is provided for a fuel system as may be utilized in an aircraft gas turbine engine. The valve includes a ceramic or carbon pad which cooperates with a window in a valve plate to provide a variable area orifice which remains operational during large and sometimes rapid variations in temperature incurred from the use of different fuels.

Abstract: A flameholder for the afterburner of an aircraft gas turbine engine is provided which comprises a pair of concentric rings forming an annular flow passage therebetween which has a continuous annular inlet for receiving the gas flow from the turbine exhaust. A plurality of discrete pilot fuel jets eject pilot fuel into the passage. A plurality of flow vanes are positioned within and around the circumference of the annular flow passage in order to impart a circumferential swirl to the fuel-air mixture and thereby improve the mixing and vaporizing thereof. An igniter of the spark type is positioned downstream of the swirl vanes. The outer annular wall of the flow passage extends downstream of and diverges conically outward from the inner wall of the flow passage. An annular V-shaped gutter is secured to the downstream end of the inner wall of the annular flow passage in order to provide a stable flameholding surface. The pre-mixed, vaporized fuel recirculates into the V-gutter to provide combustion stability.