Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor for use in a gas turbine engine includes an outer vortex chamber wall and a dome attached to, or formed integrally with, the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome, the outer vortex chamber wall, or both define at least in part an outer trapped vortex chamber and a channel. The channel extends along the circumferential direction at a forward end of the outer vortex chamber wall, the channel configured to receive an airflow through or around the outer vortex chamber wall, the dome, or both and provide such airflow as a continuous annular airflow to the inner surface of the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome further defines a fuel nozzle opening, with all openings in the dome outward of the fuel nozzle opening along the radial direction, excepting any effusion cooling holes having a diameter less than about 0.035 inches, being in airflow communication with the channel.

Abstract: Fuel nozzle assemblies are provided. For example, a fuel nozzle assembly for a combustor system comprises a fuel nozzle having a pilot swirler and an outlet defined in an outlet end, as well as a main mixer attached to the outlet end and extending about the outlet. A total combustor airflow through the combustor system comprises a pilot swirler airflow that is greater than about 14% and a main mixer airflow that is less than about 50% of the total combustor airflow. In further embodiments, the fuel nozzle also comprises main and pilot fuel injectors that each are configured to receive a portion of a fuel flow to the fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle provides less than about 80% of the fuel flow to the main fuel injector at a high power operating condition of a gas turbine engine in which the fuel nozzle assembly is installed.

Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor for use in a gas turbine engine includes an outer vortex chamber wall and a dome attached to, or formed integrally with, the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome, the outer vortex chamber wall, or both define at least in part an outer trapped vortex chamber and a channel. The channel extends along the circumferential direction at a forward end of the outer vortex chamber wall, the channel configured to receive an airflow through or around the outer vortex chamber wall, the dome, or both and provide such airflow as a continuous annular airflow to the inner surface of the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome further defines a fuel nozzle opening, with all openings in the dome outward of the fuel nozzle opening along the radial direction, excepting any effusion cooling holes having a diameter less than about 0.035 inches, being in airflow communication with the channel.

Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor for use in a gas turbine engine includes an outer vortex chamber wall and a dome attached to, or formed integrally with, the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome, the outer vortex chamber wall, or both define at least in part an outer trapped vortex chamber and a channel. The channel extends along the circumferential direction at a forward end of the outer vortex chamber wall, the channel configured to receive an airflow through or around the outer vortex chamber wall, the dome, or both and provide such airflow as a continuous annular airflow to the inner surface of the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome further defines a fuel nozzle opening, with all openings in the dome outward of the fuel nozzle opening along the radial direction, excepting any effusion cooling holes having a diameter less than about 0.035 inches, being in airflow communication with the channel.

Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor for use in a gas turbine engine defines a radial direction, an axial direction, and a circumferential direction. The trapped vortex combustor includes an outer vortex chamber wall defining a forward end, and a dome attached to, or formed integrally with, the outer vortex chamber wall at the forward end of the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome and outer vortex chamber wall define at least in part a combustion chamber having an outer trapped vortex chamber. The dome includes an air chute defining an airflow direction. The radial direction and axial direction of the trapped vortex combustor define a reference plane extending through the air chute, the airflow direction of the air chute defining an angle greater than zero with the reference plane.

Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor for use in a gas turbine engine defines a radial direction, an axial direction, and a circumferential direction. The trapped vortex combustor includes an outer vortex chamber wall defining a forward end, and a dome attached to, or formed integrally with, the outer vortex chamber wall at the forward end of the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome and outer vortex chamber wall define at least in part a combustion chamber having an outer trapped vortex chamber. The dome includes an air chute defining an airflow direction. The radial direction and axial direction of the trapped vortex combustor define a reference plane extending through the air chute, the airflow direction of the air chute defining an angle greater than zero with the reference plane.

Abstract: Fuel nozzle assemblies are provided. For example, a fuel nozzle assembly for a combustor system comprises a fuel nozzle having a pilot swirler and an outlet defined in an outlet end, as well as a main mixer attached to the outlet end and extending about the outlet. A total combustor airflow through the combustor system comprises a pilot swirler airflow that is greater than about 14% and a main mixer airflow that is less than about 50% of the total combustor airflow. In further embodiments, the fuel nozzle also comprises main and pilot fuel injectors that each are configured to receive a portion of a fuel flow to the fuel nozzle. The fuel nozzle provides less than about 80% of the fuel flow to the main fuel injector at a high power operating condition of a gas turbine engine in which the fuel nozzle assembly is installed.

Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor for use in a gas turbine engine includes an outer vortex chamber wall and a dome attached to, or formed integrally with, the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome, the outer vortex chamber wall, or both define at least in part an outer trapped vortex chamber and a channel. The channel extends along the circumferential direction at a forward end of the outer vortex chamber wall, the channel configured to receive an airflow through or around the outer vortex chamber wall, the dome, or both and provide such airflow as a continuous annular airflow to the inner surface of the outer vortex chamber wall. The dome further defines a fuel nozzle opening, with all openings in the dome outward of the fuel nozzle opening along the radial direction, excepting any effusion cooling holes having a diameter less than about 0.035 inches, being in airflow communication with the channel.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle centerbody is provided that includes a cylindrical cross-sectional area, and a baffle co-axially aligned within the centerbody. The baffle includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced apertures configured to channel an airflow radially outward such that the channeled airflow impinges a centerbody inner surface.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle centerbody is provided that includes a cylindrical cross-sectional area, and a baffle co-axially aligned within the centerbody. The baffle includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced apertures configured to channel an airflow radially outward such that the channeled airflow impinges a centerbody inner surface.

Abstract: A liner for a gas turbine engine combustor having a trapped vortex cavity formed therein, wherein a dome plate is positioned at an upstream end of the combustor, includes: a first portion positioned adjacent and connected to the dome plate, wherein the first liner portion extends downstream from and substantially perpendicular to the dome plate; a second portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first liner portion and substantially parallel to the dome plate; a first arcuate portion having a predetermined radius located between the first and second liner portions; a third portion extending downstream and substantially perpendicular to the second liner portion; and, a second arcuate portion located between the second and third liner portions; wherein the first liner portion, the second liner portion, the first arcuate liner portion and a portion of the dome plate form the trapped vortex cavity.

Abstract: A liner for a gas turbine engine combustor having a trapped vortex cavity formed therein, wherein a dome plate is positioned at an upstream end of the combustor, includes: a first portion positioned adjacent and connected to the dome plate, wherein the first liner portion extends downstream from and substantially perpendicular to the dome plate; a second portion extending substantially perpendicular to the first liner portion and substantially parallel to the dome plate; a first arcuate portion having a predetermined radius located between the first and second liner portions; a third portion extending downstream and substantially perpendicular to the second liner portion; and, a second arcuate portion located between the second and third liner portions; wherein the first liner portion, the second liner portion, the first arcuate liner portion and a portion of the dome plate form the trapped vortex cavity.

Abstract: A two-stage fuel nozzle assembly for a gas turbine engine. The primary combustion region is centrally positioned and includes a fuel injector that is surrounded by one or more swirl chambers to provide a fuel air mixture that is ignited to define a first stage combustion zone. A secondary combustion region is provided by an annular housing that surrounds the primary combustion region, and it includes a secondary fuel injector having a radially outwardly directed opening and surrounded by an annular ring that includes openings for providing a swirl chamber for the secondary combustion region. Cooling air is directed angularly between the primary and secondary combustion zones to delay intermixing and thereby allow more complete combustion of the respective zones prior to their coalescing further downstream. The primary combustion region is activated during idle and low engine power conditions and both the primary and secondary combustion regions are activated during high engine power conditions.