Abstract: In a combustor having an axis, a flow sleeve and a liner, a plurality of circumferentially spaced supports interconnect the upstream ends of the liner and flow sleeve to limit wear on the supports and accommodate relative thermal expansion of the liner and flow sleeve. Each support includes a flow sleeve stop having an angled surface, a groove and a female threaded aperture and a liner stop having a complementary angled surface, a rib and an enlarged opening. By inserting the liner axially through the open upstream end of the flow sleeve, the rib of the liner stop engages the slot of the flow sleeve stop. By passing a bolt having a spring through the enlarged opening of the liner stop and threading the bolt to the flow sleeve stop, the liner is biased for axial downstream movement to maintain the complementary inclined surfaces of the stops in contact with one another, thereby limiting wear and accommodating relative thermal expansion of the flow sleeve and liner.

Abstract: In a gas turbine having a plurality of combustors, each having an annular array of outer fuel nozzles arranged about a center axis, an improved construction is provided wherein each combustor has a center nozzle located on the center axis. Various methods of operating the improved combustor are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a gas turbine having a plurality of combustors, each having an annular array of outer fuel nozzles arranged about a center fuel nozzle. A method for operating the combustors wherein the annular array is supplied with fuel from a diffusion manifold and at least one pre-mix manifold, and further wherein the center nozzle is supplied with fuel from a center premix manifold includes the steps of:a) at start-up, supplying some of the annular array nozzles with diffusion fuel;b) at part speed supplying pre-mix fuel to one of the nozzles in the annular array;c) at full speed, part load, transferring the annular array nozzles receiving diffusion fuel to pre-mix fuel;d) as load is increased supplying pre-mix fuel to the center nozzle; and thene) supplying additional pre-mix to all nozzles as load increases.

Abstract: In a gas turbine having a plurality of combustors, each having an annular array of outer fuel nozzles arranged about a center axis, an improved construction is provided wherein each combustor has a center nozzle located on the center axis. Various methods of operating the improved combustor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gas turbine combustor is provided with a premixer in which an oxidant and fuel is mixed and caused to flow to the combustion zone past two or more arrays of convex members positioned transverse or canted to the flow. The convex members introduce turbulence and include a plurality of openings to introduce one or more additional fuels into the premixed oxidant and fuel flow. Parallel, annular and radial arrays, or combinations thereof, may be provided. The downstream array is V-shaped in cross section and provides flame holding capability while the upstream array principally provides additional mixing of fuel and oxidant.

Abstract: An igniter for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a body section mounted on a ball joint within a standoff cylinder. The standoff cylinder, in turn, is mounted on the casing of the combustor. An electrode tip, extending from the body section if tightly fitted into a hole in the combustor liner. The ball joint permits substantial transverse motion of the electrode tip to fit it through the hole during installation of the igniter, and to track the position of the hole if it should move relative to the casing due to differential thermal expansion during operation of the combustor. Seals between mating parts prevents the leakage of air from the interior of the casing.

Abstract: A transition duct in an advanced heavy duty gas turbine engine is cooled by impingement jets formed by apertures in a sleeve spaced a distance from the surface to be cooled. The sleeve is configured so as to duct spent impingement air towards the combustor, where it can be subsequently used for mixing with, and combustion of, the fuel, or for cooling of the combustor. The distance between the impingement sleeve and the transition duct surface is varied to control the velocity of air crossflow from spent impingement air in order to minimize the pressure loss due to crossflow. The cross-sectional areas of the apertures are varied to project impingement jets over the various distances and crossflow velocities. Generally, larger aperture areas are used with larger distances.

Abstract: A modular catalytic combustor for a gas turbine has a plurality of individual, non-metallic cylindrical catalyst beds, and a support structure for each of the individual catalyst beds. Each catalyst bed together with its support structure forms an individual catalyst module. Each support structure includes an outer cooled support cylinder, with the individual support cylinders of the various modules interconnected in spaced relationship with cooling air passageways between. There are means for supplying compressed air, such as from a gas turbine compressor, into the space surrounding the support cylinders. The outer cooled support cylinders are provided with apertures for entry of cooling and purge air from the surrounding space. Each of the catalyst beds has an integral, cylindrical, outer ceramic shell, and is positioned within a corresponding outer support cylinder. A sheet metal heat shield is interposed between and concentric with each of the outer support cylinders and the catalyst bed within.

Abstract: A structural support system for the aft end of advanced design combustion transition duct members of specially configured to withstand high temperature gradients and mechanical loads developed in heavy-duty cannular gas turbine combustion systems. A composite element support system is provided for each transition duct member wherein one end of a cylindrical base element is contoured for and welded to the outer wall of its associated transition duct member, while its other end carries a hinge joint of special design to interconnect the transition duct member to a desired mounting member. The circular footprint of the cylindrical base element on the transition duct member wall is configured to minimize thermal and mechanical stresses especially in the weld joint region, while the hinge joint allows relative movement of the connected parts about a desired axis. Additionally, a hinge joint through bolt is torqued to a predetermined value to dampen out unwanted mechanical vibrations.