Abstract: A torch ignitor system includes a torch wall defining a combustion chamber therein with a flame outlet passing out of the torch wall downstream of the combustion chamber. A fuel injector is mounted to the torch wall to issue fuel into the combustion chamber. At least one ignitor is mounted to the torch wall, positioned to ignite fuel issued from the fuel injector. A film cooler is defined through the torch wall and is operative to issue a film of cooling air from outside the torch wall along an interior surface of the combustion chamber for cooling the torch wall.

Abstract: An embodiment of a torch igniter for a combustor of a gas turbine engine comprises a combustion chamber oriented about an axis, a cap defining an axially upstream end of the combustion chamber and oriented about the axis, a tip defining an axially downstream end of the combustion chamber, a structural wall coaxial with and surrounding the igniter wall, an outlet passage defined by the igniter wall within the tip, and a cooling system. The cooling system comprises an air inlet formed within the structural wall, a first flow path disposed between the structural wall and the igniter wall, and an aperture extending through the igniter wall transverse to the flow direction. The aperture directly fluidly connects the first flow path to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A torch ignitor system includes a torch wall defining a combustion chamber therein with a flame outlet passing out of the torch wall downstream of the combustion chamber. A fuel nozzle is mounted to the torch wall to issue fuel into the combustion chamber. An ignitor is mounted to the torch wall, extending into the combustion chamber to ignite fuel issued from the fuel nozzle. A cooling passage is in thermal communication with the ignitor for cooling the ignitor with fluid passing through the cooling passage.

Abstract: A method of operating and cleaning a torch ignitor for continuous ignition includes issuing a fuel-lean flow through a combustion chamber of a torch ignitor. The method also includes heating interior surfaces of the torch ignitor, wherein the fuel-lean flow reacts with carbon deposits on the interior surfaces to remove the carbon deposits.

Abstract: A system includes an air manifold, a fuel manifold and plurality of fuel injectors. Each fuel injector includes a fixture portion, a nozzle outlet, and a heat exchanger portion connecting between the fixture portion and the nozzle outlet. An air channel and a fuel channel are in thermal communication with one another for heat exchange between fuel and air passing through the heat exchanger portion. The respective inlet of the fuel channel of each of the fuel injectors in the plurality of fuel injectors is connected to the fuel manifold for fluid communication of fuel from the fuel manifold to the nozzle outlets for combustion. The respective outlet of the air channel of each of the fuel injectors in the plurality of fuel injectors is connected to the air manifold for fluid communication of air from the heat exchanger portions into the air manifold.

Abstract: A system includes an air manifold, a fuel manifold, and a plurality of fuel injectors. At least one of the fuel injectors includes a heat exchanger portion for supplying compressed, cooled air form the heat exchanger portion to the air manifold. An air valve is operatively connected to an outlet of the air manifold for controlling release of air from the air manifold. A controller is operatively connected to the air valve, wherein the controller includes machine readable instructions configured to control the air valve to regulate flow of air through the air valve based on fuel temperatures in the fuel channel. The machine readable instructions can be configured to cause the controller to flow air through the air valve in a heat exchange mode if a fuel temperature in the fuel injectors is below a predetermined fuel temperature.

Abstract: A multipoint injection system includes a manifold with a plurality of flow passages defined through the manifold in the circumferential direction. The flow passages are spaced apart from one another in an axial direction. A plurality of feed arms extends radially inward from the manifold. Feed arm portions of the flow passages extend through each of the feed arms to respective outlets. The feed arm portions of the flow passages are within the axial width of the manifold. A plurality of injection nozzles are included, each in fluid communication with a respective one of the outlets. Each injection nozzle includes an air passage therethrough with an air inlet. The feed arms each follow a path that is circumferentially offset from the air inlets so each of the feed arms is clear from a flow path directly upstream in the axial direction of each of the air inlets.

Abstract: An embodiment of an ignition system for a gas turbine engine includes a high pressure engine case, a torch ignitor disposed at least partially within the high pressure engine case, the torch ignitor having a combustion chamber oriented about a torch axis, the combustion chamber having axially upstream and downstream ends defining a flow direction through the combustion chamber, along the axis. The ignition system also includes an access hatch configured to allow access through a high pressure engine case to the cap and to seal against the high pressure engine case when not accessing the cap. An embodiment of a method includes removing a hatch from a high pressure engine case to open a hatch opening, performing maintenance on a torch ignitor that is inside the high pressure engine case by accessing the torch ignitor through the hatch opening, replacing the hatch to close the hatch opening after completion of maintenance on the torch ignitor.

Abstract: A method of producing compressed air for use onboard an aircraft includes receiving compressor discharge air into an air channel of a fuel injector. The method also includes cooling the compressor discharge air within the air channel by heat exchange with fuel flowing in the fuel injector, and issuing cooled air from the internal air channel out of an engine case as a source of compressed air.

Abstract: A fuel injector includes a fuel nozzle configured to issue a spray of fuel from a fuel outlet in a downstream direction along an injection axis. The fuel nozzle defines a main flow passage therethrough. An injection fuel line is in fluid communication with the fuel nozzle to supply fuel to the fuel nozzle. A torch ignitor has a flame outlet opening into the main flow passage of the fuel nozzle for issuing flame into the main flow passage.

Abstract: An injection system includes an inner nozzle body defining a first air path along a longitudinal axis. The first air path defines a converging-diverging section between an upstream portion of the first air path and an outlet orifice of the first air path. A main orifice is defined at a narrowest portion of the converging-diverging section. A fuel circuit wall is outboard of the inner nozzle body. A fuel path is defined between the fuel circuit wall and the inner nozzle body. An outer nozzle body outboard of the fuel circuit wall has a second air path defined through the inner nozzle body for communication of air from the outer nozzle body into the first air path, wherein the second air path meets the first air path at a second orifice in the first air path downstream of the main orifice of the inner nozzle body.

Abstract: An injection system includes an inner nozzle body defining a first air path along a longitudinal axis. The first air path defines a converging-diverging section between an upstream portion of the first air path and an outlet orifice of the first air path. A main orifice is defined at a narrowest portion of the converging-diverging section. A fuel circuit wall is outboard of the inner nozzle body. A fuel path is defined between the fuel circuit wall and the inner nozzle body. An outer nozzle body outboard of the fuel circuit wall has a second air path defined through the inner nozzle body for communication of air from the outer nozzle body into the first air path, wherein the second air path meets the first air path at a second orifice in the first air path downstream of the main orifice of the inner nozzle body.

Abstract: A fuel injection system for a gas turbine engine includes a first plurality of fuel nozzles arrayed in a circular pattern. Each of the nozzles in the first plurality of fuel nozzles includes a first airflow area defined therethrough. A second plurality of fuel nozzles radially inward from the first plurality of fuel nozzles. Each of the nozzles in the second plurality of fuel nozzles includes a second airflow area defined therethrough. The first airflow area is larger than the second airflow area. A third plurality of fuel nozzles can be radially inward from the second plurality of fuel nozzles. Each of the nozzles in the third plurality of fuel nozzles can include a third airflow area defined therethrough. The second airflow area can be larger than the third airflow area.

Abstract: An embodiment of a combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor case, a combustor liner disposed within the combustor case, a fuel nozzle at an upstream end of the combustor liner, a torch igniter within the combustor case, and a removable fuel injector. The torch igniter includes a combustion chamber, a cap configured to receive a removable fuel injector and a surface igniter, a tip, an annular igniter wall extending from the cap to the tip and defining a radial extent of the combustion chamber, a structural wall coaxial with and surrounding the igniter wall, and an outlet passage within the tip which fluidly connects the combustion chamber to the combustor. The removable fuel injector extends through a fuel injector opening of the combustor case. The diameter of the fuel injector opening is wider than a fuel injector diameter of the removable fuel injector.

Abstract: An embodiment of a torch igniter for a combustor of a gas turbine engine comprises a combustion chamber oriented about an axis, a cap defining an axially upstream end of the combustion chamber and oriented about the axis, a tip defining an axially downstream end of the combustion chamber, a structural wall coaxial with and surrounding the igniter wall, an outlet passage defined by the igniter wall within the tip, and a cooling system. The cooling system comprises an air inlet formed within the structural wall, a first flow path disposed between the structural wall and the igniter wall, and an aperture extending through the igniter wall transverse to the flow direction. The aperture directly fluidly connects the first flow path to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An embodiment of a combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a combustor case, a combustor liner disposed within the combustor case, a fuel nozzle at an upstream end of the combustor liner, a torch igniter at least partially within the combustor case, and a removable surface igniter. The torch igniter includes a combustion chamber, a cap configured to receive a fuel injector, a tip, an annular igniter wall extending from the cap to the tip and defining a radial extent of the combustion chamber, an aperture, a structural wall coaxial with and surrounding the igniter wall, and an outlet passage within the tip which fluidly connects the combustion chamber to the combustor. The torch igniter is configured to receive the removable surface igniter through the aperture. An internal end of the removable surface igniter extends through the aperture into the combustion chamber of the torch igniter.

Abstract: A system includes a combustor. The combustor has a combustor wall with a combustor dome at an upstream end of the combustor wall, and an outlet at a downstream end of the combustor wall opposite the upstream end. The combustor wall includes an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion defining an interior of the combustor therebetween. Each of the inner wall portion and outer wall portion extends from the combustor dome to the downstream end of the combustor wall. The combustor wall includes an air cooling passage embedded inside at least one of the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion. The air cooling passage extends from the upstream end of the combustor wall to the downstream end of the combustor wall.

Abstract: A system includes a combustor. The combustor has a combustor wall with a combustor dome at an upstream end of the combustor wall, and an outlet at a downstream end of the combustor wall opposite the upstream end. The combustor wall includes an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion defining an interior of the combustor therebetween. Each of the inner wall portion and outer wall portion extends from the combustor dome to the downstream end of the combustor wall. The combustor wall includes an air cooling passage embedded inside at least one of the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion. The air cooling passage extends from the upstream end of the combustor wall to the downstream end of the combustor wall.

Abstract: An embodiment of a torch igniter for a combustor of a gas turbine engine includes a combustion chamber oriented about an axis, a cap defining the axially upstream end of the combustion chamber and situated on the axis, a tip defining the axially downstream end of the combustion chamber, an igniter wall extending from the cap to the tip and defining a radial extent of the combustion chamber, a structural wall coaxial with and surrounding the igniter wall, an outlet passage defined by the igniter wall within the tip, wherein the outlet passage fluidly connects the combustion chamber to the combustor of the gas turbine engine, and a cooling system. The cooling system has an air inlet, a cooling channel, and an aperture. The cooling channel forms a flow path having a first axial section, a second axial section, a radially inward section, and a radially outward section.

Abstract: A torch ignitor system provides a continuous flame to ignite fuel within a combustor of a gas turbine engine. The torch ignitor system includes a manifold and a plurality of torch nozzles to enable the flame or torch to simultaneously ignite multiple fuel nozzles within the combustor of the gas turbine engine.