Abstract: A unitary swirler assembly that provides improved service life, having a ferrule body and a unitary swirler body. The unitary swirler body has oppositely-directed primary swirler passages and secondary swirler passages. A pair of rails formed on the unitary swirler body engage the ferrule body to limit relative movement, and prevent relative rotation, of the ferrule body and the unitary swirler body.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a test model of a gas turbine engine combustor dome, and the test model produced thereby. The method entails individually stamping a plurality of dome wall segments and first and second mounting band segments. Each wall segment comprises at least one cup between radially inward and outward edges of the wall segment, and an opening in the cup. At least one wall segment and its two corresponding mounting band segments are placed on a fixture that locates the opening of the wall segment, locates the first and second mounting band segments at the radially-inward and outward edges of the wall segment, and orients the wall segment to establish a dome angle of the fixtured dome assembly. The wall segment and mounting band segments are then joined while the fixtured dome assembly remains on the fixture to form at least a unitary sector of the test model.

Abstract: A swirler includes a tubular body having a row of secondary radial swirl vanes. A tubular ferrule adjoins the body at the secondary vanes, and includes a row of primary swirl vanes. The primary vanes are disposed axially obliquely to the secondary vanes, with a common annular inlet facing radially outwardly for swirling air radially inwardly therefrom with axial momentum into the tubular body.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a test model of a gas turbine engine combustor dome, and the test model produced thereby. The method entails individually stamping a plurality of dome wall segments and first and second mounting band segments. Each wall segment comprises at least one cup between radially inward and outward edges of the wall segment, and an opening in the cup. At least one wall segment and its two corresponding mounting band segments are placed on a fixture that locates the opening of the wall segment, locates the first and second mounting band segments at the radially-inward and outward edges of the wall segment, and orients the wall segment to establish a dome angle of the fixtured dome assembly. The wall segment and mounting band segments are then joined while the fixtured dome assembly remains on the fixture to form at least a unitary sector of the test model.

Abstract: A swirler includes a tubular body having a row of secondary radial swirl vanes. A tubular ferrule adjoins the body at the secondary vanes, and includes a row of primary swirl vanes. The primary vanes are disposed axially obliquely to the secondary vanes, with a common annular inlet facing radially outwardly for swirling air radially inwardly therefrom with axial momentum into the tubular body.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a rotor blade for a gas turbine engine facilitates reducing operating temperatures of a tip portion of the rotor blade. The method comprises forming an airfoil including a first sidewall and a second sidewall connected at a leading edge and a trailing edge to define a cavity therein, wherein the first and second sidewalls extend radially between a rotor blade root and a rotor blade tip plate, and forming a first tip wall extending from the rotor blade tip plate along the first sidewall, such that at least a portion of the first tip wall is at least partially recessed with respect to the rotor blade first sidewall to define a tip shelf that extends from the airfoil trailing edge towards the airfoil leading edge. A second tip wall is formed to extend from the rotor blade tip plate along the second sidewall.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a rotor blade for a gas turbine engine facilitates reducing operating temperatures of a tip portion of the rotor blade. The method comprises forming an airfoil including a first sidewall and a second sidewall connected at a leading edge and a trailing edge to define a cavity therein, wherein the first and second sidewalls extend radially between a rotor blade root and a rotor blade tip plate, and forming a first tip wall extending from the rotor blade tip plate along the first sidewall, such that at least a portion of the first tip wall is at least partially recessed with respect to the rotor blade first sidewall to define a tip shelf that extends from the airfoil trailing edge towards the airfoil leading edge. A second tip wall is formed to extend from the rotor blade tip plate along the second sidewall.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of igniter tubes that facilitate reducing temperature gradients within the combustor in a cost effective and reliable manner. The combustor includes an annular outer liner that includes a plurality of openings sized to receive igniter tubes. Each igniter tube maintains an alignment of each igniter received therein, and includes an air impingement device that extends radially outward from the igniter tube. During operation, airflow contacting the air impingement device is channeled radially inward for impingement cooling of the igniter tubes and the combustor outer liner.

Abstract: A combustor for a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of igniter tubes that facilitate reducing temperature gradients within the combustor in a cost effective and reliable manner. The combustor includes an annular outer liner that includes a plurality of openings sized to receive igniter tubes. Each igniter tube maintains an alignment of each igniter received therein, and includes an air impingement device that extends radially outward from the igniter tube. During operation, airflow contacting the air impingement device is channeled radially inward for impingement cooling of the igniter tubes and the combustor outer liner.