Abstract: A fluid atomizer and methods of atomizing fluids are disclosed. The fluid atomizer may comprise an inner member and one or more outer members. The inner member defines an interior conduit for providing a first-fluid flowpath from a supply end of the atomizer to a discharge end of the atomizer along a central axis. The one or more outer members are positioned radially outward of the inner member from the central axis. The inner and outer members define a second-fluid flowpath extending from a second-fluid supply conduit to a second-fluid discharge plenum. The second-fluid flowpath comprises a tangential conduit spiraling along the axis from the second-fluid supply conduit to a terminal end; an annulus downstream from and in fluid communication with the tangential conduit; and a second-fluid discharge plenum downstream from and in fluid communication with the annulus.

Abstract: A fluid atomizer and methods of atomizing fluids are disclosed. The fluid atomizer may comprise an inner member and one or more outer members. The inner member defines an interior conduit for providing a first-fluid flowpath from a supply end of the atomizer to a discharge end of the atomizer along a central axis. The one or more outer members are positioned radially outward of the inner member from the central axis. The inner and outer members define a second-fluid flowpath extending from a second-fluid supply conduit to a second-fluid discharge plenum. The second-fluid flowpath comprises a tangential conduit spiraling along the axis from the second-fluid supply conduit to a terminal end; an annulus downstream from and in fluid communication with the tangential conduit; and a second-fluid discharge plenum downstream from and in fluid communication with the annulus.

Abstract: A fluid atomizer and methods of atomizing fluids are disclosed. The fluid atomizer may comprise an inner member and one or more outer members. The inner member defines an interior conduit for providing a first-fluid flowpath from a supply end of the atomizer to a discharge end of the atomizer along a central axis. The one or more outer members are positioned radially outward of the inner member from the central axis. The inner and outer members define a second-fluid flowpath extending from a second-fluid supply conduit to a second-fluid discharge plenum. The second-fluid flowpath comprises a tangential conduit spiraling along the axis from the second-fluid supply conduit to a terminal end; an annulus downstream from and in fluid communication with the tangential conduit; and a second-fluid discharge plenum downstream from and in fluid communication with the annulus.

Abstract: A fluid atomizer and methods of atomizing fluids are disclosed. The fluid atomizer may comprise an inner member and one or more outer members. The inner member defines an interior conduit for providing a first-fluid flowpath from a supply end of the atomizer to a discharge end of the atomizer along a central axis. The one or more outer members are positioned radially outward of the inner member from the central axis. The inner and outer members define a second-fluid flowpath extending from a second-fluid supply conduit to a second-fluid discharge plenum. The second-fluid flowpath comprises a tangential conduit spiraling along the axis from the second-fluid supply conduit to a terminal end; an annulus downstream from and in fluid communication with the tangential conduit; and a second-fluid discharge plenum downstream from and in fluid communication with the annulus.

Abstract: A dynamic seal assembly is disclosed for use in a valve having an upstream pressure side and a downstream pressure side, the dynamic seal assembly including an annular seal member having a generally C-shaped cross-section and including opposed upstream and downstream legs defining an internal cavity with an opening facing toward the upstream pressure side of the valve, wherein the upstream leg has a radial length that is greater than a radial length of the downstream leg and includes a retaining foot that extends angularly away from the upstream leg in an upstream direction at an angle of between about 0° and 90°, and a metallic spring is disposed within the internal cavity of the seal member for providing a constant sealing force to the seal member.

Abstract: An air swirler has a radially outer wall bounding an annular passage. The radially outer wall has an axially extending portion and a radially convergent portion which converges towards an outlet of the passage. Downstream of the outlet, the passage facing surface of the radially outer wall becomes divergent. The region in which the passage facing surface of the radially outer wall is convergent then divergent defines the flare. A circumferential and axially extending recess is provided in the radially outer wall opposite the flare. A reinforcement of material with superior wear properties to the material of the main body is built in the recess to a radius which coincides with that of the outer surface of the axially extending portion of the radially outer wall. The reinforcement can conveniently be added to the main body by means of a laser consolidation ALM process.

Abstract: A method can include additively manufacturing a first portion of a part in a first build direction on a first build plate, removing the first portion of the part from the first build plate and inserting the first portion of the part on a second build plate that is configured to receive at least a portion of the first portion of the part. The method can also include additively manufacturing, in a second build direction relative to the first build direction, a second portion on the first portion of the part that is on the second build plate. In certain embodiments, the method can include removing the part from the second build plate.

Abstract: A valve for regulating fluid flowing bidirectionally therethrough includes a first flow body defining a passage configured to direct fluid flow in a downstream direction defined from the inlet to the outlet. The inlet includes an enlargement configured to provide decreased resistance to fluid flow in the downstream direction relative to flow in an upstream direction opposite the downstream direction.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a lean direct injection fuel nozzle has a pilot air swirler which sits radially outboard of a pilot fuel swirler radially outer wall. The air swirler is bounded on its radially outer side by joined wall portions. One wall portion extends axially and another wall portion converges radially. On the radially inwardly facing surface, the wall portions meet to provide a continuing wall surface of the air swirler which transitions from axial extension to radial convergence over a smooth radius. The curvature of this surface broadly mirrors the radially outwardly facing profile of the pilot fuel swirler radially outer wall. The axially extending wall portion is extended axially to form a first part of a join interface. The radially converging portion is extended in a radial direction to provide a second part of the join interface.

Abstract: A valve for regulating fluid flowing bidirectionally therethrough includes a first flow body defining a passage configured to direct fluid flow in a downstream direction defined from the inlet to the outlet. The inlet includes an enlargement configured to provide decreased resistance to fluid flow in the downstream direction relative to flow in an upstream direction opposite the downstream direction.

Abstract: A dynamic seal assembly is disclosed for use in a valve having an upstream pressure side and a downstream pressure side, the dynamic seal assembly including an annular seal member having a generally C-shaped cross-section and including opposed upstream and downstream legs defining an internal cavity with an opening facing toward the upstream pressure side of the valve, wherein the upstream leg has a radial length that is greater than a radial length of the downstream leg and includes a retaining foot that extends angularly away from the upstream leg in an upstream direction at an angle of between about 0° and 90°, and a metallic spring is disposed within the internal cavity of the seal member for providing a constant sealing force to the seal member.

Abstract: A dynamic seal assembly is disclosed for use in a valve having an upstream pressure side and a downstream pressure side, the dynamic seal assembly including an annular seal member having a generally C-shaped cross-section and including opposed upstream and downstream legs defining an internal cavity with an opening facing toward the upstream pressure side of the valve, wherein the upstream leg has a radial length that is greater than a radial length of the downstream leg and includes a retaining foot that extends angularly away from the upstream leg in an upstream direction at an angle of between about 0° and 90°, and a metallic spring is disposed within the internal cavity of the seal member for providing a constant sealing force to the seal member.

Abstract: An air swirler has a radially outer wall bounding an annular passage. The radially outer wall has an axially extending portion and a radially convergent portion which converges towards an outlet of the passage. Downstream of the outlet, the passage facing surface of the radially outer wall becomes divergent. The region in which the passage facing surface of the radially outer wall is convergent then divergent defines the flare. A circumferential and axially extending recess is provided in the radially outer wall opposite the flare. A reinforcement of material with superior wear properties to the material of the main body is built in the recess to a radius which coincides with that of the outer surface of the axially extending portion of the radially outer wall. The reinforcement can conveniently be added to the main body by means of a laser consolidation ALM process.

Abstract: A fuel injector for a lean direct injection fuel nozzle has a pilot air swirler which sits radially outboard of a pilot fuel swirler radially outer wall. The air swirler is bounded on its radially outer side by joined wall portions. One wall portion extends axially and another wall portion converges radially. On the radially inwardly facing surface, the wall portions meet to provide a continuing wall surface of the air swirler which transitions from axial extension to radial convergence over a smooth radius. The curvature of this surface broadly mirrors the radially outwardly facing profile of the pilot fuel swirler radially outer wall. The axially extending wall portion is extended axially to form a first part of a join interface. The radially converging portion is extended in a radial direction to provide a second part of the join interface.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a longitudinal axis defined through the valve housing. The valve also includes a toggle mechanism configured and adapted to cycle flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet through a plurality of different flow rates in response to repeated impulses. The toggle mechanism is also configured to hold flow rate steady between impulses.

Abstract: A dynamic seal assembly is disclosed for use in a valve having an upstream pressure side and a downstream pressure side, the dynamic seal assembly including an annular seal member having a generally C-shaped cross-section and including opposed upstream and downstream legs defining an internal cavity with an opening facing toward the upstream pressure side of the valve, wherein the upstream leg has a radial length that is greater than a radial length of the downstream leg and includes a retaining foot that extends angularly away from the upstream leg in an upstream direction at an angle of between about 0° and 90°, and a metallic spring is disposed within the internal cavity of the seal member for providing a constant sealing force to the seal member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a staged fuel injector that includes, inter alia, a main fuel circuit for delivering fuel to a main fuel atomizer and a pilot fuel circuit for delivering fuel to a pilot fuel atomizer which is located radially inward of the main fuel atomizer. The main fuel atomizer includes a radially outer prefilmer and a radially inner fuel swirler. Portions of the main fuel circuit are formed in the prefilmer and portions of the pilot fuel circuit are formed in the prefilmer and the fuel swirler and are positioned proximate to and in thermal contact with fuel exit ports associated with the main fuel circuit and formed in the prefilmer. As a result, the pilot fuel circuit cools the stagnant fuel located in main fuel circuit, including the exit ports, even when performing at engine power levels of up to 60% of the maximum take-off thrust.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a fuel injector that includes a sleeve member having an interior chamber, a piston member supported for movement within the interior chamber of the sleeve member and separating an upstream pressure side of the valve assembly from a downstream pressure side of the valve assembly, and a dynamic sealing device mounted to one of the sleeve member and the piston member for sealingly isolating the upstream pressure side of the valve assembly from the downstream pressure side of the valve assembly. The dynamic sealing assembly includes a PTFE seal member having a generally C-shaped cross-section defining an internal cavity having an opening about the outer periphery thereof the seal member, and a helical spring disposed within the internal cavity of the seal member for providing a constant sealing force to the seal member.

Abstract: A valve includes a valve housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a longitudinal axis defined through the valve housing. The valve also includes a toggle mechanism configured and adapted to cycle flow from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet through a plurality of different flow rates in response to repeated impulses. The toggle mechanism is also configured to hold flow rate steady between impulses.

Abstract: A flow directing device for imparting swirl on a fluid includes a flow directing body having a first surface and opposed second surface. A flow channel is defined in the first surface of the flow directing body for conducting fluids flowing through the flow directing body. The flow channel includes a channel surface set in from the first surface. A swirl bore extends though the flow directing body from the channel surface to the second surface of the flow directing body at an oblique angle relative to the channel surface for imparting a tangential swirl component onto fluids flowing through the swirl bore. Having an asymmetrical terminus portion of the channel surface, and positioning of the swirl bore within the terminus portion, allow control of the swirl direction for flow within the terminus portion and swirl bore.