Abstract: An attachment device for coupling one or more removable turbine components to a carrier of a turbine engine. The attachment device may include a securement structure rotatable about an axis of rotation and including one or more arms for grasping an arm extending from a support structure. A fastener may extend from the support structure and be inserted into a fastener receiving recess in the securement structure for preventing the securement structure from rotating and becoming disengaged from the support structure. The attachment device may also include a fastener retaining device for preventing the fastener, which may be a threaded bolt, from becoming disengaged from the attachment device, traveling downstream in a turbine, and damaging a turbine assembly.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a system and method for introducing fuel to the flow of air along a surface upstream of a combustion area. Fuel injectors can be used to deliver fuel to the air flow at or near the boundary layer of the air flow. The fuel injectors are ideally located substantially outside of the flow path. Many benefits can be realized by keeping the injectors out of the flow path including avoidance of potential excitations and smaller pressure drops in the flow. The potential of flame from the combustion area traveling upstream to the fuel injector can be minimized by creating a disturbance in the boundary layer of the flow downstream of the fuel injectors. Such disturbances can be achieved by placing a turbulence generator in the boundary layer. The turbulence generator can be a surface protrusion or a fluid cross-flow.

Abstract: An automatic recovery pilot nozzle support system for supporting a pilot nozzle in a fuel injection system of a turbine engine. The support system includes a sleeve extending from an orifice in a support housing, wherein the sleeve has a hollow opening for containing a pilot nozzle. The sleeve may increase the natural frequency of the pilot nozzle above an excitation zone, thereby limiting destructive vibrations. The sleeve may be attached to the support housing with an interference fit. The automatic recovery aspect of the support system enables the sleeve to maintain an interference fit with the support housing such that anytime the sleeve looses contact with the support housing, an insulative film of air forms between the sleeve and the support housing. The insulative film of air causes the temperature of the sleeve to increase, and the sleeve to expand and reform the interference fit with the support housing.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a system for reducing stagnation between substantially adjacent components while providing enhanced heat distribution properties in the corners and edges of the components. Each component is generally hollow and has two wails disposed substantially orthogonal to each other. Each of the two walls includes a substantially planar region, having an associated thickness, that transitions into a corner region. The two walls join in the corner region to form an outer edge portion and an inner edge portion. The interior surface of each wall in the corner region approaches the exterior surface as the interior surface advances toward the inner edge portion such that the thickness in the corner region does not exceed the thickness of the substantially planar region. The components are substantially adjacent such that the outer edge portions are disposed opposite and substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: A turbine fuel ring assembly includes a fuel distribution ring, at least one fuel supply tube attached to the fuel distribution ring and at least one attachment leg connected to the fuel distribution ring. The fuel ring has a hollow interior and a plurality of apertures for expelling a fluid. The attachment leg is configured to allow flexibility due to thermal expansion induced under certain load conditions such as during engine start-up or shut-down. Further, the configuration of the attachment legs provides improved stress distribution characteristics. The fuel supply tube includes a rectangular passage and a round passage that are disposed substantially transverse to each other and in fluid communication with each other and with the hollow interior of the fuel distribution ring. The rectangular passage and the round passage have substantially identical cross-sectional areas. The fuel supply tube is configured to avoid structural interferences with neighboring components.