SEGMENTED FUEL DISTRIBUTOR
There is provided a segmented fuel distributor for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber. The segmented fuel distributor comprises segments serially interconnected in to provide an annular structure. The segments include a main conduit defining a first axis along which a main fuel flow path extends. The segments having two or more secondary conduits extending from the main conduit and being in fluid flow communication therewith, and fuel injectors fluidly connected to the secondary conduits at remote ends thereof.
The application relates generally to gas turbine engines and, more particularly, to systems and methods for injecting fuel in combustors of such engines.
BACKGROUNDExisting fuel manifolds for gas turbine engines include internal fuel manifolds and external fuel manifolds. While internal fuel manifolds are advantageous in a number of respects (e.g. weight, cost, etc.), they are not as easily removed and/or accessible for maintenance purposes as their more traditionally-used external counterparts. For example, a gas turbine engine with an internal fuel manifold must be split apart in order to access the fuel manifold for service and/or replacement. Consequently, such operations cannot be done in the field and involve more time, cost and engine downtime.
SUMMARYIn one aspect, there is provided a segmented fuel distributor for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine, the segmented fuel distributor comprising a plurality of segments serially interconnected in fuel flow communication to provide an annular structure, the segmented fuel distributor configured for mounting to an external casing of the gas turbine engine, the segments including a main conduit defining a first axis along which a main fuel flow path extends, the segments having two or more secondary conduits extending from the main conduit and being in fluid flow communication therewith, and fuel injectors fluidly connected to the secondary conduits at remote ends thereof.
In another aspect, there is provided a combustor for a gas turbine engine, comprising a casing and a segmented fuel distributor affixed to the casing and configured for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of the combustor, the segmented fuel distributor comprising a plurality of segments serially interconnected in fuel flow communication, the segments including a main conduit defining a first axis along which a main fuel flow path extends, the segments having two or more secondary conduits extending from the main conduit and being in fluid flow communication therewith, and fuel injectors fluidly connected to the secondary conduits at remote ends thereof.
In yet another aspect, there is provided a method of assembling a combustor of a gas turbine engine, comprising: disposing fuel distribution segments circumferentially around a central axis of the combustor, the fuel distribution segments having two or more fuel injectors; fluidly connecting the fuel distribution segments with two respectively adjacent ones of the fuel distribution segments to form a segmented fuel distributor; and securing the segmented fuel distributor to a casing of the combustor.
Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in which:
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The main conduit 34 defines two opposed ends 42 and 44 spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal axis L. The two opposed ends 42 and 44 circumscribe openings 46 for receiving a fuel flow to be injected into the combustion chamber 30. In the embodiment shown, the two opposed ends 42, 44 of the main conduit 34 are configured to be fluidly connected with circumferentially adjacent ones of the individual fuel carrying segments 24 via the transfer tube assemblies 28. For that purpose, the fuel carrying segment 24 defines coupling portions 34a adjacent the opposed ends 42, 44 and formed integrally with the main conduit 34.
The coupling portions 34a are configured for being sealingly connected to the transfer tube assemblies 28. In the embodiment shown, a diameter of the coupling portions 34a is greater than a diameter of the main conduit 34. Each of the coupling portions 34a defines a first annular groove 34b. One of the coupling portions 34a defines a second annular groove 34c of a depth less than that of the other annular grooves 34b and disposed beyond the first annular groove 34b relative to a distance from end 42. In a particular embodiment, the second annular groove 34c is configured for receiving external snap ring or circlip 45 (
The fuel carrying segment 24 further includes fuel injector receiving members 50 disposed at the remote, or distal ends 38a of the secondary conduits 38. The fuel carrying segment 24 further includes fuel injectors 52 (
In the embodiment shown, the main conduit 34, the secondary conduits 38, and the fuel injector receiving members 50 are integrally formed by suitable manufacturing processes. In the embodiment shown, the fuel carrying segment 24 is integrally formed and fuel passages are formed by manufacturing along the longitudinal axes L and L′ of the main and secondary conduits 34 and 38. Manufactured holes 54 are shown for illustration purposes. It is understood that the manufactured holes 54 are suitably clogged to preclude fluid flow communication between the main and secondary flow paths 36 and 40 and an environment E (
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One of the two cavities 50b is shaped for slidingly and sealingly receiving one of the fuel injectors 52 therein. In the embodiment shown, the other of the two cavities 50a faces away from the casing 20 and is also referred to as a first cooling cavity 50a configured for receiving air from the environment E of the segmented fuel distributor 22. The air circulating in the first cooling cavity 50a might reduce a temperature of the fuel carrying segment 24. In the depicted embodiment, the fuel injector receiving member 50 further defines a second cooling cavity 50d configured for receiving a flow of air from the environment E and is fluidly connected with the first cooling cavity 50a.
The secondary flow paths 40 extend through the fuel injector receiving members 50 such that the fuel injectors 52 are in fluid flow communication with the one of the two cavities 50b. Fuel cavities 56 are defined between the fuel injectors 52 and cylindrical walls of the fuel injector receiving members 50. The fuel cavities 56 are fluidly connected with the one of the two cavities 50b and with the main conduit 34 via the secondary conduits 38. Stated otherwise, the fuel cavities 56 are fluidly connected with the main flow path 36 via the secondary flow paths 40.
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The cylindrical protrusions 20b are hollow and are each shaped for receiving therein a respective one of the fuel injector receiving members 50 of the fuel carrying segments 24. Each of the cylindrical protrusions 50 defines a slot 20d for allowing the secondary conduits 38 to extend through the cylindrical protrusions 20b. In the embodiment shown, inner surfaces of the cylindrical protrusions 20b are threaded for receiving nuts 64 to be screwed therein to limit movements of the fuel injector receiving members 50 when they are received within the cylindrical protrusions 20b. In the depicted embodiment, the nuts 64 are hollow for allowing fluid flow communication between the first cooling cavity 50a and the environment E.
In the embodiment shown, gaskets 62 are disposed between the fuel injector receiving members 50 and the cylindrical protrusions 20b for providing a sealing engagement therebetween. In the depicted embodiment, the gaskets 62 are annular and disposed adjacent to the annular tabs 20c to be sandwiched between said tabs 20c and the fuel injector receiving members 50. More specifically, air that has been compressed through its passage in the compressor section 14 is injected in the combustor chamber 30 for being mixed with fuel. The gaskets 62 are configured to preclude the compressed air to escape the combustion chamber 30 via an intersection between the cylindrical protrusions 20b and the fuel injector receiving members 50.
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In the embodiment shown, the secondary conduits 38 define each two fuel passages (not shown) each fluidly connected to a respective one of the two transfer tubes 66. Therefore, the main flow path 36 defines two main sub-flow paths 36a and 36b and each of the secondary conduits 38 defines two secondary sub-flow paths 40a and 40b. The two main sub-flow paths 36a and 36b are in fluid flow communication with a respective one of the two secondary sub-flow paths 40a and 40b. In the embodiment shown, the fuel injectors 52 have each two of the fuel outlets 58 each fluidly connected to a respective one of the two secondary sub-flow paths 40a and 40b.
A connection C between the transfer tube assemblies 28 and the segments 24 offers a flexibility that allows some displacement of the segments 24 relative to the assemblies 28. Such displacement might be the result of thermal expansion during use. More specifically, the flexibility is provided by the interaction between the transfer tubes 66 and the inlets 34d of the main conduit 34. In the embodiment shown, the connection C is flexible and allows variations of about ±3 degrees between a longitudinal axis of each of the transfer tubes 66 and the main conduit 34 of the segments 24.
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The outer sleeve 68 further includes two tabs 68d each defining an aperture. In the embodiment shown, the two tabs are diametrically opposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve 68. The tabs 68d are configured for manipulating the outer sleeve 68, and thus any transfer tube assemblies 28 mounted thereto, in order to position and move the transfer tube assemblies 28 and/or the outer sleeve 68 into or out of a desired position. Thus, the tabs 68d can be used to push or pull and simultaneously engage or disengage the transfer tubes and the outer sleeve with a corresponding fuel carrying segment 24 or fuel nozzle.
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More specifically, the fuel injector receiving members 50 are each secured to the casing 20, within a respective one of the cylindrical protrusions 20b, with the nuts 64 screwed in the cylindrical protrusions 20b.
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In the depicted embodiment, the fuel injector receiving members 50 are pushed in a sealing engagement against the gaskets 62 that abut against the annular tabs 20c defined by the casing 20. The nut 64 may be used for that purpose.
In the embodiment shown, the fuel injector receiving members 50, which are disposed at the remote ends 38a (
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The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. Still other modifications which fall within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of a review of this disclosure, and such modifications are intended to fall within the appended claims.
Claims
1. A segmented fuel distributor for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine, the segmented fuel distributor comprising a plurality of segments configured to be serially interconnected in fuel flow communication to provide an annular structure, the segmented fuel distributor configured for mounting to an external casing of the gas turbine engine, the segments including a main conduit defining a first axis along which a main fuel flow path extends, the segments having two or more secondary conduits extending from the main conduit and being in fluid flow communication therewith, and fuel injectors fluidly connected to the secondary conduits at remote ends thereof.
2. The segmented fuel distributor of claim 1, wherein the main conduit of each of the segments is fluidly connected to main conduits of circumferentially adjacent segments via transfer tubes, a connection between the transfer tubes and the main conduits being flexible.
3. The segmented fuel distributor of claim 1, wherein each of the secondary conduits defines a second axis disposed at an angle relative to the first axis of the main conduit.
4. The segmented fuel distributor of claim 3, wherein the angle between the second axis and the main conduit is from 15° to 90°.
5. The segmented fuel distributor of claim 1, wherein the main conduit and the secondary conduits are integrally formed.
6. The segmented fuel distributor of claim 1, wherein the segments have three of the secondary conduits.
7. The segmented fuel distributor of claim 1, wherein the secondary conduits extend away from each other from the first axis toward the remote ends.
8. The segmented fuel distributor of claim 1, further comprising fuel injector receiving members each affixed to a respective one of the remote ends of the secondary conduits, the fuel injectors fluidly connected to the secondary conduits via the fuel injector receiving members.
9. The segmented fuel distributor of claim 8, wherein the fuel injectors are slidingly received within cavities of the fuel injector receiving members.
10. The segmented fuel distributor of claim 8, wherein the fuel injector receiving members define cooling cavities fluidly connected to an environment of the segmented fuel distributor.
11. The segmented fuel distributor of claim 8, wherein fuel cavities are defined between the fuel injectors and the fuel injector receiving members, the fuel cavities fluidly connected to the secondary conduits.
12. A combustor for a gas turbine engine, comprising a casing and a segmented fuel distributor affixed to the casing and configured for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of the combustor, the segmented fuel distributor comprising a plurality of segments serially interconnected in fuel flow communication, the segments including a main conduit defining a first axis along which a main fuel flow path extends, the segments having two or more secondary conduits extending from the main conduit and being in fluid flow communication therewith, and fuel injectors fluidly connected to the secondary conduits at remote ends thereof.
13. The combustor of claim 12, wherein the main conduit of each of the segments is fluidly connected to main conduits of circumferentially adjacent segments via transfer tubes, a connection between the transfer tubes and the main conduits being flexible.
14. The combustor of claim 12, wherein each of the secondary conduits defines a second axis disposed at an angle relative to the first axis of the main conduit.
15. The combustor of claim 14, wherein the angle between the second axis and the main conduit is from 15° to 90°.
16. The combustor of claim 12, wherein the secondary conduits extend away from each other from the first axis toward the remote ends thereof.
17. The combustor of claim 12, further comprising fuel injector receiving members each affixed to a respective one of the remote ends of the secondary conduits, the fuel injectors fluidly connected the secondary conduits via the fuel injector receiving members.
18. The combustor of claim 12, wherein the casing defines apertures for receiving the fuel injectors therethrough, and wherein the casing defines cylindrical protrusions each disposed around a respective one of the apertures, fuel injector receiving members affixed to the remote ends of the secondary conduits being each received within a respective one of the cylindrical protrusions.
19. A method of assembling a combustor of a gas turbine engine, comprising:
- disposing fuel distribution segments circumferentially around a central axis of the combustor, the fuel distribution segments having two or more fuel injectors;
- fluidly connecting the fuel distribution segments with two respectively adjacent ones of the fuel distribution segments to form a segmented fuel distributor; and
- securing the segmented fuel distributor to a casing of the combustor.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein fluidly connecting the fuel distribution segments comprises fluidly connecting the fuel distribution segments with the two respectively adjacent ones of the fuel distribution segments with transfer tubes, a connection between the transfer tubes and the fuel distribution segments being flexible.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 6, 2017
Publication Date: Apr 11, 2019
Inventors: Oleg MORENKO (Oakville), Aleksandar KOJOVIC (Oakville), Gavin Rohiteshwar KISUN (Mississauga)
Application Number: 15/726,447