Power plants – Combustion products used as motive fluid
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-22
2001-04-10
Kim, Ted (Department: 3746)
Power plants
Combustion products used as motive fluid
C060S748000, C060S039300, C060S746000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212870
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to gas turbine engines and more particularly to combustion systems in such engines.
A gas turbine engine includes a compressor that provides pressurized air to a combustor wherein the air is mixed with fuel and ignited for generating hot combustion gases. These gases flow downstream to one or more turbines that extract energy therefrom to power the compressor and provide useful work such as powering an aircraft in flight. Combustors used in aircraft engines typically include inner and outer combustion liners joined at their upstream ends to a one-piece stamped dome plate. The dome plate has a plurality of circumferentially spaced swirler assemblies mounted therein for introducing the fuel/air mixture to the combustion chamber.
The position of the swirler assemblies with respect to the dome plate is critical to the performance and functionality of the combustor. Consequently, dome fixturing tools are required to set the proper gap and orientation of the swirler assemblies in relation to each other and the dome plate. The use of these tools is time consuming and adds cost to the process of assembling gas turbine combustors.
Accordingly, there is a need for a combustor dome assembly that can be assembled easily and quickly without the use of fixturing tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above-mentioned needs are met by the present invention which provides a combustor dome assembly made up of a dome plate having a plurality of swirler assemblies mounted therein. Each swirler assembly is provided with a locating pin that extends between the dome plate and the swirler assembly for positioning the swirler assembly with respect to the dome plate. Preferably, the swirler assembly includes a swirl cup and an outlet sleeve mounted in the dome plate. The locating pin is pressed into a hole formed in the swirl cup. One end of the pin is received in a slot formed in the dome plate, and the other end of the pin is received in a slot formed in the outlet sleeve. Thus, the locating pin sets the circumferential orientation of the swirler assembly in relation to the dome plate. A shoulder on the swirl cup sets the cup axially with respect to the dome plate, and a shoulder on the outlet sleeve sets the sleeve axially with respect to the swirl cup. Accordingly, the swirler assembly can be mounted to the dome plate in its proper orientation without the need to use fixturing tools.
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Glevicky Mark M.
Ogden Paul J.
Pritchard, Jr. Byron A.
Thompson James E.
General Electric Company
Hess Andrew C.
Kim Ted
Young Rodney M.
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