Parker-hannifin Corporation

Curtis F Harding

Harold C Simmons

Jie Qian

Bryan T Runkle

Jeffrey R Lehtinen

Fady Bishara

Stephen C Paskevich

A nozzle tip assembly and method characterized by the use of a retention device including at least one tab that cooperates with a ledge for coupling a nozzle shroud to a nozzle adaptor. The retention device can be used as a secondary retention feature to prevent nozzle separation and/or to enable the fuel injector to be repaired without having to replace the entire assembly. The latter advantage is of particular benefit when there is damage during assembly or when the nozzle tip assembly is being overhauled.

Nozzle tip assembly with secondary retention device

A fuel injector for gas turbine engines includes an inlet fitting, a housing stem, and a spray nozzle. A pair of fuel passages in the stem deliver fuel in a primary (continuous) flow and a secondary (non-continuous or reduced) flow to primary and secondary discharge orifices in the nozzle. The fuel passages are defined by inner and outer concentric conduits, with the primary flow directed through the inner conduit, and the secondary flow directed through the outer conduit. Fins are provided unitary with the inner conduit along the length of the housing stem, and are fixed at their radial outer ends to the outer conduit. The fins provide structural support and thermally connect the inner and outer conduits. During low power operation, the fins transfer heat energy between the outer conduit to the inner conduit to cool the outer conduit and thermally protect the fuel in the secondary fuel passage.

Nozzle with fluted tube

A check valve includes an outer valve body and an inner poppet valve moveable relative to the valve body and spring-biased into a closed position. The inner poppet valve has first and second stage openings. The first stage preferably has a single, relatively small through-hole into the chamber of the poppet valve, while the second stage preferably has multiple openings of a larger diameter. The first and second stage openings are spaced axially along the poppet valve, with the first stage opening being located closer to the valve head of the poppet valve than the second stage openings. In the closed position, fluid flow is blocked through both the first and second stage openings. When the cracking force of the valve is exceeded and the valve head moves away from the valve seat, fill flow occurs through the first stage opening and is restricted through the second stage openings. The restricted fluid flow causes the pressure drop across the check valve to be satisfactory at low flow rates to cause the poppet valve to stroke long enough such that particles will pass easily between the valve head and the valve seat. The flow increases through the second stage openings as the poppet valve moves toward its open position. The pressure drop is minimized at high flow rates to maximize the efficiency of the check valve. The check valve also has relatively few parts, and can be easily assembled and installed within the housing of a fuel nozzle.

Multi-stage check valve

An atomizing nozzle suitable for use with high-viscosity slurries wherein a body (10) and forming element (40) include passageways (18, 22 and 48) that lead to a conical chamber (65) having a discharge annulus (66). The slurry exits discharge annulus (66) in a cylindrical continuous film. The inside of the film is exposed to swirled, compressed gas from an internal bore (50) of forming element (40) and the outside of the film is exposed to swirled compressed gas in a swirl chamber (72) to atomize and mix the slurry.

Slurry atomizer

A fuel nozzle wherein a swirl cone (36) is located between a housing (10) and a body (12). Body (12) cooperates with housing (10) to form an air chamber (32) and with cone (36) to form an inner annulus (40). Swirl vanes (34) are angularly mounted between cone (36) and body (12) such that air flowing from chamber (32) into annulus (40) forms a swirling flow pattern. Body (12) is provided with a fuel chamber (16) and radial passages (20) introduce fuel to the swirling air in inner annulus (40) to produce an atomized spray pattern.

Air swirl nozzle

A gas turbine fuel injection nozzle is disclosed in which the secondary fuel is spread into a very thin film entirely within a region of low air momentum. The fuel is therefore not affected by turbulence, and this results in an evenly circumferentially distributed fuel film at the discharge orifice of the nozzle resulting in an even and extremely fine spray of fuel to enhance proper engine performance.

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New York, NY, United States of America

Curtis F Harding