Centerbody for a multiple annular combustor

Abstract

A multiple annular combustor for a gas turbine engine is disclosed having a plurality of concentrically disposed annular combustion zones about a centerline axis. The multiple annular combustor includes a first annular combustion zone, a second annular combustion zone, and a centerbody disposed between the first and second annular combustion zones. The centerbody has a first wall extending axially from an upstream end to a downstream end and a second wall radially spaced from the first wall extending axially from an upstream end to a downstream end, where the downstream ends of the first and second walls are connected by an aft wall and a pair of side walls to form a passage therebetween. The centerbody is geometrically configured to cause a thermoelastic neutral axis to be positioned radially with respect to the first and second walls thereof so that thermal stress imposed on the first and second walls is minimized. The upstream ends of the first and second walls are connected directly to a dome plate defining the first and second annular combustion zones or to a heat shield positioned within openings of the dome plate.