Single-fitting, dual-circuit fuel nozzle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016161124-A1
Application number	US-201414900935-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 22, 2014
Priority date	Jul 1, 2013
Publication date	Jun 9, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A manifold fitting receiving radial and axial manifolds and providing two radial outlets is disclosed. The manifold fitting, when used in conjunction with a fuel injector and a combustor for a gas turbine engine, reduces the radial footprint of the fuel injector and thereby allows for a more compact engine. Additionally, the manifold fitting eliminates parts, reducing weight in the process, as compared to prior art fittings. Such reductions in size, parts count, and weight are particularly beneficial for aircraft applications.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A manifold fitting, comprising:
a tube; a sleeve surrounding the tube, the sleeve and tube extending along a longitudinal centerline of the manifold fitting and forming a sleeve cavity therebetween; a first manifold intersecting the manifold fitting radial to the centerline and in fluid communication with the sleeve cavity; a second manifold intersecting the manifold fitting co-axial with the centerline and in fluid communication with the tube; a first outlet radial to the centerline and in fluid communication with the tube; and a second outlet radial to the centerline and in fluid communication with the sleeve cavity.

2 . The manifold fitting of claim 1 , further comprising a pigtail fitting circumscribing the second manifold and defining a pigtail cavity therebetween, the pigtail cavity being in fluid communication with the sleeve cavity, and the first manifold intersecting and communicating through the pigtail fitting to the pigtail cavity.

3 . The manifold fitting of claim 2 , wherein the pigtail fitting is sealed with the sleeve and the second manifold is sealed with the tube.

4 . The manifold fitting of claim 3 , wherein o-rings seal the pigtail with the sleeve and the second manifold with the tube.

5 . The manifold fitting of claim 2 , wherein a ferrule surrounds and seals a joint between the pigtail fitting and the sleeve.

6 . The manifold fitting of claim 1 , wherein the tube defines a chamber in fluid communication with the second manifold and the first outlet, and the tube further defines a tube cavity in fluid communication with the first sleeve cavity and the second outlet.

7 . The manifold fitting of claim 6 , wherein the sleeve and tube are connected by an abutment, the abutment forming a second sleeve cavity between the tube and the sleeve, and the second sleeve cavity communicating between the tube cavity and the first outlet.

8 . The manifold fitting of claim 1 , further comprising a fluid filter positioned inside of the tube.

9 . The manifold fitting of claim 1 , further comprising a fluid filter positioned in the sleeve cavity.

10 . The manifold fitting of claim 1 , further comprising a flow limiter positioned inside of the tube.

11 . A manifold fitting, comprising:
a tube; a sleeve surrounding the tube and forming a sleeve cavity therebetween, the tube being in fluid communication with a first outlet, and the sleeve cavity being in fluid communication with a second outlet; a first manifold coaxial, and in fluid communication, with the tube; a pigtail fitting circumscribing the first manifold and defining a pigtail cavity therebetween, the pigtail cavity being in fluid communication with the sleeve cavity; and a second manifold radially extending from the pigtail fitting and being in fluid communication with the pigtail cavity.

12 . The manifold fitting of claim 11 , wherein a ferrule surrounds and seals a joint between the pigtail fitting and the sleeve.

13 . The manifold fitting of claim 11 , wherein the first manifold is sealed with the sleeve and the second manifold is sealed with the tube.

14 . The manifold fitting of claim 13 , wherein an o-ring seals the first manifold with the sleeve and another o-ring seals the second manifold with the tube.

15 . The manifold fitting of claim 11 , wherein the tube defines a chamber in fluid communication with the second manifold and the first outlet, and the tube further defines a tube cavity in fluid communication with the first sleeve cavity and the second outlet.

16 . The manifold fitting of claim 15 , wherein the sleeve and tube are connected by an abutment, the abutment forming a second sleeve cavity between the tube and the sleeve, and the second sleeve cavity communicating between the chamber of the tube and the first outlet.

17 . A fuel injector of a combustor, the fuel injector comprising:
a fuel nozzle extending into the combustor; a stem extending away from the fuel nozzle; a manifold fitting extending from the stem and having a centerline extending in a non-radial direction with respect to the combustor, the manifold fitting including a tube and a sleeve circumscribing the tube to define a sleeve cavity therebetween; a first manifold intersecting the manifold fitting radial to the centerline and in fluid communication with the sleeve cavity; a second manifold intersecting the manifold fitting co-axial, and in fluid communication, with the tube; a first outlet radial to the centerline and in fluid communication with the tube; and a second outlet radial to the centerline and in fluid communication with the sleeve cavity.

18 . The fuel injector of claim 17 , wherein each manifold is in communication with a separate fuel supply.

19 . The fuel injector of claim 17 , further comprising a pigtail fitting circumscribing the second manifold and defining a pigtail cavity therebetween, the pigtail cavity being in fluid communication with the sleeve cavity, and the first manifold intersecting and communicating through the pigtail fitting to the pigtail cavity.

20 . The fuel injector of claim 17 , wherein the tube defines a chamber in fluid communication with the second manifold and the first outlet, and the tube further defines an tube cavity in fluid communication with the sleeve cavity and the second outlet.

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Low Kevin Joseph

Classifications

• F05D2260/30

  Retaining components in desired mutual position · CPC title

• F23R3/283 Primary

  Attaching or cooling of fuel injecting means including supports for fuel injectors, stems, or lances · CPC title

• F02C7/222

  Fuel flow conduits, e.g. manifolds · CPC title

• F02C7/22

  Fuel supply systems · CPC title

• Y02T50/60

  Efficient propulsion technologies, e.g. for aircraft · CPC title