Bundled tube fuel injector with a multi-configuration tube tip

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9423134-B2
Application number	US-201314105327-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 13, 2013
Priority date	Dec 13, 2013
Publication date	Aug 23, 2016
Grant date	Aug 23, 2016

Abstract

A bundled tube fuel injector includes a fuel plenum that is defined within the bundled tube fuel injector and a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another. Each pre-mix tube includes an end portion and a radially extending end surface. The bundled tube fuel injector further includes a tube tip that is fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bundled tube fuel injector, comprising:
a fuel plenum defined within the bundled tube fuel injector, wherein the fuel plenum is defined by an upstream plate, a downstream plate axially spaced from the upstream plate and an outer band that circumferentially surrounds the upstream plate and the downstream plate;
a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend through the upstream plate, the fuel plenum, the downstream plate and extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another, each pre-mix tube having an end portion and a radially extending end surface; and
a tube tip fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube, wherein a portion of the tube tip axially overlaps across a radially outer surface of the corresponding pre-mix tube.

2. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 1 , wherein the tube tip comprises a mating end, an opposing outlet end and a pre-mix portion that extends therebetween, the mating end defining a socket configured to receive a portion of the end portion of the corresponding pre-mix tube.

3. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 1 , wherein the tube tip comprises a radially extending mating surface that forms a joint with the radially extending end surface of the pre-mix tube, the bundled tube fuel injector further comprising a coupling sleeve circumferentially surrounding the joint.

4. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 1 , further comprising an aft plate defining a plurality of tube tip passages, the end portion of the pre-mix tube extending through a corresponding tube tip passage, wherein the tube tip extends circumferentially around the end portion of the pre-mix tube.

5. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 4 , wherein the tube tip extends radially inwardly across the radially extending end surface of the pre-mix tube.

6. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 4 , wherein the tube tip includes a retention feature.

7. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 1 , wherein the tube tip comprises a radially extending mating surface and a step defined along the radially extending mating surface between an inner and outer diameter of the tube tip, wherein the end portion of the pre-mix tube is seated in the step.

8. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 1 , wherein the tube tip comprises a radially extending mating surface that forms a butt joint with the radially extending end surface of the pre-mix tube.

9. The bundled tube fuel injector as on claim 1 , wherein the tube tip is fixed to the end portion of the pre-mix tube via at least one of brazing, welding and adhesive cladding.

10. A combustor comprising:
an outer casing;
an end cover coupled to the outer casing;
a bundled tube fuel injector coupled to the end cover and extending axially downstream from the end cover; and
wherein the bundled tube fuel injector comprises:
a fuel plenum defined within the bundled tube fuel injector, wherein the fuel plenum is defined by an upstream plate, a downstream plate axially spaced from the upstream plate and an outer band that circumferentially surrounds the upstream plate and the downstream plate;
a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend through the upstream plate, the fuel plenum, the downstream plate and extend downstream from the fuel plenum substantially parallel to one another, each pre-mix tube having an end portion and a radially extending end surface;
an aft plate comprising a plurality of tube tip passages, each tube tip passage aligned with a corresponding pre-mix tube; and
a tube tip fixedly connected to the end portion of a corresponding pre-mix tube, wherein a portion of the tube tip axially overlaps across a radially outer surface of the corresponding pre-mix tube, wherein the tube tip extends through a corresponding tube tip passage.

11. The combustor as in claim 10 , wherein the tube tip comprises a mating end, an opposing outlet end and a pre-mix portion that extends therebetween, the mating end defining a socket configured to receive a portion of the end portion of the corresponding pre-mix tube.

12. The combustor as in claim 10 , wherein the tube tip comprises a radially extending mating surface that forms a joint with the radially extending end surface of the pre-mix tube, the bundled tube fuel injector further comprising a coupling sleeve circumferentially surrounding the joint.

13. The combustor as in claim 10 , wherein the tube tip extends circumferentially around the end portion of the pre-mix tube.

14. The combustor as in claim 13 , wherein the tube tip extends radially inwardly across the radially extending end surface of the pre-mix tube.

15. The combustor as in claim 13 , wherein the tube tip includes a retention feature.

16. The combustor as in claim 10 , wherein the tube tip comprises a radially extending mating surface and a step defined along the radially extending mating surface between an inner and outer diameter of the tube tip, wherein the end portion of the pre-mix tube is seated in the step.

17. The combustor as in claim 10 , wherein the tube tip comprises a radially extending mating surface that forms a butt joint with the radially extending end surface of the pre-mix tube.

18. The combustor as in claim 10 , wherein the tube tip is fixed to the end portion of the pre-mix tube via at least one of brazing, welding and adhesive cladding.

19. The combustor as in claim 10 , wherein the pre-mix tube and the tube tip are constructed of different materials.

20. The combustor as in claim 10 , wherein the combustor is disposed downstream from a compressor and upstream from a turbine.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Woods Steven Charles
• Means Gregory Scott
• Bellino Mark Carmine
• Monaghan James Christopher
• Mcconnaughhay Johnie F

Classifications

• F23R3/286 Primary

  having fuel-air premixing devices (F23R3/30 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F02M61/14

  Arrangements of injectors with respect to engines; Mounting of injectors · CPC title

• F23D14/62

  Mixing devices; Mixing tubes · CPC title

• F23R3/283 Primary

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