Bundled tube fuel injector aft plate retention

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9423136-B2
Application number	US-201314105378-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 distribution module, a tube bundle having a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend in parallel downstream from the fuel distribution module and a support plate disposed substantially adjacent to the fuel distribution manifold. The plurality of pre-mix tubes extends through the support plate. A retention sleeve is coupled to the support plate at a first end. A second end of the retention sleeve includes a plurality of radially extending retention features that are circumferentially arranged around the second end. The bundled tube fuel injector also includes an aft plate having a retention collar. The retention collar is configured to engage with the retention features. The retention sleeve and the retention collar partially define a cartridge passage that extends through the bundled tube fuel injector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A bundled tube fuel injector, comprising:
a fuel distribution module;
a tube bundle having a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend in parallel through and downstream from the fuel distribution module;
a support plate disposed substantially adjacent to and downstream from the fuel distribution module, the plurality of pre-mix tubes extending through the support plate;
a retention sleeve circumferentially surrounded by the plurality of premix tubes, wherein the retention sleeve includes a first end coupled to the support plate and a second end defining a plurality of spring arms, each spring arm including a respective radially extending retention feature; and
an aft plate, the aft plate having a retention collar formed to interlock with each of the retention features, wherein the retention sleeve and the retention collar partially define a cartridge passage that extends through the bundled tube fuel injector.

2. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 1 , further comprising a cartridge that extends through the cartridge passage within the retention sleeve, the cartridge having a downstream end configured to engage with the retention features.

3. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 1 , wherein the retention features are at least partially defined by the retention sleeve.

4. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 1 , wherein a portion of each retention feature extends radially outwardly with respect to an outer surface of the retention sleeve.

5. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 1 , wherein a portion of each retention feature extends radially inwardly with respect to an inner surface of the retention sleeve.

6. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 1 , wherein the retention sleeve is coupled to the support plate via an air sleeve.

7. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 1 , wherein the retention sleeve is slotted from the second end towards the first end.

8. A bundled tube fuel injector, comprising:
a fuel distribution module;
a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the fuel distribution module, wherein the fluid conduit partially defines a cartridge passage through the fuel distribution module;
a tube bundle having a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend in parallel through and downstream from the fuel distribution module;
a retention sleeve coaxially aligned with an inner sleeve of the fluid conduit and circumferentially surrounded by the pre-mix tubes, the retention sleeve having a first end proximate to the fuel distribution module and a second end distal from the fuel distribution module, the second end defining a plurality of spring arms, each spring arm including a respective radially extending retention feature; and
an aft plate, the aft plate having a retention collar aligned with the retention sleeve and formed to interlock with the retention features.

9. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 8 , further comprising a cartridge that extends axially through the cartridge passage and through the retention sleeve towards the retention collar, the cartridge having a downstream end disposed within the retention sleeve and configured to exert a radially outward force to the retention features.

10. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 8 , wherein the retention features are at least partially defined by the retention sleeve.

11. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 8 , wherein a portion of each retention feature extends radially outwardly with respect to an outer surface of the retention sleeve.

12. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 8 , wherein a portion of each retention feature extends radially inwardly with respect to an inner surface of the retention sleeve.

13. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 8 , further comprising a support plate disposed substantially adjacent to the fuel distribution module, the plurality of tubes extending axially through the support plate, wherein the first end of the retention sleeve is coupled to the support plate.

14. The bundled tube fuel injector as in claim 8 , wherein the retention sleeve is slotted from the second end towards the first end.

15. A gas turbine, comprising:
a compressor;
a combustor downstream from the compressor;
a turbine disposed downstream from the combustor; and
wherein the combustor includes an end cover coupled to an outer casing and a bundled tube fuel injector that extends downstream from the end cover, the bundled tube fuel injector comprising:
a fuel distribution module;
a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the end cover and the fuel distribution module, the fluid conduit comprising an inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve defines a cartridge passage through the fuel distribution module;
a tube bundle having a plurality of pre-mix tubes that extend in parallel through and downstream from the fuel distribution module;
a retention sleeve coaxially aligned with the inner sleeve, the retention sleeve having a first end proximate to the fuel distribution module and a second end distal from the fuel distribution module, the second end defining a plurality of spring arms, each spring arm including a respective radially extending retention feature; and
an aft plate that extends radially and circumferentially across an end portion of the bundled tube fuel injector, the aft plate having a retention collar coaxially aligned with the retention sleeve and formed to interlock with the retention features.

16. The gas turbine as in claim 15 , further comprising a cartridge that extends within the retention sleeve, the cartridge having a downstream end disposed within the retention sleeve, wherein the downstream end is configured to engage with the retention features.

17. The gas turbine as in claim 15 , wherein a portion of each retention feature extends radially outwardly with respect to an outer surface of the retention sleeve and wherein a portion of each retention feature extends radially inwardly with respect to an inner surface of the retention sleeve.

18. The gas turbine as in claim 15 , wherein the retention sleeve is slotted from the second end towards the first end.

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

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

Classifications

• F23R3/286 Primary

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

• F23R3/283

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

• F23R3/60

  Support structures; Attaching or mounting means · CPC title

• F23R2900/00017

  Assembling combustion chamber liners or subparts · CPC title