Seal in combustor nozzle of gas turbine engine

Abstract

A nozzle for use in a combustor of a combustion turbine engine, the nozzle including: radial sections defined by sidewalls; a gap formed between opposing sidewalls of adjacent ones of the radial sections; a groove formed on each of the sidewalls that define the gap, the grooves positioned correspondingly so to together form a pocket; and a seal having a zigzagging profile disposed within the pocket. The pocket may intercept the gap over a seal length, and the seal may extend longitudinally within the pocket such that the zigzagging profile intersects the gap over the seal length.

1 . A nozzle for use in a combustor of a combustion turbine engine, the nozzle comprising:
 radial sections defined by sidewalls;   a gap formed between opposing sidewalls of adjacent ones of the radial sections;   a groove formed on each of the sidewalls that define the gap, the grooves positioned correspondingly so to together form a pocket; and   a seal having a zigzagging profile disposed within the pocket;   wherein the pocket intercepts the gap over a seal length; and   wherein the seal extends longitudinally within the pocket such that the zigzagging profile intersects the gap over the seal length.   
     
     
         2 . The nozzle according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a fuel plenum defined by a circumferentially extending shroud wall that extends axially between a forward tubesheet and an aft tubesheet, wherein the sidewalls radially section the fuel plenum so to form the radial sections; and
 mixing tubes extending across each of the radial sections of the fuel plenum so to define a passageway connecting an inlet formed through the forward tubesheet to an outlet formed through the aft tubesheet.   
     
     
         3 . The nozzle according to  claim 2 , wherein the seal length extends between a first end positioned near an inboard boundary of the fuel plenum and a second end positioned near the shroud wall;
 wherein a forward seam formed on the forward tubesheet and an aft seam formed on the aft tubesheet define forward and aft ends of the gap;   wherein the forward and aft seams each extend linearly between the inboard boundary of the fuel plenum and the shroud wall, and the gap extends planarly between the forward and aft seams.   
     
     
         4 . The nozzle according to  claim 3 , wherein the pocket comprises a position between the forward and aft seams of the gap, and wherein the pocket extends in a radially direction. 
     
     
         5 . The nozzle according to  claim 4 , wherein the pocket comprises a position approximately midway between the forward and aft seams; and
 wherein each of the grooves and the pocket comprise rectangular profiles.   
     
     
         6 . The nozzle according to  claim 2 , wherein the grooves are formed so that the gap bisects the pocket; and
 wherein the seal comprises a compliant material selected for air loading flexion during operation.   
     
     
         7 . The nozzle according to  claim 2 , wherein the zigzagging profile of the seal comprises at least two segments connected end-to-end at a sharp turn. 
     
     
         8 . The nozzle according to  claim 7 , wherein the sharp turn comprises one of at least 120°; and
 wherein the zigzagging profile comprises at least one of a “V” or “U” shape. 
 
     
     
         9 . The nozzle according to  claim 2 , wherein the zigzagging profile comprises at least three segments connected end-to-end at alternating sharp turns. 
     
     
         10 . The nozzle according to  claim 9 , wherein the sharp turns each comprises one of at least 90°. 
     
     
         11 . The nozzle according to  claim 10 , wherein the segments are curved so that the zigzagging profile comprises a sinusoidal shape. 
     
     
         12 . The nozzle according to  claim 9 , wherein the sharp turns each comprises one of at least 120°; and
 wherein the segments are linear and the zigzagging profile comprises a “N” shape. 
 
     
     
         13 . The nozzle according to  claim 2 , wherein the zigzagging profile comprises at least four segments connected end-to-end at alternating sharp turns. 
     
     
         14 . The nozzle according to  claim 13 , wherein the sharp turns each comprise one of at least 150°. 
     
     
         15 . The nozzle according to  claim 13 , wherein the zigzagging profile comprises an “Ω” shape. 
     
     
         16 . The nozzle according to  claim 13 , wherein the zigzagging profile comprises a “M” shape. 
     
     
         17 . The nozzle according to  claim 16 , wherein the “M” shape is oriented within the pocket such that the middle sharp turn is directed toward an expected leakage flow through the gap. 
     
     
         18 . The nozzle according to  claim 2 , wherein dimensions of the pocket and dimensions of the zigzagging profile of the seal are correspondingly sized so that rotation of the seal about a longitudinal axis beyond approximately 45° is mechanically prevented. 
     
     
         19 . A combustor in a combustion turbine engine that includes a nozzle for mixing a supply of compressed air with a supply of fuel, wherein the nozzle further comprising:
 a fuel plenum comprising a cylindrical shape that is axially stacked between a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the fuel plenum is defined between by a circumferentially extending shroud wall that extends axially between a planar forward tubesheet, which is adjacent to the first chamber, and a planar aft tube sheet, which is adjacent to the second chamber;   a plurality of wedge-shaped nozzle sections formed by sidewalls that radially section the fuel plenum;   mixing tubes positioned within each of the plurality of nozzle sections, each of the mixing tubes including a tube extending between an inlet formed through the forward tubesheet and an outlet formed through the aft tubesheet and including a plurality of fuel ports connecting an interior of the tube with the fuel plenum formed about it;   wherein a first nozzle section and an adjacent second nozzle section comprise, respectively, a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposed across a gap formed therebetween;   wherein a groove is positioned on each of the first and second sidewalls so to together form a radially extending pocket that intercepts the gap over a seal length; and   wherein a seal having a zigzagging profile extends longitudinally within the pocket such that the zigzagging profile intersects the gap over the seal length.   
     
     
         20 . The combustor according to  claim 19 , wherein the first chamber is configured to receive a supply of compressed air and the second chamber is configured as a combustion zone;
 wherein the seal length extends between a first end positioned near an inboard boundary of the fuel plenum and a second end positioned near the shroud wall; and   wherein the zigzagging profile comprises at least four segments connected end-to-end at alternating turns of at least 120°.